Backyard bird feeders aren't really critical to the survival of our feathered friends, but they do give us a chance to see wildlife up-close. Attracting birds to our yards with food and water lets us observe the many varieties of bird species found in Oregon. Goldfinches and house finches are common birds in Oregon, and are fun to watch as they swoop onto the feeders in flocks. The goldfinch male has a black cap, but the female and isn't as colorful as the male.
Finches have strong beaks and can easily break seeds open.
The jay and starling are the bullies of the feeders. They are aggressive birds and will scare other birds away. Mourning doves are also common in Oregon. They are related to the domestic pigeon and look very similar to them. When they fly, the wings of a mourning dove whistle.