Osprey | Harry Collins | Audubon Photography Awards 

As the Seattle Seahawks head to the Super Bowl, excitement is rippling across the region. Even though there is no bird actually called a Seahawk, the most similar raptor in the Seattle region is the Osprey. Ospreys are a familiar sight throughout the Puget Sound region during the breeding and nesting season (late March through September). They often nest on tall structures such as snags, platforms, utility poles, and channel markers, frequently returning to the same nest site year after year.

Seahawks Football, Pixabay

Ospreys are highly specialized raptors built almost entirely for catching fish. Unlike many birds of prey that eat a varied diet, Ospreys rely almost exclusively on fish for food.

Key adaptations include:

• Rough, spiny foot pads that help grip slippery fish

• Reversible outer toes, allowing two toes to face forward and two backward for a stronger hold

• Long, curved talons designed specifically for grasping prey

These adaptations make Ospreys one of the most efficient fishing birds in North America.

Osprey | Jim Verhagen | Audubon Photography Awards

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has been mentioned as a birder, a fun reminder that an interest in birds shows up in all kinds of places. From professional athletes to casual backyard observers, birds connect people across backgrounds and interests. Whether you are watching an osprey dive for fish, following migration news, or just noticing the birds outside your window, there are countless ways birds are woven into daily life and into our community.

NextGen Council | Seattle Christmas Bird Count

The 2025 Seattle Christmas Bird Count took place on December 14 and delivered another strong year of data, community participation, and insight into bird populations across the region. Thank you to everyone who contributed their time and observations to this long-standing citizen science effort. This year’s count recorded 130 bird species, slightly above the 10-year average of 127 species. Observers also tallied 54,086 individual birds, making 2025 the second-highest bird total of the past decade and more than 1,000 birds higher than last year’s count.

The 2025 Seattle Christmas Bird Count was powered by an impressive 322 participants, including:

• 281 observers in the field

• 46 at-home counters

With more than 300 participants, this marks only the third time in over 100 years that the Seattle CBC has reached this level of engagement.

For detailed species accounts, trends, and analysis, explore the full 2025 Christmas Bird Count report, compiled and written by longtime data compiler Matt Bartels.

Read the full report here.

Explore Feathers, Fossils, and Flight, our hands-on exhibit uncovering how the first birds took to the sky. See feathers, fossils, skeletons, and a life-size Archaeopteryx reproduction up close—then decide for yourself: could the earliest birds truly fly?

Perfect for bird enthusiasts, families, students, and anyone curious about natural history, Feathers, Fossils, and Flight blends science, discovery, and hands-on learning. You’ll leave with a new appreciation for how feathers, bones, and evolutionary innovation shaped the birds we see today. 

Plan your visit and experience Feathers, Fossils, and Flight in person.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Holiday Open House on December 6. This annual community event brought together birders, families, and supporters from across Seattle for an afternoon filled with connection, learning, and appreciation for the birds we love.

John the Falconer | Ian Jan

The atmosphere was buzzing as guests enjoyed conservation-minded holiday shopping, sampled bird-friendly coffee from Cloud City Coffee, and took photos with John the Falconer’s live birds. Experiences like this deepen our community’s understanding of bird conservation in Seattle and inspire people to take action.

Holiday Open House | Sharon Wada

Most of all, it was wonderful to see our community laughing, sharing stories, and celebrating together. Events like this remind us why Birds Connect Seattle thrives, because of people who care about birds, habitat, and each other.

Holiday Open House | Ian Jan

If you’re looking for upcoming Seattle birding events, classes, speaker events, volunteer opportunities, field trips, or other community programs, be sure to visit our Birds Connect Seattle event calendar to see what’s coming up next.

Seasonal Chalkboard Sign | Birds Connect Seattle

Looking for the perfect gift for the bird lover in your life? Whether you’re shopping for a backyard birder, a city naturalist, or someone who simply loves wildlife, our Birds Connect Seattle 2025 Gift Guide features the favorite items of our Staff and Volunteers.

Every purchase supports our mission to advocate and organize for cities where people and birds thrive.

