15 Blue Birds in Washington
A simple field guide to the blue (and almost blue) birds you can actually find in the Evergreen State
Washington is a great place to look for blue birds in Washington. Rainforests, sagebrush hills, rocky coastlines, wet marshes. All of it packed into one state, and each habitat has its own blue stars.
Quick heads up before we start. Some birds on this list are properly blue, like the bluebirds and Steller’s Jay. Others only look blue when the light hits them right. Swallows and ducks do this a lot. It’s called structural color, and it’s totally normal, so don’t feel bad if a bird looks black one second and electric blue the next.
Also, range matters. A bird that’s common in eastern Washington might be rare west of the Cascades, and the other way around. I’ll point that out as we go instead of pretending every bird is everywhere.
Steller’s Jay – The Dark Blue Local
If you live in western Washington, you’ve probably met this one already. Steller’s Jay is deep blue with a black head and a tall, messy crest. Hard to miss.
It lives in evergreen forests and often shows up at backyard feeders. Peanuts in the shell get it every time. It stays all year, which makes it probably the most dependable truly blue bird in the Cascades and Olympics. Loud, bold, a little pushy.
California Scrub-Jay – The Newcomer
Blue head, wings and tail, with a gray-brown back and a pale belly. A thin blue “necklace” runs across the white throat.
In Washington it’s uncommon and mostly seen in the southwest and parts of the Puget Sound lowlands. It’s been slowly spreading north, so sightings keep growing. Look for it in yards and parks, usually alone or in pairs. It stays year-round and eats acorns, seeds, and insects. Don’t mix it up with Steller’s Jay. No crest on the scrub-jay.
Western Bluebird – Blue with an Orange Vest
Males have a rich blue head, back, and wings, plus a rusty orange chest. Females are duller, with a grayer look and just a blue tint in the wings and tail.
They like open woodlands, oak and pine country, farm edges, and prairies. You’ll find them in parts of eastern Washington and in some lowland spots in western Washington too. Some stick around in winter, others move to milder areas. They hunt bugs from a perch, then drop down to grab them. Nest boxes help them a lot. Birders in other states have seen the same pattern, like in this Utah bluebird guide.
Mountain Bluebird – Pure Sky Blue
It’s the kind of bird that makes people pull over just to get a better look. Males are sky blue from head to tail with a paler belly. No orange at all. Females are gray-brown with blue only on the wings and tail.
Look for them east of the Cascades, in open sagebrush, meadows, and high country. They hover over the grass hunting insects, which is a fun thing to watch. Most are summer breeders, though some hang around lower elevations in winter if the weather allows it.
Lazuli Bunting – The Turquoise Surprise
A small bird with a bright turquoise head and back, an orange band across the breast, and a white belly. Two white wing bars finish the look. Females are plain brown, and honestly easy to overlook.
They show up around May and leave by early fall. Look on brushy hillsides and along streams, mostly in eastern and central Washington. Males sing from the top of a bush. Follow the song and you’ll usually find him. If you like buntings, there’s more in this Texas blue birds roundup.
Tree Swallow – Shiny Blue-Green Flyer
Clean white underneath, glossy blue-green on top. In shade it can look dark, then flash bright in the sun.
Tree Swallows arrive early, often March, and stay through summer. They love open areas near water, like wetlands, lakes, and fields. Put up a nest box and they’ll find it. Some winter in the milder parts of western Washington.
Violet-green Swallow – Green, Purple, Blue (Kind Of)
Similar to the Tree Swallow, but with white cheeks that wrap up above the eye and white patches on the sides of the rump. The back shines green and violet, so it’s not truly blue, but people often count it. Fair enough.
They nest in tree cavities and boxes, and you’ll see them over forests, cliffs, and towns from spring through summer. Check the face and rump if you’re stuck choosing between the two.
Barn Swallow – Steel Blue with a Long Tail
Dark steel-blue back, rusty orange throat, and a deeply forked tail. Easy to pick out once you know the tail trick.
They’re summer birds, arriving in spring and leaving by early fall. Look under bridges, around barns, and over open fields. They build cup-shaped mud nests and eat insects mid-air. Safe bet in almost any rural spot in Washington.
Cliff Swallow – The Mud Nest Builder
Blue-black back, pale orange rump, a pale patch on the forehead, and a square tail. That orange rump is the giveaway when it flies away from you.
They nest in colonies, building gourd-shaped mud nests under bridges, cliffs, and eaves. Summer only. If you see hundreds of tiny mud bottles stuck under an overpass, that’s them. A similar story shows up in this Tennessee blue bird article, where swallows also share the stage.
Harlequin Duck – Slate Blue and Hard to Forget
A small, stocky duck in slate blue, with chestnut sides and crisp white stripes and spots. It looks painted.
In summer it nests along fast mountain rivers, including parts of the Cascades and Olympics. In winter it moves to rocky shorelines, like Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. It’s not common anywhere, so patience pays off. Scan rocks near waves.
Blue-winged Teal – Blue Is Hidden
Here’s the catch. The blue patch on the wing often stays hidden until the bird flies or stretches. Males are brownish gray with a white crescent on the face.
