The Complete List of Birds of Wyoming

Wyoming’s wide-open skies, high plains and mountain wetlands make it a rewarding place to watch birds year-round. Whether you’re scanning from a roadside pullout or hiking a lakeshore, the state’s habitats support everything from waterbirds to forest specialists.

There are exactly 100 Birds of Wyoming, ranging from American Avocet to Wood Duck. For each species the list shows Scientific name,Length (cm),Status — you’ll find below.

How is the list organized and how should I read the Status column?

Each entry includes the Scientific name,Length (cm),Status so you can match common and scientific names, gauge size, and see whether a species is a resident, migrant, seasonal visitor or accidental; use Status as a quick guide to when and where you might encounter a bird.

How can I use this list to plan a birding trip in Wyoming?

Use the list to identify target species for particular habitats and seasons, then check local hotspots (refuges, reservoirs, mountain trails) and recent sightings on apps like eBird to time your visit and improve chances of seeing the birds you want.

Birds of Wyoming

Images and Descriptions

Mallard

Iconic green-headed drake and mottled female, common on ponds, reservoirs and river margins statewide. Easy to see in spring and summer during nesting, and in migration at places like the Bighorn Basin and Fontenelle Reservoir.

Canada Goose

Large, honking goose with black head and white cheek patch. Common year-round in wetlands, agricultural fields and urban parks across Wyoming; most abundant in spring and fall migration and near lakes such as Flaming Gorge and Seedskadee.

Snow Goose

White goose with black wingtips (and dark morphs), migrates through Wyoming in large flocks. Best seen on staging areas and fields during spring and fall migrations, especially in the Platte River and northeast Wyoming wetlands.

Wood Duck

Striking iridescent male with crested head and ornate pattern, females with white eye ring. Found in wooded wetlands, river oxbows and beaver ponds in summer; watch rivers and riparian corridors in eastern and western Wyoming.

Northern Pintail

Elegant, slim duck with long central tail feathers in males. Occurs on shallow wetlands and prairie potholes during migration and spring; look on large marshes and reservoirs like Boysen and the Prairie Potholes region.

Green-winged Teal

Small dabbling duck with green cheek stripe on males and compact profile. Common in shallow marshes and wetlands in spring and fall; often mixes with other dabblers at small ponds across Wyoming.

American Wigeon

Rounded-headed duck with white forehead on males; often grazes on emergent vegetation. Seen at larger wetlands and reservoirs during migration and spring; common on open water at Fontenelle and local prairie wetlands.

Gadwall

Subtle gray-brown dabbling duck with black rear; females similar to other ducks. Regular on lakes and marshes in spring and summer; easy to find on reservoirs and wetlands statewide.

Northern Shoveler

Distinctive spatulate bill and colorful male with green head and white chest. Favors shallow, vegetated wetlands and is abundant in migration at prairie potholes and large marshes across Wyoming.

Canvasback

Large diving duck with sloping forehead and chestnut head in males. Found on deeper lakes and reservoirs during migration and winter; watch open water at large reservoirs and river impoundments.

Redhead

Round-headed diving duck with reddish head in males and smooth profile. Seen on lakes and reservoirs during migration and on nesting lakes in summer; mix with other diving ducks on larger waters.

Lesser Scaup

Compact diving duck with peaked head and blue bill; male has dark head with purple sheen. Common in migration and on open water in spring and fall at reservoirs and wetland complexes.

Bufflehead

Tiny, chunky diving duck with large white cheek patch on males. Occurs on open water in winter and migration; look for small flocks on reservoirs, rivers and large ponds.

Common Goldeneye

Diving duck with round white cheek patch and peaked head in males. Seen on rivers and lakes in winter and migration; look along the North Platte and mountain rivers for small numbers.

Hooded Merganser

Small crested merganser with dramatic fan crest in males, slender serrated bill. Prefers forested ponds, beaver ponds and quiet river backwaters during nesting and migration in wooded areas of Wyoming.

