Birds in Washington

Acorn woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

The acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) is a medium-sized woodpecker with a length of around 20 cm (8 in), and an average weight of 85 g (3.0 o...

American coot

Fulica americana

Rallidae

The American coot (Fulica americana), also known as a mud hen or pouldeau, is a bird of the family Rallidae. Though commonly mistaken for ducks, Ameri...

American crow

Corvus brachyrhynchos

Corvidae

The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North...

American dipper

Cinclus mexicanus

Cinclidae

The American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus), also known as a water ouzel, is a semiaquatic bird species native from North America.

American goldfinch

Spinus tristis

Fringillidae

The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small North American bird in the finch family. It is migratory, ranging from mid-Alberta to North Carolin...

American kestrel

Falco sparverius

Falconidae

The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest and most common falcon in the Americas. Though it has been called the American "sparrow hawk",...

American robin

Turdus migratorius

Turdidae

The American robin (Turdus migratorius) is a migratory bird of the true thrush genus and Turdidae, the wider thrush family. It is named after the Euro...

Bald eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Accipitridae

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey found in North America. A sea eagle, it has two known subspecies and forms a species pair ...

Baltimore oriole

Icterus galbula

Icteridae

The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a small icterid blackbird common in eastern North America as a migratory breeding bird. It received its name...

Barn swallow

Hirundo rustica

Hirundinidae

The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world, occurring on all continents, with vagrants reported even in...

Barred owl

Strix varia

true owls

The barred owl (Strix varia), also known as the northern barred owl, striped owl or, more informally, hoot owl or eight-hooter owl, is a North America...

Belted kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

Alcedinidae

The belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is a large, conspicuous water kingfisher, native to North America.

Black oystercatcher

Haematopus bachmani

Haematopodidae

The black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) is a conspicuous black bird found on the shoreline of western North America, ranging from the Aleutian I...

Black-capped chickadee

Poecile atricapillus

Paridae

The black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is a small, nonmigratory, North American passerine bird that lives in deciduous and mixed forests. I...

Black-chinned hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

Trochilidae

The black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is a hummingbird occupying a broad range of habitats from deserts to mountain forests and urban ...

Black-headed grosbeak

Pheucticus melanocephalus

Cardinalidae

The black-headed grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) is a medium-sized, seed-eating bird in the family Cardinalidae. It is sometimes considered consp...

Black-throated sparrow

Amphispiza bilineata

Passerellidae

The black-throated sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows. It is found in Mexico and ...

Blue jay

Cyanocitta cristata

Corvidae

The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to eastern North America. It lives in most of the eastern and ce...

Blue-gray gnatcatcher

Polioptila caerulea

Gnatcatcher

The blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) is a very small gnatcatcher native to North America.

Broad-tailed hummingbird

Selasphorus platycercus

Trochilidae

The broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) is a medium-sized hummingbird species found in highland regions from western United States and ...

Broad-winged hawk

Buteo platypterus

Accipitridae

The broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus) is a medium-sized hawk of the genus Buteo. During the summer, some subspecies are distributed over eastern N...

Brown creeper

Certhia americana

treecreeper

The brown creeper (Certhia americana), also known as the American treecreeper, is a small songbird, the only North American member of the treecreeper ...

Brown thrasher

Toxostoma rufum

Mimidae

The brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum), sometimes erroneously called the brown thrush or fox-coloured thrush, is a bird in the family Mimidae, which als...

Brown-headed cowbird

Molothrus ater

Icteridae

The brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a small, obligate brood parasitic icterid native to temperate and subtropical North America. It is a perm...

Cactus wren

Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

Troglodytidae

The cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) is a species of wren that is endemic to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern a...

California condor

Gymnogyps californianus

New World vulture

The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is a New World vulture and the largest North American land bird. It became extinct in the wild in 1987...

California gull

Larus californicus

Laridae

The California gull (Larus californicus) is a medium-sized gull, smaller on average than the herring gull, but larger on average than the ring-billed ...

California quail

Callipepla californica

Odontophoridae

The California quail (Callipepla californica), also known as the California valley quail or Valley quail, is a small ground-dwelling bird in the New W...

California scrub-jay

Aphelocoma californica

Corvidae

The California scrub-jay (Aphelocoma californica) is a species of bird in the family Corvidae of the order passerines.

California towhee

Melozone crissalis

Passerellidae

The California towhee (Melozone crissalis) is a bird of the family Passerellidae, native to the coastal regions of western Oregon and California in th...

Calliope hummingbird

Selasphorus calliope

Trochilidae

The calliope hummingbird ( kə-LY-ə-pee; Selasphorus calliope) is the smallest bird native to the United States and Canada. It has a western breeding r...

