Yellowstone Birds

The occasional osprey flies overhead. A bald eagle sits perched in a distant tree. A trumpeter swan navigates a nearby river. Whether you consider yourself a birder or not, Yellowstone is sure to create an appreciation for these amazing creatures. Stop by a park visitor center to learn more or sign up for a wildlife tour of the park.

While there are tons of birds that call Yellowstone National Park home, there are a handful of species that local biologists give more attention: Common Loon, Peregrine Falcon, Harlequin Duck, Trumpeter Swan, Osprey, and Bald Eagle. You’ll hear locals and visitors alike frequently point out these birds in the wild.

Common Loon
The Common Loon is an aquatic bird which often is confused with a duck or a goose while swimming in the water. While flying, the wings of a Common Loon look like that of a seagull but much smaller, especially when compared to the size of their bodies. Males and female have similar plumage with black and white feathers on their backs, gray on their heads, and large white bellies. Common Loons spend a majority of their time in the water, swimming and diving. They feed primarily on fish and other amphibians. Loons nest during the summer and typically build nests near the water’s edge or on small river islands.

Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon is a bird of prey and can reach speeds of up to 200 mph when swooping in for a kill. Females are often much larger than male falcons. Their plumage is mainly blue-gray on their backs and white on their bellies. They typically have a black head. Peregrine Falcons feed primarily on small and medium sized birds in addition to small mammals and reptiles. Peregrines mate for life and build nests in high cliff walls or on man-made structures.

Harlequin Duck
Harlequin Ducks are typically sea birds but they call the greater Yellowstone region home as well. They spend most of their time in fast moving water. They are distinguished by their plumage. Males are dark blue in color with many white and orange-brown spotting. Females are generally grey-brown. Both have a white spot near their ear. Harlequin Ducks feed on fish, amphibians, and insects.

Trumpeter Swan
Trumpeter Swans are the largest of bird species native to North America. Their bright white plumage and long curvy neck make them easy to spot on waterways. Trumpeter Swans spend most of their time in wide calm rivers or shallow ponds and are often seen “bottoms up” as they search for aquatic plant life on which to feed. Although they eat insects as young, they grow to be vegetarians as they mature. You can sometimes spot these swans migrating in a distinct V formation.

Osprey
Some of the most exciting birds to spot in Yellowstone, Ospreys are often seen perched in a high tree taking everything that moves below them. Ospreys are large raptors and primarily fish eaters. Their plumage is gray-brown with a white chest and head. They have a distinguishing dark mask that covers their eyes and wraps back around their necks. When in flight, their wing tips seem to span into fingers and their tails spread in a wide V shape. Osprey can spot their prey from about 30 to 100 feet above, before diving down to their kill. While fish make up 99% of their diet, they are known to feed on rodents and other small mammals on occasion.

Bald Eagle
Probably the most notorious of the birds in the area, the Bald Eagle is the easiest to spot from a distance. The contrast of their bright white head and dark brown body make them stand out against most backgrounds. They are often found perched high above a large body of water. Bald Eagles feed primarily on fish. Males and females have similar plumage but females are consistently larger than males. Bald Eagles are known to mate for life and typically live to be about 20 years old.