Bird Watching in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Almost every one of us has visited a National Park in our lives, either with friends or family. We never forget the scenic beauty and natural tranquility as the memories never cease to exist from our minds. The splendid landscapes, various wild animals, colorful plants, and serene water bodies always remind us that nature has more things in store than we think. Bird watching in Yellowstone National Park is another way to really connect with nature.

National Parks do more than protect wildlife. They encompass beautiful landforms such as desert dunes, snow-capped mountains, sandy beaches, foggy rainforests, and river cliffs. The more these areas are exposed to human interference, the more they are prone to damage and destruction. National Parks ensure sound and pollution-free environment.

One such National Park is Yellowstone National Park. Located in the state of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, Yellowstone National Park is like no other place on earth.  You will be gripped by power and poetry in sight, sound, and emotion of the park.

Overview of Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is not just a famous National Park but houses wildlife and geographical diversity that is remarkable. Established in 1872, it is situated in the county of Park, Teton County of Wyoming, Gallatin County of Montana, and Fremont County of Idaho.

The largest active geyser in the world is found in Yellowstone. Old Faithful is the most famous geyser in the park. Hundreds of colorful hot springs and pools are also present inside the park.

Yellowstone National Park is home to more wild animals than anywhere else in the United States. Visitors can easily spot many animals roaming freely in their natural habitat. These animals include grizzly bears, gray wolves, bison, wild horses, and moose.

The Grand Canyon inside Yellowstone is indeed the most beautiful site of the park. Upwardly percolating fluids have altered the chemistry of rocks, turning them yellow, red, white and pink.

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Old Faithful

Old faithful has to be one of the most fun and exciting events at Yellowstone. Everyone sits around and waits for the geyser to erupt. It erupts on a very regular schedule which makes it a great opportunity for crowds to gather. Yellowstone sits on a super volcano and that is why the geysers erupt.

Grand Prismatic Springs

Out of all the natural hot springs in Yellowstone, Grand Prismatic Springs might be the most beautiful and inspiring to see while hiking around. Grand Prismatic Springs has beautiful colors like orange and blue that will take your breath away.

Yellowstone National Park Wildlife

In Yellowstone National Park you can see all kinds of wildlife. The most popular wildlife to see are birds, hawks, owls, ducks, cranes, bald eagles, buffalo, elk, bears, coyote, and others.

Yellowstone National Park Hiking

Treks to stunning waterfalls, plunging canyons, geyser basins, and a lot more await hikers. With over 900 miles of hiking trails, Yellowstone National Park offers some of the best trails in backcountry wilderness.

A healthy body is a happy body, and one of the best ways to be healthy is a lot of exercise. Hiking is also an economical way to increase activity level while offering a plethora of health benefits. It can also improve overall health, prevent and control diabetes, lower risk of cardiovascular activity, increase energy level, burn calories and increase bone density.

Some of the most popular and exciting trails in Yellowstone National Park are Storm Point Loop Trail, Trout Lake, Mystic Falls, Lone Star Geyser, and Avalanche Peak.  These hikes take you through gurgling streams, forests of meadows and panoramic views. 

Yellowstone National Park Hotels

Yellowstone National Park is the largest park in the United States and covers 2 million acres of land. With over 300 geysers inside the park, the park is considered to be an active volcano! There are numerous lodging options available inside the park. Guests will find an incredible variety of accommodations to hunker down for the night.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins welcome you to a time of classic yet casual elegance. This hotel offers splendid views of Yellowstone Lake from rooms.

Canyon Lodge and Cabins houses more than 500 rooms and cabins. It is situated on the east side of the park near the Grand Canyon. There are different types of rooms, suites and western-style cabins.

Mammoth Hot Springs and Cabins offer a warm welcome to winter visitors. It is an excellent spot to witness winter wildlife. People can enjoy drinks in the evening at the Map Room.

Old Faithful Inn, Grant Village, and Lake Lodge cabins are some other options worth staying in Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone National Park Camping

What better way can there be to enjoy Yellowstone then to pitch a tent or park your car on your next getaway to get in touch with the natural beauty of the park? Waking up amidst exceptional wildlife, sprawling meadows, and inspiring mountain ranges is an altogether different experience.

There are numerous campgrounds inside Yellowstone National Park. Bridge Bay campground is one of the largest with 432 campsites.  As the campsite provides facilities such as flushable toilets and sinks with running water, you don’t have to sacrifice on modern comforts to get a slice of the park’s beauty.

Canyon Campground, located within a mile of the Grand Canyon, is one of the most popular campgrounds of Yellowstone National Park because of its scenic beauty. These campsites have a picnic table and a fire gate. This campsite has 15 public restrooms with flushable toilets and faucets with cold water.

Madison campground is one of the most renowned campgrounds due to its central location. It has 270 individual sites and 3 group sites. In addition, it has restrooms with flushable toilets and faucets with cold running water.

Yellowstone National Park Images

This slide show has our best Yellowstone National Park images that will have you planning your next visit.