Canada goose

Branta canadensis

Anatidae

The Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is a large species of goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. It ...

Canyon wren

Catherpes mexicanus

Troglodytidae

The canyon wren (Catherpes mexicanus) is a small North American songbird of the wren family Troglodytidae. A non-migratory species, these birds are fo...

Carolina chickadee

Poecile carolinensis

Paridae

The Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) is a small passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is largely found in the Southern United States.

Carolina wren

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Troglodytidae

The Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) is a species of wren common in the eastern United States, the extreme south of Ontario, Canada, the north...

Chestnut-backed chickadee

Poecile rufescens

Paridae

The chestnut-backed chickadee (Poecile rufescens) is a small passerine bird in the tit family, native to western North America.

Chihuahuan raven

Corvus cryptoleucus

Corvidae

The Chihuahuan raven (Corvus cryptoleucus) is a species in the family Corvidae that is native to the United States and Mexico.

Chimney swift

Chaetura pelagica

Apodidae

The chimney swift (Chaetura pelagica) is a bird belonging to the swift family Apodidae. A member of the genus Chaetura, it is closely related to both ...

Chipping sparrow

Spizella passerina

Passerellidae

The chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina) is a species of New World sparrow, a passerine bird in the family Passerellidae. It is widespread, fairly ta...

Common grackle

Quiscalus quiscula

Icteridae

The common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is an icterid bird found in large numbers through much of North America. It was first described in 1758 by Car...

Common nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Caprimulgidae

The common nighthawk or bullbat (Chordeiles minor) is a medium-sized crepuscular or nocturnal bird of the Americas within the nightjar (Caprimulgidae...

Common raven

Corvus corax

Corvidae

The common raven or northern raven (Corvus corax) is a large all-black passerine bird. It is the most widely distributed of all corvids, found across ...

Common yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

Parulidae

The common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) is a New World warbler. It is an abundant breeder in North America, ranging from southern Canada to centr...

Dark-eyed junco

Junco hyemalis

Passerellidae

The dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) is a species of junco, a group of small, grayish New World sparrows. The species is common across much of tempera...

Double-crested cormorant

Nannopterum auritum

Phalacrocoracidae

The double-crested cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) is a member of the cormorant family of water birds. It is found near rivers and lakes and in coasta...

Downy woodpecker

Dryobates pubescens

The downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is a species of woodpecker, the smallest in North America. Length ranges from 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7.1 in). ...

Eastern bluebird

Sialia sialis

Turdidae

The eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a small North American migratory thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards. The bright-blue bree...

Eastern screech-owl

Megascops asio

true owls

The Eastern screech-owl (Megascops asio) is a species of bird in the family true owls of the order Strigiformes.

Eastern towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Passerellidae

The eastern towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), also known as chewink, joree, or joree bird, is a large New World sparrow. The taxonomy of the towhees h...

Eastern wood-pewee

Contopus virens

Tyrannidae

The Eastern wood-pewee (Contopus virens) is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae of the order Saurischia.

Eurasian collared-dove

Streptopelia decaocto

Columbidae

The Eurasian collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae of the order Columbiformes.

European starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Sturnidae

The European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a species of bird in the family Sturnidae of the order passerines.

Ferruginous hawk

Buteo regalis

Accipitridae

The ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) is a large bird of prey and belongs to the broad-winged buteo hawks. An old colloquial name is ferrugineous rough...

Field sparrow

Spizella pusilla

Passerellidae

The field sparrow (Spizella pusilla) is a small New World sparrow in the family Passerellidae. It is about 140 mm (6 in) long and weighs about 12.5 g ...

Gilded flicker

Colaptes chrysoides

The gilded flicker (Colaptes chrysoides) is a large woodpecker (mean length of 29 cm (11 in)) of the Sonoran, Yuma, and eastern Colorado Desert region...

Golden eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

Accipitridae

The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a bird of prey living in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the most widely distributed species of eagle. Like all...

Golden-crowned kinglet

Regulus satrapa

Regulidae

The golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa) is a very small songbird in the family Regulidae that lives throughout much of North America.

Gray catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

Mimidae

The gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), also spelled grey catbird, is a medium-sized North American and Central American perching bird of the mimid...

Great blue heron

Ardea herodias

heron

The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird in the heron family (Ardeidae), common near shores of open water and wetlands over most o...

Great crested flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus

Tyrannidae

The great crested flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) is a large insect-eating bird of the tyrant flycatcher family. It is the most widespread member of t...

Great egret

Ardea alba

heron

The great egret (Ardea alba), also known as the common egret, large egret, great white egret, or great white heron, is a large, widely distributed egr...

