Common Birds in California: Identify the Top Species With This Guide (2024)

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As you explore California’s diverse landscapes, you’ll encounter a fascinating array of common birds.

Keep an eye out for the cheerful Dark-eyed Junco with its white outer tail feathers, the vibrant Allen’s Hummingbird performing courtship dances, and the plain but melodious California Towhee.

In woodlands, you may spot the crested Oak Titmouse or fruit-loving Cedar Waxwings.

Raptors like the iconic Red-tailed Hawk and intelligent Ravens are common sights.

During winter, sparrows and waterfowl like Mallards frequent wetlands.

Get ready to be serenaded by the sweet songs of warblers and sparrows as you discover more about California’s rich avian diversity.

Songbirds

You’ll often encounter the cheerful dark-eyed junco, one of the most abundant songbirds in North America, foraging on the ground and flashing its white outer tail feathers as it makes ticking calls.

The bright flashes and buzzing sounds of Allen’s hummingbird are an early sign of spring in coastal California.

These tiny jewels arrive as early as January from their wintering grounds in Mexico to court, nest, and visit backyard sugar water feeders and flowers.

Dark-eyed Junco

The dark-eyed junco, a beloved backyard visitor, is known for its distinct white belly and slate gray hood. These hardy songbirds flock to feeders in winter, delighting onlookers with their lively hops and flashes of white outer tail feathers. Juncos nest in coniferous forests, constructing cup-shaped nests on the ground or in low shrubs. Their cheerful trills are a harbinger of spring’s arrival.

• Subspecies vary in head and back coloration
• Forage on the ground, often under feeders
• Mate for life and defend territories year-round
• Nest in natural cavities or build cup-shaped nests

Allen’s Hummingbird

Allen’s Hummingbirds, known for their vibrant displays, select shrubby habitats for breeding season courtship.

Migrating to coastal California as early as January, males showcase intricate courtship dances.

These hummingbirds are drawn to sugar water feeders and backyard flowers for nesting.

Their habitat preference aligns with the varied landscapes of California, making them one of the common birds in the state alongside the Oak Titmouse and Western Kingbird.

California Towhee

The California Towhee is a plain, brown sparrow found throughout California’s brushy habitats. It prefers dense vegetation for foraging and nesting. During breeding season, males aggressively defend their territories with loud, repetitive songs. These sedentary birds forage on the ground, scratching in leaf litter with both feet. Though common, their populations are declining due to habitat loss.

Oak Titmouse

The Oak Titmouse, a small gray bird with a crest, is closely associated with oak habitats in California.

They exhibit loyal nesting behavior and have a relatively long life expectancy.

The male’s song variations increase during spring, and they’re skilled in foraging for insects in the oak canopy.

These birds are a unique addition to the array of species residing within oak woodlands.

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwings are gregarious, fruit-loving birds that move about irregularly in search of berry crops. Their unique wax-like wing tips and bright yellow tail bands make them easy to identify. These sociable songbirds often flock together, making soft, high-pitched trills. In California, they’re generally seen most often in the winter, visiting trees and shrubs in small groups.

California Scrub-Jay

The California Scrub-Jay is a charismatic resident of oak woodlands, parks, and neighborhoods across the state. With its electric-blue plumage and bold personality, this jay is hard to miss. Watch for their acrobatic mating displays, where males hop and lunge while fanning their tails. These clever birds excel at problem-solving and have impressive spatial memories for storing food caches.

• Vibrant blue plumage and gray underparts
• Adept at solving problems and remembering food cache locations
• Frequent visitors to backyard feeders
• Aggressive defenders of their territories
• Omnivorous diet includes insects, fruits, seeds, and small vertebrates

Yellow-rumped Warbler

The Yellow-rumped Warbler, affectionately known as the butter-butt, is a hardy and widespread species found across California. These adaptable birds thrive in various habitats, from coastal forests to urban parks. Their diet consists primarily of insects and berries, allowing them to winter farther north than other warblers. Look for their distinct yellow rump patch as they forage in small flocks.

Subspecies	Region	Appearance
Audubon’s Warbler	Western North America	Yellow throat
Myrtle Warbler	Eastern North America	White throat

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

The chestnut-backed chickadee is a non-migratory resident of California’s humid coniferous forests. These active, noisy birds often forage in sociable flocks. They incorporate hair and fur into their nests, with up to half the material consisting of these soft linings. Unlike eastern populations, California chickadees thrive in suburban areas too.

Woodland Birds

Oak woodlands and brushy habitats are home to a variety of woodland birds in California.