Bird Watching in Yellowstone National Park

Bird watching is the observation of live birds in their natural habitat. It can be done with the naked eye or with the help of binoculars. During the 19th century, people used guns and could identify an unknown species only when they had their corpse in their hands. Modern bird-watching was made possible by the development of optical aids, which enabled people to study and identify wild birds without hurting them.

Over 407 birds are spotted in the state of Wyoming, 424 in Montana, and 433 in Idaho. Consequently, various species of birds can be spotted in Yellowstone National Park, making it an ideal site for bird watching.

Besides the beauty of majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and hot geysers, Yellowstone National Park also boasts of the melodious voices of various birds. From Snow Goose to Red-Winged Blackbird, from Golden Eagle to Tundra Swan, this park has it all.

10 Birds to see Year-Round in Yellowstone National Park

Snow Goose

The Snow Goose is a medium-sized goose with a hefty bill and a long, thick neck. They have a white-body with black wingtips that are rarely visible on the ground, but noticeable during flight. It has a pink bill with a dark line often called ‘black lips.’ These geese do not like to travel alone and are mostly found in flocks. Mainly found in agricultural fields, they also migrate to wetlands or plowed cornfields.

Tundra Swan

A Tundra Swan is a large waterfowl with a heavy body and a long neck. The bill slopes gently away from the head. It has white plumage. The bill is mostly black and has a yellow spot at the base. Immature swans have a gray-tint on the wings. They can be found on estuaries and coastal waters and island lakes. In winter, they leave the water to feed in agricultural fields.

Wilson’s Snipe

Wilson’s Snipes are medium-sized shorebirds with short and stocky legs. Their bill is straight and very long. The rounded head and short tail are some other physical characteristics. They are patterned in buff and brown stripes and bars. Wilson’s Snipes live in muddy pond edges, damp fields, and other wet, open habitats. The reason behind this is that in these habitats, these camouflaged birds can disappear.

Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle is North America’s largest bird of prey. It is also the national bird of Mexico. They are dark brown with lighter golden-brown plumage on their head and neck. These birds are monogamous and may remain with their mate for several years. Golden Eagle uses its speed and sharp talons to snatch up rabbits, marmots, and ground squirrels. They also eat reptiles, birds, fish and large insects.

Ferruginous Hawk

Ferruginous Hawks are large hawks with relatively long wings and large heads. The wings narrow to form more pointed tips. They have strikingly white underparts and rusty legs, which form a V when a bird is soaring. These hawks live in open spaces of the West, in grasslands, prairie, and scrublands.
 

Red-Naped Sapsucker

Red-naped Sapsucker is a beautiful bird with a red patch on its head. Being a medium sized-woodpecker, it clings vertically to the trees giving it an elongated appearance. Its bill is stout and sharply pointed. Females have a white patch on the skin while males have an entirely red chin. It breeds in mixed woodlands of willow, aspen, birch ponderosa pine, juniper, or douglas-fir. Red-Naped Sapsuckers avoid oak or pine-oak forest but use them during migration and winters.

Say’s Phoebe

Say’s Phoebe is a slender, long-tailed flycatcher that is pale brownish-gray above with a cinnamon belly, a blackish tail, and a gray breast. They live in open country, sagebrush, badlands, dry, barren foothills, canyons, and the border of deserts.

Pinyon Jay

Pinyon Jay is a medium-sized and crestless jay that looks like a miniature crow. It has a shorter tail and a longer dagger-like bill. Males and females are dusky blues with a paler often dingy blue belly. These jays move around in tightly packed flocks and are generally not found alone.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Red-Winged Blackbird is a road-shouldered blackbird with a slender, conical bill, and a medium-length tail. Male red-winged blackbirds have a glossy back with red and yellow shoulder badges. Females are crisply streaked, dark brownish and are paler on the breast and often show a whitish eyebrow. These birds gather in huge flocks to eat grains with other blackbird species and starlings. Red-Winged Blackbirds can be found in freshwater and saltwater marshes, along watercourses, wet roadsides, as well as drier meadows and old fields.

Spotted Towhee

Spotted Towhee is a large sparrow with a thick, pointed bill, short neck, chunky body, and long, rounded tail. Males have jet black upperparts and throat, wings, and back are bright white. Females are similar but are grayish brown, where males are black. They feed on insects and fruits and can be found in open, shrubby habitat with thick undergrowth. Spotted Towhees can also be spotted in forest edges and overgrown fields.

In Closing

It is essential to be respectful of the area you are visiting. Depending on the season you are visiting, you need to make a few adjustments. National Parks are photogenic, so you might need backup batteries and extra memory cards for your camera. Always use a good pair of shoes for hiking to avoid injuries.

Choose the right set of clothes for your vacation and load up on sun protection. Never forget to have a rain jacket and a map of the park. If you forget something, don’t stress! Staff can point you to the nearest vendor. Always remember-Life hurts, nature heals!