Andrew Cier

Shorebirds at Sunset Beach

The park has a high number of resident and migratory birds due to its diversity of habitats and its location on the Pacific flyway. Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nest near the park and can often be seen in flight or perching along the Lewis and Clark River. As a result of protection and the banning of DDT, these formerly endangered birds are making a strong comeback along the northern Oregon coast. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), hawks, herons, migrating shorebirds, and wintering waterfowl also frequent the park's wetlands. Band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata) and olive-sided flycatchers (Contopus borealis), two federal species of concern, seasonally inhabit the park's coniferous forests along with resident pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus), and several owl species.