The Oak Titmouse, a small gray bird with a crest, searches for insects in oak tree canopies.

The California Towhee, found only in California, forages on the ground but hides in dense vegetation.

Acorn Woodpeckers, known for their unique food storage behavior, drill holes in trees to store acorns.

The Northern Mockingbird, with its wide repertoire of imitated calls, is a common sight in suburban areas.

Bushtits, tiny birds with long tails, forage in flocks and incorporate fur into their nests.

These woodland birds thrive in California’s diverse habitats.

Raptors

Raptors are an alluring group of birds that soar through California’s skies. The Cooper’s Hawk, a medium-sized bird-hunting hawk, is a common sight in the state. These secretive predators prowl above forests and fields, adeptly pursuing prey through dense tree canopies. Their main targets are medium-sized birds, but they also eat small mammals. Curiously, female Cooper’s Hawks are about 30% larger than males and tend to take on larger prey.

Another raptor you might spot is the Turkey Vulture, known for its distinctive V-shaped wings and ability to locate carrion from miles away. The Red-tailed Hawk, with its iconic rusty tail, is a frequent visitor to open areas and perches atop telephone poles. The Common Raven and American Crow, while not true raptors, are intelligent scavengers that often follow hawks and vultures in search of easy meals.

Wintering Birds

Wintering birds in California exhibit fascinating behaviors during this period.

Their habitat preference plays a significant role in their wintering behavior.

The white-crowned sparrow favors brushy habitats, while the mallard may be found in a variety of wetland habitats.

Each species’ dietary habits also influence their choice of wintering grounds.

The American coot primarily forages for aquatic invertebrates, making wetlands and water bodies their preferred wintering sites.

The conservation status and local abundance of these birds are also key considerations.

This is especially true for species like the great egret, which has faced habitat loss and other conservation concerns.

Understanding these aspects contributes to appreciating and conserving the rich birdlife during the winter months in California.

Bird Calls and Songs

One of the joys of bird watching in California is learning to identify species by their distinctive calls and songs.

You’ll quickly recognize the cheerful, warbling song of the American robin.

The wide repertoire of imitated calls from the northern mockingbird.

The repetitive, melodic trill of the song sparrow.

The clear, whistled song of the white-crowned sparrow.

And the sweet, high-pitched warble of the yellow warbler.

American Robin

As you continue exploring the realm of California birds, you’ll encounter the American Robin, a common sight in many backyards. Known for its cheerful, warbling song, the American Robin is a year-round resident in California, with a diet that includes earthworms, fruits, and insects. Here are some key features to help you identify this bird:

• Nesting Behavior: American Robins build cup-shaped nests using twigs, grasses, and other plant material.
• Song Analysis: Their song is a series of whistled notes, often described as a melodic, descending phrase.
• Territoriality: American Robins are known to be territorial, with males defending their territories from other males.
• Diet Preferences: They primarily eat earthworms, fruits, and insects, with a preference for earthworms during breeding season.

Northern Mockingbird

The Northern Mockingbird, known for its vast repertoire, mimics various sounds like other birds, animals, and even mechanical noises with exceptional accuracy.

Its behavior includes defending territory vigorously and singing during day and night.

Appearance-wise, it’s a slender gray bird with white patches on wings and outer tail feathers.

In contrast to other birds like larks, eagles, parrots, and owls, the Northern Mockingbird’s mimicry abilities are truly remarkable.

Song Sparrow

The Song Sparrow’s distinctive brown plumage and prominent central spot make it a common sight across North America. These adaptable birds thrive in diverse habitats, from wetlands to urban gardens. Their versatile diet includes insects, seeds, and berries. Listen for their repetitive, melodic trills echoing through the landscape. Despite habitat challenges, Song Sparrows remain a beloved backyard visitor.

White-crowned Sparrow

The white-crowned sparrow’s clear, whistled song is a familiar sound across much of California. These sparrows migrate to the state in winter, often foraging in flocks in brushy areas. Their distinctive black and white striped head pattern varies slightly by geographic region. Listen for their sweet song as they prepare to head north for breeding season .

Yellow Warbler

The Yellow Warbler is known for its sweet, high-pitched warble, a distinctive part of its song.

This bird frequents various habitats, including forests, wetlands, and shrubbery, and feeds mainly on insects.

They nest in shrubs or trees, primarily in spring-summer, contributing to conservation efforts, supporting local ecosystems.

During migration, they share habitat with other species like terns, contributing to the spring breeding cycle .

