Follow the Crows: Birding a Different Trail in Portland

Scott and I headed out birdwatching today in downtown Portland, following a trail of charcoal black feathers lying on the ground like breadcrumbs leading to treasure. In anticipation of LAIKA’s upcoming stop-motion film Wildwood, based on the first book in the beloved children’s series by author Colin Meloy and illustrator Carson Ellis, the city has filled its streets with 30 hand-painted crow statues, a nod to the infamous murder of crows that kidnaps the heroine’s baby brother in its very first chapter.

We meandered downtown, visiting 10 beauties on our first day out on the Wildwood: Follow the Crows trail, which opened this week with a kickoff event in our neighborhood, St. Johns.

About Follow the Crows

Standing at almost 5 feet, a little taller on their pedestals, these crows demand attention. And it isn’t just their size that catches your eye. Local artists have hand-painted each one, lending unique flair to the collection as a whole and to each individual bird. They are so very Portland, taking something common and turning it into the weird and wonderful. There are bound to be favorites (Scott and I have already disagreed on our rankings).

The Follow the Crows event is a fundraiser for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, which will receive funds from the auctioned pieces when they go to auction on November 15. If you are hoping to vie for one, you might want to consider voting online for some of the others, in hopes of fending off competing bids (wink, wink).

Sakura Hanami, a 5-foot crow statue painted in pale blue with a spattering of pink cherry trees across its breast sits in the plaza in front of City Hall.

Follow the Crows App

So we didn’t really follow feathers, though we saw plenty of them on the tree-lined sidewalks of downtown Portland, lending credence to the fact that crows roost among office buildings, small plazas, restaurants, and small shops in the Pearl. Instead, we used the downloadable app. While not free, a portion of its minimal $1.49 purchase price also goes to Doernbecher; it’s available for Android and iPhone.

A nice benefit to using the app is that it provides artist bios, explanations of the artwork, and links to their websites. We don’t provide those in this article because we want you to buy the app and support the Doernbecher.

If you are looking to enjoy the walk for free, you might prefer the FREE downloadable PDF map. Word on the street, literally, says that the PDF is better for actual locations. The app is slightly off in a few locations, which we’ll walk through below, starting with the crow closest to home.

To collect the crows in the app, you will need to click on the collect button, which can be found on the general map (don’t click on the bird icon, otherwise the button hides). Then, find the numbers at the base of the bird and enter them into the app. The bird icon for this statue will then turn green on your map while the others remain gray.

If you are doing this with kids and they each have a printed map, simple star stickers might do the trick!

It Begins at the St. Johns Library

When looking at the map, you might notice that a single crow sits far from its 29 brethren. Out on the Peninsula, in the small neighborhood of St. Johns, this lone crow perches in front of the library. You may wonder why. But only if you haven’t read the book.

The crows kidnap the baby brother of Wildwood’s protagonist, Prue, taking him in their claws from the safety of a local park, flying him across St. Johns with Prue in pursuit on her bicycle, until they pass over the Willamette River into the wilds of what we call Forest Park. It’s a dark beginning to a story worthy of the Brothers Grimm.

The crow in front of the St. Johns Library is special: it uses art from the original book, created by illustrator Carson Ellis. Its solid body, painted ecru, seems etched in black paint, highlighting the map that lays out the world of Wildwood, from St. Johns to the Industrial Wastelands to Wildwood itself. Ellis noted at the unveiling that she had yet to see how her artwork had been used and was as excited as the rest of us to see the results.

The back of a 5-foot crow sculpture with map of wildwood painted on a pale surface, crowd blurred in the background.

Downtown Portland Is Alive with Crows

But to get more bang for your buck, the place to see the most crows in a short amount of time is definitely downtown Portland. After all, the event is supported by the Visit Downtown Campaign and in partnership with the Portland Metro Chamber, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, and Wild in Art, a UK-based creator of public art trails.

We saw nine more crows on our trip downtown this past Sunday. Each one was so unique. It was more than a little suprising to see crows that were not painted in black, blue, or deep purple. I loved noticing the details on each an everyone, a well-painted eye, a hidden bird, an iconic bridge, a plethora of native plants. The details are part of the pleasure so be sure to take the time to admire each one. This is more than a snap a shot and move on kind of moment.

