List of birds of Yellowstone National Park explained

This is a comprehensive listing of the bird species recorded in Yellowstone National Park, which is mostly in the U.S. state of Wyoming and also extends into Idaho and Montana. This list is based on one published by the National Park Service (NPS) dated June 2021 that contains 284 species when taxonomic changes have been made.[1]

This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 65th Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS).[2] Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.

Unless otherwise noted, all the species on this list are considered to occur regularly in the park as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The tags below are used to designate the abundance of some species. Because the NPS checklist notes abundance by season, the tag for the highest abundance of the year is used. The quoted definitions are those of the NPS.

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Thirty-four species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Anser caerulescens R
Anser rossii R
Anser albifrons V
Branta hutchinsii V
Branta canadensis B
Cygnus buccinator B
Cygnus columbianus U
Cygnus cygnus V
Aix sponsa R
Spatula discors B U
Spatula cyanoptera B
Spatula clypeata B
Mareca strepera B
Mareca penelope V
Mareca americana B
Anas platyrhynchos B
Anas acuta B
Anas crecca B
Aythya valisineria B U
Aythya americana B U
Aythya collaris B
Aythya marila R
Aythya affinis B
Histrionicus histrionicus B U
Melanitta perspicillata V
Melanitta deglandi V
Clangula hyemalis V
Bucephala albeola B
Bucephala clangula
Bucephala islandica B
Lophodytes cucullatus B R
Mergus merganser B
Mergus serrator U
Oxyura jamaicensis B

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae

Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Eight species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Meleagris gallopavo V
Bonasa umbellus B
Dendragapus obscurus B
Perdix perdix I V
Alectoris chukar V

Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Six species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Podilymbus podiceps B
Podiceps auritus B R
Podiceps grisegena B R
Podiceps nigricollis B U
Aechmophorus occidentalis b R
Aechmophorus clarkii R

Pigeons and doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Four species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Columba livia I B U
Patagioenas fasciata V
Streptopelia decaocto I R
Zenaida macroura B R

Cuckoos

Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Coccyzus erythropthalmus V

Nightjars and allies

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Chordeiles minor B

Swifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae

The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have very long, swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Aeronautes saxatalis B U

Hummingbirds

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Four species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Selasphorus calliope B R
Selasphorus rufus B R
Selasphorus platycercus B R

Rails, gallinules, and coots

Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and tend to be weak fliers. Five species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Rallus limicola B R
Porzana carolina B
Fulica americana B
Coturnicops noveboracensis V

Cranes

Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Antigone canadensis B
Grus americana V

Stilts and avocets

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Himantopus mexicanus R
Recurvirostra americana R

Plovers and lapwings

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Four species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Pluvialis squatarola R
Charadrius vociferus B
Charadrius semipalmatus R

Sandpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Twenty-three species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Bartramia longicauda R
Numenius americanus B R
Limosa fedoa R
Arenaria interpres R
Calidris alba R
Calidris bairdii U
Calidris minutilla R
Calidris fuscicollis R
Calidris melanotos R
Calidris pusilla R
Calidris mauri R
Limnodromus griseus R
Limnodromus scolopaceus U
Gallinago delicata B
Actitis macularia B
Tringa solitaria R
Tringa flavipes R
Tringa semipalmata U
Tringa melanoleuca U
Phalaropus tricolor B U
Phalaropus lobatus R

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds which includes gulls, terns, kittiwakes, and skimmers. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Twelve species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Xema sabini V
Larus philadelphia R
Larus pipixcan R
Larus brachyrhynchus V
Larus delawarensis
Larus californicus B
Larus argentatus R
Hydroprogne caspia B R
Chlidonias niger V
Sterna hirundo R
Sterna paradisaea V
Sterna forsteri B R

Loons

Order: GaviiformesFamily: Gaviidae

Loons are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely gray or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but are almost hopeless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Gavia pacifica V
Gavia immer B U

Cormorants and shags

Order: SuliformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of colored skin on the face. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Nannopterum auritum B U

Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Pelecanus erythrorhynchos B

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and more secretive. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills. Eight species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Botaurus lentiginosus V
Ardea herodias B
Ardea alba V
Egretta thula V
Egretta tricolor V
Bubulcus ibis V
Butorides virescens V
Nycticorax nycticorax R

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Threskiornithidae

The family Threskiornithidae includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings. Their bodies tend to be elongated, the neck more so, with rather long legs. The bill is also long, decurved in the case of the ibises, straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Plegadis chihi R

New World vultures

Order: CathartiformesFamily: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers; however, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carcasses. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Cathartes aura U

Osprey

Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Pandionidae

Pandionidae is a family of fish-eating birds of prey possessing a very large, powerful hooked beak for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. The family is monotypic.

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Pandion haliaetus B

Hawks, eagles, and kites

Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. Twelve species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Aquila chrysaetos B U
Circus cyaneus B U
Accipiter striatus B U
Accipiter cooperii B U
Accipiter atricapillus B U
Haliaeetus leucocephalus B
Buteo lineatus V
Buteo platypterus R
Buteo swainsoni B
Buteo jamaicensis B
Buteo lagopus U
Buteo regalis U

Owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. Eleven species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Psiloscops flammeolus V
Megascops kennicottii V
Bubo virginianus B
Bubo scandiacus V
Glaucidium gnoma B R
Athene cunicularia V
Strix nebulosa B U
Asio otus B R
Asio flammeus B R
Aegolius funereus B R
Aegolius acadicus B R

Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Megaceryle alcyon B U

Woodpeckers

Order: PiciformesFamily: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Ten species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Melanerpes lewis B R
Sphyrapicus thyroideus B U
Sphyrapicus nuchalis B U
Picoides dorsalis B U
Picoides arcticus B R
Dryobates pubescens B U
Dryobates villosus B
Colaptes auratus B
Dryocopus pileatus B R

Falcons and caracaras

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. Five species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Caracara plancus V
Falco sparverius B U
Falco columbarius R
Falco peregrinus B U
Falco mexicanus B U

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are Passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. Twelve species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Myiarchus cinerascens V
Tyrannus verticalis R
Tyrannus tyrannus R
Tyrannus forficatus V
Contopus cooperi B
Contopus sordidulus B U
Empidonax traillii B U
Empidonax minimus V
Empidonax hammondii B U
Empidonax oberholseri B
Empidonax difficilis B R
Sayornis saya V

Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. Four species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Vireo cassinii V
Vireo plumbeous V
Vireo gilvus B
Vireo olivaceus V

Shrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Lanius ludovicianus R
Lanius excubitor U

Crows, jays, and magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. Eight species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Perisoreus canadensis B U
Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus R
Cyanocitta stelleri B U
Cyanocitta cristata R
Nucifraga columbiana B
Pica hudsonia B
Corvus brachyrhynchos B U
Corvus corax B

Tits, chickadees, and titmice

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Poecile atricapilla B U
Poecile gambeli B

Larks

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Eremophila alpestris B U

Swallows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Seven species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Riparia riparia B U
Tachycineta bicolor B
Tachycineta thalassina B
Stelgidopteryx serripennis B U
Hirundo rustica B U
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota B

Kinglets

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Regulidae

The kinglets are a small family of birds which resemble the titmice. They are very small insectivorous birds, mostly in the genus Regulus. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their names. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Corthylio calendula B
Regulus satrapa B U

Waxwings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Bombycilla garrulus
Bombycilla cedrorum B U

Nuthatches

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet. Three species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Sitta canadensis B
Sitta carolinensis B U
Sitta pygmaea V

Treecreepers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Certhiidae

Creepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Certhia americana B U

Gnatcatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Polioptilidae

These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their structure and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers are mainly soft bluish gray in color and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. Many species have distinctive black head patterns (especially males) and long, regularly cocked, black-and-white tails. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Polioptila caerulea V

