List of birds of California
This list of birds of California is a comprehensive listing of all the bird species seen naturally in the U.S. state of California as determined by the California Birds Records Committee (CBRC).
As of 2009, there are 641 species on this list. Fifteen of these species are introduced (I)–species that are non-native to California but now have established populations. Two of these species are extirpated (E)–species that are native to California but no longer have established populations there (they still do in other places). Birds marked with an asterisk (*) are currently under review by the CBRC. The CBRC states the following about birds under review:
The California Bird Records Committee solicits information on all occurrences in California of the 180 species on this Review List, as well as species unrecorded in California. In general, review species average four or fewer occurrences per year in California, and have been recorded fewer than 100 times.
This list is presented in taxonomic order and follows The Check-list of North American Birds (7th edition, 1998) published by the American Ornithologists' Union. The table of contents is grouped into passerines (the largest order of birds) and non-passerines. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account.
Ducks, geese and swans
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils.
- Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis *
- Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor
- Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons
- Taiga bean goose, Anser middendorffii
- Emperor goose, Chen canagica *
- Snow goose, Chen caerulescens
- Ross's goose, Chen rossii
- Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii
- Canada goose, Branta canadensis
- Brant, Branta bernicla
- Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator *
- Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus
- Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus *
- Wood duck, Aix sponsa
- Gadwall, Anas strepera
- Falcated duck, Anas falcata *
- Eurasian wigeon, Anas penelope
- American wigeon, Anas americana
- American black duck, Anas rubripes *
- Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
- Blue-winged teal, Anas discors
- Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
- Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata
- Northern pintail, Anas acuta
- Garganey, Anas querquedula *
- Baikal teal, Anas formosa *
- Green-winged teal, Anas crecca
- Canvasback, Aythya valisineria
- Redhead, Aythya americana
- Common pochard, Aythya ferina *
- Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
- Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
- Greater scaup, Aythya marila
- Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis
- Steller's eider, Polysticta stelleri *
- King eider, Somateria spectabilis *
- Common eider, Somateria mollissima *
- Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus
- Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata
- White-winged scoter, Melanitta fusca
- Black scoter, Melanitta americana
- Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis
- Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola
- Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
- Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica
- Smew, Mergellus albellus *
- Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus
- Common merganser, Mergus merganser
- Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator
- Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis
Partridges, grouse, turkeys and Old World quail
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies, including partridges, grouse, turkeys and Old World quail. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans.
- Chukar, Alectoris chukar (I)
- Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)
- Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus
- Greater sage-grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus
- White-tailed ptarmigan, Lagopus leucurus (I)
- Sooty grouse, Dendragapus fuliginosus
- Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus (E)
- Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (I)
New World quail
Order: Galliformes Family: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits.
- Mountain quail, Oreortyx pictus
- California quail, Callipepla californica
- Gambel's quail, Callipepla gambelii
Loons
Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae
Loons are aquatic birds, the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely gray or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but are almost hopeless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body.
- Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
- Arctic loon, Gavia arctica *
- Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica
- Common loon, Gavia immer
- Yellow-billed loon, Gavia adamsii *
Grebes
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
- Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus *
- Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
- Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
- Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
- Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
- Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis
- Clark's grebe, Aechmorphorus clarkii
Albatrosses
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae
The albatrosses are amongst the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds.
- Light-mantled albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata *
- Salvin's albatross, Thalassarche salvini *
- Wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans *
- Laysan albatross, Phoebastria immutabilis
- Black-footed albatross, Phoebastria nigripes
- Short-tailed albatross, Phoebastria albatrus *
Shearwaters and petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
- Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis
- Great-winged petrel, Pterodroma macroptera *
- Murphy's petrel, Pterodroma ultima
- Mottled petrel, Pterodroma inexpectata *
- Dark-rumped petrel, Pterodroma phaeopygia/sandwichensis *
- Cook's petrel, Pterodroma cookii
- Stejneger's petrel, Pterodroma longirostris *
- Bulwer's petrel, Bulweria bulwerii *
- Parkinson's petrel, Procellaria parkinsoni *
- Streaked shearwater, Calonectris leucomelas *
- Cory's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea *
- Pink-footed shearwater, Ardenna creatopus
- Flesh-footed shearwater, Ardenna carneipes
- Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis *
- Wedge-tailed shearwater, Ardenna pacificus *
- Buller's shearwater, Ardenna bulleri
- Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus
- Short-tailed shearwater, Ardenna tenuirostris
- Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus *
- Black-vented shearwater, Puffinus opisthomelas
Storm petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
The storm petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.
