Red, Orange, & Yellow Birds of Washington

Last Updated on January 10, 2024 by Greg Gillson

Did you see a brightly-colored red bird, orange bird, or yellow bird in Washington State and wonder what is was?

This page is for you!

This article shows you photos and identification of some of the most common birds in Washington based on color.

The list of birds found in Washington includes over 510 species. So, I can’t show you all of them. I’m going to assume that you saw a common bird of this color, but you certainly could have seen something less common, or even rare!

Shape (including the shape of the bill) and size are often more helpful in starting to identify a bird than the color. In fact, most birds in North American can be easily identified with a black-and-white photo!

Many birds are multi-colored, so that it may be hard to pick out a dominant color. Males and females may be colored quite differently. And some color patterns are similar among otherwise dissimilar species.

Nevertheless, I’m going to try to pick out some of the birds that you are most likely to see in backyards or towns. And I’ll show a few others that I get asked about a lot.

The birds with a noticeable amount of red on them in Washington covered in this article are:

• Anna’s Hummingbird
• Purple Finch
• House Finch
• Red-breasted Sapsucker
• Red Crossbill

The birds with a noticeable amount of orange on them in Washington covered in this article are:

• American Kestrel
• Spotted Towhee
• Northern Flicker
• Red-breasted Nuthatch
• Chestnut-backed Chickadee
• Varied Thrush
• Rufous Hummingbird
• Cinnamon Teal
• Barn Swallow
• Bullock’s Oriole
• Black-headed Grosbeak

The birds with a noticeable amount of yellow on them, including lots of yellow and black birds, in Washington covered in this article are:

• Pine Siskin
• Cedar Waxwing
• American Goldfinch
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Evening Grosbeak
• Western Meadowlark
• Yellow-breasted Chat
• Common Yellowthroat
• MacGillivray’s Warbler
• Yellow Warbler
• Western Kingbird
• Western Tanager
• Townsend’s Warbler
• Pacific-slope Flycatcher
• Wilson’s Warbler
• Nashville Warbler

Red birds of Washington

Birds get the red, orange, and yellow in their feathers from carotenoids in the fruit, seeds, and plants they eat (source). 

These carotenoid colors combine with melanin to form an infinite range of red feathers–pink, rusty, scarlet, violet, red-orange.

The following are red birds that you are most likely to see in Washington.

Anna’s Hummingbird

These are larger hummingbirds with red heads that don’t migrate. 

These are big green hummingbirds. Adult males have the entire head red–forecrown and throat, actually. The color of the iridescent feathers is amethyst, a bright reddish purple color, tending towards pink. 

Young males have just a spot of red on the center of the throat.

Females lack red, but often show a spot of iridescent green feathers on the center of the white throat. The upper breast is gray. The lower belly and flanks have a greenish tinge. Many other western hummingbird species have cinnamon color under the tail.

They are common in flower gardens and hummingbird feeders year-round.

Anna’s Hummingbirds are year-round residents in western Washington, year-round residents in lowlands of eastern Washington. 

Purple Finch

Forest finches of the foothills, delicately frosted in pinkish-red.

Male Purple Finch. Greg Gillson.

Told from more common House Finch by bigger square or peaked head, bigger bill, lacks sharp striping below, deeply notched tail. Red covers all plumage. 

Females lack red color, shows strongly patterned dark ear patch outlined all around with a pale stripe, is heavily streaked below.

Found in foothills and damp mountains conifers and mixed woods. Visit feeders, but less frequently than House Finches.

Purple Finches are year-round residents in western Washington.

House Finch

When people ask about a bird with a red head at their feeder, it is usually this bird.

Male House Finch. Greg Gillson.

Males of this dusty brown striped finch have red limited to the head (specifically the forehead and eyebrow), breast (chest), and rump. The red coloration tends toward orangish, and may rarely be yellowish.

