Glacier National Park

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Red Foxes

Red foxes are found throughout the northern hemisphere. In Glacier, they are adapted to a wide range of habitats, from open grasslands to dense forests. Most abundant in riparian areas and along the edges of forests, they are the smallest of the canids found in the park. Red foxes occur in several color phases, but they usually have reddish-yellow coats that are somewhat darker on the back and shoulders, black "socks" on their lower legs, and a white-tipped tail.

Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep live in a variety of habitats throughout the year. During the summer, they can be found in meadows, fellfields, and on mid-elevation slopes bordered by cliffs and ledges. In the winter, sheep frequent windswept and south-facing valleys and ridges where forage is blown free of snow. Bighorn sheep can often be seen in the parking lot of Logan Pass licking antifreeze from the pavement, which is the most easily accessible source of salt in their diet.

Gray Wolves

The subspecies of gray wolves (Canis lupus) found in Glacier is called the northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf (C. l. irremotus). There are three color variants: gray, white, and black. Wolves are secretive and elusive creatures, with sightings primarily being of lone wolves or pairs.

Elk

Glacier provides a summer range for a significant number of elk, while most winter at lower elevations outside the park. The subspecies occuring in Glacier is the Rocky Mountain elk (C. c. nelsoni). They feed on grasses, sedges, other herbs and shrubs, bark of aspen trees, conifer needles, burned bark, and aquatic plants.

Wolverines

A mid-sized carnivore in the weasel family, the wolverine is active throughout the year in cold, snowy environments to which it is well-adapted. Wolverines are rarely seen and inhabit remote terrain. They are also known as one of the rarest and most elusive carnivores on the planet.

Deer

Two types of deer are commonly seen thorughout Glacier: the northwestern white-tailed deer (O. v. ochrourus) and the Rocky Mountain mule deer (O. h. hemionus). Both will flee when in danger. Males grow antlers from April or May through August or September and then shed them in the spring.

All about birding in Glacier National Park

Glacier provides a wonderful opportunity to birdwatch, with plenty of spaces for birders of all ages to sit, listen, and observe the sights and sounds of nature. With 279 documented species including raptors, songbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl, the park’s variation in elevation and habitat types contribute to a high diversity of bird life.

White-Tailed Ptarmigan

The white-tailed ptarmigan is a medium to large chicken-like member of the grouse family. They are completely white in winter and barred grayish-brown in summer with white wings and tails and feathered feet. Breeding males will have a broad band of black markings across the chest and have red eye combs. Like chickens, they make clucking noises.

Mountain Bluebird

The mountain bluebird is a small bird with a round head and a straight, thin bill. Adult males are bright sky-blue, somewhat paler underneath. Adult females have duller blue wings and tails with gray breasts, crowns, throats, and backs. Their call sounds similar to a thin “tew” while their song is a warbled high “chur chur.”

Clark's Nutcracker

The Clark’s nutcracker has a pale- gray body, black wings with large white patches along the trailing edges, and a black tail with broad white stripes on either side. These birds typically travel in small flocks and call back and forth to communicate. They have a long, harsh, rising call that sounds similar to “shraaaaaaa.”

Harlequin Duck

One-quarter of Montana’s harlequin duck broods are born in Glacier National Park. These birds have a low reproductive rate and are very susceptible to habitat loss and degradation. Because of these characteristics, they are listed as a Species of Concern in the state of Montana.

Osprey

A large bird with a slim body, the osprey has long, narrow wings that have a sharp bend in flight resembling the letter “M.” Ospreys have dark-brown feathers on their back and are white underneath. They also have a notable dark mark at the “wrist” of their wing. An osprey’s call is high-pitched with a series of short, slightly wavering screeches that sound like “too-too-too-tee-tee-tee-tee-too-too.”

Common Loon

One-fifth of Montana’s nesting loons are in Glacier National Park. Because of their limited range, small population, sensitivity to human disturbance, and loss of breeding habitats outside of the park, they are listed as a Species of Special Concern in Montana. Human disturbance along shores or getting too close to these birds can cause stress and may cause them to abandon their nests.

Owls

There are four species of owls documented within Glacier, but their nocturnal nature may make it difficult to hear or see one of them while visiting.

Eagles

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) can both be seen soaring over Glacier’s skies. As one of the most important golden eagle migration routes in North America, Glacier established a Hawk Watch International site in 2018 to monitor raptors during fall migration. Research has shown that human presence can disturb eagle nesting and foraging, so known nest areas in national parks are often closed to visitors.

Varied Thrush

These secretive birds rarely flaunt their flashy colors. Instead, they sing shyly from dense forests. Adult males have a light orange line over the eyes, blue-gray backs, and a burnt-orange throat and belly separated by a dark breast band but are heard much more often than seen. They have a distinctive song of a long, single whistle on one pitch; it can sometimes be mistaken for a human distress whistle.

American Dipper

The American dipper is a stocky, round-bodied bird with grayish-brown feathers, a dark bill, and long, pale legs. The bird gets its name from bobbing up and down while standing, a funny but easily identifying trait. They sing a high-pitched song that is a series of whistled phrases, each repeated two to four times with a buzzy call that sounds similar to “dzeet.”

Fire-Adapted Woodpeckers

Glacier is the perfect home for several fire-adapted woodpeckers. These are birds that depend on regular wildfire to create their habitat. Listen for “thunks” or knocking sounds of woodpeckers as they excavate tree cavities in search of a meal.

American Martens

Martes americana The American marten, also called a pine marten, is part of the weasel family. Pine martens have short limbs and a long, bushy tail. They are light to dark brown or black with a throat patch that is an irregular shape and size, with ranges in color from buff to bright orange.