- Wilson's storm petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
- Fork-tailed storm petrel, Oceanodroma furcata
- Ringed storm petrel, Oceanodroma hornbyi *
- Leach's storm petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa
- Townsend's storm petrel, Oceanodroma socorroensis
- Ashy storm petrel, Oceanodroma homochroa
- Wedge-rumped storm petrel, Oceanodroma tethys *
- Black storm petrel, Oceanodroma melania
- Least storm petrel, Oceanodroma microsoma
Tropicbirds
Order: Phaethontiformes Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their long wings have black markings, as does the head.
- White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus *
- Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus
- Red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda *
Boobies and gannets
Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
- Masked booby, Sula dactylatra *
- Blue-footed booby, Sula nebouxii *
- Brown booby, Sula leucogaster *
- Red-footed booby, Sula sula *
Cormorants
Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of colored skin on the face. The bill is long, thin and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed, a distinguishing feature among the Pelecaniformes order.
- Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
- Neotropic cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus *
- Double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus
- Pelagic cormorant, Phalacrocorax pelagicus
Darters
Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
Darters are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beaks. They are fish eaters which often swim with only their neck above the water.
- Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga *
Frigatebirds
Order: Suliformes Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black or black-and-white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.
- Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens
- Great frigatebird, Fregata minor *
Pelicans
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes.
- American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
- Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secretive. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.
- American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
- Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis
- Great blue heron, Ardea herodias
- Great egret, Ardea alba
- Snowy egret, Egretta thula
- Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea
- Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor *
- Reddish egret, Egretta rufescens
- Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
- Green heron, Butorides virescens
- Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
- Yellow-crowned night heron, Nyctanassa violacea *
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
- American white ibis, Eudocimus albus *
- Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus *
- White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi
- Roseate spoonbill, Platalea ajaja *
Storks
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They lack the powder down that other wading birds such as herons, spoonbills and ibises use to clean off fish slime. Storks lack a pharynx and are mute.
- Wood stork, Mycteria americana
New World vultures
Order: Cathartiformes Family: Cathartidae
The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carcasses.
- Black vulture, Coragyps atratus *
- Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura
- California condor, Gymnogyps californianus (E)
Osprey
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae
- Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, kites and eagles
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.
- White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus
- Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis *
- Northern harrier, Circus cyaneus
- Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus
- Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii
- Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
- Common black-hawk, Buteogallus anthracinus *
- Harris's hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus *
- Red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus
- Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus
- Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni
- Zone-tailed hawk, Buteo albonotatus
- Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
- Ferruginous hawk, Buteo regalis
- Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus
- Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
- Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Caracaras and falcons
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.
- Crested caracara, Caracara cheriway *
- Common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus *
- American kestrel, Falco sparverius
- Merlin, Falco columbarius
- Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus *
- Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
- Prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus
Rails, gallinules and coots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
- Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis
- Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis
- Ridgway's rail, Rallus obsoletus
- Virginia rail, Rallus limicola
- Sora, Porzana carolina
- Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus *
- Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata
- American coot, Fulica americana
Cranes
Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".
- Sandhill crane, Grus canadensis
Lapwings and plovers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.
- Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
- American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica *
- Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva
- Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus *
- Greater sand-plover, Charadrius leschenaultii *
- Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus
- Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia *
- Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
- Piping plover, Charadrius melodus *
- Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
- Mountain plover, Charadrius montanus
- Eurasian dotterel, Charadrius morinellus *
Oystercatchers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
- American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus *
- Black oystercatcher, Haematopus bachmani
Stilts and avocets
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.
- Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
- American avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Sandpipers, curlews, stints, godwits, snipes and phalaropes
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
- Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia *
- Greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca
- Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes
- Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus *
- Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria
- Willet, Tringa semipalmata
- Wandering tattler, Tringa incana
- Gray-tailed tattler, Tringa brevipes *
- Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia
- Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus *
- Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda *
- Little curlew, Numenius minutus *
- Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
- Bristle-thighed curlew, Numenius tahitiensis *
- Long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus
- Hudsonian godwit, Limosa haemastica *
- Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica *
- Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa
- Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
- Black turnstone, Arenaria melanocephala
- Surfbird, Calidris virgata
- Red knot, Calidris canutus
- Sanderling, Calidris alba
- Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla
- Western sandpiper, Calidris mauri
- Red-necked stint, Calidris ruficollis *
- Little stint, Calidris minuta *
- Long-toed stint, Calidris subminuta *
- Least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
- White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis *
- Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii
- Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos
- Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata
- Rock sandpiper, Calidris ptilocnemis
- Dunlin, Calidris alpina
- Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea *
- Stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus
- Buff-breasted sandpiper, Calidris subruficollis
- Ruff, Calidris pugnax
- Short-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus
- Long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus
- Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus *
- Wilson's snipe, Gallinago delicata
- American woodcock, Scolopax minor *
- Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor
- Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
- Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius
Skuas
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
- South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki
- Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
- Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
- Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus
Gulls, terns and skimmers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, terns, kittiwakes and skimmers. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.
- Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla
- Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan
- Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus *
- Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus *
- Bonaparte's gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia
- Heermann's gull, Larus heermanni
- Belcher's gull, Larus belcheri *
- Black-tailed gull, Larus crassirostris *
- Mew gull, Larus canus
- Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis
- California gull, Larus californicus
- Herring gull, Larus argentatus
- Thayer's gull, Larus thayeri
- Iceland gull, Larus glaucoides *
- Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus *
- Slaty-backed gull, Larus schistisagus *
- Yellow-footed gull, Larus livens
- Western gull, Larus occidentalis
- Glaucous-winged gull, Larus glaucescens
- Glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus
- Sabine's gull, Xema sabini
- Swallow-tailed gull, Creagrus furcatus *
- Black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla
- Red-legged kittiwake, Rissa brevirostris *
- Ross's gull, Rhodostethia rosea *
- Ivory gull, Pagophila eburnea *
- Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
- Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
- Royal tern, Thalasseus maxima
- Elegant tern, Thalasseus elegans
- Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis *
- Common tern, Sterna hirundo
- Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea
- Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri
- Least tern, Sternula antillarum
- Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus *
- Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscata *
- White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus *
- Black tern, Chlidonias niger
- Black skimmer, Rynchops niger
Auks, murres and puffins
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae
Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colors, their upright posture and some of their habits, however they are only distantly related to the penguins and are able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest.
- Common murre, Uria aalge
- Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia *
- Pigeon guillemot, Cepphus columba
- Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix *
- Marbled murrelet, Brachyramphus marmoratus
- Kittlitz's murrelet, Brachyramphus brevirostris *
- Scripps's murrelet, Synthliboramphus scrippsi
- Guadalupe murrelet, Synthliboramphus hypoleucus
- Craveri's murrelet, Synthliboramphus craveri
- Ancient murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus
- Cassin's auklet, Ptychoramphus aleuticus
- Parakeet auklet, Aethia psittacula *
- Least auklet, Aethia pusilla *
- Crested auklet, Aethia cristatella *
- Rhinoceros auklet, Cerorhinca monocerata
- Horned puffin, Fratercula corniculata
- Tufted puffin, Fratercula cirrhata
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
- Rock dove, Columba livia (I)
- Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata
- Oriental turtle dove, Streptopelia orientalis *
- Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I)
- Spotted dove, Spilopelia chinensis (I)
- White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica
- Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura
- Inca dove, Columbina inca
- Common ground-dove, Columbina passerina
- Ruddy ground dove, Columbina talpacoti
Old World parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittaculidae
- Rose-ringed parakeet, Pssittacula krameri (I)
African and New World parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
- Blue-crowned parakeet, Thectocercus acuticaudatus (I)
- Nanday parakeet, Aratinga nenday (I)
- Mitred parakeet, Psittacara mitratus (I)
- Red-masked parakeet, Psittacara erythrogenus (I)
- Yellow-chevroned parakeet, Brotogeris chiriri (I)
- White-winged parakeet. Brotogeris versicolurus (I)
- Red-crowned parrot, Amazona viridigenalis (I)
- Yellow-headed amazon, Amazona oratrix (I)
- Blue-fronted amazon, Amazona aestiva (I)
- Lilac-crowned amazon, Amazona finischi (I)
- Red-lored amazon, Amazona autumnalus (I)
- White-fronted amazon, Amazona albifrons (I)
(List based on facts from the California Parrot Project. All birds of the Psittaciformes are introduced to California)
Cuckoos, roadrunners and anis
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
- Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
- Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus *
- Greater roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus
- Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris *
Barn owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.
- Barn owl, Tyto alba
Typical owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.
