must-see birds of the pacific northwest: 85 unforgettable species, their fascinating lives, and how...

Must-SeeBirdsOFTHEPACIFICNORTHWEST

Frontispiece:PacificWrenCopyright©2013bySarahSwansonandMaxSmith.Allrightsreserved.

Photocreditsappearonpage242.MapsbyAllisonBergPublishedin2013byTimberPress,Inc.

TheHaseltineBuilding133S.W.SecondAvenue,Suite450Portland,Oregon97204-3527timberpress.com

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PrintedinChinaBookdesignbyLakenWrightLibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataSwanson,Sarah,1979–Must-seebirdsofthePacificNorthwest/SarahSwansonandMaxSmith.—1sted.

p.cm.Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.ISBN978-1-60469-337-91.Birds—Northwest,Pacific.2.Birds—Northwest,Pacific—Identification.3.Birdwatching—Northwest,Pacific.I.Smith,Max,1978–II.Title.QL683.P16S932013598.072′34795—dc232013004183

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http://timberpress.co.uk

TOOURFAMILIES,FORGIVINGUSCHILDHOODSFULLOFEXPLORATIONANDNATURE.WELOVEYOUMORETHAN

PILEATEDWOODPECKERSLOVETOEATANTS.

Contents

INTRODUCTION:BirdinginthePacificNorthwest

TheBirds BEACHBIRDS:DenizensoftheWaves,Rocks,andSand

BIGBIRDS:EasytoSeeandFuntoWatch

COLORFULBIRDS:BrighteningthePacificNorthwest

FISH-EATINGBIRDS:Diving,Paddling,andStabbingtoCatchSwimmingPrey

KILLERBIRDS:BirdsofPreyandOtherMeat-eaters

MARATHONBIRDS:RackinguptheFrequentFlyerMiles

SINGINGBIRDS:MemorableCallsandSongs

TREETRUNKBIRDS:LivingtheVerticalLife

URBANBIRDS:MakingaLivingintheBigCity

WeekendBirdingTrips

WinterWeekends,NorthtoSouth

1.VALLEYOFTHESWANS:SkagitandIslandCounties,Washington,inWinter

2.SHELTERFROMTHESTORM:TheSalishSeainWinter

3.GRAYSKIESANDGREATBIRDS:TheNorthernOregonCoastinWinter

SpringandSummerWeekends,NorthtoSouth

4.URBANBIRDIN’:SpringtimeinPugetSound

5.BIRDINGAMONGTHEWINERIESANDORCHARDS:TheCanyonCountryofCentralWashington

6.STANDINGROOMONLY:NestingSeasonontheCentralOregonCoast

7.REDROCKS,BLUEWATER,ANDWHITE-HEADEDWOODPECKERS:CentralOregoninSummer

8.ITTAKESTWOTOTANGO:DancingandBreedingSeasonintheKlamathBasin,Oregon

BibliographyAcknowledgmentsIndexPhotoCredits

WesternOregonandWashington

IntroductionBIRDINGINTHEPACIFICNORTHWEST

InthePacificNorthwest,aseabirdlaysitsegginanestonthemossybranchofanold-growthtreeandfliesouttotheoceaneachdayinsearchoffish.Songbirdssingthroughouttheyear,andtubenosedbirdsvisitourshoresfromasfarawayasNewZealand.Evenourlargestcitiesattractspectacularflightsofmigratorybirds.Birdinghotspotsincludeforestedmountains,valleywetlands,Pacificshores,inlandseas,anddesertbasins—enoughtoprovidealifetimeofbirdingadventures.

ThegeographicboundariesofthePacificNorthwestvarywidelydependingonyourpurposes.ThisbookisforpeopleinterestedinbirdingopportunitiesuniquetoOregonandWashington.Forthisreason,weincludetheportionsofeachstatethatcontaintypesofnaturalareasthatareuniquetothispartofthecountry.TheyincludethePacificCoast,theSalishSea(PugetSoundandsurroundingwaters),theWillametteValleyandPugetTrough,theCascadeRange,andtheeasternCascadefoothills.Wedonotincludetheeasternmostportionsofeachstate,becausethoseareasincludeplantandbirdcommunitiesthatarecharacteristicofotherregionssuchastheRockyMountainsandtheGreatBasin.

WeincludeseveralsitesinOregonandWashingtonwhereyou’remostlikelytofindinterestingbirds.Wedonotlistsitesforverycommonbirds.Thesesitesarenot,byanymeans,theonlyplacestofindthesebirdsinthePacificNorthwest.Andwecan’tguaranteethatthebirdswementionwillbepresent

Northwest.Andwecan’tguaranteethatthebirdswementionwillbepresentwhenyouare,butthat’spartofwhatmakesbirdingexciting.Mostofthesesitesarespecific,well-traveledlocationssuchasparks,wildliferefuges,andwaterways.Somelocationsrequireaparkingoradmissionfee.Afewarealongroughroads,soalwaysusediscretionwhenitcomestoroadconditionsandyourvehicle’sabilities.

Thisbookintroducesyouto85ofthePacificNorthwest’smust-seebirdsandsharessomeremarkableinformationabouttheirlivesandmust-visitplacestofindthem.Althoughthisbookdoesnotincludeallofthebirdsyou’llseeinthePacificNorthwest,wehopethatitgivesyoutheinspirationandinformationyouneedtogooutandenjoythemanymust-seebirdsofOregonandWashington.

MaleWilliamson’sSapsucker

EssentialEquipmentBirdingisawonderfullysimpleactivitywithonlytwocriticalsteps:numberone,findsomebirds,andnumbertwo,identifythem.Herearesometipstohelpyousucceed.

Binocularsandfieldguidesareperhapstheonlyessentialitemsforbirding.Thebeginningbirderwillfindaconfusingarrayofoptionsforbothitems.Binoculars,forexample,rangeinpricefromlessthan$100tomorethan$2000.Whenconsideringbinoculars,youshouldtestafewpairsbyviewingobjectscloseanddistanttofindwhichmagnification(typically8-or10-power)worksbestforyou.Askthesalespersontohelpyoufigureouttheeyeadjustment,whichisuniquetoeachpairofeyes.AlthoughnoparticularbrandorpricerangeisessentialforbirdsightingsuccessinthePacificNorthwest,waterproofbinocularscertainlyarerequired.

Everybirderhasafavoritefieldguide,andafewownthemall.OneguidefeaturingallbirdsregularlyfoundinNorthAmerica(northofMexico)isallyouneedtoidentifyanybirdyouseeinthePacificNorthwestandbeyond.Suchguidestypicallycomeintwoforms:photographicorillustrated.Foruseinthefield,wepreferillustratedguides,becauseeachbirdisplacedinthepositioninwhichyouaremostlikelytoencounterit,andtheartistsareabletodepictthefeaturesofeachbirdthataremosthelpfultoidentification.Bookswithphotographs,suchasours,arehelpfulforgettingtoknowbirdsbeforeabirdingtriporforconfirmingidentificationinconcertwithanillustratedguide.

Aspottingscopeisahelpfulpieceofequipmentforidentifyingshorebirds,waterfowl,andseabirdsatcoastalandwetlandsites,whereyourtargetsareagreatdistanceaway.Ifyouhaveattendedafieldtripwithaleaderwhoprovidedahigh-qualityspottingscope,youknowwhatadifferenceitmakes.Anall-weathernotebookandpenorpencilarealsousefulfortakingnotesonadifficult-to-identifybirdorforlistingspeciesfoundatalocationsoyoucanrelocatethemonafuturevisit.

Themarine-influenced,temperateclimateofwesternOregonandWashingtonisconducivetoyear-roundbirding,providedyouownwaterproofbinoculars,arainjacket,andapairofrubberboots.Withsomuchtoseehere—somanyfascinatingbirdsthatliveinbeautifulplaces—whatareyoudoinginside?Grabyourbinocularsandgofindsomebirds!

TheBirdsAllofourregion’sbirdsareappealinginsomeway,anditisdifficultandsomewhatarbitrarytoassignmust-seestatustosomebutnotothers.However,wewanttohelpyoubeginorexpandyourbirdingexperiencebysteeringyoutowardcertainbirdsthatarelikelytosparkyourinterestbecausetheyareeye-catchingorunusual.Inselectingspeciestoinclude,werecalledthehighlightsofourownbirdingexperiencesandthebirdsthathaveexcitedpeopleintheclassesandwalksthatwe’veled.Wehopeyou’llagreethatallthebirdswe’veincludedhereareworthalookoralisten.

Tomakethisbookaccessibletobeginningandintermediatebirders,weexcludedsomespeciesthatwefindfascinatingbutthataretooraretofindreliably,thatarealreadyfamiliar,orthataretoochallengingformostnonexpertstoidentify.TheseexcludedbirdsincludeGyrfalcons,AmericanRobins,andtheflycatchersofthegenusEmpidonax,respectively.

Foreachbirddiscussedinthesepages,weprovideoneormorephotosandlistsomefieldmarksthatareusefulinidentification.Wedescribethebird’scallsandsongsiftheyarehelpfulinlocatingandidentifyingit.Wealsosharenaturalhistoryfactsineachbird’sdescription,gleanedfromrecentornithologicalliterature.Finally,wetellyouwhenandwhereyouhavethebestchanceoffindingeachspeciesandprovidealistofotherbirdstolookforwhileyouarethere.

TAXONOMYANDJARGON

Whendiscussinganindividualspecies,mostauthoritiesprovidebothitsgenusandspeciesnames.Thisscientificname,suchasHaliaeetusleucocephalus,isuniversalacrossalllanguages.Thenamemostofusassociatewithaspecies,suchasBaldEagle,isthecommonname,whichvariesamonglanguages.Weprovidebothscientificandcommonnamesinourspeciesaccounts.Wealsorefertofamiliesofbirdswhennecessarytodiscussthecommonalitieswithinagroupofrelatedbirdssuchasducksorwarblers.

Ornithologistsandbirdersusegroupnamestodescribegroupsofbirdsbasedontheirbehaviorandhabitatuse.•Waterfowlareducks,geese,andswans.•Shorebirdsareoftenfoundalongtheshoresofoceans,lakes,andstreams.Theyincludesandpipers,plovers,andoystercatchersanddisplayavarietyof

includesandpipers,plovers,andoystercatchersanddisplayavarietyofbehaviors,includingrunningalongthesand,wadinginshallowwater,andprobingmuddyareasforfood.

•Seabirdsspendtimeontheopenoceanandreturntolandtorestandnest.Thisgroupincludesloons,grebes,murres,puffins,andalbatrossesandtheirrelatives.

•Wadingbirdsincludelong-leggedbirds,mostofwhicharelargerthanshorebirds,thatstepintowaterinsearchoffishandotheraquaticprey.Well-knownwadingbirdsincludeherons,egrets,ibises,andstorks.

•Landbirdsarenotusuallyassociatedwithwater.Thisdiversegroupincludesdiurnal(activeduringtheday)birdsofprey(raptors,suchashawksandeagles),owls,woodpeckers,hummingbirds,andsongbirds.

LOCATIONANDIDENTIFICATION

Findingandidentifyingbirdscanbedifficultwhensmallbirdsaremovingthroughdensevegetation.Bepreparedtofindbirdsusingyoureyesandears.Movequietlyandslowly,andkeepconversationtoaminimum.Evenifyoucan’tidentifyabirdbyitssongorcall,listeningforthesesoundscanalertyoutoitslocationsoyoucanidentifyitbysight.Whenlookingforsmalllandbirds,watchformovement.Aflashoffeathersormovingvegetationcanbetraythepresenceofasneakybirdsuchasawarbler.

Afteryoulocatethebird,keepyoureyestrainedonitandliftyourbinocularswithoutlookingdownatthem.Ittakessomepractice,butasmoothtransitionfromeyestobinocularsisessentialtospottingbirdsonthemove.Findingabirdwhileyou’relookingthroughyourbinocularsismuchmoredifficultbecauseyourfieldofviewisreduced.

Getagoodlookatabird,makeanoteofwhatyousee,andthenuseyourfieldguide.Toooften,weimmediatelypulloutourfieldguideswhenconfrontedwithachallengingidentification.Bythetimewelookupfromthepages,thebirdisgoneandwewishwehadspentmoretimelookingatit.Whenyou’reviewingamysterybirdwithothers,quietlyannouncedistinctivefeaturessuchascolors,wingbars,oreyerings.Whenthebirdisgone,recallingthesefieldmarkswillhelpyoualldeterminewhatyouwerelookingat.

Ifyouarehavingdifficultyfindingbirdsatanotherwiseproductive-lookingsite,payattentiontoanyspecies,evenrelativelycommononesyouhavealready

site,payattentiontoanyspecies,evenrelativelycommononesyouhavealreadyseen.Theymayalertyoutothepresenceofothers,becausemultiplespeciesoftenflocktogether,especiallyduringthenonbreedingseasons.

Afteryou’veexperiencedfindingandidentifyingsomebirds,yournextstepsareuptoyou:Composeaspecieslistforyourtrip,youryear,youryard,yourcounty,andbeyond;photographyourfavoritebirds;takepartinbirdingtrips;joinbirdinggroupssuchastheAudubonSociety;andvolunteerforsurveyssuchastheAudubonSociety’sChristmasBirdCountorCornellUniversity’sProjectFeederWatch.Whenyouhavegainedconfidenceandexperience,youmightevenenjoyleadingabirdwalkofyourowntoshareyourknowledgewithbeginners.Signupforelectronicmailinglists,suchasOregonBirdersOnline(OBOL)forOregonandTweetersforWashington,andyoucanmonitorbirdsightingsfromaroundtheregionandshareyourdiscoveries.

WeekendTripsWe’veprovidedeightideasforweekendbirdingroadtrips:two-dayexcursionsincentralandwesternOregonandWashington,whereyoucanvisitnumeroussitesandviewadiversityofbirds.Weplannedthreetripsforthewintermonthsandfivetripsforthesummermonthsbasedonbirdsyouarelikelytoseeduringeachseason.Ifyoutakeanyofthesetripsduringthespringorfall,youwilllikelyseeamixtureofwinterandsummerbirds.Althoughtherearenoguaranteesinbirding,youdohavearealisticchanceofobservingeachmust-seebirdonatleastoneofthebirdingweekends,providedthatyouvisitduringthebesttimeoftheyear.

Severalproductivestopsaresuggestedforeachweekendlocation.You’llfindmostoftheseonanup-to-datemaporgazetteer.Tohelpyouselectsitestovisit,welistsomeofthemust-seebirdsyouaremostlikelytoseeateachstop,aswellasseveralotherinterestingspeciesyoumightseewhileyou’rethere.Ofcourse,youwillprobablyseeevenmorespeciesthanwelist,sokeepyourfieldguidehandy.

BirdingEthicsForthemostpart,birdersareagentlebunchwhomakealowimpactonbirds

andotherpeople.Byfollowingasimplecodeofethics,youcanprotectbirdsandmaintaingoodwilltowardbirderseverywhere.TheAmericanBirdingAssociationcodeofethicsisagreatstandardandisavailableonlineathttp://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html.Wewillhighlightsomeofitspointsalongwithourownsuggestions.

Placethewell-beingofbirdsaheadofyourbirdingsuccess.Birdsmustforage,careforyoung,migrate,andavoidpredators.Themarginoferrorforhavingenoughenergytodoitallisverythin.Webelieveitisimportanttolimittheuseofrecordedsongsorcallstolurebirdsintotheopen,althoughitistemptingtodosoforyouownconvenienceandgratification.However,youmaybeinterruptingvitalactivitiesandcompromisinganindividual’ssurvival,especiallyinheavilybirdedlocationsorduringthebreedingseason.

Respectprivateproperty,landownerrules,andregulations.Withthetourismdollarstheybring,birdersarewelcomedtomanyareasinourregionandwewouldliketokeepitthatway.Avoidtrespassingatalltimes,anddon’tblockpublicroadwaysorprivatedriveways.Unlessyou’veaskedforpermission,itisprobablyabadideatoviewaprivateresidenceoritsbirdfeederswithbinoculars.

http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html

MaleWoodDuck

Heermann’sGull

BeachBirdsDENIZENSOFTHEWAVES,ROCKS,ANDSAND

THENORTHWESTCOASTattractsnotonlyhumantouristsbutalsomanyavianvisitors.Birdsfromavarietyoffamiliesfloatinthewater,runalongthesand,andtrytostealamealatthebeach.ThebeachcanincludethelandalongthePacificOcean,coastalbaysandrivers,andtheSalishSea,alargesystemofsaltwaterbodiesinnorthwestWashingtonthatincludesPugetSound.You’llfindbeachbirdsintheseareasthroughouttheyear.Otherbirdstravelherefromthenorth,south,east,andwesttospendtheirsummersorwinters,takingadvantageofthemildclimateandabundantoceanicfood.

Manydiversebirdsmaketheirhomesatthebeach.Ducks,cormorants,shorebirds,andgullsarecommonlyrecognizedgroups,butalcidsarealittlemoreobscure.Thealcidsareacoastalfamilyofpenguinlikebirdsthatareawkwardonlandbutcanflybothintheairandunderwater.Thefamilyincludespuffins,auklets,murres,murrelets,guillemots,andtheflightlessGreatAuk,whichisextinct.

TuftedPuffins

HARLEQUINDUCKHistrionicushistrionicus

NOOTHERDUCKinourregionhasthefortitudetoraiseitsyounginarushingstreamandthenspendthewinterinastorm-tossedsea.Asifthisbehaviorweren’tenoughtoimpress,maleHarlequinDuckspossessstunninglybrilliantplumage,withwhitepatchesthatilluminatethegrayestofcoastaldays.Themoresubduedfemaleresemblesapolishedrockasshewadesinrushingwater.

Slate-blueplumagewithchestnutpatchesandboldwhitestripesmakethemaleHarlequinDuckinstantlyrecognizable.Thedrabfemaleismorelikelytoblendinwiththerocks,butherwhitefacialspotsgiveheraway.Harlequinshavearoundedappearancewithaveryshortneckandstubbybill.OthercoastalduckswithwhitespotsincludeBuffleheadsandSurfScoters,butthemaleBuffleheadhaslargerwhitepatchesthantheHarlequinandthefemaleistinywithasinglewhitespot.SurfScotersarelargerandchunkierthanHarlequinswithlonger,heavierbills.

MaleHarlequinDucks

FOODANDFORAGING

HarlequinDucksaredevotedconsumersofaquaticinvertebrates—caddisflylarvaeinmountainstreamsarealargecomponentoftheirsummerdiets.Crabs,barnacles,andsnailsareonthemenuduringcoastalwinters,andtheywilloccasionallyeatfishandfisheggsaswell.Duringatypical30-seconddivebelowthewater’ssurface,aHarlequinpickspreyfromsubmergedrocksortheoceanfloorandmaydisturbthefloorwithitsfeettostirupprey.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Harlequinsareamongthefewducksthatmaintainpairbondsfromyeartoyear,althoughthefemaleperformsthenestingdutiesonherown.Sheplaceshernestnearamountainstreamonanislandofsorts—onaheapofwoodydebris,ontopofastump,inalargetreecavity,onacliffabovethestream,orunderadensetangleofshrubs.Sheincubatesanaverageoffiveeggsfor30daysandthenleadshernewlyhatchedyoungtoastream,wheretheyimmediatelyexhibittheirswimmingandinsect-catchingprowess.After50days,whentheyoungarecapableofflight,thefamilymigratestothecoastandtheparentsreunite.Juvenilefemalesmayspendthewinterwiththeirparents,butyoungmalesdispersetofindtheirownwinteringsites.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSHarlequinsmigrateinaneast-westpattern.Nonbreedingbirdsremainatthecoastyear-round,butbreedingbirdsflyinlandbeginninginMarchtonestalongmountainstreams.Duringthesummer,malesgatheratsitessuchastheOregonCoastandtheSalishSeawhilethefemalesareincubatingtheireggs.FemalesreturntothecoastandoccupytheirwinteringareasbytheendofOctober.

WHERETOFINDHARLEQUINDUCKS

Becausetheypurposelychooseinaccessiblestreamsfornesting,Harlequinsarebestspottedduringnonbreedingtimesatthecoast.Scanrockyareasnearshore

bestspottedduringnonbreedingtimesatthecoast.Scanrockyareasnearshoreforthefrequentlydivingducks.Theyalsoperchonrocksandclimbontofloatingmatsofkelp.

FemaleHarlequinDuck

InWashington

MarlynNelsonCountyParknearSequim

FortWordenStateParknearPortTownsend

FortFlaglerStateParknearPortTownsend

CattlePointonSanJuanIsland

InOregon

HaystackRockinCannonBeach

SealRockStateWaysidenearNewport

CapeAragoStateParknearCoosBay

EagleCreekintheColumbiaGorge(nesting)

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Baysandinletswithrockybottomsareexcellentforagingsitesforwinterwaterfowlandseabirds.LookforCommonGoldeneyes,SURFSCOTERS,RED-BREASTEDMERGANSERS,PIGEONGUILLEMOTS,Red-throatedLoons,andmanyotheractivelyfeedingbirds.

SURFSCOTERMelanittaperspicillata

SURFSCOTERSAREgregariousduckswithaclownlikeappearance.FoundalmosteverywhereontheNorthwestCoastduringwinter,itwouldbeaneasybirdtotakeforgranted,butitscomicallylargebillandoddfacialplumagemakeitworthalookeverytime.SurfScotersgatherinhugefloatinggroups,orrafts,andtheyalldisappearastheydivebelowthesurfaceinunison.

Builtforridingoceanwaves,theseducksaresturdy.Themalesareblackwithattention-gettingwhitepatternsontheirheadsandcolorfulbeaks;femalesareamoresubtledarkbrownwithwhitishpatchesontheirface.Totellthemapartfromotherscoters,lookforthelargewhitepatchonthebackofthehead—it’sbrighteronthemale,butthefemalehasit,too.Themale’sforeheadalsohasawhitepatch.

FOODANDFORAGINGInthewinter,SurfScotersareprimarilybivalvehunters,divingunderthesurfacetocaptureclamsandmussels.Duringthenestingseason,theytransitiontoadiversefreshwaterdietofaquaticinsects,crustaceans,worms,andfreshwatermussels.Duringspringtimemigration,northboundSurfScotersvisitherringspawninggroundstofilluponcaviar.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

ForgivethefemaleSurfScoterifsheseemsquitecarelesswithheryoung.Afterarrivingwithamateatalakesidenestsite,shelayssixtonineeggs,andthenthemaledeparts.Whentheeggshatch30dayslater,sheleadsherbroodtothewater,wheretheyoftenmixwithotherSurfScoteryoung,formingmultifamilybroodstendedbymultiplefemales.Adultfemalesleavethenestinggroundsbeforetheyoungarecapableofflight.Theabandonedducklingsformagroup

beforetheyoungarecapableofflight.Theabandonedducklingsformagroupandlatermigratetothecoast.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTS

AlthoughSurfScotersdonotnestinOregonorWashington,youcanseenonbreedingindividualsinthePacificOceanandtheSalishSeathroughouttheyear.BreedingbirdsleavetheNorthwesttonestinCanadaandAlaskabytheendofMay.ThesebirdsbeginreturningtoourareainJuly,butsomemaynotarriveuntilNovember.

WHERETOFINDSURFSCOTERSSurfScotersarecommonsightsatthecoast,ridingbreakingwavesintheoceanorinashelteredbay.Youcanseeafewoftheseattention-gettingbirdsfromjustaboutanywherewithagoodviewofthewater.Theyarefoundofteninlargeflocks,makingthemeasytospot.Theymightberestingindeepwaterordivingforfoodnearajettyorpier.

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEJettiesprovideexcellentvantagepointsforwatchingbirdssuchasBlackScoters,COMMONLOONS,Red-neckedGrebes,andPelagicCormorantsinthewinter.Theseareasalsohostrock-lovingshorebirdssuchasBLACKTURNSTONESandSurfbirds.Don’tgoouttoofarontothejetty;winterseascanpushlargewavesoverthetopwithoutnotice.

MaleSurfScoter

FemaleSurfScoter

LONG-TAILEDDUCKClangulahyemalis

MaleLong-tailedDucks

THELONG-TAILEDDUCKexchangeditsformername,Oldsquaw,foraperfectlydescriptivename,althoughitdoesn’tapplytotheshort-tailedfemales.Itsshowy,multicoloredplumagesetsitapartfromotherwinteringducks,anditscomparativeraritymakesitanexcitingbirdtofind.Asightingofthissmallduckleavesabigimpression.

Twoslimtailfeathersextendabout12inchesbehindthemale,givingthespeciesitsname.Femaleslacklongtailplumes,buttheysharethepied(splotched)black,brown,andwhitecolorationofthemales.Long-tailedDucksaretoosmalltobemistakenforsnowgeeseorswans,soidentifyingthemissimple.Scotersarealsoblack-and-whiteseaducks,buttheyaredarkeroverall.Pintailshavesomewhatlongtails,buttheyhavedarkheadsandaregracefulandlong-necked.PigeonGuillemotsarealsopredominantlywhiteinthewinter,buttheyaresmallerandlackanybrowncoloration.

FOODANDFORAGINGThisseaduckpreferscalmer,deeperwaterthanitscoastalcompatriotstheSurfScoterandHarlequinDuck.Itplungesnearly200feetbelowthesurfaceinsearchofinvertebrates,fisheggs,andaquaticplants.Long-tailedswilloccasionallychasedownandconsumefish,butcrustaceanssuchasshrimpandisopodsmakeupthebulkoftheirdiet.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Malesandfemalespaironwinteringgroundsandtraveltogethertonestingsitesontheshoresofarcticlakes.Thefemaleaddsherowndownfeatherstoashallowdepressioninthesoilofanislandorapeninsulawhilelayinguptoeighteggs.Younghatchaftera26-dayincubationperiodandfollowthefemaletowater.Theycanfindtheirownfoodatthesurfacebutdonotbegindivinguntiltheyhavegrownlarger.JuvenileLong-tailedDucksgrowquiterapidlycomparedtootherducklingsandarecapableofflight35to40daysafterhatching,justintimetofleeanearlyarcticwinter.


Afterthenestingseason,Long-tailedDucksbeginarrivingattheNorthwestCoastinOctoberandstayuntilMay,whentheydepartagainfortheirarcticnestinggrounds.ThemajorityoftheWestCoastpopulationspendsthewinteronthecoastsofAlaskaandBritishColumbia.Luckyforus,afewventuredowntonorthwestWashington.FewerstillvisitcoastalOregon.

WHERETOFINDLONG-TAILEDDUCKS

ThisspeciesismuchmorecommoninWashingtonandalwaysnoteworthyinOregon.LookforthemintheSalishSeaorinlargebaysontheOregonCoast.Theymightbeinthecompanyofscotersorotherdivingbirds.Theirwhitenessmakesthemstandoutfromnearbyscotersandmergansers.

InWashington

DungenessNationalWildlifeRefugenearSequim

MarlynNelsonCountyParknearSequim


SamishIslandnearAnacortes

InOregon

CoosBay

YaquinaBaynearNewport

SiuslawRiver,SouthJetty,nearFlorence

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Long-tailedDucksareoftenfoundfloatingingroupswithotherwinteringwaterbirds.ChecktheareaforSURFSCOTERS,White-wingedScoters,COMMONLOONS,BRANT,RUDDYDUCKS,andHornedGrebes.

RED-BREASTEDMERGANSERMergusserrator

MaleRed-breastedMerganser

DON’TJUDGEAduckbyitspunkrockhairstyle.Red-breastedMergansersdon’thaveabadattitude;theyareactuallyquitesedateastheycruisethroughthetidewaterinsearchoffish.Thesharpspikinessoftheirheadfeathersandtoothinessoftheirorange,serratedbillsgivethemamorereptilianlookthanotherducks,butsmall,aquaticcreaturesaretheonlyonesthathaveanythingtofear.

Thisbirdmakesabigimpression.Themaleisespeciallyeye-catching,withapatchworkofblack,gray,white,brown,andgreenfeathersinadditiontohisbrightbillandcrazyhairstyle.TheonlybirdthatsharesthedistinctivebillistheCommonMerganser,butcleardifferencesexistbetweenthetwo.ThespikycrestanddarkcinnamonchestonthemaleRed-breastedisverydifferentfromthe

anddarkcinnamonchestonthemaleRed-breastedisverydifferentfromthesmoothheadandwhitechestofthemaleCommonMerganser.Femalesarealittlemorechallengingtotellapart.TheRed-breasted’screstisspiky,whiletheCommon’sisshaggy.TheCommonMerganserfemaledisplaysacrispcontrastbetweenitsgraybody,rustyhead,andbrightwhitechin,whilethefemaleRed-breasted’scolorsblendintoeachothermoresmoothly.

FOODANDFORAGING

Likeothermergansers,Red-breastedsusetheirserratedbillstokeepatightgriponfish,shrimp,aquaticinsects,worms,andamphibianswhiledivingbelowthesurface.Thesedivershaveawiderepertoireofunderwaterforagingtechniques,includingfishchasing,collaborativeherding,andcreviceprobing.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGAfterpairsarriveontheirtundraorborealforestnestinggrounds,thefemaleselectsanestsiteonthegroundwithin75feetofabodyofwater.Sheincubatesteneggsfor30days.Typicalofducks,themaleleavesbeforetheducklingshatch.Femalessometimesabandontheiryoung,leavingtheminthecareofotherhens.Adultfemalesleavetherearingareabeforetheyoungstersarecapableofflight.At60daysafterhatching,theducklingscanflyandsoonmigratetocoastalwinteringsites.


Red-breastedMergansersspendthewinterincoastalareasandmigratetotheirnorthernnestingsitesinspring.MostbirdsleavetheNorthwestbytheendofMayandarriveattheirnestinggroundsinJune.WinteringbirdsreturntoOregonandWashingtonfromSeptembertoNovember.

WHERETOFINDRED-BREASTEDMERGANSERS

Thisspeciesisrarelyfoundawayfromsaltwaterbutseemstopreferprotectedbays.Theyareeasytofind,butthatdoesn’tmakethemanylessenjoyable.Justscanthewaterofbaysandrivermouthsfortheirspikysilhouettes.

scanthewaterofbaysandrivermouthsfortheirspikysilhouettes.

InWashington

AlkiBeachinWestSeattle

PointBrownJettyinOceanShores

ElwhaRivermouth

JohnWayneMarinanearSequim

InOregon

NetartsBaynearNetarts

BayoceanSpitonTillamookBay

SouthJettyoftheCoquilleRivernearBandon


OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

MergansersdivingforfishinbaysduringthewinterhaveplentyofcompanyandcompetitionfromWESTERNGREBES,COMMONLOONS,Red-neckedGrebes,BRANDT’SCORMORANTS,andCOMMONMURRES.

FemaleRed-breastedMerganser

COMMONLOONGaviaimmer

CommonLoon,breedingplumage

THECOMMONLOONhasareputationforbeingaloud,sharplyadornedponddweller.Duringwintersatthecoast,however,thisloonadoptsamoresubduedpersona,quietlyblendingwithitsgraysurroundings,andswimminganddivingtofeeditsvoraciousappetiteforfishandcrabs.

You’lloftenseeCommonLoonsonthePacificCoastintheirdrabwinterplumage—darkgrayaboveandwhitebelowandontheirchin.Inthespring,youmightseeonetransitioningtothefamousiridescentblackhead,bill,andthroatstripestheysportduringthebreedingseason.TheCommonLoon’slarge,bayonetlikebillisthickerthanthoseofPacificandRed-throatedLoons.Weighinginatninepounds,theCommonLoonisoneofthebiggest,heaviestbirdsfoundinwinterseas.Yellow-billedLoonsareevenlargerbutmuchrarer.

birdsfoundinwinterseas.Yellow-billedLoonsareevenlargerbutmuchrarer.

FOODANDFORAGING

Whilefloatingatthesurface,CommonLoonsoftenpoketheirheadintothewaterlikeasnorkelinghumantolookforfish.Underwater,theypropelthemselvesbykickingtheirwebbedfeetsimultaneously.Theycapturepreyintheirspearlikebillandswallowsmallerfishandcrabswhilestillunderwater.Largerpreyisbroughttothesurfaceifthebirdneedssometimetoswallowit.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGBirdsremainpairedforseveralyearsbutaretogetheronlyduringthenestingseason.Afterarrivingindependentlyatthenestinggrounds,themaleandfemalebeginconstructinganestontheshoreofalakeorpond.Thefemalelaysoneortwoeggs,andbothparentsincubatethemfor28days.Likeducklings,loonchickscanleavethenestthedaytheyhatchandswimwiththeirparents.Unlikeducklings,loonchicksdonotcapturetheirownfood,relyingonparentstobringthemfishorotheraquaticanimals.Inoneofnature’scutestsights,achickwillfrequentlycatcharideonaparent’sbackwhiletheotherparentfeedsitfish.Elevenweeksafterhatching,chickscancapturealloftheirownfood,andaweeklater,theycanfly.


Inlatesummerorearlyfall,CommonLoonsarriveonthecoastfromtheirnestinggroundsonfreshwaterlakesandslow-movingriversthroughoutthenorthernUnitedStatesandCanada.InAprilandMay,adultstransitiontotheirsnappybreedingplumageandthendepartfortheirinlandnestinggrounds.Someimmaturebirds,whichresemblewinteringadults,arepresentalongthePacificCoastandintheSalishSeathroughoutthesummer.

WHERETOFINDCOMMONLOONS

Widespreadandfairlyabundantinwinter,CommonLoonsfrequentallcoastal

Widespreadandfairlyabundantinwinter,CommonLoonsfrequentallcoastalwaters.Watchforthemfloating,diving,andsnorkelinginsaltwaterandfreshwater.Theyareusuallythebiggestseabirdoutthere,makingthemeasytospot.

InWashington

PadillaBaynearBurlington

Westportfishingpierobservationpoint

WillapaBaynearLongBeach

UtsaladyBayonCamanoIsland

PotlatchStateParkonHoodCanal

InOregon


TillamookBaynearTillamook

ColumbiaRiver,SouthJetty,inFortStevensStatePark,nearAstoria

ColumbiaRiverfromMarineDriveinPortland

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEThericheelgrassbedsandshallowwatersinplacessuchasPadillaBayaregreatlocalesforseeingAmericanWigeons,EURASIANWIGEONS,BRANT,BALDEAGLES,BELTEDKINGFISHERS,andGREATBLUEHERONS.

CommonLoon,winterplumage

BRANDT’SCORMORANTPhalacrocoraxpenicillatus

Brandt’sCormorant,breedingplumage

DURINGCOURTSHIPRITUALS,Brandt’sCormorantsstrikeyogalikeposestoshowofftheirbrilliantbluethroatpouches.Allthatyogahasn’tmellowedthemout,though—theycanstillbecrankyandaggressivewhentheirnestsarethreatened,andotherbirdsseektheirprotectionasneighbors.Thesesociableswimmersdonotfeartheopenocean;theycandivetodepthsofmorethan150feetdeepinwatershundredsoffeetoffthecoast.

YoumightfinditconfusingtodifferentiateamongthethreecormorantspeciesfoundontheWestCoast,butacloselookwillrevealsomehelpfulfieldmarks.Allthreeareblackishwithlong,snakynecksandlongbills.BoththeBrandt’sandDouble-crestedarelargerthantheslimPelagic.Inbreedingseason,Brandt’shaveabluethroatpatch,buff-coloredchinfeathers,andwhiteplumes

Brandt’shaveabluethroatpatch,buff-coloredchinfeathers,andwhiteplumesontheircheeks.Double-crestedCormorantsflywithakinkedneckandhavealargepatchoforangeskinontheirface.PelagicCormorantsareeasytodiscernintheearlysummer,whentheysportawhitepatchoneachside,betweenthewingandthetail.

FOODANDFORAGING

Brandt’sCormorantspatrolrockyreefs,swayingkelpforests,andmuddyoceanbottomsforfishandsquid.Allcormorantspropelthemselvesunderwaterbykickingtheirfeetwhileholdingtheirwingstightlyagainsttheirbodies.Theypursuesinglefishorschoolsoffish,capturingthemintheirhookedbills.Brandt’softenforageingroups,sometimesjoiningfeedingfrenziesofotherbirdspecies,andtheywillevenhuntalongsidesealions.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Uponarrivalatcliffandislandnestingsites,malesbeginconstructingnestsandperformingdisplaystocatchtheattentionoffemales.Inonedisplay,hetiltshisheadbackward,nearlyrestingitonhisback;holdsuphiswingsatanoddangle;andcockshistail.Thisdisplayhighlightshiselectricbluethroatpouchandwhitewhiskerlikecheekplumes.Malesalsoflyaroundanestcolonywithlargewadsofgreennestingmaterialtuckedintotheirbills.Ifafemaleisimpressed,thetwoholdthematerialintheirbillstogetheranduseittocompletethedrum-shapednest.Thefemalelaystwotofiveeggs,andbothparentsincubatefor30days.Nestlingsresembleblackbabydragonsandsticktheirentireheadsintothethroatsoftheirparentsatfeedingtime,whichensuresthattheydonotmissadropofpartiallydigestedfish.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSBrandt’sspendtheirentirelivesonornearthePacificCoastofNorthAmerica.Post-breedingmovementsaredictatedbyfishavailability,whichchangesinresponsetooceanconditions.ManybirdsdispersefromtheNorthwestafterthenestingseason,sotheymaybemoredifficulttofindinwinterthaninsummer.BreedingbirdsbeginreturningtotheircoastalnestingsitesinAprilorMay.

WHERETOFINDBRANDT’SCORMORANTS

Mostofthelistedsitesarebreedinglocationswhereyoucanseethisspeciesinallitsblue-throatedglory.Thebirdsarescatteredaroundthecoastduringwinterbutarestillpresent.Whenswimming,Brandt’stravelingroupsandridelowinthewaterwiththeirbodiesbarelyvisible.Theyperchonrocksandspreadtheirwingstodryinbetweenfishingexcursions.Atbreedingsites,theybuildtheirnestsonarockorcliffside.

InWashington

CapeDisappointmentStateParknearIlwaco

CommencementBaynearTacoma(winter)


SanJuanIslandsFerry(notduringnestingtime)

InOregon

YaquinaHeadOutstandingNaturalAreanearNewport

BarviewJettyatTillamookBay

CoquillePointinBandon

HarrisBeachStateParknearBrookings

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEDuringthenestingseason,offshorerocksarecoveredwithbirdssuchasPelagicCormorants,PIGEONGUILLEMOTS,COMMONMURRES,TUFTEDPUFFINS,BLACKOYSTERCATCHERS,andWesternGulls.

BLACKOYSTERCATCHERHaematopusbachmani

WITHITSUNMISTAKABLEorangebillandpiercingcall,theBlackOystercatcheriseasytodetectandidentify.Thisbirdhascharismatospareandisalwaysfuntowatchasitgoesaboutitsnoisybusiness.Thecoastoffersamyriadofgulls,anabundanceofalcids(suchaspuffins),andscoresofsandpipers,buttheflashyBlackOystercatcheristrulyone-of-a-kind.

Withitswoodpeckerlikeorangebill,chickenlikepinklegs,andcrowlikebody,thisbirdlooksasthoughitwereassembledfromspareparts.Ifyoucan

body,thisbirdlooksasthoughitwereassembledfromspareparts.Ifyoucangetacloselookatonethroughbinocularsoraspottingscope,checkouttheorangeringarounditsyelloweye.Thisistheonlydarkbirdwithabrightorangebillandpinklegsthatyouwillfindatthebeach.

FOODANDFORAGING

BlackOystercatchersusetheirchisel-shapedbillstojabmusselsfreefromtheirshells,prylimpetsoffrocks,andpullcrabsfromtheirhidingplaces.Theirdietincludesavarietyofmarineinvertebratesbut,despitetheirname,fewoysters.Theirstrong,fleshyfeethelpthemgripwave-sweptrockswhilesearchingforfoodatlowtide.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGThisspeciesliveslifeontheedge—evenwhilenesting.Whenvisitingrockyshorelines,youmightseeBlackOystercatcherssittingonneststhatappeardangerouslyclosetothesurf.Noneedtoworry—theeggscanstillhatchevenafterbeingsubmergedduringhightides.Theincubationperiodlasts26to28days.Theonetothreechicksareprecocial,meaningthattheyleavethenestandfindtheirownfoodwithindaysofhatching.Theyaren’tabandonedbytheirparents,however;parentscareforyoungformonthsaftertheyleavethenest.Ittakesalongtimetomastertheartofmussel-jabbing.


Duringthenestingseason,adultsvociferouslydefendtheirforagingandnestingterritoriesfromotheroystercatchers.NestingusuallytakesplaceduringthemonthsofMayandJune.Aswinterapproaches,someadultsjoinyoungerbirdstoformsmallwinteringflocksthatroamthecoastlinesuntilitistimetonestagain.

WHERETOFINDBLACKOYSTERCATCHERS

LookforBlackOystercatchersatrockycoastalsitesacrosstheregion.You’llseethemonrocksneartheshoreorfromlookoutpointsoncapesandheadlands.Plantogobirdingduringamid-to-lowtidetowatchthemactivelyfeeding.Rockyareaswithexposedmusselbedsarealwaysagoodbet.Throughouttheyear,listenfortheirloud,whistledcallsoftenmadeduringflight.Duringthebreedingseason,scanexposedrockyareasforthetelltaleorangebillofanincubatingadult.

InWashington

SanJuanCountyParkonSanJuanIsland

RosarioBeachnearAnacortes


JohnWayneMarinanearSequim

InOregon

HaystackRocknearCannonBeach

CapeMearesStateParknearTillamook


ManystateparksandwaysidessouthofNewport

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEOtherbirdsofinterestneartherockyshoreincludePelagicCormorantsnestingontallrocksandcliffs,SurfbirdsandBLACKTURNSTONESflyingfromrocktorock,andHARLEQUINDUCKS,SURFSCOTERS,andPIGEONGUILLEMOTSfloatinginthewaves.Checkoutthebright-greengiantanemones,orangeandpurpleseastars,andintricatelypatternedlimpetsinthetidepools.

BLACKTURNSTONEArenariamelanocephala

THESEBUSY,SOCIALshorebirdsconstantlychattertotheirflockmatesastheypickthroughtheseaweed-coveredrocks.Perhapsthey’rechastisingoneanotherforstealingthetastiestsnails.Thesebirds’comicalandendearingbehavior,extremeloyaltytowinteringsites,andeaseofidentificationmakethemgreatintroductoryshorebirds.IdentifyingaBlackTurnstoneisnotnearlyasconfusingassortingoutthoselittlebrownishsandpipersknowncollectivelyaspeeps.

Largerthanpeeps,butsmallerthanoystercatchers,theseround-bodied,short-billedshorebirdshavebeautifulplumagethatblendsinwellwithwetrocks.WhenaPeregrineFalconfliesover,BlackTurnstonesduckdowntolooklikecobbles.Duringthewinter,theall-blackhead,black-and-whitewings,andwhitebellyareunique.Inflight,whitestripesonthewings,tail,andbodyarerevealed.Theircloserelatives,RuddyTurnstones,havesimilarpatternsbutareextremelyrareintheNorthwest.BlackTurnstonesareoftenfoundinthecompanyofgraySurfbirdswithyellowbeaks.

FOODANDFORAGINGAstheirnameindicates,thesemidsizedshorebirdswillfliprockstofindediblemorsels,althoughtheyspendmuchoftheirtimeinvestigatingwashedupfrondsofseaweedandeelgrass.Theflexibleforagersalsoscrapelimpetsandbarnaclesoffrocks,probethesandfortinyanimals,andevenpickupbirdseedoffthegroundnearbeachfrontbirdfeeders.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

MalesarrivefirstatnestinggroundsincoastalAlaskaandbeginscrapingdepressionsinthegroundforanest.Femaleseventuallyjointhemales,andtheyworkinpairstocompletetheirnestsbyaddingbitsofvegetationtothescrape.

workinpairstocompletetheirnestsbyaddingbitsofvegetationtothescrape.Thefemalelaysfoureggs,andbothparentsincubatethemfor22days.Afewhoursafterhatching,theparentsleadtheirchickstobuggyareaswheretheycaptureinsectsontheirown.Youngcanflyabout35daysafterhatching.Parentsdepartthenestinggroundsatthistime,andtheyoungmigratetowinteringsitesseveralweekslater.


ThenestingrangeofthisspeciesislimitedtotheAlaskancoast,butthewinterrangestretchesfromsouthernAlaskatonorthwesternMexico.DespitethedistancebetweentheirnestinggroundsandtheirwinteringareasinOregonandWashington,BlackTurnstonesspendverylittletimeawayfromourregion.ArrivalatcoastalwinteringsitesbeginsinJuly,andmanybirdsdonotleaveforthenestingseasonuntilthefollowingMay.

WHERETOFINDBLACKTURNSTONESThesebirdsforagewherelowtiderevealsalgae-coveredrocks.Ifit’slowtideandthebirdsarebusyturningstones,you’llprobablyhearthemchatteringbackandforthbeforeyouseethem.Scantherocksatjetties,watchingfortheirconstantmovement.Duringhightide,youmightwalkrightbyabunchofblackrocksthatareactuallyBlackTurnstonesrestingonhighground.

InWashington

EdizHooknearPortAngeles

PointBrownJettynearOceanShores

PennCoveonWhidbeyIsland

AlkiBeachinWestSeattle

InOregon

RockybeachnearPacificOysterCompanystoreandrestaurantinBayCity

NehalemBayStateParkboatlaunchnearNehalem

SeasideCoveinSeaside

MouthofDepoeBay

BandonBoatBasininletinBandon

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

RockyshorescouldalsoholdSurfbirds,SURFSCOTERS,BLACKOYSTERCATCHERS,GREATBLUEHERONS,andpossiblyarareRockSandpiper.

RED-NECKEDPHALAROPEPhalaropuslobatus

FemaleRed-neckedPhalarope,breedingplumage

SPENDINGITSWINTERSadriftonstormyseas,thisdelicatebirdgatherstinybitsoffoodfromthesurfaceofthewater.Femalesarebiggerwithbrighterplumagethanthemales,andwhennestingtimearrives,themalesstayathomewiththekids.

PhalaropesaretheonlyNorthwestshorebirdyouarelikelytoseeswimming;othershorebirdswillbewadinginshallowwaterorwalkingonland.Red-neckedPhalaropeshaveskinnynecks,smallheads,andthinbeaks,givingthemadelicateappearance.Theyoftenspininplacetostirupaquaticfood.Theirnonbreeding,winterplumageisgray,andinbreedingplumage,thefemalesdisplayawhitethroat,redneck,andblackmask.Malesaredrabberandlackthebrightredontheneck.TheRed-neckedistheonlyoneofourthreephalaropespecieslikelytobefoundalongthecoastduringspringmigration.Wilson’sPhalaropespopulateinlandlakesandRedPhalaropesarefarouttosea.

PhalaropespopulateinlandlakesandRedPhalaropesarefarouttosea.

FOODANDFORAGING

Phalaropesspendmuchoftheirtimeswimming,peckingatpreyonornearthesurface.Duringthewinter,Red-neckedPhalaropesconcentratetheirforagingeffortsinareashighinplanktonontheopenocean.Duringmigration,theyalsoforageinbays,ponds,andsewagelagoons.Inthebreedingseason,theysearchforaquaticinsectsinlakesorsmallponds.Likeotherphalaropes,theyexhibitacircularswimmingbehavior,spinninglikeatoptowhirlbitsoffoodtothewater’ssurface,whereitcanbepickedupeasily.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGAllphalaropesdisplayaseriousreversaloftheaviannorminparentalroles.Inbreedingseason,femalesaremorebrightlycoloredthanmales,havehighertestosteronelevels,andmaymatewithseveralmales.Femaleslayfoureggsinanestandleavethemaletoincubatethemonhisownfor20days.Themaleleadsthechickstoareaswheretheycancatchtheirowninsectsbywalkingorswimming.Youngcanflybythetimetheyare20daysoldanddepartthenestingareaaftertheadultmales,eventuallyjoiningflocksofadultsatwinteringgrounds.


Red-neckedPhalaropesbreedacrossthearctictundraandwinteratsea.Duringspringmigration,fromApriltoJune,however,youcanseemanyindividualsinthebaysandsewagelagoonsofthePacificNorthwest.Duringtheirsouthboundfallmigration,fromJulytoSeptember,Red-neckedPhalaropesmixwithWilson’sPhalaropesinlargeflocksonlakesandpondsineasternOregonandWashington,takingadvantageofabundantaquaticinsectemergences.Flockscanbeseeninthefallalongthecoastaswell,butinsmallernumbers.

WHERETOFINDRED-NECKEDPHALAROPES

Thisisonebeachbirdthatalsoshowsupinland,especiallyonlakesandat

Thisisonebeachbirdthatalsoshowsupinland,especiallyonlakesandatsewagetreatmentponds.Theyarealmostalwaysfoundonthewater,usuallyinsmallflocks.Theirbusytwirlingmovementsaresuretocatchyourattention.

Red-neckedPhalarope,transitioningintowinterplumage

InWashington

PointBrownandWestportjettiesnearGraysHarbor

HoquiamSewageTreatmentPlantnearHoquiam(checkinattheoffice)

PortAngelestoVictoriaferry(intheairandonthewater)

CrockettLakeonWhidbeyIsland

InOregon

NehalemBaySewagePondsnearNehalem(onlyindesignatedareas)

FernhillWetlandsinForestGrove

YaquinaBayandjettyareanearNewport

ColumbiaRiver,SouthJetty,inFortStevensStateParknearAstoria

OTHERBIRDSTOSEESewagetreatmentplantlagoonscanbeexcellentbirdingsites,ifyoudon’tmind

abitofanodor.Duringspringmigration,youmightseeNorthernShovelers,Ring-neckedDucks,RUDDYDUCKS,WOODDUCKS,manyspeciesofswallows,andgulls.APEREGRINEFALCONorBALDEAGLEmightstopbytostirthingsup.Manysewagetreatmentplantshappilyallowbirdersbutaskthatyoucheckinfirstandstaywithindesignatedareas.

