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More than 500 bird species have been observed in Washington State, and 389 of these species are threatened by our dynamically changing climate, including the Osprey, Short-earred Owl, Ruffed Grouse, Wood Duck, Red Knot, and Pygmy Nuthatch. The natural habitats that draw millions of breeding, migrating, and resting birds to Washington – the shorelines, estuaries and outer coasts, forests, shrub-steppe, and wetlands – include 75 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) including 14 Global Important Bird Areas.
Birds are crucial components of healthy natural systems, serving as pollinators, predators, scavengers, seed dispersers, and engineers in riparian, wetland, and coastal habitats. Birds are indicators of broader ecosystem function and environmental health because they respond rapidly to climatic and other changes, and are relatively easy to see and study. Birds and humans need the same things – clean air, water, and land – so the future health of birds and that of humans is inextricably linked.
Birds In Washington State
Washington's State Bird
The American Goldfinch
P.O. Box 443, Eatonville, WA 98328;
(360) 832-3440
The American Goldfinch was designated as the Washington State Bird in 1951. This beautiful golden bird is found throughout our state and is commonly seen in flocks in fields, bushes and trees.
Dandelions, sunflowers and especially thistles, are preferred food - hence the scientific name Carduelis, from the Latin carduus, a thistle.
The male American Goldfinch is characterized by his black cap and black wings. The female and young can be identified by the solid-color back and breast, stubby finch bill, wing bars, notched tail, whitish rump and roller-coaster flight. In autumn, the male takes on a grayish yellow color to resemble the female.
The song is long, high and sweet. Keep your eye out for our state bird!
For more information about the American Goldfinch, visit the and the .
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