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Invasive and nonnative animals in Oregon

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. Nutria (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)
  2. Virginia opossum (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)
  3. Oregon's Frogs and Toads (Oregon Conservation Strategy flyer)
  4. Reptiles (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)
  5. Euopean starling (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)
  6. House sparrow (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)
  7. Rock pigeon (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)
  8. USGS established records
  9. How to report
  10. Sources

8 nonnative animals are named on 7 official lists for Oregon: “Nutria (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)” (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), “Virginia opossum (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)” (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), “Oregon's Frogs and Toads (Oregon Conservation Strategy flyer)” (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), “Reptiles (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)” (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), “Euopean starling (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)” (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife), “House sparrow (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)” (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) and “Rock pigeon (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)” (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife).

The USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database records an established population in Oregon for 1 nonnative animal in the groups this guide covers.

To report a sighting, see how to report.

Being on a list of nonnative species does not always mean an animal is harmful or established: each list below is described in its source's terms. A sighting of a listed animal is still worth reporting to the agency.

Nutria (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, undated page. 1 animal.

Virginia opossum (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, undated page. 1 animal.

Oregon's Frogs and Toads (Oregon Conservation Strategy flyer)

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, undated page. 1 animal.

Reptiles (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, undated page. 2 animals.

Euopean starling (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, undated page. 1 animal.

House sparrow (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, undated page. 1 animal.

Rock pigeon (ODFW Wildlife Viewing)

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, undated page. 1 animal.

  • Rock pigeon

Established in Oregon, per USGS records

The U.S. Geological Survey's Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database tracks nonnative aquatic animals. These have at least one record with the status "established" in Oregon, which USGS defines as a population showing evidence of reproduction and overwinter survival.

AnimalGroupFirst recordLatest recordCounties
Nutria Myocastor coypusMammals1937202634

Source: U.S. Geological Survey. [2026]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [11/3/2026]. "Native Transplant" animals are native elsewhere in the US but not in Oregon.

How to report a sighting in Oregon

Invasive species sightings: Oregon Invasives Hotline, oregoninvasiveshotline.org or 1-866-INVADER; wildlife conflicts: local ODFW office (ODFW main phone 503-947-6000) Oregon Invasives Hotline

Do not try to catch or handle the animal. A photo taken from a safe distance, the place and the date help the agency.

Sources

  1. Nutria (ODFW Wildlife Viewing). Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “In Oregon, the nutria is considered an invasive species.”
  2. Virginia opossum (ODFW Wildlife Viewing). Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “In Oregon, the opossum is considered an invasive species.”
  3. Oregon's Frogs and Toads (Oregon Conservation Strategy flyer). Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “There is one non-native invasive frog that survives and reproduces very successfully in Oregon— the American bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus.”
  4. Reptiles (ODFW Wildlife Viewing). Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Invasive, non-native turtles such as the red-eared slider and snapping turtle compete with Oregon's turtles for food, habitat and nesting sites.”
  5. Euopean starling (ODFW Wildlife Viewing). Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The European starling is considered an invasive species in Oregon.”
  6. House sparrow (ODFW Wildlife Viewing). Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The House sparrow is an invasive species introduced from Europe.”
  7. Rock pigeon (ODFW Wildlife Viewing). Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The Rock pigeon is an invasive species introduced from Europe.”
  8. Oregon Invasives Hotline. Oregon Invasives Hotline (Oregon Invasive Species Council; "Maintained by Oregon State University"). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Report potential invasive species you've found to the Online Hotline. Your submission will provide vital early detection information to the experts working to stop the next invasion before it starts!”
  9. U.S. Geological Survey. [2026]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [11/3/2026].