What Birds Are in My Backyard in Washington State?

If you live in Washington State and you’re curious about the backyard birds in Washington state visiting your feeders, you’re in for a treat. The Pacific Northwest is one of the most bird-rich regions in the entire country, with lush forests, coastal wetlands, river valleys, and mountain ranges all providing habitat for an incredible diversity of species. Whether you live in Seattle, Spokane, Olympia, or anywhere in between, your backyard is likely visited by more birds than you realize.

This guide covers the most common backyard birds in Washington State, what to feed them, and how to attract more of them to your yard — no matter where in the state you live.

Washington State’s Unique Bird Habitats

Washington is a tale of two climates. West of the Cascades, you have the mild, rainy Pacific coast and dense evergreen forests — prime habitat for species like Steller’s Jay, Spotted Towhee, and Anna’s Hummingbird. East of the Cascades, the drier shrub-steppe and open ponderosa pine forests attract different species like Western Meadowlarks, White-breasted Nuthatches, and Black-billed Magpies.

What makes Washington especially exciting for backyard birders is that many species found here are unique to the western United States and simply can’t be spotted in most other parts of the country.

15 Common Backyard Birds in Washington State

Here are the birds most likely to visit feeders and yards throughout Washington State:

1. Steller’s Jay

Washington’s iconic Pacific Northwest corvid, the Steller’s Jay is bold, loud, and unmistakable with its black crest and deep blue body. These intelligent birds love peanuts, sunflower seeds, and corn. They’re confident at feeders and not shy about chasing off smaller birds.

2. Dark-eyed Junco

The “snowbird” of North American backyards, Dark-eyed Juncos are common year-round in Washington and flock to yards in winter in even greater numbers. They prefer foraging on the ground and love millet and sunflower chips sprinkled on a platform feeder or directly on the ground.

3. Black-capped Chickadee

One of the friendliest and most recognizable birds at any feeder, the Black-capped Chickadee is a year-round resident throughout Washington. They eagerly visit tube feeders stocked with black oil sunflower seed and can even be hand-trained over time.

4. American Goldfinch

Bright yellow in summer and olive-drab in winter, American Goldfinches are common across Washington state. They’re especially fond of nyjer (thistle) seed and will flock to finch feeders in large numbers during migration.

5. Pine Siskin

Often overlooked because of their streaky brown coloration, Pine Siskins are a Pacific Northwest specialty. They travel in flocks, love nyjer and black oil sunflower seed, and can appear at your feeder in enormous numbers during irruption years.

6. House Finch

The red-headed House Finch is one of the most common feeder birds across Washington. Males sport rosy-red coloring on their head and breast, while females are brown and streaked. They love sunflower seeds and will visit virtually any feeder type.

7. Red-breasted Nuthatch

Nuthatches are endearing little birds that creep head-first down tree trunks. The Red-breasted Nuthatch — with its rusty belly and black eye stripe — is more common in Washington than its white-breasted cousin and is especially attracted to suet and sunflower seed feeders near conifers.

8. Spotted Towhee

A dashing bird with black upperparts, white spots, rufous sides, and a striking red eye, the Spotted Towhee is found throughout Washington in brushy areas. They prefer foraging on the ground and respond well to platform feeders with mixed seed.

9. Song Sparrow

One of the most widespread and frequently heard birds in North America, the Song Sparrow is abundant across Washington year-round. They forage on the ground below feeders and love millet, cracked corn, and sunflower chips.

10. Bewick’s Wren

A common resident west of the Cascades, the Bewick’s Wren is a lively, long-tailed wren with a loud and complex song. They’re not big feeder visitors but are often attracted to brushy yards with suet feeders and fresh water.

11. Downy Woodpecker

The smallest woodpecker in North America is also one of the most common backyard visitors in Washington. Downy Woodpeckers love suet feeders and will also take black oil sunflower seeds from tube feeders.

12. Anna’s Hummingbird

Unlike most hummingbirds that migrate south in winter, Anna’s Hummingbird is a year-round resident west of the Cascades in Washington. Keep your nectar feeders up all winter — these little jewels are one of the Pacific Northwest’s greatest backyard delights.

13. American Robin

Though not typically a feeder bird, American Robins are constant backyard visitors, hunting earthworms on lawns and eating fruit from trees and shrubs. They’re drawn to bird baths and yards with berry-producing plants.

14. Cedar Waxwing

Sleek, masked, and beautiful, Cedar Waxwings travel in flocks and descend on yards with fruiting trees like crabapple, holly, and mountain ash. They’re not feeder birds, but planting native berry shrubs will reliably attract them.

15. White-crowned Sparrow

A boldly striped sparrow common in Washington during migration and winter, White-crowned Sparrows love millet and sunflower chips scattered on the ground or in platform feeders.

