| ANSERIFORMES
(Ducks and relatives) |
| DUCKS
are aquatic, web-footed birds. |
|
image
unavailable
Wood
duck (Aix sponsa, Anatidae) L181/2
inches. Males are distinctively colored overall
with a glossy, colorful pattern. Eyes are red.
Bill is red, but tipped in black. The head has
a characteristic green crest with two pinstripes
(one from the bill, the other from just posterior
to the eye). The cheek and side of neck are
blotched in black. There is white around the
front of the neck and throat extending into
the cheek. Chest is chestnut spotted with white.
Wings are brown and blue, speckled and iridescent.
Sides and belly are cream-colored. The upper
edges of the sides bear a thin stripe in black.
Females are grayish-brownish. Their crest is
shorter. A large white teardrop-shaped eye patch
is present. Wood ducks are present mostly from
mid-October through mid-November. They are found
in open woodlands in riparian habitats, rarely
in Poly Canyon.
|
| FALCONIFORMES
(Vultures, hawks, and falcons) |
| VULTURES
are scavengers with small, unfeathered heads,
hooked bills, and weak talons. |
|
Turkey
vulture (Cathartes aura, Cathartidae)
L 27 inches, W 69 inches. These birds have primarily
black feathers. Their heads are usually orange-red.
In flight, wing linings are black, flight feathers
silver gray. Turkey vultures are common throughout
Poly Canyon, inhabiting dry, open country, woodlands,
and farmlands. They are found year-round in
grasslands, chaparral, and woodlands, and are
often seen in the air.
|
| DIURNAL
BIRDS OF PREY have large, hooked bills and
strong talons. Males are usually smaller than
females. |
|
image
unavailable
Golden
eagle (Aguila chrysaetos, Accipitridae)
L 30 to 40 inches, W 80 to 88 inches. This bird
is brown with a golden wash over the back of
its head and neck. The beak is dark. The banding
on the tail is faint. This eagle may be a year-round
inhabitant of the hilly terrain of Poly Canyon.
It typically hunts over open country (grasslands
and shrublands) and nests on cliffs or in trees.
|
|
image
unavailable
Black-shouldered
kite (Elanus caeruleus, Accipitridae)
L 16 inches, W 42 inches. Long tail and wings.
Wings pointed. White face, throat, belly, and
rump, and mostly white tail; pale gray top and
back; dark gray shoulders. The black-shouldered
kite hovers distinctively while hunting. It
is found year-round primarily in/over riparian
habitats, as well as brushy grasslands and farmlands.
It is uncommon in Poly Canyon.
|
| LOW-FLYING
WOODLAND HAWKS have short, rounded wings and
long tails. Males are usually smaller than females. |
|
Sharp-shinned
hawk (Accipiter striatus, Accipitridae)
L 10 to 14 inches, W 20 to 28 inches. This bird
is similar to a Cooper's hawk (below), but it
is slightly smaller overall and its tail is
shorter and squared. It may be found in Poly
Canyon from mid-September through mid-April
in riparian, chaparral, and mixed woodland habitats.
|
|
image
unavailable
Cooper's
hawk (Accipiter cooperi, Accipitridae)
L 14 to 20 inches, W 29 to 37 inches. Similar
to the sharp-shinned hawk (above), but larger
overall and its tail is longer and more rounded.
It is found mostly from mid-September through
mid-April in riparian, chaparral, and broken
woodlands. It inhabits streamside groves and
may also be found perched on telephone poles.
|
| DIURNAL
HIGH-SOARING HAWKS commonly have rounded wings
and broad, banded tails. |
|
Red-shouldered
hawk (Buteo lineatus, Accipitridae)
L 19 inches, W 40 inches. This common hawk has
long wings and tail. It has a pale crescent
at the base of its primaries. Reddish shoulders
and white bars on wings. Reddish wing linings
and underparts. Tail with narrow white bands.
The red-shouldered hawk is a year-round inhabitant
of Poly Canyon. It is found primarily in moist
mixed (riparian) woodlands and can also be seen
in grassland habitats.
|
|
Red-tailed
hawk (Buteo jamaicensis, Accipitridae)
L 22 inches, W 50 inches. The red-tailed hawk
is a very common local inhabitant. Is has broad,
somewhat rounded wings. Its coloring varies,
but characteristically includes dark streaks
on whitish underparts. The leading edge of its
underwing has a dark bar, but the wing linings
are paler. The tail is darker red above, paler
red-brown below. It inhabits Poly Canyon year-round
in a variety of habitats, particularly in woodlands
and chaparral with open shrub- and grassland
nearby.
|
|
image
unavailable
Ferruginous
hawk (Buteo regalis, Accipitridae)
L 23 inches, W 53 inches. This large hawk has
rusty-colored back and shoulders. Its head is
paler, its tail white with some pale rust. Its
wings are long and broad, with white patches
on the upper surface. The rust-colored leggings
form a 'V' shape against its white underside
when seen in flight. When hunting, it can be
seen hovering. It may be present in Poly Canyon
mostly from mid-October through mid-March. It
inhabits dry, open grasslands and shrublands.
