This informative article is your guide to the common backyard birds in California. Comprising a list derived from actual data gathered by the citizen science program eBird, this article offers accurate information about the various species you may encounter. Complete with captivating pictures of each bird, it also provides helpful tips on how to attract these feathered friends to your own backyard. With the House Finch topping the list as the most common backyard bird in California, other notable species include the Black Phoebe, Anna’s Hummingbird, American Crow, and Mourning Dove. In addition to this, the article offers a comprehensive state overview of birdwatching and birds in California, covering topics such as bird feeding and identification. To stay up to date with recent bird sightings and connect with others passionate about avian life, the author suggests exploring eBird for California and joining a local bird group.
California Backyard Birds
California is home to a diverse array of bird species, many of which can be found right in your own backyard. This article will provide comprehensive information on the most common backyard birds in California, including their descriptions, habitats, feeding habits, and tips on how to attract them to your backyard. Whether you are a seasoned birdwatcher or just starting out, this article will serve as a handy guide to the beautiful birds of California.
House Finch
The House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is the most common backyard bird in California. Known for its vibrant red coloration on the male’s head and chest, the House Finch is a small finch that can often be found in urban and suburban areas. The female House Finch is less brightly colored, with a streaky brown appearance.
Description
The male House Finch has a vibrant red head, chest, and rump, with brown streaks on its back and wings. The female House Finch, on the other hand, has a more subdued appearance, with a streaky brown plumage and light streaking on the underparts.
Habitat
House Finches can be found in a variety of habitats throughout California, including residential areas, gardens, parks, and open woodlands. They are adaptable birds and can often be seen perched on wires, fences, and shrubs.
Feeding
House Finches primarily feed on seeds and berries, with a special fondness for sunflower seeds, thistle, and millet. They will also eat fruit and insects when available. To attract House Finches to your backyard, consider providing a bird feeder with a variety of seeds.
Attracting to Your Backyard
To attract House Finches to your backyard, provide a bird feeder filled with a mix of sunflower seeds, thistle, and millet. Additionally, planting native plants that bear fruit, such as toyon or California buckeye, can attract House Finches as they are attracted to fruit-bearing plants.
Black Phoebe
The Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) is another common backyard bird in California. With its striking black and white plumage and distinctive upright tail, the Black Phoebe is a delight to observe.
Description
The Black Phoebe has a black head, back, and wings, contrasting with its white underparts and belly. It has a thick black bill and a distinctive upright tail that it often pumps up and down.
Habitat
Black Phoebes can be found near water sources such as streams, ponds, and creeks, as well as in urban and suburban areas, gardens, and parks. They often perch on low branches, rocks, or even man-made structures near water.
Feeding
Black Phoebes primarily feed on insects, catching them by flycatching. They can often be seen perched on low branches, scanning the area for insects, and then launching into the air to catch their prey.
Attracting to Your Backyard
To attract Black Phoebes to your backyard, consider creating a water feature such as a small pond or birdbath. This will provide a water source for them to bathe and drink from. Additionally, planting native plants that attract insects can help attract Black Phoebes as they search for food.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) is a lively and colorful bird that is a common sight in California.
Description
The male Anna’s Hummingbird has a vibrant iridescent pinkish-red throat and crown, with a green back and gray underparts. The female, on the other hand, has a more subdued appearance, with a greenish back and pale gray underparts.
Habitat
Anna’s Hummingbirds can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, gardens, parks, and even urban areas. They are often seen perched on high branches or hovering near flowering plants.
Feeding
Anna’s Hummingbirds primarily feed on nectar from flowering plants, using their long, slender bills to extract the sweet liquid. They will also eat small insects and spiders for protein. Planting a variety of native flowering plants, such as penstemons and salvias, can attract Anna’s Hummingbirds to your backyard.
Attracting to Your Backyard
To attract Anna’s Hummingbirds to your backyard, provide a hummingbird feeder filled with a sugar water solution. The feeder should have bright red or orange parts to attract the hummingbirds’ attention. Additionally, planting a variety of native flowering plants will provide a natural food source for these beautiful birds.