Retail Manager Mechio Hardeman recommends the pigeon stress ball by Borb: “This adorable plush toy is the perfect desk companion and his round, weighed base makes him perfect for tossing around and squeezing.” It’s a fun, comforting gift for anyone who could use a little bird-inspired cheer at their workspace. Also perfect for all the pigeon lovers out there.

For the perfect pigeon-themed gift, pair this super cute (and satisfying to squish) pigeon stress ball with other popular items like the pigeon earings or pigeon hair clip.

Volunteer Dave loves our Bird is a Verb hat, sharing: “The slogan on this hat is one-of-a-kind and perfect for a day out birding. Also, I recommend everyone install collision deterrents on their windows to help protect birds this holiday season, and all year long.” It’s a thoughtful gift that pairs style with a reminder to keep birds safe.

Executive Director Claire Catania thinks there’s nothing more frustrating than seeing a cool bird and not having binoculars on you! Treat yourself (or a loved one) to a pocket-sized binocular and you’ll never have to worry about missing out on a rarity that whizzes by unexpectedly. After all, as Claire says, “I’m never NOT birding.” Claire recommends the Nikon Prostaff 8X25 binoculars as her own “purse pair” that also serves double-duty in her kiddos’ small hands when they’re out birding together.

Retail Associate Charlie Yanny says, “If you’re looking for a fun bird themed gift for the holidays you definitely won’t wanna pass up the Jabebo Studio earrings. I love how each pair of asymmetrical highlights a different aspect of one of our local birds. Along with each pair is made of recycled cereal box paperboard helping to reduce waste. They’re a steal at only 14.95$!”

Retail Assoicate Kelly Metcalfe’s pick will help make your home birdy and festive this season. “We have the cutest selection of bird ornaments in the shop right now! The wooden ones are made by local artist Laurel Mundy and they’re a great way to bring a little PNW beauty to your holiday set up.”

For an extra amount of fun and whimsy, try Program Associate Sarah Hankins’ recommendation of our rubber chicken hair claw clip. Sarah says, “I love the rubber chicken claw clip, it is silly and whimsical and also very effective!”

No matter who you’re shopping for, choosing a gift from Birds Connect Seattle is a simple way to support birds and the people who care for them. Every purchase helps fund community science, urban conservation, and educational programs that connect more people to the birds around them. We hope this staff and volunteer curated gift guide inspires your holiday giving and brings joy—and more birds—into the lives of the people you love. Shop with purpose, support conservation, and celebrate the season with gifts that make a difference.

Anna’s Hummingbird | Kevin Rees | Audubon Photography Awards 

If you’ve ever watched a chickadee dart in for a sunflower seed or a hummingbird hover at your feeder, you’ve experienced one of the simplest joys of connecting with nature. Feeding birds is one of the most popular ways people engage with wildlife. But as bird populations face global decline, many are asking: Is feeding birds helping or harming them?

The truth is nuanced. Decades of research show that feeding birds has mixed impacts. Some of these impacts are positive, some negative, and many depend on the species, location, and timing.

Black-capped Chickadee | Kelli Westfal | Audubon Photography Awards

On the positive side, birds with access to feeders often show better health, stronger body condition, and improved breeding success. Feeder-watching also fuels large-scale community science projects like Project FeederWatch, which has expanded our understanding of bird ecology across North America.

Yet, there are risks. Disease transmission increases when birds congregate at feeders, and improper feeder hygiene can spread illnesses such as salmonellosis or conjunctivitis. Feeders can also increase the risk of a bird-window collision and attract predators or rodents. In some cases, feeding may even shift migration patterns or change which species dominate a local ecosystem.

In short: feeding changes bird behavior and ecology in complex ways.

House Sparrow and European Starling | Bevi Chagnon | Audubon Photography Awards

The Impacts You Don’t See: Where Bird Seed Comes From

Feeding doesn’t just affect the birds in your backyard. Many popular feed ingredients, like sunflower seeds and corn, are grown using neonicotinoid pesticides (insecticides that are highly toxic to pollinators) and chemical bird deterrents that harm wild bird populations far from our homes. These chemicals are linked to declines in insect-eating bird species because they decimate their natural food sources. Choosing pesticide-free or ethically grown bird seed is one way we can help reduce this impact.

