Washington’s Cascade Range splits the state into two distinct birding zones - the wet, forested west side and the arid east side. The Olympic rainforests get Varied Thrushes, the mountain forests support Western Tanagers, and the eastern shrub-steppe and cottonwood corridors have Bullock’s Orioles.
Orange Birds Found in Washington
| Species | Orange feature | When to see | Habitat |
|---|
| Western Tanager | Orange-red head, yellow body (male) | Spring and summer | Coniferous and mixed forests |
| Bullock’s Oriole | Orange face, breast, and underparts (male) | Spring and summer | Cottonwoods, riparian areas |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Males bright copper-orange all over | Spring and summer | Forest edges, mountain meadows |
| Black-headed Grosbeak | Orange breast and belly (male) | Spring and summer | Forest edges, deciduous woods |
| Varied Thrush | Orange breast and eyebrow stripe | Year-round (western WA) | Dense coniferous forests |
| American Robin | Orange-red breast | Year-round | Lawns, parks, woodlands |
| Spotted Towhee | Rufous-orange flanks | Year-round | Dense brush, foothills |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch | Rusty-orange underparts | Year-round | Coniferous and mixed forests |
| Barn Swallow | Orange-buff underparts | Spring and summer | Open fields, near structures |
| Northern Flicker | Orange-red under wings (red-shafted) | Year-round | Open woodlands, suburbs |
| American Kestrel | Rusty-orange back and tail (male) | Year-round | Open country, grasslands |
Best Birding Spots
| Location | Best species |
|---|
| Olympic National Park | Rainforest birds, Varied Thrush, 300+ species |
| Nisqually NWR | Estuary migrants, waterfowl, songbirds |
| San Juan Islands | Seabirds, island species |
| Mt. Rainier National Park | High-altitude species, tanagers |
| Spokane River area | Eastern WA species, orioles |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | What to expect |
|---|
| Spring | Tanagers and orioles arrive May, Rufous Hummingbird migration |
| Summer | Breeding season, all orange species present |
| Autumn | Varied Thrush returns to lowlands, southbound migrants |
| Winter | Varied Thrush, nuthatches, flickers, kestrels |
The Varied Thrush is Washington’s signature orange bird - its haunting single-note call echoing through the Olympic rainforest is one of the most atmospheric sounds in North American birding. Eastern Washington’s dry side offers a completely different set of species centred on Bullock’s Orioles and Black-headed Grosbeaks.
