Birds in California

Because of its numerous ecosystems, California is equally attractive to birds as it is to humans. In California, more than 710 species of birds have been documented. It has been said that any bird-watcher who travels to California’s Coast is guaranteed to see a diverse array of birds.

The Spring season in California brings a peak to the bird’s population across the state. Many birds that are native in California have already started nesting and feeding their developing young. Species that stayed the winter here are preparing to migrate north or further into the mountains to reproduce. Meanwhile, long-distance migrant birds from subtropical and tropical climates begin to arrive. This implies that California is a home for its native birds and a home to several migratory birds.

One thing to take note of California is its state bird. California’s state bird is called the California Quail. The Audubon Society selected this bird as their state bird in 1931, which is common in Northwest California. On the other hand, the California Condor and Calliope Hummingbird are considered to be the state’s largest and smallest birds, respectively.

If you are ready to go bird-watching in California and to learn more of its features, keep reading this article and know how to recognize birds that you might encounter across the state and how to get more birds to visit your place in the future.

On this page, you can find an overview of birds in California. Just click on any of the images or links to learn more about the bird. If you have encountered a bird in California that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, we’ll be happy to identify it for you. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was found here on our bird identification page.

Birds of prey in California

The enormous state of California has a lot more to offer, such as vast open deserts, mountains, and thick, massive forests in the north. Due to this, a broad range of wildlife, including a diverse array of birds of prey, make this state their home.

Birds of prey, also known as the Raptors, are predatory birds with unique characteristics that enable them to live in the wild. These birds of prey belong to the family of Accipitridae and the order of Accipitriformes. Birds of prey have curved, hooked beaks and strong, sharp talons that enable them to tear the flesh of their prey and carry it in long-distance aerial travel. They also have keen eyes that allow them to see their prey from a distance. Hawks, Falcons, Kites, Ospreys, Owls, and Eagles are considered the six significant kinds of raptors present in California. The largest bird in California and North America, the California Condor, belongs to this group of raptors or birds of prey.

Below, you can find a list of the most common birds of prey in California. You can click on the images or names of the birds to learn more about these birds.

Accipiter Striatus – Sharp-Shinned Hawk

The sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus, is a small but large-headed hawk that breeds from southeastern Canada and Maine south to ...

Buteo Jamaicensis – Red-Tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis, the red-tailed hawk, breeds over much of North America, from Alaska to Panama and the West Indies. It ...

Aquila Chrysaetos – Golden Eagle

Because of their size and activity levels, Aquila Chrysaetos or commonly known as Golden eagles are among the most frequently ...

Circus Hudsonius – Northern Harrier

Known as the northern harrier, Circus Hudsonius is a bird of prey. It breeds throughout the northern hemisphere, including Canada ...

Accipiter Cooperii – Cooper’s Hawk

The Cooper's hawk, known to be Accipiter cooperii, is a medium-sized hawk found in southern Canada and Mexico. This species ...

Haliaeetus Leucocephalus – Bald Eagle

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a North American raptor. With the white-tailed eagle, it is a species pair. Its ...

Buteo Lineatus – Red-Shouldered Hawk

Known as the Red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus, breeds in eastern North America, California, and northern and northeastern-central Mexico. Throughout its ...

California Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds of the family Trochilidae and order Apodiformes are small, often colorful birds known for their dash of speed and majestic mid-air hovering abilities. These little sparkly birds never fail to amaze individuals, and if you are wondering, California is the excellent location to spot these Hummingbirds. Many hummingbirds are migratory, spending the winter in Mexico or further south before flying north to reproduce, and many of them travel through California.

There are a total of 361 species of Hummingbirds, with 8 of them located commonly in the southern state of California. Among these 8 Southern California Hummingbirds, Anna’s Hummingbird is the only hummingbird that is native and spends the entire year in California. It is also the only non-migratory hummingbird in the state. Also, out of these 8 is the Calliope Hummingbird, which is considered the smallest hummingbird and the smallest bird found in California.