What to Feed Washington State Backyard Birds

Understanding what to offer is just as important as knowing who to expect. Here’s what the most common Washington backyard birds want to eat:

• Black oil sunflower seed — the universal crowd-pleaser; loved by chickadees, finches, nuthatches, and juncos
• Nyjer (thistle) seed — essential for attracting American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins; requires a specialized finch feeder
• Suet cakes — attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and even wrens, especially in colder months
• Mixed seed blends — great for platform feeders to attract towhees, sparrows, and juncos
• Peanuts — irresistible to Steller’s Jays and nuthatches
• Hummingbird nectar — keep it fresh year-round for Anna’s Hummingbirds

Not sure which seed is right for the birds you want to attract? Check out our guide to The Difference Between Bird Seed Types Explained for a full breakdown.

A finch-specific feeder like the Kingsyard Metal Mesh Finch Feeder for Nyjer/Thistle ($21.99) is a must-have in any Washington backyard. Pine Siskins and goldfinches will flock to it, especially in fall and winter.

For a versatile all-around feeder that works for chickadees, finches, and house finches, the Squirrel Proof Metal Mesh Tube Bird Feeder ($33.19) is a solid choice — it’s chew-proof and weather-resistant, which matters in Washington’s wet climate.

Find YOUR Backyard Birds with Our Free Zip Code Tool

Washington State is huge, and the birds in Seattle look very different from the birds in Walla Walla or the Palouse. The species list above represents common birds statewide, but your local birds depend on your specific habitat, elevation, and region.

That’s exactly why we built our free Backyard Bird Zip Code Lookup Tool. Enter your zip code and get a personalized list of birds likely to visit your yard based on your exact location in Washington State — no birding experience required.

Setting Up Your Washington State Backyard Feeder Station

Once you know which birds to expect, the next step is making your yard irresistible to them. Washington’s rainy climate means feeder placement and weatherproofing matter more here than in most states.

Tips for Washington backyard birding success:

• Hang feeders under a roof or use feeders with built-in weather guards to keep seed dry
• Position feeders 10–15 feet from trees or shrubs — close enough for birds to retreat to safety, far enough to reduce squirrel jumps
• Use a pole system or shepherd’s hook for easy repositioning
• Keep a clean birdbath with fresh water year-round — birds need water for drinking and bathing even in rain
• Add a suet feeder near tree trunks to attract woodpeckers and nuthatches in their natural foraging zone

If you’re just getting started, our complete guide to How to Set Up a Bird Feeding Station for Beginners walks you through everything step by step.

Need help identifying unfamiliar birds at your feeder? Our Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Backyard Birds has you covered with tips, tricks, and field marks to watch for.

Our Top Feeder Recommendations for Washington State

Here are our top picks for attracting the widest variety of Pacific Northwest backyard birds:

• 🐦 Kingsyard Metal Hopper Bird Feeder, 4 lb Capacity ($19.99) — great all-purpose feeder for sunflower seed; weather-resistant and squirrel-resistant
• 🌿 Kingsyard Heavy Duty Platform Bird Feeder ($19.99) — perfect for juncos, sparrows, and towhees that prefer to feed at a flat surface
• 🪝 Kingsyard 85-Inch Bird Feeding Station Kit ($27.99) — a sturdy pole system to hang multiple feeders and create a full backyard bird buffet

Frequently Asked Questions: Backyard Birds in Washington State

What is the most common backyard bird in Washington State?

The Black-capped Chickadee is arguably the most frequently seen and beloved backyard bird throughout Washington. It’s present year-round in virtually every part of the state and will visit almost any feeder offering black oil sunflower seed. The House Finch and Dark-eyed Junco are close runners-up in terms of feeder frequency.

Do hummingbirds live in Washington State year-round?

Yes — but only west of the Cascades. Anna’s Hummingbirds are year-round residents in western Washington, including the Seattle and Puget Sound region. They can survive cold winters and will visit nectar feeders even on freezing mornings. East of the Cascades, hummingbirds (mainly Rufous and Calliope) are seasonal summer visitors only.

What birds are unique to the Pacific Northwest?

Washington is home to several birds you won’t find in most other parts of the US. Steller’s Jay is the classic Pacific Northwest corvid. Varied Thrush — a stunning orange-and-black robin relative — is a winter visitor to western Washington backyards. Spotted Towhee and Bewick’s Wren are also primarily western species with strong Washington populations.

When is the best time to see backyard birds in Washington State?

Year-round birding is excellent in Washington, but fall and winter (October through February) often bring the highest feeder activity. Resident birds are joined by winter visitors like Pine Siskins, White-crowned Sparrows, and varied thrushes. Spring (April–May) brings migrants passing through, and summer adds breeding activity to yards with dense shrubs and trees.

What type of bird feeder is best for Washington State birds?

Given Washington’s wet climate, feeders with weather guards, sealed hoppers, or metal mesh construction are ideal — they keep seed dry and mold-free. A combination of a tube feeder for sunflower seeds, a nyjer/finch feeder, a platform feeder for ground-feeding species, and a suet feeder will attract the broadest range of Washington backyard birds.