Females are streaked, similar to the males but without red. They lack any strong pattern on the face and head.

Note the small round head and curved upper ridge on the bill.

Some people call these red-headed sparrows. Sparrows and finches are similar, but in general, male finches are brighter than the females and tend to hang out more in trees. Sparrow genders are usually quite similar in coloration and tend to feed mostly on the ground. 

These birds are common in residential areas, especially at bird feeders. In the West more widespread in arid regions near water.

House Finches are year-round residents in all but northeastern Washington. 

Red-breasted Sapsucker

If you see a “red-headed woodpecker” in the West, it is likely this common species.

Red-breasted Sapsucker. Greg Gillson.

The red covers the entire head and upper breast. Northern populations are deeper red; those in California paler, often with white line down neck from bill. The bold white wedge in the wing is typical of all sapsuckers.

They live in mixed woods and mountain forests. Visit orchards, parks in winter.

Red-breasted Sapsuckers are year-round residents in western Washington, summer residents in eastern Cascades.

Red Crossbill

These red finches use their uniquely crossed bills to pry seeds from cones.

Red Crossbill. Greg Gillson.

Males are deep red with blackish wings and forked tail. 

Females more yellowish-green.

Always found in conifers, frequently in the mountains. Much variation in bill size. Smaller-billed populations feed on small spruce and fir cones. Larger-billed populations feed on large hard pine cones.

Red Crossbills are year-round residents throughout Washington.

Orange birds of Washington

True orange-colored birds are not that common. Many birds that I have here are paler rusty.

The common pattern is an orange body and black or brown wings and tail. Another common pattern is for the orange to be restricted to the under parts.

The following are orange birds that you are most likely to see in Washington.

American Kestrel

These are the familiar small rusty-orange falcons sitting on power lines on the edge of the highway, or hunting and hovering over the median strip.

 

Females are rusty orange barred with black on their back wings and tail. The under parts are buff with black spots. The head shows two facial stripes.

Males have blue-gray backs and rufous tail is unmarked except for black tail band.

These birds are found in open country, farms, pastures with perches.

American Kestrels are year-round residents throughout Washington.

Spotted Towhee

These big sparrows with red sides superficially resemble the coloration of robins. 

Spotted Towhee. Greg Gillson.

These birds have dark hoods and upper parts with rusty rufous-red sides and white bellies. They have white spots over their wings, shoulders, and on their tail corners. The upper parts of the males are jet black, females dark brown. Some populations have paler orange sides.

These are somewhat shy birds that hide in the dense brush and spend most of their time on the ground. They visit feeders during quiet periods.

Spotted Towhees are year-round residents throughout most of Washington, summer residents only in northeastern Washington. 

Northern Flicker

These unusual woodpeckers with orange under wings are just as likely to be found hopping on your lawn eating ants as they are to be calling from a dead tree top.

Northern Flicker. Greg Gillson.

Where is the orange color? 

Wait for it…

Northern Flicker. Greg Gillson.

The shafts and undersides of the wing and tail feathers are a salmon orange color. A large white rump patch also attracts attention as these birds fly away.

Northern Flickers live in open woods, residential areas. Sometimes visit feeders in winter.

Northern Flickers are year-round residents throughout Washington, summer residents only in high mountains. 

Red-breasted Nuthatch

These active little red-breasted birds crawls all around on the trunk and big branches of conifers. They search crevices in the bark for insect food.

Red-breasted Nuthatch. Greg Gillson.

These tiny birds have blue-gray backs and a black line through a white face. Some males can have quite bright rusty red under parts. Some females can have quite pale buff-colored under parts. Most birds show an orange-cinnamon breast color.

Found nearly exclusively in conifers. Readily come to feeders.

Red-breasted Nuthatches are year-round residents throughout most of Washington, winter visitors only in southeastern Washington. 

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

These chickadees show brownish-orange coloration on the body.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Greg Gillson.