Great horned owl

Bubo virginianus

true owls

The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), also known as the tiger owl (originally derived from early naturalists' description as the "winged tiger" or ...

Greater roadrunner

Geococcyx californianus

Cuculidae

The greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is a long-legged bird in the cuckoo family, Cuculidae, from the Aridoamerica region in the Southweste...

Greater sage-grouse

Centrocercus urophasianus

Phasianidae

The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), also known as the sagehen, is the largest grouse in North America. Its range is sagebrush country...

Hairy woodpecker

Dryobates villosus

The hairy woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) is a medium-sized woodpecker that is found over a large area of North America. It is approximately 250 ...

Harlequin duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

Anatidae

The harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) is a small sea duck. It takes its name from Harlequin (Italian Arlecchino, French Arlequin), a colourfu...

Hermit thrush

Catharus guttatus

Turdidae

The hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus) is a medium-sized North American thrush.

Hooded merganser

Lophodytes cucullatus

Anatidae

The hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is a species of fish-eating duck in the subfamily Anatinae. It is the only extant species in the genus Lo...

Hooded oriole

Icterus cucullatus

Icteridae

The hooded oriole (Icterus cucullatus) is a medium-sized New World oriole. The male of this species ranges in color from a bright orange to a paler ye...

House finch

Haemorhous mexicanus

Fringillidae

The house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is a North American bird in the finch family. It is native to Mexico and southwestern United States, but has si...

House sparrow

Passer domesticus

Passeridae

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. It is a small bird that has a typi...

Indigo bunting

Passerina cyanea

Cardinalidae

The indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea) is a small seed-eating bird in the cardinal family, Cardinalidae. It is migratory, ranging from southern Canada ...

Killdeer

Charadrius vociferus

Charadriidae

The killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is a large plover found in the Americas. Its shrill, two-syllable call is often heard, sounding like "kill deer". ...

Lark sparrow

Chondestes grammacus

Passerellidae

The lark sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) is a fairly large New World sparrow. It is the only member of the genus Chondestes.

Lazuli bunting

Passerina amoena

Cardinalidae

The lazuli bunting (Passerina amoena) is a North American songbird named for the gemstone lapis lazuli.

Lesser goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

Fringillidae

The lesser goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) is a small finch in the genus Spinus native to the Americas. As is the case for most species in the genus Spinu...

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Anatidae

species of duck

Mountain bluebird

Sialia currucoides

Turdidae

The mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a migratory small thrush that is found in mountainous districts of western North America. It has a light...

Mountain chickadee

Poecile gambeli

Paridae

The mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli) is a small songbird, a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae.

Mountain plover

Charadrius montanus

Charadriidae

The mountain plover (Anarhynchus montanus) is a medium-sized ground bird in the plover family (Charadriidae). It is misnamed, as it lives on level lan...

Mountain quail

Oreortyx pictus

Odontophoridae

The mountain quail (Oreortyx pictus) is a small ground-dwelling bird in the New World quail family. This species is the only one in the genus Oreortyx...

Mourning dove

Zenaida macroura

Columbidae

The mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) is a member of the dove family, Columbidae. The bird is also known as the American mourning dove, the rain dove, ...

Northern bobwhite

Colinus virginianus

Odontophoridae

The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), also known as the Virginia quail or (in its home range) bobwhite quail, is a ground-dwelling bird native ...

Northern cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

Cardinalidae

The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), also commonly known as the common cardinal, red cardinal, or simply cardinal, is a bird in the genus Ca...

Northern flicker

Colaptes auratus

The northern flicker or common flicker (Colaptes auratus) is a medium-sized bird of the woodpecker family. It is native to most of North America, part...

Northern mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

Mimidae

The northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is a mockingbird commonly found in North America, of the family Mimidae. The species is also found in som...

Northern parula

Setophaga americana

Parulidae

The northern parula (Setophaga americana) is a small New World warbler. It is migratory and breeds in eastern North America from southern Canada to Fl...

Peregrine falcon

Falco peregrinus

Falconidae

The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), also referred to simply as the peregrine, is a bird of prey (raptor) in the family Falconidae known for its s...

Phainopepla

Phainopepla nitens

Silky-flycatcher

The phainopepla or northern phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) is the most northerly representative of the mainly tropical Central American family Ptili...

Pied-billed grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Podicipedidae

species of the grebe family of water birds

Pinyon jay

Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus

Corvidae

species of bird of the monotypic genus Gymnorhinus of family Corvidae

Red-bellied woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus

The red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is a medium-sized woodpecker of the family Picidae. It breeds mainly in the eastern United States, r...

Red-eyed vireo

Vireo olivaceus

Vireonidae

The red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus) is a small American songbird. It is somewhat warbler-like but not closely related to the New World warblers (Paru...

