Birds in Oregon - USA Birds

Oregon is an incredible state noted for incredible natural features such as Mount Hood, Crater Lake, and the Columbia River Gorge, as well as superb salmon, a thriving wine industry, and a plethora of ghost towns. What birders remember most about the Beaver State, though, are the state’s more than 500 bird species.

In a vote sponsored by the Oregon Audubon Society, the western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) was chosen as the state bird of Oregon in 1927 by the state’s schoolchildren.

Numerous bird species call Oregon home. While some of these species spend the entire year in Oregon, others are migratory and only visit during the summer or winter.

Oregon birds of prey

A raptor, or bird of prey, is defined by superior vision, long, sharp talons, and a strong, rounded beak. Each is a carnivore, and the majority hunt live prey in some way. Hawks, eagles, falcons, owls, and vultures all fall under this categorization.

Oregon is home to a variety of raptors, from the small Sharp-shinned hawk to the Bald eagle, our nation’s symbol. While some of these birds of prey migrate, many remain year-round and can be observed hunting along rivers, around highway posts, and in fields.

In the section below, you may learn more about these birds of prey.

Eagles in Oregon

Eagles, being top predators, are accustomed to both hunting and scavenging. Their acute vision enables them to identify prey from the vantage point of a high perch or while soaring high in the sky.

Bald eagles frequently consume dead and dying fish, particularly spawning salmon, that they pick up along stream banks in Oregon. Additionally, they consume carrion and grab prey from other predators, perhaps directly out of the air.

Bald eagles nest in the following places in Oregon: the Columbia River below Portland, the Oregon coast and Coast Range, the High Cascades, the Klamath Basin, and the upper Willamette River Basin.

The section below contains other amazing information about these eagles.

Buteo Lineatus – Red-Shouldered Hawk

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Owls in Oregon

Owls in Oregon are mostly nocturnal hunters, hunting insects, fish, frogs, birds, mice, and other small mammals during the night. After dark or early in the morning, their hoots, screeches, and calls can be heard.

Owls do not construct nests; instead, they utilize tree cavities, nests constructed by other species, naturally occurring structures, and man-made nest platforms. The Western burrowing owl nests underground in squirrel, prairie dog, and badger-dug dens.

Oregon is home to 14 different owl species, five of which are Oregon Conservation Strategy Species in Need of Assistance.

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Strix Nebulosa – Great Gray Owl

Megascops Kennicottii – Western Screech Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Common backyard birds of Oregon

The state of Oregon is home to a variety of bird species. It is home to about 500 distinct bird species. Birds in Oregon range from the more common American Robin to the less common Bohemian Waxwing.

We’re going to delve into that issue and give you some background on some of the species you’ll see here, including what they like to eat and where they like to hide. Let’s discuss the popular backyard birds found in Oregon!

Cardellina Pusilla – Wilson’s Warbler

Setophaga Occidentalis – Hermit Warbler

Setophaga Townsendi – Townsend’s Warbler

Setophaga Nigrescens – Black-Throated Gray Warbler

Setophaga Coronata – Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Setophaga Palmarum – Palm Warbler

Setophaga Caerulescens – Black-Throated Blue Warbler

Setophaga Striata – Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga Pensylvanica – Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Setophaga Petechia – Yellow Warbler

Setophaga Castanea – Bay-Breasted Warbler

Setophaga Magnolia – Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga Americana – Northern Parula

American Redstart – Setophaga Ruticilla

Geothlypis Tolmiei – MacGillivray’s Warbler

Leiothlypis Ruficapilla – Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis Celata – Orange-Crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis Peregrina – Tennessee Warblers

Mniotilta Varia – Black-And-White Warbler

Parkesia Noveboracensis – Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia Motacilla – Louisiana Waterthrush

Corvus Corax- Common Raven

Corvus Brachyrhynchos- American Crow

Pica Hudsonia – Black-billed Magpie

Nucifraga Columbiana – Clark’s Nutcracker

Aphelocoma Californica – California Scrub-Jay

Cyanocitta Stelleri – Steller’s Jay

Spizelloides Arborea – American Tree Sparrow

Passerculus Sandwichensis – Savannah Sparrow

Zonotrichia Atricapilla – Golden-Crowned Sparrow

Chondestes Grammacus – Lark Sparrow

Zonotrichia Leucophrys – White-Crowned Sparrow

Spizella Passerine – Chipping Sparrow

Zonotrichia Albicollis – White-Throated Sparrow

Junco Hyemalis – Dark-Eyed Junco

Ammodramus Savannarum – Grasshopper Sparrow

Pooecetes Gramineus – Vesper Sparrow

Amphispiza Bilineata – Black-Throated Sparrow

Woodpeckers in Oregon

Oregon is home to a sizable wildlife and bird population. Due to its unusual geography, which includes coniferous and mixed woods, as well as high elevations and coastal locations. This area is home to a broad array of woodpeckers, including sapsuckers and flickers.