Our tips for birding downtown? We started on a Sunday morning for three reasons: cooler temps on a hot August day, fewer people, and free parking before 1 p.m. We avoided Tom McCall Waterfront Park, always crowded on a Sunday and especially when there’s a special event like the Providence Bridge Pedal, which took over the bridges that day. We will likely head back to Tom McCall mid-week and definitely hit Pittock Mansion in the morning, before the parking lot gets crowded. We’ll make sure to note details below.

While you don’t need to buy anything, we highly recommend using your crow time to visit some local businesses. We stopped for coffee at a local coffee house, ate brunch at Daily Feast, and bought a book of T.S. Eliot’s cat poetry from a small bookshop just down the street from Powell’s. In our descriptions below, we make a few recommendations of our favorite spots.

A crow statue pained with blocks of vibrant jewel tones and white lines stands across the street from Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon

The Crows

We will update this list as we see more crows!

These are listed in the order that we saw them but by no means should you feel limited by our navigation skills downtown. You may have a better path to take!

We will also note any difficulty we had finding a given crow. The app is slightly off by a block or so on some of them, frustrating for treasure hunters with limited walking stamina, especially children. And, if there is a favorite business of ours nearby, we will leave a note — after all, tourism is about more than sightseeing, it’s about giving back to the community, especially small, local business owners who, in turn, put money back into the local economy.

The World of Wildwood

Artist: Carson Ellis

Sponsor: Laika

A statue along the Follow the Crows Trail in Portland, Oregon that is ecru in color and decorated with maps from the children's book Wildwood.

Ellis’s own book art brought to life, an ecru body etched in black paint, mapping the world of Wildwood from St. Johns to the Industrial Wastelands to Wildwood itself. It is easy to see why this crow stands in front of the St. Johns Library, a key location in the story. It makes a great entry point for the entire Follow the Crow trail.

Notes: Located in front of the St Johns Library on North Charleston Ave, this bird might be the most difficult to see if you don’t own a vehicle. You can arrive by bus, Line 4-Fessenden is the most direct to the library but Line 16 stops only a few blocks away. If you want to be like Prue, consider riding your bike!

A close-up shot of the front of the World of Wildwood Crow, showing its back and tail.

Nearby favorites: The John Street Cafe is great for breakfast and lunch, The Sparrow Bakery for sweet treats, for gluten-free pastries and tasty drinks, check out The Great North. A new arts collective worth browsing is TreeHaus and you should walk down to Bees and Beans candy store for excellent locally-made chocolate. Kids always love visiting Wonderwood Springs, cafe and the indoor mini-golf, both projects of Mike Bennett. If you want to buy a copy of Wildwood, check for used at Revolution Books and new at Two Rivers Bookstore.

Overgrowth

Artist: Rae Sheridan

Sponsor: Oregon Film Trail | Prosper Portland’s Office of Events and Film

A close-up of the crow sculpture Overgrowth found at Pioneer Plaza

This stunning sculpture plays with color starting with the crow’s head, painted in deep black, irridescent purple, and marine blue shot with bright teal and pale yellow feathers. These hues waterfall down to become a brilliant backdrop of peacock blue, a portrait of a yellow green lake with pink and black folliage nested within the bird’s breast and belly.

Notes: The app shows this sculpture across the street. Just head to the corner Morrison and Broadway at Pioneer Courthouse Square. This beautiful bird is one of the hardest to photograph well as its placement outside the square does not highlight its stately pose. The day we went, black fencing with advertising immediately behind it prevented us from taking excellent shots. We may go back to try again.

A full-body shot of the crow statue, Overgrowth, at Pioneer Plaza in Portland, oregon

Overgrowth, a crow sculpture along the Follow the Crows trail, taken from the front to show the intricate detail on its breast.

Nearby favorites: We went into the Marie-Marie, a perfume store, for the first time with our son and daughter-in-law a couple of months ago. We love it! If you like hand-crafted scents and quality perfumes, its worth a sniff.

Flying Fields Forever

Artist: Sue-Del McCulloch

Sponsor: Portland Metro Chamber | Downtown Portland Clean & Safe

Head and shoulder shot of the crow sculpture, Flying Fields Forever, highlighting its sky blue body and beak and intricate Moon and Stars eye.

Flying Fields Below is a study in contrasts. The crow is painted in two opposing color schemes: its top half in sky blue shot with white clouds, a marvelous backdrop for Mount Hood that appears on the bird’s breast; the lower half is shades of green with stripes of deep rust and gold, showing layers of forest, river valley, hills, and farm fields. Take special note of the two eyes – one is a moon with stars, the other a shining sun.