These small birds are gray with white face, black bib, and brown cap. They show a chestnut-brown back. 

Birds in the north show brown-orange sides, which birds in the San Francisco area lack.

They are found in coniferous and mixed woods, often in foothills. Readily visit feeders.

Chestnut-backed Chickadees are year-round residents in western Washington, locally in mountains of far eastern Washington.

Varied Thrush

These birds of deep damp forests look like orange-breasted robins with black chest bands.

Varied Thrush. Greg Gillson.

These birds have slate upper parts and orange under parts. They have orange eyebrow stripe back from the eye, orange wing bars. They show a black band crossing the chest.

Females are somewhat paler than males.

These birds are found in the under story and fern-covered floor of deep wet conifer forests. Visit backyards when snow forces them down from the hills in winter.

Varied Thrushes are year-round residents in western and extreme northeastern Washington, primarily winter visitors only in most of eastern Washington.

Rufous Hummingbird

These are the common widespread hummingbirds of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. These orange birds don’t like to share the hummingbird feeder–frequent chases are the norm.

Males are all-over rusty orange, tending to pinker cinnamon on the under parts. Even the back and rump and base of the tail feathers are orange. Males have a bright red throat gorget when the sunlight catches it just right.

Females are green above, with a small green or red spot in the center of the white throat. Flanks and sides cinnamon. Tail base orange.

These birds are found in forest edges, yards, in all but the highest mountains.

Rufous Hummingbirds are summer residents throughout Washington.

Cinnamon Teal

What an unusually colored brownish-orange duck!

Male Cinnamon Teal. Greg Gillson.

Males are dark cinnamon orange. The wing patches are blue, green, and white. The eye is red. 

Females are more mottled brown with matching wing patches.

These birds are found in ponds and grass-lined ditches.

Cinnamon Teals are summer residents in all but westernmost Washington, where they are primarily spring and fall migrants only.

Barn Swallow

These orange-bellied birds are a familiar sight across North America in summer.

Barn Swallow. Greg Gillson.

These birds are purple-blue above with orange under parts and long forked tails. The color of the underparts in winter or on females are often cinnamon or buff-colored, but breeding males can be brighter orange-red.

These birds swoop low over fields and wetlands at lower elevations. They may build their mud nests in rafters on porches, garages, or other out-buildings.

Barn Swallows are summer residents throughout Washington. 

Bullock’s Oriole

These bright orange and black birds are often seen in tall trees.

Male Bullock’s Oriole. Greg Gillson.

The males of this species are very bright orange. The back and top of the heads are black. The black wings have large white wing patches. The tail is black with orange sides. The face is orange with a black line through the eye and a black throat.

Females and young are gray with yellow head and breast and tail.

These birds are more common in drier inland regions along watercourses in tall cottonwoods or shade trees. Rarely come to feeders for fruit or nectar in spring.

Bullock’s Orioles are summer residents throughout eastern Washington, local in the valleys of western Washington.

Black-headed Grosbeak

If you didn’t look closely at these big-billed birds, you might mistake these orange-breasted songsters for American Robins–their coloration and song are very similar!

Male Black-headed Grosbeak. Greg Gillson.

Males have black and white wings and tail. Huge bill. The under parts are burnt orange, fading to yellow-orange mid-belly. 

Females and first year birds have a striped heads and are brown above, pale buff or butterscotch-orange below. 

These birds are found in deciduous or mixed woods. Visit bird feeders.

Black-headed Grosbeaks are summer residents throughout Washington.

Yellow birds of Washington

Yellow is a common bird color! Often it is mixed with black and white plumage in birds.

Many birds with darker upper parts have yellow breast or belly.

The following are yellow birds you are most likely to see in Washington.

Pine Siskin

These small brown-streaked birds are relatives of the goldfinches. But you would never know it until they fly and sport yellow wing stripes and tail base. Usually in flocks.

Pine Siskin. Greg Gillson.

