This list of Oregon birds lists wild bird species found in the U.S. state of Oregon and accepted by the Oregon Bird Records Committee (OBRC). As of August 2022, there are 547 species on the list. Of them, 164 are on the review list (see below). Nine species were introduced to Oregon or elsewhere in North America; one of them and two others have been extirpated from the state.
Bird counts often change depending on factors such as the number and training of the observers, as well as opinions about what constitutes an officially recognized subspecies. Though northern climes typically do not support as many species as southerly locations, Oregon is fifth in bird species diversity in the United States, behind Florida, New Mexico, Texas and California. This amount of diversity is attributable to Oregon's numerous distinctive ecoregions and relatively mild winter weather, which make it an important wintering ground for migratory bird species, especially waterfowl, on the Pacific Flyway.
Another result of the state's varying ecology is the 120 Important Bird Areas, such as the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, that are recognized as important conservation sites for birds. Many of these dedicated wildlife refuges have become meccas for birding enthusiasts, and Oregon has participated in formally organized birding activities such as the Christmas Bird Count since the early 1900s. Other areas are closed to human access but are very popular with birds, such as Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge which spans some of the Oregon Coast.
As an important U.S. region of bird diversity, Oregon has faced some serious challenges in protecting endangered and threatened avian species. In addition to high profile, threatened species such as the northern spotted owl and snowy plover, even many common species—including Oregon's state bird, the western meadowlark—have declined considerably due to hunting, habitat loss and other factors.
This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 62nd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.
Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below are considered to occur regularly in Oregon as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. These tags are used to annotate some species:
(R) Review list - birds that if seen require more comprehensive documentation than regularly seen species. (P) Provisional - "A review species, sight record only, no video or audio verification" per the OBRC (I) Introduced - a species established as a result of human action
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils.
Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis (R) Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (R) Emperor goose, Anser canagica Snow goose, Anser caerulescens Ross's goose, Anser rossii Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Tundra bean-goose, Anser serrirostris (R) Brant, Branta bernicla Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii Canada goose, Branta canadensis Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus (R) Wood duck, Aix sponsa Baikal teal, Sibirionetta formosa (R) Garganey, Sibirionetta querquedula (R) Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Falcated duck, Mareca falcata (R) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope American wigeon, Mareca americana American black duck, Anas rubripes (R) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Canvasback, Aythya valisineria Redhead, Aythya americana Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula Greater scaup, Aythya marila Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis Steller's eider, Polysticta stelleri (R) King eider, Somateria spectabilis (R) Common eider, Somateria mollissima (R) Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi Common scoter, Melanitta nigra (R) Black scoter, Melanitta americana Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica Smew, Mergellus albellus (R) Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus Common merganser, Mergus merganser Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis
New World quail
Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits.
Mountain quail, Oreortyx pictus Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (I)(extirpated) California quail, Callipepla californica
Pheasants, grouse, and allies Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies, including partridges, grouse, turkeys, and Old World quail. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans.
Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (I) Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus Greater sage-grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus Spruce grouse, Canachites canadensis Dusky grouse, Dendragapus obscurus Sooty grouse, Dendragapus fuliginosus Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus (R)(extirpated) Chukar, Alectoris chukar (I) Gray partridge, Perdix perdix (I) Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis Western grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis Clark's grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I) Common ground dove, Columbina passerina (R) White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
Greater roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus (R) (P) Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (R)
Nightjars and allies Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves.
Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis (R) Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus (R)
Swifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae
The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
Black swift, Cypseloides niger Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (R) Vaux's swift, Chaetura vauxi White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis
Hummingbirds Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards.
Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (R) Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna Costa's hummingbird, Calypte costae Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin Broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (R)
Rails, gallinules, and coots Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
Virginia rail, Rallus limicola Sora, Porzana carolina Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata (R) American coot, Fulica americana Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis
Cranes Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged, long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".
Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis Common crane, Grus grus (R)
Stilts and avocets
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.
Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus American avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Oystercatchers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large, obvious, and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
Black oystercatcher, Haematopus bachmani
Plovers and lapwings
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.
Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva Eurasian dotterel, Charadrius morinellus (R) Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus Piping plover, Charadrius melodus (R) (P) Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus (R) Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (R) Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus Mountain plover, Charadrius montanus (R)
Sandpipers and allies
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda (R) Bristle-thighed curlew, Numenius tahitiensis (R) Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus Long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica (R)