Dark-eyed Junco | Dori Eldridge | Audubon Photography Awards

Why We Still Feed: Connection and Conservation

Despite the complexity, feeding birds remains one of the most accessible and enjoyable ways for people to connect with birds. During the pandemic, interest in bird feeding soared. Watching bird behavior provides comfort, wonder, and a sense of stewardship that can inspire lifelong conservation habits. For many communities, especially those with limited access to green spaces, bird feeders offer a window into the natural world that might otherwise remain out of reach.

Rufous Hummingbird | Chase Weinholtz | Audubon Photography Awards

How You Can Feed Birds Responsibly

If you make the choice to feed birds, please do so in a way that keeps our feathered friends safe. Here are some simple guidelines you can follow at home:

• Keep feeders clean: Wash them regularly to prevent disease transmission and remove moldy, wet, and spoiled seed.
• Clean up under feeders daily: Prevent rodent attraction and seed spoilage.
• Keep cats indoors: Outdoor, free-ranging cats are the number one cause of direct, human-related bird mortality in North America.
• Place feeders at safe distances from windows: Keep them close to windows (within 3 feet), or far from windows (more than 30 feet) to reduce bird-window collisions.
• Use native plants: Supplement feeders with shrubs and trees that provide natural food sources.
• Buy ethical seed: Look for pesticide-free, bird-safe, or locally sourced options.

Feeding birds isn’t just about watching wildlife, it’s about caring for it. By feeding responsibly, we can ensure this beloved tradition continues to bring joy without harming the birds we cherish.

Species | Photographer Name | Audubon Photography Awards 

by Ellie Yamanaka, Communications Manager

Last month, Birds Connect Seattle attended Refuge Outdoor Festival, a three-day outdoor recreation and camping experience geared towards people of color to celebrates community, nature, and connection. Refuge Outdoor Festival creates a welcoming space for attendees to try new activities, share stories, and enjoy the outdoors together.

Refuge Outdoor Festival | Sarah Hankins

Over the course of the weekend, we led three birding sessions that offered something for everyone. On Friday evening, 23 participants joined us for a Crepuscular Creep, an exploration of the birds and other wildlife that become active at dawn and dusk. 

Refuge Outdoor Festival | Sarah Hankins

Saturday morning brought a lively Bird Stroll, where 13 attendees discovered the sights and sounds of early morning birds. 

Volunteers Ian and Gina | Sarah Hankins

On Sunday morning, eight early risers joined an outing led by our dedicated volunteers Ian and Gina, who also lead BIPOC Bird Outings for Birds Connect Seattle.

Refuge Outdoor Festival Community Market | Sarah Hankins

In addition to leading birding outings, we enjoyed connecting with so many people at the Community Market, a space to connect with Partners and BIPOC-owned small businesses involved in Refuge Outdoor Festival.

Refuge Outdoor Festival | Sarah Hankins

We are proud to have partnered with and sponsor Refuge Outdoor Festival. It is always a joy to participate in this vibrant gathering that uplifts community, connection, and the joy of being outdoors together.

Tori Shao painting,  photo courtesy of Carol Roll

by Ellie Yamanaka, Communications Manager

Birds Connect Seattle hired local artist Tori Shao to create a feature mural for our new headquarters. Our mural highlights two local bird species, the Swainson’s Thrush and the American Bittern, as well as showcasing additional native bird and plant species throughout the work.

American Bittern | Margo Burnison | Audubon Photography Awards

Tori Shao is a Seattle-based illustrator and landscape architect with a passion for exploring the intricate ways in which we connect with the world around us: through nature, the built environment, or the stories we share. Born and raised in Washington, her work is inspired by the state’s rich tapestry of diverse ecologies, geology, flora, and fauna. Working across many mediums, her pieces explore themes of community, growth, connection, conservation, and diversity.

Tori Shao painting the Birds Connect Seattle mural, photo courtesy of Carol Roll

When told that she had been selected as the muralist to craft this work of art for us, Tori noted, “I am thrilled and honored to be working with Birds Connect Seattle on this project! As an artist and a birdwatcher, the mural I am designing for Birds Connect Seattle aligns with both my creative and personal interests.” 

