Birds to See in Montana in September
161 bird species on our list for Montana are recorded regularly in September
Of these, the most often recorded are American Robin, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Common Starling and Yellow-rumped Warbler. New this month: American Herring Gull, Lapland Longspur, Sabine's Gull and Greater White-fronted Goose and 11 more.
On the move in September
GBIF · SepArriving
At their peak
Yellow-rumped WarblerBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
White-crowned SparrowBusiest month of the year · Apr–Nov
Turkey VultureBusiest month of the year · Mar–Oct
Ruby-crowned KingletBusiest month of the year · Apr–Nov
Lincoln's SparrowBusiest month of the year · Apr–Oct
Sharp-shinned HawkBusiest month of the year · All year
From Montana’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 161 birds in September
161 birds
American RobinTurdus migratoriusSummer visitorCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 3.20% in Sep
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 2.93% in Sep
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 2.26% in Sep
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.26% in Sep- Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 2.23% in Sep
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.01% in Sep
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 2.00% in Sep
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Mar · 1.82% in Sep
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.79% in Sep
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusResidentCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.73% in Sep- White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 1.62% in Sep
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in Sep
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 1.53% in Sep
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 1.50% in Sep
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraSummer visitorCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.26% in Sep
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusSummer visitorCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Sep
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Sep- Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.12% in Sep
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaSummer visitorCommon16–26 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.11% in Sep
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 1.07% in Sep
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.06% in Sep
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 1.04% in Sep- Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaSummer visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 1.03% in Sep
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in Sep
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisSummer visitorCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in Sep
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Sep
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.91% in Sep
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.88% in Sep
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in Sep
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.73% in Sep
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisSummer visitorCommon80–122 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.69% in Sep- Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.65% in Sep
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.65% in Sep
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.62% in Sep
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Sep
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Sep
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaResidentCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Sep
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Sep- Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorCommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Sep
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorCommon13–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.56% in Sep
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.56% in Sep
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentCommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Sep
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaPassage migrantCommon29–40 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.49% in Sep
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataSummer visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.47% in Sep
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisWinter visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Sep
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisSummer visitorCommon35–43 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.45% in Sep
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.44% in Sep
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataWinter visitorCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Sep
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Sep
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsSummer visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.38% in Sep
Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoidesSummer visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.38% in Sep
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Sep
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Sep
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Sep
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.36% in Sep
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentCommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Sep
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Sep
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorCommon59–76 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Sep
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusSummer visitorCommon16–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.30% in Sep
Red-naped SapsuckerSphyrapicus nuchalisSummer visitorCommon19–21 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.30% in Sep
Trumpeter SwanCygnus buccinatorWinter visitorCommon139–157 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Sep
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisSummer visitorUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Sep
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoWinter visitorCommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Sep
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorUncommon32–36 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.27% in Sep
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.27% in Sep
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.26% in Sep
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Sep
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentCommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Sep
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusWinter visitorCommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Sep
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantCommon23–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in Sep
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusSummer visitorUncommon34–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.22% in Sep
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Jul–Nov · 0.21% in Sep
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.21% in Sep
Common LoonGavia immerSummer visitorCommon66–91 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.18% in Sep
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraSummer visitorCommon36–43 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.17% in Sep
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaSummer visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.17% in Sep
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorCommon40–51 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.17% in Sep
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Sep
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantCommon19–23 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.15% in Sep
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.14% in Sep
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusPassage migrantUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.13% in Sep
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixWinter visitorUncommon28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Sep
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusPassage migrantUncommon34–44 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.12% in Sep
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusSummer visitorUncommon18–19 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.11% in Sep
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.11% in Sep
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaSummer visitorUncommon17–20 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.11% in Sep
Lewis's WoodpeckerMelanerpes lewisResidentUncommon26–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Sep
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentUncommon41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Sep
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.09% in Sep
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.09% in Sep
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusPassage migrantUncommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.09% in Sep
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.07% in Sep
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.07% in Sep
SanderlingCalidris albaPassage migrantUncommon18–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.06% in Sep
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusSummer visitorUncommon14–18 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.06% in Sep
Sabine's GullXema sabiniPassage migrantUncommon27–33 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.06% in Sep
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Sep
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in Sep
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaSummer visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.05% in Sep
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorUncommon22–24 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in Sep
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in Sep
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaPassage migrantRare27–30 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in Sep
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaSummer visitorUncommon10–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in Sep
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in Sep
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in Sep
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.04% in Sep
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiSummer visitorCommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in Sep
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in Sep
American Three-toed WoodpeckerPicoides dorsalisResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Sep
Pacific WrenTroglodytes pacificusSummer visitorUncommon8–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Sep
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaSummer visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in Sep
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorUncommon33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaSummer visitorUncommon15–19 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.03% in Sep
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantRare10–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxSummer visitorUncommon58–65 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Northern Pygmy-owlGlaucidium gnomaWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Sep
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaSummer visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in Sep
Williamson's SapsuckerSphyrapicus thyroideusSummer visitorUncommon21–25 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.02% in Sep
Varied ThrushIxoreus naeviusSummer visitorUncommon20–26 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.02% in Sep
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioSummer visitorRare16–25 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.02% in Sep
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusWinter visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.02% in Sep
WilletTringa semipalmataSummer visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Sep
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusResidentRare21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Sep
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaSummer visitorUncommon19–25 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusPassage migrantRare23–32 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusResidentUncommon34–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorRare18–22 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusResidentRare12–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumSummer visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Great White EgretArdea albaSummer visitorRare80–104 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaPassage migrantRare12–15 cmRegularly Sep–Feb · 0.01% in Sep
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantRare14–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaSummer visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorUncommon17–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisPassage migrantRare7–9 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusSummer visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
ChukarAlectoris chukarWinter visitorRare32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentRare43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Sep
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusSummer visitorRare19–23 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantRare16–17 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsPassage migrantUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in Sep
Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaPassage migrantRare10–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Western Screech-owlMegascops kennicottiiSummer visitorRare19–25 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantRare41–46 cmRegularly Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorRare18–20 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusResidentRare19–22 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisSummer visitorRare16–21 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensPassage migrantRare11–12 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Boreal OwlAegolius funereusSummer visitorRare21–28 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.00% in Sep
DunlinCalidris alpinaPassage migrantRare16–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in Sep
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantRare18–20 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.00% in Sep
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made