Red-tailed hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Accipitridae

The Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a species of bird in the family Accipitridae of the order Accipitriformes.

Red-winged blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Icteridae

The red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a passerine bird of the family Icteridae found in most of North America and much of Central America....

Ring-necked pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

Phasianidae

The Ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes.

Rock pigeon

Columba livia

Columbidae

species of pigeon; the wild bird from which domesticated pigeons derive

Rock wren

Salpinctes obsoletus

Troglodytidae

The rock wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) is a small songbird of the wren family native to the rocky areas of western North America. There are 8 subspecies...

Ruby-crowned kinglet

Corthylio calendula

Regulidae

The ruby-crowned kinglet (Corthylio calendula) is a very small passerine bird found throughout North America. It is a member of the kinglet family. Th...

Ruby-throated hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Trochilidae

The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a species of hummingbird that generally spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Flor...

Rufous hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

Trochilidae

The rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small hummingbird, about 8 cm (3 in) long with a long, straight and slender bill. These birds are know...

Sagebrush sparrow

Artemisiospiza nevadensis

Passerellidae

The Sagebrush sparrow (Artemisiospiza nevadensis) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae of the order passerines.

Sandhill crane

Antigone canadensis

Gruidae

The sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) is a species of large crane of North America and extreme northeastern Siberia. The common name of this bird r...

Sharp-shinned hawk

Accipiter striatus

Accipitridae

The Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus) is a species of bird in the family Accipitridae of the order Accipitriformes.

Snowy plover

Charadrius nivosus

Charadriidae

The Snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus) is a species of bird in the family Charadriidae of the order Charadriiformes. It is classified as Near Threatene...

Song sparrow

Melospiza melodia

Passerellidae

The Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae of the order passerines.

Spotted towhee

Pipilo maculatus

Passerellidae

The Spotted towhee (Pipilo maculatus) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae of the order passerines.

Surf scoter

Melanitta perspicillata

Anatidae

The Surf scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) is a species of bird in the family Anatidae of the order Anseriformes.

Tree swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

Hirundinidae

The Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae of the order passerines.

Tufted titmouse

Baeolophus bicolor

Paridae

The Tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) is a species of bird in the family Paridae of the order passerines.

Turkey vulture

Cathartes aura

New World vulture

species of New World vulture

Varied thrush

Ixoreus naevius

Turdidae

The Varied thrush (Ixoreus naevius) is a species of bird in the family Turdidae of the order passerines.

Verdin

Auriparus flaviceps

Remizidae

The Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) is a species of bird in the family Remizidae of the order passerines.

Warbling vireo

Vireo gilvus

Vireonidae

The Warbling vireo (Vireo gilvus) is a species of bird in the family Vireonidae of the order passerines.

Western bluebird

Sialia mexicana

Turdidae

The Western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) is a species of bird in the family Turdidae of the order passerines.

Western grebe

Aechmophorus occidentalis

Podicipedidae

The Western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) is a species of bird in the family Podicipedidae of the order Podicipediformes.

Western gull

Larus occidentalis

Laridae

The Western gull (Larus occidentalis) is a species of bird in the family Laridae of the order Charadriiformes.

Western kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

Tyrannidae

The Western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae of the order passerines.

Western meadowlark

Sturnella neglecta

Icteridae

The Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) is a species of bird in the family Icteridae of the order passerines.

Western tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

Cardinalidae

The Western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) is a species of bird in the family Cardinalidae of the order passerines.

Western wood-pewee

Contopus sordidulus

Tyrannidae

The Western wood-pewee (Contopus sordidulus) is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae of the order passerines.

White-breasted nuthatch

Sitta carolinensis

Sittidae

The White-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is a species of bird in the family Sittidae of the order passerines.

White-headed woodpecker

Dryobates albolarvatus

The White-headed woodpecker (Dryobates albolarvatus) is a species of bird.

White-throated sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

Passerellidae

The White-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae of the order passerines.

White-winged scoter

Melanitta deglandi

Anatidae

The White-winged scoter (Melanitta deglandi) is a species of bird in the family Anatidae of the order Anseriformes.

Wild turkey

Meleagris gallopavo

Meleagrididae

species of turkey native to North America

Wood duck

Aix sponsa

Anatidae

The Wood duck (Aix sponsa) is a species of bird in the family Anatidae of the order Anseriformes.

Wrentit

Chamaea fasciata

Paradoxornithidae

The Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata) is a species of bird in the family Paradoxornithidae of the order passerines.

Yellow-rumped warbler

Setophaga coronata

Parulidae

The Yellow-rumped warbler (Setophaga coronata) is a species of bird in the family Parulidae of the order passerines.