Among the more common woodpecker species, there are a few unusual species that are not found in the majority of the country. Continue reading to learn everything about the woodpecker species found in Oregon.

Melanerpes Formicivorus – Acorn Woodpecker

Acorn Woodpeckers are rare woodpeckers of the United States and Mexico. Acorns and other nuts are stored in the "granary ...

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Colaptes auratus or commonly known as the northern flicker also known as the common flicker is a medium-sized bird belonging ...

Dryocopus Pileatus – Pileated Woodpecker

Dryocopus pileatus, commonly called the pileated woodpecker is a large woodpecker that is predominantly black in color and is native ...

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates villosus, commonly known as hairy woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker that is found throughout North America. According to the ...

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

In North America, the Dryobates pubescens or commonly called downy woodpecker is a species of woodpecker that is the smallest ...

Best Birdwatching Spots in Oregon

Bird viewing is fantastic in a state as diversified in habitat and topography as Oregon. It’s a fun pastime that you can undertake at home or in one of the ODFW’s Wildlife Areas or National Wildlife Refuges situated around the state. Bird watching is also an accessible opportunity to connect with nature and learn about Oregon’s bird populations, which range from shorebirds to desert species.

Audubon Society of Portland Sanctuary
Boiler Bay Wayside
Cape Meares State Park and National Wildlife Refuge
Cottonwood Canyon
Crater Lake National Park

Other Oregon birds

Oregon is an incredible area to watch birds. Between the shorebird communities along the coast, the species that survive high in the Cascade Mountains, and the numerous migratory birds that travel to high desert lakes, there is something for everyone. Other birds found in Oregon are included in the section below.

Cardellina Pusilla – Wilson’s Warbler

Setophaga Occidentalis – Hermit Warbler

Setophaga Townsendi – Townsend’s Warbler

Setophaga Nigrescens – Black-Throated Gray Warbler

Setophaga Coronata – Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Setophaga Palmarum – Palm Warbler

Setophaga Caerulescens – Black-Throated Blue Warbler

Setophaga Striata – Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga Pensylvanica – Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Setophaga Petechia – Yellow Warbler

Setophaga Castanea – Bay-Breasted Warbler

Setophaga Magnolia – Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga Americana – Northern Parula

American Redstart – Setophaga Ruticilla

Geothlypis Tolmiei – MacGillivray’s Warbler

Leiothlypis Ruficapilla – Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis Celata – Orange-Crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis Peregrina – Tennessee Warblers

Mniotilta Varia – Black-And-White Warbler

Parkesia Noveboracensis – Northern Waterthrush

Oxyura Jamaicensis – Ruddy Duck

Parkesia Motacilla – Louisiana Waterthrush

Mergus Serrator – Red-Breasted Merganser

Mergus Merganser – Common Merganser

Lophodytes Cucullatus – Hooded Merganser

Bucephala Clangula – Common Goldeneye

Aythya Affinis – Lesser Scaup

Aythya Marila – Greater Scaup

Aythya Americana – Redhead

Anas Crecca – Green-Winged Teal

Anas Acuta – Northern Pintail

Anas Platyrhynchos – Mallard

Mareca Americana – American Wigeon

Mareca Penelope – Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca Strepera – Gadwall

Spatula Clypeata – Northern Shoveler

Spatula Cyanoptera – Cinnamon Teal

Spatula Discors – Blue-Winged Teal

Aix Sponsa – Wood Duck

Cygnus Columbianus – Tundra Swan

Cygnus Buccinator – Trumpeter Swan

Branta Canadensis – Canada Geese

Branta Hutchinsii – Cackling Goose

Anser Rossii – Ross’s Geese

Anser Caerulescens – Snow Geese

Phalaropus Lobatus – Red-Necked Phalarope

Phalaropus Tricolor – Wilson’s Phalarope

Tringa Melanoleuca – Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa Semipalmata – Willet

