Top 10 Candidates for PNW Bird of the Century

After John Oliver’s aggressive campaign for the Puteketeke to become New Zealand’s Bird of the Century, it seemed only right that I follow in his footsteps to elect my own Pacific Northwest Bird of the Century.

I may not go so far as to don a giant bird-suit on live television (like Oliver did on The Tonight Show), but I’ll happily offer up my own strong opinions of the little flying creatures we see around the Sound. So buckle up for the Top 10 Birds of the PNW, culminating in my pick for the PNW’s Bird of the Century.

Bald Eagle showing off (cue America song).

The Evergreen Echo

10. Bald Eagle

Coming in at No. 10 is an American classic: The much beloved Bald Eagle. While I can’t recommend bringing him up at Thanksgiving this year for the political debate that will swiftly ensue, I can commend his bravery for rocking a controversial hairstyle with grace and elegance. His unique call might not be the boldest, but he can definitely hit the high note in All I Want for Christmas, and for that reason, he is heralding in our list of the PNW’s best birds.

Red-winged Blackbird thinks their kingdom is everything the light touches.

The Evergreen Echo

9. Red-Winged Blackbird.

Next up we have the aggressive—but stunning—Red-Winged Blackbird. These little guys always seem to nest near signs that say “Danger! Red-Winged Blackbirds!” So, while they may be a little evil, at least they know how to read! Though they may swoop down to attack you when you get too close, from afar a Red-Winged Blackbird is quite a beauty. Is his red spot a warning? Definitely. But his pop of color also makes for one heck of a fashion statement.

8. Heron

Heron grabbing dinner.

The Evergreen Echo

There are a dozen kinds of Herons: Green ones, Blue ones, Grey ones, Great ones. What I like about Herons is their uncanny resemblance to a child’s drawing. Long noodle-y neck? Check. Big googly eyes? Check. Strange haircut? Double Check. Herons might be large and in-charge, looking very elegant standing at the edge of a lake, but they are also some of the silliest looking birds around.

7. Anna’s Hummingbird

Who is Anna and why does she have her own Hummingbird? Hard to say. But Anna’s Hummingbirds are gorgeous, with their bright throat patches and green overcoat. These are some of the most frequent fliers of a bird feeder and these little flying gemstones are so stinkin’ cute that I had to add them to the list.

Anna’s Hummingbird was almost too fast for this image capture. / The Evergreen Echo

6. American Crow

Could a bird list really be complete without the mention of a Crow? The Crow is one of our most common corvid pals, and they are often seen as a bad omen. But have you ever met a Crow that didn’t let out a cackle from time to time? While we can’t interpret their jokes, they must be good if that loud bellow of a laugh is any indication. I, for one, am looking forward to their next stand-up routine. Here’s one I heard from my local murder of Crows: What’s a Crow’s favorite drink? Caw-fee!

American Crow on a cherry blossom branch, judging us. / The Evergreen Echo

5. Purple Martins

Purple Martins in a heated debate about their poles.

The Evergreen Echo

When you hear a name like “Purple Martin,” you just know you’re in for a real good bird, and these flying blueberries really live up to their name. Not only do they have a bright tuft of purple feathers, but they also look undeniably like they should be named Martin. They’re giving old man tells the kids to get off his lawn, and that’s why they’re bringing in the top half of our bird list. We love you, Martin, and your purple coat, even when you scream in the wee hours of the morning.

4. Pigeons

Local pigeon unsure how they ended up on this post.

The Evergreen Echo

Pigeons are the royalty of downtown Seattle and beyond. While you may think of Pigeons as pests, you can’t deny that they are some beautiful birds, with their bright patch of iridescent neck feathers and that iconic blue-gray color! The sweet coo of a Pigeon is enough to put anyone at ease. If my afternoon was spent hanging out on telephone wires and eating bagel crumbs, I’d be in a good mood too. Is this writer biased because he once wrote a research paper about Pigeons and their humble beginnings? Definitely not. And that’s why they’re at number 4.

3. American Coot

Ah, the humble American Coot. If this was a ranking of bird names, the Coot would take the cake. I adore their beaks and their spooky red eyes, but most of all, I love their ability to eat just so much algae. We tip our hats to you, American Coot, for keeping our lakes from being overrun with green, squishy algae.

American Coot: Moisturized. Thriving. Unbothered. / The Evergreen Echo

2. Treecreeper

Treecreeper busy in a tree. / The Evergreen Echo

Despite their name, Treecreepers are NOT creepy. In fact, they’re quite cute and don’t seem to mind being around humans much. Their curvy beak is great for picking at bugs, and they’re only about 12-18cm long (for my Americans: that’s, like…really small), and their adorableness to size ratio is off the charts. If I could pick one up and give it a little squish, I would do it, no questions asked.

Honorable Mention: Cock-of-the-Rock.

Cock-of-the-Rock would very much appreciate compliments.

The Evergreen Echo

Sadly, this orange fellow is not native to our beloved PNW, but you can catch him at the Woodland Park Zoo, hence the mere honorable mention. Still, I couldn’t let a bird list go by without alerting you to the presence of these incredible fellows. Cock-of-the-Rocks are some of the silliest little guys I’ve ever seen with a great name to boot, and while he might be a much-dreaded Seattle Transplant, you really can’t help but love his amazing orange pompadour.

1. Cormorant

Oh, beloved Cormorant, how I adore thee. The Cormorant is a tried-and-true PNW resident. He enjoys the water, suns himself when the clouds finally break, and knows to keep his head down while on public transit. The Cormorant is often overlooked as just simple waterfowl, but they are truly an incredible species. They are fantastic divers and come in several varieties, including the pygmy Cormorant, which is just as cute as you might imagine. If seen in water, you might think the Cormorant is a long-lost sibling to the Lochness Monster, but underneath is a well-tempered seabird. Photogenic, kind, and serene, these birds are model citizens (bird-izens?), and that’s why they are my pick for the PNW’s Bird of the Century.

PNW Bird of the Century Candidate: Cormorant! / The Evergreen Echo

As we conclude our list of Parker’s Favorite Birds—I mean, uh, the PNW’s Bird of the Century—let us remember that nature is an artist. From the littlest of birds to the largest of whales, the our region is home to millions of incredible creatures and breathtaking landscapes. One of the best things we can do for nature is remember why we love it and why we should take care of it. While your Bird of the Century pick may be different from mine, I know we can all agree that our avian friends are worth fighting for—even if we might not campaign as hard as John Oliver did for the Puteketeke.