It may be seen perching in trees, on poles,
or on the ground. It is not common in Poly Canyon.
|
| FALCONS
are powerful hunters. Their long wings bend back
at the wrists and are narrow and pointed. Males
are smaller than females. |
|
image
unavailable
American
kestrel (Falco sparverius, Falconidae)
L 101/2 inches, W 23 inches. The most distinctive
features of this small falcon are the double
black stripes on its white face, along with
the russet back and tail. Males have blue-gray
wings and a reddish tail and back. Females lack
the blue-gray wings. Their tails are spotted
brown and red, have a brown band, and are tipped
in white. American kestrels can be found year-round
in open country including grasslands and shrublands,
as well as open woodlands.
|
|
image
unavailable
Merlin
(Falco columbarius, Falconidae) L 12
inches,
W 25 inches. Males are blue-gray above; females
are dark brown. Both have underparts that are
much streaked and have very barred tails. Merlins
may found mostly from mid-October through November
in riparian and other open woodlands, as well
as grasslands. They are uncommon in Poly Canyon.
|
|
image
unavailable
Prairie
falcon (Falco mexicanus, Falconidae)
L 151/2 to 191/2 inches, W 35 to 43 inches.
The prairie falcon is light brown above and
cream-colored with brown spotting below. Its
crown and face are streaked in brown. In flight
one can see its dark axillaries and wing coverts.
It may be a year-round inhabitant of dry, open
grasslands, coastal scrub, and chaparral. It
is occasionally found in open woodlands.
|
GALLIFORMES
(Quail and relatives)
These are ground-dwelling birds with short, strong
feet. They have short, rounded wings and fly briefly.
Males have elaborate courtship displays. |
|
image
unavailable
Wild
turkey (Meleagris gallopavo, Meleagrididae)
Males: L 46 inches. Body is dark with
some iridescence. Flight feathers barred with
white. Wattles red. Breast tuft black. Legs
spurred. Bare skin is blue and pink. Tail, uppertail
coverts, and lower rump feathers are tipped
with off-white. Females: 37 inches of
duller coloration overall and lacking breast
tuft. Wild turkeys reside year-round and are
found primarily in open riparian woodlands.
They are omnivorous.
|
|
California
quail (Callipepla californica, Phasianidae)
L 10 inches. Gray and brown above with a prominent
teardrop shaped plume over face. Underparts
are scaled. Sides are brown streaked with white.
Body is mostly brown. Males have a pale forehead,
black throat, and a chestnut patch on the belly.
These gregarious birds are found throughout
the year in open riparian woodlands and chaparral.
|
|
image
unavailable
Mountain
quail (Oreortyx pictus, Phasianidae)
Length 11 inches. Gray and brown above. Head
plumes long and thin and point toward back.
Gray breast. Chestnut sides barred with white.
Chestnut throat outlined in white. Mountain
quail are gregarious and may be found year-round
in chaparral and open woodlands, though probably
only in the uppermost parts of Poly Canyon,
toward Cuesta Ridge.
|
COLUMBIFORMES
(Pigeons and doves)
These birds have plump bodies and small, bobbing
heads. These are strong, fast fliers. They eat
seeds (grain, acorns, etc.). |
|
image
unavailable
Rock
dove (Columba livia, Columbidae)
Length 121/2 inches. Coloration is quite variable
in this species. Individuals most like their
wild ancestors have head and neck that are darker
than back, black bars on inner wing, white rump,
black band at end of tail. Rock doves are common,
year-round residents in local fields and barns
and under bridges in grassland and open woodland
habitats.
|
|
image
unavailable
Band-tailed
pigeon (Columba fasciata, Columbidae)
L141/2 inches. Head and breast purplish. Yellow
bill dark-tipped. Legs yellow. Tail with broad
gray band. Nape with narrow white band. Similar
to rock dove, but band-tailed pigeon is more
uniformly colored. A year-round resident primarily
of oak woodlands.
|
|
image
unavailable
Mourning
dove (Zenaida macroura, Columbidae)
L 12 inches. Long pointed tail. Black spots
on gray-yellowish upper wing. Pinkish wash on
underparts. White tips on outer tail feathers.
Wings make distinctive creaky whistle as birds
take flight. Found year-round in farmyards and
grassy meadows, riparian woodlands and chaparral.
|
STRIGIFORMES
(Owls)
Owls are primarily nocturnal birds of prey. Their
eyes seem immobile in their large heads. Their
fluffy plumage allows them to be nearly soundless
in flight. |
|
image
unavailable
Common
barn-owl (Tyto alba, Tytonidae) L
16 inches. Dark eyes. No ear tufts. Light, heart-shaped
face. Rusty upperparts, whitish to pale rusty
underparts. Yearlong resident of farm buildings,
cliffs and trees in riparian, grassland, chaparral,
and woodland communities. It nests in the cavities
of snags, as well as in cliff crevices.
|
|
image
unavailable
Western
screech-owl (Otus kennicottii, Strigidae)
L 81/2 inches. Yellow eyes. Ear tufts. Usually
gray all over. This owl is a yearlong resident
found in open riparian woodlands and streamside
groves. It nests in the cavities of snags and
hollow stumps, as well as abandoned magpie nests
or crevices in buildings. It is nocturnal.
|
|
image
unavailable
Great
horned owl (Bubo virginianus, Strigidae)
L 22 inches. Yellow eyes. Ear tufts. White throat,
rusty face, and brownish body. This yearlong
resident can be found primarily in riparian
woodlands and chaparral. It nests in trees,
caves, or on the ground. It is mostly nocturnal.
|
CAPRIMULGIFORMES
(Poorwhils and relatives)
These are nocturnal, insectivorous, ground-nesting
birds. |
|
image
unavailable
Common
poorwhil (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii,
Caprimulgidae) L 73/4 inches. Short, rounded
tail and wings. Wings lacking white markings.