BONAPARTE’SGULLChroicocephalusphiladelphia

Bonaparte’sGull,winterplumage

THEBONAPARTE’SGULLdidnotseemtogetthememothatitisactuallyagull.Delicateandquiet,itdistinguishesitselffromlargergullsbynestingintrees.Italsosportsablackheadduringthebreedingseasonandactivelyforagesforaquaticpreyinaternlikemanner.Itscampersalongtheshorelinelikeashorebirdandspinsinthewaterlikeaphalarope.Withitslargerepertoireofinterestingbehaviors,theBonaparte’sistrulyaRenaissancebird.

Thisgullissmallwithabuoyantflightstylesimilartothatofatern.Thecombinationofablackspotbehindtheeyeinwinterplumageandathin,blackbilldifferentiatesitfromallothergullsintheregion.Itsportsablackhoodin

billdifferentiatesitfromallothergullsintheregion.Itsportsablackhoodinbreedingplumage,asdoesthered-billedandblack-leggedFranklin’sGull,buttheBonaparte’spinklegsandblackbillareunmistakable.

FOODANDFORAGING

Thissmallgullcapturessmallprey,includingtinyfish,fisheggs,krill,andinsects.Largergullsfollowhumans,waitingforahandout,butBonaparte’sGullssearchforfoodinavarietyofwateryhabitats,appearingtoworkmuchharderthantheothergulls.Bonaparte’shuntbyplungingintowater,dippingtheirbillsintothewaterwhileflying,orpickingatpreywhilefloatingonthesurface.Theysometimesspinincirclestowhirlpreytothesurfacelikeaphalarope.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Mostgullspeciesnestonthegroundoronrocksincolonies,butBonaparte’spairsnestsinglyorinsmallgroupsandconstructmostoftheirnestsinconiferoustreesinsoggyborealforestsacrossCanadaandAlaska.Themaleandfemaleworktogethertobuildthenest,andbothincubatethetwoorthreeeggsduringthe24-dayincubationperiod.Chicksspendaveryshorttimeinthenest,leapingfromtheirtree2to7daysafterhatching.Likewaterfowl,Bonaparte’sparentsleadtheyoungtowater,wheretheywillswimandfollowtheirparentsuntiltheycanfly.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSLargeflocksofBonaparte’swanderthecoastsofOregonandWashingtoninthewintertotakeadvantageofchangingfoodsources.AdultsdepartthePacificNorthwestfornestinggroundsbytheendofMay,butone-year-oldbirds,tooyoungtonest,maystickaroundduringthesummermonths.Post-breedingmigrantsbeginarrivingfromtheirnorthernnestinggroundsinJulyorAugust.

Bonaparte’sGull,breedingplumage

WHERETOFINDBONAPARTE’SGULLS

You’llfindflocksofBonaparte’sGullsgatheredalongtheSalishSeaandtheOregonandWashingtoncoastsinthefall,winter,andspring.Theyalsoshowupatinlandlakesandponds.Lookforsmall,light-coloredgullsthatflylikeswallowswithlotsofswoopingandplunging.Incalmwater,theymightbefloatingonthesurface.

InWashington


PointNoPointLighthouseandCountyParknearKingston

DiscoveryPark,WestPoint,inSeattle

EverettSewagePondsnearEverett(registerattheoffice)

CrescentBeachinEastsoundonOrcasIsland

InOregon



BoilerBayStateScenicViewpointnearDepoeBay

FernhillWetlandsnearForestGrove

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Whileyou’reenjoyingthebonanzaofBonaparte’sGulls,lookforHARLEQUINDUCKS,White-wingedScoters,Red-neckedGrebes,HornedGrebes,PelagicCormorants,andPIGEONGUILLEMOTS.

HEERMANN’SGULLLarusheermanni

AUNIQUEGULLthatbreedsonagroupofislandsoffthecoastofwesternMexico,Heermann’smigratenorthwardafternesting,allthewhiletormentingtheirperennialcompanion,theBrownPelican.Infact,theHeermann’sGullmakesalivingstalkingpelicansandharassingthemtosharethelargerbirds’catchoffish.Youknowit’ssummerwhenyouseealineofpelicansflyingacrossthewater,eachescortedbyarelentless,red-billedshadow.

Thisstrikinggull,withitsdistinctiveorange-redbill,won’tgiveyouafieldguideheadache—thatis,youwon’tspendtimelookingbackandforthatnearly

guideheadache—thatis,youwon’tspendtimelookingbackandforthatnearlyidenticalyellow-billedgullimageswhiletryingtoidentifyaHeermann’sperchedonarock.TheHeermann’sadultplumage,justasexceptionalasitsbill,featuresanunstreakedgraybellylikenoothergullinthearea,darkgraywings,andacleanwhitehead.OtherimmatureNorthwestgullshavebrownishplumage,whiletheHeermann’splumageisdarkgray.

FOODANDFORAGING

TheHeermann’sGullswimsandplungesforfishandplucksthemfromtheoceanwhileflying.Seriouskleptoparasites(foodthieves),theirpreferredmarkistheBrownPelican.ItiscommontoseeaflockofBrownPelicansflyingby,eachpursuedbyaHeermann’sGull,hopingtostealfishwhenthepelicansurfacesafterasuccessfuldive.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGNearlytheentirepopulationofnestingHeermann’sGullsresidesononeislandinthenorthernGulfofCalifornia,withtherestscatteredamong10to20rockydesertislandsoffthecoastofwesternMexico.Pairsbuildnestsontherocksoringrass,surroundedbydozensofothernestingbirds.Bothparentsincubateoneortwoeggsfor28days.Duringthenestlingperiod,parentsreturntothenoisycolonytofindtheirchicksandregurgitateameal.Thedarkgrayyoungcanflyat45daysbutdonotattempttonestuntiltheyhavegrownadultplumage,whentheyarethreeorfouryearsold.


ThisspecieshasaratherunusualperiodofoccurrenceontheNorthwestCoast.FlocksarriveinlateJuneanddeparttheregionbythemiddleofNovember.Heermann’sGullsbeginnestingattheirislandcoloniesinearlyspring,andwhenthenestingseasonisover,theymigratetothePacificNorthwest.

WHERETOFINDHEERMANN’SGULLS

LookforHeermann’sGullsclosetotheoceanorinthelowerpartsofestuaries.Theymightbeflyingoverthebeachorrestingonajettyormudflat.Check

Theymightbeflyingoverthebeachorrestingonajettyormudflat.Checkflocksofpelicansforsmallergraycompanions.Alsocheckcongregationsofgulls,becausetheysometimesmixwithotherspecies.

InWashington


EdmondsPierinEdmonds

OceanCityStateParkbeachaccessnearOceanShores

KeystoneHarboronWhidbeyIsland

InOregon


NecanicumEstuaryParkinSeaside


LoneRanchStateWaysidenearBrookings

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Keepyoureyesopenwhenyoutakeawalkalongthebeach;youmightgetaflyoverfromBROWNPELICANS,CASPIANTERNS,TurkeyVultures,orCOMMONRAVENS.PelagicCormorantscanberidingthewaves,whileSanderlingsrunalongthesand.

COMMONMURREUriaaalge

CommonMurre,breedingplumage

WITHTHEIRSTRIKINGblack-and-whiteplumageanduprightposture,CommonMurresaretheclosestthingstopenguinsthatwehaveinthePacificNorthwest.TheirnestingcoloniesareamongtheNorthwest’smostamazingsensoryspectacles.Thesmellofguano,thesquawkingofthousandsofbirdscrammedinshouldertoshoulder,themosaicofblackandwhitethatcompletelyobscurestherock,andtheaerialraidsfromBaldEaglesareallpartofthedramaticnaturaldisplay.

Murresstanduprightonland,similartotheiralcidrelativesthepuffinsandtheunrelatedpenguins.Onthewater,theirsilhouetteisducklike,butwithashorterneckandapointierbill.Duringbreedingseason,theysportasolidblackheadandbackwithaclean,whitebelly.Duringthewinter,whentheyareseen

headandbackwithaclean,whitebelly.Duringthewinter,whentheyareseenlessfrequentlyintheNorthwest,theirchinsandcheeksarewhite,withathinblacklinebehindtheeye.

FOODANDFORAGING

CommonMurresfloatonthewaterwhileresting,andtheyusetheirwebbedfeettoswimlikeaduck.Whenhuntingunderwater,however,theyappeartofly,divingtodepthsofmorethan500feetwhilepropellingthemselveswiththeirwings.Theypursueavarietyofsmallfishesaswellassquidandtheoccasionalcrustacean.Anadultmusteat100to300smallfishperdaytomeetitsenergeticneeds.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGCommonMurresseemtobeinnohurrytoreproduce.Theycanlivetobemorethan20yearsold,buttheydonotnestuntiltheyare4to7yearsofage.Femaleslayoneeggperyearandwillskipayearofnestingiffoodavailabilityisloworpredationpressureishigh.Murresnestontopofoffshorerocksoroncliffledges,ofteninspectacularnumbersexceeding100,000birds.Malesandfemalestaketurnsincubatingasingleegglaidontherockysurface.Witheagles,falcons,gulls,vultures,ravens,andotherpredatorsconstantlypatrollingthecolonies,adultmurresdonotleaveeggsandchicksunattendedunlesstheirownsafetyisatrisk.Whenthechicksaretwoorthreeweeksold,theyleavethecolonybyjumpingfromtheirnestsitesandlandingintheocean.Eachchickwillstaywithitsfatheratseauntilitjoinsaflockofothermurresoneortwomonthslater.


CommonMurresdispersefromtheircoloniesattheendofthenestingseason,withcoloniesvacantbytheendofAugust.Duringthenonbreedingseason,theydispersethroughouttheopenocean,inbays,andintheSalishSea.AdultsvisitcolonyareasduringthewinterandspringmonthsbutdonotbeginnestinguntilearlyMay.

CommonMurre,winterplumage

WHERETOFINDCOMMONMURRESHugeaggregationsofCommonMurresnestontopofoffshorerocksoronsteepcliffledges.Youmightseelargenumbersinthewaterneartheircolonieswhentheyaren’tnestingandsmallernumbersinbaysandintheSalishSeaduringthewinter.Lookforthemontopofrocksoronledgeswiththeirthousandsofneighborsduringthenestingseason.Somewillbefishinginthewaterorflyingovertheoceaninalargeflock.Evenfromadistance,thecombinationofblackhead,whitebelly,andpointedbillisdistinctive.

InWashington

CapeFlatterytrailnearNeahBay


WestportandPointBrownjettiesonGraysHarbor


InOregon


HecetaHeadStateParknearFlorence

HaystackRockinCannonBeach

CapeMearesStateParknearOceanside

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

NestingCommonMurreswillbescanningtheskiesforpredators.Ifyoulookup,youmightseeBROWNPELICANS,HEERMANN’SGULLS,PEREGRINEFALCONS,BALDEAGLES,TurkeyVultures,andCOMMONRAVENS.

PIGEONGUILLEMOTCepphuscolumba

JuvenilePigeonGuillemot

NOMATTERHOWdarkandwindyacoastaldaymaybe,PigeonGuillemotsareoutthereridingthewaveslikeintrepidsurfers.Theybravelydodgehugebreakersandjaggedrockstofindtheirnextmeal.Thankstotheirbigwhitewingpatchesandbrightlycoloredfeet,PigeonGuillemotsareeasytoidentifyfroma

distance,eveninroughweather.Inspringandsummer,theyareblackwithlargewhitewingpatchesthatare

visiblewhentheyarefloatingorflying.Theirbrilliantred-orangefeetmatchtheliningoftheirmouths.Infallandwinter,PigeonGuillemotsarealmostentirelywhiteontheheadwithsomeblackontheirwingsandback.White-wingedScotersalsohavewhitewingpatchesbuthavemuchlargerbillsthanguillemots,andtheirpatcheslookrathersmallcomparedtothoseofPigeonGuillemotswhenthebirdsarefloatingonthewater.CommonMurresandMarbledMurreletsarealsoblackandwhiteinwinter,butthesebirdsdisplaymoreblackontheirheadsthandoPigeonGuillemots.

FOODANDFORAGING

PigeonGuillemotsforageclosertotheshorethantheirpuffinandmurrerelativesanddiveupto150feetbelowthesurface.Theyusetheirwingsandfeettopropelthemselvesdowntotherockyseafloortoprobecrevicesandvegetationforsmallfishandinvertebratessuchascrabsandshrimp.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

UnliketheconspicuousCommonMurre,PigeonGuillemotshidetheirnestsinrockycrevices,earthenburrows,andstructuressuchaswharvesandbridges.Adultsarrangeasmallmoundofpebblesonwhichthefemalewilllayoneortwoeggs.Bothparentsincubateduringa30-dayperiod.Parentscarrysmall,intactfishesforthenestlingstoswallowwhole.Nestlingsremainintheircreviceorburrowfor30to40days.Oncetheyleavethenest,youngareindependentandcapableofswimming,diving,andcatchingtheirownfood,althoughtheycannotflyforanothertwoorthreeweeks.Theyoungsterswillnotnestuntiltheyareatleastthreeyearsold.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSManyPigeonGuillemotsremainnearthecoastthroughouttheyear,butsomebirdsdisperseafternesting,movingtotheinlandwatersoftheSalishSea.AdultsreturntocoastalnestingareasinMarchorApril,andyoungleavethenestbytheendofthesummer.

nestbytheendofthesummer.

PigeonGuillemot,breedingplumage

WHERETOFINDPIGEONGUILLEMOTS

OfallthealcidsintheNorthwest,PigeonGuillemotsaretheleastpelagic,orocean-going,favoringwatersclosetoshore.Lookforthematrockycoastalareasandprotectedwatersnearfishingpiersandwharves.Watchfortheflashofwhiteontheirblackwingsastheyflylowacrossthewater.

InWashington


PortTownsendarea

DeceptionPassStateParknearAnacortes

EdmondsPierinEdmonds

InOregon


EcolaStateParknearCannonBeach




OTHERBIRDSTOSEEFerrydocksandfishingpiersaregreatplacestogetcloseviewsofbirds.LookforPelagicCormorants,COMMONLOONS,OSPREYS,PEREGRINEFALCONS,SURFSCOTERS,andCASPIANTERNSswimmingorflyingby.

MARBLEDMURRELETBrachyramphusmarmoratus

MarbledMurrelet,breedingplumage

DOESANYBIRDbetterembodythecharacteroftheNorthwestCoastthantheMarbledMurrelet?Forcryingoutloud,itcatchesfishintheroughoceanwatersandnestsinhuge,mossytrees!Ifitdrankmicrobrewsandworefleece,itcouldbetheregion’smascot.Thisstubbylittlebirdcouldusesomepublicityandalittlehelp:MarbledMurreletsarecurrentlyathreatenedspeciesbecauseofhabitatloss.

Thisbird’scommonnamereferstoitsmottled,darkbrownbreedingplumage.Nonbreedingbirdshaveablackcapandbackwithawhiteunderside,chin,andcheek.TheirstumpybodyandshortuprighttaildistinguishthemfromCommonMurres.

FOODANDFORAGING

MarbledMurreletsdivetodepthsofupto150feet,propellingthemselveswiththeirwingswhilepursuingfishoraquaticinvertebratessuchasshrimp.Insomeareas,theygatherneargraywhalestofeastoncloudsofshrimpthatthewhalesstirupfromtheoceanfloor.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGMarbledMurreletsareuniqueamongouralcidsbecausetheyusuallylaytheireggsintrees.Becausetheydon’tbuildanest,theyrequireoldtreeswithlarge,mossybranchesthatwillsafelyholdaneggandanincubatingparent.Nestsitesare40to150feetabovethegroundandcanbemorethan30milesfromoceanicfeedingareas.Forabout30days,parentsincubatein24-hourshifts,withoneparentrelievingtheotheratdawn.Bothparentscommutebackandforthtotheocean,deliveringfoodtothenestlinguntilitdepartsthenest27to40daysafterhatching.Afterleavingthenest,youngflydirectlytotheoceanandareindependentoftheirparentsuponarrival.


FoundneartheOregonandWashingtoncoastsandintheSalishSeathroughouttheyear,MarbledMurreletadultspairupinthewinterandbeginnestinginthespringorsummermonths.Duringthefallandwinter,birdsfromAlaskaandBritishColumbiamixwithouryear-roundresidentswherefoodisplentifulinthePacificNorthwest’stemperatewaters.

WHERETOFINDMARBLESMURRELETS

MarbledMurreletsarenexttoimpossibletofindontheirnestinggrounds,becausetheycomeandgoatdawn.Lookingfortheminthefallandwinterismuchmoreproductive.TheyareeasiesttofindintheSalishSea,becausethewateriscalmandmanypointsoflandcangetyouclosetotheaction.Youmightseethemfloatingonthewater,possiblynearotheralcidssuchasCommonMurres.MarbledMurreletslookquitesmallincomparisonandmayeven

disappearbehindthewaves.

MarbledMurrelets,winterplumage

InWashington





InOregon

CapeMearesStateParknearOceanside




Cook’sChasmTurnoutonCapePerpetuanearYachats

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

GettingoutonthewaterisagreatwaytoseeMarbledMurreletsandotheralcidsinthefallandwinter.AboattripoffthecoastofOregonorintotheSalishSeaoffersamazingbirdingopportunitiesthatvarywiththeseason.YoumightseePIGEONGUILLEMOTS,AncientMurrelets,TUFTEDPUFFINS,RhinocerosAuklets,Cassin’sAuklets,andCOMMONMURRES—andthat’sjustthealcids.

TUFTEDPUFFINFraterculacirrhata

EVENTHEMOSTindifferentpersonwillwaitinlinebehindourspottingscopetoadmirethecomicalappearanceofaTuftedPuffinperchedonarock.Somethingabouttheiroversizedbillandhobbitlikedemeanormakesthemirresistibleand

putsthematthetopofbirders’MostWantedlists.ThisspeciesisthelargestofAmerica’spuffinsandtheonlyonethatnestsontheOregonandWashingtoncoasts.Thisisatrulypelagicseabirdthatspendsmostoftheyearfaroutatseawithnolandinsight,sobirderseagerlyawaittheirreturntotheirnestingsiteseachyear.

TheTuftedPuffin’slargeorangebill,whiteface,andall-blackbodymakeitverydistinctiveamongtheseabirdsofthePacificNorthwest.Orangefeetandyellowishfeathertuftsonitsheadcompletethecolorfulpackage.ItsonlylocalrelativewithanorangebillistheRhinocerosAuklet,whichhasamuchsmallerbill,lacksawhiteface,andisgrayincolor.

FOODANDFORAGING

Fish,squid,marineworms,andshrimparetheirusualfare,buttheycapturemostlyfishwhenfeedingtheirchicks.Theycandivemorethan200feetbelowtheocean’ssurfaceinsearchoffood,propellingthemselveswiththeirwings.Theyhuntalone,insmallgroups,orinmixedflockswithgulls,shearwaters,andmurres.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Pairsexcavateburrowsonsoil-coveredcliffsorislands.Femaleslayoneegginaburrow,andbothparentsincubatefor45days.Aftertheegghatches,busyparentsvisitthenesttofeedthenestling,sometimeswithdozensofsmallfishdrapedoverthesidesoftheirbills.Whenthefishingisgood,eachparentdeliversatleasttwobillfulstothechickeachday.Theamountoftimethechickspendsinthenest,whichisdependentonthefishdeliveryrate,rangesfrom38to60days.Atfledgingtime,thechickleapsfromitsburrowintothewaterandisnolongercaredforbyitsparents.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSWhensummerends,TuftedPuffinsmovewest,spendingthewinteratleast60milesoffthecoastintheopenocean.EachApril,land-boundbirdersrejoicewhenTuftedPuffinsreturntotheirnestingcolonies.

WHERETOFINDTUFTEDPUFFINS

Thesebirdsnestonislandsthatfeaturedeepsoilforburrowing.Lookforthebirdsstandingguardattheirburrowentrances,whichareusuallysurroundedbygrass.Scantheskyaroundtheislandforfranticallyflappinglittleblackfootballswithwhite-and-orangetips—thesearetheTuftedPuffins.

InWashington

ProtectionIsland,viapuffincruisesatPortTownsendMarineScienceCenter

OffshorerocksnearNeahBayandCapeFlattery

OffshorerocksatLaPush

InOregon

CoquillePointandFaceRocknearBandon

HaystackRockatCannonBeach


OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

AnareawithnestingTuftedPuffinsisagreatplacetostayawhileandlookforotherbirds.SitbackandwatchforBALDEAGLES,HARLEQUINDUCKS,BLACKOYSTERCATCHERS,COMMONMURRES,PIGEONGUILLEMOTS,andBROWNPELICANS.

BigBirdsEASYTOSEEANDFUNTOWATCH

BIGBIRDSCATCHyourattentionwiththeirsheersize,buttheywillfascinateyouwiththeirdramaticexploits.WhilebirdinginthePacificNorthwest,youcanwatchasbirdsofprey(BaldandGoldenEagles)displaytheirhuntingprowess,whiletheworld’slargestsongbird(CommonRaven)usesitsbigbraintoswindleameal.Meanwhile,massivefish-eatingbirds(AmericanWhiteandBrownPelicans)patrolthewaterwaysinimpressiveflocks,andtheregion’stallestbirds(SandhillCranes)leapanddancetheirwaytonuptialbliss.

Adiversegroup,thesebigbirdshavesomeimportantthingsincommon.Forexample,theytakelongertoreachadulthoodthansmallerbirds,andtheyoungmustwaitseveralyearsbeforetheyareoldenoughtofindamateandnest.Thismightseemlikeadisadvantage,butthesebirdshaveagoodreasontobepatient:bigbirdslivelongerthansmallbirds.Ingeneral,smallbirdssuchashummingbirdsandsongbirdslivelessthan10yearsinthewild;bigbirdscanliveformorethan20.Duringtheirlonglives,bigbirdsshareparentingdutiesandmanyofthemstaypairedtogetheryearafteryear.

Withtheexceptionofthefair-weatherpelicans,winteristhebesttimetofindbignumbersofbigbirdsintheNorthwest.Ourwintersmaybedampandgray,buttheyareperfectforthehardyresidentbirdsandmigrantslookingforice-freewater.GrabyourraingearandheadouttoaNationalWildlifeRefuge.Impressyourfriendsandfamilybyshowingthemtheanticsofthesespectacularbirds.

AmericanWhitePelican,winterplumage

TRUMPETERSWANCygnusbuccinator

ONACLOUD-CHOKEDwinterday,asmallflockofhugewhitebirdsemergesfromthefog.Gracefuldespitetheirlargesize,theyseemtoglowfromwithinastheyshinebrightwhiteagainstthedarkgraynorthwesternsky.TheirhornlikecallsidentifythemasTrumpeterSwans.Withlongnecks,largewings,andpowerfulchestmuscles,theyreignasthelargestbirdsinthewinterwetland.Althoughswansareregardedassymbolsofbeautyandgrace,theirplacidbehavioronthewinteringgroundsgiveswaytoterrifyingaggressionduringnestingseason,deliveredintheformofbitesandwingblows.

Inthewinter,bothTrumpetersandTundraSwansvisitthePacificNorthwest.Thedifferencesbetweenthetwocanbesubtleandarebestdeterminedwithagoodview.MostTundraSwanshaveapatchofyellowskin

betweentheirlargeblackbillandtheireye.Trumpeterslackthisyellowspot.Ifthetwospeciesareseenside-by-side,Trumpetersarelarger,withlongernecksandlargerbillsthatseemtooriginatefromtheirforeheads.ThecalloftheTundraSwanismoregooselikeandlacksthebrassinessoftheTrumpeter.SimilarbirdsincludetheSnowGoose,whichismuchsmallerthaneitherswanandhasblackwingtips,andtheSandhillCrane,whichisalsolargeandlightcolored,butwithlongerlegsthanaswanthatitextendsinflight.

FOODANDFORAGINGTheTrumpeterSwanisabirdwithNorthwestappetites.Iteatsmostlyvegetationbutwilldineonsalmoncarcassesandeggs,whentheyareabundant,eachwinterspawningseason.Swanshaveahugeappetiteforvegetation,eatingupto20poundsperday.Theygrazeondrylandlikeagooseordabbleforaquaticplantslikeaduck,tippingforwardinthewaterandusingtheirlongneckstoreachplantsatthebottomofapond.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Maleswansstaywiththeirmatesduringnestingseasonandaggressivelydefendtheirterritory,sometimesevenlethally,frompredatorsorcompetitors.Apairofswansworkstogethertobuildanest,alargemoundatleast3feetindiameter,withanindentationfortheeggslinedwiththemother’sdown.Theybuildtheirnestonanisland,amatoffloatingvegetation,orabeaverlodge.Thefemalelaysfourtosixeggs,asmallnumberforwaterfowl,andthenperformsmostoftheincubationfor32to37days,coveringandwarmingtheeggswithherfeet.Youngswanstakealongtimetogrow(forabird),aboutfivemonthsfrombeinglaidasaneggtoflying,andwillmigratewiththeirparentsduringtheirfirstwinter.Theirparentsremaintogetheryear-round.


ThePacificCoastpopulationofTrumpeterSwansnestsinAlaskaandmigratessouthforthewinterinsearchofice-freewater.NorthwesternOregonisthesouthernlimitoftheirwinteringgrounds.Manymorespendthewinterinthe

southernlimitoftheirwinteringgrounds.ManymorespendthewinterintheSalishSeaarea.TrumpetersarriveinthePacificNorthwestattheendofthenestingseasoninOctoberandmostleavetheregionbyMarch.

WHERETOFINDTRUMPETERSWANSWashingtonistheepicenterofwinterTrumpeterSwanwatching.TheymakeuseoftheabundantfieldsandmarshesinareassuchastheSkagitFlats(intheSkagitValleynearMountVernonandBurlington),wheretheygatherinlargeflocks.OregonoffersafewplaceswhereyoucanseeTrumpetersinsmallernumbersinthewinter.Swansaresomuchbiggerandwhiterthananyotherwaterfowlthatyoucanliterallyspotthemamileaway.Scantheskiesandlistenfortheirtrumpetcall,whichsoundslikeacrossbetweenagoose’shonkandachild’stoyhorn.

InWashington

SkagitFlats,SamishFlats,andButlerFlatsinSkagitCounty

RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver

InOregon


SauvieIslandnearPortland

WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Thecombinationofpastures,freshwaterstreams,andestuariesattractsmanyinterestingspeciesinlargenumberstotheSkagitValleyinthewinter.YoucanseedozensofBALDEAGLES,hundredsofSnowGeese,andahigherconcentrationofSHORT-EAREDOWLSthananywhereelseinWashington.NORTHERNHARRIERS,Merlins,PRAIRIEFALCONS,andPEREGRINEFALCONSenjoythebountyofsmallmammalsandbirdsthatthisrichhabitatprovides.IfyouareevergoingtospotanelusiveGyrfalcon,thiswouldbeagoodplacetodoit.AlsocheckflocksofAmericanWigeonsforafewEURASIANWIGEONSmixedin.

AMERICANWHITEPELICANPelecanuserythrorhynchos

WHENIT’SSOARING,anAmericanWhitePelicanseemstobeallwings;its9-footwingspanisthelargestintheNorthwest.Whattheplacidbirdlacksinpersonality,itmakesupforinfascinatinggroupbehavior.Whendozens,orevenhundreds,ofthesebirdsgatherinflightduringmigration,theresultisjaw-dropping.Flocksdisappearandreappearastheycatchthelight,whilespiralingupwardthroughcurrentsofwarmair.Fromadistance,thesehugeflockscanlooklikeasingleentity;theyhaveevenbeenmistakenforufos.

TheAmericanWhitePelicanresemblesafeatheredfloatplane,asitlandsinthewaterwithmassiveorangefeetextendedandthentaxisaroundalake.ItshugepinkishorangebillandpouchdifferentiatetheAmericanWhitefromtheSnowGoose,anotherwhitebirdwithblackwingtips.TheAmericanWhitealsohastwicethewingspanofthegooseandsportsanupright,hornlikeplateonthetopofitsbillduringthebreedingseason.ThesimilarlyshapedBrownPelicanisfoundalongthecoast,unliketheinlandAmericanWhite.

FOODANDFORAGINGOpportunisticforagers,AmericanWhitesmainlyeatnonsportfishessuchasminnowsandsuckers,buttheywillalsofeedoncrayfishandsalamanders.Lookforthemfloatinginthewaterandpaddlingaroundastheyfeed.Theyworkinsmallgroupstocorralfishintoshallowareasbeforescoopingthemupwiththeirpouchedbill,usingitlikeadipnet.Ifthewateristoodeep,AmericanWhitesmayresorttostealingfishfromadeep-divingcormorant.Contrarytotheircartoonimage,theydon’tcarrythingsintheirpouch—allfishcaughtareimmediatelyswallowed.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

AmericanWhitesnesteastoftheCascades,abandoningandreestablishingcoloniesdependingonwaterlevels,predators,andfoodavailability.Theyprefertonestonislandsorisolatedpeninsulasinfreshwaterorbrackishlakes.Pairspulltogetherashallownestusingwhatevermaterialiswithinbill’sreach.Twoeggsareincubatedbybothparentsduringa30-dayperiod.Eggsareinsulatedandprotectedfrommaraudinggullsbytheparents’largefeet.UnlikeBrownPelicannestlingsthatstayinthenestfortwomonths,AmericanWhitesleavethenestafteronlytwoorthreeweeksandformagroup,orpod,ofyoung.Thesesparselyfeatheredandwattledyoungstershuddletogetherforwarmthandprotectionwhilewaitingfortheirparentstoreturnandregurgitateameal.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSThesebirdsarriveintheireasternOregonandWashingtonbreedingareasinMarchandnestinAprilandMay.Afterthenestingseason,flocksdisperseinalldirections,andsomeshowuponthewestsideoftheCascades.SomewinterontheupperColumbiaRiver,butmostendupinsouthernCaliforniaorMexico.

AmericanWhitePelican,breedingplumage

WHERETOFINDWHITEPELICANS

AlthoughafewnestingsitesexistinOregonandWashington,yourbestchancetoseeAmericanWhitePelicansistofindnonbreedersormigratingbirdsinMaytoOctober.Whenpresent,theyareeasytolocatebecauseoftheirhugewingspanandbrightwhiteness.Ifyoudon’tseeone,itjustisn’tthere!

InWashington

CassimerBarWildlifeArea,ontheColumbiaRivernearBrewsterGingkoPetrifiedForestVisitorCenter,ontheColumbiaRivernearVantageToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearToppenish


InOregon

SmithandBybeeWetlandsNaturalAreainPortland

FernRidgeWildlifeManagementAreanearEugene

Putnam’sPointParkandVeteransMemorialParkinKlamathFallsCranePrairieReservoirnearLaPine

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Youmightalsoseefellowfreshwaterfish-eaterssuchasWESTERNGREBES,Clark’sGrebes,Double-crestedCormorants,CASPIANTERNS,Black-crownedNight-Herons,andGREATBLUEHERONS.

BROWNPELICANPelecanusoccidentalis

BrownPelican,breedingplumage

INTHESUMMERmonths,whilemanyspringmigrantstotheNorthwestareslavingovernestsandyoung,BrownPelicansareonanextendedvacation.Withtheirbreedingandchickraisingalreadyfinishedinspring,theyarefreetosurftheaircurrentsabovethebreakingwavesandpreenthemselveswhilerestingonrocks.Theyspendasmallpartofthedayfishing,leavingthemplentyofleisuretime.Withtheirshortlegsandlongnecks,pelicanslookawkwardonland,buttheyappearconfidentandregalinflightwiththeirchestspuffedforward.

TheAmericanWhitePelicanistheonlybirdinthisregionthatsharesthedistinctivesilhouetteoftheBrownPelican,buttheformerisextremelyrarenearthecoast.AmericanWhitesarewhitewithblackwingtipsandabrightorangebill;BrownPelicanshaveamorecomplexcoloration.Theirbodyplumagechangescolorastheyage,asjuvenilebirdsexchangetheirbrownheadandwhitebellyfeathersforawhiteheadandbrownbellyasadults.Whileontheir

bellyfeathersforawhiteheadandbrownbellyasadults.Whileontheirsouthernnestinggrounds,BrownPelicansaddasplashofbrightredtotheirbillandpouch.

FOODANDFORAGING

Thislargebirdhasatasteforsmallfish.ItsdietalongtheWestCoastconsistsprimarilyofanchovies,andBrownscongregatewheretheyfindschoolsofthesefish.Theyaretheonlypelicansintheworldtocatchtheirfoodbyplungingheadfirstintothewaterfromashighas60feet.Theirfamousthroatpouchexpandstoholdmorethantwo-and-a-halfgallonsofwaterandfish.Aftertheyhavereturnedtothesurface,theypressthepouchagainsttheirbreasttodrainthewateroutquicklybeforeswallowingtheircatch.Fastandcarefulswallowingisimportant,becauseaHeermann’sGullmightbelurkingnearby,waitingtostealanyfishthatslipout.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

TheBrownPelicansthatvisitthePacificNorthwestbreedonthecoastsofsouthernCaliforniaandnorthernMexico.Theybuildgroundnestsofkelpandsticksonrockyislands.Bothparentssharetheincubationduties,usingtheirlarge,webbedfeettoregulatethetemperatureoftwotofoureggsfor30days.Youngarefedregurgitatedfishforatleastnineweeksuntiltheyarereadytoleavethenest.Theyareslowtomatureanddonotbreeduntiltheyaretwoorthreeyearsold.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSThisspeciesbeginsnestinginthewinterandcontinuesintospring,whichiswhyveryfewBrownPelicansarefoundintheNorthwestduringthattime.NonbreedingbirdsbegintoappearontheNorthwestCoastinMay,andsuccessfulbreedersarrivehereinJulyandAugust.ThelargestgroupsofBrownscongregateonthecoastinthefall,withhundredscomingtoroosttogetheronrocksatsunset.Insomeyears,groupsofbirdswillstickaroundintothewinter,althoughtheyarevulnerabletostormsandfoodshortages.

WHERETOFINDBROWNPELICANS

LookforBrownPelicansneartheoceanshoresofOregonandWashington.YoumayoccasionallyfindthemintheSalishSea.Pelicansarelargeandhardtomiss.Theycouldbeflyinginsingle-fileformationafootabovethewaves,bobbingintheocean,orstandingontherocksatthetipofajetty.

InWashington

ColumbiaRiver,NorthJetty,inCapeDisappointmentStateParknearIlwacoThemouthofGraysHarbor

BeachesnearOceanPark

CapeFlatteryontheOlympicPeninsula

InOregon

ColumbiaRiver,SouthJetty,inFortStevensStateParknearAstoriaCapeKiwandainPacificCity

YaquinaHeadOutstandingNaturalAreainNewport

CoquilleRiver,SouthJetty,inBandon

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

IfyouvisitajettyinAugust,youwillbesurroundedbybirdsandmammalstakingadvantageofthefishthatgatherwherefreshwaterandsaltwatermeet.WatchforSOOTYSHEARWATERSflyingpastthetipofthejetty,HEERMANN’SGULLSharassingpelicans,BRANDT’SCORMORANTSandCASPIANTERNSdivingforfish,andSURFSCOTERS,COMMONMURRES,andPIGEONGUILLEMOTSfloatingonthewaves.Lookcarefullyforharborsealshauledoutonrocksandsealionsswimmingthroughthewaterwiththeirgiantflippers.

GREATBLUEHERONArdeaherodias

GREATBLUEHERONSappeargracefulastheyflywithdeepwingbeatsortiptoethroughshallowwater.Whenhunting,however,theyaretheTerminatoronstilts.AGreatBlue’sstone-facedexpressionbetraysnoemotionasafish,snake,orrodentwrigglesinitssharpbillbeforebeingswallowedalive.WatchingaherononahuntisagreatchancetoseeTennyson’s“nature,redintoothandclaw”(andbeak)inaction.

Althoughtheysuperficiallyresemblecranes,GreatBlues’beaksarelongerandsharper,theytuckintheirnecksduringflight,andtheyaremorelikelytobesolitary.Wheninflight,heronsbeararesemblancetothelong-extinctpterodactyl.

pterodactyl.

FOODANDFORAGING

TheclassicimageofaGreatBlueHeroniswadinginthewater,eyesfocuseddownward,lookingforfish.Itslong,pointedbeakiswellsuitedforthistypeoffeeding,butitactuallyeatsawidevarietyofprey.Ashortlistofheronmealswouldincludesnakes,frogs,crayfish,rodents,andsmallbirds.Aheronhuntsbystalkingsoslowlythatyoumightfinditdifficulttoseeitsmovement.Itstrikesquicklybyuncoilingitslongneckandshootingitsbilltowardthewaterortheground.Aftercapturingananimalinitsbill,aheronrepositionsthecreaturewithaseriesoftossessothatitcanbeswallowedheadfirst.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGAlthoughtheyprefertofeedalone,GreatBlueswillbuildasticknestjustafewfeetawayfromanotherheroninarborealrookeries.Theybeginthebreedingprocesswithanelaboratedisplayintheirnesttrees,whichinvolvesthemaletransferringstickstothefemaleasshecreatesthenest,andbothsexesmakingclackingnoiseswiththeirbills.Sticknestscanbereusedeachyearandcangrowquitelarge;agroupofbirdswillsometimesabandonrookeries,however,andstartnewones.GreatBlueslaytwotosixeggsandincubatethemfor27days.Inspringandsummer,youcanhearnestlingsfromthegroundwhentheysquawkloudlyastheirparentsreturntothenestwithfood.


GreatBlueHeronsremaininthePacificNorthwestyear-roundinareaswherethewaterdoesn’tfreezeduringwintermonths.TheirlongnestingseasonbeginswhenadultsbeginoccupyingrookeriesinFebruaryorMarchandendswhenyoungheronsleavetheirnestsinJuneorJuly.

WHERETOFINDGREATBLUEHERONS

GiventheGreatBlue’svarieddiet,itisnotsurprisingthattheycanthriveinmanydifferentkindsofhabitats.Theyareoftenfoundnearwater,whethera

manydifferentkindsofhabitats.Theyareoftenfoundnearwater,whetherapondinaparkoramudflatinacoastalbay.Theyhuntland-dwellingpreyaswell,sokeepaneyeoutforthemhuntinginfieldswhenyouaredrivingthroughfarmcountry.IfyouarelookingforGreatBluesinalakeorpondanddon’tseeoneinitially,scantheedgeofthewaterwithbinoculars;youmightspotonehunchedupandmotionless,lookinglikeastick.Unlikecranes,allherons,aswellastheirrelatives,theegrets,arecapableofperchingintreesandwilldosofrequentlythroughouttheyear.GreatBluesarecommonandwidelydistributedinOregonandWashington,butrookeriescanbedifficulttofind.

InWashington

DumasBaySanctuaryinFederalWay

UniversityofWashingtoncampus,RainierVista

LakeSammamishStateParknearIssaquah

InOregon

RossIslandintheWillametteRiver,viewedfromtheSouthWaterfrontareaofPortlandGoatIslandintheWillametteRiver,viewedfromMaddaxWoodsinWestLinnSturgeonLakeonSauvieIslandnearPortland

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

AspringtimevisittoarookerycouldalsoproduceBALDEAGLES,OSPREYS,Double-crestedCormorants,Pied-billedGrebes,andCommonMergansers.AnabandonednestcouldholdafamilyofGREATHORNEDOWLS.

BALDEAGLEHaliaeetusleucocephalus

AdultBaldEagle

PERCHINGWITHPERFECTLYuprightpostureinadeadtree,apairofBaldEagleslooksoutoverthemarshthatmakesuptheirkingdom.Theirhugeyellowbeaksandfeetthesizeofhumanhandsmaketheirpredatoryabilitiesobvious.TheycommunicatewithpiercingcallsthatdonotresemblethoseofaRed-tailedHawk,butaremoresimilartoagull’sscreams.Suddenlythelargerfemaledivesdownoverthemarsh,andapanickedcloudofducksandgeesescattersintothesky.

AnadultBaldEagleisunmistakable.Bothperchedandinflight,thepatternofwhitehead,darkbrownbodyandwings,andwhitetailisrecognizableevenatgreatdistances.ImmatureBaldEaglesinbrownishplumagecanbeconfusedwithotherlargedarkbirdssuchasGoldenEagles,Red-tailedHawks,and

withotherlargedarkbirdssuchasGoldenEagles,Red-tailedHawks,andTurkeyVultures.Don’tforgetthatjuvenileeagles,andmostotherbirds,areatleastaslargeastheirparentsbythetimetheyleavethenest.

FOODANDFORAGING

Large,sharptalonsandhookedbeaksareideallysuitedtocatchingandeatingmeat.BaldEaglesareknownforpluckingfishoutofthewater,buttheirdietisdiverse.Theyfrequentlyhuntmammals,ducks,gulls,andseabirds.Theyalsoscavengedeadmammals,fish,andeventheplacentasofsealsandfarmanimals.Withaconfidentpostureandanintensegaze,theBaldEagleappearsdignifiedevenasiteatssomethingmostofuswouldbury.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGBaldEaglesoftenreusethesamenestyearafteryear,addingmorestickseachseason.TheymakethelargestnestsofanyNorthAmericanbird,whichcanmeasure9feetacrossandweighmorethan2tons.Theyoftenbuildtheirnestsintalldeciduoustreessuchasblackcottonwoods.Femaleslayonetothreeeggsandbothparentsincubatefor34to36days,butthenumberofyoungthatleavethenestdependsontheamountoffoodavailable.Youngleavethenestinbrownplumageandmustwaitatleastfouryearstodevelopthefamouswhiteheadandtail.

JuvenileBaldEagle

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSThePacificNorthwestisapopularwinterdestinationforBaldEaglesthatarrivefromthenorthaftersalmonhavestoppedspawninginAlaskaandBritishColumbia.Areaswithlargeconcentrationsoffishandducksattractthelargestnumbersofmigrants,whichbeginarrivinginNovember.WinteringBaldEaglescompeteforfoodandsharetheireveningroostswiththeresidenteaglesthatstayyear-round.EaglesnestingintheNorthwestbeginconstructingorrenovatingtheirnestsinlatewinterandfledgetheiryoungbylatesummer.

theirnestsinlatewinterandfledgetheiryoungbylatesummer.

WHERETOFINDBALDEAGLES

BaldEaglesnestinthePacificNorthwest,butyoucanfindthemanytimeofyear;inwintertheygatherinlargegroupsinplaceswherepreyisabundant.Theyareoftenquiteconspicuous,especiallytheadults,withtheircontrastingdarkbrownandwhiteplumage.Scanprominentperchessuchassnagsandlargebranchesnearwaterforalarge,uprightbird.

InWashington

TheUpperSkagitRivernearRockport

SanJuanIslandsandalongthenearbyferryroutes,perchedintreesandintheairRidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver

InOregon


KlamathBasinaroundKlamathFalls


AnkenyNationalWildlifeRefugenearAlbany

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Oregon’sKlamathBasininthewinterisahotspotforbirds.Inadditiontohugeroostsofeagles,youmightseePRAIRIEFALCONS,Rough-leggedHawks,RUDDYDUCKS,GreaterWhite-frontedGeese,HornedLarks,andCOMMONRAVENS.

GOLDENEAGLEAquilachrysaetos

ITISN’TTHATaGoldenEaglewouldeatasmallchild;it’sjustthatitcouldifitwantedto.Howcouldyounotbeimpressedbyabirdlargeandambitiousenoughtohuntmammalssuchasantelopeanddeer?TheirformidabletalonsdwarfeventhoseoftheBaldEagle,andtheyareoneofthetoppredatorsofthe

dryopencountry.ThemassivesizeofGoldenEaglesdifferentiatesthemfrommostotherbirds

ofprey.TheirhabitatisusuallydifferentfromthatofbrownjuvenileBaldEaglesthatpreferwater,butinareaswherethetwodooverlap,youcanlookfortherelativelysmallerheadandgoldennapeonGoldens.

FOODANDFORAGINGTheGoldenisaskilledhunterwithamazingdistancevision.Itoccasionallycapturesbirds,butmammalssuchasrabbits,hares,androdentsmakeupthebulkofitsdiet.Goldensalsokillalarminglylargepreysuchaspronghornantelope,bighornsheep,andSandhillCranes.Theyusetheirtalonstograspananimalafterpouncingfromabove,sometimeswhilehuntinginpairs.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

GoldenEaglesaremorelikelythanBaldEaglestoconstructnestsoncliffs,althoughtheywillnestintreesifnecessary.Thefemaledoesmostoftheincubationofonetothreeeggsfor43to45days.Bothparentscarefornestlings.Theamountoftimeyoungspendinthenestvariesfrom45to80daysanddependsontheirgrowthrate,whichisinfluencedtheamountofrodents,rabbits,andjackrabbitstheirparentsareabletocatch.Bythetimetheeagletsfledge,theirnestisanunsanitarypileofmammalianremainsandtheinsectsthey’veattracted.Perhapstoallowthingstofreshenup,pairsoftenmaintainmultiplenestsites,alternatingusebetweenyears.


NorthernpopulationsofGoldensaremigratory,andmanyofthesebirdsarespottedinwesternOregonandWashingtonastheytravelfromAlaskanandCanadiannestinggroundstotheirsouthernwinteringareas.IntheeasternpartsofOregonandWashington,youcanseethemyear-round.OurresidentGoldensbeginnestinginlatewinterorearlyspringandstayattheirnestsuntiltheyoungstersfledgeinthesummer.

WHERETOFINDGOLDENEAGLES

Birdsoftheopencountry,GoldensaremorecommonontheeastsideoftheCascades.Theyarealwaysatreattofind,becausetheyareneverasurething.Theyhuntfromtheairbutalsofromperchessuchasutilitypoles.Theyareeasilydistinguishedfromotherraptorsbytheirmassivesize.Ifyouaren’tsure,yourmysteryraptorisprobablyahawk,notaneagle.

InWashington

YakimaCanyonandsurroundingareasnearYakima

HurricaneRidgeinOlympicNationalPark(summerandearlyfall)InOregon

SmithRockStateParknearRedmond(nesting)

FortRockStateParknearLaPine

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

GotoSmithRockStateParkinMayorJunetocheckoutnestingGoldenEagles,andstickaroundtoenjoythePRAIRIEFALCONS,White-throatedSwifts,CALIFORNIAQUAIL,WESTERNKINGBIRDS,Say’sPhoebes,CANYONWRENS,andBlack-billedMagpies.

SANDHILLCRANEGruscanadensis

THETRUEBEGINNINGoffallisthefirstcrispmorningwhenyouhearthehauntingcallofaflockofSandhillCranesmakingtheirwaysouth.Theirunmistakablecall,somethinglikeacrossbetweenaravenandagoose,carriesfaronchillymornings.Whentheyspotamowncornfield,theyresembleskydivers,landingeffortlesslyoncuppedwings.Despitetheirreputationasgracefuldancers,theywillcharge,peck,andhisstoprotecttheiroffspring.

SandhillCranesarethetallestbirdsintheNorthwest,withsomeindividuals

SandhillCranesarethetallestbirdsintheNorthwest,withsomeindividualsreachingmorethan4feetinheight.Adultsarelightpearlygraywithasmallredcap,andjuveniles,orcolts,arearustybrowncolor.Cranesflywithboththeirnecksandlegsextended,distinguishingthemfromheronsandegretsthatflywithtuckednecks.Heronsarealsodifferentinthattheyhavesharp,stabbingbeaksandhuntbystalking.Cranesfeedinagrazingmannerwithbluntbeaks.Geesealsohavelongnecks,buttheirshorterlegsarenotasvisibleinflightasaSandhillCrane’soutstretchedlegs.

FOODANDFORAGING

SandhillCranesaretrueomnivoresandusetheirlong,flexiblebillstoeatnearlyanything,plantoranimal,theyfindonthegroundorinshallowwater.Theythriveinmanyareasbecauseoftheirappetiteforcornandothercrops.Cornprovidessugarandfattofuelmigration,butfemalesmustconsumeproteinintheformofearthwormsandotherinvertebratestoprepareforlayingeggs.Theyalsofeedoninsects,voles,andbirdeggsattheirnorthernnestinggroundswhereplantsarescarce.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

ElaboratedanceshelpattractamateorreinforcetheSandhill’sbondwithitspartner,withwhomitpairsuntildeath.Thesedisplaysinvolvealotofcalling,hopping,head-tossing,andplant-flinging.Thedancesbeginonthewinteringgroundsandescalateduringmigrationasadultspreparetoreturntothenestinggrounds.

Sandhillsneedwetmeadowsfornesting.Theybuildafloatingnestonamatofvegetationtodiscouragepredationbyraccoonsandskunks.Pairsnestduringthelatespringandearlysummer.Bothparentsincubatetwoeggsfor30daysandtakecareoftheoftensolitaryfledgling,orcolt,thatsurvives.Thefamilytravelstogetheruntilthenextnestingseason,whenthecoltwilljoinagroupofyoungsters.Thecoltwillstayinthisgroupuntilitisoldenoughtomate,foruptosixyears.


Ifyouknowwheretolook,you’llfindSandhillCranesthroughouttheyearinthePacificNorthwest.ThosethatnestinOregonandWashingtonspendthespringandsummerintheregionandspendthewinterinCalifornia’sCentralValley.ThosethatweseemigratingthroughwesternOregonandWashingtoninthefallhavelikelybredinCanadaandAlaska.SomeofthemstayinthePortlandandVancouver,Washington,areaallwinter,butthemajorityheadfarthersouth.