Notes: This is a bird that shines in gorgeous mid-morning light. It helps that the spacious fountain-filled Director Park allows plenty of space for this sculpture to breathe.

Front of the crow sculpture Flying Fields Forever, note the upper half is painted sky blue shot with white clouds behind a snow covered Mount Hood, the lower half with green trees and farm fields.

The reverse side of the Flying Fields Forever crow shows the upper half in sky blue and white puffy clouds, the lower half is layers of forests, hills, ravines, and river valley.

Nearby favorites: Check out Kinouniya Bookstore. It’s really more a mini-superstore full of Japanese books, stationary, art supplies, and more.

Bloom

Artist: Victoria Smith

Sponsor: Columbia Precast Concrete | Township Building Services

A head and shoulders shot of Bloom, a crow statue outside the Portland Art Museum.

Bloom is a bold depiction of an oversized botanical print on black background; some of the images include a bright yellow flower with orange middle along its nape, red echinacea at its throat, and bubblegum pink with mint green foliage across its body.

Notes: Placed directly outside the Portland Art Museum entrance, this bold bird is posted incorrectly on the app on Salmon Street.

The crow sculpture Bloom is painted in bold oversized botanical print against a deep black background.

From the front, the Bloom crow sculpture is a bold statement, from its turquoise eye to the coxcomb like red flower painted at its throat.

Nearby favorites: We recommend visiting the Portland Art Museum, especially if you can time your trip for the first Thursday of the month, when entrace is free from 10am to 7pm.

Oregon Botanica

Artist: Emma van Halsema

Sponsor: Oregon Symphony | All Classical Radio and the International Children’s Arts Network

A close-up of head and shoulders of the crow statue Oregon Botanica.

As a nature lover, I was enamored with this crow. Seemingly plain from a distance, this crow needs to be admired up close. It’s head is painted a dark foggy gray, like a Portland sky before a bad storm. A tree grows up its back, past the nape, just stopping short of its eyes. Low on its belly, around its waist, and down into its tail, flowers like foxglove, trillium, and rhodendron, bloom.

Notes: While the app says Park and Main, look on Main at Broadway, outside the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. The crow sits almost directly under the large Portland sign.

Front view of Oregon Botanica, a crow sculpture with foxglove painted on the crows belly.

The head, shoulders, and tail view of Oregon Botanica, a sculpture along the Follow the Crows trail in Portland, Oregon

Nearby favorites: About a block away, you’lll find yourself at Columbia Sportwear and their great collection of t-shirts highlighting iconic Portland and Oregon destinations.

Sakura Hanami

Artist: Maya McDarragh

Sponsor: City of Portland

The pink and blue statue titled Sakura Hanami, part of the Follow the Crows trail, stands before Portland City Hall.

This is another crow that deserves close attention. Its black feet and legs are also the trunks of the cherry trees depicted around its flank. Along its wings and back, the artist has carefully added highlights from Tom McCall Park, including the iconic Steel Bridge.

Notes: While located in the same place as on the app, it is helpful to know that this crow is best seen from SW 4th Avenue between Madison and Jefferson.

A front view of the crow statue, Sakura Hanami reveals pale pink cherry blossoms against a pale blue sky.

Detail of the paintings on the back of Sakura Hanami include street lamps, the Steel Bridge, and American flags.

Nearby favorites: While here, you might want to grap a picture of the Portlandia sculpture. No, not Portlandia the TV Show; this Portlandia is based on the 1878 Portland city seal which features Lady Commerce. Get the full details here.

As the Crow Flies

Artist: Jordan Mason

Sponsor: Friends of the Multnomah County Library

The artist uses the crow's three dimensional space to line out a topographical map in white on a black back ground with blue details for rivers and lakes.

One of the more imaginative uses of the crow sculpture, the artist uses the three dimensional shape to paint white lines of a topgraphical map, blue rivers and lakes running in between the slopes, shining against a deep black background. This sculpture has the most realistic eye of them all thus far and it seemed to follow me no matter the angle I shot the photo from. Take note… there are images to be found so look carefully!

Notes: The app literally places this sculpture inside the library. It actually stands outside on the corner of SW Yamhill and SW 10th Avenue.

From the front, a close-up of As the Crow Flies shows a turquoise blue river flowing down its right side.

The back of As the Crow Flies might be mistaken for feathers from a distance but is actually a detailed topographical map.

Nearby favorites: Love to shop used? Don’t miss the Goodwill on 10th Boutique. Also, our one of our favorite brunch spots is about a block away, The Daily Feast.