These birds are streaked brown. In flight they have a yellow stripe down the length of the wing. The sides of the base of the tail is also yellow. Some birds are paler, some darker, others brighter yellow, others duller.

These birds are found in summer in northern conifer woods. Irregularly irrupt hundreds of miles southward. Frequent at feeders.

Pine Siskins are year-round residents throughout most of Washington, winter visitors only in southeastern Washington.

Cedar Waxwing

These crested birds with yellow band on the end of the tail are often found in flocks. They eat flying insects in summer, fruit and berries the rest of the year.

Cedar Waxwing. Greg Gillson.

These birds are fawn-brown above, with dark gray wings and tail. They have a black mask and wispy crest. The belly is yellow. The wings have waxy red drops on the end of the tertials. The end of the tail has a brilliant yellow tail band.

They are found in open habitats with berries, including juniper woodlands and towns in winter.

Cedar Waxwings are year-round residents throughout Washington.

American Goldfinch

These small little birds are bright yellow and black.

American Goldfinch. Greg Gillson.

Males are bright lemon yellow with black and white wings and tail, black cap. White under tail coverts. Pink bill.

Females are duller yellow below and brownish above. Lack black cap.

Winter birds are pale brown or gray, a touch of yellow on the throat of males.

These are birds of open country, fields with saplings, clear cuts, residential areas. They avoid dense forests, mountains, deserts. They visit feeders.

American Goldfinches are year-round residents throughout most of Washington, summer residents only in extreme northwestern Washington. 

Yellow-rumped Warbler

These are abundant warblers across North America. Affectionately called “butter butts” by many birders, because of their bright yellow rumps that flash in flight.

Male Audubon’s Yellow-rumped Warbler. Greg Gillson.

Western form (Audubon’s) with bright yellow throat and yellow rump. Large white wing patch.

Northern and Eastern form (Myrtle) with white throat, yellow rump, and two white wing bars.

Winter birds are dull gray brown, with bright yellow rump. Throat may be cream colored or white. Often difficult to tell the two forms apart in winter.

Winter Yellow-rumped Warbler. Greg Gillson.

Breed in mountain or boreal conifers. Widespread in migration. Winter in low river bottoms, open weedy deciduous areas. Rarely come to feeders in winter.

Yellow-rumped Warblers are year-round residents in western Washington, summer residents only in Cascades and high mountains in northern and northeastern Washington, spring and fall migrants only in central and southeastern Washington. 

Evening Grosbeak

These large yellow northern finches are usually found in flocks.

Evening Grosbeaks. Greg Gillson.

Males are brilliant yellow, with black and white wings. Dusky brown head with bold yellow eyebrow. Huge thick yellow-green bill. White wing patches in flight.

Females are grayer with yellow hind collar, black and white wings. Huge yellow-green bill.

These are birds of northern conifer forests. They often descend to the lowlands in spring to eat seeds of maples, elms.

Evening Grosbeaks are year-round residents in western and northern Washington, winter visitors only in central and southeastern Washington.

Western Meadowlark

These are streaky camouflaged prairie birds from above or from behind. But from the front, the breast is shocking yellow!

Western Meadowlark. Greg Gillson.

They are streaked brown, black, and gray on the upper parts. The underparts are golden yellow with a black necklace crossing the upper breast. Much paler yellow in fall and winter, as the yellow feathers are tipped with white and streaked with brown.

These are birds of pastures and grasslands and arid regions.

Western Meadowlarks are year-round residents throughout most of Washington, summer residents only in northeastern Washington.

Yellow-breasted Chat

These unique larger yellow birds may sing day and night, and include whistles and crow-like cawing, often given in a display flight.

Yellow-breasted Chat. Greg Gillson.

These birds are greenish above with bright yellow breast and white belly. They have a dark mask bordered with white.

These birds live in tangles and wet woods.

Yellow-breasted Chats are summer residents in eastern Washington.

