Camp Polk Meadow Preserve is a birding hot spot! More than 180 different species can be seen in the Preserve’s wetlands, open meadows, pine forest, or streamside corridors. Here are some fun facts about fifteen birds you might see at the Preserve, or you can view our full Camp Polk Meadow Preserve bird list.
One of the most commonly seen birds! This red-breasted beauty lives in cities, farms, and open woodlands. It eats fruits and insects, and appears to “listen” to the ground when stalking earthworms!
Length: 9-16"
Most commonly seen: Year-round
Large, noisy jay; mostly black with iridescent blue-green on back and wings. Found in open woodlands, prairie, and along streams. Eats berries, insects, carrion, and eggs. Can take up to 40 hours to build their nests
Length: 17.5-22"
Most commonly seen: Year-round
Tiny, bright green hummingbird with bright purple throat. Found in meadows, canyons, and along streams. Feeds on flower nectar and insects. Smallest long-distance migrant in the world!
Length: 2.75-3.25"
Most commonly seen: March-May
This species with striking plumage migrates irregularly: choosing to stay in northern coniferous forests year-round, or migrate far south if northern cone crops are poor. In the West, these birds migrate to lower elevations in winter.
Length: 7.75-8.5"
Most commonly seen: August-May
Large, dark-brown/grey-brown owl with distinctive ear tufts. Found in forested areas. Hunts small mammals at night and eats them whole. This predator flies silently and will occasionally eat other owls.
Length: 18-25"
Most commonly seen: Year-round
Tiny and vocal, this bird sings its name, “chicka- dee-dee-dee!” You are likely to find them flocked up with pygmy nuthatches and ruby-crowned kinglets, flittering in evergreens, gleaning insects and small seeds
Length: 5-6"
Most commonly seen: Year-round
Flickers are woodpeckers that make themselves known! If their beauty doesn’t grab you, their drumming on a stove pipe or sharp piercing call will. Look high and low as they also spend time foraging on the ground.
Length: 12.75-14"
Most commonly seen: Year-round
Male red-winged blackbirds are bright, iconic, and raucous dwellers of ponds and stream sides. Their female counterparts however, are brown, streaky, and shy. Identifying them can be tricky!
Length: 7.5-9.5"
Most commonly seen: March-November
The distinctive coloring of this bird highlights its presence when singing from the tops of shrubs during the breeding season. This same plumage also helps it blend into the leaf litter when scratching for insects on the ground.
Length: 7-7.5"
Most commonly seen: March-November
Detection of this bird calls for patience and a good ear! Rails have striped plumage that helps them disappear in dense wetland plants. They are weak fliers, but strong legs help them run on floating vegetation.
Length: 9-10"
Most commonly seen: March-November
Bluebirds are cavity nesters, raising their young in holes in trees. Many bird species compete for limited cavities. If you have a bluebird box, make sure non-native starlings haven’t moved in!
Length: 7-7.75"
Most commonly seen: March-May
These distinctive birds are declining in Oregon. They use mature ponderosa pines for foraging and snags for nesting. Since these pines are in short supply, we’ve created more at Camp Polk.
Length: 8.3-9.1"
Most commonly seen: Year-round
These large birds are non-native and were introduced to Oregon in the 1960’s for hunting. Look for turkeys flocked up, leisurely crossing the road between the Preserve and neighboring yards!
Length: 37-46"
Most commonly seen: March-November
One of the smallest warblers, this migratory species usually nests on or close to the ground. Look for them in the willows and alders, flicking their short tail. Their distinctive black cap is a helpful identifier.
Length: 3.9-4.75"
Most commonly seen: March-May, August-November
Most warbler species eat insects, but these strikingly colored warblers are able to digest wax-coated berries. This adaptation allows them to winter further north than other species.
Length: 4.7-5.5"
Most commonly seen: March-November
Learn more:
- Join the Land Trust for a guided walk or hike and see what's flying!
- Learn more about using binoculars to watch birds.
- Check out our bird lists for Camp Polk Meadow Preserve, Indian Ford Meadow Preserve, and Metolius Preserve.