Early Design Sketch, image courtesy of Tori Shao

In describing the process for designing our mural, Tori noted, “It was very collaborative between me and the rest of the design team. Celebrating birds and their connections to our environment and culture are mutual interests of [mine and Birds Connect Seattle] and it was very fun to explore all the different possibilities.” The Salmonberry and Swainson’s Thrush were featured in some of the earliest concept sketches Tori provided when presented with the opportunity to create our mural. 

Red-winged Blackbird silhouettes, photo courtesy of Carol Roll

In addition to the Swainson’s Thrush and American Bittern, there are also Red-winged Blackbirds, a Brown Creeper, and a Pacific Wren silhouettes painted into the design. Surrounding the birds is a lush and thriving habitat, featuring native plants such as Salmonberry, Sword Fern, Western Columbine, Wild Ginger, False Solomon’s Seal, Common Cattail, and Yellow Pond Lily. Collectively, these elements are artfully woven together to showcase a thriving and interconnected ecosystem representative of the outdoor spaces that thrive throughout the Pacific Northwest. We hope that this mural stands as a reminder of the connection that we all share with the greenspaces around us, as well as the importance of these ecosystems for both people and birds to thrive. 

Bird Connect Seattle staff members pose in front of the the mural.

The Swainson’s Thrush has been of particular interest to Birds Connect Seattle, specifically through the Seattle Bird Collision Monitoring Project, a project documenting bird-window collisions with the aim of reducing urban bird mortality. Thrushes are particularly susceptible to fatal window collisions. As Birds Connect Seattle continues to advocate for bird-safe building standards, we can be inspired every day by this beautiful, larger-than-life Swainson’s Thrush looking over our everyday operations. We hope that this mural can continue to inspire others to love and protect the birds that live around us, as well as spark curiosity to learn more about local bird species. 

Birds Connect Seattle Mural, photo courtesy of Tori Shao

 When the mural was complete, we asked Tori what her favorite part of the design was. She replied, “My favorite part of the mural is the brown creeper and the Pacific wren in the background of the understory scene. I love little details like that for those with an observant eye!” Learn more about our new space and come see our beautiful new mural during our grand opening events. See more of Tori’s art on her website or by following her on Instagram @torikinn. 

Members of the Force For Good design team at the 2023 Force For Good Showcase. 

by Ellie Yamanaka, Volunteer and Outreach Manager

Over the last two years, Birds Connect Seattle has been the recipient of two grants from Force For Good, a JPMorgan Chase program that grants organizations specialized assistance from tech teams to better nonprofit website design and development.

The first phase of our work focused with a design team, focusing on assisting us with redesigning our website to align with our rebranding, optimize our impact, and enhance website accessibility and user experience. This team consisted of web development professionals who helped us conceptualize a new and improved website aesthetic that also fit with our new Birds Connect Seattle identity.

Design mockup from the Force For Good design team.

Members of this New York City based team worked with us over a 6-month period in 2023 and provided us with design focused mockups of an improved Birds Connect Seattle website, including full mockups and wireframe options. These designs were created to be implemented while maintaining the current platform our website is hosted on, and with our organizational needs in mind.  

Wire frame mock up for the Birds Connect Seattle website from the Force For Good design team.

Upon finishing this 6-month design sequence we were accepted into the implementation program, where we worked with a team of web developers specifically to implement changes identified by the design team. This team worked with us over an 8-month period in 2024, editing and updating our website to improve the accessibility and better the user experience.

Force For Good implementation team at the 2024 Houston showcase event.

Many of the changes are not immediately obvious, however by improving the user experience and accessibility of our website we hope that it makes it easier for our community to access the information they need. During this short timeframe, the implementation team enhanced many of the most commonly accessed pages on our website. As we continue this work of improved accessibility and usability, we hope to make our user experience better for all.  

Improved accessibility of our website homepage.

 Thank you to the many volunteers on the Force For Good teams that have helped to better our website over the past two years.

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