Tanagers, Buntings, and Grosbeaks of Columbia County, Oregon

The Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting, and Black-headed Grosbeak are members of the Cardinal family. These are medium-sized, often colorful birds with strong thick bills for eating seeds. The Evening Grosbeak is part of the True Finch family but is similar in appearance to the Black-headed Grosbeak.

male western tanager northwest oregon columbia county
Western Tanager (male) – Bright yellow with orangish-red head and black wings with yellow and white wingbars. Thicker than warblers. Found in coniferous and mixed woods. (photo © Noah Strycker)
female western tanager northwest oregon columbia county
Western Tanager (female) – Generally yellowish, wings are dark with yellow and white wingbars. Large conical bill. In our area from May to September. (photo © Patty Teague)
Lazuli Bunting (male) – Males blue with a buff chest patch. Distinguished from bluebirds by their heavy bill and white/dark wingbars. Found in shrubby habitat edges in forest. (photo © Phil Kahler)
lazuli bunting female northwest oregon columbia county
Lazuli Bunting (female) – Females grayish-brown with buff breast and light grayish belly. Same short thick bill as males. These birds only visit our area in summer. (photo © nmrvelj)
black-headed grosbeak male northwest oregon columbia county
Black-headed Grosbeak (male) – Cinnamon body with black head and back and black-and-white wings. Distinctly heavy bill. Found in forests, parks, andgardens. (photo © nmrvelj)
black-headed grosbeak female northwest oregon columbia county
Black-headed Grosbeak (female) – Head and wings dark brown with white streaks. Breast buff. Bill notably thick. Basically a May to August resident here. (photo © Brodie Cass Talbott)
Evening Grosbeak male northwest oregon columbia county
Evening Grosbeak (male) – Males are black and yellow with a big white wing patch. In the finch family yet have a large heavy bill for seed eating. Found in forest. (photo © Patty Teague)
Evening Grosbeak female northwest oregon columbia county
Evening Grosbeak (female) – Gray with yellowish tint to neck and black/white wings. Huge bill is distinctive. Seen year-round in our county but not common. (photo © Patty Teague)

The Indigo Bunting is also seen in our county on very rare occasions.

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