Hummingbirds in Montana: A Complete Guide to ID, Migration, and Feeding Tips

I remember the first hummingbird I ever saw in Montana. It was early June, just as the lilacs were blooming. A flash of green zipped past me in the foothills near Bozeman, hovering like a spirit over the blossoms before vanishing into thin air. For a second, it didn’t feel real—more like a trick of the light than a bird.

That’s the magic of hummingbirds.

In Montana, these tiny aerial marvels are fleeting but unforgettable. From spring through late summer, they grace our gardens, mountain meadows, and riparian forests with their presence. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to identify the hummingbirds of Montana, understand their migration patterns, and feed them responsibly to help them thrive.

1. How Many Hummingbird Species Are in Montana?

Montana may be far from tropical rainforests, but during the warmer months, it hosts at least four regularly observed hummingbird species, and a few rarities.

Common Species:

• Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)
• Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope)
• Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus)
• Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)

Rare Visitors:

• Anna’s Hummingbird (occasional sightings)
• Costa’s Hummingbird (extremely rare)

These species are primarily migrants—they arrive in spring and leave by early fall. Each has its own charm, range, and identifying features.

2. How to Identify Montana’s Hummingbirds

Rufous Hummingbird

ID:

• Males: Fiery orange back and belly, iridescent red throat
• Females: Green above, rufous flanks and tail

Behavior:

• Aggressive and territorial
• Often chases off other hummingbirds at feeders

Range in Montana:

• Common throughout western and central Montana during summer

Tip: Look for Rufous Hummingbirds in mid-to-late July during southbound migration—they dominate mountain feeding stations.

Calliope Hummingbird

ID:

• Males: Smallest bird in North America, with magenta “whisker-like” throat stripes
• Females: Pale, with buffy flanks and green upperparts

Behavior:

• Surprisingly bold despite its size
• Nests at high elevations in subalpine meadows

Range in Montana:

• Widespread in western mountains, often near forest edges and wildflower meadows

Fun fact: A Calliope Hummingbird weighs less than a penny but migrates thousands of miles each year.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

ID:

• Males: Rose-red throat (gorget), metallic green back, long tail
• Females: Similar to Calliope but slightly larger with pale speckled throat

Behavior:

• Makes a loud wing-trill during flight
• Frequently visits mountain meadows and backyards

Range in Montana:

• Found mostly in western and southwestern regions at mid to high elevations

Listen for the distinctive buzzing wings of a male in flight—it’s a giveaway for Broad-tailed.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

ID:

• Males: Dark head with a subtle violet chin stripe in direct light
• Females: Dull green back, pale throat, grayish belly

Behavior:

• Less aggressive than Rufous, often coexists at feeders
• Prefers lower elevations and riparian areas

Range in Montana:

• More common in eastern and southern Montana, especially along rivers and canyons

3. Hummingbird Migration in Montana

Migration is perhaps the most remarkable part of the hummingbird life cycle. These birds migrate thousands of miles from Central America and Mexico to their breeding grounds in the northern U.S. and Canada—and back again.

Spring Arrival:

• Starts in late April to early May, depending on elevation and weather
• Males arrive first to establish territories
• Calliope and Black-chinned Hummingbirds are typically the earliest to appear

Fall Departure:

• Southbound migration peaks in late July to early September
• Rufous Hummingbirds head out earlier than others, often by August

As a rule of thumb, keep feeders up until two weeks after the last sighting to support late migrants.

4. Where to See Hummingbirds in Montana

Whether you’re in the Rockies or the rolling plains, there are plenty of excellent locations to observe hummingbirds:

Best Spots in Montana:

• Glacier National Park (especially Many Glacier area in early summer)
• Bitterroot Valley (backyard feeders and wildflower-filled meadows)
• Big Hole and Blackfoot Valleys
• Yellowstone River corridors (for Black-chinned sightings)
• National Bison Range near Moiese (great mix of habitat)

Early morning and early evening are prime hours for hummingbird activity, especially around blooming plants and water sources.

5. Best Flowers and Feeders for Hummingbirds in Montana

To attract hummingbirds to your backyard, offer both natural nectar sources and clean, well-maintained feeders.

Native Plants That Attract Hummingbirds:

• Scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata)
• Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
• Trumpet honeysuckle
• Bee balm (Monarda)
• Penstemons
• Indian paintbrush

Want to make your yard a hummingbird haven? Don’t miss my full guide on Plants That Attract Hummingbirds — featuring native flowers that thrive in Montana and keep these tiny visitors coming back all season long.

Feeding Tips:

Homemade Nectar Recipe:

• 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water
• Boil the water, dissolve the sugar, let it cool
• Do not add red dye—it’s unnecessary and potentially harmful

Feeder Care Guidelines:

• Clean every 2–3 days (daily during hot spells)
• Place feeders in the shade
• Hang multiple feeders to reduce territorial disputes

A clean feeder can be a literal life-saver during late summer when natural nectar dries up.

6. Hummingbird Behavior to Watch For

Hummingbirds are endlessly fascinating once you start paying attention:

• Hovering skills: They can fly in place, backward, and even upside down briefly
• Feeding frenzy: Rufous males often chase others fiercely, even when there’s enough nectar for all
• Courtship: Males perform skydiving displays, making sharp “chirps” with their wings
• Perching: Despite being fast, they rest frequently—look for them on thin twigs or wires

7. Conservation Note: Tiny Birds, Big Challenges

While none of Montana’s hummingbird species are endangered, their populations face pressures from:

• Habitat loss (especially in overwintering grounds)
• Pesticide use (which kills off insects they eat)
• Climate change (altering flower bloom timing and migration cues)
• Window collisions

According to Audubon’s climate report, several hummingbird species may lose substantial breeding range by 2080 due to warming temperatures.

You can help by:

• Planting native flowers
• Avoiding pesticides
• Keeping feeders clean
• Educating others about the importance of pollinator habitats

Final Thoughts: Moments That Hover

In a state as vast and wild as Montana, it’s easy to be drawn to the grand—the grizzlies, the peaks, the storms. But there’s something deeply special about the quiet visit of a hummingbird. It’s a moment of stillness wrapped in movement. A reminder that the smallest visitors can leave the biggest impressions.

Whether you’re watching from a mountain trail or your kitchen window, remember: these birds have traveled thousands of miles just to be here.

The least we can do is notice.

FAQs