Mirrorball Messenger

Artist: Isi Matasavage

Sponsor: LAIKA

A crow sculpture painted in silver with dark gray squares lined up like tiles on a disco ball.

Rows of dark gray squares against a silver background make up the simple lines of the Mirrorball Messenger. The pale colors allow the sculpture beneath the paint to shine, the plumage of the crow standing out, edges shadowed in the gentle light. Perhaps in full sun, it will shine like the discoball it is painted to look like.

Notes: Located on the backside of the Darcelle XV Plaza. I forgot to take a shot of this birds back but it looks a lot like its front.

Mirroball Messenger, a crow sculpture in Darcelle XV Plaza, a colorful rainbow mural in the background.

The Mirroball Messenger is painted to resemble a disco ball in homage to the namesake of the plaza where it stands, Darcelle XV

Nearby favorites: You must visit the absolute best clothing-forward thrift shop in Portland, Shirtenpantz. I have yet to walk out without a find.

The Shape of Us

Artist: Tristan «TK» Irving

Sponsor: Oregon Film | William & Fran McKay

Bold patterns outlined in white and painted in bright colors worthy of a child's first box of crayons, the Shape of Us crow sculpture stands across the street from Powell's Books.

Bold white lines, bold geometric shapes, bright colors. This crow has a lot going on. I loved the dual nature of this crow because, when photographed from opposite sides, it almost looks like two different creatures.

Notes: Easy to find across the street from Powell’s on W Burnside and SW 9th Avenue… the app was almost spot on but does show it kitty corner to Powells.

The Shape of Us sculpture is painted in blocks of hot pink, lime green, sky blue, turquoise, sunflower yellow and more.

The back side of the Shape of Us crow sculpture shows triangular shapes of color spilling down the bird's back and tail.

Nearby favorites: It almost goes without saying, Powell’s City of Books. But also Doc Martens for boots and shoes and a tiny bookstore only a block of way for poetry and literature lovers, Word Virus Books.

Paul Birdyan

Artist: Michael Buchino

Sponsor: Travel Portland

A Paul Bunyan inspired crow, painted black but wearing red and white checkes and blue pants.

An almost typically black crow, but wearing red and white checks and bright blue workpants like Paul Bunyan. The artist chose to honor the birds feathers, painting around many of them to give him more depth and realism. I also love that he has a splash of blue paint across his beak, like he inserted himself into the paint can, as only a curious crow might do.

Notes: The app says it is out for repairs. It was alive and well on the day we visited. I also have to visit again as I failed to walk around the other side. What if he’s painted differently!

Paul Birdyan stands just across the street in view of McMenamins Crystal Hotel

Nearby favorites: For the simplest Thai food menu you will ever see, Nong’s Khao Man Gai. But when your signature dish is the best ever, why offer other dishes?

A Murder Huddle

Artist: Allison McClay

Sponsor: OMSI

A close-up of the crow statue, A Murder Huddle, it's deep blue face painted with realistic feathers. — A Murder Huddle by Allison McClay

A Murder Huddle is a stunningly detailed crow painted in colors ranging from deep blue, royal purple, and hot pink. It demands upclose attention as the artists has painted many crows with the statue, nested together like an intricate puzzle.

Notes: Parking at OMSI requires paying for a 2-hour slot so if you can arrive by bike or by walking along the river trail, it might be for the best. Alternatively, park here and plan to visit OMSI. Also, we almost missed this crow as there are sometimes vans or buses parked in front of OMSI blocking view from the street.

A crow statue painted in in deep blues and purples seen from its front, several crows painted into its surface — A Murder Huddle by Allison McClay

A crow statue as seen from its back painted in an ombre deep blue to hot pink, with the heads of several crows bedecked with feathers throughout — A Murder Huddle by Allison McClay

Nearby favorites: We like the walking trail that runs along the river. Just behind OMSI, there is a great view of the Marquam Bridge and an educational sign that talks about the Peregrine Falcons that can be seen perched on the bridge itself. Great spot for a little city birdwatching.

Stash

Artist: Stephanie Hower Dereheimer

Sponsor: OHSU Foundation

A crow statue with a lilac base painted in colorful blocks of pastel hues. — Stash by Stephanie Hower Derheimer

Stash is an homage to the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, full of images pieced together in a patchwork like assembly across a lilac painted bird. Look carefully for teddy bears, diaper pins, and so much more in this lovely crow.