American Crow
The American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a large, intelligent bird often associated with cawing sounds and mischievous behavior.
Description
American Crows are entirely black in color, with a stout body and strong bill. They have a distinct cawing sound and can often be seen in groups or pairs.
Habitat
American Crows can be found in a wide range of habitats, including forests, woodlands, parks, and urban areas. They are highly adaptable birds and can thrive in various environments.
Feeding
American Crows are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of foods including nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, small animals, and even carrion. They are known for their intelligence and ability to solve problems when it comes to obtaining food.
Attracting to Your Backyard
To attract American Crows to your backyard, provide a variety of food sources such as nuts, seeds, and fruits. They are also attracted to open spaces with perches such as tall trees or utility poles.
Mourning Dove
The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is a gentle and graceful bird known for its mournful cooing sound.
Description
Mourning Doves have a slender body with a long, pointed tail. They have a light brownish-gray plumage with dark spots on the wings. The male and female have similar appearances.
Habitat
Mourning Doves can be found in a variety of open habitats, including fields, gardens, parks, and even urban areas. They often perch on wires or branches, sometimes in pairs.
Feeding
Mourning Doves primarily feed on seeds from grasses, weeds, and trees. They often forage on the ground, picking up seeds with their beaks. Providing a platform feeder with a mix of seeds can attract Mourning Doves to your backyard.
Attracting to Your Backyard
To attract Mourning Doves to your backyard, provide a platform feeder filled with seeds such as millet, cracked corn, and sunflower seeds. Additionally, planting trees or shrubs that produce seeds can provide a natural food source for these gentle birds.
Western Bluebird
The Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) is a small and colorful bird known for its vibrant blue plumage.
Description
The Western Bluebird has a vibrant blue head, wings, and tail, contrasting with its brick-red breast. The female has a more subdued appearance, with a grayish-blue plumage and lighter breast.
Habitat
Western Bluebirds can be found in open woodlands, meadows, and parks, often perching on low branches or fence posts. They are cavity-nesting birds and will readily use nest boxes.
Feeding
Western Bluebirds primarily feed on insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. They also eat fruits and berries when available. Providing a birdbath and planting native plants that attract insects can help attract Western Bluebirds to your backyard.
Attracting to Your Backyard
To attract Western Bluebirds to your backyard, consider installing a nest box specifically designed for them. Provide a birdbath for them to drink and bathe in, and plant native plants that produce berries and attract insects.
Oak Titmouse
The Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus) is a small and charming bird often found in oak woodlands and forests.
Description
The Oak Titmouse has a grayish-brown plumage overall, with a pale gray belly and a small crest on its head. It has a stout and straight bill.
Habitat
Oak Titmice are typically found in oak woodlands and forests, as their name suggests. They are often seen in small groups, foraging for insects, seeds, and berries.
Feeding
Oak Titmice primarily feed on insects, including beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. They will also eat seeds and berries. Providing a bird feeder with a mix of seeds and planting native oak trees can attract Oak Titmice to your backyard.
Attracting to Your Backyard
To attract Oak Titmice to your backyard, consider planting native oak trees or other native trees and shrubs that produce seeds and attract insects. Providing a bird feeder with a mix of seeds can also help attract these charming birds.
Northern Flicker
The Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is a large woodpecker often seen drumming on trees and searching for ants.
Description
The Northern Flicker has a brownish body with black bars and spots, as well as a white rump and a distinctive black crescent on its breast. The undersides of its wings are bright yellow.
Habitat
Northern Flickers can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, parks, and even urban areas. They are often seen perched on the ground, on tree trunks, or on the tops of utility poles.
Feeding
Northern Flickers primarily feed on ants and beetles, often foraging on the ground or drumming on trees to flush out insects. They will also eat berries and fruits. To attract Northern Flickers to your backyard, consider providing a suet feeder and planting native trees that attract ants and beetles.
