Oregon is a bird lover’s paradise; it’s the residence of a diverse range of avian species that can be found all throughout the state. From the smallest songbirds to the majestic woodpeckers, the common birds of Oregon are truly a sight to behold. So, let’s take a closer look at these fascinating creatures and learn more about what makes them so special.

Native Birds in Oregon

Oregon is home to a diverse range of native bird species, including raptors, songbirds, and waterfowl. Here are some of the most common native birds you may encounter in Oregon.

1. Bald Eagle: The national bird of the United States is also one of the most iconic birds of Oregon. Bald Eagles are large raptors that can be easily recognized by their white head and tail feathers.

2. American Goldfinch: This small songbird is common in Oregon’s backyards, gardens, and parks. The male has bright yellow feathers, while the female has a duller coloration.

3. Western Bluebird: The Western Bluebird is a colorful bird with blue feathers on its back and wings, a rusty-red breast, and a grayish-blue head.

4. Northern Flicker: This medium-sized woodpecker has a brownish-gray back, a spotted breast, and a distinctive red patch on the back of its head.

5. Anna’s Hummingbird: This tiny bird is a common sight in Oregon’s gardens and parks, especially during the spring and summer months. It has iridescent green feathers on its back and head and a bright red throat.

Backyard Birds in Oregon

Oregon’s backyards are home to a variety of bird species, both native and introduced. Here are some of the most common backyard birds you may encounter in Oregon.

1. House Finch: This small songbird has a brownish-red back, a streaked breast, and a distinctive red patch on its head.

2. Dark-eyed Junco: This small songbird has a gray head, neck, and breast and a brownish-gray back. It is a common sight in Oregon’s backyards during the winter months.

3. Black-capped Chickadee: This small songbird has a black cap and throat, a gray back, and white cheeks. It is a year-round resident in Oregon’s backyards and parks.

4. Song Sparrow: This small songbird has a brownish-gray back, a streaked breast, and a distinctive brown cap. It is a common sight in Oregon’s backyards and parks throughout the year.

5. Spotted Towhee: This medium-sized bird has a black head, back, and tail and a rusty-red breast. It is a common sight in Oregon’s backyards and parks during the spring and summer months.

Small Birds in Oregon

Oregon’s forests and meadows are home to a variety of small bird species. Here are some of the most common small birds you may encounter in Oregon.

1. Rufous Hummingbird: This tiny bird has iridescent green feathers on its back and head and a bright orange-red throat. It is a common sight in Oregon’s forests and meadows during the summer months.

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2. Mountain Chickadee: This small bird has a grayish-brown back, a black cap, and white cheeks. It is a year-round resident in Oregon’s mountains and forests.

3. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: This small bird has olive-green feathers on its back, a white breast, and a distinctive red patch on its head. It is a common sight in Oregon’s forests during the fall and winter months.

4. Red-breasted Nuthatch: This small bird has a blue-gray back, a rusty-red breast, and a distinctive black eye stripe. It is a year-round resident in Oregon’s forests and mountains.

5. Golden-crowned Kinglet: This tiny bird has olive-green feathers on its back, a yellow crown, and a white eye ring. It is a common sight in Oregon’s forests during the fall and winter months.

Songbirds in Oregon

Oregon’s forests and meadows are home to a wide variety of songbirds. Here are some of the most common songbirds you may encounter in Oregon. 

1. American Robin: This medium-sized bird has a brownish-gray back, a rusty-red breast, and a distinctive white eye ring. It is a common sight in Oregon’s forests and meadows throughout the year.

2. Yellow Warbler: This small songbird has bright yellow feathers on its breast and belly and a brownish-yellow back. It is a common sight in Oregon’s forests and meadows during the spring and summer months.

3. Black-headed Grosbeak: This medium-sized bird has a black head, a rusty-red breast, and a white wing patch. It is a common sight in Oregon’s forests and meadows during the spring and summer months.

4. Pine Siskin: This small songbird has brownish-gray feathers on its back, a streaked breast, and a distinctive yellow patch on its wings. It is a common sight in Oregon’s forests and meadows during the fall and winter months.

5. Cedar Waxwing: This medium-sized bird has a brownish-gray back, a yellow belly, and a distinctive black mask. It is a common sight in Oregon’s forests and meadows during the summer months.

Woodpeckers in Oregon

Oregon’s forests are home to a variety of woodpecker species. Here are some of the most common woodpeckers you may encounter in Oregon.

1. Downy Woodpecker: This small woodpecker has a black and white striped back, a white belly, and a distinctive red patch on its head. It is a year-round resident in Oregon’s forests and parks.

2. Hairy Woodpecker: This medium-sized woodpecker has a black and white striped back, a white belly, and a larger size than the Downy Woodpecker. It is a year-round resident in Oregon’s forests and parks.

3. Northern Flicker: As previously mentioned, this medium-sized woodpecker has a brownish-gray back, a spotted breast, and a distinctive red patch on the back of its head. It is a common sight in Oregon’s forests and meadows.