Notes: This one officially goes down as the most difficult to get to. Again, finding it by bike is preferable to arriving by car, though the latter is not impossible. Street parking was surprisingly manageable on the day of our visit. It is tucked towards the back of a small pocket park.

A statue close-up of Stash, a crow painted in lilac then splashed in colorful blocks of pastel hues, patched together like fabric in a quilt. — Stash by Stephanie Hower Derheimer

The backside of a crow statue with a lilac base painted in colorful blocks of pastel hues. — Stash by Stephanie Hower Derheimer

Nearby favorites: Truth be told, we are most familiar with this area for doctor’s appointments at OHSU. We enjoyed the small park where the crow is placed, snapping photos of the late summer blooms and the mix of nature within a city landscape.

Heart of the Forest

Artist: Ana the Artist

Sponsor: 1st Security Bank | Bird Alliance of Oregon

A statue painted to look like a decoupaged crow, with beautifully detailed animals and plants. — Heart of the Forest by Ana the Artist

This crow is painted a realistic black but its resemblance with the real bird ends there. The artists has bedecked this crow with decoupage-like paintings of flora and fauna that could be found in Forest Park. It is an ideal crow for its location!

Notes: Parking on the weekends can be tight however, the Portland Bird Alliance hosts an outdoor table with more crow and Wildwood-inspired materials for children and adults alike on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This crow can be seen in combination with the ones at Pittock Mansion and the Rose Garden by using the walking trail that connects all three.

From its front, a statue painted to look like a decoupaged crow, a fawn and trillium painted on its chest. — Heart of the Forest by Ana the Artist

Nearby favorites: Everyone should visit the Portland Bird Alliance gift shop. It’s full of wonderful items from books to puzzles, binoculars to bird feeders, t-shirts to ball caps, and all purchases support the non-profit. We also love walking the trails here.

Freak’n Crow

Artist: Freaky Footwear

Sponsor: Lithia and Driveway

A closeup view of the head, beak, and eye of Freak'n Crow, a purple, pink, and green painted statue on the Wildwood Crow Walk. — Freak’n Crow by Freaky Footwear

If you love a little freak in your art work, this piece might be for you! Painted in pastel shades of purple, pink, and mint green, this bird belies its simple coloring. Check out the image for blood shot eyes, creepy, slimy hands, and skulls. The three-dimensional veins popping from its eyes freaked me out, which I think was the artist’s intent.

Notes: Tucked in Jamison Square, this bird is slightly off its marked spot on the Wildwood App map. But it is by no means hard to find and can easily be walked to from other crow sightings in the Pearl.

A front view of Freak'n Crow, a truly bizarre looking crow decoraged in pinks, purples, and mint green. Skulls, bloodshot eyes, slime, and more creep into this statue that almost appears to move in place. — Freak’n Crow by Freaky Footwear

A truly bizarre looking crow decoraged in pinks, purples, and mint green. Skulls, bloodshot eyes, slime, and more creep into this statue that almost appears to move in place. — Freak’n Crow by Freaky Footwear

Nearby favorites: On the day of our visit, the Interactive Fountain was turned off (and likely will be as colder weather moves in). Two blocks away is Tanner Springs Park… no crow but it does have a lovely water garden with sidewalk that feels more like a floating bridge. We love places that bring nature into downtown.

Ravel

Artist: Reshidev RK

Sponsor: Weiden+Kennedy

A close-up of Ravel, a painted crow statue, its bright blue eye and gold beak standing out against its black background. — Ravel by Reshidev RK

This elegant bird is painted with a glossy black background worthy of a real crow then detailed with gold paint, red and pink roses, pink cherry blossoms, and other iconic images from around Portlannd. We especially appreciate its bright blue eye that appears to look at you from any direction you approach.

Notes: We arrived on market day just before opening. If you try to photograph this bird while the market is in full swing, it might be hard to find it without people all around. Just embrace the moment!

An intricately painted crow, Ravel is full of iconic Portland images like roses, cherry blossoms, and basquetball. — Ravel by Reshidev RK

Nearby favorites: About two blocks away is one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in downtown, Colibri by Tamale Boy. Well worth a stop, especially for happy hour, 3-6 pm. I would even plan my crow walk around them.