Attracting to Your Backyard
To attract Northern Flickers to your backyard, provide a suet feeder specifically designed for woodpeckers. Additionally, planting fruit-bearing trees or shrubs can provide a natural food source for these beautiful birds. Providing dead trees or snag nests can also serve as a nesting site for Northern Flickers.
Orange-crowned Warbler
The Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) is a small and unassuming bird often seen flitting among shrubs and low branches.
Description
The Orange-crowned Warbler has a dull olive-brown plumage overall, with a greenish tinge on the back and wings. It has a pale yellowish belly and an orange or dull yellow crown that is often hidden.
Habitat
Orange-crowned Warblers can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, forests, gardens, and parks. They are often seen foraging for insects among shrubs and low branches.
Feeding
Orange-crowned Warblers primarily feed on insects and spiders, foraging on the ground, in shrubs, or on tree branches. They will also eat berries and small fruits. Providing a mix of suet and mealworms can attract Orange-crowned Warblers to your backyard.
Attracting to Your Backyard
To attract Orange-crowned Warblers to your backyard, provide a mix of suet and mealworms in a feeder specifically designed for small birds. Additionally, planting native shrubs and trees that produce berries or attract insects can provide a natural food source for these delightful birds.
Spotted Towhee
The Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) is a medium-sized songbird often seen hopping on the ground and scratching leaves in search of food.
Description
The Spotted Towhee has a black head, upper body, and tail, with white spots on its wings and sides. Its underparts are a warm reddish-brown color. The female has similar plumage but with a more subdued appearance.
Habitat
Spotted Towhees can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, forests, gardens, and chaparral. They often forage on the ground, scratching leaves and debris in search of insects and seeds.
Feeding
Spotted Towhees feed on a variety of foods, including insects, seeds, berries, and fruits. They often forage on the ground, scratching in leaf litter and using their bills to uncover hidden insects.
Attracting to Your Backyard
To attract Spotted Towhees to your backyard, provide a platform feeder with a mix of seeds, such as cracked corn, millet, and sunflower seeds. Additionally, planting native shrubs and trees that produce berries can attract these delightful birds. Providing dense shrubbery and leaf litter can also provide cover and foraging opportunities for Spotted Towhees.
Joining Local Bird Groups
Birdwatching is a popular activity in California, and joining a local bird group can enhance your birding experience. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced birder, there are many benefits to joining a bird group.
Benefits of Joining
Joining a local bird group offers several advantages for bird enthusiasts. Firstly, it provides an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for birds. Bird groups often organize regular field trips, where members can explore different habitats and observe a wide range of bird species.
Secondly, bird groups often offer educational opportunities, such as workshops, lectures, and presentations by expert birders and ornithologists. These can help you deepen your knowledge of birds and improve your identification skills.
Thirdly, joining a bird group can contribute to citizen science efforts. Many bird groups participate in citizen science programs like eBird, where bird sightings are recorded and contribute to scientific research and conservation efforts. By joining a bird group, you can contribute valuable data and help monitor bird populations in your area.
Finally, bird groups provide a sense of community and camaraderie. You can share birding stories, ask for advice, and learn from more experienced birders. Many bird groups also engage in conservation activities, such as bird habitat restoration or bird banding projects, allowing members to make a positive impact on bird conservation efforts.
Finding Local Bird Groups
To find local bird groups in your area, start by checking online resources such as eBird, where you can find information about birding hotspots, recent sightings, and local bird group listings. Local Audubon chapters and nature centers often have bird groups associated with them, so it’s worth contacting them to inquire about birding clubs or groups near you.
You can also reach out to fellow bird enthusiasts at birding events or join birding forums and social media groups to connect with local birders and find out about birding groups in your area. Attending local bird festivals or bird-related events can also be a great way to meet birders and get involved with local bird groups.
Joining a local bird group is an excellent way to connect with others who share your love for birds and to expand your knowledge and enjoyment of birdwatching. So don’t hesitate to reach out and become part of the vibrant birding community in California. Happy birding!
