Birds of Washington

Last revision September 2008

by

Dennis Paulson

PDF of List

This list includes all the bird species regularly (annually) reported in Washington state and any that have bred in the last decade. Species recorded from the state at least once but not annually are listed at the end. Common and scientific names and species order from AOU Check-list of North American Birds (Seventh Edition) and supplements through July 2008.

KEY TO STATUS OF SPECIES
PR - permanent resident (breeds unless otherwise indicated)
SR - summer resident (breeds)
SV - summer visitor (does not breed)
WV - winter visitor
M - migrant (spring & fall)
Abund. - abundant (dependably seen in large numbers)
Com. - common (dependably seen in moderate numbers)
Uncom. - uncommon (often but not always seen in small numbers)
Rare (present every year but seldom seen)

Order ANSERIFORMES

ANATIDAE (waterfowl)
Greater White-fronted Goose, Anser albifrons. Com. M on outer coast, rarely elsewhere; rare WV west of Cascades. Breeds in Arctic.
Snow Goose, Chen caerulescens. Large flock winters in coastal marshes and fields in Skagit/Snohomish counties, uncom. M or WV elsewhere. Breeds in Arctic (our birds mostly from Siberia).
Cackling Goose, Branta hutchinsii. Com. WV southwest, com. M along coast; uncom. M east.
Canada Goose, Branta canadensis. Com. PR (populations west of Cascades introduced); abund. M and locally com WV on coast and east of Cascades (from Arctic-breeding populations).
Brant, Branta bernicla. Locally abund. WV and widely com. spring M on salt water, rare M east. Breeds in Arctic.
Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator. Local and uncom. WV on freshwater lakes west of Cascades. Breeds in Alaska/BC boreal forest.
Tundra Swan, Cygnus columbianus. Locally com. WV on salt water and fields near coast; locally com. M east of Cascades. Breeds in Arctic.
Wood Duck, Aix sponsa. Uncom. SR on wooded lakes; winters locally where provisioned by humans.
Gadwall, Anas strepera. Com. PR in marshes, lakes and bays.
Eurasian Wigeon, Anas penelope. Uncom. WV on fresh and salt water, mostly west. Breeds in Siberian boreal forest.
American Wigeon, Anas americana. Abund. WV on fresh and salt water; uncom. SR in marshes east of Cascades, very local west.
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos. Abund. PR, more common on fresh than salt water.
Blue-winged Teal, Anas discors. Uncom. SR in marshes.
Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera. SR in marshes, com. east, locally com. west.
Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata. Com. WV, more on fresh than salt water; SR in marshes, com. east, very local west.
Northern Pintail, Anas acuta. Com. WV on coast, less common on fresh water; uncom. SR in marshes east of Cascades.
Green-winged Teal, Anas crecca. Abund. WV on coast, less common on fresh water; uncom. SR in marshes east of Cascades, few breed west.
Canvasback, Aythya valisineria. Locally com. WV on lakes and bays; uncom. SR on lakes east of Cascades.
Redhead, Aythya americana. Com. PR on lakes east of Cascades, uncom. M and rare WV on fresh water west.
Ring-necked Duck, Aythya collaris. Com. WV on fresh water, uncom. SR on wooded lakes in Cascades and east.
Greater Scaup, Aythya marila. Abund. WV on salt water, locally com. on fresh water. Breeds in boreal forest.
Lesser Scaup, Aythya affinis. Com. WV on fresh water, less so on salt water; uncom. SR on lakes east of Cascades, few west.
Harlequin Duck, Histrionicus histrionicus. Com. WV (some in summer) on rocky coast; uncom. SR on mountain streams and rivers.
Surf Scoter, Melanitta perspicillata. Abund. WV (some in summer) on salt water. Breeds in boreal forest.
White-winged Scoter, Melanitta fusca. Abund. WV (some in summer) on salt water. Breeds in boreal forest.
Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra. Locally com. WV on salt water. Breeds in Arctic and Subarctic.
Long-tailed Duck, Clangula hyemalis. Com. WV on salt water. Breeds in Arctic.
Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola. Abund. WV on salt and fresh water; few breed on lakes, mostly northeast.
Common Goldeneye, Bucephala clangula. Com. WV on salt and fresh water; few breeding records on interior lakes.
Barrow's Goldeneye, Bucephala islandica. Locally com. WV on salt water, uncom. M on fresh water; uncom. SR on mountain lakes.
Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus. Uncom. PR on fresh water, breeding on wooded lakes; some move to salt water in winter.
Common Merganser, Mergus merganser. Com. WV on lakes, locally on salt water; uncom. SR on rivers.
Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus serrator. Com. WV on salt water. Breeds in boreal forest and Arctic.
Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis. Com. WV on large lakes and bays; com. SR on lakes east of Cascades, few west.