Outer tail feathers tipped in white. Upperparts
mottled brownish-gray. Broad white band across
dark throat and breast. Found primarily from
March through mid-October; hibernates during
cold weather. The common poorwhil inhabits grassland,
woodland, coastal scrub, chaparral, and possibly
ruderal habitats.
|
| APODIFORMES
(Swifts and hummingbirds) |
| SWIFTS
are diurnal, insectivorous birds. Their long,
pointed wings allow them to fly fast. |
|
image
unavailable
White-throated
swift (Aeronautes saxatalis, Apodidae)
L 61/2 inches. Black and white. Long, notched
tail. Long, narrow wings. The white-throated
swift is a year-round resident of rocky canyons
and upland rocky terrain. It is most seen in
the air.
|
| HUMMINGBIRDS
are tiny, colorful birds that hover at flowers
to sip nectar. They also eat insects and spiders. |
|
image
unavailable
Black-chinned
hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri,
Trochilidae) L 33/4 inches. Metallic green above.
Male with a violet green band along the lower
part of black throat. Whitish underparts. Sides
and flanks green. Female with whitish throat
possibly streaked green. Found mostly from mid-April
through August in a riparian woodland setting.
|
|
image
unavailable
Anna's
hummingbird (Calypte anna, Trochilidae)
L 4 inches. Bill seems short. Grayish underparts
with some green washing. Male head, sides of
neck, and throat deep reddish pink. Female may
have red flecks on whitish throat. A yearlong
resident of riparian woodlands and chaparral.
|
|
image
unavailable
Costa's
hummingbird (Calypte costae, Trochilidae)
L 31/2 inches. Green back. Male purple crown
and gorget that extends well down sides of neck
leaving whitish triangle just posterior to eye.
Female light gray underside. Found primarily
mid-April through July in chaparral and coastal
scrub.
|
CORACIIFORMES
(Kingfishers and relatives)
These are stocky birds with short legs, large
heads, large bills, and a ragged crest. They eat
fish. |
|
image
unavailable
Belted
kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon, Alcedinidae)
L 13 inches. Gray-blue head, crest, breast band
and shoulders across back and upper wings. Neck
band white. Male belly white. Female with rust-colored
band across belly. Year-round resident of riparian
habitats. Not very common in Poly Canyon.
|
PICIFORMES
(Woodpeckers and relatives)
Woodpeckers have strong claws and short legs.
Their very sharp bills are used to chisel out
insect food and nest holes in trees, as well as
to drum territorial signals to rivals. |
|
Acorn
woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus,
Picidae) L 9 inches. This bird is distinctively
colored: black back, tail, and chin; pale throat,
cheeks, and forehead; and a vivid red cap. It
has a white rump and small white patches on
the outer wings, conspicuous in flight. It is
a yearlong inhabitant of oak woodlands.
|
|
image
unavailable
Nuttall's
woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii, Picidae)
L 71/2 inches. Spotted sides, black and white
facial markings, white bars on black back. Solid
black just below nape. Its tail is mostly black
with some white spotting on the outermost feathers.
Year-round inhabitant of streamside trees in
riparian woodlands and wooded canyons. Also
found on chaparral-covered slopes. Its call
is notable: a single or repeated sharp pweek
and a high-pitched whinny.
|
|
image
unavailable
Downy
woodpecker (Picoides pubescens, Picidae)
L 63/4 inches. White back bordered by black.
Small, dark bill. Body and bill smaller that
hairy woodpecker's. Tail feathers are black
down the center with white bars or spots on
the outer feathers. Dark gray-black bars over
wings. Red band across back of head. Yearlong
inhabitant of riparian woodlands.
|
|
image
unavailable
Hairy
woodpecker (Picoides villosus, Picidae)
L 91/2 inches. White back bordered by black.
Body and bill larger than downy woodpecker's
Tail feathers are black down the center with
outer tail feathers white spotted with black.
Dark gray-black bars over wings. Red band across
back of head. Found year-round in open riparian
woodlands.
|
|
Northern
flicker (Colaptes auratus, Picidae)
L 121/2 inches. Back brown with black bars.
Underparts lighter brown with black spots. Bib
is black crescent. Rump white. Tail brown-black.
Male with red whisker stripe. Found year-round
in open riparian woodlands and chaparral.
|
| PASSERIFORMES
(Perching birds) |
| TYRANT
FLYCATCHERS commonly have bristly whiskers,
a broad-based, flat bill, and a large head. They
stand erect. They dart out from their perches
to feed on insects. |
|
image
unavailable
Western
wood-pewee (Contopus sordidulus,
Tyranidae) L 61/2 inches. Upperparts gray-olive.
Throat white. Breast and sides dark gray. Belly,
flanks, and undertail coverts white to pale
yellow. Wing bars distinctive. Bill dark or
with yellow-orange on lower mandible. Found
mostly from May through mid-September in open
riparian woodlands.
|
|
image
unavailable
Pacific-slope
(Western) flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis,
Tyranidae) L 51/2 inches. Brown-green above.
