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Waterfowl at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Spot hundreds of avian species at these nearby parks and sanctuaries.
4 min read
Portland is a haven for birdwatchers, with more than 200 avian species to be spotted in the area. With a few basic tips and a good vantage point, anyone can spend a rewarding day getting to know some of the Rose City’s feathered friends.
Tips for Birding
An Oregon-centric birding book is instrumental in helping you identify species. It may help you confirm that you’ve spotted the Great Blue Heron, the official bird of Portland, or the Western Meadowlark, Oregon’s state bird. Pick one up at Powell’s Books in Downtown Portland or on Hawthorne in Southeast — or peruse the selection at the Bird Alliance of Oregon (formerly Portland Audubon) gift shop.
If you can, bring binoculars or a telephoto lens camera to help distinguish subtle differences between species. If binoculars aren’t in your inventory, don’t worry! With a naked eye and a keen ear — plus a bit of patience and luck— birding in Portland can still be a rewarding activity.
A birding kit isn’t complete without a notebook. Before your day in the field, consider drafting a preliminary list of the birds you may encounter in the area. This way, you can quickly search among the known candidates in a field guide instead of having to leaf through the whole volume. Check sites or apps like eBird to find local hot spots and the likeliest species you’ll spot.
In Portland, those species include the pleasingly-plumed Northern Flicker, the blue and black Stellar’s jay and the red-capped Anna’s hummingbird, the only hummingbirds to stay in Oregon year-round — in addition to dozens more charming birds.
Just getting started? The Bird Alliance offers year-round events to introduce people to the birds of the Pacific Northwest. You can also join birders of all levels of experience at the Guero Bird Club, with regular outings organized through their Discord.
Cap off your bird-friendly tour with a visit to the neighborhood favorite Backyard Bird Shop, which offers everything the bird-lover might need, including birdseed and feeders, bird baths, birdhouses, books and binoculars — the perfect accompaniment for their regular free public events.
Where to Watch Birds in Portland
Portland is full of nature, with beautifully curated parks to wetland preserves and wildlife refuges. Grab your binoculars and head out to these top spots.
The Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Nature Sanctuary
The nature sanctuary at the Bird Alliance of Oregon is only a five-minute drive from downtown Portland. It contains an informational wildlife center that’s home to several birds and 4 miles (6.4 km) of hiking trails from which to spot species like the remarkably blue Steller’s jay. The sanctuary also offers classes and bird walks for those looking to delve deeper into birding.
Mt. Tabor Park
Mt. Tabor Park resides upon a dormant volcano in Southeast Portland and is an important bird habitat for the city. Many migratory and residential birds use its green space as a vital oasis within a largely developed area of the city. If you visit in the early dawn hours, you can spot many migrating birds using the park as a rest stop before continuing their journeys elsewhere. Springtime visitors can also take advantage of the Bird Alliance’s free bird song walks through the park.
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, a 140-acre (57-hectare) wetland in Southeast Portland, is a classic bird-watching locale. In addition to the iconic Blue Heron, over 100 species of birds have been spotted in this serene sanctuary, which is an easy bike ride from downtown via the Springwater on the Willamette Trail.
Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area
North Portland’s Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is a 205-acre (83-hectare) preserve, the largest protected wetland in a U.S. city. With its multiple wildlife-viewing platforms, the preserve is known for diverse species sightings. Here, it’s even possible to see a bald eagle if you’re vigilant.
Once you scratch the surface of birds and their behaviors, you realize there’s a whole universe of information you don’t know anything about.
Birding Near Portland
These locales, just a short drive from Portland, offer even more opportunities to spot the birds on your list.
Sauvie Island Wildlife Area
With over 11,543 acres (4,672 ha) of state-owned habitat for wintering waterfowl, swans, herons, sandhill cranes, bald eagles and over 250 other species, the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area, located about 45 minutes’ drive from Portland, is a birder’s paradise.
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
If long-traveled migratory birds spark your interest, the 160-acre (65-hectare) Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is for you. Located on the Pacific Flyway — the route that migratory birds travel upon between Alaska and Patagonia — nearly 200 species of birds have been known to frequent this diverse habitat. This refuge, about a 30-minute drive from downtown Portland, is also home to the annual Tualatin River Bird Festival, a family-friendly event filled with educational activities and a showcase of live birds held in May.