Vuela Corazon

Artist: Christian Tellez Garcia

Sponsor: Skanska | Ness Campbell

This crow statue is painted in striking shades of blue, reminiscent of Mexican pottery. — Vuela Corazon by Christian Tellez Garcia

Painted in several shades of blue, from cornflower to midnight, this striking crow statue looks like hand painted pottery. The artist chose to emblazon its chest with the symbol of a heart, to symbolize courage and intention.

Notes: Located in the North Park blocks, this crow is slightly off from its map location, but close enough that you should see it. Look for the children’s playground if in doubt.

Nearby favorites: This crow lies a mere 2 blocks from a favorite statue of mine, the Elephant Statue between Couch and Burnside in North Park. Its fun to see and worth a photo in its own right.

Sir Chester

Artist: Nina Oberlin

Sponsor: NW Natural

A whimsical purple painted crow statue in a top hat. — Sir Chester by Nina Oberlin

Perhaps the most whimsical crow of the flock, the lilac-bedecked Sir Chester sports a top hat and gold pocket watch tucked into his painted vest. The colors on his beak and his eyes practically glow in the mid-morning light.

Notes: We had to search a tad for this bird as he is located around the corner from where we expected… not in front of the entrance of the Lan Su Chinese Gardens but near the dragon statues on NW Everett Street.

A whimsical purple painted crow statue in a top hat and gold pocket watch in its vest. — Sir Chester by Nina Oberlin

Nearby favorites: A visit to the Lan Su Chinese Garden might be in order, especially mid-week when they are less crowded. If you happen to be a Portland-area library card holder, you might be able to score free tickets.

Do-nuts for Portland

Artist: Julianne Zane

Sponsor: Willamette Week

Like its title suggests, Do-nuts for Portland Crow is bedecked with raised, cake, and bar donuts, complete with three-dimensional sprinkles and icing. — Do-nuts for Portland by Julianne Zane

For the doughnut lovers out there, this pink crow statue is covered in Portland’s favorite breakfast food from maple bars to old-fashioned, sprinkled and iced with three-dimensional garnishes. It looks almost good enough to taste (but you would be better to buy an actual one from your favorite doughnut purveyor.

Notes: Not where it says in the app but so close that it would be hard to miss. It sits immediately in front of Voodoo Donuts. Good luck getting a picture without people! As an extra challenge… did you find Sasquatch on this beauty?

Nearby favorites: Some would say you shouldn’t miss Voodoo Donuts and yes, we do take guests when they ask. But our favorite nearby not-miss place has more to do with murals. Right across the street in the parking lot is the Keep Portland Weird mural and along SW Ankeny Street, you’ll find the Made in Oregon mural.

Be Kind

Artist: Celeste Potgieter

Sponsor: Pacific Office Automation

Be Kind is a white crow decorated with blue spheres and sports an opaque plastic mohawk. — Be Kind by Celeste Potgieter

You can approach this crow from two directions. Either way be sure to walk all the way around as it almost has a split-personality, each side painted very differently from the other but blending together into a perfect whole. And who doesn’t love a good mohawk?

Notes: This crow is set back from the street on one side and is sunken when approaching from the other. Keep your eyes peeled.

Nearby favorites: So many crows downtown… but we haven’t run out of favorites! Walk from here towards Burnside for a great view of the Chinatown Gateway.

Iridescence

Artist: Daisy Nolz

Sponsor: Alaska Airlines

A crow statue painted in muted gray tones with details in jewel tones that shine like bird feathers in sunlight. — Iridescence by Daisy Nolz

From a distance, it might be fair to think this is the most crow-like of the painted statues. But as you approach, its feathers shine with jewel toned details. Even its golden beak holds a rune-like image in burnished copper.

Notes: This crow is exactly where the app says it should be, along the walkway on the Willamette River at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Just beware of the occasional cyclist before stepping back to get a better view of the statue.

Nearby favorites: This is an excellent place to take photos of the Burnside Bridge. Bonus points: on Saturdays this is also right next door to the Saturday Market, one of our favorite places to spend a morning looking for Portland inspired gifts for friends and family.

Back Alley Flora

Artist: Ruben Lancaster

Sponsor: Lewis & Clark College

A close up of a jet black crow statue, colorfully painted in botanical illustrations of plants we often see as weeds, like dandelions, thistles, and English ivy. — Back Alley Flora by Ruben Lancaster

Botanical paintings of urban flora, often plants considered to be weeds, stand out in striking detail against this crows jet black background. This is a crow that demands a closer look as it would be easy to miss so many beautiful details by looking at it from afar.

