List of birds of California

Ducks, geese, and swans

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils.

Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis (*)

Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (*)

Tundra bean-goose, Anser serrirostris (*)

Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons

Emperor goose, Chen canagica (*)

Snow goose, Chen caerulescens

Ross's goose, Chen rossii

Brant, Branta bernicla

Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii

Canada goose, Branta canadensis

Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator

Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus

Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus (*)

Wood duck, Aix sponsa

Gadwall, Anas strepera

Falcated duck, Anas falcata (*)

Eurasian wigeon, Anas penelope

American wigeon, Anas americana

American black duck, Anas rubripes (*)

Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos

Blue-winged teal, Anas discors

Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera

Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata

Northern pintail, Anas acuta

Garganey, Anas querquedula (*)

Baikal teal, Anas formosa (*)

Green-winged teal, Anas crecca

Canvasback, Aythya valisineria

Redhead, Aythya americana

Common pochard, Aythya ferina (*)

Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris

Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula

Greater scaup, Aythya marila

Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis

Steller's eider, Polysticta stelleri (*)

King eider, Somateria spectabilis (*)

Common eider, Somateria mollissima (*)

Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus

Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata

White-winged scoter, Melanitta fusca

Common scoter, Melanitta nigra (*)

Black scoter, Melanitta americana

Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis

Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola

Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula

Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica

Smew, Mergellus albellus (*)

Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus

Common merganser, Mergus merganser

Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator

Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis

New World quail

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits.

Mountain quail, Oreortyx pictus

California quail, Callipepla californica

Gambel's quail, Callipepla gambelii

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies, including partridges, grouse, turkeys, and Old World quail. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans.

Chukar, Alectoris chukar (I)

Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)

Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus

Greater sage-grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus

White-tailed ptarmigan, Lagopus leucurus (I)

Sooty grouse, Dendragapus fuliginosus

Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus (Ex)

Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (I)

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.

Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus (*)

Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps

Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus

Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena

Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis

Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis

Clark's grebe, Aechmorphorus clarkii

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)

Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata

Oriental turtle-dove, Streptopelia orientalis (*)

Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I)

Spotted dove, Spilopelia chinensis (I)

Inca dove, Columbina inca

Common ground-dove, Columbina passerina

Ruddy ground-dove, Columbina talpacoti

White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica

Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.

Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus (*)

Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus

Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus (*)

Greater roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus

Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris (*)

Nightjars and allies

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves.

Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis

Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor

Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis (*)

Buff-collared nightjar, Antrostomus ridgwayi (*)

Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus (*)

Mexican whip-poor-will, Antrostomus arizonae

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

Black swift, Cypseloides niger

White-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris (*)

Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica

Vaux's swift, Chaetura vauxi

Common swift, Apus apus (*)

White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis

Hummingbirds

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards.

Mexican violetear, Colibri thalassinus (*)

Magnificent hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens (*)

Blue-throated hummingbird, Lampornis clemenciae (*)

Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (*)

Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri

Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna

Costa's hummingbird, Calypte costae

Broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus

Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus

Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin

Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope

Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (*)

Violet-crowned hummingbird, Amazilia violiceps (*)

Xantus's hummingbird, Hylocharis xantusii (*)

Rails, gallinules, and coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis

Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis

Ridgway's rail, Rallus obsoletus

Virginia rail, Rallus limicola

Sora, Porzana carolina

Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (*)

Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata

American coot, Fulica americana

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged, long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

Demoiselle crane, Anthropoides virgo (UO)

Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis

Common crane, Grus grus (*)

Stilts and avocets

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus

American avocet, Recurvirostra americana

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large, obvious, and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus

Black oystercatcher, Haematopus bachmani

Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.

Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola

American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica

Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva

Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus (*)

Greater sand-plover, Charadrius leschenaultii (*)

Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus

Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (*)

Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula (*)

Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus

Piping plover, Charadrius melodus (*)

Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus

Mountain plover, Charadrius montanus

Eurasian dotterel, Charadrius morinellus (*)

Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda (*)

Little curlew, Numenius minutus (*)

Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus

Bristle-thighed curlew, Numenius tahitiensis (*)

Long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus

Hudsonian godwit, Limosa haemastica (*)

Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica (*)

Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa

Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres

Black turnstone, Arenaria melanocephala

Red knot, Calidris canutus

Surfbird, Calidris virgata

Ruff, Calidris pugnax

Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata

Stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus

Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea (*)

Long-toed stint, Calidris subminuta (*)

Red-necked stint, Calidris ruficollis (*)

Sanderling, Calidris alba

Dunlin, Calidris alpina

Rock sandpiper, Calidris ptilocnemis

Purple sandpiper, Calidris maritima (*)

Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii

Little stint, Calidris minuta (*)

Least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla

White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis (*)

Buff-breasted sandpiper, Calidris subruficollis

Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos

Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla

Western sandpiper, Calidris mauri

Short-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus

Long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus

Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus (*)

Wilson's snipe, Gallinago delicata

Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago (*)

American woodcock, Scolopax minor (*)

Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus (*)

Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularia

Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria

Gray-tailed tattler, Tringa brevipes (*)

Wandering tattler, Tringa incana

Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus (*)

Greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca

Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia (*)

Willet, Tringa semipalmata

Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes

Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis (*)

Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola (*)

Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor

Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus

Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius

Skuas and jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki

Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus

Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus

Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus

Auks, murres, and puffins

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Alcidae

Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colors, their upright posture, and some of their habits. However, they are only distantly related to the penguins and are able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest.

Common murre, Uria aalge

Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia (*)

Pigeon guillemot, Cepphus columba

Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (*)

Marbled murrelet, Brachyramphus marmoratus

Kittlitz's murrelet, Brachyramphus brevirostris (*)

Scripps's murrelet, Synthliboramphus scrippsi

Guadalupe murrelet, Synthliboramphus hypoleucus

Craveri's murrelet, Synthliboramphus craveri

Ancient murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus

Cassin's auklet, Ptychoramphus aleuticus

Parakeet auklet, Aethia psittacula

Least auklet, Aethia pusilla (*)

Crested auklet, Aethia cristatella (*)

Rhinoceros auklet, Cerorhinca monocerata

Horned puffin, Fratercula corniculata

Tufted puffin, Fratercula cirrhata

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, terns, kittiwakes, and skimmers. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.

Swallow-tailed gull, Creagrus furcatus (*)

Black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla

Red-legged kittiwake, Rissa brevirostris (*)

Ivory gull, Pagophila eburnea (*)

Sabine's gull, Xema sabini

Bonaparte's gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia

Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus (*)

Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus

Ross's gull, Rhodostethia rosea (*)

Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla

Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan

Belcher's gull, Larus belcheri (*)

Black-tailed gull, Larus crassirostris (*)

Heermann's gull, Larus heermanni

Mew gull, Larus canus

Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis

Western gull, Larus occidentalis

Yellow-footed gull, Larus livens

California gull, Larus californicus

Herring gull, Larus argentatus

Thayer's gull, Larus thayeri

Iceland gull, Larus glaucoides (*)

Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus

Slaty-backed gull, Larus schistisagus (*)

Glaucous-winged gull, Larus glaucescens

Glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus

Great black-backed gull, Larus marinus (*)

Kelp gull, Larus dominicanus (*)

Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscata (*)

Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus (*)

Least tern, Sternula antillarum

Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica

Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia

Black tern, Chlidonias niger

White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus (*)

Common tern, Sterna hirundo

Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea

Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri

Royal tern, Thalasseus maximus

Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis (*)

Elegant tern, Thalasseus elegans

Black skimmer, Rynchops niger

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their long wings have black markings, as does the head.

White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus (*)

Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus

Red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda (*)

Loons

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Loons are aquatic birds, the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely gray or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but are almost hopeless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body.

Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata

Arctic loon, Gavia arctica (*)

Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica

Common loon, Gavia immer

Yellow-billed loon, Gavia adamsii (*)

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are amongst the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds.

