35 Backyard Birds in Washington State
What birds will you see in your backyards in Washinton state? This article will help you identify the most common backyard birds in Washington.
Which backyard birds of Washington state can you spot on your birdfeeders and what kind of birds should you look for on the ground? What kind of birdseed should you be using? All these questions will be answered.
This article will help you to identify common backyard birds in Washington for all seasons. We will explain what to look for by color, shape, and size. We will also include a picture so you can refer to this guide when you can’t identify a bird in your backyard.
Depending on the time of year it is, there are over 515 bird species in Washington. The most-seen backyard birds in Washington are American Crows, Barn Swallows, Pine Siskins, Western Tanager, American Robins, Eurasian Collared-Doves, Golden-crowned Sparrows, \Yellow-rumped Warblers, Steller’s Jays, Rufous Hummingbirds, Black-billed Magpies, and the Golden-crowned Kinglets.
The official state bird of Washington state is the American Goldfinch. It became the state bird in 1951 after 2 other votes by schoolchildren. The western meadowlark won the first vote but the Washington government didn’t want that bird due to the fact that many other states on the west coast had it as their state bird. The second vote was won by the American Goldfinch but didn’t win by a lot so they took a third vote and finally, the American Goldfinch was named the state bird. Washington shares its state bird with New Jersey and Iowa.
For more birdwatching in Washington state see our article woodpeckers.
1. American Goldfinch
Scientific Name: Spinus tristis Size: 4.3-5.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
The American Goldfinch is a small, sparrow-sized bird with a short, notched tail.
In Spring and Summer, the male has a bright yellow body, black wings with wing bars, and a heavy, finch-like bill, while the female is less boldly colored. In winter both males and females become dull green-gray and look like female House Finches.
Goldfinches are very social birds and often travel in flocks. They fly in a rolling up-and-down pattern, and their song is high-pitched and mellifluous.
Nesting
Nesting later than most birds in this area (late June), the American Goldfinch hides its nests in thick brushes and shrubs making them very hard to see. The nests look like cup-like structures made of grasses, seeds, and soft materials on top of the twigs in the brushes.
The female lays 2 to 7 eggs which take 12 to 14 days to hatch. The young are fed by the male and stay in the nest for 11 to 17 days. Depending on how late the pair mates, they can mate again having two broods in a season.
Diet
They love Nyjer and sunflower seeds year-round, but will also eat a finch seed blend. Finch feeders have very small openings and can be either rigid feeders or disposable nylon socks.
Habitat
They are year-round residents and are found in most areas of North America. However, those that breed in Canada and the Midwest migrate to the southern US States for winter.
American Goldfinches are spotted in Washington during the summer months.
Bird Note
In winter, check your finch feeder for Pine Siskins, which look like sparrows with yellowish accents.
Song And Call
2. dark-eyed juncos
Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis Size: 5.5-6.3 inches
Description And Field Marks
The dark-eyed juncos are little birds that are slated gray in color. They are known as medium size sparrows with long tails, round faces, and white on their belly. They also have bright white markings on its tail.
Dark-eyed junco has a population of over 600 million making it one of the most common birds in the United States and Canada.
Nesting
The Dark-eyed Juncos lay three to six eggs. They are cream-colored with brown spots. The eggs are usually laid in a tree hole or on the ground.
Diet
The Dark-eyed Junco eats seeds, berries, and insects. They can be found in bushes and trees. Juncos LOVE feeders! They will eat whatever you put out black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, peanut butter, or generic wild bird food. They are not picky.
Habitat
Look for them on deciduous forest floors and on the grass in your backyard. They can be found in bushes and trees all over Washington all year long.
This is another bird that can travel in mixed flocks, so you never know who else will turn up at your feeder alongside the Juncos.
Song And Call
3. black-capped chickadees
Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus Size: 4.7-5.9 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Black-capped Chickadee belongs to the Chickadee family. They are small birds with black caps, clear breasts, and rusty to rufous sides. They are mostly black and white in color with gray on their wings. The male is slightly different from the female and has less weight and a smaller size than the female with a larger bib.
Nesting
They nest in holes that are either natural or made by woodpeckers. They will make the hole bigger and then fill it with moss and grass and other soft materials forming them into a cap-like structure.
The female lays 6-8 eggs which are white or light cream in color with brownish or reddish speckles. The female warms the eggs while the male protects the nest and brings food to the female.
Diet
The Black-capped Chickadee likes eating small insects, nuts, seeds of small bushes, and berries. Chickadees are naturally curious, so they will get close while you refill those feeders and may eventually take seed from your hand. They love black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, and peanut butter.
Habitat
You can see the black-capped chickadee in many areas throughout the United States as they are found in the northern states including Alaska as well as southern Canadian. You can see them in Washington all year long.
Bird Note
They are the town criers of the bird world, announcing everything from a crow or hawk coming to dinner.
Song And Call
4. Anna’s hummingbird
Scientific Name: Calypte anna Size: 3.9-4.3 inches
Description And Field Marks
Anna’s Hummingbirds have long, straight bills that are perfectly adapted for probing into flowers to extract nectar. Their tails are relatively short compared to some other hummingbird species, with the outer feathers being slightly rounded.
Males have striking iridescent plumage with a vibrant, metallic green back and crown. The throat, also known as the gorget, is a stunning magenta or rose-red color, which sparkles in the sunlight. The rest of their underparts are a pale grayish-white. The outer tail feathers are dark, while the inner ones are white. Females have similar plumage but with muted colors, primarily featuring green, gray, and white, and they lack the brilliant throat patch.
Nesting
Female Anna’s Hummingbirds typically lay two eggs per clutch about the size of a small pea.
The female incubates the eggs for about 14 to 19 days, keeping them warm and ensuring their development until they are ready to hatch. She also provides care to the nestlings for about 20 to 25 days until they can leave the nest and she will continue to help care for them until they are totally on their own.
Diet
Their primary diet consists of nectar from a wide range of flowering plants, including tubular-shaped flowers that are well-suited for their long bills. In addition to nectar, they also consume small insects and spiders for essential proteins and nutrients.
Habitat
These birds are known for their agile and acrobatic flight, capable of hovering in mid-air and darting quickly from one location to another.
Anna’s Hummingbirds are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including coastal areas, gardens, parks, and wooded canyons. They are native to the western parts of North America, ranging from southern Alaska to Baja California in Mexico.
In Washington, Anna’s Hummingbirds can be found year-round as they are one of the few hummingbird species that do not migrate long distances.