WHERETOFINDSANDHILLCRANES

InafewplacesinOregonandWashington,youcancatchanexcitingglimpseofasmall,rustybrowncoltfollowingitsparentsaroundameadow.Justasimpressivearethelarge,vocalflocksofSandhillCranesthatspendthewinterneartheColumbiaRiver.You’llprobablyhearthembeforeyouseethem.Duringmigration,Sandhillsflyinanorderlywedge,butwhentheyarelookingforalandingplace,theywillsoarwithoutflappingandcirclethearea.Ifyouarelucky,you’llgettowatchthemparachutetothegroundonoutstretchedwings,landingsodaintilythattheyseemtostepoutofthesky.Ontheground,checkmeadowsandfarmfields,especiallythosewithcornstalkstubble.

InWashington

RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver(winter)

ConboyLakeNationalWildlifeRefugenearGlenwood(nesting)

InOregon

SauvieIslandnearPortland(winter)

KlamathMarshNationalWildlifeRefugenearKlamathFalls(nesting)DavisLakenearLaPine(nesting)

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

WinterisagreattimetobirdthewildliferefugesandwetlandsofthePortlandandVancouverareas.AvisittoSauvieIslandorRidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugecanproduceCACKLINGGEESE,SnowGeese,TRUMPETERSWANS,BALDEAGLES,PEREGRINEFALCONS,andGREATBLUEHERONSnearthewater.RED-TAILEDHAWKS,NORTHERNHARRIERS,Rough-leggedHawks,andAmericanKestrelssearchthefieldsforvoles.

COMMONRAVENCorvuscorax

THEREMUSTBEsomespecialaffinitybetweenCommonRavensandhumans.Howelsecanyouexplainthelonghistoryofthesebirdsinartandstories,orthestirringthatyoufeelinyourchestwhenaraven’scallechoesacrossawildplace?Ravenshaveacertaindignityandconfidenceintheirdemeanorandintelligenceintheireyesthatdrawsyouinandmakesyouwanttostayandwatchthemalittlelonger.

CrowsarethebirdsmostlikelytobeconfusedwithCommonRavens,becausebotharesolidglossyblack.Luckily,youcantellthemapartbydifferencesintheirappearancesandtheircalls.Acrowsays“caw,”buta

differencesintheirappearancesandtheircalls.Acrowsays“caw,”butaCommonRavenhasahoarservoiceandsays“quorrk.”Crowsaresmallerandhavefan-shapedtails.Ravensarelarger,actuallythelargestsongbirdintheworld,andhavediamond-shapedtails.Theyoftensoarwiththeirwingsandtailfannedout,whilecrowsalwaysflapwhenflying.TheTurkeyVultureisanotherdarkbirdthatsoars,butitsheadisfeatherless,ithassilveryfeathersunderitswings,anditsoarswithitswingsinaVshape(Visforvulture).

FOODANDFORAGING

Ravensusetheirwitstoacquireawidevarietyoffoods,mostlymeat,throughscavenging,hunting,andstealing.Thesewilybirdsoftenworktogethertostealbirdeggsorcatchprey.Evertheproblemsolvers,ravenswillfollowlargepredatorstoamealandwilleventrytoattractthemtoadyinganimalthattheycan’topenupontheirown.Theirbillsarestrongenoughtocrackawalnutbutarenotsharpenoughtoripintoasquirrel.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Ravenscollectstickstoconstructtheirlargenestsandlinethemwithscavengedfur,grass,paper,andbark.Theyareveryflexibleaboutwheretheynest:acliff,abarn,atree,orapowerpolewilldo,aslongasthereissufficientfoodnearbyforthehungrynestlingsthatneedaconstantsupplyofinsectsandmeattothrive.Theylaythreetoseveneggsandincubateforatleast20days.Babyravens,nakedandbig-mouthed,willneverwinacutenesscontest.Theageatwhichyoungleavethenestdependsontherateoffooddeliveredbytheirparentsandrangesfromfourtosevenweeks.Afterleavingthenest,theyoungsterswanderforseveralyearsandmayjoinnomadicflocksbeforefindingamateandsettlingdowntonest.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSRavensdon’thavearegularseasonalmigration,butsomewanderafterthebreedingseasontofindfoodbonanzasandroostingsites.Breedingpairsnestinthespringandsummerandremaintogetherthroughouttherestoftheyear.

WHERETOFINDCOMMONRAVENS

CommonRavenscanbefoundthroughoutOregonandWashington,butpopulationsareconcentratedintheCascades.Agreatwaytospotaravenflyingoverhead,perchedinatree,orwalkingalongaroadistodriveupamountainpassandstopforapicnicorahike.Alongwalkalongthebeachmayproducearavensightingaswell.SomeofthemostdifficultplacestofindaravenarethebigcitiesalongtheInterstate5corridor:Portland,Tacoma,andSeattle.Whenyou’retravelingthroughmountains,deserts,orcoastalareas,listenforthe“quorrk”ofdistantravens.Scantheskyforthediamond-shapedtailofaflyingravenandcheckthegroundinopenareasandalongroadsides.Rememberthatthesebirdsloveroadkill.

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

IfyoupulloffamountainhighwaytogetagoodlookataCommonRaven,rollyourwindowdownandlookforotherbirdsaswell,suchasSteller’sJays,Dark-eyedJuncos,andVARIEDTHRUSHESthattakeadvantageofopenareasintheforest.ListenforforestbirdssuchasPACIFICWRENS,RED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES,andRED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERS.

ColorfulBirdsBRIGHTENINGTHEPACIFICNORTHWEST

MANYBIRDSTHATSTAYyear-roundintheNorthwestkeepwithaneutraldresscode,buteachspringwegetaninfluxofvividcolorintheformofmigrantsthatlightupourwetlandsandforests.Thesedazzlingtravelersjoinafewbrightresidentbirdstocreateanavianrainbow.Inonewonderfulday,youcouldseetherosyredofanoisyflockofcrossbills,thecopper-pennyorangeofamaleRufousHummingbird,theaptly-namedYellow-headedBlackbird,andtherichhuesofaswoopingViolet-greenSwallow.Althougheachofthesebirdshasmoregoingforitthanjustitscolor,thevibrantcolorsarewhatwillstickinyourmemoryandcheeryouduringthedarkdaysofwinter.

MaleLazuliBunting

WOODDUCKAixsponsa

ITSEEMSTHATanoverzealousartistdesignedtheWoodDuckbyaddinganotherflourishonetimetoomany.Youmightthinkthatyou’dhavetotraveltheglobetofindaduckwiththisamazingcombinationofcolorsandpatterns.Infact,themostornateofthepond-dwellersisanativebird,notanexoticescapee.TheWoodDuckdrakeisprettyhumbleconsideringhisgoodlooks.Heismorelikelytobefoundperchingquietlyonalogalongtheedgeofapondthanflauntinghishandsomenessoutintheopen.

Themaleisunmistakable,withhisiridescentfeatheredhead,eyeoutlinedinred,yellowandredbill,andspeckledchestnut-coloredbreast.Femalesareattractiveintheirownway,withateardrop-shapedwhitepatchsurroundingeacheye.WoodDuckheadfeathersformahelmetshapeandtheirwingsshowabitofiridescence.

FOODANDFORAGINGTheseomnivorousbirdsfeedinthewaterorondryland.Commonfoodsincludeaquaticvegetation,swimminginsects,grassseeds,acorns,andfruits.Orchards,vineyards,andfarmsthatborderwooded,wateryhabitatsareattractivefeedingsitesforWoodDucks.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Malesaccompanyfemalesmuchoftheyear,buttheyprovidenoparentalcareofyoung,leavingthefemalewhenshebeginsincubating.Thefemaleselectsanestsitehighabovetheground,usuallyatreecavityoranestbox.Shelinesthecavitywithherdownandlaystenormoreeggs,incubatingthemfor30days.FemalesoftenlayeggsinthenestsofotherWoodDucks,perhapstohedgetheirbetsagainstnestfailure.Lessthantwodaysafterhatching,ducklingsmustleap

betsagainstnestfailure.Lessthantwodaysafterhatching,ducklingsmustleapseveralstoriesfromtheirnesttojointheircallingmotheronthegroundandsearchforfood.Luckily,theyflutterandbouncetolandsafely.


WoodDucksareearlybreeders,withpairingbeginninginlatesummerandnestingbeginninginlatewinterinmanyareas.Northernpopulationsaremigratory,andmanypassthroughWashingtonandOregonontheirwaytoCalifornia.LargegatheringscongregateinOregonandWashingtoninthefallwhensouthboundmigrantsmixwithyear-roundresidentsinwoodedstreamsandponds.

WHERETOFINDWOODDUCKSWoodDucksarewidespreadacrossthewesternportionsofOregonandWashingtoninpondsandlakes.Forsuchanostentatiousbird,theycanbesurprisinglydifficulttosee.Lookintheshadowsalongtheedgesofpondsandonlogsnearthewater.

InWashington

YakimaSportsmanStateParkinYakima

NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia

JuanitaBayParkinKirkland

KentPondsintheGreenRiverNaturalResourcesAreanearSeattle

Male(left)andfemaleWoodDucks

InOregon

CrystalSpringsRhododendronGardeninPortland

SmithandBybeeWetlandsNaturalAreainPortland

DawsonCreekCorporateParkinHillsboro

AshlandPondinAshland

DeltaPondsalongtheWillametteRiverinEugene

Minto-BrownIslandParkinSalem

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEAwillow-linedpondmayyieldmorebirdsthanwhatfirstappears.GREENHERONSperchjustabovethewater;Pied-billedGrebes,Green-wingedTeals,andHOODEDMERGANSERSswimquietly,whileaWILSON’SWARBLERskulksintheshrubs,revealedonlybyitscall.

CINNAMONTEALAnascyanoptera

WHENYOU’REBIRDINGawetlandinlatespring,scanthevegetatededgesofpondsfortheshybutstunningCinnamonTeal,whichavoidsopenwater.Yourpersistencewillpayoffwhenyougettoseethejuxtapositionofredduck,greengrass,andbluesky.Thesegracefulswimmersandswiftflyersarethehighlightofmanyawetlandbirdingtrip.CinnamonTealsaretrulywesternducksthatfavorthemarshesofintermountainvalleys.TheyhavebeenlivinginthisareasincethelastIceAge.

Malesareunmistakableswimmingorinflight,withtheirbrick-redbodiesandturquoisewingpatches.Ifyougetagreatlook,you’llseethateventhemale’seyesarered.Femalesarenotcinnamon-colored,sotheylookverysimilartoBlue-wingedTeals,withtheirbrownplumageandbluewingpatches.RuddyDucksareasimilarshadeofredbuthavewhitecheeksandbluebills.

FOODANDFORAGINGCinnamonTealsareinthegroupofducksknownasdabblers,ofwhichMallardsarethemostfamiliar.Dabblersrarelydivecompletelyunderwater.Instead,theytiphead-downandbottom-uptoreachsubmergedplantsandanimals.Dabblersalsopickfoodfromthewater’ssurfaceorpeckatfoodondryland.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Hensconstructnestsinwetlandvegetation,oftenplacingthemjustabovethewateronislandsortuftsofplants.Somenestsarehiddenunderamatofdeadvegetationthatfunctionsasarooftoshieldtheeggsfrompredators.Thehenincubatesalargeclutchofupto16eggsforatleast21days.Ducklingsaredifficulttofind,becausehensareexpertsathidingthemfromyouoranyotheranimaltheyperceiveasapredator.

animaltheyperceiveasapredator.


ThisspeciesneststhroughoutthePacificNorthwest,butmostCinnamonsspendthewinterinCaliforniaorLatinAmerican.PairsarriveatNorthwestnestinggroundsinthelatewinterorearlyspringanddeparttheregioninlatesummerorearlyfall.Malesarethefirsttoflysouth,leavingthenestinggroundswhilethehensareincubatingtheireggs.

WHERETOFINDCINNAMONTEALSLookforCinnamonTealsinlow-elevationpondsandwetlandcomplexes.Assneakyasthebirdtriestobe,itsbrightrustycolorgivesitaway.Scantheedgeofthewatertoseethisbeautifulduckhidingamongthegrasstuftsandcattails.

InWashington

RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver(year-round)

ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakima


SpencerIslandPark,partoftheSnohomishRiverEstuary,nearEverett

Male(left)andfemaleCinnamonTeals

InOregon

KillinWetlandsnearBanks

KlamathMarshNationalWildlifeRefugenearKlamathFalls



OTHERBIRDSTOSEEThetallplantsinasummermarshhidemanysecretivebirds.You’llneedkeeneyesandearstofindSoras,MarshWrens,AMERICANBITTERNS,Wilson’sSnipes,andCommonYellowthroats.

RUDDYDUCKOxyurajamaicensis

MaleRuddyDuck,breedingplumage

SMALLBUTPUGNACIOUSandextroverted,theRuddyDuckchasesawayjustaboutanythingfromitsbreedingterritory,performingunforgettabledisplaystointimidaterivalsandwooamate.Histoughguyactisevenfunniercomingfromaduckwiththebodytypeofasqueakybathtoy.Smallandroundwithastubbybillandtail,hemustthinkhelooksmorelikeaswan.

Duringbreedingseason,malesareawarm,cinnamoncolorwithabillasblueasthesummersky.Ablackcap,whitecheek,andtipped-uptailcompletethepictureofthiscockylittleduck.Duringthewinter,whenotherducksaresportingtheirbrightestplumage,maleRuddiesfadetoadullbrownbutareidentifiablebytheirlightcheeksandoftenerecttail.Femaleshavethesamecompactshape,buttheyarebrownallyearwithanindistinctstripeacrosseachcheek.

FOODANDFORAGING

Ruddiesareinsect-eatingspecialists,moresothanotherducks.Theydivetothebottomofpondsandprobetheirspatulalikebillintothesedimenttofilteroutaquaticinsectsandotherinvertebrates.Plantmatterbecomesalargerpartoftheirdietduringthewinterwheninsectsarescarce.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Unlikemostducksthatarrivealreadypaired,Ruddieswaituntiltheyarriveonnestinggroundstofindamate.Uponarrival,themaleperformsacomicalbubbledisplaytoattractafemale.Herapidlybeatshisbilldownwardagainsthischesttomakebubblesinthewater,creatingclickingandgurglingsounds.Next,helengthenshisbodywhilemakinga“boing”soundandthenrepeatstheprocess.RuddyDuckeggsareoddinthattheyareproportionatelylargerthanthoseofotherducksandhaveasurprisinglyroughexterior.Femalesincubatefivetoteneggsfor23days.Ducklingsarehighlydevelopedandcandiveforandcatchinsectsadayafterhatching.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSRuddyDucksresideinOregonandWashingtonthroughouttheyear.DuringtheMaytoAugustnestingseason,theyaremostabundantinmarsheseastoftheCascadeCrest.Theyswitchsidesduringthenonbreedingseason,withgreaternumberswestoftheCascades.

MaleRuddyDuck,winterplumage

WHERETOFINDRUDDYDUCKSTheNorthwestoffersavarietyofplacestofindRuddyDucks.Duringthewinter,scanbaysandlakesformixedflocksofdivingducks,suchasBuffleheadsandscaup,thatRuddiesoftenjoin.Inthebreedingseason,lookfordisplayingmalesinpatchesofopenwatersurroundedbyvegetation.Theircinnamoncolorcontrastswellwiththegreenbackdrop.

InWashington

CrockettLakeonWhidbeyIsland(winter)

LakeTerrelnearBellingham(winter)

RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouver(year-round)

ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakima(summer)

InOregon

YaquinaBayinNewport(winter)

JacksonBottomWetlandsPreservenearHillsboro(winter)

AnkenyNationalWildlifeRefugenearAlbany(winter)

KlamathFallsarea(year-round)

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEMarsheseastoftheCascadesarefullofexcitingbirdsduringthebreedingseason.YoumightseeYELLOW-HEADEDBLACKBIRDSandVirginiaRailsamongthecattails,andBlackTernsandCOMMONNIGHTHAWKSswoopingoverhead.

BAND-TAILEDPIGEONPatagioenasfasciata

IFIT’SPOSSIBLEtolookbothregalandawkwardatthesametime,theBand-

tailedPigeondoesit.Itspuffedchestandintricatemarkingscontrastwithitsungainly,fast-flappingtakeoffsandprecarioustreetoplandingstohumorouseffect.Theselarge,purpleinvadersofbirdfeedersareadelighttowatchastheycrowdforabiteofbirdseedorflaploudlythroughtheforest.

Thisspecieslookslikeacitypigeonthathasbeencustomized.TovisualizeaBand-tailedPigeon,startwithafamiliarRockPigeon(citypigeon),andaddayellowbill,yellowfeet,andathick,lightgraybandattheendofthetail.Finishthemasterpiecewithawhitebandandaniridescentpatchatthenapeoftheneck.

FOODANDFORAGINGHumansaren’ttheonlyNorthwestresidentspracticingseasonaleating.Band-tailedPigeonsarestrictplant-eatersthatwillflymanymilestoobtainwhateverfruits,flowers,andseedsareavailableinforests.Breedingadultswilltravelupto30milesfromtheirnestsitestofindagoodcropofanabundantfood,suchasredelderberry.Birdsinaflockhangacrobaticallyfrombranchestopluckberries,acorns,orotherplantparts,workingtheirwayfromthetoptothebottomofatree.Flocksregularlygatheratsalt-richsprings,saltwaterestuaries,andexposedmineraldepositstoconsumesodiumandothernutrientsneededtobalancetheirberry-richdiet.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

TheBand-tailedarrangesahandfuloftwigsintoasimplestackatleast5feetoffthegroundinatreeandcallsitanest.Femaleslayonlyoneeggpernestattempt,butpairscansuccessfullynestthreetimesperyear.Bothparentsincubatetheeggforabout20daysandproducecropmilk,aproductuniquetodovesandpigeonsthatissecretedintoanenlargedchamberoftheadultesophagusandthenregurgitatedfortheirnestling.Cropmilkiseventuallyreplacedbyadultfoodbeforethechickleavesthenest,25to29daysafterhatching.


MigratoryflocksareformedinSeptemberandtravelfromtheNorthwesttoCalifornia.Theirflightschedulesaredictatedbythepresenceoffruitsandflowersencounteredalongtheway.TheyreturntoourregionbyMarchtobeginnesting.Someindividualshavebecomepermanentresidentsofurbanareasthankstoayear-roundsupplyoffoodatbirdfeeders.

WHERETOFINDBAND-TAILEDPIGEONS

ThesedenizensofmoistforestsarefoundthroughoutwesternOregonandWashingtonbutaremuchlesscommoneastoftheCascades.Atfirstlight,youcanfindBand-tailedPigeonsperchingontheskinnytopsofconiferoustrees.Duringtheday,lookfortheirbulkyshapesflappingoverthetreetopsoratafeederinatree-filledneighborhood.

InWashington

OlympicNationalPark

WillapaNationalWildlifeRefugenearSouthBend

JuliaButlerHansenRefugenearCathlamet


InOregon

PittockMansioninPortland

MountTaborParkinPortland

ScogginsValleyParknearForestGrove


FortStevensStateParknearAstoria

LarchMountainnearTroutdale

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

AforesthikeinlatespringcanproducealonglistofwonderfulbirdssuchasPILEATEDWOODPECKERS,OLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERS,REDCROSSBILLS,SWAINSON’S

THRUSHES,andevenNorthernPygmyOwls.

RUFOUSHUMMINGBIRDSelasphorusrufus

MaleRufousHummingbird

WEKNOWTHATspringhasarrived(orisatleastonitsway)whenwefirsthearthezingofaflyingRufousHummingbird.EachyeartheyreturnfromthesouthtochaseawaytheresidentAnna’sHummingbirdsfromthefeedersthey’vefrequentedallwinter.ThoughsmallerthantheAnna’s,theRufousisafeistyhummingbirdnotafraidtoactasifitownseveryfeeder.Theyarrivejustintimetotakeadvantageoftheparticularplants,suchasredhuckleberryandredcurrant,thatbegintoflowerquiteearlyinourmildclimate.

MalehummingbirdsintheNorthwestareprettysimpletotellapart.TheRufous,whosenamemeansreddish,isorangewithacopper-coloredthroat;theAnna’sisgreenwithafuchsiahelmet;andtheCalliopeisgreenwithapurple-streakedthroat.Femalesaretrickiertotellapart,buttheRufoushasagreenback,orangeishflanks,andacleanwhitestripeseparatingtheneckandbelly.If

back,orangeishflanks,andacleanwhitestripeseparatingtheneckandbelly.IfyouwanttoearnaPh.D.inhummingbirdidentification,gotothesouthernOregonCoastandteaseaparttheRufousandAllen’sHummingbirds,whoserangesoverlapinthisarea.

FOODANDFORAGING

Usingtheirbillsandtonguestoreachnectarinflowers,Rufousesalsodrinksapfromwellscarvedintreesbysapsuckers.Theycapturesmallinsectsintheairandgleaninsectsfromvegetation.Theirtinybrainsshowagreatcapacityforspatialmemory,asdemonstratedbybandedindividualsreturningtotheexactlocationsoffeedingsitesyearafteryear.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGMalesarriveatnestinggroundsbeforefemalesandbegintoperformaerialdisplays.Themalefliesdozensoffeetabovetheground;thendescendsrapidly,pullingupatthelastsecondtomakeaJ-shape;andthenfliestoanewpointintheskytorepeattheprocess.Whenafemaleisattracted,themalewillshuffleback-and-forthnearthebranchonwhichsheisperched.Thefemalethenbeginsbuildinghernestimmediatelyuponarrivalatthenestinggrounds.Thenestisatiny,cozyworkofart:asmallcuplinedwithdownymaterialandanexteriordecoratedwithgreenmossandmint-coloredlichens,allheldtogetherwithspiderwebs.Thefemalealoneincubateshertwocoffee-bean–sizedeggsforabout16daysandthenregurgitatesmealsforthenestlingsduringthe21daystheyareinthenest.Likeotherhummingbirdyoung,Rufousnestlingsarecompetentflyersassoonastheyfledge.


Ifyoumeasuremigrationdistanceinbodylengthinsteadofmilesorkilometers,theRufousHummingbirdmigratesthelongestdistanceinthebirdworld.MostspendtheirwintersinsouthernCaliforniaorMexicoandthenperformanellipticalmigration:flyingnorthalongthecoastinspringtoreachnorthwesternnestingsites,andthenflyingsouthalongtheRockyMountainsinthefall,back

nestingsites,andthenflyingsouthalongtheRockyMountainsinthefall,backtotheirwintergrounds.RufousestravelthisroutetofeedonflowersthatpeakinspringalongtheWestCoastandinlatesummerintheRockies.OfthemanythatshowupintheNorthwestinFebruaryorMarch,somewillstickaroundtonest,butmostwillcontinuenorthtoBritishColumbiaorAlaska.

FemaleRufousHummingbird

WHERETOFINDRUFOUSHUMMINGBIRDSLateMarchandearlyAprilarethebesttimestofindlargenumbersofRufousesatthepeakofmigration.Fillupyourfeederandgetreadyforashow.Lateron,duringnestingseason,theypreferplaceswithamixoflargetrees,shrubs,andopenareas.Unlessyouarewatchingabirdfeeder,you’lloftenlocateaRufousbyitssound.Withalittlepractice,youwilleasilyrecognizethemetallicflightsoundsofmaleszoomingby.Anna’svocalizebutdon’tmakethesamesoundsinflight,whichsimplifiesthings.Alsocheckthinbranchesatthetopsoftreesforterritorialmales.

InWashington

BlackbirdIslandinLeavenworth

SkagitWildlifeAreanearMountVernon

MarymoorParkinRedmond

KentPondsintheGreenRiverNaturalResourcesAreanearSeattle

BottleBeachStateParknearWestport

InOregon


AudubonSocietyofPortland’sNatureSanctuarynearForestPark


ClayMyersStateNaturalAreanearPacificCity

BeaverCreekStateNaturalAreanearNewport



OTHERBIRDSTOSEEAmarshsurroundedbytalltreesisattractivetoRufousHummingbirdsandalsoprovidesawonderfulvarietyofhabitatsforBLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS,WESTERNTANAGERS,Black-throatedGrayWarblers,PurpleFinches,andCEDARWAXWINGS.

CALLIOPEHUMMINGBIRDSelasphoruscalliope

MaleCalliopeHummingbird

YOUWOULDTHINKthatthesmallestbreedingbirdinNorthAmericawouldwanttohide,butmaleCalliopeHummingbirdsmakethemselvesknownbydivingthroughtheair,buzzingloudly,andflaringiridescentfeatherstothesideforalltosee.Allofthisexcitementcomesinatinypackage;thesebirdsweighnomorethanastickofgum.

ThemaleCalliopehasagorget,apatchofiridescentfeathersonitsthroatandhead,unlikeanyotherhummerfoundinthisregion.Insteadofasolidiridescentpatch,ithaspurplishiridescentstripesonitswhitethroat.ThefemalecloselyresemblesafemaleRufousHummingbird:greenishandrufous(reddish)withawhitebelly.

FOODANDFORAGING

TheCalliopehasadietsimilartothatofotherhummingbirds:nectar,insects,andsap.Asaforestgapspecialist,thisspeciesregularlyfeedsonfloweringplantsinsunnymountainmeadowsandstreamsideareas.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Malesestablishbreedingterritoriesinopenareaswithprominentperches,usuallythetipsofwillowstemsthathavediedback.MalesperformU-shapedaerialdisplaysbyhoveringdozensoffeetabovetheground,diving,climbing,andhoveringatanotherlocation,repeatedasnecessarytoattractfemales.Themaleproducessoundswithhisfeathersduringthediveandcreatesahigh-pitchedbuzzfromhisbillwhilehoveringinfrontofafemaleattractedbyhisdisplay.Ifsheapproves,theywillflytogetherandspininanaerialcircle,joiningtogetherwiththeirbills.Thefemaleusuallyconstructshernestonthebranchofapinetree,withthenestarrangedtoresembleapinecone.Thefemaleincubateshertwoeggsforabout15daysandfeedstheyoungadietcomposedmainlyofinsectsforthe18to21daysthattheyareinthenest.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSCalliopeshaveamigrationpatternsimilartoRufousHummingbirds,withnorthboundspringmigrationoccurringoverlowelevationsandcoastalareas,andsouthboundfallmigrationoccurringoverhigherelevations.ThespringarrivalofCalliopesintheNorthwestissubtlerthanthatoftheRufousbecauseoftheCalliope’slessaggressivenature,smallersize,andsuperficialsimilaritytotheubiquitousAnna’sHummingbird.CalliopestypicallyarriveintheNorthwestinAprilorMayandhavedepartedfortheirwintergroundsbySeptember.Males,whichprovidenoparentalcare,leavenestingareasbeforefemalesandyoungandoftendispersethroughouttheNorthwestpriortoheadingsouth.

WHERETOFINDCALLIOPE

HUMMINGBIRDS

CalliopeHummingbirdsareeasiesttofindontheirnestinggroundsinlateMayorearlyJune,whenmalesaredisplaying.Checkthespindlydeadtwigsatthetopsofwillowsorothershrubsalongstreamsinhigh-elevationmeadows.Watchforsomethingthesizeofabigbeeflyingaround,andyoumightgettoseetheCalliope’sU-shapeddisplayflightaswell.

InWashington

AlongtheGoldendale-BickletonHighwaynortheastofTheDalles,Oregon

WenasCampground(AudubonCampground)nearEllensburg

UpperSkagitRivernearNewhalem

InOregon

CalliopeCrossingnearSisters

CraterLakeNationalPark

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

AvisittoCalliopecountrycanalsoproduceRed-napedSapsuckers,NorthernGoshawks,PinyonJays,andGREEN-TAILEDTOWHEES.

WESTERNKINGBIRDTyrannusverticalis

THEWESTERNKINGBIRDisthemostconspicuousoftheflycatchersintheNorthwest,withitslemon-yellowbellyandhabitofperchingontransmissionwiresinopenareas.Thisaggressivebirdwillchasejustaboutanythingandhasnodesiretohidefromattention.Itswholelifeisanopenbook,fromtheinsect-catchingshowheldinopenfieldstothenestingperformanceconductedatopautilitypole.

Abrightyellowbellyandgrayheaddistinguishthisflycatcherfromsimilarbirds,suchastheWesternMeadowlark,withitswhite-edgedtailandyellowbreast;themeadowlarkalsohasastripedbrownheadandalonger,more-pointedbillthanthekingbird.

FOODANDFORAGINGTheWesternKingbirddisplaysatypicalflycatcherforagingbehaviorknownashawking:itwatchesforflyinginsectswhileperched,fliesfromtheperchtocapturetheinsectwithaquickburstofspeed,andthenreturnstothesameperch.Westernswillalsodroptothegroundtocapturepreyandwillpluckfooditems,suchasinsectsandberries,fromvegetationwhilehoveringintheair.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Afterpairingattheirnestinggrounds,amaleandfemalesearchfornestsitesnearthetopsoftreesandshrubsoronhuman-madestructuressuchasutilitypolesandabandonedbuildings.Thefemaleconstructsabulky,cup-shapednestandincubatesanaverageoffoureggsfortwoweeks.Pairsvigorouslydefendtheirconspicuousnestsbydive-bombingpotentialpredatorswhilemakingloudcallsandsnappingtheirbills.Bothparentscaptureinsectstofeedtotheiryoungduringthe16-daynestlingperiod.


WesternKingbirdsarriveintheNorthwestinlateAprilorearlyMayand,afternesting,departforwinteringgroundsbymid-September.TheyspendthewinterinsouthernMexicoandCentralAmerica,minglingwithotherNorthAmericanmigrantsandyear-roundtropicalresidents.

migrantsandyear-roundtropicalresidents.

WHERETOFINDWESTERNKINGBIRDSThisspeciesisfoundinopencountrywhereperchessuchasscatteredtreesandtransmissionlinesareavailable.TheyaremuchmorecommonlyfoundeastoftheCascades,buttheydoshowupinpocketsofappropriatehabitatonthewesternside,especiallyduringmigration.Westernsactasiftheywanttobeseen,soyouwon’thavetowaitlongtofindoneifyou’reinthebird’shabitat.Transmissionlinesandfencesarefavoriteperches.

InWashington




WenasBasinbetweenYakimaandEllensburg

InOregon

SandyRiverDeltanearTroutdale

SmithRockStateParknearRedmond

KlamathFallsarea

NorthMountainParkinAshland

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

WhilewatchingwiresforWesternKingbirds,youmightfindotherbirdsthatenjoyagoodview,suchasAmericanKestrels,WESTERNMEADOWLARKS,LarkSparrows,LoggerheadShrikes,andWESTERNBLUEBIRDS.

VIOLET-GREENSWALLOWTachycinetathalassina

SWOOPINGACROBATICALLYABOVEthetreetopslikeavianfighterpilots,Violet-greenSwallowsprovideraygunsoundeffectsastheyzoompasteachother.Theyareharbingersofspringandtheepitomeofgraceastheyzipthroughthesky.Thesedelicate,jewel-likebirdswillhappilylineuptogetheronatelephonewirebutwillgetfeistywhenlimitednestingcavitiesareupforgrabs.

Theiriridescentgreen-and-violetbackcontrastssharplywithapurewhitebellyandchin.TheonlyothernorthwesternswallowwithabrightwhitebellyanddarkbackistheTreeSwallow,whichhasadarkfaceandametallic-blueback.Violet-greenshavewhiteflanksthatwraparoundandalmostconnectabovethetail.WhenaViolet-greenbankssharply,itswhiteflanksstandoutagainstitsdarkbackandtail.

FOODANDFORAGING

Likeotherswallows,Violet-greenseatflyinginsectsandotherdriftingarthropods.Theyoftenflyabovethetreetopsofconiferousforests,catchingandswallowinginsectsintheair.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGViolet-greensnestinotherbird-madecavities,suchasthosepreviouslyexcavatedbywoodpeckers,orinnestboxesconstructedbyhumans.Onceapairhassettledonasuitablecavity,thefemalelinesthespacewithtwigs,grass,andfeathers.Largewhitefeathersarepreferred,perhapsbecausetheycamouflagethewhiteeggsfrompredatorsorfromfemaleswallowslookingtodumpaneggintoanother’sclutch.Femalesincubatefourtosixeggsfor15days,andbothparentsfeedregurgitatedinsectstothenestlings.


Althoughamigratoryspecies,Violet-greenSwallowsspendmuchoftheyearinthePacificNorthwest.ThenorthernextentoftheirwinteringrangeisincentralCalifornia,sosomehaveashortmigrationandarriveatNorthwestnestingsitesassoonaslateFebruary.Afterthelongnestingseason,theygatherinlargeflockspriortomigratingsouth.ThelastsouthboundflockspassthroughourregioninOctober.

WHERETOFINDVIOLET-GREENSWALLOWS

Thisspeciesdoesn’trequireanopen,buggywetlandlikemanyofitsswallowcousins.Instead,ithuntsinsectsoverforests,alongcoastalareas,andinhigh-elevationareas.TheyarewidespreadacrosstheNorthwestandareexcellentnestboxtenantsifyouhavetheminyourneighborhood.Swallowsareoftenseenflyingintheopenandperchingonwires.Spottingaswallowiseasierthanfiguringoutwhichspeciesyou’relookingat.

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

AerialinsectsareanimportantfoodresourcethatisexploitedbyavarietyofbirdsthateitherflutterlikeVAUX’SSWIFTS,swooplikeBarnSwallows,ordartintotheairandsnatchlikeOLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERSandPacific-slopeFlycatchers.

WESTERNBLUEBIRDSialiamexicana

BLUEBIRDSARESYMBOLSofhappinessforgoodreason.Theirbrightcolorsandflutteringflightwillliftyourmoodatanytimeoftheyear.Theirstubbybeaksandsmall,darkeyesgivethemacuteappearancethat,alongwiththeirwillingnesstousenestboxes,endearsthemtothosewholiketheirbirdsupcloseandadorable.

MaleWesternBluebirdsaregloriousindeepblueplumagewithaboldrufous(reddish)chest.Femalesareagrayed,washedoutversionofthesamecolorscheme.MountainBluebirdssometimesarefoundinthesameareasbutaresolidblueandlackthereddishcoloration.LazuliBuntingslooksimilar,buttheyarealighter,brighterblueandhavewhitebarsontheirwings.

FOODANDFORAGINGAWesternBluebirdscansforinsectsfromatreebranchorsimilarperch.Whenitseesaninsect,usuallyontheground,itpounces,capturesthecreatureinitsbill,andreturnstoanotherperch.Westernsalsocaptureflyinginsectsintheairandpluckfoodfromvegetationwhileinflight.Duringthewinter,theyaddfruitandseedstotheirdiet.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

WesternBluebirdstypicallynestintreecavitiesthatwerepreviouslyexcavatedbywoodpeckersinforestswithwidelyspacedtrees.Theywillalsousenestboxesprovidedbybluebirdenthusiasts.Afterapairselectsanestsite,thefemalefillsmuchofthecavityornestboxwithcollectedmaterialsuchasdriedgrassandbark.Sheincubatesanaverageoffiveeggsforabouttwoweeks.Althoughthemaledoesnotincubate,hecontributestothenestingeffortbyfeedingthefemalewhilesheincubatesandbyhelpingherprovisiontheyoung.

feedingthefemalewhilesheincubatesandbyhelpingherprovisiontheyoung.


Withsomemovingshortdistancesafternestingandsomestayinginanareayear-round,WesternBluebirdsarepartialmigrants.Afterthespringandsummernestingseason,theyformflocksthatyoucanseethroughoutthewinterinthewesternhalfofourregion.Inmildyears,theycanbefoundinCentralOregonandWashingtonaswell.

WHERETOFINDWESTERNBLUEBIRDSPlacessuchasBickleton,Washington,andChampoeg,Oregon,wherenestboxeshavebeenerectedalongbluebirdtrails,makeitalmosttooeasytofindaWesternBluebirdduringnestingseason.Lesstimesearchingforthemmeansmoretimewatchingandenjoyingthem.Thisquietbirdletsitscolordothetalking,soyouprobablywon’tfinditbylisteningforit.WatchforaflashofbluedivingtowardthegroundfromafencepostorthebranchofaPonderosapine.Bluebirdsareactivecreatures,sotheirmovementswilleventuallycatchyoureye.

InWashington


FortSimcoeStateParknearToppenish


MimaMoundsNaturalAreaPreservenearOlympia

Male(left)andfemaleWesternBluebirds

InOregon

PrescottParkinMedford

ChampoegStateHeritageAreanearWilsonville


BaskettSloughNationalWildlifeRefugenearDallas


OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

ThetinytownofBickletonisconsideredtheBluebirdCapitalofWashington,andyou’llseewhyasyoudrivetheGoldendale-BickletonHighwayandvisitthebluebirdtrailsaroundtown.InadditiontotheWesternandMOUNTAINBLUEBIRDSthatnestintheabundantnextboxes,youmightfindLEWIS’SWOODPECKERS,WESTERNTANAGERS,White-breastedNuthatches,andVesperSparrowsinthegrasslandsandtrees.

MOUNTAINBLUEBIRDSialiacurrucoides

MaleMountainBluebird

LIKEPOWDERBLUEjewels,MountainBluebirdsbrightenupthedry,opencountryofCentralOregonandWashington.Inthewinter,theylooklikeasliverofsummerskypreservedtoenjoyduringthedarkertimes.Theselong-wingedbeautiesshowofftheirgoodlookswhileperchingconspicuouslyorhoveringtofindinsects.

Malesareagloriousskyblueallover,unlikeotherbluebirds.Femalesaregrayerbutstillhavethedistinctiveblueontheirwingsandtail.YoucantellMountainBluebirdsfromWesternBluebirdsbythereddishtonesontheWestern’schest.PinyonJaysareasimilarpowderblue,buttheyaremuchlargerandlouder,withbigbeaks.

FOODANDFORAGING

Owingtoitsaffinityforopenspaces,thisrelativelylong-wingedbluebirdfrequentlyhoversinplacewhilesearchingforpreyoverbaregroundorareaswithshortvegetation.MountainBluebirdsemployavarietyofothermethodstocaptureinsects,includingpouncingfromaperchordartingfromaperchtopursueflyinginsects.Wheninsectsareunavailableinthewinter,thebirdsshifttoadietoffruitandseeds.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

MountainBluebirdshistoricallydependedonoldwoodpeckercavitiesintreesadjacenttoopenareassuchasmountainmeadowsorwildfiresites.Thankstonestboxprograms,theynowhaveless-specifichabitatrequirements.Afemalelinestheinsideofacavityornestboxinteriorwithdriedgrassesandpiecesofbarkbeforelayingfiveorsixeggsthatsheincubatesforabouttwoweeks.Themalefeedsthefemalewhilesheincubatesandjoinsherincapturinganddeliveringfoodtothenestlings.Youngaredependentontheirparentsforseveralweeksafterleavingthenest.

FemaleMountainBluebird


Post-breedingflocksdeparttheNorthwestforwinteringgroundsinthesouthwesternUnitedStatesandnorthernMexicobytheendofOctober.There,MountainBluebirdsjoinmixed-speciesflocksuntilreturningtotheNorthwestinlateFebruaryandMarch.Iftheweatherremainsmild,someflockswillwinterinCentralOregonandWashington.

WHERETOFINDMOUNTAINBLUEBIRDS

Don’tletthenamefoolyou,becausethesebirdsarefoundinflat,openvalleysbetweenmountainrangesinadditiontotheirnamesakealpineareas.TheyoccurinareasthataremorewideopenthanthosefavoredbyWesternBluebirds.Scanpotentialperches,suchasfencelinesandjunipers,foratelltaleblueflash.Whenhunting,MountainBluebirdshoverlowoverfields,sodon’tlooktoohighinsky.

InWashington



ColdwaterRidgeVisitorCenteronMountSaintHelens

MountRainierNationalPark

InOregon

AroundTimberlineLodgeonMountHood


DavisLakenearLaPine


OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Highaltitude,wildfires,andlavaflowscreateforestopeningsthatattractMountainBluebirdsandmore.AnalpinehikecanproduceCOMMONRAVENS,REDCROSSBILLS,BLACK-BACKEDWOODPECKERS,Clark’sNutcrackers,andGrayJays.

CEDARWAXWINGBombycillacedrorum

ANOMADICANDcolorfulfruit-eater,theCedarWaxwingisstrikingasanindividualorasamemberofabusyflocksettingaberrybushaquiverwithflutteringwingsandgapingmouths.Thesegluttonousandgregariousbirdshave

areputationforstrippingfruittreesbareastheystuffthemselves.Inthefall,whenripenedfruitshavebeguntoferment,someofthemactsuspiciouslytipsy.

CedarWaxwingshavesoftbrownplumagethatlookslikesleek,shortfur.Theyellowedgesoftheirtailswillcatchyoureye,evenwhenthebirdsareinflight.Averycloselookwillrewardyouwithaglimpseoftheredwaxydepositontheirwingsthatgivesthemtheirname.Assmall,brownbirdswithcrests,theyaredistinctiveintheNorthwest.Theironlylook-alikeistheBohemianWaxwing,whichisawintervisitortotheeasternpartsofOregonandWashingtonandislargerandgrayer.

FOODANDFORAGING

Tomeettheirnutritionalneeds,CedarWaxwingsseemtoimitateotherbirds.Whenfruitsareabundantonwildplantsorinberryfarms,theypluckthemfrombranches,hangingupsidedownlikeparakeets.Wheninsectsareonthemenu,CedarWaxwingsemulateswallows,flycatchers,andwarblersbycatchingpreyonthewingorpluckingthemfromvegetation.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

PairsbeginnestinginJune,laterthanmostsongbirds.Thisdelayednestingseasoncoincidesnicelywiththeripeningofthelocalfruitcrop,animportantsourceoffoodforfledglings.Malesandfemalescollectnestmaterialandbringittoatreeorlargeshrub,butthefemaleperformsmostoftheconstruction.Foureggsareincubatedfor12days.Nestlingsarefedinsectsuponhatching,buttheparentseventuallytransitionthemtoafruit-heavydiet.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSFlocksroamthecountrysideinsearchofproductivefruitcrops.Theymayleavetheregioninthefallorwinteriffruitsuppliesarelow,buttheywillreturnbythestartofthenestingseasoninJune.

WHERETOFINDCEDARWAXWINGS

CedarWaxwingsaremostoftenspottedindeciduouswoodlands,parks,andsuburbanareas.Forestedgeswithfruitingtreesareprimelocationsforwatchingthem.Intown,lookinhollyandhawthorntreesduringthewinter,whentheyarefullofredfruitandexcitedbirds.TheCedar’scallisverydistinctivebutissohighpitchedthatyoumayfinditdifficulttohear.Listenfortherepeated,soft“seee”asaflockmovesfromonefruittreetoanother.

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEWhenthenestingseasonhasended,CedarWaxwingsdiversifytheirdietstoincludeafallfeastofberries.JoiningthemareAmericanRobins,RED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERS,WESTERNBLUEBIRDS,andWesternScrub-Jays.

TOWNSEND’SWARBLERSetophagatownsendi

MaleTownsend’sWarbler

AMIDTHEDRAB-BROWNwinteringsparrowsatyoursuetfeedercomesasummeryflashofhyperactiveyellow,likeagiganticbumblebee.AvisitingTownsend’sWarblerwillbrightenyouryardlikefewbirdscan.Thebeautifullymarkedyellow,black,andolivewarblersstandoutamongtheirbrowncompanionsanddelightbirderswiththeirenergeticbehavior.

Youcandistinguishwarblersfromothersongbirdsbytheirthin,pointedbills.NootherwarblerintheNorthwesthasthestrongblackandyellowfacialstripingoftheTownsend’sWarbler.HermitWarblershaveasolidyellowface,Wilson’sWarblershaveblackonlyontopoftheirheads,andCommonYellowthroatshaveathickblackZorromask.

FOODANDFORAGING

Typicalofwarblers,Townsend’sseemtobeconstantlyonthemovewhensearchingforfood.Theyhoporflyfrombranchtobranchwhilegleaninginsectsfromconiferousanddeciduoustrees.Thesewarblersalsohoverinplacetopluckaninsectoffthetipofatwig,ortheydartouttocatchamealinflight.Duringthewinter,theywillalsopluckfruitandseedsfromplantsandpickatasuet

thewinter,theywillalsopluckfruitandseedsfromplantsandpickatasuetfeeder.Thisnonstopmovementcanmakeitdifficultforthenovicebirdertospotthebirdandidentifyit.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGBeginninginthelatespring,thefemaleconstructsabulkycupnestinaconiferoustreeandincubatesfourorfiveeggsfor11to14days,whilethemalekeepsaclosewatch.Nestlingsremaininthenestforonly10days,probablytoreducepredationrisk,duringwhichtimetheyarefedinsectsbybothparents.


Inmostoftheirnestingrange,Townsend’sWarblersareneotropicalmigrantsthatspendtheirwintersinLatinAmerica.Aportionofthepopulation,however,spendsitswintersinwesternWashington,Oregon,andCaliforniaafternestinginBritishColumbia.NorthwestnestersarrivefromtheirsouthernwinteringgroundsinAprilandMayanddeparttheregioninSeptember.WinteringbirdsarriveinthewesternportionsofOregonandWashingtoninthefallandleavefortheirnestinggroundsinlatespring.Inthewinter,Townsend’sjoinchickadees,kinglets,andcreeperstoformmixedfeedingflocksandtakeadvantageoftheextrasetsofeyestowatchforpredatorssuchasSharp-shinnedHawksandNorthernPygmyOwls.

WHERETOFINDTOWNSEND’SWARBLERS

Springmigrationandwinteraretheeasiesttimestoseethesebirds.Inthesummer,theyarebusynestingintreetopsinhigh-elevationareas.DuringspringmigrationinMay,lookforTownsend’sWarblersindeciduoustreessuchasmaples.Inthewinter,theyfavorconiferssuchasDouglas-firs.Theirhighforagingsitesareresponsibleforafamiliarbirder’scondition:warblerneck,anachecausedbytiltingyourheadtostareupintoatreeforlongperiodsoftime.

FemaleTownsend’sWarbler

InWashington

WashingtonParkArboretuminSeattle(winter)

PointDefianceParkinTacoma(winterandmigration)

LakeWenatcheeStateParknearLeavenworth(breeding)

MountRainierNationalPark(breeding)

InOregon

MountTaborParkinPortland(migration)

JenkinsEstateinBeaverton(winter)

LarchMountainnearTroutdale(breeding)

FishLakeInterpretiveDayUseSitenearMcKenzieBridge(breeding)

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Duringthewinter,conifer-filledurbanparksprovideshelterandfeedingopportunitiesforbirdssuchasRED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERS,BUSHTITS,RED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES,BROWNCREEPERS,ANNA’SHUMMINGBIRDS,andVARIEDTHRUSHES.

WILSON’SWARBLERCardellinapusilla

MaleWilson’sWarbler

ONARAINYspringday,thesongandbrightyellowflashofaWilson’sWarblermightbetheonlyindicationthatsummerisonitsway.Thesewarblersseemconflictedaboutwhethertheywanttobeseen:malesannouncetheirpresencewithaloudsongandthendisappearintothewillows.Despitethiscontradiction,theyareanidealintroductorywarblerwiththeirdistinctfieldmarksandeye-levellifestyle.

Malesarebrightyellowwithanolivebackandajauntyblackcap.Theirblackeyesstandoutsharplyagainsttheiryellowfaces.Thefemale’scolorsare

blackeyesstandoutsharplyagainsttheiryellowfaces.Thefemale’scolorsaremorefaded,andhercapismoreolivethanblack.Almostallwarblershaveyellowonatleastsomepartoftheirbody,buttheWilson’sistheonlyonewithayellowfaceandadarkcap.

FOODANDFORAGING

Wilson’sWarblers’huntingbehaviormakesthemexcellentbirdstowatchduringmigrationornestingtime,becausetheyoftensearchforfoodneartheground,whereyoucancatchaviewmoreeasily.Theyspendmostoftheirtimeindeciduoustreesorshrubsgleaningcaterpillarsandotherinsectsfromthefoliagebyhoveringandpecking.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Justastheyforagelow,Wilson’salsonestatheightslowerthanmostwesternwarblers.Theirnestisanopencupconstructedinashruborinadepressiononthegroundnearthetrunkofashruborsmalltree.Threetofiveeggsareincubatedfor11days.Bothparentsfeedinsectsandspiderstotheyounguntiltheyleavethenest9to11daysafterhatching.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSDuringspringmigrationinAprilandMay,thesebirdsappeartobeeverywhereastheyforagelikemadduringthedaytofuelupfortheireveningflights.Afternestinghereinthespringandsummer,theydeparttheregionbytheendofOctober.ThewidespreadpopulationofWilson’sinthewesternUnitedStatesmigratessouthtospendwintersinarelativelysmallportionofwesternMexicoandCentralAmerica.

WHERETOFINDWILSON’SWARBLERS

Lookforthemalongrivers,incityparks,andinyourownbackyard.InearlyMay,theyseemtoinhabiteveryshrub,butyoucanseeandhearthemallsummer.Theirsongisnotespeciallymusicalandsoundslikeanenginestrugglingtoturnover,withaloud,rapidseriesof“chee”sounds.Whenyou

hearitssong,lookforaflashofyellowinashruborinthelowerbranchesofatree.

InWashington


MagnusonParkinSeattle


WenatcheeConfluenceStateParkinWenatchee

InOregon

Mary’sPeaknearCorvallis

AudubonSocietyofPortland’sNatureSanctuarynearForestPark

TillamookForestCenteronHighway6


OTHERBIRDSTOSEEWhileyou’restaringintothebushes,youcanenjoyspottingtheotherbirdsthathangoutateyelevelinriparianshrubs.LookforSWAINSON’STHRUSHES,SongSparrows,PACIFICWRENS,SpottedTowhees,andDownyWoodpeckerswithoutstrainingyourneck.