White-capped albatross, Thalassarche cauta (*)

Salvin's albatross, Thalassarche salvini (*)

Chatham albatross, Thalassarche eremita (*)

Light-mantled albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata (*)

Wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans (*)

Laysan albatross, Phoebastria immutabilis

Black-footed albatross, Phoebastria nigripes

Short-tailed albatross, Phoebastria albatrus (*)

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

Northern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis

Great-winged petrel, Pterodroma macroptera (*)

Murphy's petrel, Pterodroma ultima

Mottled petrel, Pterodroma inexpectata (*)

Hawaiian petrel, Pterodroma sandwichensis

Cook's petrel, Pterodroma cookii

Stejneger's petrel, Pterodroma longirostris (*)

Bulwer's petrel, Bulweria bulwerii (*)

White-chinned petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis (*)

Parkinson's petrel, Procellaria parkinsoni (*)

Streaked shearwater, Calonectris leucomelas (*)

Cory's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea (*)

Wedge-tailed shearwater, Ardenna pacificus (*)

Buller's shearwater, Ardenna bulleri

Short-tailed shearwater, Ardenna tenuirostris

Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus

Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis (*)

Pink-footed shearwater, Ardenna creatopus

Flesh-footed shearwater, Ardenna carneipes

Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (*)

Newell's shearwater, Puffinus newelli (*)

Black-vented shearwater, Puffinus opisthomelas

Storm-petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.

Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus

Fork-tailed storm-petrel, Oceanodroma furcata

Ringed storm-petrel, Oceanodroma hornbyi (*)

Leach's storm-petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa

Townsend's storm-petrel, Oceanodroma socorroensis

Ashy storm-petrel, Oceanodroma homochroa

Wedge-rumped storm-petrel, Oceanodroma tethys (*)

Black storm-petrel, Oceanodroma melania

Tristram's storm-petrel, Oceanodroma tristrami (*)

Least storm-petrel, Oceanodroma microsoma

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They lack the powder down that other wading birds such as herons, spoonbills, and ibises use to clean off fish slime. Storks lack a pharynx and are mute.

Wood stork, Mycteria americana

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black or black-and-white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens

Great frigatebird, Fregata minor (*)

Lesser frigatebird, Fregata ariel (*)

Boobies and gannets

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.

Masked booby, Sula dactylatra (*)

Nazca booby, Sula granti (*)

Blue-footed booby, Sula nebouxii

Brown booby, Sula leucogaster

Red-footed booby, Sula sula (*)

Northern gannet, Morus bassanus (*)

Cormorants

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of colored skin on the face. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed, a distinguishing feature among the Pelecaniformes order.

Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus

Neotropic cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus

Pelagic cormorant, Phalacrocorax pelagicus

Anhingas

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Anhingas are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long straight beaks. They are fish eaters which often swim with only their neck above the water.

Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga (*)

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes.

American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and more secretive. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills.

American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus

Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis

Great blue heron, Ardea herodias

Great egret, Ardea alba

Snowy egret, Egretta thula

Little blue heron, Egretta caerulea

Tricolored heron, Egretta tricolor (*)

Reddish egret, Egretta rufescens

Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis

Green heron, Butorides virescens

Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax

Yellow-crowned night-heron, Nyctanassa violacea (*)

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

White ibis, Eudocimus albus (*)

Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus (*)

White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi

Roseate spoonbill, Platalea ajaja (*)

New World vultures

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carcasses.

Black vulture, Coragyps atratus (*)

Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura

California condor, Gymnogyps californianus (RI)

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, eagles, and kites

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight.

Swallow-tailed kite, Elanoides forficatus (*)

White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus

Mississippi kite, Ictinia mississippiensis (*)

Bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Northern harrier, Circus cyaneus

Sharp-shinned hawk, Accipiter striatus

Cooper's hawk, Accipiter cooperii

Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis

Common black hawk, Buteogallus anthracinus (*)

Harris's hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus

Gray hawk, Buteo plagiatus (*)

Red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus

Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus

Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni

Zone-tailed hawk, Buteo albonotatus

Red-tailed hawk, Buteo jamaicensis

Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus

Ferruginous hawk, Buteo regalis

Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos

Barn-owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

Barn owl, Tyto alba

Typical owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.