Order GALLIFORMES

PHASIANIDAE (partridges, grouses, turkeys)
Chukar, Alectoris chukar. Uncom. PR in rocky open country east of Cascades (introduced).
Gray Partridge, Perdix perdix. Uncom. PR in open country east of Cascades (introduced).
Ring-necked Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus. Com. PR in open country (introduced).
Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus. Uncom. PR in broadleaf forest.
Greater Sage-Grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus. Uncom., local and decreasing PR in sagebrush east of Cascades.
Spruce Grouse, Falcipennis canadensis. Rare PR in conifer forest from Cascades east across northern part of state.
White-tailed Ptarmigan, Lagopus leucurus. Uncom. PR in alpine zone of Cascades. Moves below tree line in winter.
Dusky Grouse, Dendragapus obscurus. Uncom. PR in conifer forest east of Cascades.
Sooty Grouse, Dendragapus fuliginosus. Uncom. PR in conifer forest from Cascades west.
Sharp-tailed Grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus. Uncom., local and decreasing PR in grassland east of Cascades, mostly northern part.
Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo. Uncom. and local PR in wooded areas, most easily seen on San Juan Island and in Blue Mountains (introduced).
ODONTOPHORIDAE (New World quails)
Mountain Quail, Oreortyx pictus. Uncom. and local PR in wooded country around southern Puget Sound, lower Columbia River, and Blue Mountains.
California Quail, Callipepla californica. Com. PR in lightly wooded and open country (introduced).
Northern Bobwhite, Colinus virginianus. Uncom. and local PR, mostly Pierce and Thurston counties (introduced).

Order GAVIIFORMES

GAVIIDAE (loons)
Red-throated Loon, Gavia stellata. Com. WV on salt water. Breeds in Arctic and Subarctic.
Pacific Loon, Gavia pacifica. Com. WV on salt water; abund. M on outer coast. Breeds in Arctic.
Common Loon, Gavia immer. Com. WV on salt and fresh water; rare breeder on undisturbed lakes.
Yellow-billed Loon, Gavia adamsii. Rare WV on salt water. Breeds in Arctic.

Order PODICIPEDIFORMES

PODICIPEDIDAE (grebes)
Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps. Com. PR on lakes and ponds; uncom. WV on salt water.
Horned Grebe, Podiceps auritus. Com. WV on salt water and lakes; uncom. SR on lakes in northeast part.
Red-necked Grebe, Podiceps grisegena. Com. WV on salt water; locally com. SR on lakes in northeast part.
Eared Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis. Uncom. and local WV on salt water and lakes; locally com. SR in loose colonies on lakes east of Cascades.
Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis. Com. WV on large lakes and salt water; com. SR in loose colonies on few large lakes east of Cascades.
Clark's Grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii. Com. SR in loose colonies on few Columbia Basin lakes; rare WV on salt water.

Order PROCELLARIIFORMES

DIOMEDEIDAE (albatrosses)
Laysan Albatross, Phoebastria immutabilis. Rare offshore, mostly WV. Breeds in Hawaiian islands.
Black-footed Albatross, Poebastria nigripes. Com. SV and rare WV offshore. Breeds in Hawaiian Islands.
PROCELLARIIDAE (petrels)
Northern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis. Com. WV and uncom. SV offshore. Breeds around Bering Sea.
Pink-footed Shearwater, Puffinus creatopus. Com. SV offshore. Breeds in Chile.
Flesh-footed Shearwater, Puffinus carneipes. Rare SV offshore. Breeds in Australia.
Buller's Shearwater, Puffinus bulleri. Uncom. SV offshore. Breeds in New Zealand.
Sooty Shearwater, Puffinus griseus. Com. SV on outer coast, rarely into Puget Sound. Breeds in New Zealand.
Short-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris. Uncom. M, mostly fall, offshore, rarely into Puget Sound. Breeds in Australia.
Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus. Rare SV on outer coast. Breeds in North Atlantic.
HYDROBATIDAE (storm-petrels)
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma furcata. Com. SR on outer coast, breeding on islands and foraging offshore.
Leach's Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa. Com. SR on outer coast, breeding on islands and foraging offshore.

Order PELECANIFORMES

PELECANIDAE (pelicans)
American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. Uncom. SV on lakes of Columbia Basin, local breeder and rare WV on Columbia River.
Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis. Com. SV on outer coast, rarely into protected waters. Breeds from California south.
PHALACROCORACIDAE (cormorants)
Brandt's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus. Com. WV and abund. M (from south) on coast, immatures remain through summer; colonial breeder on rocks in Pacific County.
Double-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus. Com. PR on salt water and large interior lakes; colonial breeder.
Pelagic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax pelagicus. Com. PR on coast; colonial breeder.

Order CICONIIFORMES

ARDEIDAE (herons)
American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus. Uncom. PR in freshwater marshes.
Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias. Com. PR on fresh and salt water; colonial breeder.
Great Egret, Ardea alba. Small breeding colonies in Grant County; otherwise uncommon but increasing SV (and rarer WV) on fresh and salt water, mostly on coast.
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis. Rare late fall M in lowlands, often associated with livestock; breeds to south.
Green Heron, Butorides virescens. Uncom. SR on streams and swamps west of Cascades; rare WV.
Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax. Locally com. SR in marshes of Columbia Basin; colonial breeder; rare and local WV east and west.
THRESKIORNITHIDAE (ibises and spoonbills)
White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi. Rare SV, mostly in Columbia Basin; has attemped to breed.
CATHARTIDAE (American vultures)
Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura. Uncom. SR in wooded parts of state; large flocks at times seen in coastal migration.