GREEN-TAILEDTOWHEEPipilochlorurus

DONOTPASSupachancetocatchaglimpseofasingingmaleGreen-tailedTowheewhenyouvisititsCentralOregonhabitat.Althoughmalessingprominentlylikemockingbirdsintheearlysummer,theyseemtospendtherestoftheyearhidingfrombirders.

Thislargesparrow’ssharpbutearthycolorsseemperfectlysuitedtoitsaridnestinggrounds.Itsportsarufous(reddish)cap,awhitethroat,andauniqueolive-greencoloronitswingsandtail.Malesandfemalessharethisdistinctiveplumagepattern.ChippingSparrowsalsohavearufouscrown,buttheyaremuchsmallerandarebrownratherthangreen.

FOODANDFORAGING

TheGreen-tailedandothertowheesaremastersofthehop-scratch,aforagingtechniquethatinvolveshoppingintheairandthenscratchingthegroundwithbothfeetsimultaneously.Thismotionkickslitteroutofthewaysothebirdscanpicktheinsectsorseedsofftheground.Green-tailedsalsosearchshrubsforinsectsandfruit.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Afterselectinganestingsiteinanareafullofsagebrush,manzanita,orothershrubsandsmalltrees,thefemaleconstructsthenestonthegroundorinashrubandlaysthreetofoureggs.Whenalarmed,shehopsoffhernestandrunsawayinsteadofflying,makingitdifficultforpredatorssuchassquirrels,CommonRavens,andSteller’sJaystodiscernthenest’slocation.Sheincubatestheeggsfor12days,andbothparentsfeedthenestlingsuntiltheyleavethenest,11to14daysafterhatching.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSTheseshort-distancemigrantsspendtheirwintersinthesouthwesternUnitedStatesandinMexico.NestingbirdsarriveinOregonandWashingtoninlateAprilorearlyMay.Afternesting,somebirdsmoveupinelevationtoareaswheremoreinsectsareavailabletofueltheirmoltingandmigration.MostleavetheNorthwestbytheendofSeptember.

WHERETOFINDGREEN-TAILEDTOWHEES

TherangeofthespeciesinWashingtonisrestrictedtoasmallareaintheextremesoutheasternpartofthestate.InOregon,theyaremuchmorewidespread,nestingasfarwestastheSiskiyousandtheeasternslopesoftheCascades.Theypreferareaswithamixofshrubsandtreesindryand/orhighcountry.Ideally,youwillhearamalesinginghisvariablesongandthenspothimonhislowperch.Ifthatfails,listencarefullyfortherustlingsoundofabirdscratchingintheleaflitter,andthentrackitdown.

scratchingintheleaflitter,andthentrackitdown.

InOregon

ColdSpringsandIndianFordcampgroundsnearSisters


DavisLakenearLaPine

CabinLakeCampgroundnearFortRock

MountAshlandnearAshland

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEBrushyareasinthedrycountryaregoodplacestoplayWhat’sbehindthatshrub?Ifit’snotaGREEN-TAILEDTOWHEE,theanswercouldbeFoxSparrow,ChippingSparrow,CALIFORNIAQUAIL,oralizard.

WESTERNTANAGERPirangaludoviciana

FemaleWesternTanager

THEGODSOFbiogeographywerestingywiththeNorthwest,givingusonlyonetanagerspecies.Fortunatelyforus,though,theWesternTanagerisavividlycoloredtropicalambassadorthatiseasytofindduringcertaintimesoftheyear.Themale’syellowbodyandred-orangeheadgiveitapleasingresemblancetoafruitydrinktoppedwithasplashofgrenadine.

Theboldyellowbody,redhead,andblackwingsofthemaleWesternTanagerhaveledmanypeopletophonetheirlocalAudubonSocietywithquestionsabouttheparakeetorotherexoticbirdtheythinktheyhavefoundintheiryard.Femalesarelesscolorful,withanolivebody,graywings,andpalewingbars.Bothsexeshaveaconicalbillandarelargerandchunkierthanwarblers.

FOODANDFORAGING

Likemanyotherneotropicalmigrants,WesternTanagerseatinsectsduringthenestingseasoninthePacificNorthwestbutswitchtoadietheavyinfruitwhilewinteringinLatinAmerica.Bees,wasps,andantsmakeupalargepartofthe

winteringinLatinAmerica.Bees,wasps,andantsmakeupalargepartoftheinsectpreytheycapture.Theysearchforinsectsinthehighbranchesoftreesornabtheminflightinamannersimilartothatofflycatchers.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGSoonafterapairarrivesonthenestinggrounds,thefemaleselectsanestsite,usually10feetorhigherinaconiferoustree.Nestingactivityisdifficulttoobserveinthisspeciesbecauseoftheheightandconcealmentofitsnestandthefactthatthemale,morecolorfulthanthefemale,rarelyvisitsthenestuntiltheeggshatch.Thenestissaucer-shapedandlinedwithsoftmaterial.Foureggsareincubatedfor13days.Bothparentsfeedtheyoungduringtheir13-daynestlingperiod.


Westernsarehighlymigratory,meaningthatallindividualsleavetheirnestinggroundsforsouthernwinteringlocales.ThewinteringgroundsstretchfromSouthernCaliforniatoPanama.MostspringtimemigrantsentertheNorthwestinlateAprilorearlyMay.Afterthenestingseason,thelastmigrantshavedepartedfromtheregionbytheendofOctober.

WHERETOFINDWESTERNTANAGERS

Youwon’tfindmanyWesternTanagersinthemiddleofashadyold-growthforest;theypreferforestedgeswhereconifersmeetdeciduoustrees,rivers,oropenspace.This,andthebrightplumageofthemale,makesthemeasytospot.Ifyouareintherighttypeofforestattherighttimeofyear,itwon’tbelonguntilyouseetheyellowandblackflashofaWestern.Ifyougetimpatient,listenforitsfroglike“prit-dip?”call.

MaleWesternTanager

InWashington

DiscoveryParkinSeattle

LeavenworthNationalFishHatcherynearLeavenworth

OakCreekWildlifeAreanearNaches


InOregon



WillametteParkandNaturalAreainCorvallis

CooperMountainNatureParkinBeaverton

MetoliusPreserveandMetoliusRivertrailsnearCampSherman


OTHERBIRDSTOSEEOpeningsintheforestnearmeadowsandstreamsattractagreatdiversityofbirdsandprovidegoodvisibilityforfindingthem.AsummertimestrollthroughtheforestcanleadyoutoWHITE-HEADEDWOODPECKERS(eastoftheCascadeCrest),BLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS,WesternWood-Pewees,WarblingVireos,andBlack-throatedGrayWarblers.

LAZULIBUNTINGPasserinaamoena

FemaleLazuliBunting

MALELAZULIBUNTINGSsportelectric-blueplumageandsingtheirlittleheartsouttoimpressthemoremodestlycoloredfemales.Theirotherworldlycolorcomesnotfromabluepigmentbutfromthelightofthesunrefractinginthestructureoftheirfeathers.Intheshade,theircolorbecomesdull.Visitashrubbysiteinthelatespringtotakeintheiraudiovisualshow.

Malesareboldlypatterned,withabrightbluesuitandrust-coloredcummerbund.ThecolorcombinationofblueandrufousisonethatLazuliBuntingssharewithWesternBluebirds.Theyareeasilytoldapart,however,becausethebuntinghaswhitewingbarsandisalighterblue,andthebluebirdislargeranddarkerwithathinnerbill.FemaleLazulisareawarmbrownwithjustahintofblueonthewing.

FOODANDFORAGING

Lazulishaveaveryflexibledietandforagingstrategy.Theyusetheirthickbillstocrunchseedsthattheyfindonthegroundorremovefromplants.Theyalso

tocrunchseedsthattheyfindonthegroundorremovefromplants.Theyalsopickberriesfromshrubsortrees,pulltentcaterpillarsfromtheirwebs,andcaptureflyinginsectsintheair.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGMaleLazulissingpersistentlyattheirnestinggroundstoattractfemales.Notwosongssoundthesame,becauseeachyoungmalecraftshissongbyincorporatingphrasessungbyolderneighbors.Afterpairing,femalesconstructanestafewfeetoffthegroundinashruborsmalltree.Threeorfoureggsareincubatedfor12days.Bothparentsfeedinsectsandspiderstothenestlingsuntiltheyfledge,10daysafterhatching.Malesattempttonestduringtheirfirstbreedingseasonbutwon’tgrowtheirelectricblueplumageuntilthefollowingyear.


MostLazulisarrivetonestinOregonandWashingtoninMayandleavetheregionbytheendofAugust.OntheirwaytotheirwinteringgroundsinMexico,somebirdsmakeapitstopinthesouthwesternUnitedStatestomolt,orshedandregrowtheirfeathers.Oncethemoltiscomplete,thebuntingscompletetheirmigration.

MaleLazuliBunting

WHERETOFINDLAZULIBUNTINGSLookforthisspeciesinhabitatsrangingfromgrassysavannahstoriparianwillowthickets,butshrubsfornestingandsomesortofsingingperchesarealwaysneeded.Springtimeiswhenthemalesaremostvisible,andtheyshinelikepiecesofaquamarineinthesunwhileperforming.Checkthetopsofshrubsandsmalltreestocatchagreatviewofamaleinhissunlitsplendor.

InWashington

CowicheCanyonnearYakima


SteigerwaldLakeNationalWildlifeRefugenearWashougal

HowardMillerSteelheadParknearRockport

InOregon

PowellButteNatureParkinPortland

SandyRiverDeltanearTroutdale

HagelsteinParknearKlamathFalls


OTHERBIRDSTOSEEShrubbyhillsidesarefullofbirdsontheground,onperches,andflyingoverhead.YoumightfindSavannahSparrows,CommonYellowthroats,AmericanGoldfinches,WESTERNBLUEBIRDS,andVIOLET-GREENSWALLOWS.

YELLOW-HEADEDBLACKBIRDXanthocephalusxanthocephalus

FemaleYellow-headedBlackbird

ASWEWATCHRed-wingedBlackbirdsinwinter,wecan’thelpbutwonder,howlonguntiltheYellow-headedBlackbirdsreturn?Thesebig,brashbirdsarethelifeofthepartyinmarshesacrosstheNorthwesteverysummer.Themaletakeseveryopportunitytopuffupandsinghisunmusical,somesaylaughable,songtocharmtheharemoffemalesthatnestinhisterritory.

NothingelselooksliketheaptlynamedYellow-headedBlackbird;eventhefemaleshaveyellowthroatsandbreasts.Themale’swhitewingpatchmakeshimevenmoreeye-catching.Otherblackbirdshaveblackheadsandmayshowacoloredshoulderpatch,orepaulette.

FOODANDFORAGING

Yellow-headedBlackbirdseatcultivatedgrainsandwildseedsthroughoutmuch

Yellow-headedBlackbirdseatcultivatedgrainsandwildseedsthroughoutmuchoftheyear,buttheyswitchtoadietofemergentaquaticinsects,especiallydragonflies,duringthenestingseason.Whennotoccupyingtheirmarshynestingsites,largeflocksofthesebirdswalkthroughagriculturalfields,scouringthegroundforinsectsandunharvestedgrain.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGMalesestablishterritoriesinfreshwatermarsheswithdeepwaterandvegetation,suchascattails,availablefornestbuilding.AfterexcludingsmallerRed-wingedBlackbirdstotheouterfringesofthemarsh,aYellow-headedmalewillattractuptoeightfemaleswithwhichtobreed.Eachfemaleweavesabasketlikenestintocattailsorotheraquaticplantswithinthemale’sterritory.Sheincubateshereggsfor12to13dayswhilethemalevigilantlyguardstheterritoryfromintruders.Thefemalefeedsdragonfliesandotherinsectstothenestlings,andthemalemayhelpwiththefeeding,dependingonthenumberofnestshefathered.Nestlingsleavethenestabout10daysafterhatchingandeventuallyjoinflockswithothersofthesamespecies.


SomeYellow-headedBlackbirdswinterintheNorthwest,butmosttraveltowinteringgroundsinthesouthernUnitedStatesandMexico.FlocksreturntotheregioninAprilfornestingseason,whichgenerallylastsfromMaythroughAugust.BirdsthattravelsouthdepartbytheendofSeptember.

MaleYellow-headedBlackbird

WHERETOFINDYELLOW-HEADEDBLACKBIRDS

AlthoughtheyaremorewidespreadontheeastsideoftheCascades,Yellow-headedBlackbirdsarefoundatafewwestsidesitesaswell.Theirhungerfordragonfliesattractsthemtolarge,deepmarshesandpondswithplentyofcattailsforperchingandnest-building.Thecombinationofitsbright-yellowheadandbrayingsongensuresthatyouwon’tmissthisblackbirdinthespringorearlysummer.Malesoftensingfromcattailsorotherexposedperches,andinsomeplacestheycoverthefencesandroadsides,makingthemdifficulttoignore—notthatyou’dwantto.

InWashington




ConboyLakeNationalWildlifeRefugenearGlenwood

InOregon


VanportWetlandsinPortland


HatfieldLakenearBend

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEWetlandsarebustlingwithbirdactivityduringthenestingseason.MarshWrensbuildbulkynestsincattails,TreeSwallowsfightovernestboxes,AMERICANBITTERNSmaketheirboomingcallsfromdeepinthegrass,andCINNAMONTEALSflashtheirturquoisewingpatchesastheyrocketfromthewater.

REDCROSSBILLLoxiacurvirostra

MaleRedCrossbill

THECHALLENGEOFextractingtinyseedsfromaconehasledtotheevolutionofatrulybizarrecrossedbeak.Althoughitsbilllooksdeformed,theRedCrossbillisactuallyarmedwithaperfectcone-openingapparatusandisideallysuitedtoalifefeastingontreetopconiferseeds.Parrotlikeintheirbehavior,crossbillshangupsidedowntograbeverylastconeandsquabbleloudlywiththeirflockmatesoverwhogetsfirstdibsatthefeeder.

Malesareredandfemalesareyellow,andyoungmalescanbeablotchymixbetweenthetwo.White-wingedCrossbillsarerarerthanRedCrossbillsandhaveconspicuouswhitewingpatches,astheirnamesuggests.House,Purple,andCassin’sfinches,althoughalsoreddishcoloredseed-eaters,haveuncrossedbeaks,areslimmer,andarelessredthanRedCrossbills.

FOODANDFORAGINGRedCrossbillsareextremelyspecializedseed-eaters.Whenfeeding,theyflyintoandclimbtreestoreachcones.Acrossbillbitesintoacone,movesthelowerportionofitsbillsidewaystospreadthecone’sscales,andthensticksitstongueintotheconetopullouttheseed.Thisprocessisrepeatedthousandsoftimesbyaflockuntilmostoftheseedsinatreeareconsumed.Althoughconiferseedsmakeupthebulkoftheirdiet,RedCrossbillsalsoeatthebudsofdeciduoustreessuchasalders,seedprovidedatbirdfeeders,and,occasionally,insectssuchasaphidsfoundoncone-bearingtrees.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Breedingbeginswhereverandwheneveragoodconecropisavailable,fromDecembertoSeptember,withcrossbillstakingabreakfrombreedinginthefalltomolt.Inaproductiveconeyear,pairscansuccessfullyraiseuptofourbroodsofyoung.Thefemaleconstructsanestofsmalltwigslinedwithfineplantmaterialandfeathers.Threeeggsareincubatedfor14days.Bothparentsfeedthenestlingsaregurgitatedslurryofmashedseeds,saliva,andpossiblyinsects.Theamountoftimenestlingsspendinthenestdependsonthequalityofthefoodsupplyandrangesfrom15to35days.Fledglings’billsarenotfullycrossedwhentheyleavethenest,sotheyaredependentontheirparentsforfooduntiltheydevelopthetoolsandskillstoopenconesforthemselves.


ThetimingofconeproductionbyconiferoustreesforcesRedCrossbillstoliveanomadicexistenceinsearchofconecrops,thequantityofwhichvariesfromyeartoyear.CrossbillsstayinthePacificNorthwestthroughouttheyear,but

yeartoyear.CrossbillsstayinthePacificNorthwestthroughouttheyear,buttheirpresenceataparticulartimeandlocationisneverguaranteed.

WHERETOFINDREDCROSSBILLSSummeristhemostlikelytimetofindcrossbillsoneithersideoftheCascadeCrest.Ifyoufindaflockinthewinter,youcouldberewardedwiththesightofdozensofthemdecoratingatreelikeredandyellowornaments.Ifyoudon’tseethem,youcanoftenlocatethembyfollowingthesoundoftheirflightcall,adistinctive“pip-pip-pip.”

InWashington


WenasCampground(AudubonCampground)nearEllensburg(roughroad)

RestorationPointonBainbridgeIsland


InOregon

ColdSpringsCampgroundnearSisters




OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Inconiferousforestsandadjoiningclearcutareas,you’llfindBAND-TAILEDPIGEONS,SWAINSON’STHRUSHES,SootyGrouse,andMacGillivray’sWarblers.

EVENINGGROSBEAKCoccothraustesvespertinus

FemaleEveningGrosbeak

EVENINGGROSBEAKSARElikeEastercandy:inthespringtheyareeverywhereyoulook,butinothertimesofyearyoucan’tfindanynomatterhowhardyoutry.Theyarerareandgorgeousenoughtobeaspecialguestatabackyardfeeder,atleastuntilamaraudingmobofthemblowsyourseedbudget.

Maleslookdashingintheirsmoothyellowplumagethatfadestoadarkhead.Theirthickyelloweyebrowstripeandblack-and-whitewingsmakethemstandout,eveninflight.Femalesareagrayerversionofthemales.EveningGrosbeaksaremuchchunkierandhavemuchthickerbeaksthaneitherofthegoldfinchesthatsharetheiryellowcoloration.

FOODANDFORAGING

Thisbird’soversizedbillispowerfulenoughtocrackacherryseed,whichitswallowsafterremovingtheskinandflesh.EveningGrosbeakssearchforfoodintrees,frequentlyinflocks.Inadditiontocherries,theyeatmapleseeds,leafbuds,insects,andseedsfromconesofconiferoustrees.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Unlikethatofothersongbirds,thecourtshipcharacteristicsofEveningGrosbeaksarequiteunderstated.Themalerarelysingsandletshisstrikingplumageattractthefemale’sattention.Thefemalebuildsasimpleplatformofanestatleast10feetupinatree.Threeorfoureggsareincubatedfor13days.Inmanyplaces,thenestingseasonistimedsothatcaterpillaremergencecoincideswiththenestingperiod.Bothparentsfeedregurgitatedcaterpillarstothenewlyhatchedyounganddeliverwholecaterpillarstooldernestlingsthatleavethenesttwoweeksafterhatching.


EveningGrosbeaksmaybeseenyear-roundintheNorthwest,withanemphasison“may.”Whenfoodsupplies,suchasseed-bearingcones,areexhaustedinthefallorwinter,theytravelfarfromtheirusualrangestofindothertypesoffood.Theyaremostfrequentlyobservedinlowlandvalleysandcoastalareasinthespring,buttheyseemtodisappearinthesummerwhentheyarequietlynestinginmid-tohigh-elevationforests.Theyareabundantinlowlandcitiesandtownsduringsomewinters,buttheyareabsentinothers.

WHERETOFINDEVENINGGROSBEAKSSpringtimeisthebesttimetofindEveningGrosbeaks.Itseemsthatineveryparkyouvisit,afewareperchedonthetopofaconifertree.Duringthewinter,though,it’sfeastorfamine,with20EveningGrosbeaksemptyingyourfeederoneweekandthennoneformonths.Maleswillgetyourattentionwiththeirbrightyellowplumageandtheirhabitofcallingrepeatedlyfromthetopofatree.Individualsalsocallwhenflying.Theirpiercingcallresemblesthesoundachildmakeswhenpretendingtoshootalasergun:“tchoo,tchoo.”

MaleEveningGrosbeak

InWashington

HowardMillerSteelheadParknearRockport


TroutLakeNaturalAreaPreservenearTroutLake


InOregon



Mary’sPeaknearCorvallis

CooperMountainNatureParkinBeaverton

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

FellowspringtimemigrantssuchasWESTERNTANAGERS,RUFOUSHUMMINGBIRDS,andTOWNSEND’SWARBLERSarealsohighlyvisibleandabundantinlatespring.

Fish-eatingBirdsDIVING,PADDLING,ANDSTABBINGTOCATCHSWIMMINGPREY

ASAGENERALRULE,asurefirewaytofindwildlifeistovisitabodyofwater.LuckilyforbirdersintheNorthwest,theregionoffersrivers,bays,creeks,sloughs,lakes,sounds,straits,andofcoursethePacificOcean.Thesefeaturesshapethecharacterofourregioninmanyways,nottheleastofwhichisthroughthepresenceoffish.Thisresourceispursuedbyavarietyofpredators,includingsomeofthemosthighlyspecializedbirdsdiscussedinthisbook.

Fish-eatingbirdsusetheirbills,theirfeet,andtheirwitstofeedthemselvesfromthewatersthatsurroundus.Theyallpossessthequicknessandvisualacuitynecessarytoseizeawarymealfromthewater.Someeatvirtuallynothingbutfish.Forothers,fisharepartofadietthatalsoincludesaquaticinsects,crayfish,andmollusks.

Whatevertheparticularsoftheirdietmightbe,thesebirdsarecriticallylinkedtothepresenceofcleanwaterthatsupportshealthyplantandanimalcommunities.SowhenyouhearthesongofanAmericanDipperorviewthedanceofaWesternGrebe,rememberthat,inresponsetoagrowinghumanpopulation,conservationofwaterandhabitatisnecessarytoprotectthewaterwaysandwaterbirdsofthewesternUnitedStates.

AmericanBittern

HOODEDMERGANSERLophodytescucullatus

MaleHoodedMerganser

ASTHEMALEHoodedMerganserraisesandlowershisshowyfeatheredcrest,heseemstobecommunicatinginsemaphore.UnlikethenoisyMallardsandwigeons,HoodedMergansersarenotloquaciousducks—theylettheirappearancedothetalking.Despitetheirflashyplumage,however,thesebirdscanhideinplainsightbyholdingstillagainstthefarbankofapond.Theyglideslowlyandquietlybetweenlilypads,nervouslywatchingfordangerwithalertyelloweyes.

Malesareboldlydecoratedbirdswithcleanlinesthatlookliketheywerepaintedwithabroadbrush.Theyaremostlyblackwithawhitechestandwarmbrownflanks.Theirmostprominentfeatureisacollapsibleblackcrestwithalargewhitepatch,whichgivestheirheadstheshapeofahatchetblade.Theycanflattentheircrestsothewhitepatchisbarelyvisibleorraiseitcompletelyin

flattentheircrestsothewhitepatchisbarelyvisibleorraiseitcompletelyinwhatcanonlybeabidforattention.Femalesaredrabgraywithasmallerbrowncrest.BuffleheadsandSurfScotersalsohavelargewhitepatchesontheirheads,buttheirpatcheswraparoundthebacksoftheirheads,unliketheHoodedMerganser’spatch,whichisonthesideofthehead.

FOODANDFORAGING

Thesedivingduckshaveatasteforaquaticanimals.Theypursuetheirpreyunderwater,propellingthemselveswiththeirwebbedfeet.Usingitsexcellentunderwatereyesightandserratedbill,adivingHoodedMergansercapturesfish,crayfish,insects,andmollusks.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGOneofseveralduckspeciesthatnestsintreecavitiesornestboxes,HoodedMergansersplacetheirnestsatleast8feetupandaboveorinsightofwater.Likeotherducks,thefemaleplucksherowndownyfeatherstolinehernest.Sheincubates9to13eggsfor33daysandcaresfortheping-pong-ball–shapedeggsandfuzzyducklingsonherown.Adayafterhatching,ducklingsmustscaletheverticalwalloftheircavityornestbox,jumpfromtheentrance,andfindtheirmother,whowillguidethemtoaquaticinsects,whichtheyarecapableofcapturingontheirown.


ThespeciesbreedsinthePacificNorthweststartinginFebruaryorMarch,buttheyaremoreeasilyspottedinwinter,whentheregionisfullofmigrantsthathavearrivedfromcolderareastothenorthandeast.Uponreachingwinteringgrounds,smallflocksform,andpairsthatseparatedatthestartofnestingmayreunite.Northwest-nestingbirdsbeginbreedingbeforewinteringbirdsdepartfortheirnestinggrounds.

WHERETOFINDHOODED

MERGANSERS

HoodedMergansersarewidespreadinthewetterpartsofthePacificNorthwest.Somehideinthevegetationalongtheedgesofpondsandlakes,butothersswimseveralyardsfromshoreinlargebays.Thedrab,brownfemalescaneasilyescapenoticebyhidingintheshadows.Scanthewaterforthetelltaleflashofwhiteinthemale’screstthatwilllikelyleadyoutothepair.

FemaleHoodedMerganser

InWashington

CapitolLakeinOlympia

UnionBayNaturalArea(MontlakeFill)inSeattle

CrockettLakeonWhidbeyIsland


InOregon

KollCenterWetlandsParkinBeaverton


EckmanLakenearWaldport


OTHERBIRDSTOSEEHoodedMergansersaregorgeousbirdsthatyoucanoftenseewithoutevenleavingtown.Theyarefrequentresidentsofurbanandsuburbanparksandaremuchmorevisibleandlesssecretiveinthewintertime.SharingcitywetlandswithHoodedMergansersmaybeBELTEDKINGFISHERS,GREATBLUEHERONS,WOODDUCKS,Ring-neckedDucks,Green-wingedTeals,CommonMergansers,andPied-billedGrebes.

WESTERNGREBEAechmophorusoccidentalis

AWESTERNGREBEglidesacrossalakelikealow-slungVikingshipwithadeadlysharpfigurehead.Elegantandproudinitsposture,itsilentlypreensandpreparesforitsdancingdebut.Whenitfindsanappropriatepartner,itexchangesdignityforexuberanceandletsforthwithmovesthatwouldputthefinestsynchronizedswimmerstoshame.

WesternGrebesandtheirsisterspecies,theClark’sGrebe,aretheonlyblack-and-whitegrebeswithlongnecks.DistinguishingWesternsfromsmallergrebesisacinch,butyouneedtolookalittlemorecloselytotelltheWesternandClark’sapart.WesternGrebeshaveolive-greentoyellowbills,andClark’sGrebes’billsareyellow-orangelikeaschoolbus.Duringthebreedingseason,andtosomeextentinthewinter,Clark’sshowmuchmorewhiteontheface,

andtosomeextentinthewinter,Clark’sshowmuchmorewhiteontheface,includingtheareaaroundtheirredeyes.Westernshaveblackfeathersaroundtheireyes.TheflanksoftheClark’salsoshowwhitefeathersthatWesternslack.

FOODANDFORAGING

Withtheirlong,incrediblythinnecks,itseemsimpossiblethatWesternGrebescouldswallowanythinglargerthananoodle,buttheyareexpertfish-eaters.Whileswimmingatthesurface,theydunktheirheadunderwatertofindprey.Tocapturefish,theydivebelowthesurface,propellingthemselveswiththeirlobed,notwebbed,feet.Theyusetheirneedlelikebillsasaspearorapairofforcepswithwhichtocapturefish,dependingonthesizeoftheirprey.Aswithothergrebes,Westernshavethepeculiarhabitofswallowingtheirownfeatherswhentheyarenaturallyshed.Scientistsaren’tsurewhy,butthesefeathersmightprotectthedigestivetractfromfishbones,mightformpelletsforregurgitation,ormightshieldthebird’sintestinesfromparasites.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGThephysics-defyingcourtshipdisplaysofWesternGrebesmustbeseentobebelieved.Displaysincludearushingbehavior,inwhichpairsrunacrossthesurfaceofthewaterinperfectsynchrony,producingaloudpatteringsoundwiththeirfeet.Lateron,pairsperformanotherceremonythatinvolvesstretchingtheirnecks,divingforvegetation,andthenstandingonthesurfaceofthewater,bringingtheirbillsfullofweedstogetheruntilonetossesthemaside.WesternGrebesaresoaquaticallyorientedthattheydon’teventaketolandtonest.Pairsmaketheirnestsonmatsofaquaticvegetationinlakes,wherethreeorfoureggsareincubatedfor24days.Younggrebesleavethenestandtravelaroundthelakeontheirparents’backsjustminutesafterhatching.Theycontinuetoridetheirparents’backsfortwotofourweeksandarefullyindependentwhentheyaresixorsevenweeksold.


WesternGrebesarriveatinlandbreedingsitesinMarch,andbyMaythecourtshipritualsareunderway.Insteadofflyingsouthinthefall,theymigrate

courtshipritualsareunderway.Insteadofflyingsouthinthefall,theymigratewestwardtocoastalareasattheendofthesummernestingseason.FromNovemberthroughMay,lookforthemswimminginponds,lakes,bays,andthePacificOcean.

WHERETOFINDWESTERNGREBES

LakesontheeastsideoftheCascadesarethebestplacetoseedancingandbreedingWesternGrebes.Inthewinter,theygatherinlargenumbersincoastalareas.Theyareofteneasytospotbecausetheypreferopen,deepwaterfordiving.Theircontrastingblack-and-whiteplumagealsodrawstheeye.

InWashington

DungenessNationalWildlifeRefugenearSequim(winter)ManchesterStateParknearPortOrchard(winter)

AlkiBeachinWestSeattle(winter)

DamonPointStateParkinOceanShores(winter)

InOregon

HatfieldMarineScienceCentertrailinNewport(winter)SiuslawRiver,SouthJetty,nearFlorence(winter)

CoosBay(winter)

LinkRiverTrailinKlamathFalls(breeding)

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEWhilevisitingalaketoseedancinggrebes,youmightalsoseeAMERICANWHITEPELICANS,CASPIANTERNS,andOSPREYSdoingsomefishing.RUDDYDUCKSandYELLOW-HEADEDBLACKBIRDSprovidecolorfulsceneryintheirbreedingplumages.

AMERICANBITTERNBotauruslentiginosus

WHILEBIRDINGINawetland,youmighthearastrangesound,asifalargebubbleofgashasjustrisentothetopofthewater.Youaren’tcrazy.Thatlow“ga-LUMP”isthecallofanAmericanBittern,andsometimesthattelltaleweirdnoiseistheonlysignofone.Ifitfeelsnervous,thisbirdwilleitherslinkawaythroughthegrasswithoutbeingdetectedorstandwithitsneckextendedandbillpointedtothesky,itsstronglystripedwhite-and-brownneckresemblinganotherbunchofgrassstems.Evenwithitsbeakupraised,itcanstarestraightaheadtowatchfordanger.Asightingofthiselusivebirdisalwaysavictory,becauseitssneakywaysmakeitachallenge.

AmericanBitternsaresquattybirdswithmuchshorternecksandlegsthantheirrelative,theGreatBlueHeron.GreenHeronsandNight-Heronsarealsoshort,butbothlackthewarmbrowncoloringoftheAmericanBitternanditsdefinedneckstripes.

FOODANDFORAGINGAmericanBitternsconsumefishandavarietyofotheranimalsincludinginsects,frogs,andsnakes.Theyusestealthymovesandcamouflagetosneakuponwetlandprey.Whileholdingitsheadhorizontal,andseeminglystaringforward,thisbirdcanseeintothewaterinwhichitiswadingusingitsdownward-pointedeyes.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Thisbirdconstructsitsnestonornearthegroundinareassurroundedbydensewetlandvegetation.Malesvigorouslydefendbreedingterritoriesbutdonotprovideparentalcare,leavingtheincubatingandfeedingdutiestothefemale.Threetofiveeggsareincubatedfor24to28days.Youngleavethenestatone

Threetofiveeggsareincubatedfor24to28days.Youngleavethenestatoneortwoweeksofagebutremaininthevicinityuntiltheyareoldenoughtofly.


LookforAmericanBitternsthroughouttheyearinwesternportionsofOregonandWashington.MalesbegindefendingterritoriesinMarchorApril,andfemalesconstructnestsassoonasthewetlandvegetationhasgrownthickenoughtoprovidesomecover.Afterthenestingseason,theyspendtheyearintheirnestinggroundsiftemperaturesremainabovefreezing.Incolderyears,theymigratetowarmerplaces.

WHERETOFINDAMERICANBITTERNSLookforAmericanBitternsinmarshyareaswithlotsoftallgrassinwhichtohide.ThenationalwildliferefugesofthePacificNorthwestprovidethistypeofhabitatinabundanceandareagoodplacetostartyoursearch.Springisthebesttimetospotthespeciesbecausethegrassisnottallenoughtoobscurethebirdscompletely.Theyareexpertsatcamouflageandatcreepingaroundwithoutmovingagrassblade.Yourbestbetistoscantheedgesofopenmarshyareaslookingoutfortheirpointedheads.Listenfortheir“ga-LUMP”call.Thissoundissolowinpitchthatityousometimesfeelitmorethanhearit.Youmightbeabletousethesoundtonarrowyoursearcharea.Ifyouarelucky,youwillseeoneflyingsilentlyfromoneareaofdensevegetationtoanother.

InWashington



SteigerwaldLakeNationalWildlifeRefugenearWashougalKentPondsintheGreenRiverNaturalResourcesAreanearSeattleInOregon

KillinWetlandsnearBanks

WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallisFernRidgeWildlifeManagementAreanearEugene


OTHERBIRDSTOSEEIntheearlysummer,wildliferefugesarealivewithcolorandsound.LookforCommonYellowthroats,CEDARWAXWINGS,GREENHERONS,TreeSwallows,RED-TAILEDHAWKS,CinnamonTeals,MarshWrens,BLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS,andVirginiaRails.

GREENHERONButoridesvirescens

SOMEBIRDSWOULDhappilygulpdownacrustofbreadifyougavethemone—gulls,forexample.AGreenHeronmightpickupthecrust,butithasotherplans.Itplacesthebitoffoodonthesurfaceofthewaterbelowitsperchandcrouches,perfectlystill,asitwaits.Likeanygoodangler,thebirdrepositionsitslurewhenitdriftsoutofplace.Finally,asmallfishcomesuptoinvestigatethedeliciousmorselandisquicklygrabbedandswallowed.Nocatchandreleasehere.

GreenHeronisamisnomerforabirdwithabrick-redneckanddarkgray-greenwings.Itsstumpylegsarebrightyellow,andwhitestripesappearonitschest.Theoverallimpressionisthatofadark,squatlittleheronthathasnoneckatallinmostpostures.Whenitstretchesouttograbafish,however,itswholesilhouettechanges,andsuddenlyitsneckislongerthantherestofitsbody.

FOODANDFORAGINGUnlikeotherherons,thisspeciesspendslittletimewading.ItlackstheGreatBlue’slonglegsandneck,whichitneedstocatchfishindeepwater.Instead,aGreenHeronlurksalongthewater’sedge,waitingforanopportunitytograbafishoraquaticinvertebrate.Likehumanfish-seekers,theGreenHerongetscreativebyusingbait—bitsofvegetation,feathers,orotherobjectsusedtolurefishintostrikingdistance.Whenfishapproach,thebirdcapturesthembyspearingwithitsbillordivingafterthem.ThisuniquebehaviorincludesGreenHeronsinasmall,elitegroupofnonhumantoolusers.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Nestsitescanvarygreatly:neartheground,highinatree,alongariver,inawetland,ondrylandwithwaterinsight,andaloneorinacolonyofotherwaterbirds.Bothparentsincubatethethreetofiveeggsfor20days,andbothprovidefoodtothenestlings.Newlyhatchedyoungarefedpartiallydigestedfoodandlatermoveontointactprey.Theyoungleavethenest16daysafterhatching,buttheyremainflightlessanddependentontheirparentsforseveralmoreweeks.


InthePacificNorthwest,mostGreenHeronsnestduringthesummermonths.TheymigratetothesouthernUnitedStatesorLatinAmericainAugustorSeptemberandreturntotheNorthwestinApril.SomeindividualsareobservedthroughoutthewinterinmildportionsofwesternOregonandwesternWashington,butinsmallernumbersrelativetospringandsummer.

WHERETOFINDGREENHERONS

GreenHeronsoccurregularlyonlyonthewestsideoftheCascades.Theyareusuallyfoundinplaceswithslow-movingorstillwaterwithoverhangingvegetation.Atangleofwillowsontheedgeofapondisagoodplacetolook.Diversiondamsandsmallwatercontrolstructuresalsomakegreatperches.Scantheedgeofthepondforthebumponalogthathasabeak.Youmightalsospotoneasitfliesawayfromyouandgivesaharsh“skow”call.

InWashington

JuanitaBayParkinKirkland



InOregon

OaksBottomWildlifeRefugeinPortland

TualatinRiverNationalWildlifeRefugenearSherwood

NorthMountainParkinAshland

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Asyousearchthewater’sedgeforaGreenHeron,lookforotherriparianbirdssuchasBELTEDKINGFISHERS,WOODDUCKS,Red-wingedBlackbirds,andWILSON’SWARBLERS.

OSPREYPandionhaliaetus

IFOSPREYSSEEMalittlemorecasual,alittlelessserious,thanyouraveragebirdofprey,maybeit’sbecausetheycanaffordtobe.Theyhaveaveryhighsuccessratewhenitcomestofishing,sotheyaren’tworriedaboutfindingtheirnextmeal.Theirdisheveledheadfeathersgivethemaslightlygoofyappearance,andtheirdivesseemmoreexuberantthanmerelyfunctional.It’sdifficulttosaywithbirds,buttheylookliketheyarehavingfun.

Ospreyshaveauniquesilhouetteinflightthatdistinguishesthemfromallotherbirdsofprey.Theirlongwingsalwayshaveacrookinthemthatyouwon’tfindonhawksoreagles.Whentheyaresoaringaboveyou,noticetheirmostlywhitebodywithdarkpatchesonthewristsoftheirwings.IfyougetacloselookataperchedOsprey,you’llseeadarklineoffeathersthroughtheeyeandawhitestripeoverit.AlthoughitsfacialpatternmightsuperficiallyresemblethatofayoungBaldEagle,theOspreyweighslessthanhalfasmuch,hasgrayfeetinsteadofyellow,anditsplumageismuchlessmottled.

FOODANDFORAGINGOspreyshaveadivingstylethatisuniqueintheworldoffish-eaters.Theywillgoafterfishthatare12inchesormoreunderwater,sotheydon’tjustscoopwiththeirtalonslikeaBaldEagle.Instead,anOspreybecomesadartbyextendingitsfeetdownward,leaningitsheadforwardoveritsankles,andsweepingbackitswings.Itplungesintothewaterfeetandheadfirstandgrabsthefishwithitstalons.Afterasuccessfuldive,anOspreyusesitsstrongflightmusclestoliftitssoakedbodyandtheheavyfishoutofthewater.Onceairborne,itfliestoanestorperchwiththefishfacingforwardinitstalons.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Pairsbuildlarge,conspicuoussticknestsonavarietyofman-madestructures,intrees,andoncliffs.NestsareusuallysmallerthanthoseofBaldEaglesandoftencontaindecorationssuchasorangebailingtwine.Themalebringsstickstothefemalethroughoutthenestingseason,andshearrangesthemonthenest.Thefemalelaystwotofoureggsandperformsmostoftheincubation.Aftertheeggshatchin35to40days,sheleavesthefishinguptothemale,whodeliversfishforhertosharewiththeyoung.Nestlingsremaininthenestforatleast50daysafterhatchingandcontinuetobefedbytheirparentsforseveralmoreweeks.Thefemalemigratessouthbyherself,leavingthemaletocontinuecaringfortheyoung.Afteralltheyounghavegone,themalefinallyheadssouthhimself.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSTheOspreyisamigratorybirdwhosemovementshavebeenwellstudied.Attheendofthesummernestingseason,theyleavethePacificNorthwestforMexicoandCentralAmerica,ajourneythatlasts10to20days.AlthoughOspreyshavestrongpairbonds,malesandfemalesspendthemigrationandwinterperiodsapart.Aftermakingtheirfirstsouthwardmigration,mostoftheyoungspendmorethanayearinthesouthernwinteringgroundsbeforereturningnorthtomateforthefirsttime.OspreysareanearlyharbingerofspringinthePacificNorthwest,withestablishedpairsreunitingattheirnestsitesinFebruaryandMarch.

WHERETOFINDOSPREYS

OspreysarewidespreadacrossthePacificNorthwestwherevertheycanfindacombinationofbigwaterforfishingandtreesorplatformsforroostingandnesting.Theyareoftenseensoaringorhoveringinplacehighabovethewater,lookingforfish.Theirnestsareeasytofind,becausetheyfavorthebaretopsoftreesaswellaspowerpolesandman-madenestingplatforms.

InWashington


NorthViewandSouthViewParksonPortGardnerinEverettJuliaButlerHansenRefugenearCathlamet

SteigerwaldLakeNationalWildlifeRefugenearWashougalInOregon

MultnomahFallsnearTroutdale


OaksBottomWildlifeRefugeinPortland


OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

TheColumbiaGorgecanbewindyinsummer,butit’sagreatplacetofindnestingOspreysaswellasBALDEAGLES,AMERICANDIPPERS,HARLEQUINDUCKS,Double-crestedCormorants,andVIOLET-GREENSWALLOWS.

CASPIANTERNHydroprognecaspia

IFGULLSAREtoopushyforyou,ifyoupreferabirdthatdoesn’teatFrenchfrieswithsuchgusto,youcantrythegulls’morebusinesslikecousins:theterns.You

won’tfindtheCaspianTernloiteringinastripmallparkinglot.Itspendsitsdaysflyingoverthewaterlookingforfish,itsblackcapcoveringitseyesandgivingitaseriousexpression.WhenCaspianscallouttooneanotherwiththeirhoarsevoices,theysoundasthoughtheyaregivingstatusreports.Sometimestheystoptorestonasandbar,buttheystilllookliketheyarecontemplatingtheworkthatremainstobedone.

CaspianTernsarethelargestternsintheworld,thesizeofabiggull,althoughtheirslendergraywingsandgracefulflightmakethemappearsmaller.Theyhaveablackcapandalarge,pointed,red-orangebeak.TheonlyotherternwithblacklegsandasolidorangebillfoundintheNorthwestistheElegantTern,whichhasathin,droopingbill.

FOODANDFORAGINGACaspianTernhuntsfishonthewing,circlingorhoveringaboveabodyofwaterwithitsfacepointingdownward.Whenitspotsafish,itdivesintothewaterheadfirst,catchingthefishinitslongbill.Itsdietisvariableandreflectsthetypesofsmallfishpresentinthearea.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Thisspecieshistoricallynestedinsmallcoloniesoramongcoloniesofotherbirds,suchasgulls.Bigchangesinitsnestingbiologyoccurredinthe1980s,whenlargecoloniesofCaspianTernsformednearthemouthoftheColumbiaRivertonestonislandscreatedfromdredgedmaterial.ThemouthoftheColumbiaismadeevenmoreattractivebythelargenumbersofjuvenilesalmonandsteelheadreleasedbyupstreamhatcheries.

Intheirislandcolonies,Caspianslaytwoorthreeeggsinashallowdepression.Bothparentsincubateeggsfor27daysandfeedfishtonestlings,whichswallowfishwhole.AsyoungCaspiansgrow,sodoesthesizeoffishdelivered.Chickscanstandandleavethenestafterseveraldays,buttheyaredependentontheirparentsforfoodforseveralmonths.Adultscontinuecaringfortheyoungduringpost-breedingmigrationandteachthemtofishbydroppingfoodintothewater.


CaspianTernswanderwidelyafternesting.TheybegintheirsouthwardmigrationinlateJulyandeventuallyfollowthecoastsouthtowinteringgroundsthatstretchfromCaliforniatoSouthAmerica.Inspring,migrationfromwinteringtonestingsitesismoredirect,withbirdsarrivinginthePacificNorthwestfromMarchtoMay.NonbreedingCaspianssearchforfishalongthecoastsandlargeriversofourregionthroughoutthesummermonths.

WHERETOFINDCASPIANTERNS

ThebesttimetofindCaspianTernsinthePacificNorthwestisduringthenestingseason.ThecurrentcenteroftheirbreedingabundanceisEastSandIslandnearthemouthoftheColumbiaRiver,althoughtheyhavebeenquicktoabandonnestcolonieswheretheyareunsuccessfulatraisingchicks.Theycanalsobeseentravelingalongtheoceanshore,intheSalishSea,atinlandlakes,andalongtheUpperColumbiaRiver.Sandyspitsatthemouthsofbaysarecommonrestingplaces.Caspianscanoftenbespottedinflightalongtheshorelineordivingheadfirstintobodiesofwatertocatchfish.Listenfortheirhoarsecalls.

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEThemouthoftheColumbiaRiverisarealhotspotforCaspianTerns.AvisithereinthesummermightalsoproduceBROWNPELICANS,nestingBRANDT’SCORMORANTSandPIGEONGUILLEMOTS,andglimpsesofSOOTYSHEARWATERSFLYINGbyoutpastthejetties.

BELTEDKINGFISHERMegacerylealcyon

MaleBeltedKingfisher

WHONEEDSTHEcircuswhenyoucanwatchBeltedKingfishersputontheirattention-grabbingshow?Theperformersaredressedtoentertaininbluesuitsandcummerbunds.Theirheadfeathersarespikypompadours,andtheirlongbeakslooklikecomedicprops.Whentheshowbegins,you’llseehigh-speedchases,daringheadfirstdives,anddisplaysoffish-grabbingprowess,alltothesoundtrackoftheirloudchattering.It’sdifficulttogettooexcitedaboutmellowerbirdsafteryou’veseentheTheateroftheKingfisher.

Withitsbighead,spikycrest,andoversizedbill,thisbirdisunmistakable.Itsslate-bluecolorandnoisyrattlingcallfurtherdistinguishitfromanysimilarbirds.AlthoughallBeltedKingfishersshowthesamebluishcolorontheirback,youcandistinguishbetweenmales,females,andjuvenilesifyouviewthem

youcandistinguishbetweenmales,females,andjuvenilesifyouviewthemfromthefront.Allhaveabluebreastband,butfemaleshaveasecondrufous(reddish)bandbelowit,andjuveniles’rufousspursdon’textendtothefrontoftheirbreasts.

FOODANDFORAGING

BeltedKingfishersspendmuchoftheirtimeperchedalongtheedgesofstreams,lakes,andbayswatchingforfishandotherprey.Theyalsohoverinplacewithrapidwingbeatswhilelookingdownintothewater.Whentheyspotameal,theydivebeakfirstandsmackthewater,buttheyrarelyplungetheirbodybelowthesurface.Afterasuccessfulcatch,BeltedKingfisherscarrytheirfishtoaperch,stunitbybeatingitagainsttheperch,andthenswallowitwhole,headfirst.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGThisspecies’nestisuniqueamongtheregion’sfish-eatingbirds.Pairsworktogethertoexcavateahorizontalburrowintotheexposedsoilofariverbank.Bothparentsenterthenestingchambertoincubatethesixorseveneggsandfeednestlingsthathatchin22days.Onthemenufornewlyhatchednestlings:regurgitatedballsofpartiallydigestedfish.Asnestlingsgrowolder,theirmealsbecomemoreappetizingasparentsdeliverthemwholefish.Youngleavethenestaboutamonthafterhatchingandcancatchtheirownfishoneweeklater.


AdultsremaininthePacificNorthwestyear-roundinareaswhereice-freewaterisalwaysavailable,suchascoastalwaters,largerivers,andlow-elevationlakesandponds.Thenestingseasonbeginsinearlytolatespring,dependingontheelevationofthenestinggrounds.Afterfledglingsbecomeindependentinthespringorsummer,thefamilymembersdispersetodefendtheirownforagingterritories.

FemaleBeltedKingfisher

WHERETOFINDBELTEDKINGFISHERSBeltedKingfishersarecommonresidentsonrivers,lakes,ponds,andbaysacrossthePacificNorthwest.Noneedtoplanaspecialtrip;justvisityourclosestbodyofwatertoseetheminaction.Itseemsyoucouldsetupawadingpoolinthebackyard,stockitwithgoldfish,andattractaBeltedKingfisherthesameday.Theyreallyareeverywhere.Scanforthemonexposedperchessuchastransmissionlinesandtreebranchesnearthewater,wheretheywillbelookingfortheirnextmeal.Listenfortheirdistinctiverattlingcallthatcarriesgreatdistancesacrossthewater.

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Ifyouvisitacoastalbay,youmightalsoseeWESTERNGREBES,BALDEAGLES,SURFSCOTERS,BLACKTURNSTONES,PelagicCormorants,andCOMMONLOONS.

AMERICANDIPPERCinclusmexicanus

DON’TBEALARMEDifyouseeasongbirdsuddenlyjumpinariveranddisappear.BirdersknowthatthisbehaviorisperfectlynormalfortheAmericanDipper,theonlyNorthAmericansongbirdthatswimsunderwater.Thesepluckybirdsenthusiasticallydiveintofrigidwatertofindfood,evenwhentheairisbelowfreezingandmuchoftheriverisicedover.Theirhabitofsinginginthewinteraddstotheircheerypersona.

AmericanDippersaresolidvelvetygray,withwhiteeyelids.Thesesturdylittlebirdshaveshorttailsthattheyholdupataperkyangle.Theyarenamedfortheirhabitofbobbingupanddown,ordipping,whilestandingonarock.Becauseyouseethemonlynearrushingstreams,theyaren’teasytomistakeforanyotherbird.

