What makes Pacific Northwest backyards distinct
West of the Cascades, yards in Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia are shaped by mild, wet winters and tall conifers. Mild weather means many birds stay through the winter. Some species here, like the Chestnut-backed Chickadee, are mainly western.
Common species and how to recognize them
- Anna’s Hummingbird: A hummingbird that stays year-round in many parts of the region. Males have a rose-pink head and throat.
- Chestnut-backed Chickadee: A small chickadee with a rich chestnut back and a dark cap, common in forests and suburban yards.
- Black-capped Chickadee: Also widespread, with a black cap and white cheeks.
- Dark-eyed Junco: A small ground-feeding sparrow with a dark hood and white outer tail feathers.
- Spotted Towhee: A large sparrow with red eyes and white-spotted wings that favors brushy cover.
- Song Sparrow: A streaked brown-and-gray bird with a complex, musical song.
- Steller’s Jay: A bold, dark-crested jay with a deep blue body.
- Northern Flicker: A brownish woodpecker with black-scalloped feathers that often feeds on the ground for ants.
- Red-breasted Nuthatch: A tiny, energetic tree-climber with a nasal, tin-horn-like call.
- Pine Siskin: A small, streaky finch that may arrive in active flocks.
- American Robin and American Goldfinch: Familiar lawn and seed-feeder visitors.
Seasonal changes
Many of these birds are present all year, but numbers shift. Juncos and siskins can be more noticeable in winter, and summer brings migrants such as Rufous Hummingbirds and Swainson’s Thrushes to some areas. Timing varies by location, so a local checklist from your area’s bird alliance or Audubon chapter is helpful.
Feeding in a wet climate
Damp weather can cause seed to clump and spoil, and mold can harm birds.
- Choose feeders with drainage and a roof, and fill them with only as much seed as the birds will finish in a few days.
- Discard wet or moldy seed, and clean feeders regularly with a mild soap-and-water or diluted bleach rinse, rinsing well and drying fully.
- Offer black-oil sunflower seed for chickadees, nuthatches, and finches, and suet for woodpeckers and nuthatches.
- Change hummingbird nectar often, since it can ferment or grow mold.
Native plants and shelter
Evergreens give cover, and native shrubs such as berry-producing plants add natural food. Leaving some brush or leaf litter supports insects and ground feeders like towhees and juncos.
For more ways to get started, see our guide to common backyard birds. Visitors to the south may enjoy California backyard birds, and eastward, Montana backyard birds. If you need help naming a bird, see the backyard birds pictures guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common backyard birds in the Pacific Northwest? Juncos, chickadees, song sparrows, robins, towhees, flickers, and Anna’s hummingbirds are frequently reported.
Do hummingbirds stay in the Pacific Northwest in winter? Anna’s Hummingbirds do stay in many areas. If you feed them in cold weather, keep the nectar from freezing.
Which feeder foods work best? Black-oil sunflower seed and suet are good general choices, with fresh nectar for hummingbirds.