From your cozy booth at The Lodge or through the telescopes overlooking the Great Meadow and Sun River, you’ll witness nature’s wildlife in real time. Sunriver’s rich habitats offer front-row access to some of Sunriver’s most awe-inspiring birdlife. It’s not just birdwatching—it’s a front-row seat to nature’s most thrilling show. Learn more below about the birds you’re likely to see.

Bald Eagles, once on the verge of extinction in America, nest just south of Sunriver. Watch the skies for their broad wings as they soar daily over the Resort, using their incredible eyesight to seek opportunities to muscle their way into an easy meal. Eagles are primarily scavengers. After the Osprey migrate, you may watch the eagles stealing from the hawks and ravens. Not even the otters can relax when the Bald Eagle is overhead because eagles have been known to wrestle a fish from the paws of these relatively strong mammals! It is extremely rare for a Golden Eagle to visit Sunriver, but you will often see eagles lacking the classic white head and tail of a Bald Eagle. These brown mottled eagles are immature ‘Baldies’, not Goldens. Bald Eagles typically do not develop the white head and tail plumage until their fourth or fifth year.

Looking across the meadow from the Resort, you will likely spot other birds of prey hunting both from the sky and perched in trees and on fence posts. The most common Sunriver hawk is the Red-tailed. Sunriver’s residents not only enjoy watching these graceful birds of prey, but they also greatly appreciate the thousands of rodents these raptors consume! Like the Bald Eagle, immature Red-tailed Hawks look very different from the mature adults. Many lack the red tail that gives the species its name!

While Sunriver’s hawks and eagles may look fierce, one of the most aggressive local predators is an innocent-looking songbird! Nick-named ‘The Butcher Bird,’ our Northern Shrikes have specially designed bills to sever the spinal cord of much larger prey. After paralyzing their prey, Shrikes hang the bodies on barbed wire or thorns, both to secure the prey for consumption and store some meat for later! Watch for Shrikes in the shrubs and willows along the bike paths, where they lie in wait for their prey.

At sunset, as the hawks, eagles, and shrikes head for their nocturnal roosts, Sunriver’s owls dominate the hunting grounds. Sunriver has at least five owl species, ranging from the tiny Northern Pygmy Owl to the nation’s tallest owl- the Great Gray. Most commonly seen around the Resort is the Great Horned Owl. This owl plays an important role in the stories of many local Native American tribes. There is an ancient horned owl cave painting in the Klamath area. Especially in the Spring, you frequently hear these owls’ haunting hoots echo across the golf courses at dusk and sunrise. While this formidable predator has a menacing adult glare, the owlets (often tucked away in the pines around the Resort) are adorable! Pygmy Owls often hunt during the day, so watch for them lurking along the river bike paths where they stalk unsuspecting songbirds. Great Gray Owls also often hunt during the day, in part because they are prey for the Great Horned Owls. While the Great Gray is taller than the Great Horned, it weighs much less. Great Gray owls are sometimes referred to as ‘ghosts’ because they are pale, silent in flight, and extremely hard to see when they are sitting still. When walking along Sunriver’s paths, you may well have walked right under a Great Gray camouflaged in a tree or sitting still on a gray snag. If you do encounter an owl or any bird, please be respectful and keep your distance. Interrupting a bird’s foraging could be harmful or even fatal.

Many do not realize that Great Blue Herons, a fairly common bird in Sunriver, also hunt at night. During the breeding season, when they have chicks to feed, the heron parents take turns hunting throughout the night and day. Looking across the Sunriver meadows, you are likely to see Great Blue Herons catching rodents, snakes, lizards, and frogs. You might notice the chest feathers of most herons look shaggy and disheveled. Herons have a special claw on their feet to shred these feathers into an oily substance, which they then use to waterproof themselves and coat slippery prey. It is fun to watch the herons preening as they twist into some crazy looking yoga poses! There are so many fascinating and beautiful birds around Sunriver, many of which you can enjoy simply by looking out the windows of the Resort or going a short distance down the many paths.

Looking to explore more? Visit the Sunriver Nature Center, a short bike or car ride from Sunriver Resort. The Nature Center is set on a lake surrounded by benches where you can sit to watch herons, birds of prey and countless other species.

Explore more birds that have been spotted at Sunriver Resort by visiting eBird.

Words by Sevilla Rhoads. She can be contacted with any questions by emailing her here.

A Birdwatcher’s Paradise

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