Call and Wingbeat
5. American robin
Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius Size: 7.9-11.0 inches
Description And Field Marks
The American Robins has a gray-brown back and wings, with white underparts. It also has a short tail and a pointed bill for catching insects in flight or on the ground. Males have a red patch on their breasts and a black head, throat, and upper chest. Females are duller looking than males with less contrast in colors.
They prefer an open country with scattered trees and shrubs. It is found in a variety of habitats, including farmland, grasslands, parks, yards, and gardens.
Nesting
The American Robin makes its nest in a tree or shrub, usually near water. The female Robin lays four to six eggs and both parents take turns sitting on them. The eggs are solid bright blue in color. The eggs hatch in about two weeks and the chicks leave the nest after another week or so.
Diet
They eat worms and insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and crickets. It also eats fruit and berries in the summer. They don’t do feeders but love to find bugs and worms in the grass all around your yard.
Habitat
The American Robin is found in eastern North America, from the Maritime Provinces of Canada to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It is also found throughout the United States and southern parts of Canada, including most of Alaska.
The American Robin can be seen all year long in Washington.
Song And Call
They are very early-morning singers. Listen for their call
6. red-winged blackbirds
Scientific Name: Agelaius phoeniceus Size: 6.7-9.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
The male red-winged blackbird is a large blackbird with white underparts and red wings. It has an orange-red patch on its shoulder and long pointed wings. But not all Red-winged Blackbirds have red wings. Some may have yellow or orange epaulets on their wings.
The female red-winged blackbird is striped and brown-streaked in color.
Red-winged blackbirds are usually active during the day, but they may be seen at night near lights.
Nesting
A red-winged blackbird’s nest is usually in a marsh or near water, but they have also been found on flat roofs and even in chimneys.
Their nest is made of twigs, grasses, and hair. They are lined with finer grasses, rootlets, or horsehair. The female lays 4 to 6 eggs that are a pale blue-green color. They also have black, brown, and purple speckles all over them. They are incubated by both parents for about 12 days. The young leave the nest after 14 days.
Diet
They are known to eat insects and seeds, including corn, wheat, and other grains. They also eat berries from shrubs and trees like elderberry, mulberry, wild grape, or honeysuckle.
Habitat
The red-winged blackbird is seen in Washington all yearr and is very common in many of our backyards.
Bird Note
You’ve heard the expression “Birds of a feather flock together”? Always check flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds for Common Grackles, European Starlings, and Brown-headed Cowbirds. These birds are often found together in large flocks.
Song And Call
Red-winged blackbirds can often be heard singing from a perch high in a tree or on power lines.
They have a loud, clear whistle that sounds like “fee-bee” and they also make a variety of cackling and chattering noises.
7. yellow-rumped warbler
Scientific Name: Setophaga coronata Size: 4.7-5.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The males are dark gray with white on their wings, and yellow on their faces, sides, and rump. The east coast male could have a white throat instead of the yellow one. The females are duller and could be brown instead of gray with less yellow.
Nesting
Females built their nests in pine trees with materials brought to them by the male. She lays 1 to 6 white-speckled eggs. The incubation period is 12 to 13 days with a nesting period of 10 to 14 days.
Diet
The yellow-rumped warblers eat insects during the summer.
Habitat
In Washington, you will see the yellow-rumped warbler all year but especially during the breeding season. They like open areas, such as parks, woodland pine forests, dunes, and residential areas.
Song And Call
8. white-crowned sparrows
Scientific Name: Zonotrichia leucophrys Size: 5.9-6.3 inches
Description And Field Marks
On the larger size for a sparrow, the White-Crowned Sparrow was a long tail and a small bill and its head appears peaked. Its colors are a pale gray bird but the crown has a bold black and white stripe. You can also identify them from their bills which are pale pink east of the Rockies and yellow to orange bill west of the Rockies and along the Pacific Coast.
Nesting
The white-crowned sparrow mostly nests below 10 feet from the ground in shrubs. The female builds the nest out of twigs, grasses, hair, and leaves. It takes between 5 to 9 days to do this.
The female lays 3 to 7 greenish to blue-greenish eggs. The incubation period is 10 to 14 days with a nesting period of 8 to 10 days. The birds will have between 1 and 3 broods each breeding season.
The pair stays together for the breeding season but will winter separately. About 2/3 will find each other again the following season to breed.
Diet
The birds’ diet mainly consists of weeds and grasses but they will eat insects and caterpillars during the summer. They will also eat grains such as corn, and bailey and fruits such as blackberries and elderberries.
Habitat
The white-crowned sparrow loves scrubs up to 10 feet tall and you will see them hopping from the ground to the shrubs. During winter you will mainly see them in weedy fields, thickets, farms, and in backyards.
You will see White-Crowned Sparrows during migration and the non-breeding season in Washington state.
Call And Song
Most of the time when you hear the White-Crowned Sparrow singing it’s the male. They learn to sing within the first few months of their lives, usually where they were born and will have different dialects. Some will be able to sing in more than one dialect.
9. European starling
Scientific Name: Sturnus vulgaris Size: 7.9-9.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
The European Starling is the size of a Robin and from a distance looks all black. However, they have a purplish-green iridescent color to them when you see them up close. Their yellow bill stands out and they have short tails.
You often see them in large flocks with blackbirds and grackles.
Nesting
Starlings will take other birds’ nests and use them as long as they are high off the ground, usually in trees, on streetlights, buildings, or nest boxes. The male will find these nests and will add twigs, pine needles, grasses, and feathers. Females will add greens to the nest before laying 3 to 6 eggs.
Both the male and female will incubate the eggs for a period of around 12 days. The egg color is bluish to greenish white. The young will stay in the nest for about 3 weeks.
Diet
European Starlings eat mostly insects but will also eat fruits. In addition, they will eat seeds, nectar, garbage, and livestock feed.
Habitat
They live where humans are, in towns and cities, and roost in trees and on buildings, also you will see them on wires. They like open fields and lawns and are not far from a water source.
Bird Notes
A fun fact about the European Starling is that all North American birds descended from 100 birds that in 1890 were intentionally released into Central Park in New York City. Today they have a population in North America of over 2 million.
Song And Call
The European starling is a highly sociable bird. It lives in flocks of up to 100 birds, and its calls include whistling and chattering noises.
10. downy woodpecker
Scientific Name: Dryobates pubescens Size: 5.5-6.7 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Downy Woodpecker is bigger than a junco or House Finch but smaller than a Red-winged Blackbird. It has a black-and-white striped head and black wings with white spots and a solid white back and white underparts. The Downy Woodpecker has a black tail with white outer tail feathers with black bars or spots. The male has a small red spot on the back of his head.