4. Pileated Woodpecker: This large woodpecker has a black and white striped back, a red crest, and a distinctive long beak. It is a year-round resident in Oregon’s forests and parks.

5. Red-breasted Sapsucker: This medium-sized woodpecker has a black and white striped back, a red head and breast, and a distinctive yellow belly. It is a common sight in Oregon’s forests and parks during the spring and summer months.

Owls in Oregon

The majority of Oregon’s owls are nocturnal hunters who prowl the night for insects, fish, frogs, birds, rodents, and other small animals. You can hear their hoots, screeches, and cries in the morning hours or after nightfall.

1. Barn Owl: The barn owl is a medium-sized owl found throughout Oregon, known for its distinctive heart-shaped face and pale, mottled feathers. They typically nest in barns, trees, or cliffs and hunt for small rodents like mice and voles.

2. Great Horned Owl: The great horned owl is one of the largest and most widespread owl species in Oregon, recognizable by its tufted ears and yellow eyes. They are formidable hunters, preying on a variety of small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

3. Snowy Owl: The snowy owl is a rare sight in Oregon, usually only seen during the winter months. They are instantly recognizable by their pure white feathers and piercing yellow eyes. These owls are adapted to living in cold environments and primarily feed on lemmings and other small rodents.

4. Northern Pygmy Owl: The northern pygmy owl is a small, diurnal owl species found in Oregon’s coniferous forests. Despite their small size, they are fierce hunters and prey on insects, small mammals, and other birds.

5. Northern Spotted Owl: The northern spotted owl is a threatened species in Oregon, known for its striking appearance with dark brown feathers, large dark eyes, and distinctive spotted markings. They primarily feed on small mammals and are sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation.

Raptors in Oregon

From the tiny Sharp-shinned Hawk to the national bird of our country, Oregon is home to a wide range of birds. Many of these raptors reside here year-round and can be seen foraging along waterways, wayside posts, and fields. Some of these raptors migrate through this area.

1. Turkey Vulture: The turkey vulture is a large, dark bird with a bald red head and a long wingspan. They play an important role in the ecosystem as scavengers, feeding on carrion and helping to clean up the environment.

2. Osprey: The osprey is a large raptor species found in Oregon’s coastal and freshwater habitats. They are often seen near bodies of water, as they feed primarily on fish. They are also known for their impressive diving abilities, plunging feet-first into the water to catch their prey.

3. White-Tailed Kite: The white-tailed kite is a small, graceful raptor species found in open habitats like grasslands and marshes. They have a distinctive hovering hunting technique and feed primarily on small mammals like rodents and voles.

4. Cooper’s Hawk: The Cooper’s hawk is a medium-sized raptor found in Oregon’s woodlands and forests. They are skilled hunters and prey primarily on small birds but will also eat squirrels, rabbits, and other small mammals. They are known for their agile flying abilities and quick turns during hunting.

Pelicans and Cormorants in Oregon

Oregon is home to two types of pelicans, the American white pelican and the Brown pelican, and three kinds of cormorants. These water birds are carnivorous and have four toes that are connected by webbing. 

They live in different locations depending on the species, including the Oregon coast, rivers, and interior waterways.

1. American White Pelican: The American White Pelican is one of the largest birds in North America, with a wingspan of 9 feet. It has a distinctive appearance with white plumage and black wingtips. During the breeding season, adult birds grow a prominent horn on their upper mandible. 

2. Brown Pelican: The Brown Pelican is a coastal bird that inhabits the shores and bays of the Pacific Ocean. They are known for their unique way of diving for fish, which involves a headfirst plunge from above the water’s surface. They have a distinctive appearance, with a brown body and a long bill with a pouch that can hold up to 3 gallons of water.

3. Double-crested Cormorant: The Double-crested Cormorant is a large, dark water bird with a long, hooked bill and a wingspan of up to 4 feet. They possess proficiency in swimming and diving, using the web-like soles of their feet to swim beneath and look for animals.

4. Brandt’s Cormorant: Brandt’s Cormorant is a medium-sized water bird that can be found on North America’s Pacific Coast. They have dark plumage, a long neck, and a distinctive orange throat pouch. Like other cormorants, they are skilled swimmers and divers, and they use their webbed feet to propel themselves underwater.

Conservation Efforts in Oregon

Oregon has a long history of conservation efforts to protect its birds and their habitats. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) works to conserve and manage Oregon’s wildlife, including birds. 

The ODFW partners with various organizations, including the Audubon Society of Portland and the Oregon Birding Association, to protect and preserve Oregon’s birds and their habitats.

The Oregon Conservation Strategy, created by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2006, is one such effort. The plan outlines critical steps that must be taken to protect Oregon’s wildlife, including birds. 

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Conclusion

It’s clear that the birds of Oregon are truly something to tweet about! From the chirpy backyard birds to the majestic raptors, there’s no shortage of feathered friends to discover. So grab your binoculars and get ready for a bird-watching adventure in the Beaver State. Who knows what you might find?