Common Yellowthroat

These buttery yellow birds are abundant in the marsh vegetation.

Male Common Yellowthroat. Greg Gillson.

These skulkers have bright yellow throats and yellow undertail coverts. Males have a black domino mask edged broadly in white, which females lack. Upperparts are dull olive-green.

Immature males in fall show a shadowed black mask.

Found in damp situations and heavy deciduous brambles following clear cuts.

Common Yellowthroats are summer residents throughout Washington.

MacGillivray’s Warbler

These are yellow-bellied birds of brushy clear cuts.

MacGillivray’s Warbler. Greg Gillson.

These ground-loving birds have gray hoods with white eye arcs. Rest of upper parts green. Breast, belly, under tail bright yellow.

Females have slightly paler gray hood, but are otherwise similar to males.

These birds love brushy clear cuts, tangles, thick cover. They stay low.

MacGillivray’s Warblers are summer residents throughout most of Washington, spring and fall migrants only in southeastern Washington.

Yellow Warbler

The golden yellow sun packed all into one little bird! Appears to be an all-yellow bird.

Yellow Warbler. Greg Gillson.

Some populations are bright yellow, some tend toward greenish on upper parts, some more golden. Yellow internal tail corners in flight.

Males with red breast streaking, again, variable by population.

Females somewhat to much paler yellow, some greenish, some whitish. Lack red streaks.

These birds are found in willow thickets on the edge of wetlands and ditches, stream sides in arid regions.

Yellow Warblers are summer residents throughout Washington.

Western Kingbird

These yellow-bellied birds of the prairies often perch on power lines and fence lines.

Western Kingbird. Greg Gillson.

These birds are pale gray on the head and breast. Brown wings. The belly is lemon yellow. Black tail has white outer tail feathers, especially obvious in flight.

These are birds of prairies, deserts, pastures, often near water.

Western Kingbirds are summer residents throughout the eastern 2/3 of Washington.

Western Tanager

Numbers of these bright black and yellow birds may show up overnight in backyards in spring migration. Then they disappear the next night.

Western Tanager. Greg Gillson.

Males are brilliant golden yellow with black back, wings, and tail, and a red or orange face. Swollen yellow bill.

Females are more green or gray, with darker wings and tail. Lack red face.

They are found in a variety of wooded habitats, usually conifers or mixed conifer woods, and residential areas with large trees, including mature conifers. Usually don’t visit feeders.

Western Tanagers are summer residents throughout most of Washington, absent in the Olympic Mountains of coastal northwestern Washington. 

Townsend’s Warbler

What beautiful woodland birds–yellow with striking black patterns on the head and face!

Male Townsend’s Warbler. Greg Gillson.

These little birds have yellow face and breast. Black crown, ear patch. Black throat on male, lacking on female. Back is green. Wings gray with two wide white wing bars. Show dark gray tail with white outer tail feathers in flight.

Breeds in conifer mountain forests. Winters in lowlands, oaks and conifers, residential trees.

Townsend’s Warblers are summer residents of the Cascades and mountains of northern Washington, winter visitors in western Washington, spring and fall migrants only in central and southeastern Washington.

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

These yellow-bellied birds are members of the notoriously difficult-to-identify Empidonax flycatchers. All such members sport eye rings and wing bars. Best told by voice on breeding grounds.

Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Greg Gillson.

Olive-green above with yellow bellies. Yellow tear-drop shaped eye ring. Orange under side to entire bill.

These birds live in damp forests of the West. They like alder understory in Douglas Fir forests, riparian ash and willow.

Pacific-slope Flycatchers are summer residents in western Washington, primarily spring and fall migrants only in eastern Washington. A few are summer residents in mountain ravines of extreme northeastern and southeastern Washington.

Wilson’s Warbler

These bright yellow birds are very common, both on their summer territories and in migration.

Male Wilson’s Warbler. Greg Gillson.

