Contrasting black upperparts with white lower parts. Upper chest marked by faint, grayish band; dark black head often slightly crested, especially in males.
Montana Range
Observations in Montana: 3830
Montana CountiesBeaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Liberty, Lincoln, Madison, McCone, Meagher, Mineral, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Powell, Prairie, Ravalli, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sanders, Sheridan, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, Yellowstone
In the Bozeman area, normal migration periods are May 17 to 30 and August 23 to September 10.
Species prefers open environments along forest edges and fields. Also orchards and scattered shrubs and trees favorable.
Diet consists of mainly of insects.
Nest records are for June and July. Near Fortine, egg dates range from June 5 to July 22, with young in the nest from June 12 to August 2.