List of birds of Oregon facts for kids

Oregon is a special place for birds! This article lists all the wild bird species that have been seen and officially recognized in the state of Oregon. As of August 2022, there are 547 different kinds of birds on this list.

Some birds are on a "review list." This means if someone sees them, they need to provide extra proof. A few species were brought to Oregon by people, and some of those, plus two others, have disappeared from the state.

Even though northern places usually have fewer types of birds, Oregon is actually fifth in the United States for bird variety! It has more bird species than many other states, like New Mexico and Texas. This is because Oregon has many different natural areas, like mountains, forests, and coasts. The mild winter weather also helps, making Oregon a key stopping point for birds that fly south for winter, especially ducks and geese, along a path called the Pacific Flyway.

Because Oregon is so important for birds, it has 120 special "Important Bird Areas." These are places like the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve that are protected to help birds. Many of these wildlife refuges are popular spots for people who love to watch birds. Oregon has been part of organized bird-watching events, like the Christmas Bird Count, since the early 1900s. Other areas, like the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, are closed to people but are very popular with birds. This refuge stretches for about 250 miles (400 km) along the Oregon Coast.

Even with all these efforts, Oregon faces challenges in protecting birds that are endangered or threatened. Famous birds like the northern spotted owl and snowy plover are at risk. Even common birds, like Oregon's state bird, the western meadowlark, have seen their numbers drop. This is due to things like hunting and losing their natural homes.

This list follows the order used by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). The names of the birds and their families come from this list too.

You'll see some special notes next to certain birds:

• (R) Review list - These birds need more detailed proof if they are seen.
• (P) Provisional - This means the bird was only seen, with no video or sound proof.
• (I) Introduced - This bird was brought to Oregon by humans.

Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae

This family includes ducks, geese, and swans. These birds are great in the water. They have webbed feet and special feathers that shed water easily.

New World Quail

Order: Galliformes Family: Odontophoridae

New World quails are small, plump birds that live on the ground. They look like Old World quails but are not closely related.

• Mountain quail, Oreortyx pictus
• Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (I)(extirpated)
• California quail, Callipepla californica

Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies

Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae

This family includes pheasants, partridges, grouse, and turkeys. They are ground-dwelling birds that vary in size. Many are hunted for food or raised on farms.

• Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (I)
• Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus
• Greater sage-grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus
• Spruce grouse, Canachites canadensis
• Dusky grouse, Dendragapus obscurus
• Sooty grouse, Dendragapus fuliginosus
• Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus (R)(extirpated)
• Chukar, Alectoris chukar (I)
• Gray partridge, Perdix perdix (I)
• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-sized birds that dive in freshwater. They have special lobed toes that make them excellent swimmers. They are not very good at walking on land.

• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
• Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
• Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
• Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
• Western grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
• Clark's grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii

Pigeons and Doves

Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are birds with plump bodies, short necks, and thin bills.

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)
• Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata
• Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I)
• Common ground dove, Columbina passerina (R)
• White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica
• Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae

This family includes cuckoos and roadrunners. These birds have slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs.

• Greater roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus (R) (P)
• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (R)

Nightjars and Allies

Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized birds that are active at night. They usually nest on the ground. They have long wings and short legs. Their soft feathers help them blend in with tree bark or leaves.

• Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis (R)
• Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
• Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
• Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus (R)

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds that spend most of their lives flying. They have very short legs and usually perch only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long, swept-back wings.

• Black swift, Cypseloides niger
• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (R)
• Vaux's swift, Chaetura vauxi
• White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis

Hummingbirds

Order: Apodiformes Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are tiny birds that can hover in the air by flapping their wings very fast. They are the only birds that can fly backward!

• Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (R)
• Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri
• Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna
• Costa's hummingbird, Calypte costae
• Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope
• Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
• Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin
• Broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus
• Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (R)

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae

This family includes rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. They are small to medium-sized birds that live in thick plants near water. They are usually shy and hard to spot. Most have strong legs and long toes for walking on soft ground.

• Virginia rail, Rallus limicola
• Sora, Porzana carolina
• Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata (R)
• American coot, Fulica americana
• Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large birds with long legs and long necks. Unlike herons, cranes fly with their necks stretched out. Many cranes have loud and fancy courtship dances.

• Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis
• Common crane, Grus grus (R)

Stilts and Avocets

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae

This family includes avocets and stilts. Avocets have long legs and bills that curve upwards. Stilts have very long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

• Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
• American avocet, Recurvirostra americana

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae

Oystercatchers are large, easy-to-spot, and noisy birds. They have strong bills that they use to open molluscs like clams.

• Black oystercatcher, Haematopus bachmani

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae

This family includes plovers and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies and short, thick necks. They live in open areas around the world, usually near water.

• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
• Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva
• Eurasian dotterel, Charadrius morinellus (R)
• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
• Piping plover, Charadrius melodus (R) (P)
• Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus (R)
• Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (R)
• Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus
• Mountain plover, Charadrius montanus (R)

Sandpipers and Allies

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae

This is a large family of small to medium-sized shorebirds. It includes sandpipers, curlews, and snipes. Most of these birds eat small bugs they find in mud or soil. Different bill and leg lengths allow many species to feed in the same area without competing for food.

Skuas and Jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae

Skuas and jaegers are medium to large birds, usually gray or brown. They look like big, dark gulls. They are strong, skilled flyers.

• South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki
• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus

Auks, Murres, and Puffins

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae

Alcids look a bit like penguins because they are black and white and stand upright. But unlike penguins, they can fly! Auks live in the open ocean and only come to land to nest.

• Common murre, Uria aalge
• Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia (R)
• Pigeon guillemot, Cepphus columba
• Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (R)
• Marbled murrelet, Brachyramphus marmoratus
• Scripps's murrelet, Synthliboramphus scrippsi
• Guadalupe murrelet, Synthliboramphus hypoleucus (R)
• Ancient murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus
• Cassin's auklet, Ptychoramphus aleuticus
• Parakeet auklet, Aethia psittacula
• Rhinoceros auklet, Cerorhinca monocerata
• Horned puffin, Fratercula corniculata
• Tufted puffin, Fratercula cirrhata

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae

This family includes gulls and terns. They are medium to large seabirds, usually gray or white with black markings. They have strong bills and webbed feet.

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are thin, white birds found in tropical oceans. They have very long central tail feathers. Their wings and heads have black markings.

• Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus (R)

Loons

Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae

Loons are water birds, about the size of a large duck. They are mostly gray or black with spear-shaped bills. Loons swim and fly well, but they are clumsy on land because their legs are at the back of their bodies.

• Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
• Arctic loon, Gavia arctica (R)
• Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica
• Common loon, Gavia immer
• Yellow-billed loon, Gavia adamsii

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae

Albatrosses are among the largest flying birds. Some, like the great albatrosses, have the biggest wingspans of any living bird.

• White-capped albatross, Thalassarche cauta (R)
• Wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans (R)
• Laysan albatross, Phoebastria immutabilis
• Black-footed albatross, Phoebastria nigripes
• Short-tailed albatross, Phoebastria albatrus (R)

Southern Storm-Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Oceanitidae

Storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds. They are related to petrels and eat tiny ocean creatures. They often hover over the water to pick up food.

• Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus (R)

Northern Storm-Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae

These storm-petrels look and act like Southern storm-petrels. However, they have enough genetic differences to be in their own family.

• Fork-tailed storm-petrel, Hydrobates furcatus
• Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous
• Ashy storm-petrel, Hydrobates homochroa (R)
• Black storm-petrel, Hydrobates melania (R)

Shearwaters and Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae

This group includes medium-sized "true petrels." They are known for their strong outer wing feathers.

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds found in tropical oceans. They are mostly black with long wings and deeply forked tails. Males have colorful throat pouches that they can inflate. They are amazing flyers and can stay in the air for over a week!

• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (R)

Boobies and Gannets

Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae

This family includes gannets and boobies. Both are medium to large coastal seabirds. They dive headfirst into the water to catch fish.

• Masked booby, Sula dactylatra (R)
• Nazca booby, Sula granti (R)
• Blue-footed booby, Sula nebouxii (R)
• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (R)
• Red-footed booby, Sula sula (R)

Cormorants and Shags

Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large water birds. They usually have dark feathers and colored skin on their faces. Their bills are long, thin, and hooked. They have webbed feet with four toes.

• Brandt's cormorant, Urile penicillatus
• Pelagic cormorant, Nannopterum auritum
• Double-crested cormorant, Nannopterum brasilianum

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds. They have a special pouch under their beak to scoop up fish. Like other birds in their group, they have four webbed toes.

• American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
• Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae

This family includes herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns are usually shorter-necked and more hidden. These birds fly with their necks pulled back, unlike storks or ibises.

