By Avian Feathers Team
Published July 2025
Oregon is bursting with birdlife. From lush forests to backyard feeders and coastal trails, birds are everywhere. Whether you’re hiking through pine-covered hills or sipping coffee on your porch, these feathered neighbors are likely nearby.
Here are 10 common birds you’re most likely to meet in Oregon.
1. American Robin
This classic songbird is one of the first to greet spring. With its bright orange belly and cheerful whistle, the American Robin is easy to spot hopping across lawns or perched in trees. You’ll often see them pulling worms from the soil after rain.
Size
Length: 9–11 in (23–28 cm)
Wingspan: 12–16 in (31–41 cm)
Weight: 2.7–3 oz (77–85 g)
Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius
2. Black-capped Chickadee
Small, curious, and full of personality. These fluffy birds wear a black “cap” and bib over white cheeks. Their call sounds like “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” and they love visiting feeders for sunflower seeds. Chickadees are bold and might even eat from your hand.
Size
Length: 4.7–5.9 in (12–15 cm)
Wingspan: 6.3–8.3 in (16–21 cm)
Weight: 0.3–0.5 oz (9–14 g)
Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus
3. Song Sparrow
You’ll hear this bird before you see it. Song Sparrows are brown with streaks and love to sing from low perches. They blend into the brush but are very common in parks, wetlands, and gardens. Each one has its own twist on the song.
Size
Length: 4.7–6.7 in (12–17 cm)
Wingspan: 7.1–9.4 in (18–24 cm)
Weight: 0.4–1.9 oz (12–53 g)
Scientific Name: Melospiza melodia
4. Dark-eyed Junco
Often called “snowbirds,” these juncos show up in big numbers during the colder months. They have dark heads, white bellies, and pink beaks. You’ll spot them hopping around on the ground under feeders or foraging along forest edges.
Size
Length: 5.5–6.3 in (14–16 cm)
Wingspan: 7.1–9.8 in (18–25 cm)
Weight: 0.6–1.1 oz (18–30 g)
Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis
5. American Goldfinch
These little bursts of sunshine are bright yellow in summer and more muted in winter. Males sing sweet, bubbly tunes from tree tops and power lines. Look for them near thistle plants or nyjer feeders.
Size
Length: 4.3–5.1 in (11–13 cm)
Wingspan: 7.5–8.7 in (19–22 cm)
Weight: 0.4–0.7 oz (11–20 g)
Scientific Name: Spinus tristis
6. Northern Flicker
A type of woodpecker with a twist. Northern Flickers often feed on the ground, eating ants and beetles. They have spotted bellies, a black crescent on the chest, and flashes of red or yellow under their wings, depending on region. You’ll hear their loud “wicka-wicka” call echoing through the trees.
Size
Length: 11–12.2 in (28–31 cm)
Wingspan: 16.5–20.1 in (42–51 cm)
Weight: 3.9–5.6 oz (110–160 g)
Scientific Name: Colaptes auratus
7. Steller’s Jay
This bold, noisy bird wears deep blue feathers with a black crest on its head. Found in forests and campgrounds, Steller’s Jays aren’t shy—they’ll swoop down for snacks and mimic other birds’ calls. You’ll often hear their harsh “shaaaar” before spotting one.
Size
Length: 11.8–13.4 in (30–34 cm)
Wingspan: 17.3 in (44 cm)
Weight: 3.5–4.9 oz (100–140 g)
Scientific Name: Cyanocitta stelleri
8. House Finch
These friendly finches are common at backyard feeders. Males have red faces and chests, while females are streaky brown. They sing sweet, warbling songs from rooftops and wires. Originally from the West, House Finches now thrive all across the U.S.
Size
Length: 5–6 in (13–15 cm)
Wingspan: 8–10 in (20–25 cm)
Weight: 0.6–0.9 oz (16–27 g)
Scientific Name: Haemorhous mexicanus
9. Western Tanager
A true gem in the trees. Males are yellow with a red-orange head and black wings. These shy birds stay high in the forest canopy but sing a robin-like tune. Spotting one feels like a reward.
Size
Length: 6.3–7.5 in (16–19 cm)
Wingspan: 11.5 in (29 cm)
Weight: 0.8–1.3 oz (24–36 g)
Scientific Name: Piranga ludoviciana
10. Spotted Towhee
A striking bird with a black back, white belly, and rusty sides. Spotted Towhees love to rummage in leaf litter, kicking it back with both feet to find insects. They’re shy but vocal—listen for their sharp, rising trill.
Size
Length: 6.7–8.3 in (17–21 cm)
Wingspan: 11 in (28 cm)
Weight: 1.2–1.7 oz (33–49 g)
Scientific Name: Pipilo maculatus
Where to Spot Common Birds in Oregon
These common birds are widely distributed across Oregon and can be found in various habitats:
American Robin: Ubiquitous across all of Oregon. Look for them hopping on lawns, in parks, gardens, open woodlands, and suburban areas. They are one of the most common backyard birds.
Black-capped Chickadee: Common throughout Oregon’s woodlands, suburban areas, parks, and backyard feeders, particularly in areas with deciduous or mixed trees. They are curious and often approach human activity.
Song Sparrow: Found across most habitats in Oregon where there is dense low cover, including parks, gardens, wetlands, shrubby fields, and forest edges. Best identified by their varied and repetitive songs.
Dark-eyed Junco: A very common bird, especially in winter, found in forests, woodlands, suburban areas, and backyards across Oregon. Look for them foraging on the ground, particularly under feeders.
American Goldfinch: Common in open fields, meadows, suburban gardens, and areas with thistle and sunflower plants across Oregon. They are frequent visitors to bird feeders offering nyjer or sunflower seeds.
Northern Flicker: Widespread in woodlands, open forests, suburban parks, and backyards across Oregon. Unique among woodpeckers, they often forage on the ground for ants and beetles in lawns and grassy areas.
Steller’s Jay: Common in coniferous and mixed forests, campgrounds, mountain areas, and suburban neighborhoods with tall trees. They are bold, noisy, and often seen near picnic areas.
House Finch: Abundant at backyard feeders and in urban and suburban areas throughout Oregon. They frequent buildings, parks, and disturbed habitats.
Western Tanager: A summer resident in coniferous and mixed forests, particularly in the Cascades and other mountainous regions of Oregon. They typically stay high in the canopy, so look for them among tall trees or at fruit feeders during migration.
Spotted Towhee: Found in shrubby areas, dense thickets, forest edges, and gardens across Oregon. Look for them scratching noisily in leaf litter under bushes; they can be shy but are often heard.
From jays to juncos, Oregon’s birds are as varied as its landscapes.
Which of these regulars have you seen in your backyard?