Top 15 Birds to See in Wyoming
Wyoming offers a spectacular variety of birds—from iconic raptors to colorful songbirds. Here's a curated list of the top 15 birds you should know, complete with detailed descriptions, habitats, ecosystem services, and conservation statuses.
1. Western Meadowlark
- Description: Medium-sized (8–11″), bright yellow breast with a bold black “
- Habitat: Grasslands, prairies, pastures, open fields; ground‑nesting
- Ecosystem Services: Insect control, seed dispersal
- Conservation Status: Least Concern, though declining in some areas
2. Greater Sage‑Grouse
- Description: Large grouse (26–30″), males have yellow eye‑patches and inflatable throat sacs during courtship
- Habitat: Sagebrush–grassland, leks for mating
- Ecosystem Services: Sagebrush habitat indicator, supports biodiversity
- Conservation Status: Near Threatened; declining due to habitat loss
3. Mountain Bluebird
- Description: Sky‑blue in males, lighter grayish-blue in females; ~6–8″
- Habitat: Open meadows, alpine and montane areas
- Ecosystem Services: Insect pest control
- Conservation Status: Least Concern, stable populations
4. Western Tanager
- Description: Bright yellow body with black wings and orange-red head in males; ~6–7.5″ long
- Habitat: Conifer and mixed forests
- Ecosystem Services: Insect predator, pollinator via nectar feeding
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
5. Lazuli Bunting
- Description: Male with vivid blue upperparts and orange breast patch; about 5–6″
- Habitat: Shrubland edges, weedy pastures
- Ecosystem Services: Seed spreading, insect control
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
6. Yellow‑headed Blackbird
- Description: Glossy black with striking yellow head and chest; medium‑sized
- Habitat: Marshes, wetlands, adjacent fields
- Ecosystem Services: Insect control, seed dispersal
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
7. Black‑billed Magpie
- Description: Striking black and white corvid with long tail
- Habitat: Sagebrush flats, grasslands, near farms
- Ecosystem Services: Carrion clean‑up, seed caching
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
8. Golden Eagle
- Description: Large raptor with dark brown plumage and golden nape
- Habitat: Cliffs, open terrain
- Ecosystem Services: Apex predator, scavenging
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
9. Peregrine Falcon
- Description: Sleek, powerful falcon with distinct dark helmet and barred underparts
- Habitat: Open areas, cliffs, some urban areas
- Ecosystem Services: Controls bird populations (pigeons, shorebirds)
- Conservation Status: Least Concern (recovered from DDT decline)
10. Trumpeter Swan
- Description: The largest North American waterfowl, all-white with a distinctive trumpet call
- Habitat: Lakes, wetlands, rivers
- Ecosystem Services: Aquatic habitat maintenance
- Conservation Status: Least Concern (reintroduced successfully)
11. American Robin
- Description: Orange-red breast, gray back, ~9–11″
- Habitat: Backyards, forests, suburbs
- Ecosystem Services: Pest control (worms, insects), seed dispersal
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
12. Red‑winged Blackbird
- Description: Black with distinctive red/yellow shoulder patches; medium-sized
- Habitat: Marshes, wetlands, edges
- Ecosystem:** Services:** Insect and weed control
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
13. Mountain Plover
- Description: Sandy-colored plover (8″), pale belly, single eye stripe
- Habitat: Bare-ground shortgrass prairie, often near prairie dogs
- Ecosystem Services: Indicator of prairie ecosystem health
- Conservation Status: Threatened (proposed under Endangered Species Act)
14. Thick‑billed Longspur
- Description: Ground‑sparrow ~7–9″ with large bill, streaked back and chestnut shoulder
- Habitat: Semi-arid shortgrass steppe
- Ecosystem Services: Insect control, seed dispersal
- Conservation Status: Least Concern, but habitat-quality dependent
15. Calliope Hummingbird
- Description: Tiny (3–3.5″); male with iridescent purple throat
- Habitat: Mountain wildflowers, sub‑alpine meadows
- Ecosystem Services: Pollination
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