• American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
• Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis (R)
• Great blue heron, Ardea herodias
• Great egret, Ardea alba
• Snowy egret, Egretta thula
• Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea (R)
• Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor (R)
• Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
• Green heron, Butorides virescens
• Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
• Yellow-crowned night-heron, Nyctanassa violacea (R)

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae

This family includes ibises and spoonbills. They have long, wide wings and long bodies with long legs. Ibises have bills that curve downwards, while spoonbills have straight, flattened bills.

• White ibis, Eudocimus albus (R)
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus (R)
• White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi

New World Vultures

Order: Cathartiformes Family: Cathartidae

New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures. However, they look similar because they evolved in similar ways. Like Old World vultures, they eat dead animals. But New World vultures can smell dead animals, while Old World vultures find them by sight.

• California condor, Gymnogyps californianus (R) extirpated
• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus (R)
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae

The Osprey is the only bird in its family. It is a fish-eating bird of prey. It has a very large, hooked beak, strong legs, powerful talons, and excellent eyesight.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites

Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae

This family includes hawks, eagles, and harriers. These birds of prey have very large, hooked beaks to tear meat from their prey. They also have strong legs, powerful talons, and sharp eyesight.

• White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus
• Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
• Northern harrier, Circus hudsonius
• Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus
• Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii
• American goshawk, Accipiter atricapillus
• Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
• Red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus
• Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus
• Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni
• Zone-tailed hawk, Buteo albonotatus (R)
• Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
• Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus
• Ferruginous hawk, Buteo regalis

Barn-Owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with big heads and heart-shaped faces. They have long, strong legs with powerful talons.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba

Owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are mostly solitary birds of prey that are active at night. They have large eyes that face forward and good hearing. They also have a hawk-like beak and a circle of feathers around each eye.

• Flammulated owl, Psiloscops flammeolus
• Western screech-owl, Megascops kennicottii
• Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus
• Snowy owl, Bubo scandiacus
• Northern hawk owl, Surnia ulula (R)
• Northern pygmy-owl, Glaucidium gnoma
• Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia
• Spotted owl, Strix occidentalis
• Barred owl, Strix varia
• Great gray owl, Strix nebulosa
• Long-eared owl, Asio otus
• Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
• Boreal owl, Aegolius funereus
• Northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds. They have large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.

• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds. They have chisel-like beaks, short legs, and stiff tails. They use their long tongues to catch insects. Many woodpeckers tap loudly on tree trunks with their beaks.

Falcons and Caracaras

Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae

This family includes falcons and caracaras. They are birds of prey that are active during the day. Unlike hawks, they kill their prey with their beaks instead of their talons.

• Crested caracara, Caracara plancus (R)
• American kestrel, Falco sparverius
• Merlin, Falco columbarius
• Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
• Prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus

Tyrant Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are songbirds found in North and South America. They look a bit like Old World flycatchers but are stronger. Most of them eat insects.

Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis

Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae

Vireos are small to medium-sized songbirds mostly found in the New World. They are usually greenish and look like wood-warblers, but have stronger bills.

• White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus (R)
• Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii (R) (P)
• Hutton's vireo, Vireo huttoni
• Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons (R)
• Cassin's vireo, Vireo cassinii
• Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius (R)
• Plumbeous vireo, Vireo plumbeus (R)
• Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus (R)
• Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus
• Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are songbirds known for catching small animals and impaling them on thorns. Their beaks are hooked, like a bird of prey.

• Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus
• Northern shrike, Lanius borealis

Crows, Jays, and Magpies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae

This family includes crows, ravens, jays, and magpies. Corvids are larger than average songbirds. Some of the bigger species are very intelligent.

• Canada jay, Perisoreus canadensis
• Pinyon jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
• Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri
• Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata
• California scrub-jay, Aphelocoma californica
• Woodhouse's scrub-jay, Aphelocoma woodhouseii
• Clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana
• Black-billed magpie, Pica hudsonia
• American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos
• Common raven, Corvus corax

Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice

Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae

This family includes small, stocky woodland birds with short, strong bills. They are adaptable and eat both seeds and insects.

• Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapillus
• Mountain chickadee, Poecile gambeli
• Chestnut-backed chickadee, Poecile rufescens
• Oak titmouse, Baeolophus inornatus
• Juniper titmouse, Baeolophus ridgwayi

Larks

Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small ground birds known for their fancy songs and display flights. Most larks are plain-looking. They eat insects and seeds.

