Top 15 Birds in Oregon

Oregon is a treasure trove for bird lovers, offering a rich diversity of species thanks to its varied landscapes from coastal shores to mountain forests. Here are 15 remarkable birds you can find in Oregon, along with their details and importance to the environment.

1. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

• Description: A large raptor with a white head and tail, dark brown body, and piercing yellow eyes and beak.
• Habitat: Found near rivers, lakes, and coastal areas where fish are abundant.
• Ecosystem Services: Acts as a top predator, helping to maintain healthy fish populations and scavenge carrion.
• Conservation Status: Recovered from near extinction; classified as Least Concern.

2. Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

• Description: A medium-sized songbird with bright yellow underparts and a distinctive black V on its chest.
• Habitat: Grasslands, prairies, and agricultural fields.
• Ecosystem Services: Controls insect populations and disperses seeds.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, but populations are declining due to habitat loss.

3. Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina)

• Description: A medium-sized owl with dark eyes and spotted brown plumage.
• Habitat: Old-growth forests of western Oregon.
• Ecosystem Services: Indicator species for forest ecosystem health.
• Conservation Status: Threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

4. Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna)

• Description: A small hummingbird with iridescent green feathers and males sporting a rosy-red crown and throat.
• Habitat: Gardens, woodlands, and coastal scrub.
• Ecosystem Services: Pollinates native plants and garden flowers.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

5. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

• Description: A large fish-eating raptor with a white head and underparts, and dark eye stripe.
• Habitat: Rivers, lakes, and coastal estuaries.
• Ecosystem Services: Controls fish populations and serves as an indicator of water quality.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, with stable populations.

6. Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)

• Description: A striking jay with deep blue plumage and a prominent black crest.
• Habitat: Coniferous forests and mixed woodlands.
• Ecosystem Services: Disperses seeds and acorns, aiding forest regeneration.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

7. Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)

• Description: A tall, gray crane with a red forehead and long legs.
• Habitat: Wetlands, meadows, and agricultural fields.
• Ecosystem Services: Aerates soil while foraging and disperses plant seeds.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, though some regional populations are vulnerable.

8. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

• Description: A tall wading bird with bluish-gray plumage and long legs and neck.
• Habitat: Wetlands, shorelines, and riverbanks.
• Ecosystem Services: Controls fish and amphibian populations, balancing aquatic ecosystems.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

9. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

• Description: A small falcon with rusty back, blue-gray wings, and distinctive facial markings.
• Habitat: Open fields, meadows, and urban areas.
• Ecosystem Services: Helps control rodent and insect populations.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, but some declines noted in parts of its range.

10. Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius)

• Description: A robin-sized bird with orange breast and bold black band across the chest.
• Habitat: Moist coniferous forests.
• Ecosystem Services: Spreads seeds and controls insect populations.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

11. Common Raven (Corvus corax)

• Description: A large black bird with a heavy bill and wedge-shaped tail.
• Habitat: Forests, deserts, coastal cliffs, and urban areas.
• Ecosystem Services: Scavenger that helps clean up carrion and waste.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

12. Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

• Description: A small, plump songbird with a black cap and bib, white cheeks, and soft gray body.
• Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests, suburban areas.
• Ecosystem Services: Controls insect pests and disperses seeds.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

13. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

• Description: A large hawk with a broad, rounded wings and a distinctive red tail.
• Habitat: Open fields, forests, deserts, and urban areas.
• Ecosystem Services: Helps manage populations of rodents and small mammals.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

14. Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)

• Description: A crow-sized woodpecker with black body, white stripes on the face, and a bright red crest.
• Habitat: Mature forests with large dead trees.
• Ecosystem Services: Creates cavities for other wildlife, controls wood-boring insects.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern.

15. Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)

• Description: A small, fiery-orange hummingbird known for its aggressive territorial behavior.
• Habitat: Forest edges, meadows, and gardens during migration.
• Ecosystem Services: Important pollinator of native plants.
• Conservation Status: Near Threatened due to habitat loss and climate change impacts.