These birds are bright yellow in the West, more greenish above in the East. Only males have the black cap.

Both genders have a beady black eye in the middle of the yellow face.

These birds live in damp understory, tangles, willows.

Wilson’s Warblers are summer residents throughout western Washington, local summer residents in damp mountain meadows in parts of eastern Washington, but primarily only spring and fall migrants in eastern Washington.

Nashville Warbler

These birds with the bright yellow underparts do a good job of hiding!

Nashville Warbler. Greg Gillson.

These birds are gray above. The throat and breast and under tail coverts are bright lemon yellow. The belly is white. They have a complete white eye ring.

Females are just a bit paler than males.

These birds are found in re-growing clear cuts, and understory brush in open woods.

Nashville Warblers are summer residents in the Cascades and also mountains in extreme northern, northeastern, and southeastern Washington, spring and fall migrants only in central and most of eastern Washington.

Wrapping Up

There are many other colorful birds of Washington. Here are some of my favorites:

Washington state boasts a diverse array of colorful birds, adding a vibrant touch to its stunning landscapes. Here are a few of the most captivating avian beauties you might encounter:

• Steller’s Jay: A bold and inquisitive resident of coniferous forests, this striking blue jay sports a black crest and a white bib, contrasting beautifully against its bright turquoise body.
• American Robin: A familiar backyard visitor, the robin’s cheerful song and cheerful red breast bring a touch of warmth to any scene.
   
• Summer Tanager: A flash of crimson in the summer woods, this elegant songbird is adorned with a fiery red body, black wings, and a white wing bar.
• Black-throated Gray Warbler: This dainty songbird flits through the treetops, its black throat contrasting with its olive-green back, bright yellow breast, and two white wing bars.
   
• Common Merganser: A striking aquatic resident, this duck features a glossy black head, green crest, white breast, and orange feet, making a splash on lakes and rivers.
   

These are just a few of the many colorful birds that grace Washington state. With its diverse habitats, from alpine meadows to coastal cliffs, the state offers a haven for avian beauty, waiting to be discovered. So grab your binoculars and head outdoors, you might just spot a feathered jewel hiding amongst the trees!

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of birds are red headed in Washington state?

While Western Tanagers are found throughout Washington state, they prefer specific habitats. Here are some places where you’re likely to spot these vibrant birds:

• Eastern Washington: Look for Western Tanagers in open coniferous forests, particularly those dominated by Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. Some good areas to check include the Okanogan Highlands, the Blue Mountains, and the Colville National Forest.
• Western Washington: In western Washington, Western Tanagers favor coniferous forests with breaks in the canopy, such as clear-cuts or forest edges. You can find them in places like the Mount Rainier National Park, the Olympic National Forest, and the Skagit Valley.
• Puget Trough lowlands: During migration, Western Tanagers can be found in the lowlands of the Puget Trough, including areas around Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia. Keep an eye out for them in parks, woodlands, and even your own backyard.

What kind of bird in Washington is mostly orange?

Only one species of oriole is regularly found in Washington state: the Bullock’s Oriole. This vibrant beauty brings a flash of orange and black to the state’s landscapes, particularly during the summer months.

Here’s some more information about Bullock’s Orioles in Washington:

Where to find them:

• East of the Cascades: They are most common in lowland streamside habitats and orchards, especially east of the Cascade Mountains. They favor wooded areas near water such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
• West of the Cascades: While less common, they can also be found in some areas west of the Cascades, particularly in open woodlands and parks.

What are the bright yellow birds in Washington state?

 

Related Articles:

See photos and learn about the most common backyard birds in Washington, regardless of color.

See photos and learn what to feed winter birds in Washington.

Here’s a quick tutorial of how I would teach you to identify birds: 7 Steps to Identify Birds!

Birds with red heads in North America.

Yellow-and-black birds in North America.

Little Brown Birds at your Feeder.