Underparts yellow-tinged with broad gray-green
band across chest. White or yellowish eye ring
conspicuous. Lower mandible bright orange. Mostly
mid-March through late October. Found in shady
canyons and open riparian woodlands.
|
|
Black
phoebe (Sayornis nigricans, Tyranidae)
L 63/4 inches. Black except for white belly
and undertail coverts. Distinctive tail bobbing
behavior. Found yearlong in riparian woodlands,
especially near the water.
|
|
image
unavailable
Ash-throated
flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens,
Tyranidae) L 81/2 inches. Top of head, nape,
and shoulders gray-brown. Bushy crest. Throat
and breast pale gray. Belly and undertail coverts
pale yellow. Found mostly mid-April through
mid-September in riparian, woodland, and chaparral
habitats.
|
| LARKS
are insectivorous ground dwellers inhabiting open
fields. |
|
image
unavailable
Horned
lark (Eremophila alpestris, Alaudidae)
L 71/4 inches. "Horns" black. Face
white or yellowish with black stripe below eye.
Bib black. Tail dark brown with outer feathers
white. Found year-round in grasslands, chaparral,
coastal scrub, dirt fields, and gravely ridges.
|
| SWALLOWS
are insectivorous, slender birds with long, pointed
wings. To distinguish the species, note the shape
of their tails, as well as their coloration. |
|
image
unavailable
Tree
swallow (Tachycineta bicolor, Hirundinidae)
L 53/4 inches. Upperparts dark, shiny blue-green.
Underparts white. Different from violet-green
swallow in that the white cheek patch does not
extend above the eye. Found all year, especially
from March through mid-October. Inhabits riparian
woodland habitats, nesting in holes of dead
trees.
|
|
image
unavailable
Violet-green
swallow (Tachycineta thalassina,
Hirundinidae) L 51/4 inches. Upperparts shiny
blue-green. Underparts white. Different from
tree swallow in that white cheek patch extends
to above eye. White patches on flank, extending
onto sides of rump. Visible mostly from late
February through early October in open woodland
habitats.
|
|
image
unavailable
Northern
rough-winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx
serripennis, Hirundinidae) L 51/2 inches.
Upperparts light brown. Underparts white. Chin,
throat, and upper part of breast washed in dusky
color. This swallow is usually seen from March
through mid-September in riparian habitats,
especially near steep riverbanks, cliffs, bridges,
and culverts.
|
|
image
unavailable
Cliff
swallow (Hirundo pyrrhonota, Hirundinidae)
L 51/2 inches. Squarish tail. Rump buff. Throat
blackish. Forehead light beige or cinnamon-colored.
Visible mostly from mid-February through mid-September.
Found in riparian habitats, especially near
cliffs, as well as farms.
|
|
image
unavailable
Barn
swallow (Hirundo rustica, Hirundinidae)
L 63/4 inches. Underparts cinnamon-colored.
Distinctive long, forked tail is cinnamon-colored
below. Throat is reddish-brown. Underparts blue-gray.
Found mostly from mid-February through mid-October
in riparian and grassland habitats. Also inhabits
farm buildings, under bridges, and inside culverts.
|
| JAYS,
CROWS, AND MAGPIES are often raucous and aggressive,
gregarious birds. They are omnivorous. |
|
image
unavailable
Steller's
jay (Cyanocitta stelleri, Corvidae)
L 111/2 inches. Black crest, throat, and upper
breast. Rest of body and tail is deep, vivid
blue. Found year-round in oak woodlands.
|
|
Scrub
jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens, Corvidae)
L 111/2 inches. Head, wings, tail, and back
blue. Dark gray-blue eye stripe bordered above
with pale blue-gray shadowing. Throat white
with blue-gray band at breast. Shoulders with
dark gray band. Belly light gray. Yearlong inhabitant
of riparian woodland, chaparral, and scrub oak
communities.
|
|
image
unavailable
Yellow-billed
magpie (Pica nuttalli, Corvidae)
L 161/2 inches. Distinctive black and white
markings and iridescent green tail. Markings
on wings flash in flight. Yellow bill and eye
ring. Found year-round in grassland and woodland
communities, especially in oak groves and streamside
woodlands. Nests are conspicuous. Large and
spherical in shape, they are made of heavy sticks
enclosed within a bowl of mud. They are made
in 40- to 60-foot deciduous trees.
|
|
American
crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos, Corvidae)
L 171/2 inches. Black, somewhat iridescent.
Yearlong resident of riparian woodlands, especially
high in the trees.
|
| CHICKADEES
AND TITMICE are small birds with short bills
and wings. They may be seen hanging upside down
from branches to feed. They may be seen in large
flocks when not nesting. |
|
Chestnut-backed
chickadee (Parus rufescens, Paridae)
L 43/4 inches. Dark gray-brown cap, white cheeks
and belly, black bib, chestnut back. Year-round
inhabitant of riparian woodlands and oak woodlands.
|
|
image
unavailable
Plain
titmouse (Parus inornatus, Paridae)
L 53/4 inches. Upperparts light gray-brown.
Underparts and forehead lighter gray. Small
crest. Visible year-round in riparian woodlands
and oak woodlands.
|
| BUSHTITS
have longer tails than chickadees and titmice.
They often flock while feeding. |
|
image
unavailable
Bushtit
(Psaltriparus minimus, Aegithalidae)
L 41/2 inches. Upperparts gray. Top of head
with light brown wash. Tail darker gray. Underparts
pale beige. Found throughout the year in riparian
woodlands, open oak woodlands, and chaparral.
|
| NUTHATCHES
have very short tails and spend much time climbing
up and down tree trunks and branches in search
of insects and their larvae. |
|
image
unavailable
White-breasted
nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis, Sittidae)
L 53/4 inches. Black cap, gray shoulders, white
face and breast. Crisom and upper legs rust-colored.