• Eurasian skylark, Alauda arvensis (R)
• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae

This family of birds is built for catching food while flying. They have slender bodies, long pointed wings, and short bills with wide mouths. Their feet are better for perching than walking.

• Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
• Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
• Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina
• Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
• Purple martin, Progne subis
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
• Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva (R)

Long-tailed Tits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithalidae

Long-tailed tits are a family of small songbirds with medium to long tails. They build woven, bag-shaped nests in trees. Most eat a mix of insects.

• Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus

Leaf Warblers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Phylloscopidae

Leaf warblers are a family of small insect-eating birds. They are mostly found in Europe and Asia. They come in different sizes and are often green above and yellow below.

• Dusky warbler, Phylloscopus fuscatus (R)
• Arctic warbler, Phylloscopus borealis (R)

Sylviid Warblers, Parrotbills, and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae

This family is a group of small insect-eating songbirds. They are mainly found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Most are plain-looking but have unique songs.

• Wrentit, Chamaea fasciata

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae

Kinglets are a small family of birds that look like titmice. They are very small insect-eating birds. Adult kinglets have colorful crowns on their heads.

• Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corphylio calendula
• Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae

Waxwings have soft, silky feathers. They have unique red tips on some of their wing feathers that look like sealing wax. These birds live in northern forests. They eat insects in summer and berries in winter.

• Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus
• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum

Silky-Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Ptiliogonatidae

Silky-flycatchers are a small family of songbirds mostly found in Central America. They are related to waxwings and most have small crests on their heads.

• Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens (R)

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have a special ability to climb down trees headfirst, unlike most other birds. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and strong bills and feet.

• Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis
• White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis
• Pygmy nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown on top and white underneath. They have thin, curved bills that they use to pull insects from tree bark. Their stiff tail feathers help them support themselves on vertical trees.

• Brown creeper, Certhia americana

Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Polioptilidae

These delicate birds look and act like Old World warblers. They move quickly through leaves looking for insects. Gnatcatchers are usually soft bluish-gray and have long, sharp bills. Many have black patterns on their heads and long, black-and-white tails that they often hold up.

• Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and often hard to see, but they have very loud songs. They have short wings and thin, curved bills. Several species often hold their tails straight up. All wrens eat insects.

• Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus
• Canyon wren, Catherpes mexicanus
• House wren, Troglodytes aedon
• Pacific wren, Troglodytes pacificus
• Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis (R)
• Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis (R)
• Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris
• Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Mimidae

This family includes thrashers and mockingbirds. These birds are famous for their amazing songs and their ability to copy many different bird calls and other sounds. They usually have dull gray and brown feathers.

• Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
• Curve-billed thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre (R) (P)
• Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum
• California thrasher, Toxostoma redivivum (R)
• Sage thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus
• Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized Old World songbirds with strong feet. They fly strongly and directly, and most live in large groups. They prefer open areas and eat insects and fruit. Many species have dark feathers with a shiny, metallic look.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)

Dippers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are a group of songbirds that live near water in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements. These birds can go underwater and walk on the bottom to find insect larvae to eat.

• American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus

Thrushes and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae

Thrushes are a group of songbirds, mostly found in the Old World. They are plump, soft-feathered, and small to medium-sized. They eat insects or sometimes everything, often finding food on the ground. Many have beautiful songs.

• Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis (R)
• Western bluebird, Sialia mexicana
• Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides
• Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi
• Veery, Catharus fuscescens
• Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus (R)
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
• Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus
• Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina (R)
• Dusky thrush, Turdus naumanni (R)
• American robin, Turdus migratorius
• Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius

Old World Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large family of small songbirds. These are mainly small birds that live in trees and eat insects. Many catch their prey while flying.

• Red-flanked bluetail, Tarsiger cyanurus (R)
• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (R)

Old World Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small songbirds. They are usually small, plump, brownish or grayish birds with short tails and strong beaks. Sparrows eat seeds, but they also eat small insects.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae

This family includes wagtails and pipits. They are small songbirds with medium to long tails. They are thin, ground-feeding insect-eaters found in open areas.

• Eastern yellow wagtail, Motacilla tschutschensis (R)
• White wagtail, Montacilla alba (R)
• Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus (R)
• American pipit, Anthus rubescens
• Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii (R)

Finches, Euphonias, and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating songbirds. They are small to medium-sized and have strong, often cone-shaped beaks. They have a bouncy flight pattern, flapping and then gliding with closed wings. Most finches sing well.

• Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla (R)
• Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
• Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator
• Gray-crowned rosy-finch, Leucosticte tephrocotis
• Black rosy-finch, Leucosticte atrata
• House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus
• Purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus
• Cassin's finch, Haemorhous cassinii
• Oriental greenfinch, Chloris sinica (R)
• Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea
• Hoary redpoll, Acanthis hornemanni (R)
• Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
• White-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera
• Pine siskin, Spinus pinus
• Lesser goldfinch, Spinus psaltria
• Lawrence's goldfinch, Spinus lawrencei (R)
• American goldfinch, Spinus tristis

Longspurs and Snow Buntings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Calcariidae

This group of songbirds used to be part of the New World sparrows. They are usually found in open grassy areas.

• Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
• Chestnut-collared longspur, Calcarius ornatus
• Smith's longspur, Calcarius pictus (R)
• Thick-billed longspur, Rhynchophanes mccownii (R)
• Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis
• McKay's bunting, Plectrophenax hyperboreus (R)

Old World Buntings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae

This family of songbirds contains only one group of birds. Until 2017, the New World sparrows were also considered part of this family.

• Little bunting, Emberiza pusilla (R)
• Rustic bunting, Emberiza rustica (R)

New World Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Passerellidae

These birds were once part of the Emberizidae family. Most are called sparrows, but they are not closely related to the Old World sparrows. Many of these birds have unique patterns on their heads.

• Cassin's sparrow, Peucaea cassinii (R)

Yellow-breasted Chat

Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteriidae

This bird was once thought to be a wood-warbler, but experts decided it needed its own family in 2017.

• Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens

Troupials and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteridae

This group includes grackles and New World blackbirds and orioles. They are small to medium-sized, often colorful songbirds found only in the New World. Most species are mainly black, sometimes with bright yellow, orange, or red colors.

New World Warblers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Parulidae

Wood warblers are a group of small, often colorful songbirds found only in the New World. Most live in trees, but some spend more time on the ground. Most birds in this family eat insects.

Cardinals and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cardinalidae

Cardinals are a family of strong, seed-eating birds with powerful bills. They usually live in open woodlands. Males and females often have different colored feathers.

• Summer tanager, Piranga rubra (R)
• Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea (R)
• Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
• Pyrrhuloxia, Cardinalis sinuatus (R)
• Rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus
• Black-headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus
• Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea (R)
• Lazuli bunting, Passerina amoena
• Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea
• Painted bunting, Passerina ciris (R)
• Dickcissel, Spiza americana (R)

See also

• Amphibians and reptiles of Oregon
• Audubon Society of Portland
• List of birds of the Klamath Basin
• List of native Oregon plants
• Lists of Oregon-related topics

Images for kids

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  The western meadowlark is Oregon's state bird.

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  Black-bellied whistling-duck

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  Canada goose

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  Wood duck

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  Falcated duck

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  Ring-necked duck

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  Mountain quail

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  Western grebe

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  Mourning dove

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  Greater roadrunner

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  American avocet

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  Black oystercatcher

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  Snowy plover

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  Killdeer

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  Sanderling

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  Pectoral sandpiper

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  Long-billed dowitcher

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  Greater yellowlegs

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  Pomarine jaeger

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  Tufted puffin

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  Black-headed gull

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  Herring gull

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  Glaucous-winged gull

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  Red-throated loon

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  Short-tailed albatross

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  Blue-footed booby

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  Brandt's cormorant

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  Great blue heron

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  Green heron

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  Osprey

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  Snowy owl

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  Spotted owl

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  Red-breasted sapsucker

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  American three-toed woodpecker

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  American kestrel

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  Least flycatcher

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  Cassin's kingbird

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  Scissor-tailed flycatcher

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  Yellow-throated vireo

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  Steller's jay

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  American crow

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  Black-capped chickadee

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  Barn swallow

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  Cedar waxwing

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  White-breasted nuthatch

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  Rock wren

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  American dipper

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  Western bluebird

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  Varied thrush

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  White wagtail

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  Cassin's finch

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  Lark sparrow

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  Fox sparrow

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  Dark-eyed junco

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  Song sparrow

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  Scarlet tanager

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  Rose-breasted grosbeak

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  Black-and-white warbler

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  Prothonotary warbler

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  Yellow warbler

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  Yellow-rumped warbler