- Flammulated owl, Psiloscops flammeolus
- Western screech owl, Megascops kennicottii
- Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus
- Snowy owl, Bubo scandiacus *
- Mountain pygmy owl, Glaucidium gnoma
- Elf owl, Micrathene whitneyi
- Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia
- Spotted owl, Strix occidentalis
- Barred owl, Strix varia
- Great gray owl, Strix nebulosa
- Long-eared owl, Asio otus
- Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
- Northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus
Nightjars
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves.
- Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis
- Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
- Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
- Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis *
- Buff-collared nightjar, Antrostomus ridgwayi *
- Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus *
- Mexican whip-poor-will, Antrostomus arizonae
Swifts
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
- Black swift, Cypseloides niger
- White-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris *
- Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica
- Vaux's swift, Chaetura vauxi
- White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis
Hummingbirds
Order: Apodiformes Family: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards.
- Mexican violetear, Colibri thalassinus *
- Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris *
- Xantus's hummingbird, Hylocharis xantusii *
- Violet-crowned hummingbird, Amazilia violiceps *
- Blue-throated hummingbird, Lampornis clemenciae *
- Magnificent hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens *
- Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris *
- Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri
- Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna
- Costa's hummingbird, Calypte costae
- Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope
- Broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus
- Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
- Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin
Kingfishers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.
- Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon
Woodpeckers, sapsuckers and flickers
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.
- Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis
- Red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus *
- Acorn woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus
- Gila woodpecker, Melanerpes uropygialis
- Williamson's sapsucker, Sphyrapicus thyroideus
- Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius
- Red-naped sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis
- Red-breasted sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber
- Ladder-backed woodpecker, Picoides scalaris
- Nuttall's woodpecker, Picoides nuttallii
- Downy woodpecker, Picoides pubescens
- Hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus
- White-headed woodpecker, Picoides albolarvatus
- Black-backed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus
- Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus
- Gilded flicker, Colaptes chrysoides
- Pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus
Tyrant flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Tyrannidae
Tyrant flycatchers are Passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous.
- Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi
- Greater pewee, Contopus pertinax *
- Western wood-pewee, Contopus sordidulus
- Eastern wood-pewee, Contopus virens *
- Yellow-bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris *
- Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum *
- Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii
- Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus
- Hammond's flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii
- Gray flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii
- American dusky flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri
- Pacific-slope flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis
- Cordilleran flycatcher, Empidonax occidentalis
- Black phoebe, Sayornis nigricans
- Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe
- Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya
- Vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus
- Dusky-capped flycatcher, Myiarchus tuberculifer *
- Ash-throated flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens
- Nutting's flycatcher, Myiarchus nuttingi *
- Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus *
- Brown-crested flycatcher, Myiarchus tyrannulus
- Sulphur-bellied flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris *
- Tropical kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus
- Couch's kingbird, Tyrannus couchii *
- Cassin's kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans
- Thick-billed kingbird, Tyrannus crassirostris *
- Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis
- Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
- Scissor-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus
- Fork-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus savana *
Shrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.
- Brown shrike, Lanius cristatus *
- Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus
- Northern shrike, Lanius excubitor
Vireos
Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae
The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills.
- White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus *
- Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii
- Gray vireo, Vireo vicinior
- Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons *
- Plumbeous vireo, Vireo plumbeus
- Cassin's vireo, Vireo cassinii
- Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius *
- Hutton's vireo, Vireo huttoni
- Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus
- Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus
- Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus
- Yellow-green vireo, Vireo flavoviridis *
Jays, crows, magpies and ravens
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.
- Gray jay, Perisoreus canadensis
- Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri
- Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata *
- Island scrub jay, Aphelocoma insularis
- California scrub jay, Aphelocoma californica
- Woodhouse's scrub jay, Aphelocoma woodhouseii
- Pinyon jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
- Clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana
- Black-billed magpie, Pica hudsonia
- Yellow-billed magpie, Pica nuttalli
- American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos
- Common raven, Corvus corax
- Black-throated magpie-jay, Calocitta colliei (I)
Larks
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.
- Sky lark, Alauda arvensis *
- Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris
Swallows and martins
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.
- Purple martin, Progne subis
- Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
- Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina
- Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
- Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
- Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
- Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva *
- Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
Chickadees and titmice
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.
- Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla
- Mountain chickadee, Poecile gambeli
- Chestnut-backed chickadee, Poecile rufescens
- Oak titmouse, Baeolophus inornatus
- Juniper titmouse, Baeolophus ridgwayi
Verdin
Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae
- Verdin, Auriparus flaviceps
Bushtits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithalidae
- Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus
Nuthatches
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae
Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet.
- Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis
- White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis
- Pygmy nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea
Treecreepers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.
- Brown creeper, Certhia americana
Wrens
Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae
Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.
- Cactus wren, Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
- Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus
- Canyon wren, Catherpes mexicanus
- Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii
- House wren, Troglodytes aedon
- Pacific wren, Troglodytes pacificus
- Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis *
- Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis *
- Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris
Dippers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae
- American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus
Kinglets
Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae
The kinglets are a small family of birds which resemble the titmice. They are very small insectivorous birds in the genus Regulus. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their name.
- Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa
- Ruby-crowned kinglet, Regulus calendula
Locustellidae
Order: Passeriformes Family: Locustellidae
- Lanceolated warbler, Locustella lanceolata *
Phylloscopidae
Order: Passeriformes Family: Phylloscopidae
- Dusky warbler, Phylloscopus fuscatus *
- Arctic warbler, Phylloscopus borealis *
Gnatcatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Polioptilidae
- Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea
- California gnatcatcher, Polioptila californica
- Black-tailed gnatcatcher, Polioptila melanura
Old World flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
- Bluethroat, Luscina svecica *
- Taiga flycatcher, Ficedula albicilla *
- Red-flanked bluetail, Tarsiger cyanurus *
- Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe *
- Siberian stonechat, Saxicola maurus *
Thrushes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly but not exclusively in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.
- Western bluebird, Sialia mexicana
- Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides
- Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi
- Veery, Catharus fuscescens *
- Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus *
- Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
- Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus
- Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina *
- Eyebrowed thrush, Turdus obscurus *
- Rufous-backed robin, Turdus rufopalliatus *
- American robin, Turdus migratorius
- Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius
Old World warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
- Wrentit, Chamaea fasciata
Mockingbirds and thrashers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Mimidae
The mimids are a family of passerine birds which includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull grays and browns in their appearance.
- Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
- Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos
- Sage thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus
- Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum
- Bendire's thrasher, Toxostoma bendirei
- Curve-billed thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre *
- California thrasher, Toxostoma redivivum
- Crissal thrasher, Toxostoma crissale
- Le Conte's thrasher, Toxostoma lecontei
Starlings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized Old World passerine birds with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and most are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. The plumage of several species is dark with a metallic sheen.
- European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.
- Eastern yellow wagtail, Motacilla tschutschensis *
- Gray wagtail, Motacilla cinerea *
- White wagtail, Motacilla alba *
- Olive-backed pipit, Anthus hodgsoni *
- Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus
- American pipit, Anthus rubescens
- Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii *
Waxwings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae
The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter.
- Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus
- Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum
Silky-flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Ptiliogonatidae
- Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens
Longspurs and snow buntings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Calcariidae
- McCown's longspur, Calcarius mccownii
- Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
- Smith's longspur, Calcarius pictus *
- Chestnut-collared longspur, Calcarius ornatus
- Little bunting, Emberiza pusilla *
- Rustic bunting, Emberiza rustica *
- Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis *
Wood-warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Parulidae
The wood warblers are a group of small often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores.