Nesting
Look for their nest in dead trees or live trees with dead areas. They carve out an area large enough for the eggs and the bird. They line the nest only with wood chips. The nest can take weeks to make and is done by both the male and female.
A Downy woodpecker only has one brood each year with 3 to 8 eggs which are white in color. The incubation period is around 12 days with both the male and female taking turns. The young will stay in the nest for around 30 days.
Diet
Mostly Downy Woodpeckers eat insects. The male tends to eat from the ground while the female likes to find insects from branches and in trees. They will also eat seeds, weeds, and fruit.
The Downy Woodpecker will visit your backyard feeders for suet and nuts.
Habitat
The Downy Woodpecker is a common bird found throughout Washington in places where there are trees. You will see them in residential areas, cities, farmland, and wooded areas.
Call And Drumming
11. pine siskins
Scientific Name: Carduelis pinus Size: 4.3-5.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
Pine siskins are small finches with a thin, sharply pointed bill, a notched tail, two dusky wing bars that fade to white over time, flight feathers with yellow bases, brown upperparts, pale underparts with heavy streaks over their body, short, forked tails, conical beaks that are longer and more slender than other finches, and yellow patches on their tails and wings, with white streaks appearing on the wings as well. The male also has more vivid plumage than the female.
Nesting
The pine siskin typically builds its nest in a conifer, usually low in the tree, and lays 3 or 4 pale green eggs, lightly speckled with dark brown and black. The nest is a shallow saucer of bark, twigs, and moss lined with plant down and feathers.
The female will incubate the eggs for about 13 days and the young will leave the nest after 14-15 days.
Diet
Pine siskins are mostly granivorous, feeding mainly on small seeds such as those of thistle, red alder, birch, spruce, hemlock, pine, cedar, dandelions, chickweed, ragweed, and sunflower. They may also feed on insects, spiders, and larvae.
Pine Siskins feed readily at backyard feeders, preferring smaller seeds without tough shells like thistle and black-oil sunflower, but they will scavenge fragments of larger seeds left by heavier-billed birds, and will occasionally eat suet.
Habitat
Pine Siskins typically breed in coniferous forests in most of Canada, the northern and western parts of the United States, and Alaska
In Washington, you can find Pine Siskins year-round. During winter, Pine Siskins can be found in many types of semi-open areas, including forest edges and weedy fields.
Call And Song
The Pine Siskin has a range of song and calls notes, including a high-pitched, quick chitter, a distinctive, harsh “watch-winding” call, and a tuneful “sweeet” sound. When communicating with other siskins, the males make a sharper, high-pitched, elongated “zweeeee” sound. Females have a low-pitched, husky call that can be heard over long distances.
12. song sparrow
Scientific Name: Melospiza melodia Size: 4.7-6.7 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Song Sparrow is a medium size bulky sparrow. Their mostly brown body has streaks of white/light gray throughout. It has a long rounded tail and broad wings.
It’s larger than a chipping sparrow but smaller than a dark-eyed junco.
Nesting
The Song Sparrow nest is made of grass and twigs. They are also lined with hair, feathers, and wool. The nest is usually found in a bush or tree near water. They are not afraid of humans so can nest close to your home on lights or poles and in flower beds.
The Song Sparrows lays one to six eggs. The eggs are either, blue, blue-green, or gray-green with some brown spots on them. The incubation period is 12 to 15 days and the young spend another 9 to 12 days in the nest.
The Song Sparrow can have anywhere between 1 to 7 broods per year.
Diet
It eats insects, seeds, and berries. They will come to your feeders for any kind of seeds or suet.
Habitat
Song Sparrows are very common in Washington. They can be found all over the state year-round.
Sog And Call
13. cedar waxwings
Scientific Name: Bombycilla cedrorum Size: 5.5-6.7 inches
Description And Field Marks
In the spring males sport bright red feathers on their wings that give them the name Cedar waxwing. They have a yellow ban on the tip of the tail. Cedar waxwings are small birds, averaging only 5.5 inches long.
Nesting
They have a special way of building their nest: they use the sticky saliva from their mouths to bind the twigs together.
The nests are made of twigs and lined with grass, hair, or rootlets.
They build their nests in trees and shrubs, usually at a height of about 20 feet, and lay three to five eggs.
The male and female both incubate the eggs for about 12 days, but once hatched, both parents feed the young.
Each brood of chicks will have two to three broods a year.
Diet
During the winter months, Cedar waxwings feed on fruits and berries, but in the spring they switch to insects.
They eat berries, nectar, and insects.
Habitat
Found during the summer in Washington, the Cedar waxwing can be identified by its dark brown body, white belly, and yellow undertail coverts.
Song And Call
14. house sparrow
Scientific Name: Passer domesticus Size: 5.9-6.7 inches
Description And Field Marks
The House Sparrow differs from another American Sparrow as they are not related. They have a rounder head and are chunkier, with a bigger chest, short tails, and thicker bills.
Like most other female birds, she is duller than the male, brown with dirty gray and brown underparts with striped backs in brown, black, and buff.
Male House Sparrows are chunky with a round head, stout bill, and full breasts. Colors include gray crowns, dark brown necks, white cheeks, black bibs, and gray crowns.
Nesting
House sparrows nest in cavities and use a variety of materials to build their nests. They are not known for being picky about where they nest, so if you have a birdhouse or an old nest box in your yard, it might attract house sparrows. House sparrows nest in cavities in trees or buildings.
The female lays 3-8 eggs. The incubation period is 10-14 days and the young stay in the nest for 10 to 14 days.
Diet
They eat seeds, grains, and insects. Sparrows will definitely be at your feeder eating birdseed, sunflower seeds, millet, and milo.
Habitat
The House Sparrow lives where people live. You will find them in cities and towns, in backyards and parks.
Song And Call
15. northern flicker
Scientific Name: Colaptes auratus Size: 11.0-12.2 inches
Description And Field
The Northern Flicker male and female are similar in color. They both have a rounded head, the bill is curved down and the tail tapers to a long point.
Although the same bird their colors differ from the eastern United States (bright yellow wing and tail feathers) and the western US (red wing and tail feathers).
The Northern Flicker is also known as “the woodpecker that doesn’t peck wood.” Instead, it gleans insects from the bark of trees.
Nesting
It nests in holes excavated by other animals, such as squirrels and woodpeckers. It lays 5 to 8 eggs which are all white. They only have one brood per nesting season.
The incubation period is around 2 weeks and the young stay in the nest for about a month.
