Washington State is home to a wide variety of backyard birds.
According to Audubon, there are more than 500 species of birds that have been observed in Washington. Of these, about 389 species are threatened by climate change.
In this blog post, we will take a look at 31 of the most common birds that will provide you with bird-watching opportunities from your own backyard, local park, or neighborhood. Each bird is described so that you can begin identifying them yourself. Whether you are just starting out as a beginner birdwatching enthusiast or are a seasoned pro, we hope that this blog post will help you learn more about the birds in your backyard!
What is the state bird of Washington?
The American Goldfinch is the official state bird of Washington. The story goes that two other States had already selected American Goldfinch as their State Bird, so the State Legislature decided to leave the final choice up to school children. In 1951, the children of Washington voted for the American Goldfinch (which was known as the Willow Goldfinch at the time). The Legislature made it unanimous and it was declared the official Washington State Bird.
Most Common Backyard Birds in Washington
1. Red-winged Blackbird
Red-winged blackbirds are medium-sized songbirds and are found year-round in Washington, mostly near water and wetland areas. They also are seen in agricultural areas, and suburban parks and gardens.
The males have black bodies with red and yellow stripes on their wings. The females are streaked dark brownish overall, paler on the breast, often showing a whitish eyebrow.
Male red-winged blackbirds are especially known for their loud, beautiful songs.
The Red-winged Blackbirds are colonial nesters, which build their nests in close proximity to other Red-winged Blackbirds. often reusing the same nesting site year after year.
2. Black-capped Chickadee
The Black-capped Chickadee is another common backyard bird in the state of Washington. These small birds are found in wooded areas, parks, and gardens. They typically nest in trees, but can also be found nesting in man-made structures such as birdhouses. They are very curious little birds and investigate everything within their territory. They seem to favor birch or alder trees for their nests.
The male and female Black-capped Chickadees look alike. They have short necks and large heads. The tail is long and narrow, and the bill is short. Their cap that extends just beyond the black eyes and bib are black, their cheeks are white and the back is a soft gray. The wing feathers are gray-edged with white, and the underparts are a soft buff on the sides gradually becoming white beneath.
Chickadees are one of the easiest birds to attract to backyard bird feeders. You can attract them using suet, sunflower seeds, or peanuts.
3. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
The Chestnut-backed Chickadee are common backyard birds found in forests, woodlands, and gardens throughout Washington State. They are easily identified by their small size.
There is no difference between male and female Chestnut-backed Chickadees. As with other chickadees, their heads are black and white. Their backs are a rich chestnut color, rather than gray. Their flanks can be either a rich brown or a dull gray.
Chestnut-backed Chickadees are very active little songbirds and cling acrobatically to twigs or hang upside down from cones. During the winter, one can see them flocking with kinglets and nuthatches.
4. American Crow
The American crow is the most common crow found in Washington state. It can be found in all 39 counties and is a year-round resident.
The American Crow is a large bird. The plumage is black with a glossy sheen. The legs and bill are also black, and they have dark brown eyes. Males and females look alike, although the female is usually slightly smaller than the male. They are social birds and live in large flocks. Their loud vocal cawing is familiar all over North America. Crows do not migrate but may move around in the same general area in search of food or to find a mate. They are highly intelligent birds and their ability to adapt to changing environments has helped them thrive in urban areas. They are also not shy and will often approach people for food.
The American Crow is a scavenger and will eat about anything. Fruits, vegetables, insects, small mammals, carrion, garbage. If something is edible and it is available, then the crow will eat it.
5. Mourning Dove
Mourning Doves are found in open woodlands, fields, and backyard habitats. In Washington State, the best place to find Mourning Doves is along the coast in the Douglas fir forests. They are not migratory birds and can be found year-round in Washington, however, they may move around to find food or mates. Mourning Doves are often seen perching on telephone wires.
Graceful and slender-tailed, with a small head, mourning doves are light gray and brown and generally muted in color. Males and females look similar. They are monogamous as a species. Their soft, drawn-out calls sound like a lament, hence the name “Mourning Dove”.
The Mourning Dove is a seed-eating bird, but it will also eat small fruits and insects. While they will visit backyard bird feeders, instead of eating birdseed, they prefer sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and cracked corn.
6. House Finch
House Finches are small songbirds. They are not migratory birds in Washington, but they may move around to find food or mates.
The males have red heads, brown wings, and a streaked back. The females are brown-streaked. They have a black bill and are about the size of a sparrow.
They eat grass seeds but also eat buds and parts of flowers, berries, small fruits, and insects such as aphids.