Flammulated owl, Psiloscops flammeolus

Western screech-owl, Megascops kennicottii

Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus

Snowy owl, Bubo scandiacus (*)

Northern pygmy-owl, Glaucidium gnoma

Elf owl, Micrathene whitneyi

Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia

Spotted owl, Strix occidentalis

Barred owl, Strix varia

Great gray owl, Strix nebulosa

Long-eared owl, Asio otus

Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus

Northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.

Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.

Lewis's woodpecker, Melanerpes lewis

Red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus (*)

Acorn woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus

Gila woodpecker, Melanerpes uropygialis

Williamson's sapsucker, Sphyrapicus thyroideus

Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius

Red-naped sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis

Red-breasted sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber

Ladder-backed woodpecker, Picoides scalaris

Nuttall's woodpecker, Picoides nuttallii

Downy woodpecker, Picoides pubescens

Hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus

White-headed woodpecker, Picoides albolarvatus

Black-backed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus

Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus

Gilded flicker, Colaptes chrysoides

Pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus

Falcons and caracaras

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.

Crested caracara, Caracara cheriway (*)

Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus (*)

American kestrel, Falco sparverius

Merlin, Falco columbarius

Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus (*)

Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

Prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus

New World and African parrots

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

Red-crowned parrot, Amazona viridigenalis (I)

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are Passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous.

Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi

Greater pewee, Contopus pertinax (*)

Western wood-pewee, Contopus sordidulus

Eastern wood-pewee, Contopus virens (*)

Yellow-bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris (*)

Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum (*)

Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii

Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus

Hammond's flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii

Gray flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii

Dusky flycatcher, Empidonax oberholseri

Pacific-slope flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis

Cordilleran flycatcher, Empidonax occidentalis

Buff-breasted flycatcher, Empidonax fulvifrons (*)

Black phoebe, Sayornis nigricans

Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe

Say's phoebe, Sayornis saya

Vermilion flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus

Dusky-capped flycatcher, Myiarchus tuberculifer (*)

Ash-throated flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens

Nutting's flycatcher, Myiarchus nuttingi (*)

Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus (*)

Brown-crested flycatcher, Myiarchus tyrannulus

Sulphur-bellied flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris (*)

Tropical kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus

Couch's kingbird, Tyrannus couchii (*)

Cassin's kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans

Thick-billed kingbird, Tyrannus crassirostris (*)

Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis

Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus

Scissor-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus

Fork-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus savana (*)

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey.

Brown shrike, Lanius cristatus (*)

Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus

Northern shrike, Lanius excubitor

Vireos

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

The vireos and greenlets are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, though a few members of the family, called shrike-babblers, are found in Asia. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood-warblers apart from their heavier bills.

White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus (*)

Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii

Gray vireo, Vireo vicinior

Hutton's vireo, Vireo huttoni

Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons

Cassin's vireo, Vireo cassinii

Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius (*)

Plumbeous vireo, Vireo plumbeus

Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus

Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus

Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus

Yellow-green vireo, Vireo flavoviridis (*)

Jays, crows, magpies, and ravens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.

Gray jay, Perisoreus canadensis

Pinyon jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus

Steller's jay, Cyanocitta stelleri

Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata (*)

Island scrub-jay, Aphelocoma insularis (En)

California scrub-jay, Aphelocoma californica

Woodhouse's scrub-jay, Aphelocoma woodhouseii

Clark's nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana

Black-billed magpie, Pica hudsonia

Yellow-billed magpie, Pica nuttalli (En)

American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos

Common raven, Corvus corax

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.

Eurasian skylark, Alauda arvensis (*)

Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris

Swallows and martins

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

Purple martin, Progne subis

Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor

Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina

Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Bank swallow, Riparia riparia

Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva (*)

Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica

Chickadees and titmice

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.

Black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapilla

Mountain chickadee, Poecile gambeli

Chestnut-backed chickadee, Poecile rufescens

Oak titmouse, Baeolophus inornatus

Juniper titmouse, Baeolophus ridgwayi

Penduline-Tits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Remizidae

Verdin, Auriparus flaviceps

Long-tailed Tits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Aegithalidae

Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet.

Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis

White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis

Pygmy nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.

Brown creeper, Certhia americana

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.

Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus

Canyon wren, Catherpes mexicanus

House wren, Troglodytes aedon

Pacific wren, Troglodytes pacificus

Winter wren, Troglodytes hiemalis (*)

Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis (*)

Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris

Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii

Cactus wren, Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

Gnatcatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea

California gnatcatcher, Polioptila californica

Black-tailed gnatcatcher, Polioptila melanura

Dippers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cinclidae

American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

The kinglets are a small family of birds which resemble the titmice. They are very small insectivorous birds in the genus Regulus. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their name.

Golden-crowned kinglet, Regulus satrapa

Ruby-crowned kinglet, Regulus calendula

Leaf warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Phylloscopidae

Dusky warbler, Phylloscopus fuscatus (*)

Arctic warbler/Kamchatka leaf warbler, Phylloscopus borealis/examinandus (*)

Old World warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sylviidae

Wrentit, Chamaea fasciata

Grassbirds and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Locustellidae

Lanceolated warbler, Locustella lanceolata (*)

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

Bluethroat, Luscina svecica (*)

Red-flanked bluetail, Tarsiger cyanurus (*)

Taiga flycatcher, Ficedula albicilla (*)

Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (*)

Stonechat, Saxicola torquatus (*)

Thrushes and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly but not exclusively in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.

Western bluebird, Sialia mexicana

Mountain bluebird, Sialia currucoides

Townsend's solitaire, Myadestes townsendi

Veery, Catharus fuscescens (*)

Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus (*)

Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus

Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus

Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina (*)

Eyebrowed thrush, Turdus obscurus (*)

Rufous-backed robin, Turdus rufopalliatus (*)

American robin, Turdus migratorius

Varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius

Mockingbirds and thrashers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds which includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull grays and browns in their appearance.

Blue mockingbird, Melanotis caerulescens (UO)

Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis

Curve-billed thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre (*)

Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum

Bendire's thrasher, Toxostoma bendirei

California thrasher, Toxostoma redivivum

Le Conte's thrasher, Toxostoma lecontei

Crissal thrasher, Toxostoma crissale

Sage thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus

Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized Old World passerine birds with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and most are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. The plumage of several species is dark with a metallic sheen.

European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter.

Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus

Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum

Silky-flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Ptiliogonatidae

Gray silky-flycatcher, Ptiliogonys cinereus (UO)

Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens

Waxbills and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Estrildidae

Scaly-breasted munia, Lonchura punctulata (I)

Old World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or grayish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.

House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)

Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country.

Eastern yellow wagtail, Motacilla tschutschensis (*)

Gray wagtail, Motacilla cinerea (*)

White wagtail, Motacilla alba (*)

Olive-backed pipit, Anthus hodgsoni (*)

Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus

American pipit, Anthus rubescens

Sprague's pipit, Anthus spragueii

Finches and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla (*)

Gray-crowned rosy-finch, Leucosticte tephrocotis

Black rosy-finch, Leucosticte atrata (*)

Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator

Common rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus (*)

House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus

Purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus

Cassin's finch, Haemorhous cassinii

Oriental greenfinch, Chloris sinica (UO)

Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra

White-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera (*)

Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea (*)

Pine siskin, Spinus pinus

Lesser goldfinch, Spinus psaltria

Lawrence's goldfinch, Spinus lawrencei

American goldfinch, Spinus tristis

Evening grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus

Longspurs and snow buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus

Chestnut-collared longspur, Calcarius ornatus

Smith's longspur, Calcarius pictus (*)

McCown's longspur, Calcarius mccownii

Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis (*)

Wood-warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

The wood warblers are a group of small and often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores.

Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla

Worm-eating warbler, Helmitheros vermivorum (*)

Louisiana waterthrush, Parkesia motacilla (*)

Northern waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis

Golden-winged warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera (*)

Blue-winged warbler, Vermivora cyanoptera (*)

Black-and-white warbler, Mniotilta varia

Prothonotary warbler, Protonotaria citrea

Tennessee warbler, Oreothlypis peregrina

Orange-crowned warbler, Oreothlypis celata

Lucy's warbler, Oreothlypis luciae

Nashville warbler, Oreothlypis ruficapilla

Virginia's warbler, Oreothlypis virginiae

Connecticut warbler, Oporornis agilis (*)

MacGillivray's warbler, Geothlypis tolmiei

Mourning warbler, Geothlypis philadelphia (*)

Kentucky warbler, Geothlypis formosa

Common yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas

Hooded warbler, Setophaga citrina

American redstart, Setophaga ruticilla

Cape May warbler, Setophaga tigrina (*)

Cerulean warbler, Setophaga cerulea (*)

Northern parula, Setophaga americana

Magnolia warbler, Setophaga magnolia

Bay-breasted warbler, Setophaga castanea

Blackburnian warbler, Setophaga fusca

Yellow warbler, Setophaga petechia

Chestnut-sided warbler, Setophaga pensylvanica

Blackpoll warbler, Setophaga striata

Black-throated blue warbler, Setophaga caerulescens

Palm warbler, Setophaga palmarum

Pine warbler, Setophaga pinus

Yellow-rumped warbler, Setophaga coronata

Yellow-throated warbler, Setophaga dominica

Prairie warbler, Setophaga discolor

Grace's warbler, Setophaga graciae (*)

Black-throated gray warbler, Setophaga nigrescens

Townsend's warbler, Setophaga townsendi

Hermit warbler, Setophaga occidentalis

Golden-cheeked warbler, Setophaga chrysoparia (*)

Black-throated green warbler, Setophaga virens

Canada warbler, Cardellina canadensis

Wilson's warbler, Cardellina pusilla

Red-faced warbler, Cardellina rubrifrons (*)

Painted redstart, Myioborus pictus

Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens

New World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

Emberizidae is a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. In Europe, most species are called buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.

Green-tailed towhee, Pipilo chlorurus

Spotted towhee, Pipilo maculatus

Rufous-crowned sparrow, Aimophila ruficeps

California towhee, Melozone crissalis

Abert's towhee, Melozone aberti

Cassin's sparrow, Peucaea cassinii (*)

American tree sparrow, Spizelloides arborea

Chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina

Clay-colored sparrow, Spizella pallida

Brewer's sparrow, Spizella breweri

Field sparrow, Spizella pusilla (*)

Black-chinned sparrow, Spizella atrogularis

Vesper sparrow, Pooecetes gramineus

Lark sparrow, Chondestes grammacus

Black-throated sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata

Sagebrush sparrow, Artemisiospiza nevadensis

Bell's sparrow, Artemisiospiza belli

Lark bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys

Savannah sparrow, Passerculus hoagiensis

Grasshopper sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum

Baird's sparrow, Ammodramus bairdii (*)

Le Conte's sparrow, Ammodramus leconteii (*)

Nelson's sparrow, Ammodramus nelsoni

Fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca

Song sparrow, Melospiza melodia

Lincoln's sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii

Swamp sparrow, Melospiza georgiana

White-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis

Harris's sparrow, Zonotrichia querula

White-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys

Golden-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla

Dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis

Little bunting, Emberiza pusilla (*)

Rustic bunting, Emberiza rustica (*)

Cardinals and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages.

Hepatic tanager, Piranga flava

Summer tanager, Piranga rubra

Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea

Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana

Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis

Pyrrhuloxia, Cardinalis sinuatus (*)

Rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus

Black-headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus

Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea

Lazuli bunting, Passerina amoena

Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea

Varied bunting, Passerina versicolor (*)

Painted bunting, Passerina ciris

Dickcissel, Spiza americana

Blackbirds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red.

Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus

Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus

Tricolored blackbird, Agelaius tricolor

Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta

Yellow-headed blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus (*)

Brewer's blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus

Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula (*)

Great-tailed grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus

Bronzed cowbird, Molothrus aeneus

Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater

Orchard oriole, Icterus spurius

Hooded oriole, Icterus cucullatus

Streak-backed oriole, Icterus pustulatus (*)

Bullock's oriole, Icterus bullockii

Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula

Black-backed oriole, Icterus abeillei (UO)

Scott's oriole, Icterus parisorum