Bird Watching at Mount Rainier National Park

Located in Washington State, Mount Rainier National Park is a prime habitat for numerous birds, wildlife, and vegetation. Located in southeast Pierce County and northeast Lewis County, the park was established in 1899 and was the fifth national park in the United States. It preserves 236,381 acres worth of wildlife that includes all of Mount Rainier, a 14,411-foot stratovolcano. The park’s biodiversity is structured at different elevations. The mountains rise abruptly and range from 1,600 feet to over 14,000 feet. Mount Rainier forms the highest point in the Cascade Range.
The landscape includes valleys, waterfalls, subalpine meadows, and 91,000 acres of old-growth forest. Over 25 glaciers surround the volcano, which is often hidden in raining or snowing clouds.

Major Attractions at Mount Rainier National Park

The Wonderland Trail wraps around Mount Rainier and is often covered by glaciers and snowfields, presenting a difficult journey for sports adventurers. Carbon Glacier and Emmons Glacier, some of the largest glaciers in the contiguous United States, both fall under the area of Mount Rainier. Mount Rainier is also a popular mountaineering peak for trekking, with almost 10,000 attempts per year.

The active volcano, Majestic Mount Rainier, is the highest peak in the Cascade Range and holds more glaciers than any other mountain in the United States. Yet, even though the park is just an hour’s drive from Seattle, the landscape shows minimal signs of urbanization and civilization. Instead, the environment is a combination of forests, parkland, wetlands, lakes, and rivers. Together, they offer 260 miles of trails and a wide variety of habitats to dozens of plant
and animal species.

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Bird Watching at Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park is home to several bird species, some being year-round residents and others flying by during migration or in specific seasons. The park hosts a rough estimate of 182 species distributed across the land depending upon different life zones that vary by elevation. For example, the endangered Northern Spotted Owl can be found in the lower elevations, hidden among the mature conifer forests. In contrast, other forest birds nest in the
branches of the mixed forests at the height of 3,500 to 5,000 feet. In the summers, concentrated bird populations can be found in the subalpine meadows, roughly 5,000 to 6,500 feet, thanks to the extensive resources like wildflowers, seeds, and insects. In this zone, Paradise and Sunrise are located, which attracts many birds.

10 Birds to See at Mount Rainer National Park

Barred Owl

Barred Owls are brown and white striped with brown eyes. They live throughout the southeast U.S. Their population has recently increased after a decline. Their habitat is in wooded swamps and woodlands. Barred Owls make the traditional “hoot” sound and are most active at night. They eat small mammals, flying squirrels, rabbits, and opossums. Barred Owls lay 2 to 3 eggs in the hollow part of a tree. They do not migrate.

Anna’s Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbirds have beautiful green feathers and pink throats. They live along the Pacific Coast of the United States. Their population is steady, and they are very common within their range. They make their homes in gardens and open wooded areas. Anna’s Hummingbirds are small birds and do not weigh more than a nickel! They have small legs and cannot hop or walk. These birds lay 2 small white eggs which hatch in 14 to 19 days. They migrate east to west in their range but are a permanent resident of the Pacific Coast.

Black-headed Grosbeak

Black-headed Grosbeaks have an orange-red body with a black head and black and white wings. They live throughout the western U.S. Black-headed Grosbeaks are common birds and not at risk of being endangered. They live in deciduous forests. They have a large bill used to crack open sunflower seeds. These birds also eat insects and berries. They lay 3 to 4 eggs and build their nests in trees or shrubs. Black-headed Grosbeaks migrate in late spring and then again in early fall.

California Quail

California Quails are large and round with a gray body and a head plume. The plume looks like one big feather, but is actually 6 feathers overlapping. You can find this Quail in California as well as the rest of the northwest U.S. As building in coastal areas has increased, the population of California Quail has declined. California Quail make their homes along woodland edges, in parks, and farms. They can be found roaming the ground looking for seeds and insects to eat. They lay 10 to 16 eggs and build their nests on the ground. These Quails do not migrate.

California Scrub-Jay

California Scrub-Jays have a deep blue body with a white and gray underbelly. They live along the Pacific Coast of the United States. Their population has increased in recent years and are not at risk of being endangered. California Scrub-Jays make their homes in oak woodland, scrubs, and in riverside woods. They enjoy sunflower seeds and peanuts and can be seen at bird feeders. They lay 3 to 5 eggs and build their nests low to the ground. California Scrub-Jays have a raspy call. They are permanent residents, but will travel within their range.

Calliope Hummingbird

Calliope Hummingbirds are small green birds with a white chest and a beautiful purple throat. They live in the northwestern mountains of North America. They are common and are not at risk of becoming endangered. These Hummingbirds make their homes in mountain canyons and forests. Calliope Hummingbirds are the smallest bird in North America. They rely on nectar and small flying insects for food. They lay 2 small white eggs and sometimes build their nests in the bottom of a pinecone! Calliope Hummingbirds migrate throughout the Rocky Mountain range.

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroats have a yellow body with a black face. They live throughout North America. There has been a decline in population, but they are still common in most areas. Their habitat is in swamps and marshes. Common Yellowthroats are vocal birds, singing to announce their arrival. They lay 3 to 5 eggs in a nest very low to the ground. Common Yellowthroats migrate mostly at night during both spring and fall.

European Starling

European Starlings are an all-black birds with short tails, a pointed bill, and triangular wings. In the winter, they are covered with white spots. They are the most numerous songbird throughout North America. European Starlings are not considered endangered. They live in parks, farms, and in open groves. These Starlings are sometimes viewed as aggressive as they run along the ground. They eat seeds, berries, and insects. On occasion, they will visit a bird feeder or flowers for nectar. They lay 4 to 6 eggs and will make their nests in odd places. European Starlings that reside in the north migrate south in the fall.

Lazuli Bunting

Lazuli Buntings are light blue with a white underbelly with a splash of orange. They also have black-tipped wings. Lazuli Buntings live throughout western North America. Their population is widespread, common, and stable. Many male Lazuli Buntings have their own specific songs. Lazuli Buntings make their homes in open brush and streamside shrubs. They eat mostly seeds and insects. They migrate early in the fall.

Purple Finch

Purple Finches are a purple-red color with light brown wings. They also have a large beak that they use to crack open seeds. Purple Finches live in eastern North America, with some on the Pacific Coast as well. There has been a decrease in Purple Finches in the northeast area, but the population overall is stable. They make their homes in woods or groves and in the suburbs. Purple Finches make a warbling sound but can often mimic other birds like Barn Swallows or Brown-headed Cowbirds. Purple Finches lay 4 to 5 eggs in a cup-shaped nest, usually 20 feet high in a tree. These finches are migratory birds, migrating in flocks by day.

Final Thoughts

Mount Rainier stands as an iconic symbol and as an icon of the Washington landscape. A lifetime of discovery is waiting in glacier-covered forested mountains with Thrushes, Chickadees, Kinglets, Clark’s Nutcracker, Ptarmigans, Grouses, Steller’s Jay, Gray Jay, Eagles, Grosbeaks, and Finches at Mount Rainier National Park.

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing birds at Mount Rainer National Park is the 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.