7. Northern Flicker
The Northern Flicker is found throughout Washington State, except for in the San Juan Islands. They are not migratory birds, but they may move around to find food or mates.
Northern Flickers are medium-sized woodpeckers and are the only member of their family to commonly perch on trees rather than clinging to them.
They can be identified by their characteristic red breast and black belly band. The males have a red mustache mark which distinguishes them from the females. Both sexes have a brown back with black bars. Their wings show yellow underparts when they fly.
Flickers are ground-feeding woodpeckers and eat ants and beetles, which they find by probing beneath the ground with their long tongues. Most woodpeckers have tongues that are adapted to spear and extract insects from wood, but the Flicker’s tongue is a bit different and helps it lap up large numbers of ants. In winter, they also eat fruits and nuts. Suet feeders and platform feeders with whole nuts on it can attract Northern Flickers to your garden.
8. American Goldfinch
Although American Goldfinches are found throughout the state of Washington, they are more common in the eastern part of the state. The best time of year to see backyard birds in Washington is during the spring and summer months. This is when most birds are breeding, as American Goldfinches are migratory birds, and only spend the breeding season in Washington.
American Goldfinches are small songbirds with yellow plumage and black wings. They have a black bill and are about the size of a sparrow and are known for their cheerful song. They are popular birds with the males’ bright yellow and black coloring in spring. The females are duller brown, as are males in winter.
They can be found in fields and overgrown areas. They forage for sunflower, thistle, and aster plants. They are also common in suburbs, parks, and backyards.
9. Black-headed Grosbeak
The Black-headed Grosbeak is a backyard bird found in the western United States and Canada. In Washington, they are most commonly found in the Cascade Mountains and east of the Cascades. They breed in the forested areas of Washington in the springtime and migrate to Southern California and Mexico in the winter. The males tend to migrate south before females and young, and then return earlier in spring.
The males are cinnamon-colored with black and white wings and a black cap, while the females are less colorful and more buffy-streaked but are also accomplished, singers. They have a joyful song.
Their heavy bills enable them to feed effortlessly on sunflower seeds.
An interesting fact is that in central Mexico, where monarch butterflies and Black-headed Grosbeaks both spend the winter, grosbeaks are one of the few predators that can eat the butterflies whose toxins make them poisonous to most birds. Black-headed Grosbeaks feed on monarch butterflies more or less in 8-day cycles, which gives their bodies time to eliminate the toxins.
10. Anna’s Hummingbird
The Anna’s Hummingbird is found in western North America, from British Columbia to central Mexico. In Washington State, they are most commonly found in the Puget Sound area and on the west side of the Cascade Mountains. They are the only hummingbird found year-round in the Puget Sound region of western Washington where they breed. Migration patterns vary for Anna’s Hummingbirds, but many will head to Mexico for the winter months.
The males have iridescent emerald feathers and rose-pink throats that sparkle. They are no bigger than a ping-pong ball. The females are metallic emerald green on the back with grayish feathers in front and a tinge of pink on the throat.
These beautiful creatures are small and can often be seen darting around gardens and backyard feeders. They are small but mighty, known for their feisty temperament. They primarily feed on nectar from flowers but will also eat insects for protein.
11. Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is one of the most common backyard birds in Washington State. This little bird is a true hummingbird and is one of the smallest birds in North America. The Rufous Hummingbird is a migratory bird and spends the winter in Mexico and Central America. The best time to see them in Washington State is from April to October.
The adult male has a rufous (red-brown) back and tail, with greenish wings and a white belly. The adult female is similar in appearance but has a green back and tail. Both sexes have a white breast with some rufous streaks. The juvenile Rufous Hummingbird is brownish overall with some rufous on the wings and tail.
They are often seen in backyard gardens and urban parks, where it feeds on nectar from flowers. They will also eat small insects, which they catch in mid-air.
12. Steller’s Jay
The Steller’s Jay is a common backyard bird mostly found in the western part of Washington, east of the Cascade Mountains. They typically migrate in flocks and can often be seen flying in formation. They prefer to be near the forested area. Being a member of the crow family, they are excellent at mimicry. Steller’s Jays are named after George Steller, a naturalist who discovered them in the 1700s.
It is a striking bird with bold blue and black plumage. The Steller’s Jay shows a great deal of variation in appearance throughout its range, with some populations featuring black crests and backs, and others blue. A close look at these birds shows a mix of azure and blue.
They build their nests with mud. Like many other Jay species, they are nest-robbers too and are also known to kill small adult birds too.
It is common to see these birds in backyard habitats, as they are known to be attracted to feeders. Their diet consists of various nuts and seeds, as well as insects.
13. Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Junco’s are found in the northwest corner of Washington, as well as in the Cascades and Olympic Mountains. Their habitats vary from forests, woodlands, brushy areas, and at backyard bird feeders. They migrate south in the winter.
The Dark-eyed Junco is a medium-sized sparrow with a rounded head, short bill, and long tail. The upper parts are grayish brown, and the underparts are whitish with dark streaks on the sides. The female is usually duller than the male. Both sexes have pinkish brown legs and feet.
Diet consists mostly of insects and seeds. In winter, when insects are scarce, they will eat more berries and fruits. They often form flocks outside of breeding season.
14. Golden-crowned Kinglet
The Golden-crowned Kinglet is a very small songbird found in the coniferous forests of North America. In Washington State, they are usually found in the Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Peninsula in spring and summer. These birds are most commonly found in wooded areas, making them backyard birds in many parts of Washington State. They typically migrate south to California or Mexico for the winter.
The Golden-crowned Kinglet is a very small bird, measuring about four and a half inches long. The males have a bright golden crown, while the females have a more muted yellowish crown. Both sexes have olive green backs and wings, with white undersides.
Kinglets are insect eaters, and will often be seen picking insects off of tree branches and leaves. These birds are very active and are constantly in motion while foraging for food.
15. Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatches are found in evergreen forests throughout the state of Washington. The nuthatch gets its name from its habit of wedging nuts and seeds into crevices in trees, then using its strong bill to crack them open. You will often find them flocking with Chickadees and Ruby-crowned Kinglets during the winter months.
A Red-breasted Nuthatch is a small, compact bird with a short tail and almost no neck. The long, pointed bill and the black stripe from the bill, past the eyes to the side of the head give it a sharp expression. It is smaller than its cousin, the White-breasted Nuthatch. The back of the bird is blue-gray and the underparts are a rust-cinnamon color. It has a black cap. Females are more muted in color than males.
They are very acrobatic little birds that feed upside down and move quickly over tree trunks and branches probing for food in the crevices of the bark. They have a short almost bouncy way of flying.
Their diet includes both insects and seeds, but they mainly eat insects and spiders in summer seeds, especially from conifers in the winter and the young are fed mostly or entirely on insects and spiders.
16. Eastern Phoebe
In Washington State, Eastern Phoebes they are most often found near water, such as streams or rivers. They build their nests on ledges or in trees, and you can often find them perched on fence posts or other high places and are commonly found in backyards throughout the state. This bird is a year-round resident in the state but may be seen more often during the spring and fall migration seasons.
It is a small songbird with drab-olive upper parts and light gray underparts. The male has a black throat and bill, while the female has a dark brown throat and bill. Both sexes have white wing bars and a faint reddish wash on the breast. Juveniles are similar to adults but have browner upperparts. This bird gets its name from its call, which sounds like “fee-bee.”
Eastern Phoebes eat insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. Eastern Phoebes are easily attracted to backyard bird feeders, making them a common sight in many backyard birding habitats.
17. Common Raven
The Common Raven is the largest member of the crow family found in Washington. These birds are not necessarily the usual backyard bird, but they are interesting to watch and can be found in many areas of the state.
The Common Raven is the largest member of the crow family. It can be found in woodlands, mountains, and deserts across North America. Ravens are not migratory and can be seen year-round in Washington, however, they will move to new areas if food becomes scarce. Common Ravens are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
They are all black with a glossy sheen.
Ravens are scavengers and will eat about anything, from rodents to other birds. They are also known to cache food for later.
18. American Robin
The American Robin is a backyard bird found in almost every part of North America. In Washington State, they are more commonly found in the western lowland areas, including Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, but also are found in the eastern part of the state. The American Robin does well around humans and in natural settings. They are one of the first birds to sing in the morning. American Robins migrate south to Mexico and Central America in the fall.
Male and female American Robins look different from each other. Male robins have orange breasts, while female robins have grayish-brown breasts. Male robins also tend to be larger than females.
American Robins are often found in woodlands near water where they can find insects. They also eat fruits and berries.
19. Pine Siskin
Pine Siskins are very small songbirds of the finch family that can be found all year round in Washington, although they tend to breed up north and some migrate south in winter. They are opportunistic birds and will quite happily visit backyard feeders rather than forage for themselves.
Pine siskins are streaky, brown birds, their wings and tails are subtly edged with yellow. They have sharp, pointed bills and their tails are short. They have a unique shape to their bill that is more slender than the bills of other finches. The tails are forked in flight and their wingtips are pointed.
Pine Siskins often visit feeders in winter or cling to branch tips of pines and other conifers, to pick out the seeds. They forage in flocks and are constantly twittering, even in flight.