Diet
Northern Flickers mostly will eat insects that they get from the ground. They will “drum” at the ground as other woodpeckers drum in trees and wood. During the winter months, they will also eat fruits and seeds.
These are beautiful woodpeckers. They may also stop in at your suet and peanut feeders, but most likely you’ll see them nesting in old trees.
Habitat
You will see Northern Flickers in city parks and backyards in the suburbs. You will also find them in woodlands with open trees, burned forests, swamps, and marshes.
The Northern Flicker has a wide range of calls. It has a typical woodpecker-like “drum” and a more musical, gurgling call that is often mistaken for the song of the Red-winged Blackbird.
The Northern Flicker is a common bird in Washington that can be seen all year but are more common in winter.
Call And Drumming
16. steller’s jay
Scientific Name: Cyanocitta stelleri Size: 11.8-13.4 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Steller’s Jay is a medium-sized bird songbird with a distinctive blue-black coloration on its head, neck, and upper body. They have a black crest on their head that can be raised or lowered depending on their mood. They also have a long, sturdy bill, and their eyes are dark with a faint white stripe above the eye. The wings and tail feathers are blue with black bars and white spots on the tips.
Nesting
The nest of a Steller’s Jay is typically a cup-shaped structure made of twigs, bark strips, moss, and grass. It’s placed in the crotch of a tree, on a horizontal branch, or in a coniferous tree. They may also build nests in shrubs, on utility poles, or in man-made structures.
The female is responsible for building the nest, while the male helps to gather materials. She lays 3 to 5 pale green or blue eggs with brown spots. The eggs are incubated for 16 to 18 days by the female, while the male brings her food. Both parents care for the young for 18 to 21 days when they leave the nest but will also continue to feed them for several more weeks.
Diet
The Steller’s Jays eat a wide variety of food including insects, nuts, seeds, fruits, and small vertebrates. They will also store food for later use.
Steller’s Jays are opportunistic and will eat almost anything including human food scraps, and pet food from campgrounds and picnic areas.
Habitat
The Steller’s Jay is native to the western part of North America, from Alaska to Mexico. They inhabit coniferous forests, oak woodlands, and other forested areas.
Steller’s Jays can be found in Washington year-round.
Call And Song
They are known for their loud and harsh calls, which can be heard throughout the forest.
17. house finches
Scientific Name: Haemorhous mexicanus Size: 5.1-5.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The House Finch is a small bird with a length of 7.5 inches and a weight of 5 ounces. The male House Finch has a brown back, wings, tail, and head with white underparts and varying shades of red around the head while the female is grayish-brown all over.
Nesting
House Finches build their nest anyway as long as it’s 12 to 15 feet above the ground usually in buildings and trees. Nests are made of grass, weeds, twigs, and leaves. The female builds the nest while the male will feed her during this time and incubation.
The eggs are pale blue with lavender and black dots and consist of 2 to 6 eggs. The incubation period is 13 to 14 days. Both the male and female feed their young for the 12 to 15 days they remain in the nest.
House Finches usually have 3 broods each year.
Diet
House Finches like to eat small worms, insects, seeds of small plants, and berries of some plants as well. They will visit the bird feeders often and really love sunflower seeds. They will also visit your Hummingbird feeders for the sugar water.
Habitat
Seen throughout North America, the House Finch is a very social bird and is usually seen in flocks except during mating season. You will find them in cities, suburban towns, and farmland. They love lawns, weedy areas, and trees but not dense forests.
Bird Notes
If the bird you’re looking for has a raspberry or light pink body check to see if it’s a purple finch.
Song And Call
The House Finch has a high-pitched sound that the male House Finch mostly uses to attract the female for breeding.
18. barn swallow
Scientific Name: Hirundo rustica Size: 5.9-7.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Barn Shallow is the size of a sparrow but what stands out about them are their long, pointed wings and long, forked tail. The color on their face and back is cobalt blue and tawny on their underparts. Its throat and chin are rusty to orange. Males are more brightly colored than females.
The barn swallow is the most common swallow in the world. They are known for flying very low over the ground and water.
Nesting
Both the male and the female build their nests by making cup shapes of mud on rafters, eaves, and cross beams of barns and sheds, or even bridges. They sometimes use nests from previous years too.
Barn Shallows have 1 to 2 broods per season with 3 to 7 cream-pinkish eggs with brown, lavender, and gray spots. The incubation period is 12 to 17 days with the nesting period being between 15 to 27 days.
Diet
Barn Shallow diet consists of all types of flying insects including flies, needs, and moths. They caption most of their food while flying. They will also eat eggshells and oyster shells from the ground when humans put them out.
Habitat
Barn Swallow likes to be in open areas such as fields, parks, and roadways. You will also see them in marsh areas, along coastal waters, ponds, and meadows. They breed in the United States and Southern Canada and fly south would for the winter.
You will see them in Washington during the spring and summer months.
Bird Notes
To attach them to your backyard leave eggshells and oyster shells on the ground or build platform feeders. Also by building platforms for nesting. If you have outbuildings on your property such as barns and sheds you can leave the doors and windows open so the barn swallows can build their nests inside. Having some mud around also helps them build their nests.
Song And Call
19. rufous hummingbird
Scientific Name: Selasphorus rufus Size:3.5-4 inches
Description And Field Marks
Rufous Hummingbirds are known for their aggressive and territorial nature, often chasing away larger birds and other hummingbirds from their feeding areas.
The male Rufous Hummingbird has striking and vibrant plumage. Their upperparts are a mix of bright coppery-orange, rufous, and green, which glitters in sunlight. The throat is a vivid iridescent orange-red color, making it a key identifying feature. The underparts are mostly white with a rufous wash on the sides and flanks. Females are less colorful, with greenish upperparts and a rufous-washed breast.
Nesting
Rufous Hummingbirds construct small, cup-shaped nests made of plant materials, spider webs, and lichens. The female lays two pea-sized eggs and incubates them for about two weeks. After hatching, the female continues to care for the chicks until they are ready to fledge, usually around three weeks after hatching.
Diet
Their primary diet consists of nectar from a variety of flowering plants. They also consume small insects and spiders.
Habitat
Rufous Hummingbirds breed in various habitats across western North America, including open woodlands, mountainous areas, and coastal regions.
One of the remarkable features of the Rufous Hummingbird is its long-distance migration. In the spring and summer, they breed in western North America, from southern Alaska to the Pacific Northwest and as far south as California. In the fall, they embark on a remarkable journey to their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America, sometimes covering thousands of miles during their migration.
call and song
20. American crows
Scientific Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos Size: 15.8-20.9 inches
Description And Field Marks
The American Crow is not a crow at all. It is actually a raven, but it has been called the “American Crow” for many years. This all-black bird has shiny feathers. The bill is also black with a hook on the end. The male is slightly more glossy than the female.