Order FALCONIFORMES

ACCIPITRIDAE (hawks)
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus. Uncom. SR on fresh and salt water.
White-tailed Kite, Elanus leucurus. Rare PR at woodland edge southwest.
Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus. Uncom. SR, com. WV on fresh and salt water.
Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus. Uncom. PR in open country.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Accipiter striatus. Uncom. SR in mountain forest, more often seen WV in wooded lowlands.
Cooper's Hawk, Accipiter cooperii. Uncom. PR in mixed and broadleaf forests.
Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis. Rare PR in mature conifer forest.
Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus. Rare PR in woodland southwest.
Swainson's Hawk, Buteo swainsoni. Uncom. SR in open country east of Cascades.
Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis. Com. PR in all habitats, numbers augmented in winter.
Ferruginous Hawk, Buteo regalis. Rare and local SR in southeast quarter of state, mostly in canyons.
Rough-legged Hawk, Buteo lagopus. Uncom. to locally com. WV in open country. Breeds in Arctic.
Golden Eagle, Aquilachrysaetos. Uncom. PR in mountains and dry canyons, also San Juan Islands.
FALCONIDAE (falcons)
American Kestrel, Falco sparverius. Com. SR and uncom. WV in open country and woodland east of Cascades, much less common west; also SR above treeline in mountains.
Merlin, Falco columbarius. Uncom. WV, especially coast, mostly M east; few breeding pairs in forests.
Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus. Rare WV in open country. Breeds in Arctic.
Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus. Uncom. PR where nesting cliffs or tall humanmade structures available in Cascades and west; uncom. WV elsewhere, especially coastal areas; slightly more common in migration.
Prairie Falcon, Falco mexicanus. Uncom. PR (less common in winter) in canyons east of Cascades; rarely winters west.

Order GRUIFORMES

RALLIDAE (rails)
Virginia Rail, Rallus limicola. Com. PR in freshwater marshes.
Sora, Porzana carolina. Com. SR, rare WV, in freshwater marshes.
American Coot, Fulica americana. Abund. WV on lakes and bays; com. SR in marshes.
GRUIDAE (cranes)
Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis. Locally com. M east of Cascades and at Cape Flattery, from Arctic-breeding populations; wintering flock on lower Columbia River; few pairs breed in Klickitat and Yakima counties.