Cabrillo National Monument, where you may see Calliope Hummingbirds in April, and the University of California Arboretum and Botanic Garden, where you can see Anna’s and Allen’s Hummingbirds on the paved trail, are two of the most fantastic places to watch these hummingbirds in California.

If you are interested, this article will go through the specifics of these species’ distinctive features and qualities.

Archilochus Alexandri – Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Calypte Anna – Anna’s hummingbird

Selasphorus Rufus – Rufous Hummingbird

Owls in California

California is famous for a lot of species due to its oak woodlands and Mediterranean climate. Summers in this state is arid and warm, while winters are moderate. No wonder why it is home to a total of 14 owl species.

The 14 owl species that can be sighted in California are the Barn Owl, Flammulated Owl, Western Screech-owl, Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl, Northern Pygmy-owl, Elf Owl, Burrowing Owl, Spotted Owl, Barred Owl, Great Gray Owl, Long-eared owl, Short-eared Owl, and the Northern Saw-whet Owl. Some of these species only dwell in trees, while others only live underground. Their existence is most threatened in some way, and the law already safeguards several.

The world’s owls have approximately 200 species, which are divided into two families. Most of them belong to the Strigidae family. The famous Barn Owl is the only owl species of the Tytonidae family and is the most renowned owl species in Northern California. Generally, owl species have a significantly narrower range of appearance and specialization than daytime raptors. Despite its ordinarily nocturnal feature, owls’ sizes vary from the tiny Elf Owl to the massive Great Gray Owl.

The following is a quick rundown of the 14 owl species that can be sighted in California’s state parks, especially in the most known and safeguarded park, the National Redwood and States Park.

Tyto Alba – Barn Owl

Megascops Kennicottii – Western Screech Owl

Bubo Virginianus – Great Horned Owl

Megascops Asio – Eastern Screech – Owl

Strix Varia – Barred Owl

Finches in California

The family Fringillidae, also known as the Finch species, composed of more than 200 species, is a family of passerine birds, which means that these species eat seeds as a primary food source. These birds utilize their stout conical bills for eating seeds. Many finches survive winter in cold places due to their seed-eating habits. Therefore they make up an even higher portion of the bird population during that season. They can be found in a wide variety of environments where they reside permanently and do not migrate. There are a total of 6 finch bird species found in California. The majority of California’s finch birds inhabit the state’s northern coniferous woods and mountain ranges. Finch birds are also perching birds, which means they build their nests in tree branches. Somehow several California finches build their nests on mountain cliffs.

These birds’ sizes vary from the tiniest finch species named Andean Siskin to the largest finch species called Collared Grosbeak. At first glance, these little to medium-sized birds appear ordinary. When viewed more attentively, though, their natural beauty appears. Finches have it all, from the brilliant plumages of the three goldfinch species to the distinctive and stunning bills of crossbills and grosbeaks.

This article will detail the six different species of California finch birds. It will cover all of their unique appearances and attributes so that readers may readily recognize them if they come across some of these birds.

Spinus Tristis – American Goldfinch

Spinus Pinus – Pine Siskin

Loxia Curvirostra – Red Crossbill

Acanthis Flammea – Common Redpoll

Haemorhous Cassinii – Cassin’s Finch

Haemorhous Mexicanus – House Finch

Leucosticte Tephrocoti – Gray-Crowned Rosy Finch

Coccothraustes Vespertinus – Evening Grosbeak

Woodpeckers in California

Woodpeckers come in approximately 300 different species, with about 22 of them occurring in the United States. There are at least 15 species of woodpeckers in California, according to my research. As a result, California has more woodpecker species than most other areas in the United States.

When woodpeckers are looking for food or drilling holes for their nests, they peck bark or branches of trees randomly and quietly, but they drum consistently during the breeding season to declare their territory. The drumming that these woodpeckers do is used to alert nearby birds to their presence. Therefore they choose trees that have a good resonance. The sound and rhythm vary by species, but they all strike a tree with their beaks at fast speeds in one location.

Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Acorn Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Gila Woodpecker, Williamson’s Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, White-headed Woodpecker, and Gilded Flicker are among the woodpecker species that you might find across California.

In this article, we’ll go through all 15 of these woodpecker species found in California. We’ll have a photo of each species to help individuals identify it, speak about its appearance, discover some intriguing facts, and inform them where and when they may find it in California.

Melanerpes Formicivorus – Acorn Woodpecker

Dryobates Scalaris – Ladder-Backed Woodpecker

Colaptes Auratus – Northern Flicker

Dryocopus Pileatus – Pileated Woodpecker

Dryobates Villosus – Hairy Woodpecker

Dryobates Pubescens – Downy Woodpecker

California ducks, geese and swans

Ducks, geese, and swans are members of the Anatidae family of aquatic or water birds. The family has a broad range occurring on all of the world’s continents. These birds have evolved to swim, float on the water’s surface, and dive in shallow water in some situations. Anatidae have around 174 species in the family. These species can be found in most lakes, rivers, marshes, lagoons, bays, and other bodies of water where they may find food. During the winter months, numerous ducks, geese, and swans can be seen in farm fields, eating leftover harvests.

In California, about 51 waterbird species can be sighted, wherein 41 of these are ducks while 7 and 3 of these are geese and swans, respectively. Its size varies from the smallest, the Green-winged Teal duck, to the largest, the Trumpeter Swan. These species are commonly found in California’s Central Valley due to its northern tundra and winter weather.

Aside from calling these species aquatic or water birds, birds that reside on or around water are also known as waterfowl. Because ducks, geese, and swans are all waterfowl, they have a lot in common. Webbed feet and thick, flat bills characterize them all. They do, however, have several differences. Let’s take a look at them:

Oxyura Jamaicensis – Ruddy Duck

Mergus Serrator – Red-Breasted Merganser

Mergus Merganser – Common Merganser

Bucephala Islandica – Barrow’s Goldeneye

Bucephala Clangula – Common Goldeneye

Bucephala Albeola – Bufflehead

Melanitta Americana – Black Scoter

Melanitta Deglandi – White-Winged Scoter

Aythya Marila – Greater Scaup

Aythya Collaris – Ring-Necked Duck

Aythya Alisineria – Canvasback

Anas Acuta – Northern Pintail

Anas Platyrhynchos – Mallard

Mareca Americana – American Wigeon

Mareca Penelope – Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca Strepera – Gadwall

Spatula Clypeata – Northern Shoveler

Spatula Cyanoptera – Cinnamon Teal

Spatula Discors – Blue-Winged Teal

Aix Sponsa – Wood Duck

Cygnus Columbianus – Tundra Swan

Cygnus Buccinator – Trumpeter Swan

Branta Hutchinsii – Cackling Goose

Anser Albifrons – Greater White-Fronted Goose

Anser Caerulescens – Snow Geese

Other small birds in California

Small birds in California are usually found in people’s backyards, which is why they are commonly referred to as “backyard birds.” It is uncommon for people in California to spot large-sized bird species in their backyard since these birds are often found in forests, mountains, or around bodies of water.

People in California adore having these little birds in their backyard. Aside from keeping their backyards lively, these birds are incredibly entertaining to look at due to their adorable and vibrant appearance. Many people in the state create bird feeders to keep these small birds coming back to their yards.

Mourning Doves and Lesser Goldfinches are more numerous in the summer, while Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black Phoebes, and Ruby-crowned Phoebes are more prevalent in the winter.

In the section below, we will detail the different backyard bird species in California. These are not all species in the state or even close to it since some of these are migrant birds, but they are among the most common backyard birds in California. So, if you’re prepared to go backyard birding in California, keep reading to learn how to recognize birds and how to get more birds to visit your yard.

