Explore Our Research.
Discover the Data.

Understanding Waterbirds. Protecting
Salmon. Advancing Conservation Science.

Who We Are

Bird Research Northwest is a collaborative partnership dedicated to studying colonial, fish-eating waterbirds and their role in the Pacific Northwest ecosystem. Formed through cooperation among Oregon State University, Real Time Research, and the U.S. Geological Survey we combine scientific expertise with decades of field experience. Our team works to understand how bird populations interact with salmon and other fish species, providing the data and insight needed to guide effective conservation and management decisions.

“Our mission is to understand how these piscivorous birds interact with their environment and how they may impact the survival of juvenile salmonids within the Columbia Basin and other Pacific Coast watersheds.”

We also evaluate wildlife management strategies designed to reduce avian predation pressure while ensuring the continued conservation of these bird species.

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What We Do

Our research provides resource managers, policymakers, and conservation groups with the knowledge they need to make informed, ecosystem-based decisions.

See our Publications & Reports

Study Areas

Bird Research Northwest conducts studies throughout the Columbia River Basin and along the Pacific Coast, including Oregon, Washington, and California. We focus on key nesting and feeding areas used by Caspian terns, cormorants, gulls, and pelicans. These sites overlap with important salmon migration routes, helping us understand how bird populations and fish interact across the region.

  • Columbia Basin

    The Columbia Basin is a primary focus of Bird Research Northwest’s work. This vast watershed supports both major salmon runs and large colonies of fish-eating waterbirds. Our research in this region tracks how species like Caspian terns and double-crested cormorants interact with juvenile salmon as they migrate to the ocean. By studying bird behavior, diet, and movement within the basin, we help resource managers develop strategies that support both healthy bird populations and successful salmon recovery.

  • Outside Basin

    In addition to the Columbia River Basin, our research extends to coastal and inland sites along the Pacific Coast, including locations in Oregon, Washington, and California. These areas include estuaries, coastal wetlands, and inland lakes that support colonies of Caspian terns, double crested cormorants, American white pelicans, and gulls. Studying these regions allows us to compare waterbird ecology and predation patterns across different habitats and management context.

Explore the colonies and coastal sites where our
research takes place

See Study Areas