Birds of Washington

North America is home to 22 woodpecker species, all belonging to the Picadae family, and 19 owl species from 2 different families. The following list includes the 13 woodpecker and 15 owl species that may be found living in Washington State at various points throughout the year.

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Owls of Washington State

Woodpeckers of Washington State

Barn Owl
Description: Medium-size; buff-colored, heart-shaped facial disk
Habitat: Agricultural areas, grasslands and shrub-steppe
Found in Washington: Throughout state; year-round
Washington Range Map

Barred Owl
Description: Medium-size; brown with a streaked breast
Habitat: Coniferous and mixed forests
Found in Washington: Western Washington and the Cascades; year-round
Washington Range Map

Boreal Owl
Description: Small; brown, large head
Habitat: Subalpine forests
Found in Washington: Blue Mountains Cascades, and Okanogan Highlands; year-round
Washington Range Map

Burrowing Owl
Description: Small; brown with long, unfeathered legs and flat head
Habitat: Agricultural areas, grasslands and shrub-steppe
Found in Washington: Eastern shrub-steppe zone; Mid-March to August
Washington Range Map

Flammulated Owl
Description: Small; reddish-gray
Habitat: Older-growth Ponderosa Pine forests
Found in Washington: East Cascades and Okanogan Highlands; late-May to August
Washington Range Map

Great Gray Owl
Description: Large; Gray with black and white markings on throat
Habitat: Mature coniferous forests near wetlands
Found in Washington: Okanogan Highlands, Kettle Range and Blue Mountains; year-round
Washington Range Map

Great Horned Owl
Description: Large; Distinctive ear tufts and bold yellow eyes
Habitat: Adaptable to most environments
Found in Washington: Throughout the state; year-round
Washington Range Map

Long-Eared Owl
Description: Medium-sized; brownish-gray with long ear-tufts
Habitat: Shrub-steppe and open stands of Ponderosa Pine
Found in Washington: Most common in eastern and southern parts of the state; year-round
Washington Range Map

Northern Hawk Owl
Description: Medium-sized: brown with long tail
Habitat: Open coniferous forests, particularly in burns
Found in Washington: Northern Washington, east of the Cascades
Washington Range Map

Northern Pygmy Owl
Description: Small; grayish or reddish brown with long tail
Habitat: Coniferous and mixed woodlands
Found in Washington: Year-round
Washington Range Map

Northern Saw-whet Owl
Description: Small; chestnut-brown with white markings
Habitat: All forest types
Found in Washington: Coniferous forests throughout the state; year-round
Washington Range Map

Northern Spotted Owl
Description: Medium-sized; brown with spotted breast
Habitat: Mature forests
Found in Washington: Throughout the state in low-mid range elevations
Washington Range Map

Short-eared Owl
Description: Medium-sized; long-winged
Habitat: Open terrain
Found in Washington: Grasslands, agricultural areas, coastal sites and Vancouver lowlands
Washington Range Map

Snowy Owl
Description: Large; long-winged white owl
Habitat: Open terrain
Found in Washington: Coastal regions in Western Washington and open areas in Eastern Washington, Infrequent from November – March
Washington Range Map

Western Screech Owl
Description: Small; gray, brown, or reddish eared owl with yellow eyes
Habitat: Woodlands
Found in Washington: Throughout the state
Washington Range Map

American Three-toed Woodpecker
Description: Medium-size; black and white back, black wings, white chest, yellow crown (males)
Habitat: Old-growth spruce forests, particularly where there has been fire or disease outbreak
Found in Washington: Cascades, Okanogan, Blue Mountains; year-round
Washington Range Map

Acorn Woodpecker
Description: Medium-size; black back and chest, white belly, red crown
Habitat: Oak trees
Found in Washington: Primarily in Klickitat County; year-round, rare sightings elsewhere
Washington Range Map

Black-backed Woodpecker
Description: Medium-size; solid black back and chest, black and white wings, yellow crown patches (males)
Habitat: Old-growth coniferous forests, particularly where fire or disease have recently occurred
Found in Washington: Cascades, Okanogan, Blue Mountains; year-round
Washington Range Map

Downy Woodpecker
Description: Small; white chest and upper back, black and white wings, tail, lower back
Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests
Found in Washington: Throughout state; year-round
Washington Range Map

Hairy Woodpecker
Description: Medium-size; white chest and upper back, black and white wings, tail, lower back
Habitat: Mature coniferous forests
Found in Washington: Throughout state; year-round
Washington Range Map

Lewis's Woodpecker
Description: Large; green back, pink chest, red and black face
Habitat: Open ponderosa pine forests (usually with mature oak, cottonwood or burned trees as a component)
Found in Washington: East Cascades, Okanogan, Blue Mountains; primarily April – October, although sometimes in winter
Washington Range Map

Northern Flicker
Description: Large; brown body, black tail and chest, white rump
Habitat: Coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests
Found in Washington: Throughout state; year-round
Washington Range Map

Pileated Woodpecker
Description: Large; black body, black and white face, red crest
Habitat: Mature coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests
Found in Washington: Mature forested areas year-round
Washington Range Map

Red-breasted Sapsucker
Description: Medium-size; black and white back, wings, tail, red head, chest
Habitat: Coniferous and mixed forests
Found in Washington: Olympic Peninsula, Cascades; year-round
Washington Range Map

Red-naped Sapsucker
Description: Medium-size; black and white back, wings, tail, red and black head
Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests
Found in Washington: Cascades, Okanogan, Blue Mountains, Columbia Plateau; April – September
Washington Range Map

White-headed Woodpecker
Description: Medium-size; black body, white head, red crown (males)
Habitat: Ponderosa pine forests
Found in Washington: East Cascades, Okanogan, Blue Mountains; year-round
Washington Range Map

Williamson's Sapsucker
Description: Medium-size; yellow belly, black chest, black and white head, red throat (male)
Habitat: Coniferous forests
Found in Washington: East Cascades, Okanogan, Blue Mountains (March – October)
Washington Range Map

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Description: Medium-size; black and white back, wings, tail, yellow belly, red head
Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests
Found in Washington: Sightings are rare but increasing in Washington State
Washington Range Map

Sources: BirdWeb, Seattle Audubon Society and The Owl and the Woodpecker, by Paul Bannick