Common Merganser

Large fish-eating duck with slender red bill; males are mostly white with green heads. Found on rivers and reservoirs, especially in mountain valleys and during migration throughout the state.

Ruddy Duck

Stocky stiff-tailed duck with blue bill in breeding males. Favors shallow marshes and alkali lakes in summer; conspicuous on prairie wetlands and reservoir shallows during breeding and migration.

American Coot

Black, chicken-like waterbird with white bill. Common on marshes, reservoirs and ponds statewide in summer and migration; walks and dives amid vegetation and mixed waterfowl flocks.

Killdeer

Striped plover with loud call and broken-wing distraction display. Frequent on open mudflats, fields, gravel roads and shorelines statewide; easy to see in spring, summer and migration.

Long-billed Curlew

Huge shorebird with very long, downcurved bill and mottled plumage. Breeds on shortgrass prairie in eastern and central Wyoming; best seen on plains and prairie wetlands in spring and summer.

American Avocet

Elegant black-and-white wader with upturned bill and cinnamon head in breeding season. Found on shallow saline lakes and ponds; breeding colonies on prairie wetlands in late spring and summer.

Wilson’s Snipe

Stocky, cryptic shorebird with long straight bill and barred flanks. Favors marshy, grassy wetlands with dense cover; best found during spring and fall migration and in summer wet meadow areas.

Spotted Sandpiper

Brown-backed, white-bellied shorebird that teeters on rocks and shorelines. Breeds along streams, lakes and rivers across Wyoming; easy to spot in spring and summer near water.

Least Sandpiper

Tiny brown shorebird with yellowish legs and quick probing bill. Abundant on muddy edges of wetlands during migration; look for them on small marshes and temporary prairie pools.

Pectoral Sandpiper

Streaked breast sharply demarcated from belly; medium-sized migrant across prairies and marshes. Occurs in spring and fall at prairie ponds and wet meadows, often in large flocks.

Dunlin

Plump sandpiper with black belly patch in breeding plumage. Sees on mudflats and saline lakes in migration; watch coastal-like staging areas on large prairie reservoirs and wetlands.

Ring-billed Gull

Medium gull with black ring on yellow bill; common in inland lakes and landfills. Abundant statewide on reservoirs, lakes and rivers in summer and migration.

California Gull

Large gull with yellow bill and stout profile; colonial nester on islands and shallow lakes. Common in western Wyoming reservoirs and breeding colonies on inland lakes in summer.

Bonaparte’s Gull

Small, delicate gull with black hood in breeding season and angular wings. Occurs on lakes and reservoirs during migration; look for them mixed with other gulls and terns.

Bald Eagle

Large white-headed raptor with massive wingspan. Winters and nests along major rivers and reservoirs; excellent viewing in winter on open-water fishing areas and in summer near large lakes.

Golden Eagle

Powerful brown eagle with long broad wings; soars over mountains, shrub-steppe and high country. Common across Wyoming—watch ridgelines, cliffs and sagebrush plateaus for hunting adults year-round.

Osprey

Fish-eating raptor with white underside and dark eye stripe. Nests near water and seen fishing at reservoirs and rivers statewide in summer; great at Flaming Gorge and large reservoir shorelines.

Red-tailed Hawk

Stocky hawk with rufous tail and broad wings, very common. Found perched on fenceposts and soaring over fields and canyons across Wyoming year-round, especially in open country.

Swainson’s Hawk

Slim, long-winged hawk that nests on poles and trees in open country. Abundant summer breeder on prairie and agricultural lands; spectacular migrations in spring and fall from grasslands.

Ferruginous Hawk

Large pale or dark buteo of sagebrush and prairie; Wyoming breeder on open plains and badlands. Look in eastern plains and sage habitats in spring and summer near cliffs and buttes.

