Acknowledgments 



We are most grateful to the dozens of contributors who submitted thousands of recent records 

 to make this edition possible (see Appendix G). Other major sources of information include the 

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Breeding Bird Survey and databases of the Montana Natural 

 Heritage Program. 



The Montana Bird Distribution Committee was responsible for the production and fundraising 

 for the Fifth Edition of Montana Bird Distribution. Members include Janet Ellis, David Center, 

 Cedron Jones, Jim Reichel, Betsy Spettigue and Dan Sullivan. Martin Miller was employed to 

 compile data and assist in production. Special thanks to this committee for their long hours and 

 dedicated efforts in writing, revising, troubleshooting, and getting things (finally) to the printer! 



The Montana Bird Records Committee reviewed rare bird sightings and provided advice and 

 comment on a number of issues for the Fifth Edition. The Records Committee is comprised of 

 Chuck Carlson (Chair, Fort Peck), Helen Carlson (Billings), Dan Casey (Kalispell), Dr. Bob Eng 

 (Bozeman), Bebe FitzGerald (Billings), Harriet Marble (Chester), Terry McEneaney (Gardiner), 

 Fritz Prell witz (Malta), and Dr. Phil Wright (Missoula). We thank them for their continuing efforts 

 and dedication to a better understanding of Montana birds. 



We thank the Natural Resource Information System and the Montana State Library for staff 

 time and computers. Dan Sullivan obtained and compiled the data from the Breeding Bird Surveys. 

 Editorial advice was provided by Dan Casey, Christian Frazza, George Holton, Sue Jackson, Cary 

 Lund, and Dorothy Poulsen. Several other individuals provided helpful suggestions and advice in 

 planning and review of the project. We thank them all. 



Financial support for the project came with the cooperation of the following individuals and 

 organizations: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (Betsy Spettigue, Dennis Flath, Tim Gallagher and 

 Heidi Youmans), Bureau of Land Management (Dan Hinkley), Bureau of Reclamation (Rick 

 Blaskovich and Jerry Jacobs), Glacier National Park (Steve Frye), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 

 (Kemper McMaster), U.S. Forest Service (Bill Ruediger), WESTECH (Dean Culwell and Pat 

 Farmer), Golden Sunlight Mine (Bill Seybert), Montana State Parks & Wildlife Interpretive 

 Association; Montana Nature Conservancy, and Montana Audubon. 



Seven artists contributed their meticulous drawings to this book. They deserve special 

 recognition. Their time and talent have significantly improved the book's appearance. Cover: 

 Boreal Owl by Jerry Kustich. PamBond: Common Loon, p. 12; Canvasback, p. 24; Sandpiper 

 species, p. 123. JimClayborn: American Dipper, p. 82; Yellow-rumpedWarbler, p. 93. Marsha 

 Davis: Great Horned Owl, p. 58; Pileated Woodpeckers, p. 68; Bam Swallow, p. 75. Ron 

 Jenkins: Calliope Hummingbird, Dedication Page; Rufous Hummingbird, p. 64; Black-capped 

 Chickadee, p. 78; Western Meadowlark, p. 130. Jerry Kustich: Marsh Wren, p. 11; American 

 Kestrel, p. 32; Spotted Sandpiper, p. 42; CalifomiaGull, p. 51; HomedLark, p. 73; Townsend's 

 Solitaire, p. 84; Northern Shrike, p. 88; Western Tanager, p. 100; American Tree Sparrow, p. 103; 

 Song Sparrow, p. 107; Bullock's Oriole, p. 1 13; American Goldfinch, p. 1 17; Pygmy Owl, p. 1 18. 

 Larry Thompson: Trumpeter Swan, p. 19; Sharp-tailed Grouse, p. 36. James Utsler: Common 

 Raven, Title Page. 