Tringa Flavipes – Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa Solitaria – Solitary Sandpiper

Actitis Macularius – Spotted Sandpiper

Gallinago Delicata – Wilson’s Snipe

Limnodromus Scolopaceus- Long-Billed Dowitcher

Calidris Mauri – Western Sandpiper

Calidris Pusilla – Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris Melanotos – Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris Subruficollis – Buff-Breasted Sandpiper

Calidris Minutilla – Least Sandpiper

Calidris Bairdii – Baird’s Sandpiper

Calidris Alpina – Dunlin

Calidris Alba – Sanderling

Arenaria Interpres – Ruddy Turnstone

Limosa Fedoa – Marbled Godwits

Numenius Americanus – Long-Billed Curlew

Numenius Phaeopus – Whimbrel

Sterna Forsteri – Forster’s Tern

Sterna Hirundo – Common Tern

Chlidonias Niger – Black Tern

Hydroprogne Caspia – Caspian Tern

Larus Hyperboreus - Glaucous Gull found in the US

Larus Glaucescens – Glaucous-Winged Gull

Larus Hyperboreus – Glaucous Gull

Larus Fuscus – Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Larus Argentatus – Herring Gull

Larus Californicus – California Gull

Larus Delawarensis – Ring-Billed Gulls

Leucophaeus Pipixcan – Franklin’s Gull

Chroicocephalus Philadelphia – Bonaparte’s Gull

Sayornis Saya – Say’s Phoebe

Sayornis Nigricans – Black Phoebe

Empidonax Occidentalis – Cordilleran Flycatcher

Empidonax Difficilis – Pacific-Slope Flycatcher

Empidonax Oberholseri – Dusky Flycatcher

Empidonax Hammondii – Hammond’s Flycatcher

Empidonax Minimus – Least Flycatcher

Empidonax Traillii – Willow Flycatcher

Contopus Cooperi – Olive-Sided Flycatcher

Tyrannus Savana – Fork-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus Verticalis – Western Kingbird

Tyrannus Tyrannus – Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus Melancholicus – Tropical Kingbird

Myiarchus Cinerascens – Ash-Throated Flycatcher

Spinus Tristis – American Goldfinch

Spinus Psaltria – Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus Pinus – Pine Siskin