Upper wing and tail feathers dark gray bordered
with white. Visible throughout the year in woodland
communities.
|
| WRENS
are small. Their short tails stick up. They have
fairly thick bodies and slightly curved bills.
|
|
image
unavailable
Rock
wren (Salpinctes obsoletus, Troglodytidae)
L 6 inches. Top of head and back dark gray with
black spots edged in white. Rump and tail rusty
with black and white spots on rump and black
bars on tail. Throat and breast white streaked
with light gray. Whitish belly and crisom. White
stripe through eye. Found year-round in upland
rocky terrain in coastal scrub.
|
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image
unavailable
Canyon
wren (Catherpes mexicanus, Troglodytidae)
L 53/4 inches. Tawny-colored body with black
spots edged in gray. Rusty tail barred with
black and gray. Top of head gray with darker
gray and black spots. Throat and breast white.
Inhabits upland rocky terrain throughout the
year. Also found along steep, shady canyons
and cliffs near water.
|
|
image
unavailable
Bewick's
wren (Thryomanes bewickii, Troglodytidae)
L 51/4 inches. Long tail barred dark and light
gray and edged with white spots. Back gray.
Throat, chest, and belly white. Conspicuous
white eyebrow. Yearlong resident of riparian,
woodland, chaparral, and coastal scrub communities.
Often seen at stream edges.
|
|
image
unavailable
House
wren (Troglodytes aedon, Troglodytidae)
L 43/4 inches. Upperparts gray-brown. Throat,
chest, and breast beige. Wings and tail barred
light and dark brown. Beige eyebrow. Year-round
resident (at least from mid-March through August)
of riparian, woodland, and chaparral habitats.
Often seen in brush and in farmyards. The house
wren's "exuberant song is a cascade of
bubbling whistled notes."
|
| THRUSHES
and relatives are insectivorous and frugivorous
songbirds. Their narrow bills are notched. |
|
image
unavailable
Ruby-crowned
kinglet (Regulus calendula, Muscicapidae)
L 41/4 inches. Olive-gray upperparts. Light
gray underparts. Wings black with white bars.
Tail dark. Black eyes rimmed in white. Male
with red crown patch that is often inconspicuous.
Mostly seen from mid-September through mid-April
in riparian, chaparral, and woodland habitats,
especially in thickets and dense brush.
|
|
image
unavailable
Blue-gray
gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea,
Muscicapidae) L 41/2 inches. Black eye surrounded
by white eye ring. Male blue-gray above. Long
tail black above, light gray below. Female lighter
overall. Seen yearlong in riparian, chaparral,
and woodland habitats, but not common in Poly
Canyon.
|
|
Western
bluebird (Sialia mexicana, Muscicapidae)
L 7 inches. Male deep purple-blue upperparts
and throat. Chestnut breast, sides, flank, shoulder,
and upper back. Female duller coloration overall;
gray-brown above. Found year-round in riparian,
grassland, coastal scrub, woodland, and farmland
habitats.
|
|
image
unavailable
Swainson's
thrush (Catharus ustulatus, Muscicapidae)
L 7 inches. Brown above with buff-colored lores
and eye ring. Breast buff-colored with dark
brown spots. Sides and flanks light gray and
streaked brown. Found mostly from late April
through late September in riparian and other
moist woodland habitats.
|
|
image
unavailable
Hermit
thrush (Catharus guttatus, Muscicapidae)
L 63/4 inches. Gray-brown upperparts, except
rust-colored tail. Grayish flanks. Conspicuous
white eye ring. Seen mostly from October through
early April in riparian, chaparral and mixed
woodland habitats.
|
|
image
unavailable
American
robin (Turdus migratorius, Muscicapidae)
L 10 inches. Gray-brown above with head and
tail darker. Rust-colored below. Rump white.
Broken white eye ring. Female paler overall.
Found year-round,
especially mid-October through mid-April, in
shrubs and trees of riparian and woodland habitats.
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image
unavailable
Wrentit
(Chamaea fasciata, Muscicapidae) L 61/2
inches. Grayish-brown upperparts and slightly
lighter (and streaked) below. Cream-colored
eye. Found in riparian, woodland, and chaparral
habitats year-round.
|
| MIMIC
THRUSHES and relatives eat insects, fruits,
and seeds. They have fairly drab coloration. They
are songbirds, many of which mimic the songs of
other species. |
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Northern
mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos, Mimidae)
L 10 inches. Light gray above, paler below.
Dark gray wings with white patches that flash
conspicuously in flight. Tail mostly dark gray
with white outer feathers. Common year-round
throughout riparian, woodland, and chaparral
habitats.
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image
unavailable
California
thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum, Mimidae)
L 12 inches. Dark, down-curved bill. Dark brown
upperparts. Pale eyebrow over dark eye and cheek.
Pale throat, darker breast. Belly and crisom
tawny-rusty. Found yearlong in chaparral and
coastal scrub.
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| PIPITS
are ground-dwelling birds that feed on insects
and seeds. They have small, slender bills. Some
species bob their tails up and down as they walk.
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image
unavailable
American
pipit (Anthus rubescens, Motacillidae)
L 61/2 inches. Light brown-gray upperparts,
mostly faintly streaked. Buff-colored eyebrow,
throat, and underparts. Breast, sides, and flanks
slightly streaked with brown. Dark tail with
white outer feathers bobs or swings while walking.
Found mostly from October through mid-April
in grassland habitats and pastures.