The American crow is smaller than the fish crow.
Nesting
The American Crow doesn’t breed until it’s between 2 and 4 years old. The “family” stays together for years, so some of the “kids” will help raise the next year’s brood.
Their nests are in large trees mostly evergreens. Both the male and female will make the nest out of large twigs lined with pine needles. The nest is big around 15 inches across and 7 to 10 inches deep.
They usually lay 3 to 9 eggs which are bluish-green in color with gray and brown blotches at either end.
The incubation period is 16 to 18 days, and the young remain in the nest anywhere from 20 to 40 days.
Diet
The American Crow will eat just about anything including seeds, nuts, worms, and small animals such as mice. They will also steal and eat eggs from other birds like robins, sparrows, loons, jays, and eiders. They will even eat garbage from the dumps.
Habitat
The American Crow can be seen throughout the United States but differ in size by region. Western crows are the ones you will see in Idaho throughout the year and are smaller than what you will see on the east coast. In Florida, the American Crow is smaller but has large feet.
It is common to see them on lawns, open fields, woodlands, parking lots, and in towns as well as in cities.
Bird Notes
The American Crow is an aggressive bird that will chase many large birds like eagles and hawks. Many times you will see them in flocks of up to 1000 birds.
Song And Call
21. chestnut-backed chickadees
Scientific Name: Poecile rufescens Size: 4.5-5.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
The upper parts of the Chestniut-backed Chickadees are mostly a rich chestnut or reddish-brown color, which extends from the crown to the nape, back, and wings. The sides of the head and neck are black, with a distinctive white stripe above each eye and a white patch on the cheeks. The underparts are pale grayish-white, blending into the chestnut color of the flanks.
The black cap on the head and throat is a prominent feature that contrasts with the chestnut color, making the bird easily identifiable and a combination of a white stripe above the eye, a black line through the eye, and a white cheek patch creates a distinctive pattern on the face.
Nesting
Chestnut-backed chickadees build cup-shaped nests made of moss, plant fibers, and animal fur in tree cavities or natural crevices. The female lays a clutch of 5 to 9 eggs, which she incubates for about two weeks. Both parents are involved in caring for the chicks once they hatch.
Diet
Their diet includes a variety of insects, spiders, seeds, and berries. They are often observed hanging upside down while foraging for insects and insect eggs on the undersides of leaves and branches.
Habitat
Chestnut-backed Chickadees are primarily found in the coniferous and mixed forests of the Pacific Northwest, including areas with redwoods, Douglas firs, and other evergreen trees. They prefer habitats with dense vegetation and are often seen in the understory of forests.
Chestnut-backed Chickadees can be seen in Washington year-round.
Call and song
Chestnut-backed Chickadees are known for their pleasant and varied songs and calls. They have a distinctive “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call, which is similar to other chickadee species but can vary in rhythm and pitch.
22. Red-breasted Nuthatch
Scientific Name: Sitta canadensis Size: 4.3 inches
Description And Field Marks
The red-breasted nuthatch is a small bird, dark gray on top with a rusty color breast. It has a short tail and a sharp bill. The female is similar to the male except she has lighter gray on top and a paler rust color underneath.
Often found during fall and winter working their way down tree trunks. Smaller and slimmer than the White-breasted Nuthatch.
The red-breasted nuthatch is the only bird that can climb down a tree head first by using its tail as a brace. It does this to keep from falling off tree branches.
Nesting
The red-breasted nuthatch nest is a hole in a tree. The female lays eggs between April and June, with an average clutch size of 4 to 6 eggs. The young stay in the nest for about 11 days and then leave the nest.
Diet
The red-breasted nuthatch diet consists of insects and seeds. They love suet and peanut butter and peanuts, so they are big on winter feeders.
Habitat
It lives throughout the eastern United States and Canada. The red-breasted nuthatch is found in woodlands, mature forested areas, and large parks.
You can see them in Washington year-round.
Song And Call
23. ruby-crowned kinglet
Scientific Name: Corthylio calendula Size:3.5-4.3 inches
Description And Field Marks
These tiny songbirds flicker around bushes and shrubs in your backyard. Ruby-crowned Kinglets are olive green in color with white around the eyes and white wings with a black bar in the wings. They have small, thin tails and strong tiny bills.
The male Ruby-crowned Kinglet will show its “red crown” only when excited otherwise it is invisible.
Nesting
The female and male pair will stay together during the building of the nest to when the young leave the nest, about two months. The female builds the nest in tall trees usually over 100 feet high in dense forests.
The Ruby-crowned kinglets have one brood per breeding season with up to 12 eggs. The eggs are white with red-brown spots on the ends. The incubation period is 12 to 14 days and the young remain in the nest for an additional 16 to 18 days.
Diet
Ruby-crowned kinglets mostly eat insects including spiders, ants, beetles, and wasps. They will also eat seeds and fruit when available. They will come to your backyard feeders in Wyoming to eat seeds during the non-breeding season.
Habitat
The Ruby-Crowned Kinglet visits Washington during migration as they fly south in the winter. Look for the constant movement in their wings as they like dense bushes, as well as parks and backyards.
During the breeding season, they will stay in dense pine forests in the western United States and throughout Canada.
Song And Call
24. mourning doves
Scientific Name: Zenaida mactoura Size: 9.1-13.4 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Mourning Dove is a medium-sized bird from the dove family. It has a rusty brown color and a few black spots above the wings. They can reach up to 12 inches in body length while their wingspan can be up to 18 inches.
Nesting
The pair of Mourning Doves is monogamous and they usually mate for life. They use old nests of other birds or build their own nest on top of a post, tree branch, or even on the ground.
Mourning Doves lay two white eggs and incubate them for 13 days. The male also feeds her during this time. The young will leave the nest after 15-16 days.
Diet
Mourning Doves eat seeds and grains that are found in the backyard. They also eat insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles.
Mourning Doves are one of the vacuums of the bird world, so they don’t eat from feeders but from what falls on the ground when other birds use your feeder.
Habitat
The Mourning Dove is frequent in most parts of the United States.
Song And Call
25. golden-crowned kinglet
Scientific Name: Regulus satrapa Size: 3.5-4.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The most prominent field mark of the Golden-crowned Kinglet is the bright yellow or orange crown patch bordered by black stripes on the head. The crown patch may appear golden or fiery orange, depending on the lighting conditions and the bird’s mood. This crown patch is more vibrant in males than in females.