Order CHARADRIIFORMES

CHARADRIIDAE (plovers)
Black-bellied Plover, Pluvialis squatarola. Com. WV and M on coast, uncom. fall M east of Cascades. Breeds in Arctic.
American Golden-Plover, Pluvialis dominica. Rare spring and uncom. fall M on coast; rare fall M east. Breeds in Arctic.
Pacific Golden-Plover, Pluvialis fulva. Rare spring and uncom. fall M on coast. Breeds in Alaska.
Snowy Plover, Charadrius alexandrinus. Uncom. SR on coast from Grays Harbor south.
Semipalmated Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus. Com. M, rare WV on coast; uncom. M east; has bred at Grays Harbor.
Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus. Com. PR west, com. SR and uncom. WV east.
HAEMATOPODIDAE (oystercatchers)
Black Oystercatcher, Haematopus bachmani. Uncom. PR on rocky coasts.
RECURVIROSTRIDAE (avocets & stilts)
Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus. Uncom. SR in marshes east, rare M west.
American Avocet, Recurvirostra americana. Com. SR in marshes east, rare M west.
SCOLOPACIDAE (sandpipers)
Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularia. Com. SR on rivers and lakes; uncom. WV on coastal fresh and salt water.
Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria. Rare M on fresh water. Breeds in boreal forest.
Wandering Tattler, Tringa incana. Uncom. M on rocky coasts. Breeds in Alaska.
Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca. Com. M on fresh and salt water, local WV on coast. Breeds in boreal forest.
Willet, Tringa semipalmata. Rare and local WV on coast. Breeds to east and south.
Lesser Yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes. Uncom. spring and com. fall M, mostly fresh water. Breeds in boreal forest and Subarctic.
Upland Sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda. Rare M, formerly bred in grassland of Spokane County.
Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus. Com. M, rare WV, on salt water; rare M at lakes east. Breeds in Arctic.
Long-billed Curlew, Numenius americanus. Uncom. SR in open country east, rare to locally com. M and WV on salt water.
Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica. Rare M, mostly fall, on coast. Breeds in Alaskan Arctic.
Marbled Godwit, Limosa fedoa. Uncom. to locally com. M and WV on coast, rare M east. Breeds in southern Alaska and on Great Plains.
Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres. Com. spring and uncom. fall M on coast. Breeds in Arctic.
Black Turnstone, Arenaria melanocephala. Com. WV on rocky coast. Breeds in Alaskan Arctic.
Surfbird, Aphriza virgata. Com. WV on rocky coast. Breeds in Alaska mountains.
Red Knot, Calidris canutus. Com. spring and uncom. fall M on coast. Breeds in Arctic.
Sanderling, Calidris alba. Com. M and WV on coast; uncom. M, mostly fall, east. Breeds in Arctic.
Semipalmated Sandpiper, Calidris pusilla. Uncom. M, mostly on fresh water and more common east. Breeds in Arctic.
Western Sandpiper, Calidris mauri. Abund. M and uncom. WV on coast, com. M at lakes east. Breeds in Alaskan Arctic.
Least Sandpiper, Calidris minutilla. Com. M and uncom. WV on coast, com. M at lakes and marshes east. Breeds in boreal forest.
Baird's Sandpiper, Calidris bairdii. Uncom. M, mostly fall, on fresh and salt water. Breeds in Arctic.
Pectoral Sandpiper, Calidris melanotos. Uncom. M, mostly fall, on fresh and salt water. Breeds in Arctic.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Calidris acuminata. Rare fall M on coast. Breeds in Siberian Arctic.
Rock Sandpiper, Calidris ptilocnemis. Uncom. and declining WV on rocky coast. Breeds in Alaskan Arctic.
Dunlin, Calidris alpina. Abund. WV and M on coast; uncom. M at lakes east. Breeds in Arctic.
Stilt Sandpiper, Calidris himantopus. Rare fall M on fresh and salt water. Breeds in Arctic.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Tryngites subruficollis. Rare fall M, mostly coastal dunes. Breeds in Arctic.
Ruff, Philomachus pugnax. Rare fall M, mostly coastal mudflats. Breeds in Siberian Arctic.
Short-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus. Com. M on coast, rare at lakes elsewhere. Breeds in boreal forest.
Long-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus. Com. M and uncom. WV on fresh and salt water. Breeds in Alaskan Arctic.
Wilson's Snipe, Gallinago delicata. Com. PR west, SR east, in marshes.
Wilson's Phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor. Com. SR in marshes east, rare M on coast.
Red-necked Phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus. Com. M offshore and in protected salt water, less common in fresh water. Breeds in Arctic.
Red Phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius. Com. M offshore, rarely to protected waters. Breeds in Arctic.
LARIDAE (gulls & terns)
Black-legged Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla. Uncom. WV (some summer) on outer coast. Breeds around Bering Sea.
Sabine's Gull, Xema sabini. Com. M offshore. Breeds in Arctic.
Bonaparte's Gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia. Com. M and uncom. WV on salt water, rare M on lakes east. Breeds in boreal forest.
Little Gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus. Rare fall M, occas. WV, on fresh and salt water west. Breeding origin of our birds unknown.
Franklin's Gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan. Uncom. fall M on fresh and salt water west; rare spring M on lakes east. Breeds to east and south.
Heermann's Gull, Larus heermanni. Com. SV and fall M, rarely WV, on coast. Breeds in Gulf of California.
Mew Gull, Larus canus. Com. WV on coast, much less so inland. Breeds in boreal forest.
Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis. Com. SR at Grays Harbor and on lakes east, colonial breeder; com. WV on fresh water, much less so on salt water.
Western Gull, Larus occidentalis. Com. PR on outer coast, decreasing east through protected waters; colonial breeder.
California Gull, Larus californicus. Abund. fall M, much less common in spring and winter, on coast; com. SR on lakes east, colonial breeder.
Herring Gull, Larus argentatus. Uncom. WV on fresh and salt water. Breeds in boreal forest.
Thayer's Gull, Larus thayeri. Locally com. WV on salt and coastal fresh water. Breeds in Arctic.
Glaucous-winged Gull, Larus glaucescens. Com. PR on coast, colonial breeder; rare breeder and WV in interior.
Glaucous Gull, Larus hyperboreus. Rare WV on fresh and salt water. Breeds in Arctic.
Caspian Tern, Hydroprogne caspia. Locally com. SR on coast, Columbia River, and interior reservoirs; colonial breeder.
Black Tern, Chlidonias niger. Locally com. SR on lakes east; rare M on fresh and salt water west.
Common Tern, Sterna hirundo. Com. M on coast, rare M on lakes east. Breeds to northeast in boreal forest.
Arctic Tern, Sterna paradisaea. Com. M offshore, occasionally on coast. Breeds in Arctic (few pairs in Everett).
Forster's Tern, Sterna forsteri. Locally com. SR on lakes east, colonial breeder; rare M on fresh and salt water west.
Elegant Tern, Thalasseus elegans. Irregular fall M on coast (usually absent but can be com. during El Niño years). Breeds in Gulf of California.
STERCORARIIDAE (skuas)
South Polar Skua, Stercorarius maccormicki. Rare SV offshore. Breeds in Antarctica.
Pomarine Jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus. Com. M offshore. Breeds in Arctic.
Parasitic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus. Com. M offshore and along coast. Breeds in Arctic.
Long-tailed Jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus. Uncom. fall M offshore. Breeds in Arctic.
ALCIDAE (alcids)
Common Murre, Uria aalge. Com. WV on coast; declining SR on outer-coastal islands; colonial breeder.
Pigeon Guillemot, Cepphus columba. Com. PR on protected salt water.
Marbled Murrelet, Brachyramphus marmoratus. Uncom. and declining PR on coast; breeds in old-growth conifer forest.
Xantus' Murrelet, Synthliboramphus hypoleucus. Rare mostly fall M offshore. Breeds on southern California islands.
Ancient Murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus. Com. WV (Nov.-Jan. in protected waters) on coast; has bred on offshore islands.
Cassin's Auklet, Ptychoramphus aleuticus. Com. but declining PR on outer coast; colonial breeder.
Rhinoceros Auklet, Cerorhinca monocerata. Abund. SR and locally common WV on coast; colonial breeder.
Tufted Puffin, Fratercula cirrhata. Com. SR on coast, winters offshore; colonial breeder.

