Birds to See in Washington in April
143 bird species on our list for Washington are recorded regularly in April
Of these, the most often recorded are American Robin, American Crow, Song Sparrow, Mallard and White-crowned Sparrow. New this month: Barn Swallow, Osprey, Common Yellowthroat and Least Sandpiper and 20 more.
On the move in April
GBIF · AprArriving
At their peak
From Washington’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 143 birds in April
143 birds
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 3.95% in Apr
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 3.20% in Apr
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 3.11% in Apr
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.34% in Apr
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.31% in Apr
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.20% in Apr
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.10% in Apr
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 2.04% in Apr
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.03% in Apr
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 2.03% in Apr
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentCommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 1.63% in Apr
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.58% in Apr
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusResidentCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.21% in Apr
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.20% in Apr
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.14% in Apr
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–May · 1.07% in Apr
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in Apr
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Apr
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.85% in Apr
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataSummer visitorCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Apr
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in Apr
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Apr
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in Apr
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in Apr
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.70% in Apr
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.69% in Apr
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Apr
Pacific WrenTroglodytes pacificusResidentCommon8–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Apr
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentCommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in Apr
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Apr
Turkey VultureCathartes auraSummer visitorCommon62–81 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.58% in Apr
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.58% in Apr
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Apr
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentCommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Apr
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorCommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Apr
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsResidentCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Apr
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentCommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Apr
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorCommon40–51 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.42% in Apr
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaResidentUncommon16–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Apr
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorCommon48–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Apr
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.39% in Apr
Varied ThrushIxoreus naeviusWinter visitorCommon20–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Apr
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Apr
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorCommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Apr
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.36% in Apr
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.35% in Apr
Red-breasted SapsuckerSphyrapicus ruberResidentUncommon19–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Apr
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentUncommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Apr
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorCommon53–76 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.29% in Apr
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaWinter visitorCommon15–19 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.26% in Apr
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisResidentCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Apr
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.24% in Apr
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentUncommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Apr
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.21% in Apr
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Apr
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraSummer visitorUncommon36–43 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.20% in Apr
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.20% in Apr
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Apr
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaSummer visitorUncommon17–20 cmRegularly Feb–Sep · 0.20% in Apr
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.18% in Apr
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusResidentUncommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Apr
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.18% in Apr
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Apr
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Apr
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaSummer visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.15% in Apr
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisResidentUncommon35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Apr
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriPassage migrantCommon14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.12% in Apr
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.12% in Apr
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.11% in Apr
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Apr
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaSummer visitorUncommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Apr
Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoidesSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.10% in Apr
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentUncommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorUncommon69–84 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.10% in Apr
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in Apr
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.09% in Apr
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisWinter visitorUncommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Pacific LoonGavia pacificaWinter visitorUncommon58–74 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusSummer visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.08% in Apr
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisSummer visitorUncommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.06% in Apr
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.06% in Apr
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusPassage migrantUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.06% in Apr
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusPassage migrantUncommon23–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Apr
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in Apr
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in Apr
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesPassage migrantUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusResidentRare41–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusResidentUncommon58–85 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.04% in Apr
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaWinter visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.04% in Apr
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in Apr
Red-naped SapsuckerSphyrapicus nuchalisSummer visitorUncommon19–21 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Apr
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.03% in Apr
ChukarAlectoris chukarResidentRare32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusWinter visitorUncommon120–150 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
Lewis's WoodpeckerMelanerpes lewisSummer visitorUncommon26–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisResidentUncommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopusWinter visitorUncommon46–59 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Apr
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Apr
White-headed WoodpeckerPicoides albolarvatusResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Northern Pygmy-owlGlaucidium gnomaResidentRare15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaSummer visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Red KnotCalidris canutusPassage migrantRare23–26 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.01% in Apr
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
WilletTringa semipalmataWinter visitorUncommon33–41 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Apr
Williamson's SapsuckerSphyrapicus thyroideusSummer visitorRare21–25 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.01% in Apr
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixResidentRare28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Western Screech-owlMegascops kennicottiiResidentRare19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentRare58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Acorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorusResidentRare20–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorRare21–24 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Apr
FulmarFulmarus glacialisSummer visitorUncommon45–50 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in Apr
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusWinter visitorRare17–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaSummer visitorRare19–25 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in Apr
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaWinter visitorRare37–41 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.01% in Apr
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataPassage migrantRare41–49 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.00% in Apr
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusWinter visitorRare15–16 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusSummer visitorRare21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Forster's TernSterna forsteriSummer visitorRare33–36 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataWinter visitorRare25–30 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusPassage migrantRare38–44 cmRegularly Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Ross's GooseAnser rossiiPassage migrantRare57–64 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
American Tree SparrowSpizelloides arboreaWinter visitorRare14–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorRare62–68 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulvaPassage migrantRare23–26 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.00% in Apr
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosWinter visitorRare21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSummer visitorRare30–38 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusSummer visitorRare86–230 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusPassage migrantRare34–44 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
Greylag GooseAnser anserWinter visitorRare75–90 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Apr
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made