The upperparts are olive-green, while the underparts are pale grayish-white or yellowish. The wings have two prominent white wing bars, and the outer edges of the wings have white edges, visible in flight.
The Golden-crowned Kinglet has a relatively large head compared to its body, and it features a short, thin bill. The eyes are dark, and the legs and feet are grayish. The face is characterized by a pale, whitish eyering that encircles the eye, giving it a bright-eyed appearance.
Nesting
Golden-crowned Kinglets typically choose coniferous forests for nesting. The nest is a compact, cup-shaped structure constructed using a variety of materials. The female lays 7 to 12 creamy-white or pale pink eggs with reddish-brown or purple spots. She incubates the eggs for 13 to 15 days.
Both parents are involved in caring for the nestlings. The parents provide a diet consisting primarily of insects for a period that lasts around 14 to 17 days.
Diet
The diet of the Golden-crowned Kinglet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. During winter, they may include other food sources in their diet such as small berries, seeds, and occasionally sap from tree bark.
Habitat
Golden-crowned Kinglets inhabit coniferous forests, including spruce, fir, and pine forests. They are often found in dense, mixed-species flocks, especially during the breeding season.
Although you can see them throughout the year in Washington it is easier to see them during winter. They move to lower elevations and even visit urban areas in search of food. Look for them in woodlands and parks with coniferous trees, especially near water sources.
Call And Song
The Golden-crowned Kinglet has a high-pitched, thin song that consists of rapid, warbling notes. It also produces soft, high-pitched calls during its foraging and flocking activities.
26. Eurasian collared-dove
Scientific Name: Streptopelia decaocto Size: 11.4-11.8 inches
Description And Field Marks
Bigger and heavier than the mourning dove, the Eurasian collared dove has plump bodies and long tails that are squared off at the tip. Their size is between a robin and a crow.
The Eurasian collared dove is brownish to gray in color with white on its tail. They have a black narrow patch around the nape of the neck. When you see them flying their wingtips are darker than the rest of the wings.
Nesting
Males pick the nest sites and gather the materials while females build the nest about 10 feet off the ground. It’s a simple platform-style nest and will use this nest for many broods (from 3 to 6) during the breeding season. In warm areas such as Florida, the doves will nest year-round.
Each brood has 1 to 2 white eggs with an incubation period of 14 to 19 days and a nesting period of 17 days.
Diet
The Eurasian Collared Dove mostly eats seeds and grains such as millet, wheat, corn, and sunflowers. They will eat seeds from your birdfeeders.
Habitat
They live in urban and suburban areas where they can access birdfeeders. They prefer warmer climates and you can see them in Washington year-round.
Song And Call
27. spotted towhee
Scientific Name: Pipilo maculatus Size: 6.7-8.3 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Spotted Towhee is roughly the same size as a robin, with a long, dark, fan-shaped tail with white corners on the end, and a round body with bright red eyes and dull pink legs.
Males have jet-black heads, throats, backs, and tails, while females are dark brown or grayish-black. Juvenile birds are mostly brown with brown streaking and tarnish spots. They have red eyes, pinkish legs, and thick, dark, pointed beaks.
Nesting
Spotted towhees breed during the spring and summer, typically laying 3 to 5 eggs per brood. The female builds the nest on the ground or low in bushes, often concealed by adjacent plants but not typically inside thickets. The nest is made of leaves, strips of bark, twigs, forb stalks, and grasses, lined with pine needles, shredded bark, grass, and sometimes hair.
The eggs are grayish or creamy-white with reddish-brown spots and are incubated by the female alone for 12 to 14 days. Once hatched, both parents feed the chicks, which leave the nest at 10 to 12 days but remain with their parents until 30 days of age.
Diet
The Spotted Towhee is an omnivore that primarily feeds on seeds, plants, acorns, and berries during the winter. However, during the breeding season, they mainly eat insects such as beetles, weevils, crickets, grasshoppers, moths, spiders, millipedes, snails, and wasps.
They are ground foragers and use a two-footed scratching method to locate food under the litter. The Spotted Towhee frequents brushy areas and is common at bird feeders wherever seed is scattered on the ground.
Habitat
The Spotted Towhee is found in shrubby habitats in forested lowlands throughout Washington and in open forests, brushy fields, and chaparrals across western North America.
They often use shrubby thickets in residential areas, on clear-cuts, and around wetlands. Towhees prefer to forage in areas with a thick layer of leaf litter and a screen of foliage and twigs low to the ground.
The Spotted Towhee is a common bird species found in Washington all year long.
Call And Song
28. violet-green swallows
Scientific Name: Tachycineta thalassina Size: 4.7-5.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Violet-green Swallow is a small passerine bird found in North America. It’s a beautiful bird with shimmering green and violet plumage, a white underbelly, and a distinctive forked tail.
The head of the Violet-green Swallow displays a combination of violet and green colors. The crown and nape exhibit a glossy violet sheen, while the rest of the head is green. The bill is short and black, contrasting with the bird’s colorful plumage. The eyes are dark.
Nesting
Both male and female Violet-green Swallows participate in building the nest. They construct a cup-shaped nest using grasses, twigs, moss, feathers, and other plant materials. They are social birds and frequently form nesting colonies where multiple pairs build their nests in close proximity
The female lays a clutch of 4-6 white eggs with reddish-brown spots. Both the male and female take turns incubating the eggs for 14-16 days. Once the eggs hatch, both parents are involved in feeding and caring for the chicks until they flew which usually takes around 22-24 days.
Diet
The diet of Violet-green Swallows primarily consists of flying insects. They catch their prey while in flight, using their agile and acrobatic flying skills.
Violet-green Swallows may also drink water while in flight. They swoop low over water sources, such as lakes, ponds, or streams, and skim the surface to drink or even bathe briefly.
Habitat
Violet-green Swallows can be found in a range of habitats, including open woodlands, forests with mixed conifers and deciduous trees, riparian areas along rivers and streams, mountainous regions, and even urban and suburban areas.
You will see them in Washington for breeding from late April to early May. They typically depart for their wintering grounds by early to mid-September.
Call And Song
29. brown-headed cowbird
Scientific Name: Molothrus ater Size: 7.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
Chunky, dark-eyed blackbird with short tails and thick bills. Adult males are glossy black with iridescent brown heads. Females are brown with light streaks on the belly.
Nesting
Brown-headed Cowbirds nest in trees, but there is no nest-building involved. Female Brown-headed Cowbirds are parasites – they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. In many cases, larger Cowbird nestlings will push the other species’ eggs or chicks out of the nest. Parasite hosts raise the Cowbird chick as their own.