20. Golden-crowned Sparrow
The Golden-crowned Sparrow is found in the northwestern part of the state, as well as in some parts of the western coast. It is a common bird of the lowlands and city edges along the Pacific coast during winter. In the summer, they migrate north into tundra and shrublands from British Columbia to Alaska. There is little known about their breeding habits.
This sparrow can be identified by its striking yellow crown, which is bordered by black streaks. The rest of its body is gray and white with rusty brown wings.
The diet of the Golden Crowned Sparrow consists of seeds, insects, and berries.
21. House Sparrow
The House Sparrow is the most common backyard bird in Washington State. House Sparrows prefer to nest near humans and can be found in urban and rural areas. They build their nests in a variety of places, including trees, shrubs, and man-made structures. They are found year-round in Washington, although some birds may migrate south during the winter. The House Sparrow originated in Europe. It was introduced to North America in the 1850s and is now one of the most common birds.
It is a small bird with a stout bill and streaked upper parts. The male has a gray head and chest with black streaks on the throat, while the female is brownish overall. It is not a singing sparrow, but chirps when issuing a warning.
The House Sparrow feeds on a variety of foods, including seeds, insects, and garbage. In backyard bird feeders, it will eat about anything, from sunflower seeds to suet.
22. Song Sparrow
The Song Sparrow is another backyard bird commonly found in Washington all year round. As their name suggests, these sparrows are known for their beautiful song, which they use to attract mates and warn of predators. They typically nest in trees and bushes but prefer open areas with some bushes or trees nearby. This provides them with places to hide from predators and build their nests.
The Song Sparrow is a medium-sized bird with streaked brown upper parts and whitish underparts. The male has a gray breast and head, while the female has duller colors. Both sexes have a reddish-brown mark on their throats called a “throat patch.” This patch is larger in males and is used to attract mates. Male Song Sparrows also have a dark brown streak on their heads that is not present in females. This streak is used to intimidate other males during the breeding season. Male Song Sparrows also tend to be larger than females.
The two sexes sing different songs, with male songs being longer and more complex. Male song sparrows also sing more often than females, which is how they attract mates. Females usually only sing when they are defending their territory or attracting a mate.
The diet of the Song Sparrow consists of insects, spiders, and seeds.
23. White-crowned Sparrow
The White-crowned Sparrow is a common backyard bird in Washington State. They are found in open woodlands, gardens, and weedy areas. While some White-crowned Sparrows migrate from Washington State in the winter, many birds stay in the state year-round.
The White-crowned Sparrow is a large sparrow with a small pink or yellow bill and a long tail. They have a gray face and underparts with bold black and white stripes on the head. The wings are brown with bars. They look similar to the white-throated sparrow, but do not have the white throat marking. The head can either look distinctly peaked or can be smooth and flat, depending on the bird’s attitude.
The two sexes sing different songs, with male songs being longer and more complex. Male White-crowned Sparrows also sing more often than females, which is how they attract mates. Females usually only sing when they are defending their territory or attracting a mate.
The diet of the White-crowned Sparrow consists of insects, spiders, and seeds.
24. European Starling
European Starlings are found all over Washington State year-round. In the summer they can be found in open areas including parks, farmland, and suburban neighborhoods. In the winter they congregate in large flocks in open areas near food sources such as grain fields, dumps, and backyard bird feeders.
European starlings are also known for their mimicry and can imitate the sounds of other birds and animals.
They are small birds with black feathers, a short tail, and pointed wings. Their beaks are yellow with a black tip, and their eyes are dark brown. At a distance, starlings appear black. In summer, they turn an iridescent purplish green with yellow beaks; in winter, their plumage is brown, covered in brilliant white spots.
In flight their wings are short and pointed, giving them a star-like appearance, hence the name “starling”.
These birds eat insects, berries, and fruits. You may see them eating bugs in your garden or picking berries from bushes.
25. Barn Swallow
The Barn Swallow is the most widespread swallow in the world and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. In North America, they are found in all of the United States and Canada. Barn Swallows are small birds that migrate to warmer climates in summer and are a common sight in Washington during this season.
The male and female Barn Swallows look similar. They have a deep-blue back, wings and tail, and are reddish-brown underneath and across the face. Their tail has long outer feathers that give a deep fork.
Barn swallows feed on a wide variety of flying insects, especially flies (including house flies and horse flies), beetles, wasps, wild bees, winged ants, and true bugs. They also eat certain moths, damselflies, grasshoppers, and other insects, and a few spiders and snails.