Notes: One of the few crows on the Eastside of the river, Back alley flora is exactly where it says it should be and most people visiting on the day we were there found it by walking across the Broadway Bridge.

A jet black crow statue is colorfully painted in botanical illustrations of plants we often see as weeds, like dandelions, thistles, and English ivy. — Back Alley Flora by Ruben Lancaster

Nearby favorites: This crow is right across the street from Salsman Coffee Roasters who get an incredible 4.9 on Google Reviews. We have yet to go but plan to come back and fulfill of our dream of trying every coffee shop Portland.

Midnight Crow

Artist: Amanda Ruth Art

Sponsor: Melvin Mark | Downtown Development Group

A crow statue that seems to rock its inner Blue Jay, colors ranging from midnight blue on hits head to bright sky blue on its tail. The gold details of its eye, beak, and claws stand out and perhaps detract notice from the delicate feathering, stencil like images of stately Doug firs.

Notes: The only crow in Nob Hill, it sits in the wonderful Couch Park but on the opposite end as show in the app. Head towards the children’s playground to find it!

A shockingly blue crow with gold eyes, beak, and feet; colors range from midnight blue on its head to sky blue on its tail. — Midnight Crow by Amanda Ruth Art

Nearby favorites: We love this neighborhood and the park is steps away from the Northwest Portland Hostel and their wonderful cafe, where you can often catch free, live music in the evenings.

Watercolor Crow

Artist: Rose Jubb

Sponsor: Andersen Construction | JH Kelley | Oregon Electric Group | ZGF Architects

A Wildwood Crow painted to look like a watercolor version of itself, deep charcoal gray background with deep greens and blues shining in its painterly feathers — Watercolor Crow by Rose Jubb

This is a Wildwood crow that must be seen to appreciate as photos barely capture the painterly approach to its feathers. Seemingly dull from a distance, this crow shines like an oil sheen on dark water.

Notes: We almost missed this one, despite being exactly where the app says it is. From across the street, it blends with the shaded city scape. Trust the app on this one!

Nearby favorites: We often walk the waterfront so have rarely have strolled the city streets in this neighborhood. It is rich with beautiful buildings and we recommend taking the back streets to your next crow.

Emergence

Artist: Olivia Mount

Sponsor: The Standard

This blue gray crow is splashed with bright color, flowers in brilliant orange and cyan blue. — Emergence by Olivia Mount

If you mistake this crow for a super hero, not one will blame you. From the front, it sports a mask-like covering over its eyes and wears a shield-like explosion of color, bright white center growing from detailed roots, surrounded in golden orange sparkling with stars. But from the back, it is a floral delight, all brilliant coral orange and cyan blue.

Notes: Just walk towards the Portland Spirit Dock and this beauty if easy to find! We enjoyed taking photos with the bridges and boats framed behind it.

This blue gray crow is splashed with bright color. From the front, it looks like a super hero, with mask around its eyes and a shield like painting on its chest. — Emergence by Olivia Mount

Nearby favorites: I have to choose the fountain at Salmon Street Springs. It’s glorious in full sun and not half bad on a cloudy day.

Dusk

Artist: KSRA

Sponsor: Stoel Rives

This Wildwood Crow shines from dark cadet blue through turquoise ending with a canary yellow tip of tail, its side emblazoned with fir trees in black. — Dusk by KSRA

Emblazoned with a dark black profile of the St. Johns Bridge on its breast, this crow is one of the few to lean into the Wildwood landscape, whose protagonist crosses this bridge to enter the magical land that we call Forest Park.

Notes: Another crow that is marked exactly where it is along the Waterfront Park. We had difficulty photographing its dynamic front as the sun crosses behind it. Maybe in the late, late afternoon?

Dusk by KSRA

The back of this Wildwood Crow shines from cadet blue through turquoise ending with a canary yellow tip of tail, its side emblazoned with fir trees in black. — Dusk by KSRA

Nearby favorites: We had not walked this far down in Waterfront Park before. Enjoy the views and sit for a while. It really is a quieter end of the park and its glorious on a nice day.

Kindred Spirits

Artist: Lil Hobbit Cosmonaut

Sponsor: McMennamins

A deep marine blue and black base host intricate Celtic inspired designs on this heavily detailed crow statue. — Kindred Spirits by Lil Hobbit Cosmonaut

Can we just say, Wow! This Wildwood Crow is incredible for its attention to detail. Its dark base is both marine blue and black at the same time. It is intricately painted with Celtic imagery and it was only after I came home to read more in the app that I understood the meaning behind the nine plumes on its breast.