Diet
Seeds, grasses, and insects make up most of the Brown-headed Cowbird’s diet. Females add snails and eggs from nests they parasitize; they need the extra calcium because they lay so many of their own eggs in other birds’ nests.
Brown-headed Cowbirds will come to feeders, usually with Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and European Starlings that sometimes overwhelm household feeders.
Habitat
Brown-headed Cowbirds can be found pretty much everywhere but in heavy forests. They got their name by foraging among herds of grazing buffalo and cattle.
In Winter, Brown-headed Cowbirds can be found among the large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and European Starlings.
Bird Notes
The much smaller Yellow Warbler’s nests are targets for Brown-headed Cowbirds, but the Yellow Warbler has figured out a way to deal with this. Since they are too small to just push the Cowbird egg out of the nest, they build another nest on top of the Cowbird egg, smothering it and allowing their own eggs to hatch without intruders.
Song And Call
30. black-headed grosbeak
Scientific Name: Pheucticus melanocephalus Size: 7.5-8.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The male has a striking black head and throat. The upper parts, including the back, wings, and tail, are warm cinnamon-brown. The underparts are a rich, deep orange to reddish-brown, with a prominent black bib extending down from the throat. The wings display prominent white patches that are visible in flight.
The female Black-headed Grosbeak has different coloration. The head, neck, and upper parts are warm brownish-gray. The underparts are pale with fine streaking on the breast and sides. The wings also have white patches visible in flight, though they may be less extensive than in males.
Both male and female Black-headed Grosbeaks have a stout, conical bill, which is pale pinkish or grayish. The eyes are dark brown, and the legs and feet are grayish.
Nesting
Black-headed Grosbeaks place their cup-shaped nests at varying heights within the canopy of trees.
The female lays 3 to 5 light blue or greenish-blue with dark blotches eggs. Then she incubates the eggs for 12 to 14 days. Both parents are involved in feeding the nestlings insects and small fruits. The nestling period lasts 11 to 15 days.
Diet
Black-headed Grosbeaks are primarily seed-eaters but also feed on insects and fruits. They forage in trees and shrubs, gleaning insects from foliage or hopping on the ground to pick up fallen seeds. They can also be seen visiting bird feeders that offer seeds and fruits.
Habitat
The Black-headed Grosbeak is found in a range of habitats, including deciduous woodlands, riparian areas, open forests, and even gardens and parks with suitable vegetation.
In Washington, Black-headed Grosbeaks can be found during the breeding season, typically from late April through August.
Call And Song
The Black-headed Grosbeak has a varied and melodious song. The male’s song consists of rich, musical phrases with whistling and trilling notes. The song is often described as a sweet, warbling series of musical phrases. The call is a sharp “chip” or “check.”
31. Bushtit
Scientific Name: Psaltriparus minimus Size: about 4 inches
Description And Field Marks
The American Bushtit, also known as the Bushtit, is a small bird (smaller than a chickadee) found in North America and parts of Mexico and Guatemala. It lives in open woodlands, parks, and gardens. It is gray-brown in color with a large head, short neck, long tail, and a short, stubby bill. Additionally, the male has dark eyes while the adult female has yellow eyes.
Nesting
The American Bushtit builds an impressive, woven, hanging basket nest that is up to a foot long. Both the male and female contribute to building the nest, which is firmly attached to twigs and branches. The nest is made of spider webs, moss, lichen, and other plant material, and is lined with plant down, fur, and feathers.
The American Bushtit raises two broods a year and both parents incubate the 4-10 eggs for 12-13 days. The young leave the nest at about 18 days.
Diet
The American Bushtit feeds on small insects and spiders found in its habitat, as well as small seeds from fruits. They forage in mixed-species feeding flocks, which can contain species such as chickadees and warblers.
Bushtits are known to visit suet feeders, especially when they are positioned near a tree.
Habitat
American Bushtits are especially common in areas with dense shrubs, such as coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats. They can also be found in desert scrub, oak woodlands, and coniferous forests. They are generally absent from open grasslands and agricultural areas.
The American Bushtit is not a migrant bird. It is a year-round resident of the western United States including Washington.
Call And Song
32. Golden-crowned Sparrow
Scientific Name: Zonotrichia atricapilla Size: 6.7-7.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Golden-crowned Sparrow has a striking and unique plumage pattern. The head is gray with a bold yellow crown at the center, extending from the beak to the back of the head. The cheeks are gray, and there is a black patch on the chin and throat. The upperparts are brown with dark streaks, while the underparts are grayish-white with brown streaking on the sides and flanks.
The bright yellow crown on the head is the most distinctive feature of this bird and serves as its namesake.
Nesting
During the breeding season, Golden-crowned Sparrows build nests on the ground, concealed under vegetation or low shrubs. The female lays a clutch of 3 to 5 eggs, which she incubates for about two weeks. Both parents participate in caring for the chicks until they fledge and become independent.
Diet
They are often seen foraging on the ground, scratching through leaf litter and soil in search of seeds, insects, and small invertebrates.
Habitat
Golden-crowned Sparrows breed in northern and coastal regions of western North America, including Alaska, western Canada, and parts of the Pacific Northwest. During the winter months, they migrate southwards to spend the season in the western United States, including California, Oregon, and Washington.
These sparrows prefer a mix of habitats, including shrublands, open woodlands, and brushy areas. They may also perch in low vegetation and bushes.
Call and song
Golden-crowned Sparrows are known for their lovely and melodious songs. Their songs are often described as a series of clear, whistling notes, which are pleasant to the ears and add to their charm.
33. Bewick’s Wren
Scientific Name: Thryomanes bewickii Size: 4.7-5.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Bewick’s Wren’s upper parts are primarily brown, with a darker back and wings featuring fine black barring. The underparts are pale grayish-white, with warm brown flanks and a buffy or orange wash on the belly. The tail is long and often held upright, showing the dark barring on the feathers.
One of the most noticeable features of the Bewick’s Wren is the white eyebrow stripe that runs from above the eye to the nape of the neck. This stripe contrasts with the warm colors of the head and body.
Nesting
During the breeding season, Bewick’s Wrens build cup-shaped nests made of twigs, grass, and other plant materials, usually tucked into vegetation or tree branches. The female lays a clutch of 5 to 7 eggs, which she incubates for about two weeks. Both parents are involved in feeding and caring for the chicks once they hatch.
Diet
Bewick’s Wrens are highly active and agile birds, often seen hopping and climbing through vegetation and using their long tails for balance. They are skilled at gleaning insects and spiders from foliage and crevices, and they may also feed on seeds and fruits.