FOODANDFORAGINGTheonlysongbirdrestrictedtoaquaticforaging,AmericanDipperstakeadvantageofalltheopportunitiesaswiftstreamprovides.Theyfindfishandaquaticinvertebratesbywalkingalongstreambottoms,pickingthroughstreamsidevegetation,andhaphazardlyplungingthemselvesintothewaterfromastanding,flying,orswimmingposition.Theyswallowsmallpreyimmediatelyuponcapturebutmustprocesslargeritems,suchasfish,byshakingthemintheirbillorslammingthemagainstrocks.Aquaticinsectsmakeupthebulkofthebird’sdiet,butinsomeplacesfisharefrequentlycapturedalongwithtadpolesandfisheggs.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Bulky,domednestsarebuiltonstreambanksortheundersidesofbridgesnearclear,fast-flowingwater.Eachtoaster-sizednestiscomposedoflivingmoss,

clear,fast-flowingwater.Eachtoaster-sizednestiscomposedoflivingmoss,withanentrancethatfacesthestream.Fourorfiveeggsareincubatedfor14to17days.Bothparentsfeedyounginthenestforabout25days.Youngcanswimandflyshortdistancesuponleavingthenest,buttheyremaininthenestareaforseveraldays.Somepairswillsuccessfullyraiseasecondbroodofyoungafterthefirst,thankstotherapiddevelopmentofnestlingsandtheabundantresourcesprovidedbystreams.


You’llfindAmericanDippersthroughouttheyearinareaswherestreamsdonotfreezeoverinthewinter.PairsbeginnestingasearlyasFebruaryalonglow-elevationstreams.Birdsthatliveathigherelevationsbeginnestinglaterandmustmakeshortmigrationsdownhilliftheirhuntingareasbecomecoverediniceduringwinter.

WHERETOFINDAMERICANDIPPERSThisspeciesfeastsonaquaticanimalsthatarefoundonlyinrushingrockystreams.LookfortheminthePacificNorthwestanywhereyoufindthistypeofhabitat.Popularsalmon-ortrout-fishingstreamsarealwaysagoodbet.Ifyoudon’timmediatelyseeanAmericanDipperworkingtheriffles,listenfortheloud“jik”callthatcarriesoverthesoundofthewater.Theyoftenperchonfavoriterocksorlogs;lookfortracesofwhitewash(birddroppings)thattheyleavebehind.

InWashington


OlympicNationalPark

SkagitRivernearCorkindale


InOregon

MetoliusRivertrailsnearCampSherman

EagleCreekFishHatcherynearBonnevilleDamontheColumbiaRiverMultnomahFallsnearTroutdale

LithiaParkinAshland

TillamookForestCenteronHighway6

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEMountainstreamsandtheforeststhatsurroundthemcanbefullofbirds,

especiallyduringbreedingseason.IfyoucantearyourselfawayfromtheAmericanDippers,lookforCommonMergansers,YellowWarblers,WESTERNTANAGERS,PACIFICWRENS,Steller’sJays,andRED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES.

KillerBirdsBIRDSOFPREYANDOTHERMEAT-EATERS

PREDATORSAREINHERENTLYfascinatingtous,perhapsbecausetherewasatimeinhumanhistorywhenwehadtoworryaboutbeingeatenourselves.YoumightnotgettosatisfyyourinterestinpredatorsbytravelingtoAfricaandwatchingacheetahtakedownagazelle,butyoucangotothenearestnationalwildliferefugeandseeaNorthernHarrierdivedownanddevouravole.Onceyouadjustforscale,thespectacleisjustasthrilling.

Meat-eatingissuchaneffectivesurvivalstrategythatalargeanddiversegroupofbirdsaremembersofthecarnivoreclub.Thischapterincludesthediurnalhawks,falcons,andkites;someowls;andevenakillersongbird!Withoutthesebirds,we’dbeawashinmice,rats,voles,andgroundsquirrels.Luckily,theNorthwestishometobirdsofpreythatworknightandday,insummerandwinter,tocatchandconsumethesefurrymorsels.

GreatHornedOwl

WHITE-TAILEDKITEElanusleucurus

WHITE-TAILEDKITESfloatlikespectersovergrassyfields.Thesepaleraptorshovergracefullyintheairbeforedroppingtoclaimtheirnextvictim.Dramaticeyemakeupgivesthemamoodyappearance,contradictedbytheirhabitofgatheringinlargegroupstoroostatnight.Theybecomemoreelusiveduringthenestingseason,seemingtovanishfromthelandscape,leavingraptorloverswantingmore.

Theserelativelysmallandslightraptorshavelongwingsandalongtail.Theyareeye-catchingwithacontrastingblack,white,andgraypattern.Bold,blackshouldersstandoutfromitslightgrayplumageaboveandbelow,anditsnamesaketailhasflashywhiteedges.Theblackshadingaroundthebird’seyesdrawsattentiontotheirsurprisingandsomewhatspookyredcolor.MaleNorthernHarriersarealsograybutlacktheblackshouldersandcleanwhitebellyofaWhite-tailedKite.NorthernHarriersalsohaveawhiterumpatthebaseoftheirtail.

FOODANDFORAGINGWhilescanningthegroundinsearchofprey,White-tailedKiteshoveroverheadbyfacingintothewindandrapidlybeatingtheirwings.Theydroptothegroundwhentheyspotacreaturetocapture,graspitintheirtalons,andflyittoaperchforconsumption.Whileeating,thebirdspausetoscantheareaforlargerraptorsthatmightattempttostealthemeal.Althoughtheycaptureavarietyofsmallanimals,rodentsmakeupthebulkoftheirdiet.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Pairsworktogethertobuildanestbygatheringsmallbranchesandcarryingthemtoatree.Whenallthetwigsareinplace,theylinethenestwithfine

themtoatree.Whenallthetwigsareinplace,theylinethenestwithfinematerialandthefemalelaysanaverageoffoureggs.Sheincubatesforatleast30dayswhilethemalehuntsandbringsherfood.Thefemalestaysinthenestaftertheyounghatchandfeedsthemmeatdeliveredbythemale.Youngarecapableofflightinfourtofiveweeks,buttheyrequirehuntinginstructionfromtheirparents.


InthePacificNorthwest,you’llseegreaternumbersofWhite-tailedKitesinthewinterthaninthespringandsummer,suggestingthatsomemigrateherefromnestinggroundsinotherstates.Pairsbeginnestinginearlyspring,andtheseasoncanextendintothefall.WinteringbirdsarriveintheNorthwestandbeginforminglargecommunalroostsinSeptember;theydispersetonestinggroundsbytheendofMay.

WHERETOFINDWHITE-TAILEDKITES

TheWhite-tailedKiteisprimarilyasouthernspeciesthatwearefortunatetohaveintheNorthwestaswell.HerethespeciesislimitedtosouthwesternWashingtonandwesternOregon.Althoughsomearepresentintheregionthroughouttheyear,theyaremuchmoredifficulttofindduringthenestingseason.Thisbrightbirdisquitevisiblewhileperchinginsmalltreesorhoveringoverwetlands,grasslands,orfarmedfieldsinsearchofprey.Theyprefertohuntinfieldswheregrassisallowedtogrowtallenoughtoattractrodents.Whenyoufindsuchafield,watchforaflappingflashofwhite;thebird’shoveringbehaviorwillcatchyoureye.

InWashington



InOregon

FarmfieldsneartheNehalemBaySewagePonds

FieldsaroundtheMedfordAirport


OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

AwinterdayspentwalkingalongroadsidesandfieldsmayyieldviewsofBALDEAGLES,RED-TAILEDHAWKS,andCOMMONRAVENSsoaringabove,whileNORTHERN

SHRIKES,FoxSparrows,TOWNSEND’SWARBLERS,andRuby-crownedKingletsperchinshrubs.

NORTHERNHARRIERCircuscyaneus

JuvenileNorthernHarrier

NOOTHERBIRDofpreyintheUnitedStatesshowssuchdissimilarplumageonmalesandfemalesasthisopen-countryattention-getter.Ifyoudidn’tknowbetter,youmightthinkthetwosexeswerecompletelydifferentspecies.NorthernHarrierslivelifeinthespotlightwithhigh-flyingcourtshipandnestingbehaviors.YoumightevengettolookamaleHarrierrightinhisbrightyelloweyesashecruisesbyjustafewfeetofftheground.

Plumagevariesbysexandage,butallhaveaconspicuouswhiterumpandbrightyellowlegs.Malesarelightgrayontop,andfemalesandjuvenilesarebrown.Femaleshaveastreakedbreast,andyoungbirds’feathersarewashedinawarm,pumpkincolor.Harriers’longtailsandlow-flyinghabitsmakethemeasytotellapartfromRed-tailsandotherhawks.

FOODANDFORAGING

Likeowls,NorthernHarriershavefeatheredfacialdiscsthatfunnelsoundtotheirhiddenearopenings;thisshapehelpsthemhearthetinysoundsofrodentsinthegrass.Theyusuallyflyclosetotheground,tippingsidetosidewithwingsheldinashallowV.Theirbroaddietincludesrodents,smallbirds,andanoccasionalreptile,amphibian,orfish.Intrueraptorfashion,theypounceonpreywiththeirsharptalons.Malesandfemalesdiffernotonlyinappearancebutintheirhuntingbehaviorsaswell,withmalespreferringless-vegetatedsitesandsmallerpreythanfemales.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Malesarriveatanestingsitefirstandgreetthearrivaloffemaleswithskydances—U-shapedmaneuvershundredsofyardswideand100feetofftheground,repeateddozensoftimes.Themalealsoimpressesthefemalewithanaerialtransferofprey;hefliesintotheairwithacapturedanimalanddropsitdowntothefemaleflyingbelow.Afterasuccessfulcourtship,thepairbuildsagroundnestinatreelessareawheregrassorotherplantsaretallenoughtoconcealtheirnestingactivities.Thefemaleincubatesfoureggsforabout30days.Themalebringsherfoodandguardsthenestwhensheisawaysearchingforadditionalnestmaterialandperformingexerciseflights.Whentheeggshatch,themaleperformsallhuntingdutiesforthefamilyforthefirsttwoweeksofthenestlingperiod.Whenpreyisabundant,polygamousmalescanprovideenoughfoodtosupportmultiplefamilies.Nestlingscanwalkaroundthenestareaattwoweeksoldandarecapableofflightabout30daysafterhatching.

MaleNorthernHarrier

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSThisspeciesisamigrantinitsnorthernrangebutitinhabitsmuchofOregonandWashingtonyear-round.Incoastalareasandwesternvalleys,NorthernHarriersaremostcommoninspring,fall,andwinter.Duringthespringandsummerbreedingseason,theyaremostabundantingrasslandsandwetlandseastoftheCascades.

WHERETOFINDNORTHERNHARRIERS

JustabouteverynationalwildliferefugeinOregonandWashingtonofferstheopen,marshyhabitatthatattractsNorthernHarriers.Thesegeneralistswillshowupwherevertheyhaveenoughspacetospreadtheirwingswithouthittingatree.DikesandearthenbermsaroundfarmlandattractburrowingrodentsandtheNorthernHarriersthatfeastuponthem.

Theyperchlow,oftenontheground,buttheycanalsobefoundonlogsandfenceposts.Watchfortheirteeteringflightslowoverafield.Ifyoustareupatthesky,you’llprobablymissthem.

thesky,you’llprobablymissthem.

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Atwildliferefugesinwinter,itisopenseasononrodentsforallkindsofbirdsandevenforothermammals.EnjoyingthefeastcouldbeGREATBLUEHERONS,AmericanKestrels,RED-TAILEDHAWKS,Rough-leggedHawks,SHORT-EAREDOWLS(ifyou’relucky),orevenapouncingcoyote.

GREATHORNEDOWLBubovirginianus

OCCURRINGJUSTABOUTeverywhere,theGreatHornediswhatmostpeoplethinkofwhentheyheartheword“owl.”Althoughnowiserthanmostbirds,andlessintelligentthansome,theGreatHornedOwlcompensateswithkeensenses,sharptalons,andrawferocity.Theyhavebeenknowntodishoutcutsandconcussionstoanyonefoolishenoughtoventureneartheirnestsandwillhuntanythingremotelysmallenoughtokill,includingskunksandotherowls.

PatternsofstreaksandbarsofmottledbrownmaketheGreatHornedblendinperfectlywithtreebarkduringtheday,whichhelpsitavoidbeinghassledbycrows.Itswide,flatfaceandforward-facingyelloweyesgiveitthehumanlookthatmakesusassumeadvancedintelligencedespiteitstinybrain.Thetrademarkpointsonitsheadareneitherhornsnorearsbuttuftsoffeathers.TheNorthwest’sonlyothertuftedowlsaretheWesternScreechOwl,whichismuchsmallerandusuallygrayincolor,andtheLong-earedOwl,whichisalsosmallerandlacksthewhitethroatfoundontheGreatHorned.

FOODANDFORAGINGGreatHornedOwlsareflexibleinthetimetheyhuntandtheanimalstheykill.Theydomostoftheirhuntingatnight,buttheyareactiveatdawnandduskaswell.Likeotherowls,theyusetheirexceptionalhearingandvisiontolocateprey.Mosthuntfromaperch,flyingsilentlytothegroundtopounceonahaplessanimal.Theyswallowsmallpreywholebutusetheirtalonsandbillstotearapartlargercreatures.PreycanbeassmallasagrasshopperandaslargeasaporcupineoraGreatBlueHeron.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Likemostowls,GreatHornedOwlsdonotbuildtheirownnests.Instead,they

Likemostowls,GreatHornedOwlsdonotbuildtheirownnests.Instead,theylaytheireggsinstickneststhatwereconstructedbyotherspecies,suchasRed-tailedHawksandCommonRavens.Theywillalsonestonthebrokentopsofsnags,oncliffs,andonhuman-madestructures.Thefemaleincubatestwotofiveeggsforabout30days,keepingtheeggswarmintemperaturesaslowas−25degreesFahrenheit.Whentheeggshatch,themalebringsfood,whichthefemaletearsapartandfeedstothenestlings.Theyoungleavethenestsixweeksafterhatchingbutcanbarelyfly,ifatall,andspendtheirtimeperchedinnearbybranchesorontheground.


Thesehardysoulscan,inmostcases,withstandextremelycoldtemperaturesandadjusttheirbehaviortoconsumewhateveranimalsareavailable.Pairscanthereforeremaininabreedingterritoryyear-round.Rearingyoungrequiresabigtimecommitment.Femaleslaytheireggsinthewinter,andpairsfeednestlingsinthespringandcontinuetocareforfledglingsthroughoutthesummer.

WHERETOFINDGREATHORNEDOWLS

GreatHornedOwlsoccupyavarietyofnaturalareasandarealsoathomeincitiesandfarms,aslongasperchesandnestsitesareavailable.Theyareeasiesttospotwhenonanest,especiallyinwinter,whenmanytreesareleafless.Theowl’stuftedheadisadeadgiveaway,pokingoutofanoldsticknest.Lookforthemhuntingatdawnanddusk,whenyoumightseetheminflightorperchedabovetheirhuntinggrounds.Theircall,astereotypicalseriesofdeephoots,isagreatindicationthatyouareintherightplace.

InWashington

RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouverNisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia



InOregon


TryonCreekStateParkinPortland



OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Crepuscularanimals,activeatdawnanddusk,takeadvantageofatimewhenmanypreyanimalsbegintoemergefromtheirdaytimehidingplaces.AmericanRobinsandSWAINSON’STHRUSHESsingthelastsongsofthedayasthesungoesdown,COMMONNIGHTHAWKSandavarietyofbatstakeflighttoenjoythefeastofinsects,andWesternScreechOwlsandBarredOwlspreparefortheirnocturnalexcursions.

SHORT-EAREDOWLAsioflammeus

FLITTINGANDDIVINGasifcontrolledbyinvisiblemarionettestrings,Short-earedOwlsmesmerizewiththeirintricateflight.Likeafeathered,predatorybutterfly,theyzigzaglowacrossfieldsinsearchofsmallmammals.Thisowl,neverapillarofreliability,willupandleaveifitfindsbetterhuntingelsewhere.Onthebrightside,Short-earedOwlsareeasytolocateifyouvisittherightplace,becausetheypreferopencountryandhuntduringtheday.

Theowl’splumageisamosaicofbuff-coloredandbrowntonesthatallowit

Theowl’splumageisamosaicofbuff-coloredandbrowntonesthatallowittodisappearinafieldofdrybrowngrass.Itschestisboldlystreaked,anditswingsarecrisscrossedwithspotsandstripes.Darkcrescentsonitswristsstandoutwhenitflies.Itsfaceseemsalittletoosmallforitsbody,andithasabluntlookinflight,asifitflewface-firstintothesideofabarn.

FOODANDFORAGING

TheShort-earedOwlfliessilentlyseveralfeetabovetheground,tiltingitselfbackandforthandlisteningforprey.Whenitlocatesananimal,itdropssuddenlytothegroundandcapturesitwithitstalons.Short-earedshuntprimarilysmallmammalsandbirds,withrodentpopulationsdictatingwheretheynestandspendthewinter.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Inthespring,malesperformaspectacularcourtshipflightthatinvolvesanupwardspiral,asong,astoopingdive,andaseriesofloudwingclaps.Ifthefemaleapproves,shejoinshimintheflight,andtheyremainpairedforthenestingseason.Short-earedsareuniqueamongowlsinthattheyconstructtheirownnestbyscrapingadepressioninthegroundandliningitwithgrassandfeathers.Thenumberofeggslaidisvariable,rangingfromonetoeleven.Aftertheeggshatchin25to30days,themalecapturespreyandthefemalefeedsittothenestlings.Nestlingsleavethenest14to17daysafterhatching,buttheyareunabletofly.Theywanderoffinvariousdirections,perhapstodilutepredationrisk,andreceivecarefromtheirparentsforseveralmoreweeks.


Short-earedOwlsbeginnestingfromMarchtoMay,andyoungbecomeindependentbytheendofsummer.Attheendofthenestingseason,individualsmigratetowhereverpreydensitiesarehigh.LargeconcentrationswinterinnorthwestWashington,arrivinginSeptemberanddepartingfortheirnestinggroundsinthespring.

WHERETOFINDSHORT-EAREDOWLS

Duringthewinter,theyseemtobemoreconcentratedinnorthwestWashingtonthananywhereelseintheregion.Watchfortheminopencountry,whichtheyfavorforhunting.TheybreedprimarilyontheeastsideoftheCascadesbutaremoredifficulttofindtherebecausetheyarepresentinmuchlowerdensities.FindingaShort-earedOwlperchedonorneartheground,wheretheyliketobe,canbenexttoimpossible.Trippingononeisaboutaslikelyasseeingitbeforeitflushesintotheair.Watchforthemflappingacrobaticallyoverthefields;theirlongwings,buffcolor,andstiffwingbeatsmaketheminstantlyidentifiable.

InWashington

SamishFlatsnearBurlington




InOregon


FieldssurroundingMedfordAirport

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEPlaceswithlotsofShort-earedOwlsinthewinterarealsolikelytoattractotherraptorssuchasBALDEAGLES,Rough-leggedHawks,NORTHERNHARRIERS,Merlins,PEREGRINEFALCONS,and(sometimes)SnowyOwls.

PRAIRIEFALCONFalcomexicanus

PRAIRIEFALCONSSURVEYtheirrealmfromthecastlelikerockoutcroppingsonwhichtheynest.Hard-workinggroundsquirrelstoilbelow,unawareuntilit’stoolatethatoneoftheirnumberhasbeendispatchedbythisskilledhunteroftheopencountry.

PrairieFalconsarethefadedbrowncolorofmanydry-countrybirds.Theirdarkbacksandpaleundersidescreatecounter-shadingthathidesthemagainsttheskyfrombelowandagainstthegroundfromabove.Theirfacesaredistinctive,withawhiteeyebrowstripeandbrownmustachestripe.Darkpatchesonbothsidesofitsbodyunderthewingsdistinguishitfromotherfalcons,anditspointedwingsandrapidwingbeatsintheairdistinguishitfromhawks.

FOODANDFORAGINGThemostcommonpreyitemscapturedbyPrairieFalconsaregroundsquirrelsandHornedLarks.Theyoftenflyseveralfeetabovethegroundandthencloseinontheirpreywhileglidingatanevenloweraltitude,grabbingtheirquarryintheirtalonsandcarryingittoaperchtoconsumeit.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Pairsbeginnestinginearlyspringtoensurethatthehatchingoftheiryoungcoincideswiththeemergenceofjuvenilegroundsquirrels.Theynestoncliffs,rockoutcroppings,andhuman-madestructures.Adultsdonotconstructthenest,however;instead,thefemalescrapesadepressionindebrisorlaysherfourtofiveeggsinanoldnestofanotherspecies.Afterthenestlingshatchin30to40days,theyarefedgroundsquirrelsthatwerecapturedbythemaleandtorntopiecesbythefemale.Afterfourweeks,parentsleavepreyitemsattheedgeof

piecesbythefemale.Afterfourweeks,parentsleavepreyitemsattheedgeofthenestfortheyoungtoeatontheirown.Theyoungleavethenest38daysafterhatching,buttheirparentsfeedthemforanothermonth.


AdultsarriveattheirnestingsitesbytheendofMarchanddepartinJulyafternestingiscompleteandthegroundsquirrelshavemovedundergroundtoescapethehightemperatures.Atthistime,PrairieFalconsmovetomountainousareas,wheresmallmammalsremainactiveatthehigherelevations.Aswinterapproaches,theyleavehigh-elevationareasandcontinuetowander,withsomeindividualsvisitingthewestsidevalleysofOregonandWashington,includingtheWillametteValley,theRogueRiverValley,andthePugetTrough.

WHERETOFINDPRAIRIEFALCONSThebestplacetofindaPrairieFalcondependsonthetimeofyear.Inthespringandearlysummer,lookonthedryside(theeastside)oftheCascadesinplaceswithrockycliffsfornesting.Inthefall,lookforthemathigherelevationsintheCascades.Duringthewinter,you’llseethemalmostanywhereintheNorthwest,butinlownumbers.Lookforabrownbirdperchedonautilitypoleinopencountryorflappingitswaybacktoitsrockynest.

InWashington

SamishFlatsnearBurlington(winter)

FlyingaboveopenareasoftheSunriseVisitorCenterinMountRainierNationalPark(fall)ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakima(nesting)ThecliffsofYakimaCanyonfromStateRoute821(nesting)InOregon

AroundTimberlineLodgeonMountHood(fall)

FortRockStateParknearLaPine(nesting)

LowerKlamathNationalWildlifeRefugenearKlamathFalls(winter)SmithRockStateParknearRedmond(nesting)

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Rockyoutcroppingsinthedry,opencountryaremagnetsfornestingbirds.PrairieFalconssharethesehigh-riseswithCOMMONRAVENS,GOLDENEAGLES,BarnOwls,White-throatedSwifts,CliffSwallows,andCANYONWRENS.

NORTHERNSHRIKELaniusexcubitor

IFSTRENGTHWEREmeasuredbythesizeofpreyananimalkillsrelativetoitsownsize,theNorthernShrikewouldbeamongtheworld’stoughestbirds.Thissongbirdcankillbirdsandmammalsnearlytwiceitsownweightandthencarrytheminflighttoaperch,whereamacabrebutcheringprocessoccurs.Withitsblackmask,theNorthernShrikeresemblesasuperhero,butitbehaveslikeavillain,givenitshabitofimpalingpreyonthornsandbarbedwire.

NorthernShrikeslookquitesimilartotheirsisterspecies,theLoggerheadShrike,whichisnotfoundwestoftheCascades.Bothspecieshavegrayheadsandbackswithblackwings,tails,andmasks.Theirchestsarewhite,asisapatchoneachwing.Thedifferencesbetweenthetwoaresubtle.Loggerheads’blackmasksgoallthewayacrosstheirforeheadsovertheirbeaks,butNorthernshavegrayforeheads.Northernsalsohavealonger,morehookedbill.

FOODANDFORAGINGMostofthecreaturescapturedbyNorthernShrikesareinsects,butbirdsandmammalsmakeupamajorityofthebiomassthatthisbirdconsumes.Thesepredatorshuntbyscanningforpreyfromaperchandthenpouncingontheirmealontheground,inashrub,orinatree.Shrikescapturesmallprey,suchasinsectsandshrews,withtheirbills,buttheyusetheirfeettograblargerprey,suchasbirdsandvoles.Theyarecalledbutcherbirdsbecausetheyimpaletheirpreyonthornsorbarbedwirefences.Thentheyremoveanddiscardinediblepiecesandselectedibleportionstoswallow.Theyalsouseimpalingasameanstostorepreyduringperiodsofproductivehunting.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Bothadultsbuildthenest,abulkycup,inconifers,deciduoustrees,orshrubs.

Bothadultsbuildthenest,abulkycup,inconifers,deciduoustrees,orshrubs.Thefemaleincubatesthefourtonineeggsfor17days.Earlyinthenestlingperiod,themalecapturespreyanddeliversittothefemalesoshecanbreakoffbite-sizedpiecesfortheyoung,wholeavethenestabout20daysafterhatching.Twentydaysaftertheyleavethenest,youngarecapableofcatchingandimpalingtheirowninsects.


NorthernShrikesbeginnestinginearlyspringanddeparttheirborealnestinggroundsattheendofsummer,arrivinginthePacificNorthwestbytheendofOctober.MostofthesewintervisitorsdeparttheregioninFebruaryorMarch.

WHERETOFINDNORTHERNSHRIKESWinteringbirdschoosehuntinggroundswhereopenareaswithgoodvisibilityareadjacenttoscatteredtreesandshrubsforperching.Farmcountryandwildliferefugesaregreatplacestolookforthem.Theytendtochooseconspicuousperchesinshrubsandonposts.BecauseitslightgraycolorisuniqueforaNorthwestbirdofitssize,ashrikeiseasytospotwhileyouaretravelingbycar.

InWashington



ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugenearYakimaNisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympia

InOregon

JacksonBottomWetlandsPreservenearHillsboro

WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallisFieldssurroundingtheMedfordAirport


OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Hedgerowsandfieldsarefullofsongbirdsduringthewinter,butonlyoneofthemistryingtoeattheothers.HidingintheblackberrybushestoescapethenoticeofaNorthernShrikecouldbeFoxSparrows,SavannahSparrows,Lincoln’sSparrows,White-crownedSparrows,Golden-crownedSparrows,MarshWrens,andRuby-crownedKinglets.

MarathonBirdsRACKINGUPTHEFREQUENTFLYERMILESIMAGINETRAVELINGTHOUSANDSofmiles,nearlynonstop,onadietofgrassandberries.Afeatlikethisisnotonlypossible,butisabiyearlyeventforsomebirds,whoseordinaryappearancesbelietheiridentitiesasmigrationsuperheroes.Thegreatdistancescoveredbytheirmigrationsarenearlyincomprehensible.

EveryoneknowsthatmanyNorthAmericanbirdsflysouthforthewinter.InthePacificNorthwest,however,anidealcombinationofmildwinterconditionsandproductivemarineareasattractsbirdsfromalldirectionsduringeveryseasonoftheyear.SomebirdsarrivefromnestinggroundsintheextremenorthernreachesofNorthAmerica,usingourregionasawinterlocaleorarestandrefuelingstation.Someserioustravelersspendtheirlivesinconstantsummer,findingfoodneartheNorthwestCoastduringoursummerandthenreturningtotheSouthernHemisphereduringourwinter.OthersnestinNorthernEuropeandAsiabutcrossbordersandoceanstowinteramongourresidentbirds—nopassportrequired.

Sixmigratorybirdsarestandoutswhosereturnweanticipateeachyear.Ourfavoritemarathonbirdsincludethreetypesofwaterfowl,twoocean-goingbirds,andalargeandwhimsicalshorebird.Whenyouseetheseenduranceathletesonthebeach,inapark,orinthesea,bethankfulthatthePacificNorthwestissuchamagnetforworldtravelers.

MaleEurasianWigeon

BRANTBrantabernicla

THESEUNASSUMINGGEESEcouldeasilyslipunderyourradarifyouareaccustomedtothebombastofSnowGeeseandCanadaGeese.Brantaremellowvegetarianswhosevolumerarelyrisesaboveasubduedchatterastheyfeedandrelaxincoastalbays.OneofthegreatthingsaboutBrantisthatyourarelyseejustone.Ontheirannualmigration,theygatherbythethousandsandmakequiteanengagingnaturalspectacleastheysimultaneouslyslurpeelgrass.TheyaremuchbelovedbythecommunitiestheyvisiteachspringastheymigratethroughtheSalishSea,andannualfestivalsareheldintheirhonorinWashingtonandon

theCanadiansideatVancouverIsland.TheBrantisasmall,darkgoosewithablackhead,awhiterump,anda

whitecollarbelowitschin.ThesefieldmarksdistinguishthespeciesfromCanadaandCacklingGeese,whichhavewhitecheeks.

FOODANDFORAGINGNootherNorthAmericangoosehasadietasspecializedastheBrant,whichfeedsoneelgrass,greenalgae,andsaltmarshvegetation.Flocksfindvegetationbywalkingthroughexposedtidalflatsorbyfloatinginbayswhenthetidereturns.Afteritpullslongbladesofeelgrassintoitsbill,likeahungrypersonslurpingspaghetti,theBrantusesitstonguetofoldeachbladeintoalittlewadbeforeswallowing.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

FemalesconstructasimplenestonthearctictundraofwesternandnorthernAlaskabyscrapingadepressioninthepermafrost.Thenestcupislinedwithvegetationandamassoftheirowndownyfeathers.Threetofiveeggsareincubatedfor23days.Whenthefemaleleavesthenestonoccasiontofueluponplants,themaleguardstheeggsbutdoesnotincubate—thedownyfeathersappliedbythefemalehelpkeeptheeggsfromcooling.Onedayafterhatching,youngcanleavethenesttofindfood,buttheymustbebroodedbytheirmothertokeepwarmwhentheyarenotwalkingoreating.Whilethefemalekeepsthemwarm,thefatherprovidesprotectionbychasingawaypotentialpredators.Youngcanflywhentheyare40daysoldandeventuallymigratewiththeirparentstothewinteringgrounds.


AfterbreedingattheextremewesternandnorthernedgesofAlaska,WestCoastpopulationsofBrantmigrateasfarsouthasMexico.Beforethebigpushsouth,however,thousandsgatherinSeptemberandOctoberatstagingareasontheAlaskanpeninsulatofilluponeelgrass.FlocksarriveattheirwarmcoastalwinteringsitesbylateOctoberorearlyNovember.InMarch,theybegin

winteringsitesbylateOctoberorearlyNovember.InMarch,theybegindepartingfortheirnorthernnestinggrounds.BranttravelingnorthvisitthecoastsofOregonandWashingtoninAprilandMay.

WHERETOFINDBRANTWinteringandmigratoryflocksoccupycoastalareasofOregonandWashington.Lookforagroupofdarkbirdsrestingonasandbarorswimminginthecalmwatersofabay.Whilewalkingalongabeach,youmightseeaflockofBrantcruisingabovethesurf.

InWashington

DungenessNationalWildlifeRefugenearSequimWillapaBaynearLongBeach

PadillaBaynearBurlington

SamishBaynearBurlington

DiscoveryPark,WestPoint,inSeattle

InOregon

YaquinaBayinNewport

BayoceanSpitonTillamookBaynearTillamook


OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

DungenessBayisapopularwinteringlocationforBrantandagreatplacetoseetheabundantseabirdsthatseeksheltertherefromwinterwaves.LookforSURFSCOTERS,WESTERNGREBES,HARLEQUINDUCKS,RED-BREASTEDMERGANSERS,COMMONLOONS,PacificLoons,andRed-throatedLoons.Ifyouarelucky,you’llseeaYellow-billedLoon.

CACKLINGGOOSEBrantahutchinsii

FORTHOSEWHOareintimidatedbythelarge,pushyCanadaGeesethatgatherinparksandgolfcourses,CacklingGeeseareasmaller,cuterversionwithabetterworkethic.Thesemini-geesearebarelylargerthanaduck,andtheirshortbeaks

andsquarishheadsgivethemthelookofaplushtoy.Don’tgetbetweenthemandachoicebiteofgrass,however—theycanturnfeistyandhissjustlikeafull-sizedgoose.Althoughtheyaresmall,CacklingGeeseembroiderthewholeskywiththeinterconnectedVsoftheirhugeflocks,deafeningyouwiththeirhigh-pitchedcacklinginoneoftheNorthwest’ssignaturesightsandsoundsoffall.

ThisspecieshasmarkingssimilartothoseoftheCanadaGoose,fromwhichitwasrecentlyseparatedasitsownspecies.Bothhaveablackneckandheadwithwhitecheeksandgrayishbrownwings.Cacklersvaryinsize,buttheyareusuallysmallerwithastubbierbeakandshorterneckthanCanadaGeese.TheymayalsohaveawhitecollaratthebaseoftheirneckthatisabsentonCanadas.TheircallishigherpitchedthanaCanada’scallandsoundslesslikeahonkandmorelikeayelp.

FOODANDFORAGINGLikeaheardofminiaturebison,winteringflocksofCacklersmarchthroughfieldsofgrass,alfalfa,barley,andwheat,pluckingthetipsfromtendershootsintheirpath.TheirdietisalittlemorecomplexinCanadaorAlaska,wheretheyfattenuponleavesandberriesthroughoutthesummerbeforedepartingsouthforthewinter.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

CacklersnestonislandsofftheAlaskancoastoronthemainlandnearbodiesofwater.Unlikemostducks,malegeeseguardfemalesduringnestingandmaystandguardatthenestwhilethefemaletakesanincubationbreak.Incubationlasts25days.Withinonedayofhatching,theprecociousgoslings,usuallyfiveofthem,followtheirparentstoareasofshortgrassandsedge,wheretheycansafelygrazeandcaptureinsects.Themotherkeepsthegoslingswarmbybroodingthemwhennecessary,andthefatherkeepsakeeneyeoutforpredators.YoungCacklerscanflyabout40daysafterhatching,atwhichtimethefamilyjoinsaflockwithotherfamilies.


AfternestinginCanadaorAlaska,thousandsofCacklersgatherinlateSeptemberinstagingareassuchastheAlaskanPeninsulatobulkuponleavesandberries.LargeflocksthenflydirectlytowesternOregonandWashingtononatwo-tofour-dayflight,arrivingbymid-October.Afterawinterofeatinggrassintherain,theydepartOregonandWashingtoninmid-tolateAprilandarriveattheirnestinggroundsreadytonestbylateMay.

WHERETOFINDCACKLINGGEESECacklerswinterinWashingtonandOregon,inlargeflocksthatfeastongrassinfields,restonabodyofwater,orcalltooneanotherastheyflyoverhead.FromOctobertoAprileachyear,auniquegroupofCacklersgathersinadairypasturenortheastofPacificCity,Oregon.Thisflockofmorethan100geesemakesuptheentirebreedingpopulationofthetinySemidiIslandsinAlaska.Theydon’tseemtomixwithotherCacklingGeese,andtheyreturneveryyeartothissmall,wetfield.EachnighttheyflyouttotheoceantoroostonnearbyHaystackRock,ortoridethewavesaroundit.You’llknowforsurethatyouhavefoundaSemidiIslandgooseifyouseetheblue-greenplasticcollarsthatbiologistshaveattachedtosomeofthemtotracktheirsurvival.

InWashington

GolfcoursesandbaysinOceanShores


NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefugenearOlympiaSikesLakenearCarnation

InOregon

PacificCityforSemidiIslandsCacklingGeeseSauvieIslandnearPortland




OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

IfyougotoPacificCitytocheckouttheSemidiIslandsgeese,visittheNestuccaBayNationalWildlifeRefugetofinddarkchocolate-coloredDuskyCanadaGeese(adarkersubspeciesofCanadaGoose),WHITE-TAILEDKITES,Merlins,BELTEDKINGFISHERS,NorthernPintails,andanabundanceofotherwaterfowl.

EURASIANWIGEONAnaspenelope

Female(left)andmale(right)EurasianWigeonswithAmericanWigeons(background)EVERYWINTER,AmericanWigeonsarevisitedbytheirexoticcousinsfromSiberia.EurasianWigeonsseemtofitinwellwiththelocals,joininghugewinteringflocksastheygrazeandpaddletheshallowsofNorthwestwaterways.Theirgregariousnatureandboisteroussqueakingmakeeverydayseemlikearowdywigeonfamilyreunion.InthePacificNorthwest,wearefortunatetoenjoythehighestconcentrationsofthese

attractivelittleducksintheLower48.AEurasianWigeonsightingisasplendidrewardforbirderstakingthetimetoexaminelargeflocksofAmericanWigeonsinwinter.

Thankstotheirrustyheadsandlightgraybacksandflanks,maleEurasiansstandoutinacrowdofAmericanWigeons.Bothspecieshavewhitishforeheads,butanAmericanlacksanyredcoloronitshead,hasrufous(reddish)flanks,andhasagreenstripethatstretchesfromtheeyetothebackofthehead.Femalesare

moredifficulttodistinguish,butEurasianhens’headsarewarmercoloredthangray-headedAmericans.

FOODANDFORAGINGWigeonsarethegreatestgrazersofthedabblingducks.InthePacificNorthwest,EurasianWigeonspluckgrassandotherplantsfromthegroundalongsideAmericanWigeonsandCanadaGeeseincityparksandalongshorelines.Theywillalsoswimforaquaticvegetation,buttheyspendlesstimedabblingwiththeirheadsunderwaterthanduckssuchasMallards.Duringthebreedingseason,Eurasianssupplementtheirdietwithaquaticinsects,mollusks,andcrustaceans.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

ThisspeciesnestsinthenorthernportionsofEuropeandAsia,fromIcelandtoSiberia.Theybeginnestinginlatespringaftertheiceandsnowmeltawayfromtheirnestinggrounds.Femalesprovidecarefortheyoung,incubatingeightornineeggsinawell-camouflagedgroundnestfor25days.Afterthebroodhatches,thefemaleleadsthemtoaquaticanduplandsites,wheretheycangrazeonvegetationandcaptureaquaticinsects.


Whenthenestingseasoniscomplete,EurasianWigeonsdispersethroughouttheNorthernandSouthernHemispheres.InadditiontoOregonandWashington,thesewandererswillwinterinsouthernEurasia,Africa,SoutheastAsia,andtheMiddleEast.TheyremaininourareafromOctoberthroughApril.Femalesusuallyreturntotheareawheretheyhatchedtobreedeachyear,butmalesprobablypairwithadifferentfemaleeachseason.

WHERETOFINDEURASIANWIGEONSEurasianWigeonsareneverespeciallyabundant,butifyoufindalargeenough

EurasianWigeonsareneverespeciallyabundant,butifyoufindalargeenoughflockofAmericanWigeons,there’sboundtobeoneortwoEurasiansintheresomewhere.Lookforwigeonflocksnibblingongrassorgatheredinmarshes,shallowlakes,orbays.Theircallsoundsalotlikeadog’ssqueakytoybeingsqueezed.

InWashington

SamishIslandandSamishFlatsnearBurlingtonPadillaBaynearBurlington

PointNoPointLighthouseandCountyParknearKingstonRidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefugenearVancouverInOregon

WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallisBayoceanSpitonTillamookBaynearTillamook

TualatinRiverNationalWildlifeRefugenearSherwoodWestmorelandParkinPortland

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

WhenyouvisitTillamookBayduringthewinter,lookforBRANT,WESTERNGREBES,HornedGrebes,BALDEAGLES,White-wingedScoters,andCOMMONLOONS.

BLACK-FOOTEDALBATROSSPhoebastrianigripes

ALBATROSSESARELEGENDARYlong-distancetravelersofthesouthernseas.Theyglideabovethewavesonwingsthatcanspanthewidthofaqueen-sizebed.Luckily,thoseofusboundtothePacificNorthwesthaveanexcellentopportunitytoviewalbatrossesthatregularlyvisitourcorneroftheworld.Allyouneedisastomachstrongenoughtoendureaboatrideatleast20milesoutintothePacificOceanandback.TheBlack-footedAlbatrosshasbeendescribedasa“featheredpig”becauseofitsenthusiasmforscrapsoffoodtossedoverboard,andofferingthemfoodinthiswayisoftenthebestwaytoseethem.Despitesuchanunflatteringdescription,thisbirddeservesadmirationforthe

thousandsofmileseachindividualfliesinsearchoffood—bothnaturalandhuman-supplied.

Withitslong,narrowwingsandoceanichabits,thisspecieslookslikenootherbird—exceptanotheralbatross.Black-footedsaregenerallydarkerincolorthantheirkinandhaveheavybillswithhookedtips.LaysanAlbatrosses,alsofoundfaroffthecoastofthePacificNorthwest,areasimilarsizebuthavewhiteheadsandlighterplumageoverall.

FOODANDFORAGINGAlbatrossesareintheminorityofbirdsthatpossessasenseofsmell.Forthisreason,theyareattractedtofishingboatsdiscardingbitsoftheircatch.Whennotfollowingboats,Black-footedspursuefoodtheyfindattheoceansurface,includingflyingsquid,flyingfish,andtheeggsofflyingfish,whichareoftenattachedtofloatingobjects.Theycapturetheirfoodwhilefloatingontheoceanlikegiantducks,lazilydippingtheirheadsintothewaterordivingafewfeetbelowthesurface.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Black-footedAlbatrossesnestonthegroundinlargecoloniesonPacificIslandsnearHawaii,Japan,andChina.Reproductionisaslowprocess,withbirdswaitinguntiltheyareatleastfiveyearsoldtobreed,layingonlyoneeggperyear,andskippingnestingduringyearswhenconditionsarenotquiteright.Theparentstaketurnsincubatingtheegginnonstopshiftsthatcanexceed30days.Adultstaketurnsbroodingandguardingthenestlingforitsfirst20days.Bythetimeitis30daysold,thenestlingisunguardedandmustwait2to10daysforitsparenttoreturnwithameal.Afteraboutfivemonths,thechickfinallyleavesthenestandgatherswithotherfledglingsonabeachbeforetheyalltaketheirfirstflight.


ThemarathonnestingseasonoftheBlack-footedAlbatrossbeginswhenadultsreturntoislandnestingcoloniesinNovemberorDecemberandendswhen

returntoislandnestingcoloniesinNovemberorDecemberandendswhenfledglingstaketotheseainthesummer.Afternesting,adultswanderthenortheasternPacific,spendingtheirtimeflyingabovethewaves,capturingfoodneartheseasurface,orrestingonthewater.TheyaremostfrequentlyseennearourcoastsfromAprilthroughlateOctober,butyoucanfindimmaturebirdsthroughouttheyear.

WHERETOFINDBLACK-FOOTEDALBATROSSES

Albatrossesarerarelyseenfromland.Thebestwaytogetagoodlookistotakeadaylongboattripintotheocean(apelagictrip)totheplacesmanymilesoffshorewherealbatrossesfeed.ThesetripsrunregularlyspringthroughfalloutofWestport,Washington,andNewport,Oregon.Albatrossesaremuchlargerandhavemuchlongerwingsthanotherpelagicbirds,whichmakesidentifyingthemeasy.Youmightseeonesoaringlowoverthewavesorfeedingwhilefloatingontheocean.

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Pelagictripsareanamazingopportunitytofindbirdsthatyouwillneverseefromlandandtogetbetterlooksatthoseofwhichyou’vehadonlyunsatisfyingglimpses.Dependingonthetimeofyear,youcouldseeSOOTYSHEARWATERS,NorthernFulmars,MARBLEDMURRELETS,PIGEONGUILLEMOTS,Fork-tailedStormPetrels,andPomarineJaegers.

SOOTYSHEARWATERPuffinusgriseus

SOOTYSHEARWATERSMIGHTbethemostgregariousseabirdsintheworld.Feedinginflocksofthousandsandnestingincoloniesofmillions,thesebirdsobviouslyhavelittleregardforpersonalspace.Hugeflocksofthemgraceourcoastalwatersfromspringtofall,returningtotheirbreedingsitesintheSouthPacifictonestwhenitisourwinterandtheirsummer—anideallifestyleforanyonewantingtotraveltheglobeandavoidwinterweather!

Shearwatersarenamedfortheirlong,bladelikewingsthatseemtoslicethroughtheairabovethewaves.Theirwingsareattachedabouthalfwaydowntheirbodies,makingthemlookdifferentfromgulls,whosewingsstartjustbehindtheirheads.Sootiesholdtheirwingsoutstraightastheyglidebetweenrapid,shallowwingbeats.Theyhavelong,skinnybillswithahookedtipandtube-shapednostrilsonthetopthatareusedforsmellingfoodandexcretingoceanicsalts.TheirdarkgrayplumageandsilveryunderwingsdistinguishthemfromthelesscommonShort-tailedShearwater,asimilarspecieswithdarkerunderwings.

FOODANDFORAGINGSootiescandivetodepthsofmorethan200feet,propellingthemselvesbybeatingtheirwings.Whilediving,theycaptureavarietyofmarineanimalssuchasshrimp,squid,andfish.FeedingflocksinthehundredsofthousandsgatheroffPacificNorthwestshorestopursueschoolsofanchovies.Theywillalsopickupdiscardsfromfishingboatsfromthewater’ssurface,makingthemeasytospotonpelagicbirdingexpeditions.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

SootiesnestwhenitissummerintheSouthPacificandwinterintheNorth,in

SootiesnestwhenitissummerintheSouthPacificandwinterintheNorth,incoloniesofupto2.7millionpairsonislandsnearAustralia,NewZealand,andChile.Adultsdignestburrowsinislandswithsoftsoilsorplacetheirnestsincrevicesonrockyislands.Thesingleeggisincubatedor55daysbybothparents,whofeedtheyoungsterbyregurgitatingfoodobtainedindeepseadives,someofwhichoccurinAntarcticwatersatleast900milesfromtheirnestsite.Becauseoftheirparents’longforagingflights,chicksmustwaitupto15daysbetweenmealsduringthe80to100daysthattheyspendintheburrow.


AfternestingintheSouthernHemisphere,Sootiesfleethesouthernwinterforthenorthernsummer.Thisrequiresanextraordinarymigrationtooneofthreeoceanic“wintering”areas:thewatersofftheWestCoastoftheUnitedStates,thewesternPacificoffthecoastsofJapanandRussia,ortheBeringSeaandGulfofAlaska.Thevoyagefromsouthtonorthandbackcanexceed40,000miles.Inasingleyear,someindividualsflyovertheentireexpanseofthePacificOceanfromjustnorthofAntarcticatotheBeringSea.TheyarefoundofftheNorthwestCoastfromMarchtoNovember.

WHERETOFINDSOOTYSHEARWATERSYourarelyfindaSootyflyingoverthebeach,soyou’llneedtosetyoursightsoffshore.Shearwatersflylowovertheocean,surfingtheaircurrentsproducedbythewaves.DuringfallmigrationinAugustandSeptember,youmightseeastringofthemflybyifyouwatchtheoceanwithbinocularsoraspottingscope.Infall,theyoftenjoinfeedingflocksofgullsnearthemouthsofbaysandrivers;theseflockscansometimescomprisehundredsorthousandsofbirds.

InWashington

Tokeland,atthemouthofWillapaBay

FerryfromPortAngelestoVictoria,BritishColumbia(intheairandonthewater)CapeFlatterynearNeahBay

ColumbiaRiver,NorthJetty,nearIlwaco

InOregon

ColumbiaRiver,SouthJetty,inFortStevensStateParknearAstoriaBoilerBayStateScenicViewpointnearDepoeBayPelagicboattripoutofNewport

BarviewJettyatthemouthofTillamookBay

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Theplaceswherefreshwaterrushesouttomixwithsaltwateratthemouthofbaysandriversarerichwithnutrientsandfulloffish.SootyShearwatersmightbeminglingtherewithCASPIANTERNS,BROWNPELICANS,BRANDT’SCORMORANTS,SURFSCOTERS,andplentyofgulls.

WHIMBRELNumeniusphaeopus

ONAFOGGYcoastalmorning,theunmistakablesilhouetteofaWhimbrelmaterializesinthedistance.Itwalkscarefullyacrossthesandwithitscompanions,stoppingtopluckasmallcreatureoutofaholewithitslong,curvedbillandgobbleitdown.Asyouapproach,ittakestotheaironlong,pointedwingsandglidestoasaferlocation.MostWhimbrelsthatweseeinthePacificNorthwestareboundfornestinggroundstothenorthorwinteringgroundstothesouth,butapreciousfewstickaroundthroughoutthesummer.

MakethemostofeveryWhimbrelsighting,becauseyouneverknowwhenthenextwilloccur.

Whimbrelsarelarge,comicalshorebirds.Pictureapigeonwithtalllegsandalong,droopingbill.Itsheadismarkedwithalternatinglightanddarkstripesthatextendfromitsbilltothebackofitshead.ItiseasilydistinguishedfromthecloselyrelatedLong-billedCurlew,whichhasanoutrageouslylongbillandanunstripedhead.

FOODANDFORAGINGTheWhimbrel’sbillisperfectlysuitedtoreachingintertidalinvertebrateshidingintheirburrows.Thisuniquebillactuallymatchesthecurvatureofcrabburrowsinsomeareas.Likeothershorebirds,Whimbrelscaptureavarietyofinvertebratepreyoncoastalwintergroundsandmigrationstopoversites.UponreachingnestingsitesinAlaskaandCanada,theWhimbrelswitchestoadietofterrestrialinsectsandberries.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Assoonasthesnowclearsfromtheirtundranestingsites,malesadvertisetheirterritorybyflyingseveralhundredfeetintoairanddescendingtothegroundwhilesinging,gliding,andspiraling.Bothparentsincubatetheclutchoffoureggsforabout25daysandcarefortheyoung,whichleavetheirshallowgroundnestafewhoursafterhatching.Eventually,themaleislefttocareforthechicksuntilhemigratessouth.Theyoungsterswillheadsouthontheirownamonthlater.


Inthesummerandfall,NorthAmericanWhimbrelsmigratefromnorthernnestinggroundstotheirincrediblyexpansivewinteringgrounds—anareathatstretchesfromtheWestCoastofNorthAmericatothesoutherntipofSouthAmerica.Duringthesetrips,theymakeseveralnonstopflightsovertheopenoceanbeforerestingandrefuelingoncoastalbeaches.Thesereststopsprovideexcellentopportunitiesfornorthwesternbirderstoviewthisintrepidspecies.

excellentopportunitiesfornorthwesternbirderstoviewthisintrepidspecies.Duringtheirsouthboundmigration,WhimbrelsrefuelontheNorthwestCoastfromJulythroughOctober.NorthboundmigrantsreturntotheregionfromMarchtoMay,whileafewnonbreedersspendtheentiresummeronthecoast.