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| WAXWINGS
are notable for their sleek plumage, particularly
the crest and yellow-tipped tail. |
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image
unavailable
Cedar
waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum, Bombycillidae)
L 71/4 inches. The "Elvis Presley Bird."
Rosy gray-brown head, back, and breast. Conspicuous
crest. Yellowish crisom. Light gray tail grades
to dark gray, then is tipped in vivid yellow.
Gregarious bird found mostly mid-October through
May in open habitats where berries are plentiful.
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| STARLINGS
are gregarious and raucous. They are primarily
insectivorous, but also eat other invertebrates,
as well as fruits and seeds. |
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image
unavailable
European
starling (Sturnus vulgaris, Sturnidae)
L 81/2 inches. Male iridescent black with black
eye and yellow bill. In flight, the tail appears
short and square, the wings short and pointed.
Female inconspicuous gray-brown overall. Gregarious
bird found year-round in most habitats, especially
grasslands, coastal scrub, woodlands, and pastures.
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| VIREOS
are small, but sturdy-looking songbirds. Some
appear to have "glasses," an eye ring.
All have wingbars. |
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image
unavailable
Solitary
vireo (Vireo solitarius, Vireonidae)
L 51/2 inches. Olive-gray upperparts. Pale yellow
sides and flanks. Throat, breast, belly, and
crisom white. White eye ring. White stripe from
lore to lore. Two bold white to yellowish wing
bars. Found mostly from mid-April through May
in riparian woodlands, especially high in shrubs
and trees. Song is "a series of rich, variable
two- to six-note phrases: chu-wee cheerio."
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image
unavailable
Hutton's
vireo (Vireo huttoni, Vireonidae)
L 5 inches. Olive-gray upperparts, paler underparts.
Whitish belly. Broken white eye ring. Two whitish
wing bars. Yearlong inhabitant of riparian woodlands
and coastal live oak woodlands. Song is "a
repeated rising or descending ch-weet ch-weet;
calls include a low chit."
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image
unavailable
Warbling
vireo (Vireo gilvus, Vireonidae)
L 51/2 inches. Olive-gray upperparts, white
underparts. Brown eye, dusky eye line, white
eyebrow. No wing bars. Found mostly from April
through September in riparian and open oak woodland
habitats. Song is "a long melodious warbling."
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| SHRIKES
are predators of insects, rodents, snakes, and
small birds. They may impale their prey on barbed
wire or thorns. |
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image
unavailable
Loggerhead
shrike (Lanius ludovicianus, Laniidae)
L 9 inches. Head and back gray. Underparts white
with faint barring. Broad black mask to above
eye and across bill. Slightly hooked dark bill.
Rump light gray. Wings dark with small white
patches. Found year-round in grassland, chaparral,
coastal scrub, and open woodland habitats.
|
| WARBLERS
are more petite and more active than vireos. They
are primarily insectivorous, but some also eat
berries and plant galls. |
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image
unavailable
Orange-crowned
warbler (Vermivora celata, Emberizidae)
L 5 inches. Olive yellow overall, paler below.
Yellow undertail coverts. Faint streaks on sides.
Bill slightly down curved. Visible year-round
in riparian, chaparral, and open woodland habitats,
especially in the lower branches.
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image
unavailable
Nashville
warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla, Emberizidae)
L 43/4 inches. Olive upperparts, yellow underparts
and throat. Gray head. White eye ring. Locally
seen mostly mid-late-April in riparian and oak
woodlands. Uncommon in Poly Canyon.
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image
unavailable
Yellow
warbler (Dendroica petechia, Emberizidae)
L 5 inches. Yellow overall with some olive on
back, wings, and tail. Yellow wing bars and
tail spots. Dark eye. Male with reddish streaks
on breast and belly. Found mostly mid-April
through early October in riparian and open woodland
habitats.
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image
unavailable
Yellow-rumped
warbler (Dendroica coronata, Emberizidae)
L 51/2 inches. Shiny black head, back, tail,
breast, and wings with bright yellow patches
on posterior crown, throat, side, and rump.
White belly. Mostly late September through April.
Inhabits riparian, grassland, chaparral, and
mixed woodland areas.
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image
unavailable
MacGillivray's
warbler (Oporornis tolmiei, Emberizidae)
L 51/4 inches. Conspicuous white markings above
and below eye. Dark gray head. Olive-brown back,
tail, and wings. Bright yellow underparts. Found
mostly from mid-April to mid-May and mid-August
through September in dense undergrowth in riparian
and chaparral habitats. It hops.
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Wilson's
warbler (Wilsonia pusilla, Emberizidae)
L 43/4 inches. Olive upperparts and yellow underparts.
Male have distinctive black cap. Found mostly
between mid-March and mid-October close to the
ground in densely vegetated riparian and woodland
settings, especially willow thickets and streamside
tangles.
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image
unavailable
Yellow-breasted
chat (Icteria virens, Emberizidae)
L 71/2 inches. Long-tailed and thick-billed.
Dark brown upperparts. Yellow throat and breast.
Light brown sides. White crisom and eye ring.
Male black lore bordered top and bottom by white
stripe. Common mostly May through mid-August
in dense thickets of riparian communities.
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|
TANAGERS
are compact, brightly colored birds. Their short
to medium bills are usually notched or hooked
at the tip.
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image
unavailable
Western
tanager (Piranga ludoviciana, Emberizidae)
L 71/4 inches. Conspicuous yellow wing bars.