Cardellina Rubrifrons – Red-Faced Warbler

Cardellina Pusilla – Wilson’s Warbler

Setophaga Occidentalis – Hermit Warbler

Setophaga Townsendi – Townsend’s Warbler

Setophaga Graciae – Grace’s Warbler

Setophaga Dominica – Yellow-Throated Warblers

Setophaga Coronata – Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Setophaga Pinus – Pine Warbler

Setophaga Palmarum – Palm Warbler

Setophaga Caerulescens – Black-Throated Blue Warbler

Setophaga Striata – Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga Pensylvanica – Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Setophaga Petechia – Yellow Warbler

Setophaga Magnolia – Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga Americana – Northern Parula

Setophaga Tigrina – Cape May Warbler

American Redstart – Setophaga Ruticilla

Setophaga Citrina – Hooded Warbler

Geothlypis Philadelphia – Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis Tolmiei – MacGillivray’s Warbler

Leiothlypis Ruficapilla – Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis Luciae – Lucy’s Warbler

Leiothlypis Peregrina – Tennessee Warblers

Protonotaria Citrea – Prothonotary Warbler

Mniotilta Varia – Black-And-White Warbler

Parkesia Noveboracensis – Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia Motacilla – Louisiana Waterthrush

Helmitheros Vermivorum – Worm-Eating Warbler

Phalaropus Lobatus – Red-Necked Phalarope

Phalaropus Tricolor – Wilson’s Phalarope

Tringa Melanoleuca – Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa Semipalmata – Willet

Tringa Flavipes – Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa Solitaria – Solitary Sandpiper

Actitis Macularius – Spotted Sandpiper

Gallinago Delicata – Wilson’s Snipe

Limnodromus Scolopaceus- Long-Billed Dowitcher

Calidris Mauri – Western Sandpiper

Calidris Pusilla – Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris Melanotos – Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris Subruficollis – Buff-Breasted Sandpiper

Calidris Fuscicollis – White-Rumped Sandpiper

Calidris Minutilla – Least Sandpiper

Calidris Bairdii – Baird’s Sandpiper

Calidris Alpina – Dunlin

Calidris Alba – Sanderling

Calidris Himantopus – Stilt Sandpiper

Limosa Fedoa – Marbled Godwits

Numenius Phaeopus – Whimbrel

Sterna Hirundo – Common Tern

Chlidonias Niger – Black Tern

Sternula Antillarum – Least Tern

Larus Hyperboreus - Glaucous Gull found in the US

Larus Glaucescens – Glaucous-Winged Gull

Larus Hyperboreus – Glaucous Gull

Larus Fuscus – Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Larus Argentatus – Herring Gull

Larus Californicus – California Gull

Larus Delawarensis – Ring-Billed Gulls

Leucophaeus Pipixcan – Franklin’s Gull

Chroicocephalus Philadelphia – Bonaparte’s Gull

Sayornis Saya – Say’s Phoebe

Pyrocephalus Obscurus – Vermilion Flycatcher

Sayornis Nigricans – Black Phoebe

Empidonax Occidentalis – Cordilleran Flycatcher

Empidonax Difficilis – Pacific-Slope Flycatcher

Empidonax Oberholseri – Dusky Flycatcher

Empidonax Wrightii – Gray Flycatcher

Empidonax Hammondii – Hammond’s Flycatcher

Empidonax Minimus – Least Flycatcher

Empidonax Traillii – Willow Flycatcher

Contopus Sordidulus – Western Wood-Pewee

Contopus Cooperi – Olive-Sided Flycatcher

Tyrannus Savana – Fork-Tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus Verticalis – Western Kingbird

Tyrannus Tyrannus – Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus Vociferans – Cassin’s Kingbird

Myiarchus Cinerascens – Ash-Throated Flycatcher

Nyctanassa Violacea – Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Butorides Virescens – Green Heron