Order COLUMBIFORMES

COLUMBIDAE (pigeons)
Rock Dove, Columba livia. Com. PR, with both domestic and feral populations, latter in cliffs of Columbia Basin (introduced).
Band-tailed Pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata. Com. SR and uncom. WV in forest west.
Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura. Com. SR, occas. WV, in woodland and open country east, local and uncom. PR west.

Order STRIGIFORMES

TYTONIDAE (barn owls)
Barn Owl, Tyto alba. Uncom. PR in any habitat that provides nest sites.
STRIGIDAE (typical owls)
Flammulated Owl, Otus flammeolus. Uncom. SR in dry conifer forest east.
Western Screech-Owl, Megascops kennicottii. Com. PR in forest.
Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus. Com. PR in all habitats.
Snowy Owl, Bubo scandiacus. Uncom. to rare (erratic) WV in open country. Breeds in Arctic.
Northern Pygmy-Owl, Glaucidium gnoma. Uncom. PR in conifer forest.
Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia. Uncom. and declining SR in sagebrush steppe east.
Spotted Owl, Strix occidentalis. Uncom. and declining PR of old-growth conifer forest from east side of Cascades to coast.
Barred Owl, Strix varia. Uncom. but increasing PR in forest.
Great Gray Owl, Strix nebulosa. Rare and local PR in open conifer forest; more widespread in winter.
Long-eared Owl, Asio otus. Uncom. PR (more local in winter) in forest, especially riparian woodland; much less common west.
Short-eared Owl, Asio flammeus. Uncom. PR in open country.
Boreal Owl, Aegolius funereus. Rare PR in high-elevation conifer forest.
Northern Saw-whet Owl, Aegolius acadicus. Com. but rarely seen PR in forest.

Order CAPRIMULGIFORMES

CAPRIMULGIDAE (nightjars)
Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor. Com. SR (much less common west) of woodland and open country.
Common Poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii. Locally com. SR in dry conifer woodland east.

Order APODIFORMES

APODIDAE (swifts)
Black Swift, Cypseloides niger. Local and uncom. SR from Cascades west; breeds colonially on cliffs but ranges widely.
Vaux's Swift, Chaetura vauxi. Com. SR in forest, locally in cities.
White-throated Swift, Aeronautes saxatilis. Locally com. SR on cliffs of Columbia Basin.
TROCHILIDAE (hummingbirds)
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri. Uncom. SR in riparian woodland east of Cascades.
Anna's Hummingbird, Calypte anna. Locally com. PR west of Cascades, mostly in cities.
Calliope Hummingbird, Stellula calliope. Com. SR in dry conifer forest east of Cascades crest, fall M higher in mountains.
Rufous Hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus. Com. SR in forest, fall M higher in mountains.

Order CORACIIFORMES

ALCEDINIDAE (kingfishers)
Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon. Uncom. PR on fresh and salt water, more widespread in winter.

Order PICIFORMES

PICIDAE (woodpeckers)
Lewis' Woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis. Uncom. SR (winters locally) in ponderosa pineland and oak and riparian woodland east of Cascades.
Acorn Woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus. Rare PR in oak woodland in southern Klickitat County.
Williamson's Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus thyroideus. Uncom. SR in mature dry conifer forest east of Cascades crest.
Red-naped Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis. Com. SR in forest east of Cascades crest.
Red-breasted Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber. Uncom. PR in mature forest from Cascades west, local on east side of Cascades.
Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens. Com. PR in broadleaf and mixed forest.
Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus. Com. PR in conifer and mixed forest.
White-headed Woodpecker, Picoides albolarvatus. Uncom. PR in ponderosa pineland from Cascades east.
American Three-toed Woodpecker, Picoides dorsalis. Uncom. PR in high-elevation conifer forest east of Cascades crest.
Black-backed Woodpecker, Picoides arcticus. Uncom. PR in conifer forest east of Cascades crest; mostly in burns.
Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus. Com. PR in all wooded habitats.
Pileated Woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus. Uncom. PR in mature forest.

