About the Pacific Northwest Region
The Pacific Northwest is a birder's paradise, featuring temperate rainforests, dramatic coastlines, and volcanic mountain ranges. This region supports an incredible diversity of seabirds, waterfowl, raptors, and forest species. The moderate climate allows many species to remain year-round, while coastal areas attract winter migrants from Alaska.
Best birding seasons: Spring migration (April-May) and fall migration (September-October). Winter brings massive concentrations of waterfowl and seabirds along the coast.
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
America's national symbol. White head and tail, massive yellow bill. Common along coasts and rivers.
Year-round
Steller's Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri
Dark blue and black jay with prominent crest. Loud and bold. Common in coniferous forests.
Year-round
Tufted Puffin
Fratercula cirrhata
Charismatic seabird with blonde head plumes in breeding season. Nests on rocky coastal cliffs.
Spring-Summer (Coastal)
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
Crow-sized woodpecker with flaming red crest. Rectangular excavations in dead trees. Forest resident.
Year-round
American Dipper
Cinclus mexicanus
Chunky gray songbird that dives and walks underwater in mountain streams. Constantly bobs up and down.
Year-round
Varied Thrush
Ixoreus naevius
Orange and gray thrush with black breast band. Haunting single-note whistle. Prefers dense forest understory.
Year-round
Black Oystercatcher
Haematopus bachmani
All-black shorebird with bright orange bill and pink legs. Pries mollusks off rocks. Rocky coast resident.
Year-round (Coastal)
Marbled Murrelet
Brachyramphus marmoratus
Small seabird that nests in old-growth forests miles inland. Threatened species. Seen offshore in winter.
Year-round
Western Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma californica
Blue and gray jay without crest. Bold and curious. Common in oak woodlands and suburbs.
Year-round
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus ruber
Woodpecker with entirely red head and breast. Drills rows of sap wells in trees. Forest resident.
Year-round
Common Murre
Uria aalge
Penguin-like seabird. Black above, white below. Nests in massive colonies on coastal cliffs.
Year-round (Coastal)
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
Fiery orange male. Remarkably aggressive despite tiny size. Migrates from Mexico to Alaska each spring.
Spring-Summer