Found only on the west coast of Oregon and California, Wrentits are resident, very sedentary birds with secretive, skulking behavior, only emerging occasionally from cover. The Wrentit has been described as the most sedentary species in North America. The male and female are similar in appearance. Males and females look alike, with olive-brown plumage and …
The Wilson’s Phalarope is the largest and most terrestrial of the three North American phalaropes. As with all phalaropes, females are larger and more brightly-colored than males. During nesting, females have pale blue/gray forehead and crown; white supercilium above the eye, borders black streak that passes from base of the bill, through and below the …
The Willet (Tringa semipalmata) is a large, gray to brownish-gray sandpiper with white lower base of tail and distinctive black-and-white wing stripe pattern. Sexes are similar. Taxonomic split; western population recognized as T. s. inornata (genetic divergence c. 700,000 years ago). Winters on the coast from Mexico to Chile and remain largely separate from the …
The Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) is a large waterbird native to western North America, known for its elaborate and showy courtship rituals. It has black feathers on its back, while its throat and underside are white. Its head features a black cap that covers the eyes and extends down the top of the neck and …
The Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) is a medium-sized seabird in the auk family and is closely related to puffins. During the breeding season, both males and females can be easily recognized by a distinctive vertical pale yellow “horn” (1 to 3 cm long) at the base of the upper bill, which gives the species its …
The Pinyon Jay is a highly social corvid found in the interior western United States. Its overall blue coloration, relatively short tail, pointed bill, and lack of a crest distinguish it from other jay species. The Pinyon Jay is a medium-sized bird; males and females have similar plumage, though males typically have a slightly deeper …
The Golden Eagle is a large raptor that lives in open landscapes and mountainous, undisturbed terrain. It is uniformly dark brown with a golden-colored nape in all plumages. These eagles have large bills, feathered legs, and long, broad wings, with a wingspan that can reach up to 7 feet (2.1 meters). They acquire adult plumage …
Franklin’s Spruce Grouse is a resident bird of the Rocky Mountains, ranging from central British Columbia and southwestern Alberta south to eastern Washington and northeastern Oregon, including the Wallowa Mountains. Males have h a black breast marked by white spots along the sides, a black tail with white spots at the base, and a red …
The Cassin’s Auklet is a small seabird with steel-gray coloring on its back and a white belly. It has a white stripe near the eye and a pale, whitish iris. Its coloring helps it blend in with the ocean, making it hard to spot at sea. Cassin’s Auklet is one of the most widespread alcid …
The California Condor is one the largest and one of the most endangered species in North America which vanished form Oregon more than 120 years ago. Ongoing reintroduction efforts and planning for reintroductions are expected to result in the return of the California Condor to Oregon in the foreseeable future. The California Condor has a …
The Black Tern, Chlidonias niger, is Oregon’s smallest tern with black head body and gray wings during the breeding season. Sexes are both similar but the males are generally larger. Bill black; legs blackish red.
The Black Rosy-Finch, Leucosticte atrata, is a medium-sized, dark-colored finch. It is one of three types of rosy-finches found in North America and is one of the rarest birds that breeds in Oregon. In the summer, it lives high in the mountains of southeastern Oregon, above the tree line and even above where snow stays …
The American Avocet is a large, striking shorebird with long bluish-gray legs, a long recurved (upturned) bill, and a black-and-white chevron pattern on its back and wings, with cinnamon head and neck (grayish white in winter). Males and females are similar; males are larger. American Avocets specialize in using ephemeral shallow wetland habitats. No subspecies …
The Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) is a medium-sized broad-winged hawk of open habitats. They are long distance migrants, and individuals may migrate up to 10,000km to wintering habitat in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. They exhibit polymorphism with distinctive dark and light color morphs also showing intermediate characteristics in between. Dark morph individuals are relatively uncommon, …
Lewis’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) is a medium-sized woodpecker with greenish black iridescent head, back, wings, and tail. It also has a notable silvery gray collar and upper breast, dark red face, and pinkish or salmon red lower breast and belly. Both sexes similar but the male is slightly larger. The legs and feet are gray, …
Willow Flycatchers are a small, slender flycatcher and are one of the larger members of the genus Empidonax. Due to strong similarities in appearance to other Empidonax flycatchers, they can be difficult to identify in the field without vocal cues. They are brownish olive overall with a slight yellow tint to the belly. Willow Flycatchers …
