Sandhill Crane

Sandhill cranes are the tallest birds in Yellowstone.

Sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) nest in Yellowstone each summer. Their guttural calls announce their presence long before most people see them as their gray feathers blend in well with their grassland habitat. The tallest birds in Yellowstone, they stand about 4 feet (1.2 m) high. They have a wingspan of approximately 6.5 feet (2 m) and are often mistaken for standing humans or other animals at a distance.

 

Resource

Tacha, T.C., S.A. Nesbitt, and P.A. Vohs. Sandhill crane. The Birds of North America Online. https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/sancra/introduction

 

Bald Eagle

Bald eagles can be seen along Yellowstone's many rivers and lakes.

Osprey

Osprey summer in Yellowstone, fishing and raising young.

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine falcons are some of the fastest birds.

Colony Nesting Birds

American white pelicans and other colonial nesting birds nest primarily on the Molly Islands in the southeast arm of Yellowstone Lake.

Common Loon

Loons in Yellowstone are some of the southern most breeding populations.

Trumpeter Swan

Trumpeter swans are the largest wild waterfowl in North America.

Songbirds and Woodpeckers

Passerine and near passerine species comprise the majority of bird species in Yellowstone.

American Dipper

Also known as the water ouzel, these birds dive into water for aquatic insects.

Raven

Ravens are smart birds, able to put together cause and effect.

Sound Library

Immerse yourself in the aural splendor of Yellowstone.

Birds

Spring is a wonderful time to look for birds, as migration brings many birds back to the park.