Bubulcus Ibis – Cattle Egret

Egretta Rufescens – Reddish Egret

Egretta Caerulea – Little Blue Heron

Egretta Thula – Snowy Egrets

Ardea Herodias – Great Blue Heron

Ixobrychus Exilis – Least Bittern

Coturnicops Noveboracensis – Yellow Rail

Gallinula Galeata – Common Gallinule

Porzana Carolina – Sora

Charadrius Nivosus – Snowy Plover

Charadrius Vociferus – Killdeer

Pluvialis Dominica – American Golden-Plover

Pluvialis Squatarola – Black-Bellied Plover

Corvus Corax- Common Raven

Corvus Brachyrhynchos- American Crow

Pica Hudsonia – Black-billed Magpie

Nucifraga Columbiana – Clark’s Nutcracker

Aphelocoma Californica – California Scrub-Jay

Cyanocitta Stelleri – Steller’s Jay

Gymnorhinus Cyanocephalus – Pinyon Jay

Perisoreus Canadensis – Canada Jay

Petrochelidon Fulva – Cave Swallow

Petrochelidon Pyrrhonota – Cliff Swallow

Hirundo Rustica – Barn Swallow

Progne Subis – Purple Martin

Stelgidopteryx Serripennis – Northern rough-winged Swallow

Tachycineta Thalassina – Violet-Green Swallow

Tachycineta Bicolor – Tree Swallow

Riparia Riparia – Bank Swallow

Ixoreus Naevius – Varied Thrush

Catharus Guttatus – Hermit Thrush

Catharus Ustulatus – Swainson’s Thrush

Catharus Minimus – Gray-Cheeked Thrush

Myadestes Townsendi – Townsend’s Solitaire

Quiscalus Guiscula – Common Grackle

Molothrus Ater – Brown-headed Cowbird

Molothrus Aeneus – Bronzed Cowbird

Agelaius Phoeniceus – Red-winged Blackbird

Icterus Parisorum – Scott’s Oriole

Icterus Galbula – Baltimore Oriole

Icterus Bullockii – Bullock’s Oriole

Icterus Cucullatus – Hooded Oriole

Sturnella Neglect – Western Meadowlark

Xanthocephalus Xanthocephalus – Yellow-headed Blackbird

Alectoris Chukar – Chukar

Phasianus Colchicus – Ring-necked Pheasant

Dendragapus Obscurus – Dusky Grouse

Centrocercus Urophasianus – Greater Sage-Grouse

Meleagris Gallopavo – Wild Turkey

Zenaida Macroura – Mourning Dove

Columbina Inca – Inca Dove

Streptopelia Decaocto – Eurasian Collared-Dove

Patagioenas Fasciata – Band-Tailed Pigeon

Columba Livia – Rock Pigeon

Coccyzus Americanus – Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Geococcyx Californianus – Greater Roadrunner

Callipepla Californica – California Quail

Oreortyx Pictus – Mountain Quail

Aechmophorus Carkia – Clark’s Grebe

Aechmophorus Occidentalis – Western Grebe

Podiceps Nigricollis – Eared Grebe

Podiceps Grisegena – Red-Necked Grebe

Podiceps Auratus – Horned Grebe

Podilymbus Podiceps – Pied-Billed Grebe

Antrostomus Arizonae – Mexican Whip-Poor-Will

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii – Common Poorwill

Chordeiles Minor – Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles Acutipennis – Lesser Nighthawk

Aeronautes Saxatalis – White-Throated Swift

Chaetura Vauxi – Vaux’s Swift

Cypseloides Niger – Black Swift

Antigone Canadensis – Sandhill Crane

Recurvirostra Americana – American Avocet

Himantopus Mexicanus – Black-Necked Stilt

Gavia Immer – Common Loon

Mycteria Americana – Wood Stork

Nannopterum Brasilianum – Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum Auritum – Double-crested Cormorant

