Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

Oregon · West

ModerateOfficial Site

Habitat

WetlandMarshDesert

Best Seasons

SpringSummer

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

May-June

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Malheur NWR in southeastern Oregon's high desert protects vast marshes along the Donner und Blitzen River, serving as a crucial breeding ground for waterbirds and a staging area for migrants. Over 320 species have been recorded in this remote and spectacular landscape.

Location

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Notable Species

Sandhill Crane Trumpeter Swan Long-billed Curlew Bobolink Greater Sage-Grouse

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/4/2026Enterprise WMA9 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/4/20269312–9398 Farmer Rd, Rickreall US-OR 44.96893, -123.213161 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/4/20269312–9398 Farmer Rd, Rickreall US-OR 44.96893, -123.213161 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/4/20269312–9398 Farmer Rd, Rickreall US-OR 44.96893, -123.213161 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/4/20269312–9398 Farmer Rd, Rickreall US-OR 44.96893, -123.213161 observed

Black-capped Chickadee

Poecile atricapillus

3/4/2026Warm Springs Museum2 observed

American Avocet

Recurvirostra americana

3/4/2026Greenhouse Ln.1 observed

Orange-crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis celata

3/4/202651 SE Buff St, Madras US-OR 44.62786, -121.128421 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/4/2026Farmer Rd.1 observed

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

3/3/20269009 N Oswego Ave, Portland US-OR 45.59231, -122.748165 observed

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

3/3/2026Putnam's Point1 observed

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

3/3/2026Klamath Wildlife Area--Miller Island Unit3 observed

Harris's Sparrow

Zonotrichia querula

3/3/2026Elvin Goodman Park1 observed

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

3/3/2026stakeout Summer Tanager (2025), SE Salmon St., Portland1 observed

Band-tailed Pigeon

Patagioenas fasciata

3/3/2026IOOF Cemetery off Coburg Road9 observed

Orchard Oriole

Icterus spurius

3/3/2026stakeout Orchard Oriole, Portland (2026)1 observed

Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina

3/3/2026Anti Gravity Trail1 observed

Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina

3/3/2026Anti Gravity Trail1 observed

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

3/3/20261211 Miller Island Rd, Klamath Falls US-OR 42.15536, -121.830434 observed

Virginia Rail

Rallus limicola

3/3/20261211 Miller Island Rd, Klamath Falls US-OR 42.15536, -121.830431 observed

Recent Observations

Rough-legged Hawk

2264–2270 N Pacific Hwy, Rickreall US-OR 44.96672, -123.22648

3/4/2026

1 birds

Anna's Hummingbird

Home/Yard SW Keizer

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

Home/Yard SW Keizer

3/4/2026

2 birds

House Finch

Home/Yard SW Keizer

3/4/2026

4 birds

Spotted Towhee

Home/Yard SW Keizer

3/4/2026

1 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

Home/Yard SW Keizer

3/4/2026

5 birds

Bushtit

Backyard Birding

3/4/2026

1 birds

Lesser Goldfinch

Backyard Birding

3/4/2026

2 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Backyard Birding

3/4/2026

4 birds

Downy Woodpecker

Backyard Birding

3/4/2026

1 birds

Cackling Goose

Backyard Birding

3/4/2026

7 birds

American Robin

Backyard Birding

3/4/2026

4 birds

Bewick's Wren

Backyard Birding

3/4/2026

2 birds

Ring-necked Duck

Trader Reservoir, Brown's Rd

3/4/2026

26 birds

California Scrub-Jay

Trader Reservoir, Brown's Rd

3/4/2026

2 birds

Canada Goose

Trader Reservoir, Brown's Rd

3/4/2026

2 birds

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Trader Reservoir, Brown's Rd

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mallard

Trader Reservoir, Brown's Rd

3/4/2026

4 birds

Wild Turkey

Trader Reservoir, Brown's Rd

3/4/2026

10 birds

Double-crested Cormorant

Trader Reservoir, Brown's Rd

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
The Central Patrol Road offers excellent marsh birding
2
Visit in May for peak breeding activity and wildflowers

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Visitor Center

Auto Tour Route

Nearby Attractions

Steens Mountain
Diamond Craters

More in Oregon

Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges

Largest lower-48 Bald Eagle wintering concentration with millions of migrating waterfowl.

Birding Guides

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Top Spring Migration Hotspots Across America

10 min read

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Malheur National Wildlife Refuge for birding?▼

The best months to visit Malheur National Wildlife Refuge for birding are May-June. The best seasons are Spring and Summer.

What birds can I see at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Notable species at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge include Sandhill Crane, Trumpeter Swan, Long-billed Curlew, Bobolink, Greater Sage-Grouse. The area supports wetland, marsh, desert habitats.

How difficult is birding at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Birding at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

Is there an entrance fee at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge?▼

There is no entrance fee at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Auto Tour Route.