It’s a late spring arrival and an early fall leaver. Check shallow marshes and ponds, mostly in the eastern half of the state, though migrants pop up elsewhere.
Cinnamon Teal – Red Duck, Blue Wing
The male is a deep cinnamon red, which isn’t blue at all. But it carries the same blue wing patch as the Blue-winged Teal, which is why it makes this list. Females of both species look almost identical, and even experienced birders argue about them.
It likes small marshes and wetland edges, and it’s mostly a spring through fall bird, with a few staying in milder western lowlands in winter.
Wood Duck – The Fancy One
Males wear a glossy green-blue head with a swept-back crest, red eyes, and a chestnut chest. Ridiculous, in a good way. Females are gray-brown with a white eye patch.
They live in wooded wetlands, slow streams, and ponds, and they nest in tree cavities or boxes. Present in much of Washington year-round, especially in lowland areas. Walk quietly near a quiet pond and you may flush one.
Bufflehead – Tiny Duck, Big Shine
Our smallest diving duck. Males have a big white patch on a dark head that flashes green and purple in the sun, so the head may look blue or violet depending on the angle.
Mostly a winter bird, from fall through early spring, on lakes, bays, and sheltered coastal waters. A small number breed in parts of northern Washington. Watch for it diving, then popping up like a cork.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Purple-Blue Gloss
Males are black and white with a white crescent on the face and a head that glosses purple-blue. They look a lot like the Common Goldeneye, but the crescent shape and steeper forehead tell them apart.
Many spend winter on Puget Sound and coastal waters. Others stay on mountain lakes in the Cascades and the northeast, where they nest in tree cavities. If you’re into diving ducks, this species page is worth a quick read.
Quick tip: Binoculars make a huge difference. Many “blue” birds only show the color in good light, so if a bird looks dull, change your angle.
Where to Look in Washington
You can find wild blue birds in Washington in lots of places, but a few spots are really worth the trip.
Western side: Nisqually and Ridgefield refuges are great for ducks, swallows, and jays. Discovery Park in Seattle and the Skagit Valley are good too. Deception Pass is a classic for Harlequin Ducks in winter.
Eastern side: Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge near Spokane is excellent for bluebirds, teal, and swallows. The Okanogan and Methow areas are great for Mountain Bluebirds and Lazuli Buntings. Learn more about the refuge on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service page.
For up-to-date sightings, check eBird, and for local events and conservation news, see Audubon Washington. Rules and wildlife area info can be found at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Want to compare with farther north? Both of these are good reads: 7 blue birds in North Dakota and 15 blue birds in North Dakota.
Easy Ways to Attract Blue Birds at Home
Put up a proper nest box with a 1.5-inch entrance hole for bluebirds, in an open spot. Swallows like boxes near water or open fields. Keep a shallow birdbath filled, and skip pesticides, since insects are the main food for most birds on this list. Steller’s Jays and scrub-jays will happily take peanuts. Clean boxes after nesting season. That’s about it.
Different region, same idea. This Illinois blue birds guide has more backyard ideas that work almost anywhere.
Blue Birds in Washington: Your Questions Answered
What is the most common blue bird in Washington?
It depends on the season and where you are. West of the Cascades, Steller’s Jay is the most seen truly blue bird year-round. In summer, Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows are everywhere over fields and water. In eastern Washington, Western and Mountain Bluebirds are the favorites, though neither is as common as the swallows.
Are there any bright blue birds in Washington that visit backyard feeders?
Yes. Steller’s Jays are the most regular visitors, and they love peanuts and sunflower seeds. California Scrub-Jays visit too in the southwest and Puget Sound areas. Bluebirds rarely eat seed, but they may visit mealworm feeders or nest boxes. Lazuli Buntings sometimes show up at feeders with small seed in summer.
What is the difference between a Western Bluebird and a Mountain Bluebird?
Color is the quick answer. A male Western Bluebird has an orange chest and flanks. A male Mountain Bluebird is all sky blue with a paler belly and no orange. Habitat helps too. Mountain Bluebirds prefer wide open sagebrush and high meadows, while Western Bluebirds like open woodlands and oak or pine edges.
Do blue birds stay in Washington all year, or do most migrate south for winter?
Mixed. Steller’s Jay, California Scrub-Jay, and Wood Duck are mostly year-round. Swallows, Lazuli Buntings, and the teals leave for winter. Bluebirds are partial: some move to lower or milder areas, and some stay if food is available. Harlequin Ducks, Buffleheads, and many Barrow’s Goldeneyes actually arrive for winter.
Where are you most likely to spot blue birds in Washington State?
Pick the habitat first. Forests and yards in the west for jays, wetlands and refuges for ducks and swallows, sagebrush and open country in the east for bluebirds and buntings, and rocky saltwater shores in winter for Harlequin Ducks. Turnbull and Nisqually are good starting points.
Final Thoughts
Washington has a lot more blue than most people expect. Some of it is real feather blue, and some is just light playing tricks. Either way, it’s worth getting outside with a pair of binoculars and a bit of patience.
If you enjoyed this guide, head over to Savemite for more bird guides, naming ideas, and helpful articles. Happy birding!