Birds

There are between 9,000 and 10,000 species of birds in the world; however, over 120 species have become extinct as a result of human activities over the last 400 years. Today, an additional 1200 species are considered threatened. California is known for the diversity of its bird species. Over 630 species of birds have been documented in California. While several are introduced or have been seen only as transients, 433 birds use California habitats either as a primary residence or as a part of their annual migration route. The possibility of extinction threatens 135 of these.

Aves

Anseriformes

Anatidae
Species Common name
Anas platyrhynchos Mallard

Apodiformes

Trochilidae
Species Common name
Archilochus alexandri Black-chinned Hummingbird
Calypte anna Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte costae Costa's Hummingbird
Selasphorus sp. Rufous Hummingbird

Ciconiiformes

Accipitridae
Species Common name
Accipiter cooperi Cooper's Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo lineatus Red-shouldered Hawk
Ardeidae
Species Common name
Ardea herodias Great Blue Heron
Ciconiidae
Species Common name
Cathartes aura Turkey Vulture

Columbiformes

Columbidae
Species Common name
Columba livia Rock Pigeon
Patagioenas fasciata Band-tailed Pigeon
Zenaida macroura Mourning Dove

Galliformes

Odontophoridae
Species Common name
Callipepla californica California Quail

Passeriformes

Bombycillidae
Species Common name
Bombycilla cedrorum Cedar Waxwing
Cardinalidae
Species Common name
Passerina amoena Lazuli Bunting
Pheucticus melanocephalus Black-headed Grosbeak
Certhiidae
Species Common name
Thryomanes bewickii Bewick's Wren
Troglodytes aedon House Wren
Corvidae
Species Common name
Aphelocoma californica Western Scrub-Jay
Corvus brachyrhynchos American Crow
Corvus corax Common Raven
Emberizidae
Species Common name
Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed Junco
Melospiza melodia Song Sparrow
Pipilo crissalis California Towhee
Pipilo maculatus Spotted Towhee
Fringillidae
Species Common name
Carduelis psaltria Lesser Goldfinch
Carpodacus mexicanus House Finch
Carpodacus purpureus Purple Finch
Hirundinidae
Species Common name
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Cliff Swallow
Icteridae
Species Common name
Icterus bullockii Bullock's Oriole
Icterus cucullatus Hooded Oriole
Molothrus ater Brown-headed Cowbird
Paridae
Species Common name
Baeolophus inornatus Oak Titmouse
Psaltriparus minimus Bushtit
Parulidae
Species Common name
Dendroica petechia Yellow Warbler
Geothlypis trichas Common Yellowthroat
Vermivora celata Orange-crowned Warbler
Ptilogonatidae
Species Common name
Phainopepla nitens Phainopepla
Sittidae
Species Common name
Sitta carolinensis White-breasted Nuthatch
Sturnidae
Species Common name
Sternus vulgaris European Starling
Toxostoma redivivum California Thrasher
Sylviidae
Species Common name
Polioptila caerulea Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Thraupidae
Species Common name
Piranga ludoviciana Western Tanager
Timaliidae
Species Common name
Chamaea fasciata Wrentit
Turdidae
Species Common name
Turdus migratorius American Robin
Tyrannidae
Species Common name
Empidonax difficilis Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Sayornis nigricans Black Phoebe
Vireonidae
Species Common name
Vireo cassinii Cassin's Vireo
Vireo gilvus Warbling Vireo
Vireo huttoni Hutton's Vireo

Piciformes

Picidae
Species Common name
Calaptes Auratus Northern Flicker
Melanerpes formicivorus Acorn Woodpecker
Picoides nuttallii Nuttall's Woodpecker
Picoides pubescens Downy Woodpecker
Picoides villosus Hairy Woodpecker

Strigiformes

Strigidae
Species Common name
Bubo virginianus Great Horned Owl
Megascops kennicottii Western Screech-Owl

Return to species lists

Meadowfoam: Limnanthes douglasii Large-flowered phacelia: Phacelia grandiflora Harlequin bug: Murgantia histrionica