Thick bill. Male bright red head in breeding
season, yellowish in winter. Mostly yellow body
with black wings and tail. Female duller overall
coloration. Found mid-April to mid-May and mid-August
to early October in coastal live oak woodlands.
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image
unavailable
Lazuli
bunting (Passerina amoena, Emberizidae)
L 51/2 inches. Male bright turquoise upperparts
and throat. Cinnamon breast and sides. White
belly. White bars on blackish wings. Female
brownish head and shoulders. Blue-gray rump.
Dark brown tail. Dark wings with buff-colored
wing bars. Tawny undersides fading to white
at crisom/flank. Found mostly mid-April through
mid-September in open riparian woodlands and
chaparral, particularly in brushy areas near
water.
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| TOWHEES
AND NATIVE SPARROWS are primarily insectivorous,
but may also take spiders, millipedes, and snails.
Most also eat berries and the seeds, shoots, and
buds of grasses and forbs. |
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image
unavailable
Brown
towhee (Pipilo fuscus, Emberizidae)
L 81/2 inches. Dark gray-brown with brown crown.
Short, thick bill is black above, gray below.
Pales undersides. Throat buff-colored with brown
streaks. Undertail coverts rust-colored. Found
year-round in riparian, chaparral, coastal scrub
and woodland communities. May be observed in
the morning drinking dew from grass.
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image
unavailable
Rufous-sided
towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus,
Emberizidae) L 81/2 inches. Short, thick, dark
bill.Chestnut sides. White underparts, wing
patches, and corners of tail. Male black upperparts
with black hood. Female upperparts brown with
white spots. Hood brown. Yearlong resident of
dense undergrowth and streamside thickets of
riparian, chaparral, and open woodland communities.
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image
unavailable
Rufous-crowned
sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps, Emberizidae)
L 6 inches. Gray head with dark reddish crown.
Short white eyebrow. White eye ring. Rufous
line extends back from eye. Single black whisker
stripe borders throat. Gray-brown upperparts
with reddish streaks. Gray underparts. Long,
rounded tail. Year-round resident of rocky hillsides
and steep brushy slopes in chaparral.
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image
unavailable
Chipping
sparrow (Spizella passerina, Emberizidae)
L 51/2 inches. Bright chestnut crown. Broad
white eyebrow. Black line from bill through
eye to ear. Gray nape and ear patch. Rump not
streaked. Two white wing bars. Sharply notched,
long tail. Found mostly mid-April through September
in grassy fields and woodland edges.
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image
unavailable
Black-chinned
sparrow (Spizella atrogularis, Emberizidae)
L 53/4 inches. Gray overall. Back and scapulars
rust-colored with black streaks. Bill pink.
Male black mask and chin. Belly light gray.
Tail dark. Female without mask or black on chin.
Found mostly mid-April through July on chaparral-
and coastal scrub-covered slopes.
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image
unavailable
Lark
sparrow (Chondestes grammacus, Emberizidae)
L 61/2 inches. Brown upper parts with tan edging.
Whitish underparts with dark central breast
spot. Distinctive pattern on head: broad stripes
in cinnamon and white each bordered by thinner
black stripes. White throat and eye ring. Found
yearlong in grasslands, open woodlands, ruderal
areas, and farmlands.
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image
unavailable
Sage
sparrow (Amphispiza belli, Emberizidae)
L 61/2 inches. Gray-brown head with white eye
ring and white lore/eyebrow spot and broad white
whisker spot. Two pale wing bars. Back buff-brown
with dusky streaks. White underparts with dark
central breast spot and dusky streaking on sides.
Year-round inhabitant of chaparral and coastal
scrub.
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image
unavailable
Savannah
sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis,
Emberizidae) L 51/2 inches. Highly variable
coloration. Usually yellow lores, often yellow
eyebrow. Pale crown stripe. Dark whisker stripe.
Upperparts usually streaked. Tail short and
notched. Sides and breast streaked, sometimes
with central breast spot. Belly and undertail
whitish. Legs and feet pink. Yearlong resident
of grasslands and other open habitats.
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image
unavailable
Fox
sparrow (Passerella iliaca, Emberizidae)
L 7 inches. Highly variable coloration. Most
with reddish rump and tail and red in wings.
Underside with lots of triangular spots merging
into on larger spot on central breast. From
fall through spring the fox sparrow inhabits
dense undergrowth in riparian, chaparral, and
woodland sites.
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image
unavailable
Song
sparrow (Melospiza melodia, Emberizidae)
L 61/4 inches. Highly variable coloration. Long,
rounded tail. Broad gray eyebrow and broad dark
stripe bordering whitish throat. Upperparts
usually streaked. Undersides whitish with streaking
on sides and breast. Legs and feet pinkish.
Yearlong resident of brushy areas, especially
streamside thickets in riparian and woodland
communities.
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image
unavailable
Lincoln's
sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii, Emberizidae)
L 53/4 inches. Buff-colored wash and fine streaks
on throat, breast, and sides. Whitish belly.
Gray central crown stripe bordered by reddish
brown stripes. Broad gray eyebrow. Prominent
buff-colored eye ring. Tail short. Late September
through early April visitor to riparian and
chaparral thickets and grasslands.
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image
unavailable
White-throated
sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis,
Emberizidae) L 63/4 inches. Rusty-brown upperparts.
Breast and sides gray. White belly and throat.
Broad dark stripes on crown alternate with whitish
ones. Dark eyeline. Yellow spot between eye
and bill. Mid-October through mid-April visitor
to brushy riparian, chaparral, and woodland
undergrowth.
