Birds in Idaho - USA Birds

Idaho is the fourteenth largest state by area and the thirty-eighth most populous by population in the United States. This state is home to some of the most pristine landscapes in the country and, more importantly, the Snake River, which originates in Yellowstone National Park.

Idaho designated the Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides), commonly referred to as the bluebird, as the state bird in 1931. This thrush is distinguished by its stunning azure blue breast. It comes in two colors: males with blue and white feathers and females with brown and blue feathers.

Birds of Idaho contain species that have been documented in the United States of America’s state of Idaho and accepted by the Idaho Bird Records Committee (IBRC). As of April 2019, the official list contained 432 species. One further species is regarded as fictitious. 179 of the 433 are review species that occur in part or entirely inside the state. Eight Idaho-dwelling species have been imported to North America. One of the species on the list has become extinct.

Idaho birds of prey

Hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures are all members of the Accipitridae family of birds of prey. These birds have enormous hooked beaks capable of shredding flesh from their victims, strong legs, sharp talons, and acute vision. Idaho is home to thirteen species.

Raptors have also been considered as “varmints,” as competitors for wildlife or as livestock murderers. Raptors are birds of prey that hunt, kill, and consume animals that protect ranchers and farmers in Idaho by controlling rabbits, rats, and insects. Grasshoppers, which consume crops and fodder, provide a food source for smaller hawks.

Discover more about these birds’ other traits in the area below.

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Owls in Idaho

14 of the 19 owl species known in the United States are located in Idaho! It’s one of the best states for finding and seeing a variety of birds, including owls, in their natural habitats, and with approximately 4,532,000 acres of wildland and woodland, it’s unsurprising that our feathered friends consider it an excellent area to live and breed.

Typical owls range in size from little to huge nocturnal birds of prey. They feature huge forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a prominent feathered circle called a face disk around each eye. Idaho is home to thirteen species.

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Strix Nebulosa – Great Gray Owl

Megascops Kennicottii – Western Screech Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Common backyard birds of Idaho

Are you curious about the backyard birds that inhabit Idaho? The ‘Gem State’ is really a gem for birdwatchers, with the Sage desert and the Northern Rockies ensuring a diverse range of habitats for the species that call it home.

We’ll discuss the popular backyard birds of Idaho in this area and tell you a little about some of the birds you can see, where to find them, and what they like to eat.

Woodpeckers in Idaho

The geography of the Pacific Northwest supports a robust population of 10 distinct species of Idaho Woodpeckers. Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues that are employed for insect capture. Certain species have feet with two forward-facing toes and two backward-facing toes, whereas others have only three toes.
Numerous woodpeckers have a propensity of tapping their beaks noisily on tree trunks. In Idaho, fifteen species have been identified.

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

Best Birdwatching Spots in Idaho

Southern Idaho is a birder’s and wildlife watcher’s paradise. The microclimates along the Snake River attract a diverse diversity of birds, while wildlife is drawn to the nooks and crannies of the City of Rocks.

The birds are drawn to the same creature pleasures that have drawn humans to the area for hundreds of years: warm, calming water and temperatures that are generally warmer than those seen in surrounding locations.

Idaho Birding Trail
University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge/Lake Lowell
Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
C.J Strike Reservoir Wildlife Management Area

Other Idaho birds

Therefore, if you’re ready to go birding in Idaho, continue reading to learn how to recognize birds and how to increase the number of birds in your yard.

Cardellina Pusilla – Wilson’s Warbler

Setophaga Townsendi – Townsend’s Warbler

Setophaga Nigrescens – Black-Throated Gray Warbler

Setophaga Discolor – Prairie Warbler

Setophaga Dominica – Yellow-Throated Warblers

Setophaga Coronata – Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Setophaga Striata – Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga Petechia – Yellow Warbler

Setophaga Fusca – Blackburnian Warbler

American Redstart – Setophaga Ruticilla

Geothlypis Tolmiei – MacGillivray’s Warbler

Leiothlypis Celata – Orange-Crowned Warbler

Mniotilta Varia – Black-And-White Warbler

Parkesia Noveboracensis – Northern Waterthrush

Oxyura Jamaicensis – Ruddy Duck

Parkesia Motacilla – Louisiana Waterthrush

Mergus Serrator – Red-Breasted Merganser

Mergus Merganser – Common Merganser

Lophodytes Cucullatus – Hooded Merganser

Bucephala Clangula – Common Goldeneye

Aythya Marila – Greater Scaup

Aythya Americana – Redhead

Anas Crecca – Green-Winged Teal

Anas Acuta – Northern Pintail

Anas Platyrhynchos – Mallard

Mareca Americana – American Wigeon

Mareca Penelope – Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca Strepera – Gadwall