Order PASSERIFORMES

TYRANNIDAE (tyrant flycatchers)
Olive-sided Flycatcher, Contopus cooperi. Uncom. SR in forest.
Western Wood-Pewee, Contopus sordidulus. Com. SR (less common west) in forest and woodland.
Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii. Com. SR in broadleaf forest and shrubland, usually near water.
Least Flycatcher, Empidonax minimus. Rare SR in broadleaf forest, mostly northeast.
Hammond's Flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii. Com. SR in mature forest.
Gray Flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii. Com. SR in open ponderosa pineland east of Cascades crest.
Dusky Flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri. Com. SR in dry conifer forest east of Cascades crest, rare M west.
Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis. Com. SR in mature forest.
Say's Phoebe, Sayornis saya. Com. SR in open country east of Cascades.
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens. Uncom. SR in riparian woodland in Kittitas, Yakima and Klickitat counties.
Western Kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis. Com. SR in open country east of Cascades; very local SR west.
Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus. Com. SR in open country, usually near water, east of Cascades; very local SR west.
LANIIDAE (shrikes)
Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus. Uncom. SR and rare WV in sagebrush steppe east of Cascades.
Northern Shrike, Lanius excubitor. Uncom. WV in open country, more common east. Breeds in boreal forest.
VIREONIDAE (vireos)
Cassin's Vireo, Vireo cassinii. Com. SR in conifer forest.
Hutton's Vireo, Vireo huttoni. Uncom. PR in broadleaf and mixed forest, mostly near coast.
Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus. Com. SR in low broadleaf forest.
Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus. Com. SR in mature riparian woodland.
CORVIDAE (crows & jays)
Gray Jay, Perisoreus canadensis. Com. PR in conifer forest, mostly in mountains.
Steller's Jay, Cyanocitta stelleri. Com. PR in conifer forest.
Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata. Rare WV, usually at bird feeders.
Western Scrub-Jay, Aphelocoma californica. Com. PR in oak woodland and urban/suburban areas southwest, east to Klickitat County; slowly expanding range northward in Puget Sound lowlands, breeds north to south King County.
Clark's Nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana. Com. PR in alpine zone east of Cascades crest, less common in ponderosa pineland.
Black-billed Magpie, Pica hudsonia. Com. PR in riparian woodland and open country east of Cascades.
American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos. Com. PR in all wooded habitats. Includes Northwestern Crow, C. caurinus.
Common Raven, Corvus corax. Com. PR on coast, in mountains and in open country east of Cascades.
ALAUDIDAE (larks)
Sky Lark, Alauda arvensis. Formerly uncom. PR on San Juan Island (naturally established from population introduced on Vancouver Island), perhaps extirpated.
Horned Lark, Eremophila alpestris. Com. SR and abund. WV in open country east of Cascades; uncom. and local PR on prairies and coastal dunes west; uncom. SV in alpine zone.
HIRUNDINIDAE (swallows)
Purple Martin, Progne subis. Uncom. SR west, mostly around Puget Sound and usually associated with humans.
Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor. Com. SR in wooded habitats near water.
Violet-green Swallow, Tachycineta thalassina. Com. SR in forest, canyon country and cities.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Com. SR, usually near fresh or salt water where earth banks available for nesting.
Bank Swallow, Riparia riparia. Locally com. SR east of Cascades where sand banks available for colonial nesting.
Cliff Swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota. Com. SR where cliffs, bridges or buildings available for colonial nesting.
Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica. Com. SR where bridges or buildings available for nesting.
PARIDAE (tits)
Black-capped Chickadee, Poecile atricapillus. Com. PR in broadleaf forest; scarce on Olympic Peninsula
Mountain Chickadee, Poecile gambeli. Com. PR in conifer forest east of Cascades crest.
Boreal Chickadee, Poecile hudsonica. Uncom. PR in high-elevation conifer forest along northern border east of Cascades crest.
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Poecile rufescens. Com. PR in wet conifer forest in mountains and western lowlands.
AEGITHALIDAE (long-tailed tits)
Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus. Com. PR in broadleaf forest and shrubland west of Cascades, also local in riparian woodland in Kittitas and Yakima counties; colonizing Columbia Basin.
SITTIDAE (nuthatches)
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis. Com. PR in conifer forest, more widespread in winter.
White-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis. Com. PR in riparian woodland and ponderosa pineland east of Cascades crest; uncom. PR in oak woodland south of Puget Sound.
Pygmy Nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea. Locally com. PR in ponderosa pineland east of Cascades crest.
CERTHIIDAE (creepers)
Brown Creeper, Certhia americana. Com. PR in conifer forest, more widespread in winter.
TROGLODYTIDAE (wrens)
Rock Wren, Salpinctes obsoletus. Com. SR in rocky areas, mostly in open country, east of Cascades.
Canyon Wren, Catherpes mexicanus. Uncom. PR in rocky canyons, both open and wooded, east of Cascades.
Bewick's Wren, Thryomanes bewickii. Com. PR in broadleaf forest and shrubland west of Cascades, rapidly expanding up Columbia River drainage in east.
House Wren, Troglodytes aedon. Com. SR in riparian woodland east of Cascades; locally com. SR, mostly in oak woodland, west.
