WhenToBird

American Robin · Turdus migratorius

When Do Robins Arrive in Montana?

Adult male American Robin
Photo: northerly, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

American Robins are in Montana all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from mid March, peak in late May (66% of checklists), and fall back by early October. In the quietest week (early February) they are still on about 7.0% of checklists.

When to look

Numbers buildMar 15-21mid March
PeakMay 22-31late May
Fall back byOct 1-7early October
FewestFeb 1-7early February

Best: late May. Here all year; numbers build from mid March and fall back by early October. Peak: on about 66% of Montana checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febuncommon
  3. Marcommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novuncommon
  12. Decuncommon

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Robins in Montana, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
American RobinMar 15-21Mar 15-21May 22-31Oct 1-766%
0%20%40%60%80%American RobinJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • American Robin
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Montana that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Montana

Best counties for American Robin

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Dawson CountyBest early May · 18 checklists that week, 743 in all84%
  2. Daniels CountyBest early May · 24 checklists that week, 481 in all80%
  3. Liberty CountyBest mid May · 53 checklists that week, 800 in all80%
  4. Gallatin CountyBest late May · 2837 checklists that week, 66,365 in all79%
  5. Missoula CountyBest the second week of June · 1481 checklists that week, 64,368 in all78%
  6. Richland CountyBest late September · 12 checklists that week, 673 in all76%

Common questions

When do robins arrive in Montana?
American Robins are in Montana all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from mid March, peak in late May (66% of checklists), and fall back by early October. In the quietest week (early February) they are still on about 7.0% of checklists.
When do robins leave Montana?
American Robins never fully leave Montana: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by early October, but some are still reported in every week, about 7.0% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see robins in Montana?
The American Robin is reported most often in late May, on about 66% of Montana checklists.