Birds and Ornithology

Golden eagle capture: David Haines, bird biologist; Jacob W. Frank; January 27, 2026

Golden eagle capture: eagle portrait; Jacob W. Frank; January 27, 2026

About

Records of bird sightings have been kept in Yellowstone since its establishment in 1872. These records document nearly 300 species of birds to date, including raptors, songbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Approximately 150 species nest in the park. The variation in elevation, terrains, and vegetative communities support habitats for a relatively high diversity of birds. Many of the birds are migratory species with approximately 50 species residing in the park year-round. There are currently no federally listed bird species known to breed in Yellowstone National Park.

The Yellowstone National Park bird program monitors a small portion of its breeding bird species to gather information on reproduction, abundance, and habitat use. Data are collected on multiple species from a wide variety of taxonomic groups and have been maintained for 40 or more years for several species. Long-term monitoring efforts help inform park staff of potential shifts in ecosystem function, e.g., climate change effects, for Yellowstone’s bird community and may guide future conservation of the park’s birds and their habitats (National Park Service).

The Yellowstone Research Library's collection of materials relating to birds is extensive, ranging from titles published from the nineteenth to the twenty-first century.