Habitat
Bewick’s Wrens are found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, shrublands, parks, gardens, and urban areas. They can be seen year-round in Washington state.
call and song
Bewick’s Wrens are known for their complex and melodious songs. They have a wide repertoire of musical phrases and can mimic the songs of other birds.
34. black-billed Magpie
Scientific Name: Pica [pica] hudsonia Size: 18-24 inches
Description And Field Marks
The black-billed magpie is a mid-sized bird the size of a crow with an extremely long tail. It is black and white with black areas on the wings and tail showing iridescent hints of blue or blue-green. It is one of only four North American songbirds whose tail makes up half or more of the total body length. The tail is made up of long, layered feathers, the middle pair of which protrudes farthest of all. Males and females look alike.
Nesting
Black-billed Magpies build their nests over 40-50 days, using sticks gathered by the male for the exterior and grass and other materials gathered by the female for the interior. The finished nest is a large, domed structure, usually around 30 inches high and 20 inches wide. The dome is constructed of sticks, with entrances on both sides. Inside the dome is a cup-shaped nest with a mud or manure base and a lining made from grass, rootlets, hair, and weeds.
Once the nest is finished, the female will lay up to nine eggs, with the typical clutch ranging from 6-7 eggs. The male will bring food while the female incubates the eggs, and both will feed the young once they have hatched. After 3-4 weeks the young will leave the nest, joining with other broods and being fed by their parents for an additional 3-4 weeks.
Diet
Black-billed Magpies eat a variety of food types. Their primary diet consists of insects and their larva, as well as the eggs and hatchlings of songbirds. They also eat fruit and grain crops, small mammals such as mice and meadow voles, carrion, seeds, grains, and nuts. Black-billed Magpies may also eat garbage and food that is left out for pets.
Habitat
It inhabits the western half of North America including western Canada and southern Alaska. You will see them year-round in Washington.
Song And Call
The black-billed magpie alarm call is known as a chatter, which is a ka-ka-ka-ka sound, sometimes preceded by a skah-skah. They also have a mag-mag-mag call, which they use to communicate with other birds.
35. western tanager
Scientific Name: Piranga ludoviciana Size: 7 inches
Description And Field Marks
The male Western Tanager is a colorful bird with a bright red head, a yellow body, and black wings with two white bars. Females are yellow-green with darker wings and back. Both have stocky bodies and thick, pale bills, and dark eyes.
Nesting
The Western Tanager is a bird species that nests in trees during the breeding season, typically from May to August. Here are some details about the nesting habits of Western Tanagers:
Western Tanagers build their nests in the outer branches of trees, usually between 10 and 50 feet off the ground. They prefer coniferous or mixed forests, but can also be found in deciduous forests and woodlands. The nest is a cup-shaped structure made of small twigs, grasses, and other plant materials. The inside of the nest is lined with fine grasses, rootlets, and sometimes animal hair.
The female Western Tanager builds the nest, while the male defends the territory. The female lays 3 to 5 pale green or blue eggs, which she incubates for about 12 to 14 days. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after about 12 to 14 days.
The Western Tanager is occasionally targeted by the Brown-headed Cowbird, which lays its eggs in the Tanager’s nest. Cowbird chicks typically outcompete tanager chicks for food, often resulting in the death of the tanager chicks.
Diet
The Western Tanager feeds on a variety of insects, including beetles, caterpillars, ants, bees, and wasps. They often catch insects while in flight or by gleaning them from the foliage.
They will also eat fruit, especially during the breeding season, and are known to feed on berries, cherries, and other small fruits.
Habitat
It’s worth noting that Western Tanagers are only found in western North America during the breeding season. They typically breed in coniferous or mixed forests in the western United States and Canada, and they migrate to Mexico and Central America for the winter.
The Western Tanager can be found in Washington during the breeding season, which typically occurs from May through August.
Call And Song
What Are The Best Ways To Attract Backyard Birds?
1. Put Out Bird Feeders
There are many different types of bird feeders available on the market, each designed to attract different types of birds. The most popular bird feeders include tube feeders, hopper feeders, platform feeders, and window feeders.
Tube feeders are long and cylindrical in shape, with small holes near the top where birds can insert their beaks to reach the bird seed inside. Hopper feeders are similar in shape to tube feeders but have a large opening at the top where birds can perch and eat. Platform feeders are flat surfaces with raised edges, upon which birds can land and eat the bird seed placed there. Window feeders are designed to be attached to windows so that birds can eat right up close to your home.
The type of bird food you put inside your birdfeeder will also depend on the type of birds you want to attract. Bird food includes sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. Some tips on how to put out your birdfeeder include using a squirrel-proof design and making sure that the feeder is level so that the seed does not spill out.
2. Add A Water Source
Adding a water source to your backyard is a great way to attract birds. Water is essential for birds, and they will be drawn to any backyard that has a water source. Birdhouses are also a great way to attract birds. Solar fountains are also a good option for attracting birds. These emit a gentle flow of water that will attract birds to your yard.
3. Offer Birdhouses
Building a birdhouse is a great way to attract birds to your yard. There are a few things to consider when building a birdhouse, such as the size and shape of the house, and what type of bird you want to attract.
The most important thing to remember when building a birdhouse is to make sure the entrance hole is the right size for the type of bird you want to attract. If the hole is too small, the bird will not be able to get inside, and if it is too large, predators will be able to get in.
Once you have decided on the size and shape of your birdhouse, you can start construction. It is important that the house is made out of sturdy materials that will withstand weathering and decay. Some good choices for materials include cedar or redwood for the exterior and plywood or pine for the interior.
After your birdhouse is built, you need to decide where to place it. The best location for a birdhouse is in an open area away from trees or other structures that could block access or provide perches for predators. Once you have found the perfect spot for your new house, simply mount it on a pole or post using screws or nails. Make sure that the house is secure so that it does not fall and hurt any birds.
4. Add Native Plants
Native plants are more effective in attracting backyard birds because they provide the birds with the type of food that these birds prefer. By adding native plants to your backyard, you can help promote a healthy ecosystem that supports both bird species and insects. Grow native plants that offer food, shelter, and fruit for the birds. Non-native plants can outcompete native plants and disrupt the ecosystem, so it’s important to select plants that will be beneficial to your backyard birds.
Conclusion
We just covered some of the many backyard birds in Washington. If you want more information on any of these birds or numerous other birds that you can see in Washington, check out the Washington/Portland Audubon Society.
Happy birdwatching!