Once thought to be extirpated from Oregon in the 1940s, Yellow Rails were rediscovered in the state during the 1980s and 1990s. Yellow Rails are small birds, measuring only 5 to 7.5 inches long and weighing just 1.5 to 2 ounces. They are the second smallest rail species native to North America. These birds are …
Leach’s Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous) is believed to be the most widespread species of its kind (procellariiform) that breeds in the Northern Hemisphere. It nests in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. After the breeding season, these seabirds travel far across the open ocean, often moving into tropical waters and staying well away from land. While …
The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) is the largest native waterfowl in North America, with a mass of up to 30 pounds. Plumage in adults is entirely white, and juveniles are mouse-gray. The bill is black, with a triangular patch of black facial skin between the eyes and the bill. They are an average of 5 …
The Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) is a medium-sized, thick-bodied songbird, slightly smaller than an American Robin. Both this species and its close relative, the Northern Shrike, are known for a unique hunting behavior where they impale their prey on thorns or barbed wire to store or eat later. Adult Loggerhead Shrikes are about 20 centimeters …
The Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) is a widely-distributed pelagic seabird found in the North Pacific Ocean. Tufted Puffin is perhaps the most recognizable seabird in Oregon. They have a large laterally compressed orange bill. They are most commonly observed in their vibrant breeding plumage, which is overall brown-black with a striking white face mask with …
The Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) is North America’s largest shorebird and the world’s largest sandpiper. They have an extremely long bill and have a loud, ringing call. They have a buff-colored body with cinnamon or pink highlights, upperparts barred with dark brown, a plain crown, ashy gray feet and legs, and a pink base on …
The Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) is a cavity-nesting thrush is one of three bluebird species found only in North America. Previously abundant in western Oregon, the Western Bluebird suffered a precipitous decline through degradation of habitat and avian competition. The male has a cobalt blue head and throat, blue wings and tail edged with dusky …
The Marbled Murrelet is a small seabird found along the Pacific coast. Adults are about 24–25 cm long and weigh between 188 and 269 grams. Although they spend most of their lives at sea, they fly inland to nest—mainly in mature, and old-growth, late- successional, or older coniferous trees. The Marbled Murrelet has a unique …
The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) is a small, ground-nesting owl that measures 19 to 25 centimeters in length and weighs between 150 and 170 grams. It lives in grassland and shrubland habitats. Its small size, diurnal behavior, and habit of bobbing its head make it easy to recognize and hard to confuse with any …
The American Goshawk is a raven-sized hawk, and like other hawks in the genus Accipiter is adapted to maneuver through forest landscapes to ambush and capture prey. The American Goshawk is a forest species, occupying a variety of forest types. They predominantly nest in dense stands of mature or late seral conifers, but additionally are …
The Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) is a medium-sized songbird easily detected both visually and by its melodious call during the breeding season. Western Meadowlarks are uncommon to rare, and generally declining in appropriate habitat in western Oregon. In eastern Oregon they are a common species in steep decline: they are still widely distributed throughout the …
The Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) is a medium sized, dark brown nocturnal owl with a round face, dark eyes, and no ear tufts. It has a brown facial disk with indistinct concentric circles of darker buff brown around each dark brown/black eye. Adult Northern Spotted Owls average 45 cm long. The plumage is …
Purple Martins are the largest swallows of the Americas. They weigh about 56 grams on average, which is twice as much as the second-largest swallow in North America. They are about 20 centimeters long from head to tail. Purple Martins have dark, shiny (iridescent) feathers on their backs, heads, and chests, along with dark feathers …
The Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) is a large flycatcher species. They are grayish-brown dorsally with a large and dark head, a stout bill, a short tail, and pointed wings. These birds are grayish-brown on the back with a large, dark head, a stout bill, a short tail, and pointed wings. Their dusky-colored flanks contrast with …
The Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus nivosus) is a diminutive, pale shorebird of the open beach and salt flats. The world’s smallest plover species, adult Snowy Plovers weigh 34-58 g and measure between 15-17 cm long. They are cryptically colored: their brownish-gray back and wings blend well with the color of sand, making roosting birds difficult …
The Oregon Vesper Sparrow (Poocetes gramineus affinis) is one of four Vesper Sparrow subspecies recognized in North America. The Oregon Vesper Sparrow breeding population is disjunct, completely separate from all other Vesper Sparrow populations and subspecies. It’s restricted breeding range is recognized as a distinct population segment under the federal ESA (including parts of Georgia …