Spatula Clypeata – Northern Shoveler

Spatula Cyanoptera – Cinnamon Teal

Spatula Discors – Blue-Winged Teal

Aix Sponsa – Wood Duck

Cygnus Columbianus – Tundra Swan

Cygnus Buccinator – Trumpeter Swan

Branta Canadensis – Canada Geese

Anser Rossii – Ross’s Geese

Anser Caerulescens – Snow Geese

Phalaropus Lobatus – Red-Necked Phalarope

Phalaropus Tricolor – Wilson’s Phalarope

Tringa Melanoleuca – Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa Semipalmata – Willet

Tringa Flavipes – Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa Solitaria – Solitary Sandpiper

Actitis Macularius – Spotted Sandpiper

Gallinago Delicata – Wilson’s Snipe

Limnodromus Scolopaceus- Long-Billed Dowitcher

Calidris Mauri – Western Sandpiper

Calidris Pusilla – Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris Melanotos – Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris Minutilla – Least Sandpiper

Calidris Bairdii – Baird’s Sandpiper

Calidris Alpina – Dunlin

Numenius Americanus – Long-Billed Curlew

Sterna Forsteri – Forster’s Tern

Sterna Hirundo – Common Tern

Chlidonias Niger – Black Tern

Hydroprogne Caspia – Caspian Tern

Larus Fuscus – Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Larus Argentatus – Herring Gull

Larus Californicus – California Gull

Larus Delawarensis – Ring-Billed Gulls

Leucophaeus Pipixcan – Franklin’s Gull

Chroicocephalus Philadelphia – Bonaparte’s Gull

Sayornis Saya – Say’s Phoebe

Empidonax Occidentalis – Cordilleran Flycatcher

Empidonax Oberholseri – Dusky Flycatcher

Empidonax Hammondii – Hammond’s Flycatcher

Empidonax Minimus – Least Flycatcher

Empidonax Traillii – Willow Flycatcher

Contopus Sordidulus – Western Wood-Pewee

Contopus Cooperi – Olive-Sided Flycatcher

Tyrannus Savana – Fork-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus Verticalis – Western Kingbird

Tyrannus Tyrannus – Eastern Kingbird

Myiarchus Cinerascens – Ash-Throated Flycatcher

Spinus Tristis – American Goldfinch

Spinus Pinus – Pine Siskin

Loxia Curvirostra – Red Crossbill

Haemorhous Cassinii – Cassin’s Finch

Haemorhous Mexicanus – House Finch

Leucosticte Tephrocoti – Gray-Crowned Rosy Finch

Pinicola Enucleator – Pine Grosbeak

Coccothraustes Vespertinus – Evening Grosbeak

Nyctanassa Violacea – Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Bubulcus Ibis – Cattle Egret