- Blue-winged warbler, Vermivora cyanoptera *
- Golden-winged warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera *
- Tennessee warbler, Oreothlypis peregrina
- Orange-crowned warbler, Oreothlypis celata
- Nashville warbler, Oreothlypis ruficapilla
- Virginia's warbler, Oreothlypis virginiae
- Lucy's warbler, Oreothlypis luciae
- Northern parula, Setophaga americana
- Yellow warbler, Setophaga petechia
- Chestnut-sided warbler, Setophaga pensylvanica
- Magnolia warbler, Setophaga magnolia
- Cape May warbler, Setophaga tigrina
- Black-throated blue warbler, Setophaga caerulescens
- Yellow-rumped warbler, Setophaga coronata
- Black-throated gray warbler, Setophaga nigrescens
- Golden-cheeked warbler, Setophaga chrysoparia *
- Black-throated green warbler, Setophaga virens
- Townsend's warbler, Setophaga townsendi
- Hermit warbler, Setophaga occidentalis
- Blackburnian warbler, Setophaga fusca
- Yellow-throated warbler, Setophaga dominica *
- Grace's warbler, Setophaga graciae *
- Pine warbler, Setophaga pinus *
- Prairie warbler, Setophaga discolor
- Palm warbler, Setophaga palmarum
- Bay-breasted warbler, Setophaga castanea
- Blackpoll warbler, Setophaga striata
- Cerulean warbler, Setophaga cerulea *
- Hooded warbler, Setophaga citrina
- American redstart, Setophaga ruticilla
- Black-and-white warbler, Mniotilta varia
- Prothonotary warbler, Protonotaria citrea
- Worm-eating warbler, Helmitheros vermivorus *
- Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla
- Northern waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis
- Louisiana waterthrush, Parkesia motacilla *
- Connecticut warbler, Oporornis agilis *
- Kentucky warbler, Geothlypis formosa
- Mourning warbler, Geothlypis philadelphia *
- MacGillivray's warbler, Geothlypis tolmiei
- Common yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas
- Wilson's warbler, Cardellina pusilla
- Canada warbler, Cardellina canadensis
- Red-faced warbler, Cardellina rubrifrons *
- Painted redstart, Myioborus pictus
- Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens
American sparrows, towhees, juncos and longspurs
Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
Emberizidae is a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. In Europe, most species are called buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 worldwide, 60 North American species and 38 Californian species.
- Green-tailed towhee, Pipilo chlorurus
- Spotted towhee, Pipilo maculatus
- California towhee, Melozone crissalis
- Abert's towhee, Melozone aberti
- Cassin's sparrow, Peucaea cassinii *
- Rufous-crowned sparrow, Aimophila ruficeps
- American tree sparrow, Spizelloides arborea
- Chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina
- Clay-colored sparrow, Spizella pallida
- Brewer's sparrow, Spizella breweri
- Field sparrow, Spizella pusilla *
- Black-chinned sparrow, Spizella atrogularis
- Vesper sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus
- Lark sparrow, Chondestes grammacus
- Black-throated sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata
- Bell's sparrow, Artemisiospiza belli
- Lark bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys
- Savannah sparrow, Passerculus hoagiensis
- Grasshopper sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum
- Baird's sparrow, Ammodramus bairdii *
- Le Conte's sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii *
- Nelson's sparrow, Ammodramus nelsoni
- Fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca
- Song sparrow, Melospiza melodia
- Lincoln's sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii
- Swamp sparrow, Melospiza georgiana
- White-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis
- Harris's sparrow, Zonotrichia querula
- White-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys
- Golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla
- Dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis
Cardinals, saltators and grosbeaks
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cardinalidae
The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages.
- Hepatic tanager, Piranga flava
- Summer tanager, Piranga rubra
- Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea *
- Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
- Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis
- Pyrrhuloxia, Cardinalis sinuatus *
- Rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus
- Black-headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus
- Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea
- Lazuli bunting, Passerina amoena
- Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea
- Varied bunting, Passerina versicolor *
- Painted bunting, Passerina ciris
- Dickcissel, Spiza americana
Blackbirds, meadowlarks, cowbirds, grackles and orioles
Order: Passeriformes Family: Icteridae
The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red.
- Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus
- Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
- Tricolored blackbird, Agelaius tricolor
- Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta
- Yellow-headed blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
- Rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus *
- Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus
- Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula *
- Great-tailed grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus
- Bronzed cowbird, Molothrus aeneus
- Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater (I)
- Orchard oriole, Icterus spurius
- Hooded oriole, Icterus cucullatus
- Streak-backed oriole, Icterus pustulatus *
- Bullock's oriole, Icterus bullockii
- Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula
- Scott's oriole, Icterus parisorum
Finches
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.
- Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla *
- Gray-crowned rosy-finch, Leucosticte tephrocotis
- Black rosy finch, Leucosticte atrata *
- Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator
- Purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus
- Cassin's finch, Haemorhous cassinii
- House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus
- Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
- White-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera *
- Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea *
- Pine siskin, Spinus pinus
- Lesser goldfinch, Spinus psaltria
- Lawrence's goldfinch, Spinus lawrencei
- American goldfinch, Spinus tristis
- Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
Old World sparrows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or grayish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.
- House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)
See also
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Birds of California. |
- Official California Checklist by the California Bird Records Committee
- The Check-list of North American Birds, 7th edition, 1998, published by the American Ornithologists' Union (a recognized source on the taxonomy of birds found in North America)