The White-headed Woodpecker (Dryobates albolarvatus) is a medium-sized woodpecker that is easy to recognize by its solid white head and throat. Its body is jet black, with a distinctive white wing patch on each side. Adult males have a small red patch on the back of the crown, while juveniles have a red spot in …
The Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) is a medium-sized, rather shy waterbird. During the breeding season, it is recognized by its bright white cheeks, which contrast with a dark brown crown and a rust-red neck. Its bill is long, straight, and stout, with a yellowish base and a dark tip. In flight, Red-necked Grebes display large, …
The Rock Sandpiper is a small, stocky shorebird that winters in small numbers along the entire Oregon Coast. They are usually found in rocky intertidal zones, often foraging alongside Black Oystercatchers, Surfbirds, and Sanderlings. Only one subspecies, Calidris ptilocnemis tschuktschorum, is known to winter in Oregon. Rock Sandpipers measure between 180 and 235 millimeters in …
The Sagebrush Sparrow is a widespread breeder in shrub-steppe habitats associated with big sage from alkaline basins to high plateaus. It is a medium-sized sparrow (length 12–15 cm, and weighs 15–22 gm). Sexes are similar in appearance, but males are larger. Head is gray, brownish gray above, back and wings are browner. White spot in …
The Great Gray Owl, Strix nebulosa, is North America’s tallest owl, standing 60-84 cm. Great Gray Owls have a thick layer of insulative down that gives them a bulky appearance that provides the necessary insulation for the cold environments they live in. Their plumage is overall a muted gray, comprised a mix of gray, brown …
The Short-eared Owl is one of the world’s most widely distributed owls. Only the nominate subspecies, Asio flammeus flammeus, occurs in Oregon. This open country species breeds throughout the northern United States and Canada. The Short-eared Owl is a medium sized owl with a slender body and a rounded facial disk. As their name suggests, …
Greater sage-grouse are birds that occupy sagebrush habitats within the semi-arid deserts of Eastern Oregon. Sage-grouse feathers are colored to hide the birds among the volcanic scab rock and sagebrush areas they occupy. Males have white showy breast feathers during the breeding season and are larger than females – six and a half pounds and …
The White-breasted Nuthatch (Pacific), also called the Slender-billed Nuthatch, is found in western Oregon west of the Cascade Mountain Range crest. The Slender-billed Nuthatch is distinguished from other subspecies by its slender bill of medium length, washed brownish ventrum, and medium blue-gray dorsum. Among the largest of the world’s nuthatches, Slender-billed Nuthatches also are noteworthy …
The Greater Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis tabida) is one of two subspecies of Sandhill Crane found in Oregon. It is distinguished by its red crown and white cheek patches contrasting with a light grey body. This large bird flies characteristically with its long neck extended straight ahead and long legs extended behind. Adults look alike …
The Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) is a medium-sized heron that lives in wetland habitats. Males and females look alike, with pure white plumage throughout the year. During the breeding season, adults of both sexes develop long, delicate plumes along the back of the neck, lower scapulars, and breast. The bill is long, narrow, and mostly …
The Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) fills a unique role among North American waterfowl. It breeds in fast-moving, clear rivers and streams, where it uses its strong swimming skills to navigate whitewater. It dives to the bottom of rivers to feed on larval insect in rocky substrates. After the breeding season, Harlequin Ducks migrate to the …
The Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata) is a small, ground-nesting songbird found only in the Pacific Northwest. It is a subspecies of the more widespread Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris). This bird is native to the South Puget Lowlands of Washington, as well as the Willamette Valley and Lower Columbia River region in Oregon. Streaked …
Brewer’s Sparrow (Spizella breweri) is a rather drab, nondescript sparrow species. It has plain brownish upperparts and crown, faint facial markings, and whitish breast. They are well camouflaged in their sagebrush breeding habitat of eastern Oregon. The are migratory, only spending the breeding season in Oregon. They overwinter in southwestern United States and Mexico in …
The California Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) is the only subspecies of Brown Pelican found in Oregon and along the western coast of North America. It is easy to identify by its large size, massive bill, and brownish body feathers. This species is social and often seen in large flocks, either flying over the ocean …
The Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia) is the world’s largest tern. It is gull-like in behavior and characteristics. It is distinguished by its massive coral-red bill, large size, and hoarse vocalizations. It occurs on every continent except for Antarctica. In summer plumage the Caspian Tern has pale gray upperparts, white underparts, and white rump and tail. …