26. Violet-green Swallow
Violet-green swallows are found in the western part of Washington State, particularly around the Puget Sound area. They can also be found in some eastern areas of the state near Spokane. Violet-green swallows typically nest in trees, but will also use man-made structures such as buildings and bridges. They are social songbirds, found in groups with other swallows and swifts.
The males appear dark above and white below. However, on closer inspection, one will see a greenish-bronze back and an iridescent violet rump. All individuals have white bellies that wrap around to the upper side of the rump. The females and juveniles have dusky cheeks, while the adult males have white cheek patches.
Violet-green Swallows are aerial acrobats. They fly at various heights and often over bodies of water bodies, in search of flying insects. When not foraging, they perch on wires or exposed tree branches.
27. Swainson’s Thrush
The Swainson’s thrush is a backyard bird that is common in the western part of North America. It can be found in woodlands, forests, and gardens throughout Washington State. They are shy birds that are often heard singing before they are seen. The Swainson’s Thrush is a migratory bird that breeds in forests in the western United States and Canada, and winters in Mexico and Central America.
This bird is dark brown with light streaks on its upper parts and has a light-colored breast with dark spots. The Swainson’s Thrush is found in wooded areas and prefers to nest in trees.
They eat insects and berries.
28. Spotted Towhee
The Spotted Towhee is another backyard bird commonly found in the state of Washington. This bird can be found in open woodlands, brushy areas, and along forest edges.
The male Spotted Towhee is dark brown with black streaks on its back and has a white belly. The wings are brown with white spots. The tail is long and black with white stripes. The bill is black, and the legs are pink. The female Spotted Towhee is similar to the male but has no spots on its wings.
They breed in open woods and brushy areas in western North America. It nests in trees or shrubs, laying four to six eggs. The diet of this bird consists of insects, berries, and seeds. They form small flocks and can be seen feeding in open areas.
29. Yellow-rumped Warbler
The Yellow-rumped warbler is a common backyard bird found in forests, woodlands, and brushy areas throughout Washington.
Males are gray with flashes of yellow on the face, sides, and rump, and have white in the wings. Females may be slightly brown, and winter birds are paler brown with bright yellow rumps and sides turning bright yellow and gray again in spring.
The Yellow-rumped Warbler eats insects, spiders, and berries. In the winter, this bird eats mainly fruit. It is one of the few backyard birds that can eat wax myrtle berries. This bird is also known to eat poison ivy berries.
30. Cedar Waxwing
The Cedar Waxwings are found in forests, woodlands, and backyard habitats. They are social birds and often travel in flocks. is a common backyard bird in Washington during the spring and summer months. They migrate as far south as Panama in winter. Cedar Waxwings are usually found in flocks around fruiting trees.
The males and females look similar with a sleek crest, a black mask, pale yellow on the underparts, and a yellow-tipped tail.
Cedar Waxwings mostly eat berries and insects. To attract them to your garden, you can provide them with cut fruit on the bird feeders.
31. Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America and can be found all across the continental United States, including Washington State. These backyard birds are easily identified by their small size, black and white plumage, and the male bird’s red patch on the back of its head. Downy Woodpeckers do not migrate. They are small birds that are common at backyard feeders and are often found feeding alongside other birds, such as chickadees and nuthatches.
They have black and white coloring with a red patch at the back of their heads. They look similar to the Hairy Woodpecker but are smaller.
Downy Woodpeckers feed on insects such as beetles and ants, caterpillars, and others. They also eat seeds and berries. To attract them to your backyard, you can provide them with suet at bird feeders.
You can attract birds to your backyard!
If you are a Birdwatching Enthusiast and would like to identify the birds visiting your backyard, you can encourage birds by providing different kinds of bird feeders and planting indigenous plants in your yard that provide protection and food for birds.
FAQ
What can I do to encourage wild birds in my yard?
In order to encourage wild birds in your backyard, you must provide a source of water and food. This can be done with bird baths and bird feeders. For a more natural experience, try adding some flowers or plants around your yard to attract different species of birds.
How do I identify the birds around my backyard in Washington?
The best way to identify the birds in your backyard is by looking at their feathers. Their beaks tell you what they like to eat. Their feet tell you if they perch, hop or wade.
Why might there be lots of small birds flying and diving?
It is possible that the birds are looking for food such as flying insects or there could be a predator nearby. Without further observations, it is impossible to know what is driving their behavior.
What kind of blackbirds seem to congregate on power lines?
Blackbirds are a common sight at power lines, but why? Scientists believe that the blackbirds congregate at these power lines because this is an excellent place to find food. The electricity can kill bugs, which the blackbirds can easily feed on.