Pelecanus Occidentalis – Brown Pelican

Pelecanus Erythrorhynchos – American White Pelican

Plegadis Chihi – White-faced Ibis

Pandion Haliaetus – Osprey

Megaceryle Alcyon – Belted Kingfisher

Falco Mexicanus – Prairie Falcon

Falco Peregrinus – Peregrine Falcon

Falco columbarius – Merlin

Caracara Plancus – Crested Caracara

Lanius Borealis – Northern Shrike

Lanius Ludovicianus – Loggerhead Shrike

Auriparus Flaviceps- Verdin

Poecile Gambeli – Mountain Chickadee

Poecile Atricapillus – Black-Capped Chickadee

Psaltriparus Minimus – Bushtit

Regulus Satrapa – Golden-Crowned Kinglet

Corthylio Calendula – Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Bombycilla Cedrorum – Cedar Waxwing

Phainopepla nitens – Phainopepla

Sitta Pygmaea – Pygmy Nuthatch

Sitta Canadensis – Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Certhia Americana – Brown Creeper

Polioptila Melanura – Black-Tailed Gnatcatcher

Campylorhynchus Brunneicapillus – Cactus Wren

Thryomanes Bewickii – Bewick’s Wren

Passerella Iliaca – Fox Sparrow

Passerculus Sandwichensis – Savannah Sparrow

Zonotrichia Atricapilla – Golden-Crowned Sparrow

Chondestes Grammacus – Lark Sparrow

Zonotrichia Leucophrys – White-Crowned Sparrow

Spizella Passerine – Chipping Sparrow

Junco Hyemalis – Dark-Eyed Junco

Ammodramus Savannarum – Grasshopper Sparrow

Pooecetes Gramineus – Vesper Sparrow

Amphispiza Bilineata – Black-Throated Sparrow

Cistothorus Palustris – Marsh Wren

Troglodytes Pacificus – Pacific Wren

Catherpes Mexicanus – Canyon Wren

Salpinctes Obsoletus – Rock Wren

Mimus Polyglottos – Northern Mockingbird

Oreoscoptes Montanus – Sage Thrashe

Toxostoma Crissale – Crissal Thrasher

Toxostoma Lecontei – LeConte’s Thrasher

Toxostoma Redivivum – California Thrasher

Toxostoma Bendirei – Bendire’s Thrasher

Sturnus Vulgaris – European Starling

Passer Domesticus – House Sparrow

Anthus Rubescens – American Pipit

Anthus Cervinus – Red-Throated Pipit

Icteria Virens – Yellow-Breasted Chat

Passerina Versicolor – Varied Bunting

Passerina Amoena – Lazuli Bunting

Pheucticus Melanocephalus – Black-Headed Grosbeak

Cardinalis Sinuatus – Pyrrhuloxia

Piranga Flava – Hepatic Tanager

Best Birdwatching Spots in California

California is home to more than 700 bird species. With this, the state is considered to have the most bird species than any other state worldwide. This is unsurprising given the state’s vastness and diversity of environments. The state’s 840-mile coastline provides some of the best pelagic birding in the state, and all of this territory is covered by prominent and active birders who are always on the lookout for the unique kinds of birds in the state.

Birdwatchers in California, whether amateur or expert, enjoy the wildlife diversity along the state’s coast. California also has the nation’s only statewide network of marine protected areas, which provide beautiful places to watch a diverse range of species and added protection for their most vital breeding and feeding grounds.

Southeast Farallon Island is considered to be the best place in California to go bird viewing. In this area, there are a total of 435 bird species that can be seen or found. According to eBird’s research, there are ten most incredible spots in California with an abundance of bird species and Southeast Farallon Island leading. The following is a list of the top ten best birding places in California, along with the number of bird species that can be found there.

Southeast Farallon Island – 435
Andrew Molera State Park – 364
Point Reyes – 357
Point Pinos – 342
Death Valley National Park – 341
South End of Salton Sea – 340
Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary – 339
IRWD San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary – 330
Bodega Bay – 329
Galileo Hill – 324