Egretta Thula – Snowy Egrets

Ardea Herodias – Great Blue Heron

Botaurus Lentiginosus – American Bittern

Porzana Carolina – Sora

Charadrius Montanus – Mountain Plover

Charadrius Nivosus – Snowy Plover

Charadrius Vociferus – Killdeer

Pluvialis Dominica – American Golden-Plover

Corvus Corax- Common Raven

Corvus Brachyrhynchos- American Crow

Pica Hudsonia – Black-billed Magpie

Nucifraga Columbiana – Clark’s Nutcracker

Aphelocoma Woodhouseii - Woodho found in western part of the US

Aphelocoma Woodhouseii – Woodhouse’s scrub-Jay

Cyanocitta Stelleri – Steller’s Jay

Gymnorhinus Cyanocephalus – Pinyon Jay

Perisoreus Canadensis – Canada Jay

Petrochelidon Fulva – Cave Swallow

Petrochelidon Pyrrhonota – Cliff Swallow

Hirundo Rustica – Barn Swallow

Stelgidopteryx Serripennis – Northern rough-winged Swallow

Tachycineta Thalassina – Violet-Green Swallow

Tachycineta Bicolor – Tree Swallow

Riparia Riparia – Bank Swallow

Ixoreus Naevius – Varied Thrush

Turdus Migratorius – American Robin

Catharus Guttatus – Hermit Thrush

Catharus Ustulatus – Swainson’s Thrush

Catharus Minimus – Gray-Cheeked Thrush

Myadestes Townsendi – Townsend’s Solitaire

Sialia Currucoides – Mountain Bluebird

Quiscalus Guiscula – Common Grackle

Molothrus Ater – Brown-headed Cowbird

Icterus Bullockii – Bullock’s Oriole

Sturnella Neglect – Western Meadowlark

Dolichonyx Oryzivorus – Bobolink

Alectoris Chukar – Chukar

Phasianus Colchicus – Ring-necked Pheasant

Dendragapus Obscurus – Dusky Grouse

Centrocercus Urophasianus – Greater Sage-Grouse

Bonasa Umbellus – Ruffed Grouse

Meleagris Gallopavo – Wild Turkey

Zenaida Macroura – Mourning Dove

Streptopelia Decaocto – Eurasian Collared-Dove

Columba Livia – Rock Pigeon

Coccyzus Americanus – Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Callipepla Californica – California Quail

Colinus Virginianus – Northern Bobwhite

Aechmophorus Occidentalis – Western Grebe

Podiceps Nigricollis – Eared Grebe

Podiceps Grisegena – Red-Necked Grebe

Podiceps Auratus – Horned Grebe

Podilymbus Podiceps – Pied-Billed Grebe

Antrostomus Carolinensis – Chuck-Will’s-Widow

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii – Common Poorwill

Chordeiles Minor – Common Nighthawk

Aeronautes Saxatalis – White-Throated Swift

Cypseloides Niger – Black Swift

Grus Americana – Whooping Crane

Antigone Canadensis – Sandhill Crane

Recurvirostra Americana – American Avocet

Himantopus Mexicanus – Black-Necked Stilt

Nannopterum Auritum – Double-crested Cormorant

Pelecanus Erythrorhynchos – American White Pelican

Plegadis Chihi – White-faced Ibis

Cathartes Aura – Turkey Vulture

Coragyps Atratus – Black Vulture

Pandion Haliaetus – Osprey

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Falco Mexicanus – Prairie Falcon

Falco Peregrinus – Peregrine Falcon

Falco columbarius – Merlin

Lanius Borealis – Northern Shrike

Lanius Ludovicianus – Loggerhead Shrike

Poecile Gambeli – Mountain Chickadee

Poecile Atricapillus – Black-Capped Chickadee

Regulus Satrapa – Golden-Crowned Kinglet

Corthylio Calendula – Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Bombycilla Cedrorum – Cedar Waxwing

Bombycilla Garrulus – Bohemian Waxwing

Sitta Pygmaea – Pygmy Nuthatch

Sitta Canadensis – Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Thryomanes Bewickii – Bewick’s Wren

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Selasphorus Calliope – Calliope Hummingbird

Archilochus Alexandri – Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus Colubris – Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Selasphorus Rufus – Rufous Hummingbird

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Strix Nebulosa – Great Gray Owl

Megascops Kennicottii – Western Screech Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

Spizelloides Arborea – American Tree Sparrow

Passerculus Sandwichensis – Savannah Sparrow

Chondestes Grammacus – Lark Sparrow

Zonotrichia Leucophrys – White-Crowned Sparrow

Spizella Passerine – Chipping Sparrow

Junco Hyemalis – Dark-Eyed Junco

Ammodramus Savannarum – Grasshopper Sparrow

Pooecetes Gramineus – Vesper Sparrow

Amphispiza Bilineata – Black-Throated Sparrow

Cistothorus Palustris – Marsh Wren

Troglodytes Pacificus – Pacific Wren

Catherpes Mexicanus – Canyon Wren

Salpinctes Obsoletus – Rock Wren

Oreoscoptes Montanus – Sage Thrashe

Sturnus Vulgaris – European Starling

Passer Domesticus – House Sparrow

Anthus Rubescens – American Pipit

Rhynchophanes Mccownii – Thick-Billed Longspur

Icteria Virens – Yellow-Breasted Chat

Passerina Versicolor – Varied Bunting

Passerina Amoena – Lazuli Bunting

Pheucticus Melanocephalus – Black-Headed Grosbeak

If you have encountered a bird in Idaho that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, we’ll be happy to identify it for you. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was found here on our bird identification page.