Waterfowl

One of the most conspicuous groups of birds in California is waterfowl – ducks, geese, and their aquatic relatives. You’ll often see mallards dabbling in ponds and marshes, while the familiar honking of Canada geese announces their presence overhead. The American coot, ruddy duck, and bufflehead are other water-loving species commonly encountered across the state’s lakes, reservoirs, and coastal areas.

Mallard

The iconic Mallard is a common sight in California’s wetlands, parks, and even urban ponds.

These adaptable ducks thrive in diverse habitats, from coastal estuaries to inland lakes.

Mallards are omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, insects, and small fish.

During breeding season, males perform elaborate courtship displays, while both sexes work together to build nests and raise ducklings.

Conservation efforts aim to protect Mallard populations and their essential wetland habitats.

Canada Goose

The Canada Goose is a familiar sight in California’s wetlands and parks.

These large, honking birds are known for their distinctive black head, white cheeks, and long neck.

They thrive in urban areas and are often seen grazing on lawns or swimming in ponds.

Canada Geese mate for life and are known for their strong family bonds.

Their population has increased in recent years due to captive breeding and habitat conservation efforts.

However, hunting regulations still apply in some areas.

Watch out for Cooper’s Hawks and other predators that may target goslings or eggs.

American Coot

The American Coot is a common waterfowl species in California, recognized for its distinctive cooing or grunting sounds.

These birds frequent freshwater habitats like marshes, ponds, and lakes, where they display assertive and territorial behavior during the breeding season.

American Coots are omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates.

Their conservation status is of least concern, making them a familiar and welcoming sight in the state’s waterfowl-rich ecosystems.

Ruddy Duck

The ruddy duck is a unique waterfowl species known for its distinctive breeding plumage and entertaining mating displays. Males use their stiff tails and loud, guttural calls to attract females during spring. These diving ducks prefer freshwater marshes, lakes, and ponds, where they feed on aquatic plants and insects. Though common, their populations face threats from habitat loss and hunting.

Bufflehead

The Bufflehead, a waterfowl species found in California, is a migratory bird with a diverse diet, including aquatic invertebrates and small fish. They nest in cavities, often using old woodpecker holes. Common predators include mink, raccoons, and birds of prey. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect their nesting habitat and create healthy aquatic environments for their survival .

• Bufflehead migration
• Bufflehead diet
• Bufflehead nesting
• Bufflehead predators
• Bufflehead conservation

Shorebirds

Shorebirds are a fascinating group of birds found along California’s coastlines and wetlands.

Keep an eye out for the distinctive black bands and bright orange rump of the Killdeer.

The rapid teetering motion of the Western and Least Sandpipers.

The trill of the Dunlin as it takes flight.

The striking long upturned bill of the Marbled Godwit probing the mudflats.

Killdeer

The Killdeer is a distinctive shorebird found throughout California.

With its brown back, white belly, and two black bands across its chest, the Killdeer is easily recognizable.

These birds prefer open habitats like fields, lawns, and parking lots.

During breeding season, Killdeer migrate north, while non-breeding birds remain year-round in the southern U.S. and Mexico.

They forage on the ground for insects and other small invertebrates.

Western Sandpiper

The Western Sandpiper is a small shorebird that migrates along the Pacific Coast.

During spring, they breed in Alaska and western Canada, then winter along the California coast.

Look for them in mudflats, beaches, and marshes, probing the soil with their long bills.

Though common, their populations have declined due to habitat loss.

Protect coastal wetlands to help conserve this species.

Least Sandpiper

The Least Sandpiper, a tiny shorebird, can be identified by its small size, dark legs, and distinctive soft, piping call. These birds frequent mudflats, marshes, and the edges of ponds and lakes, probing for insects, crustaceans, and seeds. During migration, they gather in large flocks, adding to the vibrancy of California’s wetlands.

Dunlin

The Dunlin is a small shorebird that visits California’s beaches and mudflats during migration. Look for their distinctive black belly patch in winter. Dunlins breed in the Arctic tundra, then migrate long distances, often in large flocks. They probe the mud with their long, slightly decurved bills to find small invertebrates. Listen for their high-pitched, trilling calls.

Marbled Godwit

The Marbled Godwit is a large shorebird with a distinctive long, upturned bill. It breeds in the prairies and migrates to coastal areas in winter, where it forages for crustaceans, mollusks, and insects in mudflats and beaches. Its loud, whistling call is a common sound along the California coast. Conservation efforts aim to protect its wetland habitats.