Rough-legged Hawk

Long-winged winter hawk with variable plumage and feathered legs. Migrates south into Wyoming in winter; common over open fields and river valleys from late fall to early spring.

American Kestrel

Small colorful falcon with two facial streaks and hovering hunting style. Found across open country, grasslands and roadsides; breeds statewide and is common in spring and summer.

Prairie Falcon

Lean falcon of open country with pointed wings and rapid stoops. Nests on cliffs and badlands and hunts over prairie—best seen in western and central Wyoming during breeding and migration.

Peregrine Falcon

Powerful, fast falcon with barred underparts and long pointed wings. Breeds on cliffs and sometimes urban sites; seen migrating and hunting shorebirds and gulls near rivers and reservoirs.

Great Horned Owl

Large, deep-voiced owl with ear tufts and yellow eyes. Widespread in woodlands, riparian corridors and rural areas; often heard at night year-round and sometimes seen in daylight roosts.

Burrowing Owl

Small, long-legged owl living in prairie burrows. Found in open grasslands and sagebrush flats in spring and summer, especially in eastern Wyoming and prairie dog towns.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Tiny, secretive owl with round head and bright eyes. Occurs in woodland pockets and mountain forests, best detected by nighttime surveys in migration and winter.

Short-eared Owl

Open-country owl with broad wings and buoyant flight over grasslands. Visits Wyoming in winter and migration; look at dawn and dusk over prairies and wetlands.

Western Screech-Owl

Small, cryptic owl with ear tufts and patterned plumage. Inhabits riparian cottonwood stands and ponderosa pine; often found in canyonlands and valley woodlands year-round.

Ruffed Grouse

Cryptic forest grouse with a muffled drumming display. Found in aspen and mixed-conifer forests in northwestern Wyoming; secretive but regularly encountered on forest trails in summer and fall.

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Medium prairie grouse with pointed tail and lekking displays. Inhabits sagebrush-meadow edges and prairie in northeastern and central Wyoming; best at lek sites in spring dawn hours.

Greater Sage-Grouse

Iconic sagebrush specialist with elaborate male displays and long tail plumes. Restricted to sagebrush landscapes of Wyoming—watch spring leks at dawn in protected sage country.

Wild Turkey

Large ground-dwelling bird with iridescent plumage and fan tail. Occurs in riparian and foothill woodlands statewide where introduced or native, commonly seen in spring and summer near agricultural fields.

Ring-necked Pheasant

Colorful introduced gamebird with long tail; common in agricultural habitats. Found in winter stubble, fence rows and croplands across eastern Wyoming; easiest to see in farming country.

Rock Pigeon

Urban pigeon with variable plumage, common in towns and cities. Found on buildings, bridges and farms statewide; introduced and easily observed year-round.

Mourning Dove

Slender, long-tailed dove with mournful cooing. Abundant in open country, suburbs and farmlands across Wyoming; most numerous in spring and summer when nesting in shrubs and trees.

Mountain Bluebird

Brilliant sky-blue thrush common in open montane and sagebrush country. Nests in cavities and boxes across Wyoming; best seen on fenceposts and meadows in spring and summer across the west and central plains.

Western Meadowlark

Yellow-breasted songbird with bold black “V” and bubbling song. Ubiquitous across grasslands and agricultural fields; often perched on fenceposts and singing in spring and summer across Wyoming.

American Robin

Familiar orange-breasted thrush that forages lawns and berry patches. Common statewide in towns, riparian areas and forests; conspicuous in spring and summer and often first to return each year.

Townsend’s Solitaire

Slender gray thrush with long tail and white eye-ring. Winters and breeds in mountain conifer forests and pinyon-juniper zones; easy to find at berry-bearing shrubs in higher elevations.

Hermit Thrush

Shy, brown-backed thrush with reddish tail and clear flute-like song. Breeds in cool montane forests and riparian zones; often seen at forest edges in spring and summer.

