Birdwatching in Oregon: The Top Locations for 2025
The beauty of birdwatching in Oregon needs no special foreword. The state’s stunning coastal cliffs, lush valleys, clear mountain lakes, and sprawling deserts serve as homes to an abundance of awe-inspiring bird species. And for those with the love of feathered friends in their hearts, knowing where to go is half the battle.1. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Located near Burns in the remote southeast corner of Oregon, the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is a birder’s paradise. This gem of a sanctuary is home to over 320 bird species. The auto-tour route is the best way to see the birds; you can stop at viewpoints like Buena Vista and P Ranch. Wit spring being the optimum season, don’t forget to pack your binoculars!2. Sauvie Island
Just 10 miles northwest of Downtown Portland, Sauvie Island offers exceptional birding opportunities. The Wapato Greenway State Park on the south end is an excellent spot for woodland birds. With the island’s easy accessibility, it’s perfect for an impromptu birding excursion where you can spot Sandhill cranes and Canvasback ducks.3. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Positioned on the edge of Newport, the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural area is full of marine birds. The highlight? The nesting colony of common murres on Yaquina Head, which is hard to miss. The nearby Oregon Coast Aquarium and Rouge Brewery make for great side trips.
4. Mount Hood National Forest
Mount Hood is where birders flock to see dusky grouse and white-headed woodpeckers. Housing over 140 species, it’s a veritable smorgasbord of the avian variety. Make sure to dress warmly for this alpine birding expedition!5. Steens Mountain
Steens Mountain’s rugged landscape is home to species like the sage grouse and chukar partridge that are rare elsewhere in the state. A stay at Frenchglen Hotel offers a welcome break from the wilderness and lets you savor the frontier spirit of Oregon.6. Silver Falls State Park
Just an hour east of Salem, this ‘crown jewel’ of Oregon State Parks is the place to find American dippers and winter wrens. A walk along the Trail of Ten Falls provides ample opportunity for birdwatching as well as waterfall gazing.7. Eastern Oregon’s Blue Mountains
In the remote Blue Mountains in Eastern Oregon, birdwatchers can spot unique species such as the flammulated owls and pine grosbeaks. A hike along the Summit Ridge trail in the summer months is sure to offer unforgettable birding experiences.8. Tillamook Bay
A visit to Tillamook Bay on the northern coast provides a wealth of birding opportunities. Year-round, birdwatchers can view a variety of shorebirds, herons, and eagles. For a local dining experience afterwards, the Tillamook Cheese Factory is a must-visit.9. Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
Sitting on the border with California, the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is a major Pacific Flyway stopover. The prime time to visit is during spring and fall migrations when millions of waterfowl take to the skies.10. Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is perfect for spotting raptors and waterfowl. And one of the annual highlights is the Vaux’s Swifts migration every September. Witness this spectacle at the Chapman School in Portland for an unforgettable birdwatching experience.Birdwatching in Oregon is indeed more than a hobby—it’s a way to appreciate the state’s exceptional natural beauty, to understand and participate in its unique ecology. The above-listed locations make for unforgettable bird spotting adventures and showcase why Oregon is one of 2025’s top birdwatching destinations. So grab those binoculars, pack a bird guide, and enjoy the finest birding Oregon has to offer!