Washington State
Bird List
Washington State is a birdwatcher's delight. The Washington State bird checklist boasts 480 different species while Olympic National Park alone has more than 300 species of birds. Specialty birds include red-necked grebe, spotted owl, Vaux's swift, Pacific-slope flycatcher, and northwestern crow, to name just a few. Hike or drive along seven exceptional birding trails throughout the state to view your favorite birds. Voyage on a guided pelagic trip to experience the black-footed albatross. Or check out Washington's birding festivals that take place throughout the year.
Bald Eagle
Bald eagles are the national emblem of the United States and a resident bird of Washington State. With a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet, bald eagles display a russet-colored body and wings. Adults have white heads and tails while their legs and feet are bright yellow. A closer look reveals their piercing light yellow eyes and large yellow hooked bill. Capable of living to live up to 40 years, this bird is easily spotted in the San Juan Islands, Skagit River, and western Washington. Look for them atop telephone poles and exposed tree tops. Concentrate along the rivers, lakes, and coastal areas where fish are abundant and beside shorelines with large trees. Follow Audubon Washington's Cascade loop near Rockport State Park for the best sightings of bald eagles.
Western Gull
Birders can easily observe the western gull on the Washington coastline and offshore. The adult possesses a mostly white head and large yellow bill. Its backside and wings are slate gray while its wingtips are black, occasionally with white spotting. The bird's under-wing is white with a narrow band of gray while its yellow bill has a red spot. On close observation, the gull has dark yellow eyes.
Snowy Owl
The snowy owl is a large Arctic bird with a white face and body and piercing yellow eyes. Adults are mostly pure white with slight brown flecks. Its legs and feet are thick with feathers. With a wingspan of 45 to 60 inches, these birds prefer the tundra, grasslands, and open spaces. Snowy owls are found on perches such as telephone poles, fence posts, roofs, and other lookout points or flying low to the ground in pursuit of prey. During the winter, follow the Washington State Audubon Snowy Owl route near Potholes Reservoir and Moses Lake. It is a 16-mile long loop along the Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway route.
Black Swift
With a large, streamlined body, the black swift is the largest North American swift. This resident arrives in late spring and stays through the summer months. Distinctive characteristics include a solid black body with a silver-gray forehead. In flight, its appearance shows long, tapered wings with under-wings a paler shade of black. A relative to the Vaux's swift, the tail of the black swift is longer, broader, and often fanned out. Note the male black swift for its notched tail. These birds forage from the air, flying fast and high, either solo or in a flock. Find black swifts near lowland freshwater, mountainsides, or hovering over waterfalls and coastal cliffs. Sightings of the black swift have been observed in the Puget Sound lowlands, including the San Juan Islands and areas around Redmond.
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