Birds

Montreal and Southern Quebec are visited by over 400 different bird species. These birds either pass through on their migration routes, spend the warmer months nesting, or stay here all year long. Here is a list of over a hundred species, complete with photos, videos, and information about when and where you may spot them.

Last changed on 2024-12-20

Birds of Prey

Eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures and owls

Accipitriformes
- Acciptridae
- Pandionidae
  - Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Cathartiformes
- Cathartidae
  - Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

Falconiformes
- Falconidae
  - Merlin Falcon (Falco columbarius)
  - Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Strigiformes
- Strigidae
  - Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)

Game Birds

Galliformes
- Phasianidae
  - Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Hummingbirds

There is only one hummingbird species reported to visit the area during the warmer months.

Apodiformes
- Trochilidae
  - Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

Songbirds

Order "Passeriformes". Includes a large variety of birds known for their ability to perch and often for their vocal abilities.

Alaudidae
- Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
Bombycillidae
- Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)
- Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)
Cardinalidae
- Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)
- Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Corvidae
- American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
- Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
Fringillidae
Hirundinidae
- Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
Icteridae
Mimidae
- Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Motacillidae
- Buff-bellied Pipit (Anthus rubescens)
Paridae
- Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
Parulidae

Passerellidae
Passeridae
- House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Regulidae
- Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)
Sittidae
- Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)
- White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
Sturnidae
- Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Turdidae
Tyrannidae
Vireonidae
- Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus)
- Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)

Waterfowl

Ducks, geese, terns, gulls, herons, kingfisher and more.

Coraciiformes
- Alcedinidae
  - Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
Gaviiformes
- Gaviidae
  - Common Loon (Gavia immer)
Gruiformes
- Rallidae
  - Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
Pelecaniformes
- Ardeidae
Podicipediformes
- Podicipedidae
  - Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
Suliformes
- Phalacrocoracidae
  - Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)
- Sulidae
  - Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)

Woodpeckers

Piciformes
- Picidae