what birds live in redwood trees

Redwood Residents: Discover Birds Living in These Giants

By Christopher MartinFebruary 19, 2026

The towering redwood trees, iconic to the coastal regions of California and Oregon, are home to a diverse array of bird species. These magnificent trees, with their immense height and vast canopies, provide an ideal habitat for numerous birds, offering shelter, nesting sites, and abundant food sources. Let's delve into the fascinating world of avian residents that call these giants home.

Redwood forests are characterized by their dense, multilayered canopies, which create a complex ecosystem that supports a wide range of bird species. From the forest floor to the treetops, these towering giants provide ample space for various birds to thrive. But which birds are we likely to find living in these majestic trees?

Resident Species of Redwood Trees

Redwood trees host a variety of resident bird species that have adapted to live within their unique ecosystem. These birds play crucial roles in the forest's health, acting as pollinators, seed dispersers, and predators of insect pests.

Kindness - You have a lawn and one tree. You see robins, sparrows, and maybe a cardinal. The birds you're missing aren't avoiding the yard — the yard is missing the layers they live in. A scarlet tanager feeds sixty feet up in a mature oak canopy. A wood thrush sings from the midstory — the small trees and dense shrubs between six and thirty feet. An ovenbird walks the forest floor under deep leaf litter, building a domed nest hidden in the leaves. One lawn and one ornamental tree gives them nothing. The layer most suburban yards skip entirely is the middle. Dense native shrubs and small understory trees between the lawn and the canopy. That's where indigo buntings nest. Where redstarts flash orange tail patches to startle insects out of foliage. Where catbirds and thrashers raise broods

Some of the most common resident species include the Steller's Jay, the Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and the Brown Creepers. These birds have evolved specialized behaviors and physical adaptations that allow them to exploit the resources available in redwood forests.

Steller's Jay

The Steller's Jay is a striking bird with a bright blue crest and back, black wings and tail, and a white underside. They are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including redwood forests. Steller's Jays are omnivorous, feeding on a diverse diet that includes acorns, seeds, insects, and even small vertebrates.

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They are known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities, often using tools like sticks to extract insects from tree bark. Steller's Jays also play a vital role in seed dispersal, helping to propagate redwood trees and other plant species.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

The Chestnut-backed Chickadee is a small, acrobatic bird with a distinctive black cap and a chestnut-colored back. They are common residents of redwood forests, where they feed on insects, spiders, and seeds. Their agility and small size allow them to navigate the complex canopy with ease, foraging for food in the nooks and crannies of the redwood trees.

Chestnut-backed Chickadees are also known for their cooperative breeding behavior, where multiple pairs work together to raise young. This communal nesting strategy helps to ensure the survival of their offspring in the challenging environment of the redwood forest.

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Migratory Birds in Redwood Trees

In addition to resident species, redwood trees also provide critical habitat for migratory birds during their journeys. These birds stop in redwood forests to rest, feed, and breed before continuing on their long-distance migrations.

Many migratory birds rely on the abundant food sources and shelter provided by redwood trees. Some of the migratory species that can be found in redwood forests include the Rufous Hummingbird, the Hermit Warbler, and the Wilson's Warbler.

Rufous Hummingbird

The Rufous Hummingbird is one of the most widespread and abundant hummingbird species in North America. They are known for their incredible migration, traveling up to 3,900 miles from Mexico to Alaska each year. Redwood forests serve as important stopovers for these tiny birds, providing nectar from flowers and insects for food.

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Rufous Hummingbirds are also known for their aggressive behavior, often defending feeding territories against other hummingbirds. Despite their small size, they are formidable defenders of their food sources, making them a fascinating sight to behold in redwood forests.

Hermit Warbler

The Hermit Warbler is a small, insectivorous bird with a distinctive yellow throat and breast, and a blue-gray back. They breed in the coniferous forests of the western United States and Canada, including redwood forests, and migrate south for the winter.

Hermit Warblers are known for their skulking behavior, preferring to forage on the ground or in low vegetation. They use their long, sensitive bill to probe for insects in decaying logs and under bark, making them an important part of the redwood forest ecosystem.

Visiting redwood forests offers an unparalleled opportunity to observe the diverse array of bird species that call these magnificent trees home. Whether you're a seasoned birder or a curious nature enthusiast, exploring these towering giants is sure to reveal a fascinating world of avian life. So grab your binoculars, pack your bird guide, and head out to experience the enchanting birds of the redwoods for yourself.