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image
unavailable
Golden-crowned
sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla,
Emberizidae) L 7 inches. Yellow patch tops black
crown. Back brown streaked with darker brown.
Breast, sides, and flanks grayish brown. Belly
white. Bill dusky above, pale below. From mid-October
through April, the golden-crowned sparrow is
found in dense woodlands, and tangles and brush
of riparian and chaparral communities.
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White-crowned
sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys,
Emberizidae) L 7 inches. Black and white striped
crown. Gray underparts. Pinkish yellow bill.
Chin whitish. Yearlong resident of grasslands,
chaparral, coastal scrub, open woodlands, and
ruderal communities.
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image
unavailable
Dark-eyed
junco (Junco hyemalis, Emberizidae)
L 61/4 inches. Dark gray-brown hood. Brown back.
White belly. Gray rump. Dark tail with white
outer feathers. Yearlong resident of riparian,
chaparral, and woodland habitats.
|
| BLACKBIRDS
AND ORIOLES form a diverse group. They have
pointed bills. Their short flight is strong. |
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image
unavailable
Red-winged
blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus, Emberizidae)
L 83/4 inches. Male Black except bright red
shoulder patches tipped with yellow. Female
dark brown above, streaked below. Red-tinged
wing coverts (possibly as well as chin and throat).
Yearlong gregarious residents of riparian areas
and grasslands.
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image
unavailable
Western
meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta, Emberizidae)
L 91/2 inches. Upperparts dark with dusky edges.
Vivid yellow throat and belly with black V-shaped
breast band. Year-round inhabitant of grasslands.
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image
unavailable
Brewer's
blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus,
Emberizidae) L 9 inches. Male glossy black.
Male in breeding has yellow eye. Female dark
brown. Year-round gregarious resident of a variety
of habitats including grasslands, coastal scrub,
and woodlands.
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image
unavailable
Hooded
oriole (Icterus cucullatus, Emberizidae)
L 8 inches. Male in breeding plumage orange
or yellow-orange with black upper back, wings,
tail, with black patch from lore to throat.
Two pale wing bars. Winter plumage duller, back
changing to brown with buff colored bars. Female
gray-yellow upperparts, yellower underparts.
Mostly seen April through July in woodland habitats.
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image
unavailable
Northern
oriole (Icterus galbula, Emberizidae)
L 83/4 inches. Dull black upperparts with orange
face. Black eye ring. Orange rump and outer
tail feathers. Orange underparts. Black chin
and streak onto chest (like a beard). Black
wings with white patch and some white edging.
Mostly seen from April through July in riparian
and woodland habitats.
|
| FINCHES
are seedeaters. Many have an undulating flight
pattern. |
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image
unavailable
Purple
finch (Carpodacus purpureus, Fringillidae)
L 6 inches. Dark ear patch, whitish eyebrow
and cheek stripe. Male Rosy cast over most of
body, especially head and rump. Brown eye patch.
Brown back streaked. Brown tail notched. Buff-colored
undersides with darker streaks, though less
intensely streaked than house finch, below.
Female without rosy wash. Yearlong resident
of riparian woodlands and oak canyons.
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image
unavailable
House
finch (Carpodacus mexicanus, Fringillidae)
L 6 inches. Male Brown cap. Head, bib, and rump
deep red (to orange-yellow). Underparts streaked,
moreso than purple finch, above. Squarish tail.
Female brown with streaks throughout. Yearlong
resident of numerous habitats including riparian,
grasslands, chaparral, and woodlands.
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image
unavailable
Pine
siskin (Carduelis pinus, Fringillidae)
L 5 inches. Upperparts streaked in browns and
buffs, pales below. Base of tail and flight
feathers with yellow (especially visible in
flight). Mostly visible from mid-October through
April in riparian and woodland areas.
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image
unavailable
Lesser
goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria, Fringillidae)
L 41/2 inches. Male black cap. Greenish back.
White wing patch at base of primaries. Bright
yellow underparts. Female no black cap. Duller
color overall. Year-round resident of riparian,
grassland, chaparral, woodland, pastoral, and
garden habitats.
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image
unavailable
Lawrence's
goldfinch (Carduelis lawrencei, Fringillidae)
L 41/2 inches. Upperparts grayish. Underparts
mostly yellow. Wings vivid yellow. Male with
black face. Yellow tinge on back. Female grayish
face. Local mostly mid-March through July in
riparian, chaparral, and woodland habitats.
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image
unavailable
American
goldfinch (Carduelis tristis, Fringillidae)
L 5 inches. Male in breeding plumage bright
yellow with black cap. Black wings with white
bars. Yellow shoulder patch. White upper and
lower tail coverts. Tail black and white. Female
duller coloration overall. Brownish-olive underparts.
White lower tail coverts. Gregarious yearlong
inhabitant of riparian, grassland, open woodland,
and ruderal habitats. Particularly fond of thistles
and sunflowers.
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| WEAVERS
have been introduced from the Old World. They
are similar to native sparrows (Emberizidae),
but have shorter legs and thicker bills. |
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image
unavailable
House
sparrow (Passer domesticus, Passeridae)
L 61/4 inches. Male in breeding plumage with
gray crown, chestnut nape, black bib and bill.
Female streaked back, buff eye stripe, breast
not streaked. Common year-round resident of
grassland and woodland habitats where it feeds
on insects, spiders, seeds of grasses and forbs,
and flowers.
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