Birders Paradise

Birds of Discovery Park

Did you know Discovery Park is visited by more bird species than any other park in Washington State? Nearly 300 different birds have been seen in the Park’s meadows, forests, and beaches.

Marcus Donner Copyright Pileated Woodpecker2 1000px

Woodpeckers

The striking Pileated Woodpecker (pictured) is the woodpecker you are likely to see walking the trails of Discovery Park. Downy woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers and Red-breasted sapsuckers also inhabit the park.

Owls

Barred Owls (pictured) are the most common owl seen in Discovery Park. Several families of Barred owls have raised chicks in the park in recent years. Other owls seen regularly include the American Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl. Less frequent sightings include Short-eared Owl, Snowy Owl and Northern Pygmy-Owl.

Eagles and Hawks

Bald Eagles are the breathtaking icon of Discovery Park. They are frequently seen and have nested near the park for many years. You many also see Red Tailed Hawks, Coopers Hawks, which nest in the park, Sharp-shinned hawks, American Goshawk, Northern Harrier, Broad-winged hawks, Swaison’s Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin and Peregrine Falcons.

Ravens

Ravens are a rare sight in Seattle but common to see or hear in Discovery Park. Twice as big as a crow, with large beaks, shaggy throat feathers and a distinctive deep gurgling croak. Ravens nest in Discovery.

Photo by Marcus Donner @ 2021

Killdeer At West Point Lighthouse at Discovery Park

Shorebirds

A wide variety of birds, including this Killdeer, can be seen on the beaches or in the water just offshore. A few birds you might see include Great Blue Herons, Osprey, Goldeneyes, Mergansers, to Plovers.

Photo by Kenneth Brown ©

Hummingbirds

The Anna’s Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird are the two most common you will see at Discovery Park.

Savannah Sparrow Discovery Park June 2025 Marcus Donner

Ground Nesting Birds

There are eight native species of birds that nest in or on the ground to raise their chicks in Discovery Park. Including the Savannah Sparrow (pictured), Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Song sparrows, Bewick’s Wren, Willow Flycatcher, Pacific Wren and Common Yellowthroat.

Keep dogs on leash to avoid flushing birds off their nests which can cause nest failure or the death of baby birds.

Pacific Flyway

The Pacific Flyway is the migratory route that hundreds of species and billions of birds use each year traveling between as far north as Alaska and as far south as Patagonia. Discovery Park is an important stop on this twice annual trek for migratory birds. A few examples below.

Rufous Hummingbird

MIGRATION LENGTH: 3000 miles

Some Rufous Hummingbirds migrate between Mexico and Discovery Park. Some continue on to British Columbia.

Osprey

MIGRATION LENGTH: Up to 3000 miles

Osprey nesting in Seattle to breed and raise their chicks migrate here in the spring from the west coast of Mexico and as far south as El Salvador. Osprey can been seen regularly fishing in the waters off of Discovery Park’s beaches.

Townsend’s Warbler

MIGRATION LENGTH: Medium to long distance

Some Townsend’s Warblers migrate from breeding grounds Vancouver Island to winter in Oregon and California. Others migrate from Alaska to as far south as Central America. Discovery Park is an important way point on their migration journey.

Western Tanager

MIGRATION LENGTH: Up to 3000 miles

Western Tanagers start to head south from breeding grounds in the Pacific Northwest in late July to September. They head to wintering grounds in Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico some 3000 miles away. In March and April they make their way back north.

Discovery Park is a great location to see these colorful birds.

Bird Lists

Printable PDF checklist of Birds of Discovery Park.

Illustrated list of the nearly 300 different birds have been seen in the Park’s meadows, forests, and beaches of Discovery Park.

Learn more about the Animals of Discovery Park.

“The greatest single attribute of this site is its natural beauty. In the development of this park the most important signal consideration must therefore be the preservation and enhancement of that beauty.”
– the Discovery Park Master Plan