WHERETOFINDWHIMBRELSWhimbrelsaremostabundantintheNorthwestduringtheirspringandfallmigrations.You’llseethemprobingforfoodonbeaches,mudflats,andwetfields.Theyaremuchtallerthanallthosestubbysandpipersandareeasilyvisibleastheystrollalongbeachesandthroughgrassyfields,althoughtheirbrowncoloroffersthemalittlecamouflage.

InWashington

OyhutWildlifeRecreationAreainOceanShoresCrockettLakeonWhidbeyIsland

ButlerFlatsnearBurlington


InOregon

BayoceanSpitinTillamookBaynearTillamook

SiltcoosRiverEstuarynearFlorence

YaquinaBayinNewport

SiletzBaynearTaft

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Duringspringmigrationonthecoast,WhimbrelsarejoinedbyBlack-belliedPlovers,GREATBLUEHERONS,andacollectionofsandpiperssoabundantanddiversethatyou’llbeeitherfascinatedorfrustratedwithidentifyingthemall.

SingingBirdsMEMORABLECALLSANDSONGS

THEPLEASANTCACOPHONYofbirdsongprovidesthesoundtracktoourspringsandsummers.Whetherasweetmelodyorauniquecall,thesesongswakeusupatfirstlightandsingusthroughtosunset.Birdsongsalsocreateasenseofplaceforus.Whatwouldacanyonbewithoutthewrennamedforit,orasummercampingtripwithouttheetherealsongoftheSwainson’sThrushatdusk?Theseamazingvocalizationsaren’tmadeforus,butweenjoythemjustthesame.Thebirds(mostoftenmales)areattractingmatesorstakingaclaimtoaterritory.Ifwetranslatedtheirsongs,theymightberomanticballadsfortheladiesorastronglywordedtonguelashingforarivalmale.

Twoofthespeciesincludedherearenottechnicallyclassifiedassongbirds,buttheirvocalizationsaresodistinctthatyouwillinstantlyrecognizethemafteryouhavelearnedtheirsounds.Theothersaretruesongbirds,adiversegroupingwithmorethan4000speciesworldwide.Thesebirdsuseaseriesoftinymembranesembeddedintheirairwaystoproducesongs,someofwhicharesocomplexthatthehumanvoiceboxcanonlypoorlyimitatethem.

PacificWren

CALIFORNIAQUAILCallipeplacalifornica

MaleCaliforniaQuail

WHATCOULDBEcuterthanaCaliforniaQuailthatsportssharpcolors,abeachballbody,andbobbingplumesonitshead?Itscurriesthroughthebrushwilly-nillywhendisturbed,andinthesummerit’sfollowedbyaherdoffluffyyoungsters.Maleswouldprobablyprefertobedescribedashandsome,asthey

perchproudlyoutintheopentodisplaytheireye-catchingplumage.Notmusicalatall,aCaliforniaQuail’scallssoundmorelikespeech.Theyrallyoneanotherwiththeirunmistakable“Chi-CA-go!”call,andmalesadvertisetheirterritorieswitharepeated“Wah!”

CaliforniaQuailareinstantlyrecognizablebytheirpot-belliedsilhouettewiththedistinctivetopknot.Maleshaveintricateplumage,includingablackfacethatisoutlinedinwhite.Femalesarebrownerandlackthebrightpatternontheface.MountainQuail,theotherNorthwestquail,haveatopknotthatisstraightlikeanexclamationpoint;aCalifornia’stopknotlooksmorelikeaquestionmarkdroopingforwardoveritsface.

FOODANDFORAGINGCaliforniaQuailpickatseedsandotherplantpartsfoundingapsbetweenbrushyareas.Duringsummer,muchoftheirdietcomprisessoftplantssuchascloverandlupine.Duringtherestoftheyear,theyeatberriesandbudsofwoodyplantsaswellasgrassseedandafewinsects.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Whennestingtimearrives,femalesbuildasimplenestofgrassandweedsonthegroundinanareawellhiddenbyvegetation.Shecanlaymorethan20eggsandusuallyperformsalloftheincubationdutiesduringthe23-dayperiod,althoughhermatemaychipinorguardthenest.Thechicksleavethenestimmediatelyafterhatching.Forthenexttwotothreemonths,theparentsbroodthechickstokeepthemwarm,leadthemtofood,andprotectthemfrompredators.Occasionally,communalfamiliesform,withseveraladultswatchingoutforchicksfrommultiplenests.Whentheyoungcanflyatthreemonths,theyjoincoveys(groupsof30to70individuals)withtheirparents.


CaliforniaQuailarepermanentresidentsofOregonandWashington.Coveysformattheendofthesummernestingseasonandwanderwithinahomerangebutrarelymovemorethan10milesfromonelocationtoanotherduringtheyear.

butrarelymovemorethan10milesfromonelocationtoanotherduringtheyear.Theydissolveinthespringwhenbirdsstartpairingoffinanticipationofnesting.

WHERETOFINDCALIFORNIAQUAILOncefoundonlyinCaliforniaandthesouthwesterncornerofOregon,thousandsofCaliforniaQuailwerecapturedandreleasedthroughoutOregonandWashingtoninthenineteenthandtwentiethcenturiestoincreasebird-huntingopportunities.TheyarenowcommoninvalleysandlowareasontheeastsideoftheCascades,butyoucanfindthemonthewestsideaswell.Theyneedsomehidingplaces,sotheypreferareaswiththickbrushinsteadoffarmfieldsthatofferonlylowvegetation.Theyoftenrunalongroadsandperchonfenceposts.Youcanheartheirdistinctivethree-notecallfromagreatdistance.

InWashington



WenatcheeConfluenceStateParkinWenatchee


InOregon


JacksonBottomWetlandsPreservenearHillsboro

PrescottParkinMedford

BaskettSloughNationalWildlifeRefugenearDallas

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

TakearoadtripthroughthefarmlandandsagebrushoftheeastsideofthePacificNorthwestandyou’llhavemilesandmilesoffencestocheckforopen-countrybirdssuchasMOUNTAINandWESTERNBLUEBIRDS,WESTERNKINGBIRDS,AmericanKestrels,LoggerheadShrikes,andWESTERNMEADOWLARKS.

COMMONNIGHTHAWKChordeilesminor

COMMONNIGHTHAWKSWAITuntilthemonthofJunetoreturntotheNorthwestandfilltheskywiththeiruniquesoundsanddistinctiveflight.Theymakeacharacteristic,nasal-toned“meeernt”thatwillalertyoutotheirpresenceevenwhentheyareflyinghighabove.Nighthawksalsosingwiththeirfeathers,makingabooming“vrrrum”withtheirwingsinanoisydivingcourtshipdisplay.

Theodd-lookingCommonNighthawkspendsmostofthedayperfectlyhiddeninplainsightandthenemergesintoasummereveningtofeastonmosquitoes.Theirmottledbrownfeatherscamouflagewellagainstavarietyofbackdrops,whethertheyarenestingorroosting.Inflight,theirlong,pointedwingsandlongtailmakethemmuchmorenoticeable.Astheyhunt,theirtinybeaksgapeopentocatchinsects.AwhitethroatandwhitewingbarshelptodistinguishthisspeciesfromtherarerCommonPoorwillthatisdarkerandstubbieroverall.

FOODANDFORAGINGDespitetheirname,CommonNighthawksarenothawksorbirdsofprey.Theyeatsmallinsects,whichtheycapturewiththeirwidemouthswhileflyingwithbatlikewingbeatsduringduskanddawn.Short,bristledfeathersthathelpthemcatchaerialinsectssurroundtheirbeaks.Theirunfortunatepredatorymisnomerhasresultedinpersecutionbyhumanswhosoughttoprotecttheirfarmanimalsfrompredators.SmallbirdsalsomistakeCommonNighthawksforenemiessuchasowlsandmobthemastheytrytorestduringtheday.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Althoughtheyarequiteconspicuouswhilehuntinginsectsinthesky,CommonNighthawksaremastersofcamouflageattheirnests.Thefemalelaysapairof

Nighthawksaremastersofcamouflageattheirnests.Thefemalelaysapairofeggsdirectlyonthegroundor,insomecases,onarooftop.Whileincubating,sheisalmostinvisibleagainstthebackdropofgravel,sand,ordebrissurroundingthenest.Whensheisoffthenest,hereggsarenearlyinvisibleaswell.After18days,nestlingshatchascamouflaged,semi-mobilepuffs.Theyareshelteredfromthehotsunbythefemaleduringtheday,whilethemalehuntsandbringsthefamilyfood.Theyoungcanfly18daysafterhatchingandwilleventuallyjoinamigratoryflockwiththeirparents.


Theseextremelong-distancemigrantsspendtheirwintersinSouthAmericaasfarsouthasBuenosAires,Argentina.Becauseoftheirlongmigration,theyarethelatestspeciestoarriveforthePacificNorthwestnestingseason,withmostarrivinginearlyJune.InAugust,flocksofmorethan100birdsforminpreparationfortheirsouthwardmigration,withmostdepartingtheNorthwestbythemiddleofSeptember.

WHERETOFINDCOMMONNIGHTHAWKSAlthoughyou’llfindCommonNighthawksinthewesternpartsofOregonandWashington,theyaremorecommoneastoftheCascadeCrest.Theyareoccasionallyactiveduringtheday,butthebesttimetowatchtheminactionisatdusk.Lookforthemnearwaterwhereyoufindlotsofflyinginsects.Listenfortheiruniquecalls.Theyaremuchmoredifficulttofindwhentheyareroosting;lookforoddbumpsonbaretreelimbsorwoodenfences.

InWashington

WenasLakenearYakima

MountConstitutiononOrcasIsland

TroutLakeNaturalAreaPreservenearTroutLake


InOregon

MetoliusPreserveandMetoliusRivertrailsnearCampShermanKlamathMarshNationalWildlifeRefugenearKlamathFalls

CranePrairieReservoirnearLaPine

WhitehorseParknearGrantsPass

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

AsduskfallsonastreamsideforesteastoftheCascades,theairquicklycoolsandallkindsofcreaturestaketotheair.Theubiquitousmosquitoesarefollowedbytheirpredators,theVIOLET-GREENSWALLOWSthatarealmostreadytoroostforthenightandthebatsthatarejustwakingup.ThewhinnyofaWesternScreechOwlcarriesthroughthetrees,andthelargeshadowofaGREATHORNEDOWLpassesover.

OLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERContopuscooperi

PERHAPSIT’SWISHFULthinkingthatturnsthethree-notesongofthisflycatcherinto“Quick,THREEbeers!”,butonceyoumaketheassociation,you’llknowthisbirdsongforlife.Olive-sidedFlycatchersemittheirloud,unmistakablesongwiththeenthusiasmofaspiritedbarpatron,butyou’lloftenhearthesongwithoutbeingabletolocatethesinger.

TheOlive-sidedFlycatcherhuntsfromhigh,exposedperches,givingyouagoodopportunitytolookforfieldmarks.Itsdappervestanduprightposturemakeitunique.TheWesternWood-Peweeisanotherlargeflycatcher,butitissmudgylookingandlacksthecrisp,darkvestandthewhitebellyandchinoftheOlive-sided.

Olive-sided.

FOODANDFORAGING

Olive-sidedFlycatchersperchprominentlyonexposedbranchesatornearthetopsoftrees.Fromthisperch,theyscanthetopstoryofaforestopeningforbeesandotherflyinginsects.Whenaninsectisspotted,thebirddartsoutinaquickburstofflight,catchestheinsectwithasnapofitsbill,andreturnstoitsperch.Itswallowssmallprey,suchasflyingants,inflight,butbringslargerprey,suchasabumblebeesormoths,backtotheperchandbeatsthecreatureagainstthebranchtomakeiteasiertoswallow.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGIntallconiferssuchasDouglas-firs,hemlocks,andspruces,thefemaleconstructsacup-shapednestandincubatesthreeorfoureggsforabout15days.Bothparentscaptureinsectsanddeliverthemtonestlingsduringthe20daystheyareinthenestandforatleasttwoweeksaftertheyleave.


Thisworld-travelerhasthelongestmigratorypathofanyNorthwestflycatcher.IndividualsspendthewinterinPanamaandSouthAmerica,andmostarrivetonestintheNorthwestduringthemonthofMay.NestingbeginsinJune,andbytheendofAugustmostbirdshavedepartedfromtheregion,headingbacktoCentralandSouthAmerica.

WHERETOFINDOLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERS

LookfortheminconiferousforestsofOregonandWashington.Openareaswithinforestsprovideexcellentforaginghabitat.Youwilllikelyhearonebeforeyouseeit;scanforanuprightbirdonanexposedperch.

InWashington


EnglishCamponSanJuanIsland

EnglishCamponSanJuanIsland

BethelRidgeRoad(ForestServiceRoad1500)offHighway12nearNachesDiscoveryParkinSeattle

InOregon





OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Forestopeningscreatedbyclearcutting,fire,landslide,orwindthrowprovideanidealhabitatforaninterestingvarietyofbirdsthatmoveintotakeadvantageoftheinsectpreyandelbowroom.YoumightspotLAZULIBUNTINGS,Orange-crownedWarblers,White-crownedSparrows,WESTERNBLUEBIRDS,andGrayJaysinthisseeminglybarren,yetrich,habitat.

CANYONWRENCatherpesmexicanus

NOTHINGSAYS“Welcometocanyoncountry!”likethesongofaCanyonWren.Itsslurredwhistlestumbledownwardlikewateroverarockycliff.Itsdisproportionallylargesongechoesfromnooksandcranniestofillcanyonsand

cliffsides,cheerilyentertaininghikersandclimbers.Thedescending,whistledcallmaybeallyougetfromthesecretivebird,butit’senoughtomakeadayinthedrycountrycomplete.

Thisrust-coloredspecieswithabrilliantwhitethroatfitsrightintotherockycountrywithitswarmcolorandwedgedshape.Likeotherwrens,itsportsarelativelylong,needlelikebillthatisslightlydown-curved.TheonlysimilarbirdinsimilarhabitatsistheRockWren,whoserangecompletelyoverlapsthatoftheCanyonWren.Withgrayupperpartsandabuff-coloredbelly,RockWrensaremoreearth-tonedthanCanyonWrens.RockWrensalsolackthesharpcontrastbetweenthewhitethroatandrustybackandbellythatdistinguishestheCanyonWren.

FOODANDFORAGINGCanyonWrensareoftenheardbeforetheyareseen,becausetheyareusuallyhiddenfromviewinarockycrevice,wheretheylookforfoodsuchasspiders.Theirshortlegs,longbills,andwedge-shapedheadsareperfectforprobingintonarrowspacestofetchahidinginvertebrate.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

CanyonWrenshidetheirnestsinsiderockyoutcroppings,incaves,orinspacesbetweensmallrocksorboulders.Tokeeptheeggsandnestlingscozyinaspacethatseesnosun,pairsconstructabulkynestwithasoftcuplinedwithmoss,feathers,andhair.Thefemaleincubatestheeggsfor16days,whilethemalebringsherfood.Thefivetosixnestlingsremaininthenestfor18daysafterhatchingandarethendependentontheirparentsforanotherthreeweeks.


TheyremaininOregonandWashingtonthroughouttheyear,butinwintersomeleavetheirrockynestingsitesforlowerelevationsordenselyvegetatedareastoescapecoldweatherandfoodshortages.

WHERETOFINDCANYONWRENS

LookforthemeastoftheCascades,wheretheyareassociatedwithcanyons,cliffs,andcouleesoranyappropriaterockyhabitat.Hearingthisbird’ssongisthebestwaytodetectoneasitworksitswayamongtherocks.

InWashington


GinkgoPetrifiedForestStateParknearEllensburg

YakimaCanyonnearYakima


InOregon



DeschutesRiverStateParknearTheDalles

TheCovePalisadesStateParknearMadras

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

WhileyouarelisteningfortheelusiveCanyonWren,lookforsomemorevisiblebirdssuchasPRAIRIEFALCONS,TurkeyVultures,White-throatedSwifts,VIOLET-GREENSWALLOWS,CliffSwallows,Say’sPhoebes,andCALIFORNIAQUAIL.

PACIFICWRENTroglodytespacificus

THEPACIFICWRENmorethancompensatesforitsdiminutivesizewithaprolonged,bubblysongthatseemstospreadthroughoutadampforest,echoingoffofeverytreetrunkandmossyrock.Thishappysongpacksinmorethan30notespersecond,whichgivesitakineticquality.Thebird’sscientificnamemeanscavedwellerofthePacific,whichseemsaptforthissecretivelittlewren.

Thismouse-sizedbirdissolidbrownwithblackbarringonitswings,tail,andundersides.Bewick’sWrensandHouseWrensarealsofoundinwoodedareasoftheregion.Botharelargerwithbillsthatarelongerandmorecurved

thanthatofthePacificWren.Thesethreespeciescanalsobedistinguishedbyrelativetaillengthandthecolorofthestripeabovetheireyes.TheBewick’sWrenhasaverylongtailandawhitestripe,theHouseWrenhasamedium-sizedtailandabuff-coloredstripe,andthePacificWrenhasastubbytailandabuff-coloredstripe.

FOODANDFORAGINGInsearchofinsects,spiders,andothercreepycrawlieshidingincrevicesinamatureforest,PacificWrenscreepandflitnearstreamsandinuplandareas.Noareasinthelowerlevelsofaforestgounsearched.Theyusetheirtinybillstoprobebark,fallenlogs,leaflitter,mossypatches,andevenstreamsforsmallprey.Berriesandseedsalsoformapartoftheirdiet.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Malesaremanicnestbuildersanduseavarietyofnestdesigns.Theybuildsphericalnestsinspacessuchasoldwoodpeckercavities,upturnedrootwads,andalongstreambanks.Amalemayconstructseveralofthesenestseachyear.Whenafemaleissufficientlyimpressedwithhiswork,sheselectsanestandindicatesherapprovalbyliningtheinteriorwithfinematerial.Afterlininganest,thefemalelaysfivetoseveneggsandincubatesthemfor16days.Bothadultsbringinsects,spiders,andtheliketonestlings.Thefamilygroupstaysinthemale’sterritory,wherebothparentswillcarefortheyounguntiltheydisperseinafewweeks.


PacificWrensarefoundyear-roundinforeststhatexperiencemildwinters.Malessingthroughouttheyearbutincreasethefrequencyofsinginginlatewinterandearlyspring.ThelongnestingseasonbeginsinAprilandendsinAugust.Duringthistime,somefemalesraiseasecondbroodofyoungafterthefirsthasfledged.Somebirdsdispersefromhigh-elevationforestsinthewinterandoccupyshrubbyhabitats,suchaslow-elevationclearcutsandcityparks,untilitistimetoreturntotheforestforthenestingseason.

untilitistimetoreturntotheforestforthenestingseason.

WHERETOFINDPACIFICWRENSLookforthemallyearinthewetforestsoftheNorthwest.Listenforitssonganditssharp,repeated“chip!”fromlowperchessuchasstumpsordownedlogs.

InWashington

PointDefianceParkinTacoma


LakeQuinaultintheOlympicNationalForest

RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefuge,CartyUnit,nearVancouverInOregon

AudubonSocietyofPortland’sNatureSanctuarynearForestParkCapePerpetuaScenicAreanearYachats


SilverFallsStateParknearSalem

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Youdon’thavetowaitforneotropicalmigrantstoarrivetoenjoybirdsonginthePacificNorthwest.OurresidentbirdsstartwarmingupasthedaysbegintolengthenandareinfullvoicebyearlyApril.SongSparrows,Bewick’sWrens,SpottedTowhees,PurpleFinches,BROWNCREEPERS,andNorthernFlickersallgetajumponthespringseason,andyoucanlearntheirsongsandcallsearly,beforethewarblers,flycatchers,andvireosarrivetocomplicatethings.

SWAINSON’STHRUSHCatharusustulatus

WITHBROWNISHCOLORATIONandanaffinityfordense,shadyvegetation,theSwainson’sThrushmightbedifficultforustosee,butitdemandstobeheard.Whenit’ssingingamelodioussongordippingintoitsrepertoireofcallnotes,thisbirdwillentranceyou.Itsall-daycallnotesoundsabitlikeawaterdrop,“wup!”,butitwillperformitsimpressivesongmostfrequentlyatdawnanddusk.Spiralingupwardthroughthetrees,thisotherworldlymusicisaperfectsetofbookendsforasummerday.

TheSwainson’sThrushhassoftbrownspotsonalightbreast,andabrowntailthatmatchesitsback.WhenyouaretryingtoidentifyoneofthethreespeciesofbrownthrushesthatvisittheNorthwest,timeofyearandhabitataregoodindicatorsofwhichthrushyouareviewing.TheHermitThrushistheonlyspeciesofspottedthrushthatregularlyspendsthewinterinourregion,andinthesummeritnestsinhigh-elevationconiferousforests.WestoftheCascades,theSwainson’sThrushiscommonlyfoundinlow-elevationforestswithamixtureofconifersanddeciduoustreesandshrubs.TheVeeryisfoundonlyeastoftheCascades,atlowerelevationsthantheSwainson’sorHermitThrush,inthicketsofdeciduousshrubs.

FOODANDFORAGINGLikeotherthrushes,theSwainson’sswitchesfromadietoffruitinfallandwintertooneofinsectsduringthespringandsummer.Theyforagehigherintheforestlayersthanmostotherthrushes,capturinginsectsbydartingfromaperchlikeaflycatcherorawarbler.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Afterpairingwithamale,thefemaleconstructsawell-concealednestfrom

Afterpairingwithamale,thefemaleconstructsawell-concealednestfromgroundlevelto10feethighinashruboratree.Sheincubatesfoureggsforatleasttendaysandbroodsnestlingstokeepthemwarmuntiltheydeveloptheirowninsulatingfeathers.Bothparentsfeednestlingsinsectsandfruitthatisinseason.Youngleavethenestabouttwelvedaysafterhatchingandareindependentfromtheirparentstwoweekslater.Atthistime,theymovetoareasnearstreamsandcapturetheabundantinsectsthere.


Swainson’sThrushesnestthroughoutforestedportionsofOregonandWashingtonanddeparttheregionbySeptembertospendthewinterinMexico.SpringtimemigrantsarriveinearlyMay,andmalesbeginsingingneartheendofthemonth.InSeptember,wavesofsouthboundmigrantspassoverourregionatnight.Astutebirderscanhearthesenocturnalmigrantsastheycalltooneanotherinthedarkness.

WHERETOFINDSWAINSON’STHRUSHES

TheseoperaticsingersarefoundinforestsallovertheNorthwestduringthesummer,buttheyaremostabundantinlow-elevationforestsonthewestsideoftheCascades.Findthemindeciduousforestsinareaswithlotsofdeliciousberries.

InWashington

MoranStateParkonOrcasIsland

PointDefianceParkinTacoma



InOregon

WildwoodRecreationSitenearBrightwood

ReehersCampintheTillamookStateForest


BreitenbushCampgroundnearDetroit

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Inthelatespring,thelow-andmid-elevationforestswestoftheCascadesofferasymphonyofbirdsong.JoiningthechorusareWILSON’SWARBLERS,BLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS,RED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES,Pacific-slopeFlycatchers,andWarblingVireos.

VARIEDTHRUSHIxoreusnaevius

MaleVariedThrush

THEBRIGHTORANGEplumageoftheVariedThrushistheperfectcolorforgettingattentioninadarkPacificforest,muchtothechagrinoftheseshygrounddwellersthattendtoflushandhideinatreeassoonastheyarenoticedbyhumaneyes.Thisstrikingbirdhasanequallymemorablesong,whistlingtwonotessimultaneouslyinharmonytocreateaneeriesoundthatseemstocomefromeverydirectionatonce.

TheVariedThrushissimilartotheubiquitousAmericanRobininshapeandsize,butitsbrightorangethroat,headstripe,andwingbarsdistinguishitfromallotherbirds.Thesexesaremosteasilydistinguishedbythebreastband,whichisblackonthemaleandgray-brownonthefemale.

FOODANDFORAGING

Duringmuchoftheyear,VariedThrushestakeadvantageoftheabundanceofberriesthatgrowinthePacificNorthwest.Theyfeastonnativecropssuchassalmonberry,snowberry,andhuckleberry,andtheyalsoeatcultivatedfruits,suchasblackberryandunharvestedapples.Thisspeciesalsoeatsacornsandwillvisitabackyardfeederstockedwithcrackedcornandmillet.Duringthenestingseason,theyconsumeground-dwellinginsects,whichtheyfindbytossinglitterasidewiththeirbills.Whenthebreedingseasonnearsitsendandberriesbegintoripen,theyswitchbacktoafruit-heavydiet.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Femalesbuildaratherelaboratenestwithabaseofsmalltwigs,aninnerlayerofrottedwoodandmoss,aliningoffinematerial,andadecorativeouterlayerofgreenmoss.Theseconspicuousnestsarebuiltintrees,fromgroundlevelto60feethigh.Thefemaleincubatesthreeorfoureggsfor12ormoredays.Bothparentsfeedthenestlings,whichleavethenesttwoweeksafterhatching.Insomeareas,VariedThrusheshavealongnestingseasonandcansuccessfullyraisetwobroodsofyoungperyear.


VariedThrushesnestinginCanadaandAlaskamigratesouthafterthenestingseason,andmanynestingintheLower48simplymovetolowerelevations.Duringcolderwinters,theyarequiteabundantinlow-elevationvalleysofOregonandWashington.Duringmildwinters,theymayremainintheirmid-elevationnestingareas.WinteringbirdsdepartfortheirforestednestinggroundsinAprilandreturntoNorthwestvalleysinSeptemberorOctober.

WHERETOFINDVARIEDTHRUSHES

Duringthewinter,you’llfindtheminmid-elevationforestsallthewaydowntosealevel.BecauseVariedshavetowaitforareasinupperelevationstothawbeforetheymigrateinthespring,youcanoftenstillhearthemsingingintoJune

beforetheymigrateinthespring,youcanoftenstillhearthemsingingintoJuneatlowelevations.Headuphilltofindthemduringthebreedingseason.Theyoftenforagealongtrailsandroadsides,sowatchfortheflashoforangeontheirwingsastheyflyuptoasaferperch.Theysometimesvisitfeeders,eatingthedroppedseedonthegroundbeneaththem.

FemaleVariedThrush

InWashington

HurricaneRidgeinOlympicNationalPark(breeding)

MountRainierNationalPark(breeding)

SnoqualmiePassonInterstate90(breeding)

DiscoveryParkinSeattle(winter)

InOregon

CapeMearesStateParknearTillamook(winter)

OxbowRegionalParknearTroutdale(winter)

EcolaStateParknearCannonBeach(winter)

CraterLakeNationalPark(breeding)

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

InadditiontotheusualcastofcharactersfoundinalpineforestsoftheCascadeRange,suchasPILEATEDWOODPECKERS,PACIFICWRENS,andOLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERS,thehigh-elevationnestingsitesoftheVariedThrusharealsohometoClark’sNutcrackers,MOUNTAINBLUEBIRDS,andREDCROSSBILLS.

BLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKPheucticusmelanocephalus

MaleBlack-headedGrosbeak

BLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKShaveoneofthemostmelodicvoicesofthespring,singingsweetphrasesfromthetreetops,whileflying,orevenwhilesittingonanest.Malesandfemalesbothsing,whichisunusualintheworldofbirds.Theirfast,creativelywhistledsongsoundslikeit’scomingfromarobinthat’shadsinginglessons.Eachwarblingphraseisclearandperfectlyintune.Theirthick,cardinal-likebeakslookintimidating,butthesebirdsaremildmanneredandeatseeds,fruit,andinvertebrates.

Likearipefruitdecoratingthebranchesofdeciduoustrees,themale’sbrightorange,black,andwhiteplumagestandsoutagainstthesummergreensorthebluesky.Black-headedGrosbeakshavethenamesakeblackheadandabright

bluesky.Black-headedGrosbeakshavethenamesakeblackheadandabrightorangebelly.Femalesareabuff-color,withpaleorangeonthebelly,abrownback,andstripedhead.Theirlarge,conicalbillsgivethespeciesaverydifferentappearancefromanyotherblackandorangebirdthatyouwillfindintheNorthwest.Bullock’sOriolesslightlyresembleBlack-headedsinthattheyareblack,orange,andwhite,butBullock’shavethin,pointedbeaks,andtheirheadsarenotentirelyblack.EveningGrosbeaksalsohavethickbeaks,buttheirplumageisyellow,notorange,andneithersexhasablackorstripedhead.

FOODANDFORAGING

Black-headedGrosbeakseatavarietyofthingsthroughouttheyear.Fleshyfruits,tinyseeds,andavarietyofinsectsarealwaysonthemenu.Theyusetheirthickbillstocrackthehusksofseedsandexoskeletonsofbeetles.Thesestrong-stomachedforagerswilleveneatMonarchbutterflies,whicharetoxictomostbirds.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Femalesquicklychooseamateuponarrivalatthenestinggroundsandbeginconstructingnestsbytheendofspring.Nestsarelocatedinshrubsortrees,usuallynearstreamsorotherforestopenings.Thefemaleconstructsthenest,afairlycrudecupoftwigslinedwithfinematerial.Inabehaviorthatseemstocourtdanger,themalefrequentlysingswhileincubatingtheeggs.Younghatchafter13days,andbothparentsfeedthenestlingsacombinationofplantandinsectmatter.Youngclimboutofthenest10to14daysafterhatching,buttheycan’tflyforanothertwoweeks.

FemaleBlack-headedGrosbeak

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSBlack-headedsspendthewinterinMexicoandCentralAmericaandarriveinthePacificNorthwestinlateAprilorearlyMay.DuringthemonthofMay,theyarequiteconspicuous,becausemalesestablishterritoriesandbeginsinginginearnest.TheyarelessvisibleinJuneandJuly,whentheyspendlesstimesingingandmoretimeraisingtheiryoung.MalesbegintoleavetheregioninlateJuly,mostfemalesdepartinAugust,andtheyoungstickaroundthelongest,usuallydepartingbymid-September.

WHERETOFINDBLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS

LookforthemthroughoutOregonandWashingtonduringthebreedingseason,inappropriatelow-elevationdeciduousforesthabitats.Tofindthem,listenfortheircheerfulsongortheir“squik!”call.Thebrightcolorsofthemalestandoutinflight,sowatchthetrees.Youcanalsofindthematbirdfeedersallsummerlong,joinedeventuallybytheirfuzzyfledglings.

InWashington




DungenessRiverAudubonCenterinSequim

InOregon

MetoliusPreserveandMetoliusRivertrailsnearCampShermanTualatinHillsNatureParkinBeaverton


BearCreekGreenwayinAshland

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEBrightlycoloredbirdsaboundatbirdfeedersduringthesummer.JoiningtheorangeBlack-headedGrosbeaksaretheyellowAmericanGoldfinches,thepurpleBAND-TAILEDPIGEONS,thecopper-coloredRUFOUSHUMMINGBIRDS,andthered-spottedHairyWoodpeckers.

WESTERNMEADOWLARKSturnellaneglecta

SOUNDINGALITTLElikeasqueakywindinstrument,themelodioussongofaWesternMeadowlarktravelswellacrosstheexpansesofgrassandsagebrush;itssongisemblematicofopenspaces.Itsbrightplumageandirresistiblybubblysonghavewonitmanyadmirers.Infact,sixstates,includingOregon,have

adoptedthisgrasslandjewelastheirstatebird.WesternMeadowlarkshaveabrightyellowbellywithablackV-shaped

bandacrosstheirchest.Theirbacksarebrownandtheedgesoftheirtailsarewhite.Theirsilhouetteisdistinctive,withapointedbeak,shortneck,androundedbelly,kindoflikethePenguinintheBatmancomics.Luckilyforidentificationpurposes,itsdoppelgangertheEasternMeadowlarkisn’tfoundintheNorthwest,andnootherbirdreallyresemblesit.

FOODANDFORAGINGThisspeciesusesitslancelikebilltoprobethegroundandspreadapartbladesofgrasstofindseeds,insects,andspiders.Italsoplucksinsects,suchasgrasshoppers,fromgrassorotherlowvegetation.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Atthestartofthenestingseason,malesestablishterritoriesingrassyareas.Amalemightpairwithonefemaleandthenaddasecondmateafterthefirstbeginsincubatingeggs.Withintheterritory,femalesselectareaswithtallgrassandthicklayersofdeadplantstoprovidecoverfortheirnests,whicharebuiltontheground.Surroundinggrassandotherplantmaterialisincorporatedintoanelaboratestructurethatfeaturesadomelikeroofandatunnelleadingawayfromthenest.Thefemalelaysfourorfiveeggsandincubatesthemfor14days.Youngstayinthenestfor10to12daysandarefedbythefemaleandthemale,unlessheisbusytendinganotherbrood.Uponleavingthenest,fledglingscanwalkandrunbutareunabletoflyforseveralmoredays.


Duringfallandwinter,WesternMeadowlarkstravelinflocksthatcanexceed100individuals.Inthewinter,theyleavethecentralandeasternportionsofOregonandWashington,andmanymovetothecoastsandwesternvalleys.MalesbeginsinginginMarchorApriltokickoffthenestingseason.

WHERETOFINDWESTERNMEADOWLARKS

WesternMeadowlarkscanshowupaboutanywhereinOregonorWashingtonoutsideofthemountains.TheyaremorecommonwestoftheCascadesduringthewinter,buttheyareabundantontheeastsideduringthespringandsummer.Theirmottledbrownbacksrenderthemvirtuallyinvisibleinthegrass,solookforthemperchedonfencesorpowerlines,flauntingtheirbrightyellowbellies.Ifyouseeachunkybrownbirdflyingawayfromyou,lookforthetelltalewhiteedgesonthetail.

InWashington

ConboyLakeNationalWildlifeRefugenearGlenwood




InOregon

TouVelleStateParknearMedford


PowellButteNatureParkinPortland

HatfieldLakenearBend

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Althoughtheymightnotlookit,WesternMeadowlarksaremembersoftheblackbirdfamily,whichisknownforbrightcolorsandlotsofnoise.Duringthesummer,theNorthwestisfullofblackbirds,includingBullock’sOrioles,Brewer’sBlackbirds,Red-wingedBlackbirds,YELLOW-HEADEDBLACKBIRDS,andBrown-headedCowbirds.

TreeTrunkBirdsLIVINGTHEVERTICALLIFE

AMONGTHEEMBLEMSofthePacificNorthwestareitstrees—reallybigtrees.Douglas-fir,Sitkaspruce,Ponderosapine,andavarietyofotherscolorthelandscapeandprovidewonderfulplacesforwoodpeckers,nuthatches,andcreeperstofindfoodandshelter.Thesetreetrunkbirdsdependheavilyonlivetreesandstandingdeadtrees,orsnags.Althoughthesebirdsmayappearsuperficiallysimilar,eachhasevolveduniquemethodsofobtainingresourcesfromourtreasuredforests.

Wehavechosenacollectionofourfavoritewoodpeckers—thosethatarethemostfuntowatchandthatliveinbeautifulplaces.Thesebirdsareoftenthehighlightofbirdwalksthatweleadandcapturetheinterestofevenareluctantbirderwiththeircharisma.Someofthesewoodpeckersinhabitforeststhroughouttheregion,andothersareconfinedtodryforestseastoftheCascadeCrest.Thewonderfulthingaboutthisgroupofwoodpeckersisthateachspecieshasdistinctmarkings,andyouneedonlyonegoodlooktoidentifyanyoneofthem.

Woodpeckersareeasilyrecognizedbytheirverticalpostureandpointedbill,whichtheyusetoexcavatenestcavities,captureprey,andraploudly,ordrum,onasurfacetoannouncetheirpresence.Apileofwoodchipsatthebaseofatreeisevidencethatapairofwoodpeckershasrecentlyexcavatedanestingcavity.Whentheparentshavefinishedexcavating,thefemalelayseggsonthebarecavityfloorandbothparentsshareincubationduties.Afewweeksafterhatching,woodpeckernestlingsbegloudlyforfood.Ifyouhearmuffledsquawkingemanatingfromatreetrunk,findagoodhidingplaceseveralyardsawayfromthetree—soasnottodisturbtheparents—andyouwillsoonberewardedbythesightofoneortwowoodpeckersarrivingwithfood.

Red-breastedNuthatchesandBrownCreepersresemblewoodpeckersinsomewaysbutaresongbirdsandaredistinguishedbytheirownadaptationstotheverticallife.TheRed-breastedNuthatchisthemostcommonandmostcolorfulofthethreenuthatchspeciesfoundinthePacificNorthwest.TheBrownCreeperistheonlyspeciesofcreeper

PacificNorthwest.TheBrownCreeperistheonlyspeciesofcreeperfoundinNorthAmericaandisthereforeveryeasytoidentify.Learningaboutthesefascinatingspecies,mostofwhichinhabitourareayear-round,willaddanotherdimensiontoyourenjoymentoftheNorthwest’sforests.

Red-BreastedSapsucker

LEWIS’SWOODPECKERMelanerpeslewis

ASYOUWALKintoanoakwoodland,youseeadarkbirdswoopouttocaptureawaspinmidair.Anotherbirddropstothegroundandthenreturnstoabranchwithagrasshopperinitsbill.Thisrelentlesspredatorofinsectshoversintheair

tosnatchupanythingthatmoves.Whenyoufindtheperchedbirdinyourbinoculars,youseearedface,pinkbelly,andgraynape.Younoticethatthedarkwingsandbackareactuallyaglossygreen.Thesearenotcrows,flycatchers,orswallows,butLewis’sWoodpeckers.AdozenspeciesofwoodpeckersarefoundintheNorthwest,buttheLewis’slooksandbehaveslikenoneother.Donotpassupachancetovisitoneofthefewsiteswhereyoucanspotthisstrikingbird.

WhenMeriwetherLewisfirstdescribedthisbird,hethoughtitmightbeacrow—aneasymistaketomake.Lewis’sWoodpeckersappearsolidblackfromadistance,butyoucaneasilydistinguishthemfromcrowsbythepinkfeathersontheirbelliesandthepalefeathersaroundtheirnecks.Unlikemostwoodpeckers,theyoftenperchuprightonbranchesinsteadofclingingverticallytotreetrunks.

FOODANDFORAGING

TheLewis’sWoodpecker’sdietchangeswiththeseasons,anditsforagingtechniquesareunusualamongwoodpeckers.Duringthesummer,itcatchesinsectsintheairoroffthegroundbutdoesn’tsearchforinsectsbyboringintotrees.Duringthenonbreedingseason,itconsumesacorns,grains,andfruits,whichitstoresincrevicesoftreestoretrieveduringtheleanwintermonths.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Lewis’sWoodpeckersrarelyexcavatetheirownnestcavities,onceagaindefyingthewoodpeckerstereotype.Instead,theyusecavitiescreatedbyotherwoodpeckersornestboxesconstructedbyhelpfulhumans.Fivetonineeggsareincubatedfor12to16days.Bothparentsfeedinsectstothenestlingsduringtheirmonthlongstayinthenest.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSInareaswithenoughoakstoprovideampleacornsforthewinter,Lewis’sWoodpeckerswillremainyear-round.Birdsthatbreedinpineforestsmigratetolowerelevationsorlatitudesinthefallandformnomadicflocksinsearchoffood.Malesestablishterritoriesontheirnestinggroundsandbegincourting

food.MalesestablishterritoriesontheirnestinggroundsandbegincourtingfemalesinAprilorMay.ThenestingseasonendswhenyoungleavethenestinJulyorAugust.

WHERETOFINDLEWIS’SWOODPECKERS

You’llfindLewis’sinburnedpineforests,oakorcottonwoodwoodlands,orareaswherepineforeststransitionstoshrubland.Lookfortheirdarkformsonleaflessbranchesoflargetrees.Theirflycatchingbehaviorisalsoveryconspicuousandwillimmediatelyalertyoutotheirpresence.Duringthesummer,listenfortheirsqueakywheelcall.Whensearchingburnedpineforests,lookforareaswhereonlylargetreesremainwithopenspacebetweenthem.SuchplacesareidealforLewis’sWoodpeckershuntingaerialandterrestrialinsects.

InWashington

FortSimcoeStateParknearToppenish(year-round)

OakCreekWildlifeAreanearNaches(year-round)

InOregon

TyghValleyareaalongHighway197(year-round)

BurnedareasnearSistersandBend(MaythroughAugust)

CabinLakeCampgroundnearFortRock(MaythroughAugust)

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEIndeciduouswoodlands,youmightspotACORNWOODPECKERS,White-breastedNuthatches,WESTERNBLUEBIRDS,andAmericanKestrels.Inburnedforests,marvelatthelargenumberofcavity-nestingspeciesthattakeadvantageoftheabundantinsectsandweakenedtrees.LookforBLACK-BACKEDWOODPECKERS,HairyWoodpeckers,HouseWrens,andWESTERNBLUEBIRDS.

ACORNWOODPECKERMelanerpesformicivorus

AcornWoodpeckergranaryinaPonderosapine

WITHTHEIRCLOWNISHfaces,cartoonishcalls,andacorn-stashingantics,thesebirdsradiatepersonality.WatchingagroupofAcornWoodpeckersastheyharvestacornsanddeliberateovertheperfectspotstoplacetheminagranarytreeisawonderfulwaytospendafallday.Withsociallivesthatcouldinspireasoapopera,thesebirdshavekeptornithologistsperplexedfordecades.

Thewhitepatchesonitswingsandrumpinflightcontrastwithitsblackbackandcatchyourattention.Uponcloserinspection,you’llseeitsyellowface,whichisunmistakable,asareitsredcapandpaleiris.Itsmemorablelaughingcall,reminiscentofWoodyWoodpecker,alsodistinguishesitfromotherwoodpeckersofthearea.

FOODANDFORAGING

AcornWoodpeckershaveadiversedietthatincludesacorns,insects,treesap,andfruit.Acorns,whicharelowinnutrientsandhighintannins,arenottheiroptimalfood(whichisinsects)butareanessentialsupplementwhenotherfoodsarenotavailable.Theyharvestacornsfromoaksandbringthemeithertoan

arenotavailable.Theyharvestacornsfromoaksandbringthemeithertoananvilsiteforimmediateopeningandconsumptionortoagranaryforstorage.Theyusuallyconstructgranariesinthetrunksofsnags,butAcornWoodpeckerswillalsocreateholesindeadbranchesoflivetreesorevenintelephonepoles.Eachholeiscustom-madeforanindividualacorn,andthebuildertakescaretoensureasnugfitbeforemovingontothenextone.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGOntoday’sepisodeofTheYoungandtheCrestless:Whoarethenestlings’trueparents?Whatdoesthatmysteriousmalehangingaroundthenestwant?Tuneintofindout.

Inmostbirdspecies,apairofadultssharesthedutiesofraisingtheyoung.MostAcornWoodpeckers,however,nestingroups,notpairs,withupto13birdssharingthedutiesatasinglenest!Bothmalesandfemalesexcavatethenestcavityinadeadtree,incubatetheeggs,andfeedtheyoung.Eggsofmultiplefemalescanbelaidinonenest,withallthemotherschippingintohelpwiththeyoung.Nonparentalhelpersassistwithincubationandfeedingdutieswhiletheyawaitavacancyinthereproductiveranksofthegroup.Thisinformationcomesfromawell-studiedpopulationofAcornWoodpeckersinCalifornia,butsimilarsocialbehavioroccursintheNorthwest.


MostAcornWoodpeckersremainintheirterritoriesyear-round.Inplacesortimeswhentheacorncropfails,groupsmigratetofindmoredependablefoodsources.Theyhaveaverylongnestingseason,becausegroupsmayraisemultiplebroodsofyoungbetweenMayandSeptember.Inlatesummer,whenadultsarenolongerfeedingnestlings,theybegintoharvestacornsforstorageintheirgranaries.

WHERETOFINDACORNWOODPECKERS

SiteswhereAcornWoodpeckersarefoundthroughouttheyearhavelotsof

SiteswhereAcornWoodpeckersarefoundthroughouttheyearhavelotsofoaks,includingornamentalspecies,andsomesnagsforuseasgranaries.Asyouwalkinanareafullofoaks,lookforgranarytreesthatarepepperedwithacornholes.AcornWoodpeckergroupsareeasilylocatedbytheirsocialchattering,andindividualsareveryvisibleastheyflashtheirwhitewingpatchesinflight.Becausetheynestandforageingroups,youwilloftenfindseveralmorebirdsafteryoulocatethefirst.

InWashington

Notcommon,butsometimesfoundaroundBalchLakenearLyle

InOregon

DawsonCreekCorporateParkinHillsboro(insnagsalongthecreekitself)WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefugenearCorvallis(headquarters)

TouVelleStateParknearMedford(trailthatbeginsatthelastparkingarea)EmigrantLakeCountyParkandothernaturalareasinornearAshland

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEOaktreesfeedavarietyofbirdswiththeacornstheygrowandtheinsectstheyattract.Asyou’reviewingAcornWoodpeckers,watchforWhite-breastedNuthatches,WesternScrub-Jays,LEWIS’SWOODPECKERS,andWOODDUCKS.

WILLIAMSON’SSAPSUCKERSphyrapicusthyroideus

MaleWilliamson’sSapsucker

OVERTHESOUNDofabubblingcreek,youhearaslowdrummingfromhighonthetrunkofapinetree.PatientsearchingfinallyrevealstheflashypatternofstripesandsplotchesonamaleWilliamson’sSapsucker.Uncommonandsecretive,thisspeciesisanelusiveprizeforthoseseekingtheir12-woodpeckergrandslamintheNorthwest.Itwasapuzzletothosewhofirstdiscovereditaswell;thedissimilarbrightlystripedmaleandcamouflagedbrown-blackfemalespecimenswereassignedtodifferentspeciesfor16yearsuntilsomeonefinallysawanestingpairandfigureditout.

Thesebirdsshowdramaticsexualdimorphism,meaningthatmalesandfemaleshavedifferentplumage.Mostwoodpeckersshowsubtledifferencesbetweenmalesandfemales,suchasthepresenceorabsenceofasmallredspot,butWilliamson’sSapsuckersaredramaticallydifferent.Femalesaredrab,with

butWilliamson’sSapsuckersaredramaticallydifferent.Femalesaredrab,withbrownheads,yellowbellies,andbarringontheirbacks.Themalesarestrikinglymarkedwitharedchin,yellowbelly,whitewingpatchesandfacialstripes,andasolidblackback.

FOODANDFORAGING

Williamson’sareomnivorousandchangetheirdietduringtheyeardependingonwhatfoodismostabundant.Astheirnamesuggests,theydrinksapfromsmallcavitiesthattheycarveintothetrunksofconiferoustrees.Theyfrequentlytendthesewellstokeepthemflowingandconsumeanyinsectsattractedtothesap.Inspringandearlysummer,theadults’dietconsistscompletelyofthesapandinnerbarkofconiferoustrees.Duringthenestingseason,adultsandyoungaddantsandotherinsectstotheirdiet.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGAlthoughtheyforageonconifers,Williamson’sSapsuckersoftennestinaspengroves.Theypreferthesoftnessofdeadorlive-but-rottingtreesforcavitysites,becausethesebirdsareweakerexcavatorsthansomeotherwoodpeckerspecies.Malesperformmostofthecavityexcavationwork,andfemaleslayfourtosixeggs,whichareincubatedbybothparentsfor13days.Youngleavethenestonemonthafterhatching.


MostNorthwestpopulationsofWilliamson’sSapsuckeraremigratory,leavingforCaliforniaandMexicobyOctober.TheyreturntotheNorthwestinMarchandApril,asthesapbeginstoflow.Malesestablishterritoriespriortothearrivaloffemalesatthenestinggrounds.ThenestingseasonlastsfromMaytolateJuneorearlyJulywhenyounghaveleftthenest.

WHERETOFINDWILLIAMSON’SSAPSUCKERS

LookfortheminpineandmixedconiferforestseastoftheCascadesinbothOregonandWashington.FromMaythroughJuly,focusyoursearchongroves

OregonandWashington.FromMaythroughJuly,focusyoursearchongrovesofaspensthataresurroundedbyconiferousforest.Williamson’sSapsuckerscanbedifficulttofind,butabirdwillannounceitspresencewithadistinctivedrawn-outdrum.Itsoundssomethinglike“Rat-a-tatat,rat-a-tat,tat-tat,tat-tat.”

FemaleWilliamson’sSapsucker

InWashington

BethelRidgeRoad(ForestServiceRoad1500)offHighway12nearNaches

InOregon

ShevlinParknearBend



OTHERBIRDSTOSEEAspengrovescanbeanest-findingbonanzainthespring.Youmightfindthelesselusive(butstillinteresting)Red-napedSapsuckernestingnearby.Many

otherbirdswillnestinsapsuckercavitiesinfutureyears,includingVIOLET-GREENSWALLOWS,NorthernPygmyOwls,andHouseWrens.

RED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERSphyrapicusruber

THISBRIGHTDENIZENofwesternforestsisadelighttowatchasitpluckselderberriesorfliesfromtreetotreelikealikearuby-tippeddart.Orderlyrowsofsapwellsdecoratethetreetrunksinitsterritory.Catchingaglimpseofthissmall,flashywoodpeckeriseasy,becauseitmovesaroundbusilyanddoesn’tseemtomindhumancompany.ThesightofaRed-breastedSapsucker’sredhead,juxtaposedagainstamossygreenbackground,enlivensanywalkinthewoods.

Althoughitdoesindeedhavearedbreast,Red-headedSapsuckermighthavebeenamoredescriptivenameforthisbird.TheonlysimilarspeciesistheRed-napedSapsucker,withwhichitsometimesinterbreeds.TheRed-breastedisdifferentiatedfromtheRed-napedbytheformer’sbrightredheadandbreastthatarenotinterruptedbywhiteandblackstripes.ARed-breastedSapsuckerhaswhitewingpatches,similartoothersapsuckers,butacarefullookatitsheadwillquicklyletyouknowwhichspeciesyou’vespotted.