Wrens

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. Six species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Salpinctes obsoletus B U
Catherpes mexicanus V
Troglodytes aedon B
Cistothorus palustris B R

Mockingbirds and thrashers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds which includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull grays and browns in their appearance. Two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Dumetella carolinensis B U
Oreoscoptes montanus B U

Starlings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Sturnus vulgaris I B U

Dippers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cinclidae

Dippers are small stout birds that feed in cold, fast-moving streams. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Cinclus mexicanus B U

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly but not exclusively in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. Eight species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Sialia mexicana R
Sialia currucoides B
Myadestes townsendi B
Catharus fuscescens V
Catharus ustulatus B U
Catharus guttatus B
Turdus migratorius B
Ixoreus naevius V

Old World sparrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae

In general, Old World sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or grayish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Passer domesticus I B

Wagtails and pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails which includes the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country. One species has been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Anthus rubescens B R

Finches, euphonias, and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. Twelve species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Coccothraustes vespertinus B O
Pinicola enucleator B U
Leucosticte tephrocotis R
Leucosticte atrata B U
Haemorhous mexicanus R
Haemorhous cassinii B
Acanthis flammea U
Loxia curvirostra B U
Loxia leucoptera b R
Spinus pinus B
Spinus psaltria V
Spinus tristis B R

Longspurs and snow buntings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Calcariidae

The Calcariidae are a group of passerine birds that were traditionally grouped with the New World sparrows, but differ in a number of respects and are usually found in open grassy areas. Three species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Rhynchophanes mccownii V
Calcarius lapponicus V
Plectrophenax nivalis O

New World sparrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passerellidae

Until 2017, these species were considered part of the family Emberizidae. Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns. Twenty-two species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Ammodramus savannarum O
Amphispiza bilineata V
Chondestes grammacus O
Calamospiza melanocorys V
Spizella passerina B
Spizella pallida V
Spizella breweri B
Passerella iliaca B R
Spizelloides arborea U
Junco hyemalis B
Zonotrichia leucophrys B
Zonotrichia querula V
Zonotrichia albicollis V
Artemisiospiza nevadensis V
Pooecetes gramineus B
Passerculus sandwichensis B
Melospiza melodia B
Melospiza lincolnii B
Melospiza georgiana V
Pipilo chlorurus B U
Pipilo maculatus B R

Yellow-breasted chat

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Icteriidae

This species was historically placed in the wood-warblers (Parulidae) but nonetheless most authorities were unsure if it belonged there. It was placed in its own family in 2017.

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Icteria virens V

Troupials and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red. Nine species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus B
Dolichonyx oryzivorus V
Sturnella neglecta B
Icterus bullockii B R
Agelaius phoeniceus B
Molothrus ater B
Euphagus carolinus V
Euphagus cyanocephalus B
Quiscalus quiscula V

New World warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Parulidae

The wood warblers are a group of small often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some like the ovenbird and the two waterthrushes, are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. Twenty-one species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

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Seiurus aurocapilla V
Parkesia noveboracensis b R
Mniotilta varia R
Protonotaria citrea V
Leiothlypis peregrina R
Leiothlypis celata B U
Leiothlypis ruficapilla R
Geothlypis tolmiei B U
Geothlypis trichas B
Setophaga citrina V
Setophaga ruticilla B R
Setophaga tigrina V
Setophaga fusca R
Setophaga petechia B
Setophaga pensylvanica V
Setophaga striata R
Setophaga coronata B
Setophaga nigrescens V
Setophaga townsendi R
Cardellina pusilla B U

Cardinals and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. Five species have been recorded in Yellowstone.

width=35% Common namewidth=33% Binomialwidth=32% Status
Piranga ludoviciana B
Pheucticus ludovicianus V
Pheucticus melanocephalus b R
Passerina amoena B

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Birds of Yellowstone . June 2021 . National Park Service . July 19, 2024.
  2. Web site: Check-list of North and Middle American Birds . . July 2024 . American Ornithological Society . July 18, 2024 .