Endemic Species

California endemic bird species are unique treasures with specific habitat preferences. Their distribution within the state reflects their specialized adaptation to local conditions. Understanding these endemic species’ population trends is essential for effective conservation efforts. Conservation statuses vary among these birds, highlighting the need for targeted preservation actions. These species play essential roles in their ecosystems, emphasizing the significance of protecting their habitats.

• California endemic bird species exhibit specialized habitat preferences.
• It’s essential to monitor population trends for effective conservation.
• Conservation statuses vary, necessitating targeted preservation actions.

Backyard Visitors

You’re likely familiar with the vibrant House Finch, a common backyard visitor in California with its rosy-red head and breast.

Another frequent feeder guest is the petite Anna’s Hummingbird, flashing iridescent feathers as it hovers to sip nectar from flowering plants.

Other backyard favorites include the cheerful Lesser Goldfinch, sporting bright yellow plumage.

And the ubiquitous Mourning Dove, known for its soothing coo.

House Finch

The house finch is a beloved backyard visitor in California, known for its vibrant red plumage and cheerful song. These adaptable birds thrive in urban and suburban areas, nesting in trees, shrubs, and even on buildings. They feed on a variety of seeds, buds, and fruits, and are a common sight at bird feeders. Despite facing challenges like eye disease, house finches remain a resilient and abundant species in the state.

Habitat	Breeding	Diet
Cities, suburbs, parks	Spring to summer	Seeds, buds, fruits
Woodlands, chaparral	1-6 broods per year	Insects for nestlings
Deserts, grasslands	Nest in trees, shrubs, buildings	Sunflower seeds, millet
Streamside vegetation	Monogamous pairs	Nectar from flowers
Open coniferous forests	Nest cup made of twigs, grass	Berries, cherries, figs

Anna’s Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbirds are a delight in Southern California backyards. These tiny, iridescent gems perform dazzling aerial displays during mating rituals (Source). Males aggressively defend their territories with high-pitched chirps and dives . Females build cup-shaped nests in shrubs and trees, laying 2 pea-sized eggs . Attract these beauties with nectar feeders and flowering plants like fuchsias and salvias .

• Iridescent green head and back, pink throat in males
• Females lack pink throat, have white tips on tail feathers
• Hover and fly backwards with rapid wing beats
• Eat small insects and spiders in addition to nectar
• Weigh less than a penny, yet migrate to Mexico in winter

Lesser Goldfinch

The Lesser Goldfinch, a backyard visitor in California, thrives in a habitat rich in plants like sunflowers and thistles.

They exhibit social behavior, often seen in small flocks, and feed primarily on seeds and insects.

Their population, while stable, benefits from conservation efforts to protect their preferred habitats.

Understanding their diet and behavior is essential for promoting their conservation in California.

Mourning Dove

The Mourning Dove is a common backyard visitor in California, known for its soft, mournful cooing. These doves are adaptable and thrive in urban and suburban areas, nesting in trees and shrubs. They feed on seeds and grains, often visiting bird feeders. Mourning Doves are monogamous and form strong pair bonds, with both parents sharing incubation duties.

1. Mourning Doves are found throughout California, with a wide geographic range that includes urban, suburban, and rural areas.
2. Their nesting habits involve building flimsy stick nests in trees, shrubs, or on ledges, where they lay two white eggs.
3. While Mourning Dove populations are stable overall, they face some conservation concerns due to hunting and habitat loss in certain regions.

Migratory Birds

As the seasons change, California transforms into a bustling highway for migratory birds. Each spring and fall, millions of feathered travelers begin extraordinary journeys, utilizing the state’s diverse habitats as imperative rest stops. From the coastal wetlands to the inland deserts, these birds replenish their energy and recuperate before continuing their flights. Birdwatchers enthusiastically anticipate their arrivals at renowned hotspots such as Morro Bay, Mono Lake, and the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Witnessing the spectacle of spring migration, with species like the Allen’s Hummingbird and Yellow-rumped Warbler, is a true delight. As you explore California’s landscapes, keep an eye out for these avian marvels and their captivating flight patterns.

Season	Migratory Birds	Hotspots
Spring	Allen’s Hummingbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler	Morro Bay, Mono Lake, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area
Fall	Sandpipers, Plovers, Geese	Humboldt Bay, Owens Lake, Sacramento NWR
Both	Loons, Shearwaters, Grebes	Point Pinos, Point Loma, Piedras Blancas
Songbirds	Warblers, Vireos, Flycatchers	Butterbredt Springs, Angeles Crest Forest

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)