The Chipping sparrow is a small and slender sparrow that has a distinctive sharp ‘chip’ note and a simple, trilling song. Breeding adults display a chestnut crown, a black eye-stripe, and crisp white eyebrow. After nesting season, both male and female lose their distinctive bright cap for a streaky dull brown head pattern that is …
Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse were extirpated from Oregon by the 1970s, but reintroductions have been attempted since. This subspecies is the palest and grayest of all six sharp-tailed grouse subspecies. The back is mottled black and buff white, while the underside is white or white with brown markings. Two middle tail feathers extend beyond the other …
Common Nighthawks are mostly active at dusk and dawn, when they hawk for insects. They have long slender wings with white patches visible in flight. When perched on the ground, its cryptic brown gray and black mottling makes the bird virtually invisible. Males have a white throat and white bar on its undertail; females have …
The Dusky Canada Goose (Branta canadensis occidentalis) is one of four subspecies of Canada Geese occurring in Oregon. They are a medium to large goose, with males averaging 3.2kg and are typically 18% heavier than females. Plumage is identical between the sexes. Unlike most other subspecies of Canada Geese, Dusky Canada Geese are characterized by …
The Ferruginous Hawk is the largest buteo in North America , with a wingspan of more than 140 cm. Adult males and females weigh on average 1,160 g and 1,700 g respectively. Both sexes are similar in appearance, but dimorphic in size with females being larger. There are two color forms of Ferruginous Hawk, a …
The Flammulated Owl (Psiloscops flammeolus) is one of the smallest owl species in North America. It measures about 15 to 17cm in length and weighs between 45 and 60g. Among the small owls found in its range in North America, it is the only owl with dark eyes. Male Flammulated Owls have slightly longer wings …
The American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) is a medium-sized woodpecker with black and white coloring. Unique features include a heavy, chisel-like bill and three toes (two pointing forward and one pointing backward). Adult birds have white underparts with heavy black barring on the sides and flanks. Upperparts are mostly black, with white barring on the …
The Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates furcatus) is a seabird that is found only in the North Pacific Ocean. They can spend up to 8 months of the year at sea. In North America, they nest along the Pacific coast from Alaska to northern California. The Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel has pale bluish-gray upperparts and pale, pearly gray underparts, …
The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is a large white bird with black primaries and outer secondaries. It has an enormous bill with distensible ‘gular’ pouch, and webbed feet. It usually occurs in flocks, and flies with its characteristic head withdrawn. In early breeding season, its bill and legs are bright orange, its head with …
The Franklin’s Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) is a small gull that breeds in wetlands including freshwater marshes, lakes, and wet meadows. During the breeding season, it has a jet-black hood, which contrasts sharply with its white neck and breast, gray back, and bright red bill. In Oregon, they are typically seen in this distinctive breeding plumage. …
Most Brant (Branta bernicla) occurring in Oregon are Black Brant (B. b. nigricans). They area small dark goose that has a black head, neck, and breast, a charcoal colored belly and back, and have a white striated collar (necklace) on the middle of the neck. Males weigh 1-1.8kg and are typically 10% heavier than females. …
The Grasshopper Sparrow is a small, enigmatic, and inconspicuous grassland bird which can be easily overlooked, but is considered rare in Oregon. Occurrence of the species is often erratic, as small populations may arrive to an area for nesting, move away, then return a few years later. It is difficult to detect due to secretive behavior. …
Monotypic and resident, the Black Oystercatcher is a striking shorebird of the ocean shore with a red eye ring, bright yellow eyes, a reddish-orange bill, and pink legs. The Black Oystercatcher is a relatively large bird with a long, thick bill, a thick neck, and long, stocky legs. They have a dark body that is …
The Black Swift, Cypseloides niger, is a large Nearctic-neotropical migrant swift. Black Swifts are adept flyers and spend much of their time in flight at high altitudes foraging for insects, with flight altitudes documented up to at least 4300m. They are seldom observed in flight due to their typically high foraging altitude. Adult Black Swifts …
Black-backed Woodpeckers (Picoides arcticus) are medium-sized woodpeckers, measuring about 9 to 9.5 inches in length and weighing between 2 and 3 ounces. They are easy to recognize by their striking black-and-white coloring: their backs and heads are solid black, while their undersides are white with black bars along the sides. They have a single white …
The Bobolink is a medium-sized songbird that lives in grasslands. It measures between 15.2 and 20.5 cm in length. In all plumages, Bobolinks have rigid, pointed tail feathers, large flat heads, short necks, and long hind toenails that are easy to see. Bobolinks are sexually dimorphic: adults look different depending on their sex. During the …