FOODANDFORAGINGRed-breastedSapsuckerscarvepea-sizedsapwellsinavarietyoftreespeciesandreturntodrinkfromthemrepeatedly.WhenRed-breastedsaren’tlooking,hummingbirdsandotheranimalswillvisitthesapwellstostealasugarysip.Antsareafavoritefoodofsapsuckers,andtheyalsoeatinsectscapturedinmidair.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

WestoftheCascadeCrest,Red-breastedSapsuckerspreferlarge,deadtreesfortheirnestcavities.Birdsnestingeastofthecrestwillexcavatecavitiesinlivetrees,suchasaspen,thataresoftenedbyfungalrot.Theirincubationandnesting

trees,suchasaspen,thataresoftenedbyfungalrot.Theirincubationandnestingbehaviorsfollowtheusualpatternsforwoodpeckers,withmalesandfemalessharingtheexcavation,incubation,andfeedingduties.Fourtoseveneggsareincubatedfor11to14days.Youngleavethenestatabout24daysafterhatching.


InareaswithmildclimatessuchaswesternOregonandWashington,Red-breastedSapsuckersarepresentthroughouttheyear.PairsnestfromMaythroughJulyandcarefortheiryoungforatleastoneweekaftertheyleavethenest.Individualsthendispersetofindfoodforthefallandwinter.

WHERETOFINDRED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERS

Goodnews:Red-breastedSapsuckersarewidespreadwestoftheCascades,andyou’llfindtheminjustaboutanyareawithamixofconifersanddeciduoustrees.Arboretumsandlandscapedparkswithnonnativetreessuchassugarmaplesareverypopularwiththisspecies.Checkthetrunksoftreesforhorizontalrowsofsapwells;theseepingonesaretelltalesignsthatthesebirdsareinthearea.Listenfortheirwhiny“nyeeah”callsandslow,erraticdrumming.Ifyouspotoneinflight,itssolidredheadandwhitewingpatchesareunmistakable.

InWashington


ScatterCreekWildlifeAreanearOlympia


InOregon

ForestParkinPortland


RockyPointonUpperKlamathLake

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

ForestswestoftheCascadeCrestarefullofmust-seebirds,especiallyduringthebreedingseason.WatchandlistenforBAND-TAILEDPIGEONS,BROWNCREEPERS,RED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES,PILEATEDWOODPECKERS,GREATHORNEDOWLS,OLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERS,BUSHTITS,PACIFICWRENS,VARIEDTHRUSHES,TOWNSEND’S

WARBLERS,WILSON’SWARBLERS,WESTERNTANAGERS,andBLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS.

WHITE-HEADEDWOODPECKERPicoidesalbolarvatus

MaleWhite-headedWoodpecker

THETOASTEDBUTTERSCOTCHsmellofgiantPonderosapinesfillstheair,andelectricgreenlichenslightupsootytreetrunks.SharpcallsringthroughtheforestasapairofWhite-headedWoodpeckersmovesfromtreetotree.Theirwhitefacesanddarkeyesgivethemacuteandfriendlyappearance,kindoflikesmall,featheredmimes.Theyseemtoseekattentionastheyflashtheirwhitewingpatchesandlandlowintrees.Watchthemforawhileastheyworktheirwayupanddownthehugepines,gleaninginsectsfromeverysurface.CatchingaglimpseofaWhite-headedWoodpeckerisalwaysexciting,becausetheyareuncommonandarefoundonlyinafewpineforestsinthewesternstates.

Theirnamereallysaysitall.Thisistheonlywoodpeckerwithasolidwhite

Theirnamereallysaysitall.Thisistheonlywoodpeckerwithasolidwhiteface,althoughthebackofitsheadisactuallyblack.Maleshaveasmallredspotatthebackoftheircrownandjuvenileshaveaspotatthetopoftheirhead.Thebirdisotherwisesolidblack,exceptforwhitewingpatchesthatareconspicuousinflight.

FOODANDFORAGING

Ponderosapinesaretheyear-roundpantryoftheWhite-headedWoodpeckerinmuchofitsrange.Whenthesummersunheatsthepines,insectsonthetrunksandbranchesbecomeactive,makingthemeasierforbirdstofind.Wheninsectactivityslowsdownduringthefallandwinter,pineseedsbecomealargepartofthebirds’diet.Asspringapproachesandtheseedcroprunslow,White-headedWoodpeckerscarvesapwellsinmedium-sizedpines,usuallyonthesouthwesternsideofthetrees,wherethesun’swarmthincreasestheflow.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGAlthoughPonderosapinesareessentialforfeeding,thisspecieswillnestinanytreethatissoftenoughforthemtoexcavateacavity.Nestconstructiontakesmorethanthreeweeks,alongtimeforabird.Aftera14-dayincubationperiod,bothparentsbringinsectstofeedtheirfourorfivenestlingsduringthe26daystheyinhabitthenest.


White-headedWoodpeckersarenonmigratory,becausepinesprovidethemwithayear-roundfoodsource.PairsbeginnestconstructioninMay,andyoungleavethenestinJuneorJuly.Someindividualsremaininthenestingareathroughouttheyear,butothersdisperseafternestingandreturninthespring.

FemaleWhite-headedWoodpecker

WHERETOFINDWHITE-HEADEDWOODPECKERS

AlthoughWhite-headedWoodpeckersarefoundinthePacificNorthwestyear-round,they’remostoftenseenduringthenestingseason.LookfortheminPonderosapineforestsalongtheeastsideoftheCascadesandindryforestsinotherranges.Theypreferareaswithlargetreesandopeningsinthecanopywheresunshinesthroughtowarmupthebarkandgettheinsectsmoving.Insummer,listenfortheirthree-noterattlingcallsandwatchfortheflashoftheirwingsastheyflyfromtreetotree.Inwinter,checktheendsofbranchesfor

wingsastheyflyfromtreetotree.Inwinter,checktheendsofbranchesforWhite-headedsfeedingontheseedsinsidethelarge,pricklypinecones;inspring,lookforthemfeedingonsapfromwellsthey’vedrilledinpinetrunks.

InWashington


WenasCampground(AudubonCampground)nearEllensburg(roughroad)

InOregon



CabinLakeCampgroundnearFortRock


OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

LookforotherPonderosapineforestbirdssuchasPinyonJays(Oregononly),PygmyNuthatches,REDCROSSBILLS,WILLIAMSON’SSAPSUCKERS,andBLACK-BACKEDWOODPECKERS.

BLACK-BACKEDWOODPECKERPicoidesarcticus

MaleBlack-backedWoodpecker

BLACK-BACKEDWOODPECKERSarevagabondsinsearchofthenextgoodplacetofindbeetlelarvae.Theymakealivingeatingtheinsectsthatinfestseverelyburnedtrees,agreatexampleofhowwildfirescanbebeneficial.Theythriveinburnedforests,wheretheirdarkplumageblendsperfectlywithcharredtree

trunks.Black-backedWoodpeckersareallbusinessastheyattackaninfestedtreelikeademolitioncrew.Industriousandpersistent,theywilloftenignoreyouwhentheyareinthemiddleofexcavating.Thisbehaviormakesthemveryeasytowatch.

Malessportajauntyyellowcap,andbothsexeshaveblackbacks,barredsides,andlackwhitewingpatches.HairyWoodpeckerslooksimilarbuthavewhiteontheirbacks.Three-toedWoodpeckersalsohaveyellowcaps,buttheirbacksarebarred.

FOODANDFORAGINGManywoodpeckerstakeadvantageoftheinfluxofinsectsintoburnedforests,butBlack-backedsarethemostreliantonthesewildfiresitesandthebeetlestheyattract.Thebeetles,whicharealsowildfirespecialists,candetectsmokefrom50milesawayandfindfiresusinginfraredvision.Black-backedsfindthenutrient-richbeetlelarvaebypryingoffbarkandexcavatingthetunnelsthatthebeetleshaveboredintotheburnedtrunks.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Black-backedWoodpeckersexcavatemostoftheirnestsinsnags,but,likeotherwoodpeckers,theywillalsouselivetreesthathavebeensoftenedbyheartrot.Theircavityentrancesslantupwardwithabeveledbottomedge,whichcanhelpyouidentifythemakersoftheseholes.Parentstaketurnsincubatingthreeorfoureggsduringa14-dayperiod.Duringtheir24-daystayinthenest,nestlingsarefedadietheavyinbeetlesbybothparents.


Thesenomadsfollowthefiresandthefoodwhereverittakesthem.Theymightstayinoneplaceforyearsortravelinanydirectionorelevation,regardlessoftheseason.Pairsnestduringthespringandsummermonthstotakeadvantageofthepeakinsectactivity.

WHERETOFINDBLACK-BACKEDWOODPECKERS

Thisspeciesisnotcommon,butifyoulookintheappropriatekindofhabitat,yourchancesofseeingoneareprettygood.Lookforrecentlyburned(fiveyearsagoorless)forestseastoftheCascadeCrest.CheckForestServicedistrictoffices,suchastheoneinSisters,Oregon,forinformationaboutthelatestburnsandrecentwoodpeckersightings.

ListenforthepersistentpeckingofaforagingBlack-backed.Lookforburnedtreetrunkswithchippedoffbarkwherewoodpeckershavebeenforaging.Ifyoulistencarefully,youmighthearwood-boringbeetles,thisbirds’primaryfood,chewingunderthebark.NestingseasoninMay,June,orJulyisapeakofactivity.

InWashington

BethelRidgeRoad(ForestServiceRoad1500)offHighway12nearNaches

InOregon

BlackButteareanearSisters

BurnedareasonMountHood(checkwiththerangerstationinParkdale)

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEByattractinginsectsandcreatingnewnestsites,wildfiresprovidehabitatforavarietyofbirds.Whileyou’relookingforBlack-backedWoodpeckers,youmightalsofindOLIVE-SIDEDFLYCATCHERS,WESTERNBLUEBIRDS,LAZULIBUNTINGS,TOWNSEND’SSOLITAIRES,andLEWIS’SWOODPECKERS.

PILEATEDWOODPECKERDryocopuspileatus

MalePileatedWoodpeckerwithnestling

AHAUNTINGCALLechoesthroughanancientstandofDouglas-fir.Youfeelitresonateinyourchest,andgoosebumpsriseonyourarms.WoodchipsraindownasaPileatedWoodpeckerdrivesitslarge,pointedbillintoasnag.Apointedredcrestandyelloweyesgivethisbirdawildlook,especiallywhenit

stopsitsworktoturnandlookatyou.Thisawe-inspiringbirdisnotonlyaprivilegetoobserve,butitalsoplaysanimportantroleincreatinghabitatformanyforestanimals.

ThePileatedisthelargestwoodpeckerinNorthAmerica,dependingonwhatyoubelieveabouttheveracityoftherecentsightingsoftheIvory-billedWoodpecker,anevenlargerbirdthatwasthoughttobeextinct.ThePileated’spointedredcrestgivesitasilhouetteuniqueamongNorthwestwoodpeckers.Whenitflies,whitewingpatchesandunderwingfeatherscontrastwithitsblackbody.

FOODANDFORAGINGThesebigbirdseatverysmallthings.Theycreatecharacteristicrectangularholesintreetrunks,oftenneartheground,whilesearchingforantsandbeetlelarvae.Carpenterantsmakeupthebulkoftheirdiet,buttheywillcapitalizeontheoccasionalbeetleoutbreak.Pileatedsaretheonlywoodpeckersthatdigdeepintotheheartwoodoftrees.Thistraitissignificant,becauseitcreatesforagingopportunitiesforotherwoodpeckerspeciesandspreadsthefungalsporesthatcauseheartrot,softeningthewoodforlaterexcavation.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Pileatedscarvespaciousnestcavitieshighintalltrees.Likeotherwoodpeckers,theyexcavateacavitybutdonotlineitwithnestingmaterial.Instead,theylayeggsdirectlyonthewoodyfloor.Theyusuallychooselivetreesfornestinganduseacavityonlyonce,leavingimportantnestingandroostingsitesforducks,raptors,andotherbirdsandmammals.Pileatedsaretheonlywoodpeckerlargeenoughandstrongenoughtomakesuchwideholesinsturdytrees,earningthemdistinctionasakeystonespecies,becauseofthesignificanteffecttheyhaveontheentireecosystem.Femaleslayanaverageoffoureggs,whichareincubatedfor15to18days.Pileatednestlingsgetquitelargebeforetheyleavethenestonemonthafterhatching.Ifyouareluckyenoughtofindanactivenest,you’llseenestlingspoketheirheadsoutofthecavitytograbagulpofregurgitatedantsbroughtbytheirparents.


PileatedWoodpeckersremaininthePacificNorthwestthroughouttheyear.Toescapetheroughwinterweather,theyroostinthehollowinteriorsofdecayedsnags.Theyexcavatemultipleholesinthesnagsothatabackdoorisalwaysavailableforescapingfromdanger.PairsbeginexcavatingnestsinMarchorApril,andtheyoungleavethenestbythemiddleofJuly.

TreeexcavationscreatedbyaforagingPileatedWoodpecker

WHERETOFINDPILEATEDWOODPECKERSWidespreadacrossOregonandWashington,theirterritoriesarequitelarge,sofindingaPileatedisnotalwayseasy.Lookforlarge,rectangularexcavationsinalargetreeorlog.Freshwoodchipsscatteredonthegroundbelowarealwaysagoodsign.Althoughnestsitesarehighintrees,feedingsitescanbeveryclosetotheground,orevenontheground,sodon’tbesurprisedifyoucomearoundacornertofindaPileatedateyelevelorlower.Listenforitsunmistakable“kek-kek-kek-kek”call,whichisaudiblefromgreatdistances.

InWashington


LakeWenatcheeStateParknearWenatchee


InOregon

ForestParkinPortland

TryonCreekStateParkinPortland

TualatinHillsNatureParkinBeaverton


OTHERBIRDSTOSEEScanthetreesforthebrightcolorsofTOWNSEND’SWARBLERSandRED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERS.ListenforthesweetsoundsofPurpleFinchesandPACIFICWRENS.Getscoldedbyanorange-belliedDouglas’SquirrelpoppingoutofanoldPileatedWoodpeckercavity.

RED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHSittacanadensis

THESELIVELY,CHATTYbirdsarefuntowatchastheytakeseedsfromafeederorexplorethebranchesofalargetree.Likeminiaturewoodpeckers,theygleaninsectsfromtreetrunksandcarvetheirownnestcavities.Unlikewoodpeckers,theycanmovedownatreeheadfirstandlacklongtailsforbracingthemselvesagainstthetrunk.

Nuthatcheshaveadistinctivesilhouette,appearingnecklesswithshort,stubbytails.Theblacklinethatrunsthroughtheireyeandcontrastingwhitesupercilium,oreyebrow,distinguishtheRed-breastedfromothernuthatches.Despiteitsname,thebird’sbreastisnottrulyredincolor—itsbellyandbreastareclosertoorange.Malesareslightlydarkerthanfemales.

FOODANDFORAGING

Nuthatchesaresonamedbecauseofthisbirdfamily’shabitofputtingaseed(ornut)inacrevicetoholditinplaceandusingitschisellikebeaktobreakitopen(orhatchit).Red-breastedNuthatchesfeedprimarilyonseedsduringthewinter,andtheyarefaithfulvisitorstobirdfeeders.Theyalsolookforbeetlesandotherarthropodsonthebark,needles,tops,andundersidesoftreebranches.NopartofatreeisofflimitstoahungryRed-breasted.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Likewoodpeckers,Red-breastedNuthatchesexcavatenestcavitiesinrottingtrees,butthatiswherethesimilaritiesend.Malesbegindiggingseveralcavities,andthefemalechoosesoneandcompletesconstruction.Shethenbringsinfurandfineplantmaterialtolinethecavityforthenest.ThisistheonlyNorthAmericanspeciesknowntofinishitsnestbysmearingsaparoundtheentrance,sometimesusingapieceofbarkasaspatula.Thestickinessofthesapseemstokeepinsects,otherbirds,andmammalsfromenteringthenestcavity.Althoughthemaledoesnotincubate,hecontributesbybringingfoodtothefemale,allowinghertostayonthenestandkeephersixeggsatanoptimumtemperatureduringthe12-dayincubationperiod.Bothparentsfeedinvertebratestothenestlingsuntiltheyfledge,about20daysafterhatching.


Theseyear-roundNorthwestresidentsarefoundinforeststhroughouttheareaduringthespringandsummernestingseason,buttheirwintermovementsareirregular,withsomebirdsleavingtheirnestinggroundsduringsomeyearstofindnewseedcropsandbirdfeeders.

WHERETOFINDRED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES

ConifertreessuchasDouglas-firsarethebestplacestofindRed-breasteds.Theyaren’tconfinedtoundisturbedwilderness—anyforest,park,orbackyardwithlargeconiferswilldo.TheabundanceofthishabitatinthePacificNorthwestmakesitunnecessarytolistspecificsites.TheeasiestwaytofindaRed-breastedNuthatchinthewinteristoputupasuetorsunflowerseedfeeder.Inthespringandsummer,findagroveoflargeconifersandlisten.Soonyoushouldheartherepeatednasal“henk”ofamale.Thecadenceofitscallis

shouldheartherepeatednasal“henk”ofamale.Thecadenceofitscallissimilartotheslowbeepsofatruck’sbackupalert.

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Duringthebreedingseason,forestsinthePacificNorthwestarealivewithbirdsong.ListenforSWAINSON’STHRUSHES,WINTERWRENS,WESTERNTANAGERS,BLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS,andWILSON’SWARBLERS.Inthewinter,Red-breastedNuthatchesjoinmixed-speciesflockstosharetheburdenofwatchingforpredators.YoumightfindtheminthecompanyofTOWNSEND’SWARBLERS,BROWNCREEPERS,DownyWoodpeckers,chickadees,andGolden-crownedKinglets.

BROWNCREEPERCerthiaamericana

BROWNCREEPERSAREaspider’sworstnightmare.First,thebirdstakespiderwebsfornestmaterial,andthentheyreturntoeatthespidersthemselves.Althoughthesetinybirdscanbedifficulttosee,theyareeasytoidentify.Theyseemtoplaypeek-a-boowithyouastheycircleatreewhileyoutrytofindtheminyourbinoculars.Theircheery,enthusiasticsongbrightensthemoodinadarkforest.

Withtheirlong,stifftailsandtree-climbingability,BrownCreeperssuperficiallyresemblewoodpeckers.Theirneedlelikedecurved(downwardlycurved)bill,however,isdistinctive.Withmottledbacksofbuffandbrown,theyblendperfectlywithtreebark,whichmakesthemdifficulttosee.

FOODANDFORAGING

BrownCreepers’billsareidealforpluckingspidersandinsectsfromfurrowsintreebark.Theybeginforagingatthebaseofatreeandspiraltheirwayupandaroundthetrunk,systematicallyprobingthebarkinsearchoffood.Afterreachingthelargeupperbranches,theyflydowntothebaseofthenexttreeto

reachingthelargeupperbranches,theyflydowntothebaseofthenexttreetorepeattheprocess.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

BrownCreepernestsaregravity-defyingmarvelsofadhesion.Somehow,thissmallbirdmanagestomakealarge,sturdynestinaveryprecariouslocation.Thefemalebuildsabaseofcoarsebarkandtwigs,andthenlinesthenestcupwithcollectedhairandmoss.Thenestissandwichedbetweenthetrunkofatreeandalarge,partiallydetachedsectionofbark.Spiderwebsandstickyinsectcocoonsarebroughtintosecurethenestmaterialtothehangingbark.Thefemaleincubatesfiveorsixeggsfor15days.Aftertheeggshatch,adultsslipbehindthebarktofeedspidersandinsectstotheyoungduringthe15-daynestlingperiod.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSYoucanfindBrownCreepersyear-roundinthePacificNorthwest.Theyleavehigh-elevationforestsinthewinter,whenitistoocoldtofindtheirinsectprey.FemalesbeginconstructingnestsinAprilorMay,dependingontheweather.YoungleavethenestinMay,June,orJulyandroosttogetheratnightonthebarkoftreesforafewweeksbeforedispersingtofindtheirownterritories.

WHERETOFINDBROWNCREEPERS

LargetreesofanykindcanattractBrownCreepers,butyouaremostlikelytofindtheminmatureconiferforests.Deciduoustreessuchasbigleafmaples,ashes,andaldersalsooffergoodhabitat.Youmighthearitshigh,thincallorits“Trees!Trees!Beautifultrees!”songbeforeyouspotthebirditself.Asyou’retryingtofocusononeasitspiralsupwardonatree,bepatientandkeepscanning.Eventuallyitwillshowitselfwhenitfliesdowntothebaseofthenexttree.

AperfectBrownCreepernestsite

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEAsyouwatchBrownCreepersworkingthebarkoflargetrees,youmightalsoseeRED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES,RED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERS,HairyWoodpeckers,andBewick’sWrens.

UrbanBirdsMAKINGALIVINGINTHEBIGCITY

Theurbanandsuburbanworldspresentbothproblemsandopportunitiesforwildbirds.Windows,giantradioantennas,andcatsinjureandkillmanybirdspassingthroughourcities.Fortunately,someaspectsofourbuiltenvironmentbenefitbirdsbyprovidingsturdystructuresonwhichtonest,insectsandnectartoeat,andsafeplacestosleepduringmigration.Seattle,Portland,andotherNorthwestcitiesareparticularlyattractivetobirds,thankstoabundantwaterways,forestedparks,andlocaleffortstoprotectandrestorenaturalareas.Birderscanhardlyaskforabetterplacetolive.

Morethan100birdspeciesarefoundinnorthwesternmetropolitanareas,butfivespeciesarememorableandeasytospot.Threearesmallbutfascinatingbirdsthatmightvisitjustaboutanybackyard.Twoarespectacularbirdsofpreythatthriveinurbanlandscapesbecauseoftheiraffinityfornestingonman-madestructuresandtheirtasteforpigeons,rats,andotheranimalsassociatedwithhumans.Whetheritisadaintybackyardvisitor,achimney-fillingflock,oradowntownpigeonpredator,eachbirdaddsanessentialdimensiontocitylife.

Red-TailedHawk

RED-TAILEDHAWKButeojamaicensis

JuvenileRed-tailedHawk

DON’TTAKERed-tailedHawksforgrantedjustbecausetheyaremoreabundantthangasstationsasyoudrivealongthehighway.Thesebeautifulbirdshavecarvedoutanicheamongourroads,houses,andskyscrapers,askingonlyforasteadysupplyofrodentsandpigeons.Youmightgettowatchonesoarinasunnysky,showingoffitsnamesakeredtail,ordivefromalamppostontoanunsuspectingvoleinagrassyright-of-way.Anychancetoobserveabirdofpreygoingaboutitsdailylifeisaprivilegeandadelight.

Anupright,brown,football-sizedraptorperchednearanopenareacanquicklybeidentifiedasahawk.Red-tailsarethemostcommonlyseenhawksin

theNorthwest,butyoucanchecktheirfieldmarkstobecertain.Theycomeinadizzyingvarietyofplumages,butafewmarkingsarealmostalwayspresent.Lookforadarkbandoffeathersacrossthebelly,smallwhitestreaksontheshoulderswhenperched,andadarkleadingedgeofthewingwhenyou’reviewingonefrombelow.You’llseeareddishtailonmostadults,butnotethatjuvenileshavebrowntails.

FOODANDFORAGINGRed-tailsusetheirsharptalonstocaptureadiversearrayofanimalprey,whichtheypickapartwiththeirhookedbill,eventuallyswallowingtheentireanimal—meat,bones,fur,andall.Likeowls,theyregurgitateindigestiblepartsinapellet.Red-tailsareafriendbothtofarmerandurban-dwellerbecausetheyofteneatnuisanceanimalssuchasratsandpigeons.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Thisbirdisageneralistinitsnestsiteselection,nestinginwhatevernature,orman,hastooffer.FamouspairsofRed-tailshavenestedonafireescapeindowntownPortlandandonanapartmentbalconyaboveNewYork’sCentralPark.Nestingbirdsthriveincities,sometimesproducingmoreyoungperyearthantheirruralcounterparts.Adultslinetheirnestswithgreenerybeforelayingtwoorthreeeggs.Parentsshareincubationdutiesduringa28-dayperiod.Theyhuntbirds,mammals,andreptilesandbringthemtothenest,feedinglittlepiecestotheyoungwhiletheyaresmall.Largernestlingsareabletopickapartdeliveredpreyattheirleisure.Theyounghawksleavetheirnestafter40days,buttheystayclosetotheirparentsforatleasttenweeks.


You’llseeRed-tailsyear-roundinthePacificNorthwest,especiallywestoftheCascades,wherewintersaremild.City-dwellingbirdsbeginnestinginlatewinterorearlyspring,andyoungmayleavethenestbeforethestartofsummer.Adultsleavehigh-elevationbreedingareasduringwinter,andmanydwellinurbanareasbeforereturningtonestingsitesinlateMarch.

urbanareasbeforereturningtonestingsitesinlateMarch.

WHERETOFINDRED-TAILEDHAWKS

FindingaRed-tailedHawkisoftenassimpleasdrivingdownaroadthroughopencountry.Theyarethemostcommonandwidelydistributedbirdsofpreyinthearea,andthefirsthawkyouseewilllikelybeaRed-tail.Checkperchessuchaspowerpoles,streetlights,andbillboards,andlookupforsoaringbirds.Listenfortheirfamousscreech,amainstayofWesternmoviesoundeffects.TheabundanceandwidespreaddistributionofthisspeciesinthePacificNorthwestmakesitunnecessarytolistspecificsites.

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

TheRed-tailedHawkisjustoneofanumberofspeciesthatyoucanidentifyfromacartravellingathighwayspeeds(whilesomeoneelsedrives,ofcourse).AlsowatchforBALDEAGLES,AmericanKestrels,GREATBLUEHERONS,GreatEgrets,COMMONRAVENS,andWesternScrub-Jays.

VAUX’SSWIFTChaeturavauxi

ASSUNSETAPPROACHESonacoolSeptembernight,ahugecrowdofadultsandkidssettlesinonblanketsandlawnchairswaitingfortheshow.Fireworks?No.Swifts.Whowouldhavethoughtthatasmallgraybirdcoulddrawsuchcrowds?ThemagicofVaux’sSwiftsisinthewaythattheyformtwitteringflocksofthousandsthatspiralintotheshapesofdiscsandtornadosbeforepouringintoachimneyinthefadinglight.Addingtothespectaclearethebirdsofpreythatattendtheeventtotakeadvantageoftheflutteringbuffet.ThenightlyperformancesofmigratingVaux’sSwiftsaretrulywondersoftheurbanworld.

Withtheirlong,curvedwingsandstubbytails,Vaux’sSwiftsareshapedlikeflyingcigars.Theyappearblackwhenyouviewthemagainstthesky,buttheyareactuallyanondescriptgray.Ifyouseeapatchofwhiteoranothercoloronabird,youarenotlookingataVaux’sSwift.Swiftsarealwaysflyingwhenyouseethem,andtheyfluttertheirwingsrapidlywithoutpullingtheminclosetotheirbody.Swallowsforageonthewinglikeswifts,butwithpractice,birderscandistinguishaswallow’sswoopingandglidingflightpatternsfromthestiff-wingedflittingofaswift.Swallowswillalsoperchonapowerlineorabranch,butaVaux’sSwiftneverwill.

FOODANDFORAGINGWhennotroostingatnightorsittingonanest,Vaux’sSwiftsareflyingandflying,catchinginsectsandotherairbornearthropods.Foragingflightstakeplaceatavarietyofheightsoverforests,water,cities,andopenfields.Swiftscapturefoodintheirbeakandstoreboluses(balls)ofarthropodsintheirmouthwhengatheringfoodfornestlings.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Vaux’sSwiftshistoricallynestedinsidehollowtreesofold-growthforests,buttheyhaveadaptedtourbanareasbynestinginchimneys.Inforests,theynestinsidetreesthathavebeenhollowedoutbydecay.Insomecases,theyuseholescreatedbyroostingPileatedWoodpeckerstoenterthetree.Pairsbuildasmallnestcupbysnappingtwigsoffplantsandbringingtheminside.Theyhavespecializedsalivathattheyusetogluenestmaterialintoahalf-moon–shapednestcupthatisattachedtotheinteriorwallofthetreeorchimney.Bothparentsincubatesixorseveneggsfor18days,broodthenestlings,andfeedthemthousandsofinsectsaday.Twentydaysafterhatching,nestlingscrawloutofthenestandclingtothewallofthenestcavitywiththeirfeet.Aboutaweeklater,theycanflynearlyaswellastheirparents.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSNorthwestpopulationsofVaux’sSwiftsaremigratoryandflysouthfollowingtheirbreedingseason.MostspendthewinterinMexico,CentralAmerica,orVenezuela,butafewsometimeswinterinthesouthernUnitedStates.TheyreturntotheNorthwestinAprilandnestduringthespringandsummermonths.Large,spectacularflocksgatheratnighttimeroostsinOregonandWashingtonpriortodepartingtheregioninthefall.

WHERETOFINDVAUX’SSWIFTS

Duringtheday,Vaux’sSwiftsflyhighintheskyovercities,forests,andwetlandslookingforflyinginsects.Septemberisthebesttimetowatchthehypnoticspectacleofthousandsdescendingintoachimneyatsunset,althoughsomemightstillbepresentinOctober.

InWashington

FrankWagnerElementarySchoolinMonroeTheOldSchoolHouseinSelleck,eastofMapleValley

Vaux’sSwiftsapproachachimneyroostatduskInOregon

ChapmanElementarySchoolinPortland

UniversityofOregon’sAgateHallinEugeneOregonCityHighSchoolinOregonCity

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEPredatorssuchasCooper’sHawksandPEREGRINEFALCONScanputonquitea

showastheytrytocatchVaux’sSwiftsattemptingtoenterorleaveachimney.

ANNA’SHUMMINGBIRDCalypteanna

MaleAnna’sHummingbird

ANNA’SHUMMINGBIRDSAREnotonlystrikinglybeautifulanddelicate,buttheyarealsotoughasnails.TheyaretheonlyhummingbirdsthatstayinthePacificNorthwestallyear,andtheirnestingseasonbeginsinwinter,withthefemalesometimesgettingsnowedonwhilesheincubates.Thissinglemomwillevendefendhernestagainstpredatorssuchasjaysandhawks.Thiswouldbeakintoahumanmotherfightingoffanorcaorapolarbearwithasmall,pointedstick.Prettyimpressiveforabirdthatweighslessthantwopennies.

Bothmalesandfemaleshaveslimgreenbodieswithlightbellies.Maleshaveaniridescentfuchsiahelmet,andfemaleshaveasmallspotofthesamecolorontheirthroat.RufousHummingbirdsaresmallerandarearustycolorallover(males)orontheirflanks(females).

FOODANDFORAGING

Thisspeciesusesitslongbillandtonguetocollectnectarfromflowersandhummingbirdfeeders.ThehistoricrangeoftheAnna’swasconfinedtoareaswherefloweringplantswereavailableinwinter,suchasSouthernCaliforniaandArizona.ThankstothelandscapingandbirdfeedingthathasaccompaniedtheurbanizationofthePacificNorthwest,Anna’scanfindyear-roundfoodasfarnorthasVancouverIsland,BritishColumbia,sotheystaythroughoutthewinter.Insectsarealsoavailableyear-roundandformamajorportionofadultandnestlingdiets.Adultscatchinsectsbygleaningthemfromvegetationandcapturingtheminflight.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Throughouttheirrange,Anna’sHummingbirdsnestearlierintheyearthanotherhummingbirdspecies.Likeotherhummingbirds,malesmatewithmultiplefemalesanddonotprovideparentalcare.Femalesselectnestsitesbasedonproximitytoanectarsource.Thenestisconstructedofplantmaterialsandheldtogetherwithcollectedspiderwebs.Thefemaleincubatestwoeggsforabout16daysandfeedsthejellybean-sizednestlingsregurgitatedinsectsandnectar.

AfemaleAnna’sHummingbirdfeedsanestling.

MIGRATIONSANDMOVEMENTSInurbanandcoastalareas,wherefloweringplants,insects,andfeedersarepresent,youcanseeAnna’sthroughouttheyear.FemalesbeginnestinginlateJanuaryorearlyFebruaryandwillcontinueintothemiddleofsummer.Inurbanareaswithplentyoffood,malesvigorouslydefendtheirfeedingorbreedingterritoriesthroughouttheyear.

WHERETOFINDANNA’SHUMMINGBIRDS

Hummingbirdfeedersandflower-filledgardensarethebestplacestofindAnna’sHummingbirds.Theycanbeveryterritorial;onceyoufindthem,youcancheckinonthemoften.Ifyoudecidetofeedhummingbirds,alwaysmakeasolutionofrealsugarandwaterinaratioof1partsugarto4partswater,andcleanthefeederregularly.DespitetheAnna’sflashycolors,youmighthearone

cleanthefeederregularly.DespitetheAnna’sflashycolors,youmighthearonebeforeyouseeit.Territorialmalessinghigh-pitchedsongsandproducealoudsqueakwiththeirtailfeathersduringtheirdivingdisplay.

OTHERBIRDSTOSEEInagardenwithwell-stockedfeedersandinvitingtreesandshrubs,youcanalsofindBLACK-HEADEDGROSBEAKS,AmericanGoldfinches,HouseFinches,RED-BREASTEDNUTHATCHES,BUSHTITS,Black-cappedChickadees,DownyWoodpeckers,andDark-eyedJuncos.

PEREGRINEFALCONFalcoperegrinus

PEREGRINEFALCONSAREspeedandpowermanifestedinavianform,andtheywerealmostlosttousforever.TheinsidiouseffectsofthepesticideDDTontheeggsoffalconsandotherraptorsdecimatedtheirpopulations,andby1970PeregrineswereextremelyrareandnonewerefoundnestinginthestateofOregon.ThebanningofDDTandsubsequentcaptivebreedingandreleaseprogramsslowlyincreasedthenumberofwildPeregrines,andtheybeganexpandingintonewareas.PortlandandthecitiesthroughoutthePugetTrough

offerinfrastructurefornestingthatmimicsthePeregrine’spreferredcliffsaswellasanabundanceoftastypigeonsandstarlings.TheurbanPeregrineshavebeenprolific:Portland’sFremontBridgecelebrateditsfiftiethfledglingin2010.

Falconscanbeidentifiedinflightbytheirpointed,rapidlyflappingwings.AdultPeregrinescanbedistinguishedfromotherfalconsbytheirdarkheadandfacialfeathersthatresembleahelmetandtheircontrastingwhiteneckandbreast.Adultsalsodisplaydarkbarringontheirlowerbreastandaslate-grayback.Juvenileshavebrownstreaksontheirbreastandabrownback.

FOODANDFORAGINGThesebird-huntingspecialistsalsocapturemammalsandinsects.Nobirdistoosmallandfewaretoolargetobehunted.Peregrinesuseanumberofaerialmaneuvers,suchasspectacularsteepdives,orstoops,atspeedsgreaterthan200mph,tocatchflyingbirdsorknockthemtotheground.Oncepreyiscaught,thePeregrineusesitsnotchedbilltoseverthespineofitsprey,eveniftheanimalisalreadydead.Malestendtohuntsmallerprey,suchassongbirdsandshorebirds,whilefemalespursuelargerbirds,suchaswaterfowlandseabirds.

PAIRINGANDPARENTING

Likeotherfalcons,Peregrinesdonotgathermaterialtobuildanest.Theyusewhateverspacetheycanfindhighonatallstructuresuchasacliff,bridge,orskyscraperandlayaclutchofthreetofiveeggsonabaresurface.Breedingpairsbegintheirconspicuouscourtshipactivitiesasearlyasthefall,buttheywon’tlayeggsformonths.Bothparentsincubatetheeggsduringa33-dayperiod.Youngarecapableofmakingtheirfirstperilousflightsafter40daysinthenest,and20dayslater,theycanflyaswellastheirparents.


PeregrineFalconsareknownfortheirlongmigrations,orperegrinations—hencetheirname.Duringmigrationsandpost-breedingdispersals,youmightspotthemflyingoverjustaboutanyhabitattype.ManyspendtheirwintersontheOregonandWashingtoncoastsandinlowlandareasafterbreedingfarthertothenorth.

andWashingtoncoastsandinlowlandareasafterbreedingfarthertothenorth.Individualsthatbreedinlow-elevationareasoftheNorthwestnestinthespringandsummer,buttheyremainintheirnestingterritoriesyear-round.

WHERETOFINDPEREGRINEFALCONSIfyouvisitanestsiteduringthenestingseason(MarchthroughJune),youmayseeparentsbringingfoodtothenestanddefendingtheareafromanycreaturethatgetstooclose.Checkperchesnearnestsitessuchaslamppostsandbridgearches.Ifyouseeaflockofpigeonsflyingrapidly,looktoseeifthebirdsarebeingpursued.AudubonSocietyofPortlandoffersaPeregrineWatchprogramonSaturdayafternoonsinMayandJune,wherevolunteersareonhandwithspottingscopestohelpyouseetheMarquamBridgenest.

InWashington

WashingtonMutualBuildinginSeattle

ShipCanalBridge,BallardBridge,andWestSeattleBridgeinSeattleMurrayMorganBridgeinTacoma

PortofOlympiacrane

InOregon

CapeMearesStateParknearTillamook

MarquamBridge,SaintJohnsBridge,andFremontBridgeinPortlandTheGlenL.JacksonBridge,Interstate205,thatspanstheColumbiaRiverbetweenOregonandWashington

OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Asyouarestandingnearwater,scanningthesky,lookforDouble-crestedCormorants,BALDEAGLES,RED-TAILEDHAWKS,CanadaGeese,andGREATBLUEHERONS.

BUSHTITPsaltriparusminimus

MaleBushtit

THEBUSHTITISasmallbirdthatmakesabigimpression.Thesetiny,acrobaticpuffballsareagreatsourceofentertainmentatthebirdfeederwhentheyarriveinhordesandclingtoeachother’stailstotrytogettheirturnatthesuet.Inthewintertheyfillthetreeswithhigh-pitchedchatter,andinthespringtheybuildbigstretchyneststhathangfromthetreesliketubesocksmadeoflichen.ThebestthingaboutBushtitsisthatyou’lloftenfindthemrightinyourownbackyard.

Bushtitsareverysmallanduniformlygraywithroundheads,shortnecks,andlongtails.Muchoftheir4½inchesoflengthconsistsoftail,andtherestismostlypuffyfeathers.Adultmalesandfemalescanbedifferentiatedbythemale’sdarkeyesandthefemale’spaleeyes.

FOODANDFORAGING

Whilehangingupsidedownorbrieflyhovering,thesefeatherlightbirdsscourthebranchtipsofshrubsandtreesforinvertebratestopluckwiththeirtinybills.Foragingflockscanfilltreesandshrubswithasmanyas50individualsandmakequiteasightwhentheycovereverysquareinchofasuetfeederduringaBushtitfree-for-all.

PAIRINGANDPARENTINGInlatewinter,pairsstarttoformwithinflocks.Eachpairbreaksawayfromtheflockandworkstogethertocreateanintricatehangingnestwithanentrancenearthetop,whereitisattachedtoabranch.Nestsareoftenbuiltindroopingbranchesoflargetrees,butsmallshrubsareusedaswell.Thenestisusuallyplacedinanareathatreceivesdirectsunlighttowarmthefourtoeighteggswhileadultsareoffthenestandforaging.Parentsalternateincubationdutiesfor13days.Nestlingsarefedbybothparentsandoccasionallybyhelpers,whichcanbesiblingsthatfledgedfromanearliernest,adultsthatfailedtofindamate,orpairswhosepreviousnestattemptfailed.Youngleavethenest18daysafterhatching.


Bushtitsarenotmigratory,butflocksmakeseasonalmovementstofindfoodorescapeharshweather.PairswillbeginnestconstructioninMarchiftheweatherismild.Otherwise,theyputoffnest-buildinguntilAprilorMay.Attheendofthebreedingseason,flocksreconveneuntilthenextspring.

WHERETOFINDBUSHTITSIfyouliveinthecity,youdonotneedtotravelfartofindaBushtitflockoranest.Theywillforageinnativeandnonnativetreesorshrubs,soawell-landscapedbackyardorcityparkcanbeagreatplacetostart.Pairswillnestjustaboutanywherewithtrees,butparkswithhealthywetlandsandnativeplantstendtohavethegreatestdensitiesofnests.Atanytimeoftheyear,listenforthehigh-pitched“pish,pish”callsofpairsorflocks,andscantreesandshrubsformovement.Keepaneyeonsuetfeedersthatattracthungryflocks.FromMarchtoJune,scanthebranchesfortheirlarge,hangingnests.Ifthenestisstillinuse,

toJune,scanthebranchesfortheirlarge,hangingnests.Ifthenestisstillinuse,itwon’tbelongbeforetheparentsappear.

Bushtitnest

InWashington

GreenLakeParkinSeattle


KentPondsintheGreenRiverNaturalResourcesAreanearSeattleChinaLakeParkinTacoma

InOregon

OaksBottomWildlifeRefugeinPortlandAltonBakerParkinEugene




OTHERBIRDSTOSEE

Bushtitsarenottheonlyspecieswithneststhatareeasytoobserveincityparks.AmericanRobinsandANNA’SHUMMINGBIRDSalsonestinshrubsorinthelowerbranchesoftrees.NorthernFlickers,DownyWoodpeckers,Black-cappedChickadees,andRED-BREASTEDSAPSUCKERSnestinthecavitiesofsnagsordeadbranchesoflivetrees.Ifyouarelucky,youwillfindthenestsoflargerbirds,suchasGREAT-HORNEDOWLS,RED-TAILEDHAWKS,andGREATBLUEHERONS,nearthetopsoflargetrees.

MorningintheKlamathBasin,Oregon

1SKAGITANDISLANDCOUNTIES,WASHINGTON,INWINTER,

2THESALISHSEAINWINTER

3THENORTHERNOREGONCOASTINWINTER

4SPRINGTIMEINPUGETSOUND

5THECANYONCOUNTRYOFCENTRALWASHINGTON

6NESTINGSEASONONTHECENTRALOREGONCOAST

7CENTRALOREGONINSUMMER

8DANCINGANDBREEDINGSEASONINTHEKLAMATHBASIN,

OREGON

EightBirdingWeekends

WINTERWEEKENDS,NORTHTOSOUTH

WashingtonParknearAnacortes,Washington

1VALLEYOFTHESWANSSKAGITANDISLANDCOUNTIES,WASHINGTON,INWINTER

TrumpeterSwans

HEADQUARTERS:

MountVernon

MountVernon,Washington,islocatedinthemiddleofexcellentbirdingsitesandisjusttherightsizetoexploreonfootduringnonbirdingtimesofday.Localbusinesseslovevisitingbirders,andhotelsoffermapsofthebestlocalbirdingsites.

BESTTIMEOFYEAR:

NovemberthroughFebruaryThehighestconcentrationsofraptorsandwaterfowlarefoundduringthewintermonths.Comespring,theareaisoverrunwithtulipenthusiasts.

FAMOUSFORGIANTTrumpeterSwans,cloudsofSnowGeese,andlargewintertimegatheringsofBaldEagles,theSkagitValleyoffersthesebirdsandmoretohardywinterbirders.SkagitandIslandCountiesincludeuniquehabitatswherefarmfieldsmeetbaysandsaltmarshes,providingsmallmammals,eelgrass,andfishforadizzyingnumberofwinteringbirdsofprey.FarenoughnorthtoattractGyrfalconsandSnowyOwls,theareahoststheseraritiesmoreoftenthanotherplacesinthePacificNorthwest.Anabundanceofpubliclandwithaccessforbirders(andhunters)letsyougetoutofyourcarandexplore,andfieldsdottedwithantiquefarmhousesandbarnsmakeforabeautifulbackdrop.

PLACESTOGO

PadillaBayPadillaBayishometoarareeelgrasshabitatthatattractsscoresofBrantandotherwaterfowleverywinter.BayviewStateParkandthenearbyBreazealePadillaBayInterpretiveCenterofferviewsofthebay.Theinterpretivecenterisgreatforbirdersofallabilitiesandoffersbirdchecklists,displays,andaquariafilledwithlocalsealife.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CommonLoons,GreatBlueHerons,Brant,andEurasianWigeons.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:NorthernPintailsandotherwaterfowl.

SamishFlatsandSamishIslandTheSamishFlatsarea,ortheWest90,iswellknowninlocalbirdingcirclesforitsabundanceofShort-earedOwls.Thearea’sfieldsandbrusharealsoexcellentplacestoseeotherraptors,includingafalcongrandslamofPeregrineFalcons,AmericanKestrels,PrairieFalcons,Merlins,andGyrfalcons.Justtothenorth,asmallcountyparkonacliffonSamishIslandisthebestplaceintheareatoviewseabirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BaldEagles,Short-earedOwls,Red-breastedMergansers,SurfScoters,NorthernShrikes,andCommonRavens.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Rough-leggedHawks,CommonGoldeneyes,andavarietyofseabirds.

FirIslandandSkagitWildlifeAreaYouwouldn’tnecessarilyknowthatyouareonanisland,butthisareaisdelineatedbythenorthandsouthforksoftheSkagitRiver.Themanyaccesspointstothewildlifeareaofferviewsofdikes,fields,bays,andtidalcreeks.Ifonepointseemstooquiet,justdrivedowntheroadamiletothenextone.MUST-SEEBIRDS:WesternMeadowlarks,BaldEagles,NorthernHarriers,Short-earedOwls,TrumpeterSwans,andNorthernShrikes.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:SnowGeeseandMarshWrens.

EideRoadnearStanwoodThisareaisoutofthewaybutworthseekingout.Ifyoutakethepathbesidethebramble-covereddike,youcanscanthefieldsandshrubsatthesametime.WalkoneofseveralpathwaystoclimbupthedikeforviewsoftheStillaguamishRiverandPortSusan.MUST-SEEBIRDS:WesternMeadowlarks,NorthernHarriers,Short-earedOwls,GreatBlueHerons,andBeltedKingfishers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Rough-leggedHawksandSnowyOwls(insomeyears).

ButlerFlatsnearBurlingtonSeparatedfromtheotherbirdingsitesbyInterstate5,theButlerFlatsareaoffersmorefarmfieldsandutilitypolestoscanforthearea’sspecialties.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BaldEaglesandTrumpeterSwans.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:TundraSwans,Gyrfalcons(rare),andAmericanKestrels.

TIPSFORBIRDINGINSKAGITANDISLANDCOUNTIES•Drivethesmallroadsthatcrisscrosstheareatofindinterestingraptorsinfieldsandperchedonutilitypoles.

•Respectprivatepropertyandupholdthegoodreputationthatbirdersstriveto

•Respectprivatepropertyandupholdthegoodreputationthatbirdersstrivetokeep.

•Ifyoudon’twanttoheargunshotsasyoubird,waituntillateJanuary,afterhuntingseasonends.

•Winterislowseasonforhotelrates,solookformidweekhoteldealsthatleaveyousomeextracashforhotcoffeeandSnowGoosesouvenirs.

•Washington’sDiscoverPassisrequiredatmanyparks,andyoucanpurchaseanannualpassaheadoftimeonlineoratasportinggoodsstore.Itiswellworththemoneynottohavetodealwithadayusefee.Don’ttrytoavoidbuyingapassifyouwanttovisitanareathatrequiresone:thefinesareheftyifyougetaticket.Justkeepthepasshangingfromyourrearviewmirror.

2SHELTERFROMTHESTORM

THESALISHSEAINWINTER

PortTownsend’sboatbasin

ApairofSurfScoters

HEADQUARTERS:

PortTownsend

PortTownsend,Washington,isfullofhistoricalsitesandperiodarchitecture.Lookaroundattheamazingsceneryineverydirection,withtheCascadeMountains,OlympicMountains,andVancouverIslandallinview.

BESTTIMEOFYEAR:

NovemberthroughFebruary

SeabirdsbecomeabundantintheSalishSeainlatefallandlingerinvaryingnumbersthroughoutthewinter.

THESALISHSEA’Shugeexpanseofprotectedwaterisawintertimerefugeforseagoingmurrelets,auklets,andducks.Aroundeverycornerisabay,channel,

orpassagelikelytobevisitedbysomesortofinterestingwaterbird.TheStraitofSanJuandeFucaisamajorpassagewayforseabirdsseekingrefugefromroughwinterwaves.Thesebirds,ofteninaccessibleatseaornestingfartothenorth,areeasilyviewedfromnumerouspublicaccesssites.Manyofthebirdingsitesinthisareahostsimilarcollectionsofspecies,butyoumightneedtotryseveralspotstofindallthebirdsyouarelookingfor.

PLACESTOGO,FROMEASTTOWEST

FortFlaglerStateParknearPortTownsendThisstateparkoffersmanyplacestoviewbirdsonthewater.TheeastsidelooksoverthelargeAdmiraltyInlet,andthewestsidefacesthesmallerKilisutHarbor.Asyoudrivethroughthepark,eachforkintheroadtakesyoutoadifferentvantagepointandhabitat.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BaldEagles,PeregrineFalcons,CommonMurres,HarlequinDucks,Brant,GreatBlueHerons,andBlackOystercatchers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:AncientMurrelets,BlackScoters,andRed-throatedLoons.

FortWordenStateParknearPortTownsendWithitslargecampground,sandybeach,andrequisitelighthouse,thispark’sbiggestattractionfromabirdingpointofviewisPointWilson,whichgoesrightoutintothestraightwithlotsofbirdstoseeonbothsides.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CommonLoons,HarlequinDucks,CommonMurres,andPigeonGuillemots.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:AncientMurrelets,Red-neckedGrebes,White-wingedScoters,andMewGulls.