Cedar Waxwing

Sleek, crested bird with black mask and yellow-tipped tail. Forms flocks feeding on fruit in summer and migration; common in riparian areas, towns and berry thickets statewide.

Bohemian Waxwing

Chunky crested waxwing with bold head pattern and yellow tail tips. Irruptive winter visitor in flocks to fruiting trees and mountain valleys; appears some winters in large numbers across Wyoming.

European Starling

Introduced, gregarious blackbird with glossy plumage and pointy bill. Very common in towns, farms and riparian areas; forms large roosts and is year-round across Wyoming.

Black-billed Magpie

Long-tailed black and white corvid with flashy presence. Common across open country, shrub-steppe and foothills; often perched on fenceposts and visible year-round across the state.

American Crow

Intelligent, all-black crow common in towns, farms and woodlands. Seen year-round across Wyoming, often in flocks and near human activity; loud caws and adaptable behavior make it conspicuous.

Common Raven

Large black corvid with deep croak and wedge-shaped tail. Abundant in wildlands, mountains and canyons; often seen soaring, perched on cliffs or investigating human food sources statewide.

Tree Swallow

Iridescent blue-green back and white underparts, nests in cavities and boxes near water. Common in spring and summer across ponds and marshes; excellent at nesting boxes and wetlands.

Violet-green Swallow

Small swallow with greenish back and violet rump; nests in cavities and cliff crevices. Found near mountain streams and open meadows in summer—common in western Wyoming.

Barn Swallow

Sleek swallow with deeply forked tail and rusty throat. Builds mud cup nests on buildings and bridges; common across open country and towns in spring and summer.

Cliff Swallow

Gregarious cliff- and bridge-nester with square tail and pale rump. Colonies on bridges and cliffs near water; abundant at highway bridges and canyon walls in summer.

Purple Martin

Large, glossy swallow that nests in colonies in gourds and houses. Locally common where nest structures are provided, especially in river valleys and towns during summer in Wyoming.

House Sparrow

Small, chunky introduced sparrow common around buildings and farms. Ubiquitous in towns and rural homesteads across Wyoming year-round, often near feed and human structures.

House Finch

Brown streaked finch with red face in males. Common in towns, riparian corridors and foothills; widespread across Wyoming and easy to spot at feeders and shrubs.

Cassin’s Finch

Rose-colored finch of conifers and mountain canyons. Found in ponderosa and mixed conifer forests in western Wyoming during breeding season; watch treetops and forest edges.

Pine Siskin

Small streaked finch with forked tail and thin bill; irruptive nomad attracted to conifers and feeders. Numbers vary by year—common in cones and at feeders in winters with cone crop failures.

American Goldfinch

Bright yellow male in summer with black cap; small finch at thistle and sunflower feeders. Widespread in weedy fields, towns and riparian edges in summer and migration.

Red Crossbill

Robust finch with crossed bill adapted to extract conifer seeds. Occurs in pine forests and shows irruptive movements; watch for flocks in mountain conifer zones year-round.

White-crowned Sparrow

Boldly striped head and clear song; common migrant on shrubby edges and fields. Seen in spring and fall and in winter in lower elevations; loves weedy field edges and riparian tangles.

Dark-eyed Junco

Slate or dark-backed sparrow with white outer tail feathers. Abundant in montane forests, yards and brushy edges—commonly seen on ground foraging in winter and nesting in spring.

Song Sparrow

Streaked brown sparrow with varied song and central breast spot. Found in riparian thickets, wetlands and brushy fields statewide; common in spring and summer near water and cover.

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Shy streaked sparrow with fine face markings and buffy tones. Breeds in moist shrubby and riparian areas in mountains and north-central Wyoming; best seen in summer.

Savannah Sparrow

Streaky sparrow with small bill and yellowish eyebrow. Common in grasslands, marsh edges and agricultural fields; breeding birds abundant across prairie and meadows.

