w w w. d i s t i n c t ly m o n ta n a . c o m
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M o nt a n a B i rd s
b y Z a c h ar y H o l me s
i l l u st r at i o n s b y R o ber t R at h
Fo r m o r e a b o ut M o nt a n a b i rd s , g o t o : w w w . mt a u d u b o n . o rg
Bul locks Oriole
(Icterus bul lockii)
Once considered the same bird as the Baltimore Ori-
ole due to some interbreeding on the Great Plains, the
Bullocks Oriole was named recently. Sporting a black head
and a magnificently yellow-colored body, this bird stands
out in Montana. With a white patch on the wing, this bird
truly seems exotic for Montana.
O sprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
A large eagle-like raptor with
reversible toes, the Osprey is dark
from above and white from below.
In flight their long narrow wings are
bent back at the wrist. Osprey are
formidable predators. Eating mostly
fish these birds nest near water atop
perches, poles, or trees.
Red-winged Blackbird
(Agelaius phoeniceus)
Their vivid black and orange is an interesting sight
in its usual backdrop of reeds and sticks near a pond
or still water. A blackbird in family, the Red-winged
blackbird travels in packs during winter. Abundant
near marshes, sloughs, and dry fields.
Black-capped
C hickadee
(Poecile atricapil lus)
With a tiny plump body the
Black-capped Chickadee sports a
black head and bib on the front of
its body. It has a white belly and a
slightly yellowish side and white,
black, and gray wings. Inhabiting
higher elevations, the Black-capped
Chickadee primarily stays in open
woodlands and suburbs, found in
low branches of trees.