Loxia Curvirostra – Red Crossbill

Haemorhous Cassinii – Cassin’s Finch

Haemorhous Purpureus – Purple Finch

Haemorhous Mexicanus – House Finch

Leucosticte Tephrocoti – Gray-Crowned Rosy Finch

Pinicola Enucleator – Pine Grosbeak

Coccothraustes Vespertinus – Evening Grosbeak

Butorides Virescens – Green Heron

Bubulcus Ibis – Cattle Egret

Egretta Thula – Snowy Egrets

Ardea Alba – Great Egret

Ardea Herodias – Great Blue Heron

Botaurus Lentiginosus – American Bittern

Porzana Carolina – Sora

Charadrius Nivosus – Snowy Plover

Charadrius Vociferus – Killdeer

Pluvialis Dominica – American Golden-Plover

Corvus Corax- Common Raven

Corvus Brachyrhynchos- American Crow

Pica Hudsonia – Black-billed Magpie

Nucifraga Columbiana – Clark’s Nutcracker

Aphelocoma Californica – California Scrub-Jay

Cyanocitta Stelleri – Steller’s Jay

Petrochelidon Fulva – Cave Swallow

Petrochelidon Pyrrhonota – Cliff Swallow

Hirundo Rustica – Barn Swallow

Progne Subis – Purple Martin

Stelgidopteryx Serripennis – Northern rough-winged Swallow

Tachycineta Thalassina – Violet-Green Swallow

Tachycineta Bicolor – Tree Swallow

Riparia Riparia – Bank Swallow

Ixoreus Naevius – Varied Thrush

Turdus Migratorius – American Robin

Catharus Guttatus – Hermit Thrush

Catharus Ustulatus – Swainson’s Thrush

Catharus Minimus – Gray-Cheeked Thrush

Myadestes Townsendi – Townsend’s Solitaire

Sialia Currucoides – Mountain Bluebird

Quiscalus Guiscula – Common Grackle

Molothrus Ater – Brown-headed Cowbird

Icterus Galbula – Baltimore Oriole

Icterus Bullockii – Bullock’s Oriole

Sturnella Neglect – Western Meadowlark

Dolichonyx Oryzivorus – Bobolink

Alectoris Chukar – Chukar

Phasianus Colchicus – Ring-necked Pheasant

Dendragapus Obscurus – Dusky Grouse

Centrocercus Urophasianus – Greater Sage-Grouse

Bonasa Umbellus – Ruffed Grouse

Meleagris Gallopavo – Wild Turkey

Zenaida Macroura – Mourning Dove

Streptopelia Decaocto – Eurasian Collared-Dove

Patagioenas Fasciata – Band-Tailed Pigeon

Columba Livia – Rock Pigeon

Coccyzus Americanus – Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Callipepla Californica – California Quail

Colinus Virginianus – Northern Bobwhite

Aechmophorus Occidentalis – Western Grebe

Podiceps Nigricollis – Eared Grebe

Podiceps Grisegena – Red-Necked Grebe

Podiceps Auratus – Horned Grebe

Podilymbus Podiceps – Pied-Billed Grebe

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii – Common Poorwill

Chordeiles Minor – Common Nighthawk

Aeronautes Saxatalis – White-Throated Swift

Chaetura Vauxi – Vaux’s Swift

Antigone Canadensis – Sandhill Crane

Recurvirostra Americana – American Avocet

Himantopus Mexicanus – Black-Necked Stilt

Nannopterum Auritum – Double-crested Cormorant

Pelecanus Erythrorhynchos – American White Pelican

Plegadis Chihi – White-faced Ibis

Cathartes Aura – Turkey Vulture

Pandion Haliaetus – Osprey

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Falco Peregrinus – Peregrine Falcon

Falco columbarius – Merlin

Lanius Borealis – Northern Shrike

Lanius Ludovicianus – Loggerhead Shrike

Poecile Gambeli – Mountain Chickadee

Poecile Atricapillus – Black-Capped Chickadee

Psaltriparus Minimus – Bushtit

Regulus Satrapa – Golden-Crowned Kinglet

Corthylio Calendula – Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Bombycilla Cedrorum – Cedar Waxwing

Sitta Pygmaea – Pygmy Nuthatch

Sitta Canadensis – Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Certhia Americana – Brown Creeper

Buteo Lineatus – Red-Shouldered Hawk

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Selasphorus Calliope – Calliope Hummingbird

Archilochus Alexandri – Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Calypte Anna – Anna’s hummingbird

Selasphorus Rufus – Rufous Hummingbird

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Strix Nebulosa – Great Gray Owl

Megascops Kennicottii – Western Screech Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Melanerpes Formicivorus – Acorn Woodpecker

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Dryocopus Pileatus – Pileated Woodpecker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

Spizelloides Arborea – American Tree Sparrow

Passerculus Sandwichensis – Savannah Sparrow

Zonotrichia Atricapilla – Golden-Crowned Sparrow

Chondestes Grammacus – Lark Sparrow

Zonotrichia Leucophrys – White-Crowned Sparrow

Spizella Passerine – Chipping Sparrow

Zonotrichia Albicollis – White-Throated Sparrow

Junco Hyemalis – Dark-Eyed Junco

Ammodramus Savannarum – Grasshopper Sparrow

Pooecetes Gramineus – Vesper Sparrow

Amphispiza Bilineata – Black-Throated Sparrow

Cistothorus Palustris – Marsh Wren

Troglodytes Pacificus – Pacific Wren

Catherpes Mexicanus – Canyon Wren

Salpinctes Obsoletus – Rock Wren

Oreoscoptes Montanus – Sage Thrashe

Toxostoma Redivivum – California Thrasher

Dumetella Carolinensis – Gray Catbird

Sturnus Vulgaris – European Starling

Passer Domesticus – House Sparrow

Anthus Rubescens – American Pipit

Anthus Cervinus – Red-Throated Pipit

Icteria Virens – Yellow-Breasted Chat

Passerina Versicolor – Varied Bunting

Passerina Amoena – Lazuli Bunting

Pheucticus Melanocephalus – Black-Headed Grosbeak

If you have encountered a bird in Oregon that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, we’ll be happy to identify it for you. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was found here on our bird identification page.