Vesper Sparrow

Plain sparrow with white outer tail feathers and clear, melodic song. Inhabits open grasslands and sage-steppe; look for singing males on fenceposts in spring and summer.

Lark Bunting

Bold black-and-white breeding male with stout bill; Wyoming’s grassland specialist. Abundant on shortgrass prairie and prairie foothills in summer—best seen during courtship displays and nesting season.

Horned Lark

Small ground-dwelling lark with black facial markings and open-country habits. Found on bare ground, roadsides and shortgrass prairie year-round; conspicuous in winter and breeding seasons.

Black-capped Chickadee

Friendly, small woodland bird with black cap and bib. Common in riparian cottonwoods and mixed forests across Wyoming; vocal and often visits feeders year-round.

Mountain Chickadee

Small chickadee with white eyebrow and clear song; favors montane conifer forests and pinyon-juniper. Common in higher elevations and near mountain towns throughout Wyoming.

White-breasted Nuthatch

Stout nuthatch with white face and chest, climbs headfirst down trunks. Found in mature aspen and cottonwood riparian woodlands statewide; often at feeders and noisy in winter.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Tiny, energetic nuthatch with rufous flanks and black eye stripe. Occurs in conifer forests and sometimes in towns during irruptive years; listens for nasal calls in treetops.

Pygmy Nuthatch

Small, gregarious nuthatch of ponderosa pine with pale throat. Locally common where pines occur in western Wyoming; often in flocks and near cavities in summer and winter.

Brown Creeper

Thin, camouflaged bark-clinging bird with slender curved bill. Creeps up trunks probing bark for insects in mature forests; present in mountain woodlands and riparian corridors.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Tiny energetic songster with bright eye ring and concealed red crown patch. Abundant in coniferous forests and shrubby areas during migration and breeding in mountain zones.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Minute, high-energy bird with golden crown and thin bill. Frequent in spruce and fir forests in mountains; common on migration and in summer at higher elevations.

Western Bluebird

Bright blue and rufous thrush of open woodlands and fencepost country. Nests in cavities and boxes across western Wyoming; best seen in spring and summer on open hillsides and meadows.

Say’s Phoebe

Plain gray-brown flycatcher with salmon belly and tail-wagging habit. Common on plains, sagebrush and open farmland; perches on fenceposts and buildings during spring and summer.

Western Kingbird

Large, gray-backed tyrant with yellow belly and bold tail flicks. Patrols open habitats and fence-lines; common summer breeder in eastern plains, shrub-steppe and riparian areas.

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Chunky, big-headed flycatcher with short tail and “quick-three-beers” song. Uses forest edges, burned stands and riparian zones during migration and breeding in summer months.

Willow Flycatcher

Small, plain Empidonax flycatcher with distinctive song; prefers willow thickets and riparian shrubs. Locally common in wet willow stands and marsh edges during breeding season.

Western Wood-Pewee

Subtle gray-olive flycatcher with soft call, hawks insects from open perches. Found in open woodlands and montane stands in spring and summer across western Wyoming.

Chipping Sparrow

Rufous crown and clean face with black eye line; common in parks, yards and woodland edges. Nesting and foraging widely in spring and summer across Wyoming.

Brewer’s Sparrow

Small, streaky sparrow of sagebrush with plain face. One of the most characteristic sagebrush birds in Wyoming—listen for dry trills and seek them in sage country during nesting season.

Rock Wren

Compact wren with barred tail and chisel-like bill that favors rocky cliffs and talus. Found in canyon country and badlands across Wyoming; sings from boulders and cliff faces in spring and summer.

Northern Flicker

Large woodpecker with spotted underparts and bold wing flash; red- or yellow-shafted depending on region. Common in open woodlands, parks and riparian areas—often feeds on ground for ants in summer.

Red-winged Blackbird

Bold black male with red and yellow shoulder patches; females streaky. Ubiquitous in marshes, wetlands and fields—singing males defend territories in spring and summer across Wyoming.

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