By Avian Feathers Team
Published July 2025
Washington’s landscape is a dream for bird lovers. From coastal forests to city parks, the variety of birdlife is incredible. If you’re just getting into birdwatching, here are ten common species you might see hopping through leaves, zipping past your feeder, or calling from the treetops.
1. Spotted Towhee
Spotted Towhees are striking birds with black upperparts, white spots on the wings, and rusty sides. They love scratching through leaf litter looking for food. If you hear a rustling under a bush followed by a sharp “chewink” call, it could be a Towhee at work. They prefer shrubby, dense areas and can be shy at first glance.
Size
Length: 6.7–8.3 in (17–21 cm)
Wingspan: 11.0 in (28 cm)
Weight: 1.2–1.7 oz (33–49 g)
Scientific Name: Pipilo maculatus
2. American Goldfinch
Bright yellow in summer and more muted in winter, these small birds are easy to love. You’ll often hear their sweet, canary-like song before spotting them bouncing through the air. They especially love thistle feeders and sunflower heads.
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
3. Northern Flicker
This woodpecker has brownish plumage with black spots and a beautiful flash of color under the wings. Western birds show red, while eastern ones flash yellow. Flickers spend more time on the ground than other woodpeckers, digging for ants and beetles with their curved bills.
Size
Length: 11.0–12.2 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
4. Steller’s Jay
These bold birds are hard to miss with their deep blue bodies and black crests. Steller’s Jays are noisy and curious, often hanging around picnic tables or campgrounds. Their “shack-shack-shack” call is loud and recognizable.
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
5. European Starling
Though not native, these birds are now found almost everywhere in Washington. Their glossy plumage shines green and purple in the sun. Starlings are loud, fast fliers that travel in groups and are known for their excellent mimicry.
Size
Length: 7.9–9.1 in (20–23 cm)
Wingspan: 12.2–15.8 in (31–40 cm)
Weight: 2.1–3.4 oz (60–96 g)
Scientific Name: Sturnus vulgaris
6. Red-winged Blackbird
With a bold red-and-yellow shoulder patch, the male Red-winged Blackbird is easy to spot. They sing loudly from cattails, fence posts, and power lines. These birds are common near marshes and open fields and are especially active in spring.
Size
Length: 6.7–9.1 in (17–23 cm)
Wingspan: 12.2–15.8 in (31–40 cm)
Weight: 1.1–2.7 oz (32–77 g)
Scientific Name: Agelaius phoeniceus
7. House Sparrow
Small and scrappy, House Sparrows are everyday city dwellers. Males have gray heads and black bibs, while females are plainer brown. You’ll see them hopping on sidewalks, chirping from rooftops, or fluttering around outdoor cafés.
Size
Length: 5.9–6.7 in (15–17 cm)
Wingspan: 7.5–9.8 in (19–25 cm)
Weight: 0.9–1.1 oz (27–30 g)
Scientific Name: Passer domesticus
8. Anna’s Hummingbird
Unlike most hummingbirds that migrate, Anna’s stay in the Pacific Northwest all year. Males have iridescent rose-pink throats and crowns, which shine in sunlight. They are feisty, fast, and often heard buzzing near flowers or feeders.
Size
Length: 3.9 in (10 cm)
Wingspan: 4.7 in (12 cm)
Weight: 0.1–0.2 oz (3–6 g)
Scientific Name: Calypte anna
9. Bewick’s Wren
Tiny but full of personality, Bewick’s Wrens have long tails often flicked upward and bold white eyebrows. They sing loudly and love searching for bugs in bark, brush piles, and woodpiles. Their bubbly song rings out through gardens and parks.
Size
Length: 5.1 in (13 cm)
Wingspan: 7.1 in (18 cm)
Weight: 0.3–0.4 oz (8–12 g)
Scientific Name: Thryomanes bewickii
10. Cedar Waxwing
These sleek birds look like they’re wearing black masks and waxy red tips on their wings. Cedar Waxwings move in flocks, feeding on berries and insects. They’re quiet, graceful fliers with soft calls and are a treat to see during migration or winter months.
Size
Length: 5.5–6.7 in (14–17 cm)
Wingspan: 8.7–11.8 in (22–30 cm)
Weight: 1.1 oz (32 g)
Scientific Name: Bombycilla cedrorum
Where to Spot Common Birds in Washington
You can easily spot these common birds across Washington’s varied landscapes, including urban, suburban, and natural areas:
Spotted Towhee: Look for them scratching through leaf litter in shrubby areas, dense thickets, forest edges, and gardens. They prefer cover and can be found in most wooded or brushy environments.
American Goldfinch: Often found in open fields, meadows, suburban gardens, and areas with thistle and sunflower plants. They are frequent visitors to bird feeders offering nyjer or sunflower seeds.
Northern Flicker: Common in woodlands, open forests, suburban parks, and backyards. They spend more time on the ground than other woodpeckers, so look for them digging for ants on lawns and grassy areas.
Steller’s Jay: Ubiquitous in coniferous and mixed forests, campgrounds, mountain areas, and suburban neighborhoods, especially those with tall trees. They are bold and often seen near picnic areas.
European Starling: Highly adaptable and found almost everywhere humans are, including cities, towns, agricultural areas, and open fields. Look for them in large flocks on lawns, rooftops, and power lines.
Red-winged Blackbird: Abundant in marshes, wetlands, wet meadows, agricultural fields, and along the edges of ponds and lakes. They frequently perch on cattails, fences, and utility lines.
House Sparrow: Primarily found in urban and suburban environments, associating closely with human dwellings. Look for them around buildings, sidewalks, parks, outdoor eating areas, and backyards.
Anna’s Hummingbird: Resident year-round in gardens, parks, urban areas, and open woodlands throughout western Washington. Attracted to nectar feeders and flowering plants.
Bewick’s Wren: Common in gardens, parks, thickets, brush piles, and open woodlands, often near human habitation. Listen for their distinctive, bubbly song.
Cedar Waxwing: Found in open woodlands, orchards, suburban areas, and along riparian zones where berry-producing shrubs and trees are present. They are often seen in flocks, especially during late summer, fall, and winter.