Notes: Keep looking… the details on this crow are incredible. You will find baby crows, hearts, oak leaves, and so much more.

Nearby favorites: If not for this crow, I may never have been introduced to my new favorite park in downtown Portland, Ira Keller Fountain Park. It is incredible – a waterfall built from concrete blocks, it somehow sounds like its more natural cousins, like Wahclella Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.

Feathers and Flowers

Artist: Sam Warford

Sponsor: Harold Goldstein & Carol Streeter

Bright almost neon paintings of native flowers and plants decoragte this dark black crow statue at PSU. — Feathers and Flowers by Sam Warford

Another stunner of a bird, this crow statue is painted a deep black with forest green accents and then covered in the bright, almost neon paintings of native plants and flowers. Even its eyes serve as flower centers, surrounded by petals of a trillium on one side and a bright yellow flower on the other.

Notes: Every plant is numbered… and the key is found on the tail! Also, this crow is not where you expect and is practically hidden from view if you stand at its location in the app. Go one block further south to Montgomery.

Nearby favorites: Use this crow as an excuse to visit the PSU Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. Buy some local produce or eat breakfast, brunch, or lunch at a handful of vendor stalls. Delicious!

A Crow of a Different Color

Artist: Mike Bennett

Sponsor: Hyatt Centric

Painted in typical Mike Bennett style, this Wildwood Crow is pastel purple with feathers outlined in black with white highlights. It has a cartoonish bright yellow eye. — A Crow of a Different Color by Mike Bennett

This pastel purple crow is cartoonish in style, each feather outlined in black with white and gray highlights to give them depth. It’s shockingly mustard yellow eye and slit black iris follow you around as you photograph the bird.

Notes: Avoid visiting during the beginning and end of the school day as this sits right at a high school.

Painted in typical Mike Bennet style, this Wildwood Crow is pastel purple with feathers outlined in black with white highlights. It has a cartoonish bright yellow eye. — A Crow of a Different Color by Mike Bennett

Nearby favorites: Love donuts? Blue Star is located behind the high school on Madison! And Coco Donuts is a couple of blocks the other direction!

On a Mission

Artist: Nelson Lowry

Sponsor: LAIKA

A Wildwood Crow Statue paibted in pale blue blending into peach and covered in decoupaged-like crows — On a Mission by Nelson Lowry

This Wildwood crow looks to have been glazed like porcelein in delicate pastel shades of blue on its body, breast, and back, blending into a sunset peach on its tail. Across its body, a murder of crows fly, amost appearing decoupages as they take flight across and around its body.

Notes: This crow can be seen in combination with the ones at Portland Bird Alliance and the Rose Garden by using the walking trail that connects all three. It’s about 6 miles of hiking round trip. If you drive, be warned it is almost impossible to park at Pittock Mansion on nice weather afternoons. Gates open at 6am and close at 9pm.

Nearby favorites: We highly recommend walking the grounds of Pittock Mansion. They have one of the prettiest free gardens in Portland and it is worth making the full 360 tour. If you come on a clear day, you can also get a great look at Mt. Hood in the distance (best in late afternoon when the parking is the most difficult).

Sir Timber Cawthorne

Artist: Lizzie Keenan

Sponsor: Travel Oregon

This Wildwood Crow is painted to resemble a wood sculpture, in earth tones from light copper to deep umber. Note the detailed painting of an owl in its eye. — Sir Timber Cawthorne by Lizzie Keenan

This is another crow that, from a distance, almost blends in with its background. But up close, detailed paint made to look like a pieced wooden sculpture in earth tones ranging from bright copper to deep umber.

Notes: This crow can be seen in combination with the ones at Portland Bird Alliance and the Pittock Mansion by using the walking trail that connects all three. It’s about 6 miles of hiking round trip. If you drive, be warned that parking in Washington Park can be difficult, especially after 10am on a beautiful day. There is a daily park shuttle from the light rail.

This Wildwood Crow is painted to resemble a wood sculpture, in earth tones from light copper to deep umber. — Sir Timber Cawthorne by Lizzie Keenan

Nearby favorites: Stay a while and smell the roses at the International Test Garden. They should be beautiful, if not in full bloom, for a few more weeks barring any early frosts or heavy rain.

And that’s it. We saw all 30 crows!!

We’re curious about your own crow hunt… let us know how its going in the comments below! We try to answer every single one in a timely manner.