Winter Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes. Com. PR in conifer forest, more widespread in winter.
Marsh Wren, Cistothorus palustris. Com. PR (east of Cascades, most migrate south) in freshwater marshes.
CINCLIDAE (dippers)
American Dipper, Cinclus mexicanus. Uncom. PR on wooded rivers and streams.
REGULIDAE (kinglets)
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Regulus satrapa. Com. PR in conifer forest, more widespread in winter.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula. Com. WV in wooded habitats of lowlands; com. SR in broadleaf thickets in conifer forest east of Cascades crest.
TURDIDAE (thrushes)
Western Bluebird, Sialia mexicana. Locally com. SR in open woodland east of Cascades crest; even more local, mostly in oak woodland, west.
Mountain Bluebird, Sialia currucoides. Com. SR in alpine zone, open woodland and open country east of Cascades crest.
Townsend's Solitaire, Myadestes townsendi. Com. SR in mountain conifer forest, uncom. M elsewhere; uncom. WV in lowlands, associated with junipers; widespread uncom. M west.
Veery, Catharus fuscescens. Com. SR in broadleaf forest east of Cascades crest.
Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus. Com. SR in forest (only in wet conifer forest east of Cascades crest).
Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus. Com. SR in mountain conifer forest, uncom. M elsewhere; uncom. WV in forest near coast.
American Robin, Turdus migratorius. Com. SR in all habitats with trees and shrubs; withdraws from mountains and becomes abundant in lowlands in winter.
Varied Thrush, Ixoreus naevius. Com. SR in mountain conifer forest; com. WV in lowland forest, local east.
MIMIDAE (mockingbirds)
Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis. Com. SR in riparian woodland east of Cascades.
Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos. Rare PR, mostly vagrant individuals in woodland or urban areas, but has bred in sagebrush in Grant County.
Sage Thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus. Com. SR in sagebrush steppe east of Cascades.
STURNIDAE (starlings)
European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris. Com. PR in all habitats that provide nesting holes (introduced).
MOTACILLIDAE (wagtails)
American Pipit, Anthus rubescens. Com. M in open country; com. SR in wet meadows in mountains; uncom. WV in western lowlands.
BOMBYCILLIDAE (waxwings)
Bohemian Waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus. Com. WV east of Cascades, mostly in cities; irregular and uncom. WV west; has bred in conifer forest along northern border.
Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum. Com. SR, much less com. WV, in wooded habitats.
PARULIDAE (wood warblers)
Orange-crowned Warbler, Vermivora celata. Com. SR in open broadleaf forest and shrubland west, much more local east in mountain forest.
Nashville Warbler, Vermivora ruficapilla. Com. SR in broadleaf thickets in dry conifer forest east of Cascades crest.
Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia. Com. SR in broadleaf and riparian woodland.
Yellow-rumped warbler, Dendroica coronata. Com. SR in mountain conifer forest; com. M and locally com. WV in lowland wooded habitats (outer coast and lower Columbia River, absent from most areas).
Black-throated Gray Warbler, Dendroica nigrescens. Com. SR in broadleaf and mixed forest west of Cascades.
Townsend's Warbler, Dendroica townsendi. Com. SR in mountain conifer forest; uncom. M and WV in forest near coast. Freely hybridizes with Hermit Warbler.
Hermit Warbler, Dendroica occidentalis. Com. SR in conifer forest in south Cascades, Willapa Hills and east side of Olympics. Freely hybridizes with Townsend's Warbler.
Palm Warbler, Dendroica palmarum. Rare WV on outer coast.
American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla. Uncom. SR in broadleaf forest east of Cascades (more common to north).
Northern Waterthrush, Seiurus noveboracensis. Uncom. SR in wooded wetlands in Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties.
MacGillivray's Warbler, Oporornis tolmiei. Com. SR in riparian thickets east of Cascades, more local in shrubland, especially revegetating clearings, west.
Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas. Com. SR in shrubby wetlands (very local east).
Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia pusilla. Com. SR in forest, more local east.
Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens. Uncom. SR in shrubby riparian woodland east of Cascades.
THRAUPIDAE (tanagers)
Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana. Com. SR in conifer and mixed forest.
EMBERIZIDAE (buntings)
Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus. Rare SR in shrubs in open conifer forest on south slope of Blue Mountains.
Spotted Towhee, Pipilo maculatus. Com. PR west and SR east in shrublands.
American Tree Sparrow, Spizella arborea. Uncom. WV in open country east, less common west. Breeds in Arctic-boreal forest transition.
Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina. Com. SR in open conifer forest east of Cascades crest, locally com. SR in open woodland in San Juan County and south of Puget Sound west.
Clay-colored Sparrow, Spizella pallida. Rare SR in open woodland in northeast corner; has bred in Okanogan and Spokane counties.
Brewer's Sparrow, Spizella breweri. Com. SR in sagebrush steppe east of Cascades.
Vesper Sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus. Com. SR in grassland and shrub steppe east of Cascades; local, uncom. and declining SR in prairies west.
Lark Sparrow, Chondestes grammacus. Com. SR in sagebrush steppe and uncom. SR in open conifer forest east of Cascades.
Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata. Rare and very local SR in sagebrush steppe.
Sage Sparrow, Amphispiza bellii. Uncom. SR in sagebrush steppe of Columbia Basin.
Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis. Com. SR and abund. M in moist grassland and farmland; uncom. WV in farmland west.
Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum. Uncom. SR in dry grassland and open sagebrush steppe east of Cascades.
Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca. Com. WV in shrublands west of Cascades, much less com. east; locally com. SR in shrubby clearings in mountains east of Cascades crest and on tip of Olympic Peninsula.
Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia. Com. PR in shrublands (usually associated with water east of Cascades crest).
Lincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii. Com. M and uncom. WV in shrublands west of Cascades; locally com. SR in shrubby wetlands in mountains.
Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana. Rare WV in shrublands, mostly near coast.
White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis. Rare WV in forest and shrublands, mostly west.
Harris' Sparrow, Zonotrichia querula. Rare WV in shrublands.
White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys. Com. SR in shrublands from east side of Cascades west to coast (coastal subspecies); com. WV and abundant M in lowlands throughout (subarctic subspecies); uncom. SR in high mountains in north Cascades and at eastern edge of state (Rocky Mountain subspecies).
Golden-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia coronata. Com. M and locally com. WV in shrublands from coast to east side of Cascades; has bred in north Cascades
Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis. Com. PR in conifer forest, widespread in most habitats in winter.
Lapland Longspur, Calcarius lapponicus. Uncom. M and WV in open country. Breeds in Arctic.
Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis. Uncom. and local WV in open country, more common east. Breeds in Arctic.
CARDINALIDAE (cardinal grosbeaks)
Black-headed Grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus. Com. SR in broadleaf forest.
Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena. Com. SR on broadleaf shrubby hillsides east of Cascades crest, very local west.
ICTERIDAE (troupials)
Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Local and uncom. SR in hay meadows east of Cascades.
Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus. Com. SR in shrubby wetlands and marshes; locally com. WV in farmland.
Tricolored Blackbird, Agelaius tricolor. Very local SR in Columbia Basin marshes, rare WV southwest.
Western Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta. Com. SR (few winter) in open country east; uncom. and local PR in open country west, more in winter.
Yellow-headed Blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Com. SR, occas. WV, in marshes east of Cascades; rare M, occas. SR, west.
Brewer's Blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus. Com. SR in settled and open country east, much more local west; locally com. WV in farmland and cities.
Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater. Com. SR in all habitats; local and uncom. WV in farmland.
Bullock's Oriole, Icterus bullockii. Com. SR in riparian woodland, less common west.
FRINGILLIDAE (finches)
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Leucosticte tephrocotis. Uncom. SR in alpine zone in mountains; locally com. WV in open country with canyons east.
Pine Grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator. Uncom. PR in mountain conifer forest, wandering to lowlands in winter.
Purple Finch, Carpodacus purpureus. Com. PR in forest from east slope of Cascades west.
Cassin's Finch, Carpodacus cassinii. Com. SR (few remain in winter) in conifer forest east of Cascades crest.
House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus. Com. PR in riparian woodland and settled areas, also nearby open country in winter.
Red Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra. Com. PR in conifer forest; numbers fluctuate from year to year.
White-winged Crossbill, Loxia leucoptera. Irregular PR in mountain spruce forest, varying from absent to common.
Common Redpoll, Carduelis flammea. Uncom. WV in open country east, rarely west. Breeds in Arctic and Subarctic.
Pine Siskin, Carduelis pinus. Com. PR in conifer and mixed forest, more widespread in winter.
Lesser Goldfinch, Carduelis psaltria. Uncom. PR in oak woodland in Klickitat County.
American Goldfinch, Carduelis tristis. Com. SR in broadleaf and riparian woodland, widespread but less common in winter.
Evening Grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus. Com. PR in forest, irregular in movements.
PASSERIDAE (sparrows)
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus. Com. PR in settled areas, more in farmland east (introduced).

IRREGULAR SPECIES
These species, not recorded annually and thus very rarely seen in Washington, are included to show the great dispersal abilities of birds. Note they come from all directions, as can be seen from their breeding sources: A - arctic N. America; AK - Alaska; Ant - Antarctica; Atl - Atlantic Ocean; E - eastern/central N. America; EP - east Pacific Ocean; Eur - Eurasia (mostly from Siberia); GP - G reat Plains; N - northern N. America; NA - north Atlantic Ocean; NE - northeastern N. America; NGP - northern Great Plains; NP - north Pacific Ocean; NWP - northwest Pacific Ocean; RM - Rocky Mountains; SA - South America; SE - southeastern N. America; S - southern N. America; SGP - southern Great Plains; SP - south Pacific Ocean; SW - southwestern N. America; TP - tropical Pacific Ocean; WP - western Pacific Ocean.