MarlynNelsonCountyParkatPortWilliamsProtectedwatersatthemouthofSequimBayaffordyoucloseviewsofseabirdsastheyfeed,preen,andrelaxawayfromthestraight’smassiveswells.MUST-SEEBIRDS:MarbledMurrelets,PigeonGuillemots,Red-breastedMergansers,Long-tailedDucks,andHarlequinDucks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:CommonGoldeneyesandPacificLoons.

DungenessNationalWildlifeRefugenearSequimThisrefugegivesyouaccesstothelong,hikeableGraveyardSpit,withtheStraightofSanJuandeFucaononesideandtheprotectedDungenessBayontheother.Evenifyoudon’tmakeitthe5milestothelighthouse,you’llenjoysomeamazingviewsandseesomegreatbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BaldEagles,

PeregrineFalcons,NorthernHarriers,Brant,MarbledMurrelets,EurasianWigeons,andLong-tailedDucks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:PacificLoonsandNorthernPintails.TheoccasionalstraySnowyOwlspendsthewinterhere.

Bonus:KeystoneFerryfromPortTownsendtoWhidbeyIslandIfyoucanfititintoyourschedule,this30-minuteferryjauntisagreatopportunitytolookforseabirdsoutontheopenwater.CrockettLakeisrightacrossthestreetfromtheferrylandingonWhidbeyIsland,andithostsaplethoraofwinteringducks.MUST-SEEBIRDS:MarbledMurrelets,SurfScoters,RuddyDucks,andCommonMurres.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:AncientMurrelets,PelagicCormorants,Black-belliedPlovers,HornedGrebes,andWhite-wingedScoters.

TIPSFORBIRDINGTHESALISHSEA•Whenyouarebirdingmostlyonthewater,glarecanbeamajorfactor.Trytochooseyourbirdingtimesandsitessothatthesunisbehindyou,lightingupthebirdsyouwanttosee.

•Tidalripsarechoppyareasofstrong-movingcurrentthatoccuroffpointsoflandasthetidechanges.Theyarefulloffishandkrillandattractlargenumbersoffeedingseabirds.

•Buyorborrowaspottingscopeforthistrip.Manybirdsarefarenoughawaytobebarelyidentifiablewithbinoculars,andascopegivesyouachancetoappreciatetheirplumageandbehavior.

•Winterislowseasonforhotelrates,solookformidweekhoteldealsthatleaveyousomeextracashforhotcoffeeandferrytickets.

•Washington’sDiscoverPassisrequiredatmanyparks,andyoucanpurchaseanannualpassaheadoftimeonlineoratasportinggoodsstore.Itiswellworththemoneynottohavetodealwithadayusefee.Don’ttrytoavoidbuyingapassifyouwanttovisitanareathatrequiresone:thefinesareheftyifyougetaticket.Justkeepthepasshangingfromyourrearviewmirror.

3GRAYSKIESANDGREATBIRDSTHENORTHERNOREGONCOASTINWINTER

MaleHarlequinDucks

HEADQUARTERS:

ManzanitaandCannonBeach

ManzanitaandCannonBeacharelocatednearexcellentbirdingsitesandaredelightfultownsintheirownright.

BESTTIMEOFYEAR:

DecemberthroughAprilBirdingtheOregonCoastisrewardingyear-round,butwinterandearlyspringmonthsofferemptybeachesandagreatdiversityandabundanceofseabirdsandwaterfowl.

EACHFALL,greatnumbersofbirdsconvergefrombreedingsitesinAlaska,arcticCanada,andinlandlakestofillthecomparativelytemperatebays,coves,andsewagelagoonsoftheOregonCoast.Everywhereyouturn,youcanseeloons,grebes,ducks,geese,andenoughgullstokeepeventhemoreexperiencedbirdersreachingforthefieldguide.SomepeoplewilltellyouthatwinterattheOregonCoastismiserablywetandcold,butthinkhowuncrowdedthebeachesarewithallthosepeoplestayinghome.Anyway,thereisalwaysthesatisfactionoftallyinguptheday’sbirdlistoverabowlofclamchowderorapintofdarkbeerwhilethestormragesoutside.

PLACESTOGO,FROMNORTHTOSOUTH

CannonBeachSettlingPondsThesepondsneardowntownCannonBeachhostavarietyofducksandtheoccasionalseabirdblowninfromtheocean.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BaldEaglesandWoodDucks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:MarshWrens,Buffleheads,anddabblinganddivingducks.

HaystackRockinCannonBeachVisitHaystackRockatlowtidetogetcloselooksatbirdsonandaroundtherock.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BlackTurnstones,HarlequinDucks,BlackOystercatchers,SurfScoters,andBrant.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:PelagicCormorantsand

White-wingedScoters.ThefamousTuftedPuffinsarriveinApril.

NehalemBaySewagePondsinNehalemTheodorcanbealittleoff-putting,butthebirdsyou’llseeareworthit.Onthewaytotheponds,you’llpassthroughmeadowsthatarefilledwithraptors.Besuretofollowthepostedregulationsattheponds:asyouenterthepedestriangate,onlythepathonyourrightisopentovisitors.MUST-SEEBIRDS:White-tailedKites,NorthernHarriers,andBaldEaglesinthemeadows;WoodDucksandRuddyDucksintheponds.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:NorthernShovelers,GreaterScaups,Buffleheads,Gadwalls,andRing-neckedDucks.

BarviewJettyAlwaysusegoodjudgmentaroundjetties.Wavescancrashoverthetopwithoutwarning.ScanthemouthofTillamookBayandtheoceannorthofitfromthejettyforbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:PigeonGuillemots,SurfScoters,CommonLoons,WesternGrebes,andBlackTurnstones.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:PacificLoons,Surfbirds,White-wingedScoters,andBlackScoters.

ThreeGracesTidalAreanearBarviewThisextremelyphotogenicsiteoffHighway101offersplentyofrocksforperchingseabirdsanddeepchannelsfordivingbirds.Takethepathjustacrosstherailroadtracks.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CommonLoons,SurfScoters,PigeonGuillemots,Brandt’sCormorants,andBlackOystercatchers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:PelagicCormorantsandRed-throatedLoons.

PacificOysterCompanystoreandrestaurantinBayCityIfyoulikeseafood,stopinforsomeoysterstoshowyourappreciationforpublicaccesstothisgreatbirdingspot.Anearbymuddyinletisperfectforshorebirds,andyou’llenjoyexpansiveviewsofTillamookBay.ThisisthemostreliableplaceintheareatoseeBlackTurnstones;checktheabandonedboatandtherockyareasonbothsidesofthepoint.MUST-SEEBIRDS:WesternGrebesandBeltedKingfishers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:CommonGoldeneyes,AmericanWigeons,andHornedGrebes.

BayoceanSpitWithTillamookBaytotheeastandCapeMearesLaketothewest,theaccessroadsontheBayoceanSpitoffergreatbirdingopportunities.Fromtheparkinglot,youcanhikealonganoldroadtocatchmoreglimpsesofthebayanditsbirds.MUSTSEEBIRDS:BeltedKingfishers,BaldEagles,GreatBlueHerons,

EurasianWigeons,andBrant.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:GreaterScaups,Pintails,andRing-neckedDucks.

CapeMearesStateParkFollowtheThreeCapesScenicDrive,whichgoesfromPacificCitytoTillamook,toreachthispromontorythatprovidesgreatviewsoftheocean.Hikethequartermiletothelighthousetoscantheoceanforinterestingseabirds.Youcanenjoyviewsofaprotectedcovefromanobservationdeckadjacenttotheparkinglot.Apreservedforestharborssongbirdsandgiantmossytrees,includingafamousmisshapenSitkasprucecalledtheOctopusTree.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BrownCreepers,VariedThrushes,PeregrineFalcons,MarbledMurrelets,PigeonGuillemots,andSurfScoters.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Golden-crownedKinglets,PacificLoons,andRed-neckedGrebes.

NetartsBayHeadsouthalongNetartsBayDriveinNetartsasitcloselyfollowsthebay.Severalpulloutsoffersafeplacestopulloverandviewwaterfowl.MUST-SEEBIRDS:HarlequinDucks,SurfScoters,Red-breastedMergansers,WesternGrebes,CommonLoons,GreatBlueHerons,BaldEagles,andPeregrineFalcons.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:CommonGoldeneyesandRed-neckedGrebes.

TIPSFORBIRDINGTHENORTHERNOREGONCOAST•Oftentherainyweathercomesinwaves,andyoucansqueezeinsomebirdingbetweenstorms.

•Respectthepoweroftheocean.Allthosesignswarningyouaboutsneakerwavesandcar-sizedfloatinglogsarethereforareason.

•Bewaryaroundjetties,especiallyduringstormyconditions.•Investingoodraingear(includingpants).•Adecentspottingscopewillallowyoutogetmuchmoresatisfyinglooksatseabirdsandwaterfowlthanagreatpairofbinoculars.

•Bringasoftcottonclothtowiperaindropsfromthelensofyourscopeorbinoculars.

SPRINGANDSUMMERWEEKENDS,NORTHTOSOUTH

SmithRockStateParknearRedmond,Oregon

4URBANBIRDIN’

SPRINGTIMEINPUGETSOUND

AnOspreyvisitsitsnest.

HEADQUARTERS:

Seattle

Seattleisknownforitsnaturalbeauty,withwaterallaroundandsnow-cappedvistasineverydirection.Ineverypartofthecity,parksandnaturalareasareworthyofavisit;decidingwhichonestovisitinaweekendmightbethemostdifficultpart.Andwithmorerestaurantsandbrewpubsthanyoucouldvisitinayear,Seattleispracticallyirresistible.

BESTTIMEOFYEAR:

MayandJuneDuringmigrationtimeinMay,largenumbersofcolorfulandsingingbirdsmovethroughtheSeattlearea,andyou’llfindthemeasily.Thebusinessofnestbuildingandnestlingfeedingfollows,withbusybirdsdrawinglotsofattention.BylateJune,muchoftheactionhasslowedandsomebirds,especiallymigrants,canbemoredifficulttofind.

ALTHOUGHTHEWATERSofPugetSoundareattheirbirdiestinthewinter,aninfluxofcolorfulmigrantlandbirdsspicesthingsupeachspringandmakesbirdinginthisareaadelight.Seattle’sofficialbird,theGreatBlueHeron,isabundantinthelocalwaters,joinedbyitssmaller,moresecretivecousin,theGreenHeron.Aimyourbinocularsalittlehigherintothetreesandshrubstofindtanagers,grosbeaks,crossbills,andwoodpeckerstoaddtoyourlist.

PLACESTOGO

LakeSammamishStateParknearIssaquahFollowthetrailsthroughtheforestandamongwoodedpondsandcreekstofindforestspecialistssuchasRed-breastedSapsuckersandshywetlanddwellerssuchasGreenHerons.WalkthelongstretchofbeachalongLakeSammamish,

andyou’llspotlotsofbirdsinthislarge,popularpark.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BaldEagles,GreenHerons,WoodDucks,Band-tailedPigeons,Red-breastedSapsuckers,Black-headedGrosbeaks,andBeltedKingfishers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Bullock’sOrioles,Chestnut-backedChickadees,CommonMergansers,andAmericanGoldfinches.

MagnusonParkinSeattleLocatedonthewesternshoreofLakeWashington,thislargeparkcombineslakeshore,forestpatches,andwetlands.Thewetlandsarethehighlightoftheparkandaresurroundedbynativevegetationandwalkingtrails.Winteroffersmorewaterbirdsonthelake,butduringthesummer,checktheswimmingplatformforternsandgulls.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CaliforniaQuail,Anna’sHummingbirds,andCaspianTerns.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:SpottedSandpipers,Gadwalls,andWhite-crownedSparrows.

UnionBayNaturalAreanearLakeWashingtonFromaformerlandfillhassprungabirdmagnetofanaturalareathatisalwaysworthavisit.Wherethecoveredlandfillsettledunevenly,lilypad–ladenpondsandmarshesarefilledwithducksandrails.Willowsandlargertreesprovideperchesandnestingsitesforotherbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CinnamonTeals,GreatBlueHerons,WesternKingbirds,HoodedMergansers,andVaux’sSwifts.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Pied-billedGrebes,CommonYellowthroats,andVirginiaRails.

DiscoveryParkinMagnoliaIt’sdifficulttodescribetheterrainofthishugepark,becauseitvariesfromconiferousanddeciduousforest,toopenfields,tothewatersofPugetSound.Ifyouhikeallthewayouttothepoint,youmaycatchaglimpseofapassingseabird.MUST-SEEBIRDS:PileatedWoodpeckers,WesternTanagers,RedCrossbills,Olive-sidedFlycatchers,andEveningGrosbeaks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Black-throatedGrayWarblers,Golden-crownedKinglets,andNorthernRough-wingedSwallows.

NORTHTOEVERETTDriveafewminutesnorthofSeattle,andyoucanvisitseveralbirdingsitesthatarespecialenoughtowarrantasidetrip.

SpencerIslandParkandtheEverettSewagePondsOwnershipofSpencerIslandissplitbetweenSnohomishCountyandtheWashingtonDepartmentofWildlife.Bothhalvesofthepark,andthegravelroadthatleadsintoitfromtheparkingarea,aregreatplacestospotbirds.Youcanwalkaseriesoftrailsanddikestoexplorethetidallyinfluencedsloughsandwetlands.ThenearbyEverettSewagePondscanbescopedfromtheroadoutsidethegates,oryoucanapplyattheplantofficeforafreepermittoenterandwalktheperimeter.Attheponds,youmightfindaninterestingselectionofducksandgullsatanytimeofyear.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CinnamonTeals,NorthernHarriers,Violet-greenSwallows,andWesternTanagers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Blue-wingedTeals,WillowFlycatchers,YellowWarblers,DownyWoodpeckers,andMarshWrens.

PortGardnerThepilingsinPortGardnerarehometoanunusuallylargenestingcolonyofOspreys.Visithereinthesummertoseethemflyingby,sittingonnests,eatingfish,andcallingtooneanother.Checkthenearbymudflatsforshorebirdsandwaterfowl.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Ospreys,GreatBlueHerons,andWhimbrels.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:PurpleMartins,AmericanWigeons,andGadwalls.

TIPSFORBIRDINGPUGETSOUND•Washington’sDiscoverPassisrequiredatmanystateparks,includingLakeSammamishStatePark.Youcanbuyanannualpassaheadoftimeonlineoratasportinggoodsstore.Itiswellworththemoneynottohavetodealwithadayusefee.Don’ttrytoavoidbuyingapassifyouwanttovisitanareathatrequiresone:thefinesareheftyifyougetaticket.Justkeepthepasshangingfromyourrearviewmirror.

•ParkingishardtocomebyneartheUnionBayNaturalAreabecauseit’sneartheUniversityofWashingtoncampus.IfyouvisitafterthestartofsummervacationinearlyJune,parkingmaybeeasiertofind.

•PeregrineFalconsoftennestonlocalbridges.ContactSeattleAudubonforcurrentinformation.

5BIRDINGAMONGTHEWINERIESANDORCHARDSTHECANYONCOUNTRYOFCENTRALWASHINGTON

CanyonWren

HEADQUARTERS:

YakimaYakimaiscentrallylocatedforproductivedaytripsineverydirection,andyou’llevenfindafewgoodbirdingspotsintown.TheCascadeslietothewest,YakimaCanyontothenorth,sagebrushcountryandtheColumbiaRivertotheeast,andwetlandrefugestothesouth.Iftheafternoonsgetalittletoohotforbirding,youcankickbackatthenearestwinerywhiletheinescapableCaliforniaQuailcallfromthevineyardandswallowsswoopoverhead.

BESTTIMEOFYEAR:

MayandJune

MayandJunearelivelymonthsforbirdinginCentralWashington,withaflurryofcolorandsong.ItcangetprettyquietbyJuly,however,whenbirdshavefinisheddefendingtheirterritoriesandtheweatherheatsup.

LEWIS’SWOODPECKERSINthemorning,CanyonWrensintheafternoon,andCommonNighthawksintheeveningmakeforfull,rewardingdaysofbirding.FromtheforestedfoothillsoftheCascadestothesagebrush-coveredcanyons,CentralWashingtonincludesagreatvarietyofhabitatsinasmallarea.Whenyouthrowinlushwetlands,youcaneasilysee100birdspecieshereinasingleweekend.

PLACESTOGO

YakimaCanyonThisscenicrouteonHighway821fromYakimatoEllensburgtakesyouthroughsteep,rockycliffsandgoldenhillsidesasyoufollowthewindingpathoftheYakimaRiver.Stopatthefirstfewpulloutsonthesouthernendoftheroad;theyarethebestforspottingcliff-dwellingbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:GoldenEagles,

PrairieFalcons,CanyonWrens,WesternKingbirds,andWesternMeadowlarks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:White-throatedSwifts,AmericanKestrels,andBullock’sOrioles.

BethelRidgeRoadForestServiceRoad1500isagravelroadoffHighway12thatheadsupintothemountains.Manyspeciesofwoodpeckersfrequentthisarea.TheroadquicklypassesthroughPonderosapineforest,wildfiresites,wetmeadows,andhigh-elevationforests,offeringachangingcommunityofbirdstocheckout.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Black-backedWoodpeckers(burnedtrees),Williamson’sSapsuckers(aspentrees),andWhite-headedWoodpeckers(bigpinetrees).OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Cassin’sFinches,YellowWarblers,andYellow-rumpedWarblers.

OakCreekWildlifeAreaThishillyareahasseveralaccesspoints,butthemostinterestingplaceforbirdingisjustwestoftheelk-feedingareaonHighway12.Agravelroadtravelsthroughamixedoak,pine,andcottonwoodforestsandwichedbetweenrockierareas.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CanyonWrens,Lewis’sWoodpeckers,AmericanDippers,Black-headedGrosbeaks,andWesternTanagers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:HouseWrens,Red-napedSapsuckers,andWarblingVireos.

WenasBasinThebasinbetweenYakimaandEllensburgalongWenasRoadandUmtanumRoadissodensewithbirdingopportunitiesthatyoucouldspendanentiredayexploringit.You’llseetrailheadsforhikesintodrycanyonsandalongcreekswhentravelingthisroute.TheroughroadalongWenasCreekintotheWenasCampground(thesiteoftheannualAudubonSocietygathering)mightrewardyouwithWhite-headedWoodpeckers,CalliopeHummingbirds,RedCrossbills,andanabundanceofotherbirds.WenasLakeisagreatstopforshorebirdsinspringandalsooffersdenseriparianvegetationwithYellow-breastedChatsandothersongbirds.UmtanumRoadisdottedwithnestboxesthathouseMountainandWesternBluebirds.Alongtheway,you’relikelytoseequail,sparrows,woodpeckers,andmore.

YakimaSportsmanStateParkThispark,justacrosstheriverfromdowntownYakima,ispackedwithbirds.Smallpondsandmarshesareloadedwithwaterfowlandblackbirds,andlargedeciduoustreesarefilledwithmanyspeciesofsongbirds.Interpretivesigns

alongthetrailpointoutthenaturalfeaturesofthepark.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Yellow-headedBlackbirds,CedarWaxwings,WoodDucks,Black-headedGrosbeaks,andCaliforniaQuail.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:AmericanGoldfinchesandTreeSwallows.

CowicheCanyonTrailThetrailthroughthecanyonisaccessiblefromatrailheadateachendoraconnectingtrailfromtheWilridgeWinery(ourfavoriteoption).Thissmallcanyonofferstwobirdingsitesinonewithriparianbirdsinthecreeksidevegetationandrockdwellersontheslopesabove.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CanyonWrens,LazuliBuntings,WesternTanagers,CommonNighthawks,andCommonRavens.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Say’sPhoebes,Black-billedMagpies,andRockWrens.

ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefugeThisrefugesouthofYakimaisborderedbysagebrushononesideandirrigatedfarmlandontheother.Inbetweenisanoasisofcreeks,marshland,andriparianvegetationthatishometoanarrayofbirdsineveryseason.Anoverlookplatformgivesyougreatviewsofthecattailmarsh,andtheroadsthatcrisscrosstherefugeputyourightinthemiddleoftheaction.MUST-SEEBIRDS:AmericanWhitePelicans,AmericanBitterns,CinnamonTeals,WesternMeadowlarks,WesternKingbirds,andlotsmore.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:BankSwallows,LoggerheadShrikes,Wilson’sSnipes,andpossiblyBlue-wingedTealsandBobolinks.

FortSimcoeStateParkLocatedabout40milessouthwestofYakima,thishistoricparkisfilledwithoaktreesthatarehometoalargenumberofLewis’sWoodpeckers.

Bickleton,theBluebirdCapitaloftheWorldTheroadconnectingGoldendaletoBickletonisagreatplacetoseelotsofMountainBluebirdsandafewWesternBluebirds,too.TheareaaroundthetinytownofBickletonisfilledwiththousandsofblueandwhitebirdhousesthatattractahugenumberofbluebirdseachspring.

TIPSFORBIRDINGINCENTRALWASHINGTON•Washington’sDiscoverPassisrequiredatmanyparks,andyoucanbuyanannualpassaheadoftimeonlineoratasportinggoodsstore.Itiswellworththemoneynottohavetodealwithadayusefee.Don’ttrytoavoidbuyinga

themoneynottohavetodealwithadayusefee.Don’ttrytoavoidbuyingapassifyouwanttovisitanareathatrequiresone:thefinesareheftyifyougetaticket.Justkeepthepasshangingfromyourrearviewmirror.

•Asinmanyplacesduringthesummer,youmayencounterticks,especiallyifyouventureoffthetrailintothebrush.

•Anextrajugofwaterisgoodtohaveinthecarincaseyoufindyourselffarfromawatersourceonahotafternoon.

•Afine-scalemapsuchasagazetteerisessentialforthisarea,becausefold-outmapsofthestatedon’tlabeltheroadsthatconnectmanyofthesesites.

•Becausemanyofthesesitesarenotparks,restroomsarefewandfarbetween.Gasstationsandrestaurantsareyourbestbets.

6STANDINGROOMONLYNESTINGSEASONONTHECENTRALOREGONCOAST

BlackOystercatcher

HEADQUARTERS:

Newport

Newportisaquintessentialbeachtownclosetomanyexcellentbirdingsites.

BESTTIMEOFYEAR:

MaythroughJulyBirdingthecentralOregonCoastisalsogreatinthewinter,butyouwon’tfindnestingbirdsatthistime.

IT’SALWAYSEXCITINGtohaveafrontrowseattothenestingbehaviorofbirds.Thecourtshipdisplays,feedings,andfuzzybabiescreateanentertainingspectacleeachspringthroughsummer.Althoughmanysongbirdshidetheirnests,seabirdssuchasmurresandcormorantsbuildtheirsoutintheopenandareloudaboutit,too.Oregon’soffshorerocksareprotectedforthesakeofseabirds,andmanysitesalongthecoastofferyouanelevatedviewasthebirdsgoabouttheirfrenziedbusiness.Summerisalsothetimetoenjoycolorfulneotropicalmigrantsongbirdsaswellasotherseasonalvisitorssuchasvulturesandterns.


YaquinaHeadOutstandingNaturalAreainNewportOneofthebestplacesontheOregonCoasttosee(andsmell)nestingseabirds,YaquinaHeadoffersaviewingplatformclosetooffshorenestingareas,atjusttherightheightforspyingonthebirds.Avarietyofseabirdsmaketheirnestsincrowdedcoloniesonthenearbyrocksandcliffs.Notethatanaccessfeeisrequiredtovisitthisarea.Parkatthevisitor’scenterandwalkthetrailtothelighthouse.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Brandt’sCormorants,CommonMurres,PigeonGuillemots,andBlackOystercatchers.BrownPelicans,CommonRavens,PeregrineFalcons,andBaldEaglesallfrequenttheareaandhavebeenknowntoeattheyoungoradultCommonMurres.

HatfieldMarineScienceCenterTrailinNewport

Thisshort,easytrailhugsasectionofYaquinaBaythatofferssandbarsandshallowfeedingareasforbirds.Checkshrubsandnearbyfeedersontheothersideofthetrailforinterestingsongbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CaspianTerns,Whimbrels,andGreatBlueHerons.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:PurpleMartinsandWhite-crownedSparrows.

BeaverCreekStateNaturalAreaOneofOregon’snewestnaturalareas,BeaverCreekincludesbothripariananduplandhabitatsforagreatcross-sectionofspecies.Youcanexploreitbytrailorbycanoe.Thevisitorcenterhasavarietyofbirdfeedersandoffersascenicviewofthenaturalarea.MUST-SEEBIRDS:WatchforOspreys,CedarWaxwings,andBand-tailedPigeons,andlistenforthedistinctivecallsandsongsofSwainson’sThrushes,Olive-sidedFlycatchers,andBlack-headedGrosbeaks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:TurkeyVultures,CliffSwallows,andCommonYellowthroats.

YaquinaHeadOutstandingNaturalAreainNewport

SealRockStateWaysideOfferingagreatvantagepointforfloating,feeding,andnestingbirds,theSealRockWaysideoffHighway101providesagoodviewofnearbyoffshorerocksandintertidalareas.MUST-SEEBIRDS:BrownPelicans,BlackOystercatchers,PigeonGuillemots,Brandt’sCormorants,HarlequinDucks,andSurfScoters.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:WesternGullsandPelagicCormorantsmaketheirnestsontherocks.

TIPSFORBIRDINGONTHECENTRALOREGONCOAST•Summerafternoonsonthecoastcanbeverybreezy,whichmakesitdifficulttohearandseebirds;headoutinthemorningsforcalmerweather.

•Anothergoodreasontobirdearlyistoavoidthedistorting,blurringeffectscausedbyrisingwavesofwarmairthatcanoccurasyoulookthroughbinoculars.Youcanalwayspasstheafternoonbrowsinglocalbookstoresandcandyshops.

7REDROCKS,BLUEWATER,ANDWHITE-HEADEDWOODPECKERS

CENTRALOREGONINSUMMER

MaleWhite-headedWoodpecker

HEADQUARTERS:

Sisters

Sistersisanadorablewesterntownsurroundedonallsidesbygreatbirding.

BESTTIMEOFYEAR:

MaythoughJuly

Visittheareaduringlatespringthroughearlysummertoseelotsofsingingandnestingbirds.

CENTRALOREGONISfamousforitsabundantwoodpeckers:11speciesliveintheforestsaroundSisters.SuchamazingdiversityresultsfromthecombinationofancientPonderosapines,riparianaspengroves,andwildfiresitesthatattracttastybeetles.Happily,thesehabitats,andthedrieronestotheeast,alsomakeforbeautifulsceneryyoucanenjoyasyoubird.SeeingthesnowypeaksoftheThreeSistersandMountJeffersonglowingagainsttheblueskiesofCentralOregonwillmakeyouwanttostaylongerthanjustafewdays.

PLACESTOGOCalliopeCrossingLocatednorthofSisters,thisareawasnamedfortheCalliopeHummingbird,whichnestshere.Followthegravelroadacrossthestream,andyouendupinthemiddleofriparianvegetationwithgreatviewsofnotablebirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Williamson’sSapsuckers,Red-breastedSapsuckers,CalliopeHummingbirds,Black-headedGrosbeaks,andWesternTanagers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:NorthernGoshawksperchedintheneighboringpinesandVirginiaRailsskulkinginthewater.

ColdSpringsandIndianFordCampgroundsThecombinationofdrypineforestandwetareaswithaspensmakeforagreatdiversityofnestingbirds.ColdSpringsCampgroundislocatedwestofSisters,andIndianFordisnearBlackButteRanch,northwestoftown.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Williamson’sSapsuckers,Red-breastedSapsuckers,White-headedWoodpeckers,Olive-sidedFlycatchers,Green-tailedTowhees,andRedCrossbills.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:ChippingSparrows,Cassin’sFinches,andNorthernGoshawks.YoumightalsoseeavarietyofEmpidonaxflycatchers.

MetoliusRiverTrailsnearCampShermanDownstreamofCampSherman,trailsonbothsidesfollowthisdazzlingspring-fedriverthroughgiantPonderosapines.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Ospreys,American

Dippers(nesting),White-headedWoodpeckers,WesternTanagers,andBlack-headedGrosbeaks.CommonNighthawksarecommonatdusk.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:ubiquitousYellowWarblers,noisyPygmyNuthatches,andfamiliesofCommonMergansers.

WestSideofSistersThebirdfeedersandpinesnearthechurches,schools,andhotelsmakethisareaamagnetforPinyonJays.

BurnedAreasWestandSouthofSistersThedesolateappearanceofaburnedforestismisleading,becausetheseareasareactuallyfullofnewplantgrowthandfoodforbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Black-backedWoodpeckers,WesternBluebirds,andOlive-sidedFlycatchers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Townsend’sSolitairesandThree-toedWoodpeckers.

SmithRockStateParkAbout30minutesnortheastofSisters,thissitecertainlymeritsavisit.TheCrookedRiversnakesthroughtallcliffs,creatingaproductivegradientofhabitats,fromdryupland,toriparian.MUST-SEEBIRDS:GoldenEagles,PrairieFalcons,CaliforniaQuail,CanyonWrens,andWesternKingbirds.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:White-throatedSwifts.

PonderosaPineforestwithviewsofBlackButteandMountJefferson

TIPSFORBIRDINGINCENTRALOREGON•Birdscangetquietduringwarmafternoons,especiallyinunshadedwildfiresites,soplantostartbirdingearlyinthemorning.

•UseagazetteerthatshowslabeledForestServiceRoads;muchofthebestbirdingisfarfrommainroads.

•Beforeyougo,checkouttheCentralOregonBirdersOnlinee-maillistforcurrentsightings.

•TheOregonCascadesBirdingTrailwebsitehasveryspecificinstructionsonhowtogettolotsofsitesinthearea.

•IfyougettoSistersduringweekdayworkhours,stopbytheForestService

•IfyougettoSistersduringweekdayworkhours,stopbytheForestServiceofficetocheckoutthefeeders,scanthelistofrecentlysightedbirds,andaskaboutwhichburnedareasarecurrentlygoodforviewingwoodpeckers.

8ITTAKESTWOTOTANGODANCINGANDBREEDINGSEASONINTHEKLAMATHBASIN,OREGON

ARed-wingedBlackbirdhitchesarideonaSandhillCrane

HEADQUARTERS:

KlamathFalls

KlamathFallsissituatedonKlamathLakeandisclosetotheLowerKlamathNationalWildlifeRefuge.Thetownislargeenoughtoofferaselectionoflodginganddiningoptions.Chiloquintothenorthisamuchsmallertown,buttheareaofferscozybedandbreakfastsandcloseaccesstomorebirdingsites.

BESTTIMEOFYEAR:

MaythroughJulyThesemonthsarethebesttimetoenjoythematingdances,songs,andbabybirdsofthenestingseason.Thewinterbirdinghereisalsoamazingandwellworthareturntrip.

KlamathMarshwithaviewofMountScott

ASWESTERNGREBESperformtheirsynchronizedmatingdancesacrossthesurfaceofalake,Yellow-headedBlackbirdsbraytheirraucoussongs.TheKlamathBasinisperfectlysituatedwhereforestmeetsdesert.Itisagreatplacetofindacombinationofforest,wetland,andopen-waterbirds.You’dneedtodriveseveralhoursfarthereasttofindsimilarconcentrationsoftheexciting

wetland-nestingbirdsthatliveinthisareainthesummer.Combinethatwithforest-dwellingwoodpeckersandsongbirds,andyouhaveenoughbirdingopportunitiestokeepyoubusyforaweek—butwe’llhelpyoucondenseitallintoaweekend.


KlamathMarshNationalWildlifeRefugeAbout60milesnortheastofKlamathFalls,MilitaryCrossingRoad(CountyRoad677)takesyourightthroughthemiddleofthisrichmarshhabitatthatisalivewithbirds.Abundantinsectsprovidefoodforbirdsinthewater,onthecattails,andflyingoverhead.AneveningstopheremaybeyourbestchanceinOregontoheartheelusiveandrareYellowRail.MUST-SEEBIRDS:AmericanBitterns,RuddyDucks,CinnamonTeals,Yellow-headedBlackbirds,andCommonNighthawks.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Soras,BlackTerns,andmanyspeciesofswallow.

CollierStateParkinChiloquinNorthofKlamathFalls,thislargeparkcontainsamixofconiferforestandriparianhabitatalongtheWilliamsonRiver.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Ospreys,White-headedWoodpeckers,AmericanDippers,WesternTanagers,Black-headedGrosbeaks,Wilson’sWarblers,andBeltedKingfishers.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:CliffSwallowsandMountainChickadees.

PetricParkandWoodRiverWetlandTheseadjacentstopsoffHighway62provideaccesstoavarietyofbirdhabitats.ThepondatPetricParkisagoodbetforTricoloredBlackbirds.ScanthenearbyfieldsforSandhillCranes.TheWoodRiverWetlandoffersaraisedtrailthatputsyouinthemiddleoftherichmarshhabitatforaviewofAgencyLakeandrestoredwetlands.Walkthetree-linedpathandyou’llhearsongbirdscallingfromeverydirection.Theshallowwateroneachsideofthetrailisfullofnestingwaterbirds.MUST-SEEBIRDS:CommonNighthawksandSandhillCranes.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:TricoloredBlackbirds,Bullock’sOrioles,Pied-billedGrebes,WillowFlycatchers,andGadwalls.

LinkRiverTrailThistrailinKlamathFallsisbookendedbyMooreParkonthenorthandVeteransMemorialParkonthesouth.ItfollowsthesmallLinkRiverbutoffers

viewsofopenwaterattheparksateitherend.MUST-SEEBIRDS:Bonaparte’sGulls,BaldEagles,AmericanWhitePelicans,WesternGrebes,andCaspianTerns.OTHERINTERESTINGBIRDS:Forster’sTernsandClark’sGrebes.

TIPSFORBIRDINGINTHEKLAMATHBASIN•Alltheseinsect-eatingbirdsbreedhereforareason.Packsomemosquitorepellentincasetheinsectsgettoofriendly.

•Morningisthebesttimetowatchsongbirds,butwaterbirdsareactivealldaylong.

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http://www.birdweb.org

Acknowledgments

WRITINGOURFIRSTBOOKhasremindedusofhowmuchweallrelyonhelpfromothers.Wereceivedanimmeasurableamountduringthetwoyearsweworkedonthisbook:helpintheformofinformationthatexpertshavecontributedtobooksandwebsitesandhelpintheformofsupportfromourfriends,family,andcolleagues.Specifically,wenowknowthatwecouldnothavewrittenthisbookwereitnotforthefollowingpeople:Ourteachers,professors,coworkers,andfriendswhogotushookedonbirdsandtaughtussomuchaboutthem.

Thevaluablecontributionsfromproofreaderswhogenerouslyagreedtoreadourmanuscriptandmadeitthebestthatitcouldbe.Anyremainingerrorsareoursalone.

Thetalentedphotographerswhosebeautifulworkgracesthisbook:ScottCarpenter,GregGilson,JenSanford,LoisMiller,JeffPoklen,andSteveDimock.Hadwetakenallthephotosourselves,thebirdswouldallhavebeenblurrylittledots.

JureeSondkerandalltheotherfolksatTimberPresswhohelpedtoshapethisbookandkeptusfromaccidentallywritingaboringtextbook.Asfirst-timeauthorsweneededtheguidance.

Thecommunityofbirderswhosharetheirknowledgeinthefield,onlistservs,andoneBird.

TheSwansonfamily,whoprovidedenthusiasm,nightsatthebeach,andbeerstocelebratemeetingourdeadlines.

TheSmithandLaceyfamilies,whoprovidedtheresourcesnecessarytomakeacareeroutofchasingbirds.

KarenMunday,whothoughtofuswhenaskedifsheknewanyonewhocouldwriteabookaboutbirds,andforwateringourgardenwhenwelefttowntoscoutbirdingsites.

TheRasmussens,Wellses,andLyonses,whoputusupintheirhomesduringourtravels.

TheLonesomeDuckGuestRanchinChiloquin,Oregon,whogaveusalovelyplacetostayandprovidedsomegreatlocalbirdingknowledge.

Andiethedog,whoispatientwhenwetakeherbirdingandneverchases

Andiethedog,whoispatientwhenwetakeherbirdingandneverchasesbirds.

OurSubaru:SorrywenearlydroveyouintothegroundwhilebirdingalloverOregonandWashington.Thanksfornotbreakingdown.

Index

AgateHall199Albatross,Black-footed148–149AlkiBeach27,35,113AltonBakerPark205AnkenyNationalWildlifeRefuge61,75,79,87,111,119,145AshlandPond71AudubonSocietyofPortland79,95,165

BalchLake179BallardBridge203BandonBoatBasin35BarviewJetty31,151,218BaskettSloughNationalWildlifeRefuge87,157BayoceanSpit27,143,147,153,219BearCreekGreenway171BeaverCreekStateNaturalArea79,95,171,228Bend177BethelRidgeRoad161,181,187,225Bickleton226Bittern,American114–115Blackbird,Yellow-headed102–103BlackbirdIsland79,107,171BlackButte187Bluebird,Mountain88–89Bluebird,Western86–87BoilerBayStateScenicViewpoint39,45,47,151BottleBeach79

Brant142–143BreitenbushCampground167Bunting,Lazuli100–101Bushtit204–205ButlerFlats53,153,213

CabinLakeCampground97,177,185CalliopeCrossing81,181,183,231CampSherman231CannonBeach218CannonBeachSettlingPonds218CapeAragoStatePark21CapeDisappointmentStatePark31,41,45,105CapeFlattery43,49,57,151CapeKiwanda57CapeMearesStatePark33,43,47,169,203,219CapePerpetuaScenicArea165CapitolLake111CassimerBarWildlifeArea55CattlePoint21ChampoegStateHeritageArea87ChapmanElementarySchool199ChinaLakePark205ClayMyersStateNaturalArea79ColdSpringsCampground97,105,161,181,185,231ColdwaterRidgeVisitor’sCenter89CollierStatePark235ColumbiaRiver,NorthJetty(inCapeDisappointmentStatePark)57,151ColumbiaRiver,SouthJetty(inFortStevensStatePark)29,37,39,41,57,151CommencementBay31ConboyLakeNationalWildlifeRefuge65,103,173Cook’sChasm47

CooperMountainNaturePark99,107CoosBay25,113CoquillePoint31,49CoquilleRiver,SouthJetty27,57Cormorant,Brandt’s30–31CovePalisadesStatePark,The163CowicheCanyon101,133,163,226Crane,Sandhill64–65CranePrairieReservoir55,159CraterLakeNationalPark81,89,105,169Creeper,Brown192–193CrescentBeach39CrockettLake37,75,111,153Crossbill,Red104–105CrystalSpringsRhododendronGarden71

DamonPointStatePark113DavisLake65,89,97DawsonCreekCorporatePark71,179DeceptionPassStatePark45DeltaPonds71DepoeBay35DeschutesRiverStatePark163Dipper,American124–125DiscoveryPark39,99,105,107,143,161,165,169,189,223Duck,Harlequin20–21Duck,Long-tailed24–25Duck,Ruddy74–75Duck,Wood70–71DumasBaySanctuary59DungenessNationalWildlifeRefuge25,43,113,143,157,216DungenessRiverAudubonCenter171

Eagle,Bald60–61Eagle,Golden62–63EagleCreek21EagleCreekFishHatchery125EckmanLake111EcolaStatePark45,105,165,169EdizHook35,47,153EdmondsPier41,45EideRd.213ElwhaRiver27EmigrantLakeCountyPark179EnglishCamp161Everett223EverettSewagePonds39,223

FaceRock49Falcon,Peregrine202–203Falcon,Prairie136–137FernhillWetlands37,39,53,133,145FernRidgeWildlifeManagementArea55,73,103,115,129,135,139Ferry,Keystone216Ferry,PortAngelestoVictoria37,151Ferry,SanJuanIsland31FirIsland213FishLakeInterpretiveDayUseSite93Flycatcher,Olive-sided160–161ForestPark183,189FortFlaglerStatePark21,25,33,47,135,215FortRockStatePark63,97,137,157,163FortSimcoeStatePark86,177,226FortStevensStatePark77FortWordenStatePark21,31,39,43,47,216

FrankWagnerElementarySchool198FremontBridge203

GinkgoPetrifiedForest55,163GlenL.JacksonBridge203GoatIsland59Goldendale-BickletonHighway81,86,89Goose,Cackling144–145GraysHarbor57Grebe,Western112–113GreenLakePark205GreenRiverNaturalArea,seeKentPondsGrosbeak,Black-headed170–171Grosbeak,Evening106–107Guillemot,Pigeon44–45Gull,Bonaparte’s38–39Gull,Heermann’s40–41

HagelsteinPark101Harrier,Northern130–131HarrisBeachStatePark31,45,49HatfieldLake103,113,173HatfieldMarineScienceCenter228Hawk,Red-tailed196–197HaystackRock21,33,43,49,218HecetaHeadStatePark43Heron,GreatBlue58–59Heron,Green116–117HoquiamSewageTreatmentPlant37HowardMillerSteelheadPark101,107Hummingbird,Anna’s200–201Hummingbird,Calliope80–81Hummingbird,Rufous78–79

HurricaneRidge63,169

IndianFordCampground97,231

JacksonBottomWetlandsPreserve75,139,157JenkinsEstate93JohnWayneMarina27,33JuanitaBayPark71,117JuliaButlerHansenRefuge77,119,129,145

KentPonds71,79,115,205KeystoneHarbor41KillinWetlands73,115Kingbird,Western82–83Kingfisher,Belted122–123Kite,White-tailed128–129KlamathBasin61,233KlamathFalls75,83,234KlamathMarshNationalWildlifeRefuge65,73,103,115,159,235KollCenterWetlands111

LakeQuinault165LakeSammamishStatePark59,77,117,182,222LakeTerrel75LakeWenatcheeStatePark93,189LaPush49LarchMountain77,93,105,161LeavenworthNationalFishHatchery99,119,125,185LinkRiverTrail113,235LithiaPark125LoneRanchStateWayside41Loon,Common28–29LowerKlamathNationalWildlifeRefuge137

MaddaxWoods59MagnusonPark95,157,205,222ManchesterStatePark113Manzanita218maps8–9,208–209MarineDrive,Portland29MarlynNelsonCountyPark21,25,216MarquamBridge203MarymoorPark79,83,95,138,166,171,173Mary’sPeak95,107Meadowlark,Western172–173MedfordAirport129,135,139Merganser,Hooded110–111Merganser,Red-breasted26–27MetoliusPreserve99,159,171,185MetoliusRivertrails99,125,159,171,185,231MimaMoundsNaturalAreaPreserve86Minto-BrownIslandPark71,205MontlakeFill,seeUnionBayNaturalAreaMoranStatePark166MountAshland97,101,161,185MountConstitution159MountHood89,137,187MountRainierNationalPark89,93,124,161,169MountSaintHelens89MountTaborPark77,93,99,205MountVernon212MultnomahFalls119,125MurrayMorganBridge203Murre,Common42–43Murrelet,Marbled46–47

NeahBay49NecanicumEstuaryPark41NehalemBaySewagePonds37,129,218NehalemBayStatePark35NetartsBay27,39,61,143,219Newport228Nighthawk,Common158–159NisquallyNationalWildlifeRefuge70,72,95,99,103,117,129,133,135,139,145,166,189

NorthMountainPark83,117NorthViewPark119Nuthatch,Red-breasted190–191

OakCreekWildlifeArea99,163,171,177,225OaksBottomWildlifeRefuge117,119,205OceanCityStatePark41OceanPark57OceanShores145OldSchoolHouse(Selleck)198OlympicNationalPark63,77,124,169OrcasIsland166OregonCityHighSchool199Osprey118–119Owl,GreatHorned132–133Owl,Short-eared134–135OxbowRegionalPark169OyhutWildlifeRecreationArea153Oystercatcher,Black32–33

PacificCity145PacificOysterCompany35,219PadillaBay29,143,147,212pelagictrips149,151

Pelican,AmericanWhite54–55Pelican,Brown56–57PennCove35PetricPark235Phalarope,Red-necked36–37Pigeon,Band-tailed76–77PittockMansion77,79,99,107,161PointBrownJetty27,35,37,43PointDefiancePark93,165,166PointNoPointLighthouseandCountyPark39,47,83,147,182PortGardner119,223PortofOlympia203PortTownsend214–215PotlatchStatePark29PowellButteNaturePark101,173PrescottPark87,157ProtectionIsland49Puffin,Tufted48–49Putnam’sPointPark55

Quail,California156–157

Raven,Common66–67ReehersCamp167RestorationPoint105RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefuge53,55,61,65,72,75,103,111,114,133,147

RidgefieldNationalWildlifeRefuge,CartyUnit165RockyPoint183RosarioBeach33RossIsland59

SaintJohnsBridge203

SamishBay143SamishFlats53,135,137,147,212SamishIsland25,147,212SandyRiverDelta83,101SanJuanCountyPark33SanJuanIslands61Sapsucker,Red-breasted182–183Sapsucker,Williamson’s180–181SauvieIsland53,59,61,65,119,133,145ScatterCreekWildlifeArea182ScogginsValleyPark77,79,107Scoter,Surf22–23SealRockStateWayside21,229SeasideCove35Seattle222Selleck198Shearwater,Sooty150–151ShevlinPark181ShipCanalBridge203Shrike,Northern138–139SikesLake145SiletzBay153SiltcoosRiverEstuary153SilverFallsStatePark165Sisters177,231SiuslawRiver,SouthJetty25,41,47,113SkagitFlats53SkagitRiver61,81,124SkagitWildlifeArea79,133,135,138,173,213SmithandBybeeWetlands55,71SmithRockStatePark63,83,89,137,163,231SnoqualmiePass169

SouthViewPark119SpencerIslandPark73,223SteigerwaldLakeNationalWildlifeRefuge101,115,119SturgeonLake59SunriseVisitorCenter137Swallow,Violet-green84–85Swan,Trumpeter52–53Swift,Vaux’s198–199

Tanager,Western98–99Teal,Cinnamon72–73Tern,Caspian120–121ThreeGracesTidalArea218Thrush,Swainson’s166–167Thrush,Varied168–169TillamookBay29,147TillamookForestCenter95,125TimberlineLodge89,137Tokeland151ToppenishNationalWildlifeRefuge55,72,75,83,101,103,114,137,139,159,173,226

TouVelleStatePark173,179Towhee,Green-tailed96–97TroutLakeNaturalAreaPreserve107,159TryonCreekStatePark133,189TualatinHillsNaturePark171,189TualatinRiverNationalWildlifeRefuge117,147Turnstone,Black34–35TyghValley177

UnionBayNaturalArea111,222UniversityofOregon199UniversityofWashington59

UtsaladyBay29

VanportWetlands103VeteransMemorialPark55,235

Warbler,Townsend’s92–93Warbler,Wilson’s94–95WashingtonMutualBuilding203WashingtonParkArboretum93Waxwing,Cedar90–91WenasBasin83,86,89,157,225WenasCampground81,105,185WenasLake159WenatcheeConfluenceStatePark95,157WestmorelandPark147Westportfishingpier29WestportJetty37,43WestSeattleBridge203WhidbeyIsland216Whimbrel152–153WhitehorseCountyPark159Wigeon,Eurasian146–147WildwoodRecreationArea167WillametteParkandNaturalArea99WillapaBay29,143WillapaNationalWildlifeRefuge77WilliamL.FinleyNationalWildlifeRefuge53,73,77,79,87,111,115,129,133,135,139,145,147,167,173,179,189

WilridgeWinery226Woodpecker,Acorn178–179Woodpecker,Black-backed186–187Woodpecker,Lewis’s176–177Woodpecker,Pileated188–189

Woodpecker,White-headed184–185WoodRiverWetlands235Wren,Canyon162–163Wren,Pacific164–165

Yakima225YakimaCanyon63,137,163,225YakimaSportsmanStatePark70,226YaquinaBay25,27,29,37,45,75,143,153YaquinaHeadOutstandingNaturalArea31,33,43,57,228

PhotoCredits

SCOTTCARPENTERofScottCarpenterPhotography,pages4–5,11,15,21,23,28,29,32,35,37,39,43,48,51,52,55,60,61,64,66,68–69,71,73,74,75,78,79,80,82,87,88,92,93,94,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,106,107,109,110,111,112,116,122,123,125,127,130,131,133,134,139,140–141,144,146,152,154–155,156,159,160,162,164,167,168,169,170,171,172,175,176,180,181,183,184,185,186,194–195,196,199,200,201,202,204,205,206–207,211,215,220,221,224,227,230,233

STEVEDIMOCKofSteveDimockPhotography,page30GREGGILSON,pages20,27,36,45,46,47,56,58,84,90,148,178(left),190,

192,217LOISMILLERofLoisMillerFineArtPhotography,pages16–17,18–19,24,38,

40,42,44,62,76,120,129,142,188JEFFPOKLEN,page151JENSANFORD,pages26,89,115,119,137Allotherphotosarebytheauthors.

JERRYSWANSON

ABOUTTHEAUTHORS

Theauthorsmetingraduateschoolwhentheywerestudyingbirdsinthesamelab,andtheyhavebeenbirdingtogethereversince.Withtheirdog,Andie,theysplittheirtimebetweenPortlandandPacificCity,Oregon.

SARAHSWANSONhasworkedasanenvironmentaleducatorfortheAudubonSocietyofPortland.Shelovesteachingadultsandchildrenaboutnaturalhistorybyleadingfieldtripsandclasses.

MAXSMITHisawildlifebiologistcurrentlyworkingwiththeU.S.ForestService.Since2003,hehasstudiedthemechanismsthroughwhichinvasiveplantsandwildfireinfluencethereproductivesuccessofbirds.

must-see birds of the pacific northwest: 85 unforgettable species, their fascinating lives, and how...

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