list of California birds
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This list of California birds is a comprehensive listing of all the bird species seen naturally in the state of California as determined by the California Birds Records Committee (CBRC).
There are, as of 2007, 634 species on this list. Ten of these species are introduced (I) — species that are non-native to California but now have established populations. Two of these species are extirpated (E) — species that are native to California but no longer have established populations there (they still do in other places). Birds marked with an asterisk (*) are currently under review by the CBRC. The CBRC states the following about birds under review:
The California Bird Records Committee solicits information on all occurrences in California of the 180 species on this Review List, as well as species unrecorded in California. In general, review species average four or fewer occurrences per year in California, and have been recorded fewer than 100 times.
This list is presented in taxonomic order and follows The Check-list of North American Birds (7th ed., 1998), published by the American Ornithologists' Union. The table of contents is grouped into passerines (the largest order of birds) and non-passerines. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family accounts.
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 are birds that are modified for 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. There are 131 species world wide, 61 North American species, and 49 California species.
- Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis *
- Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Dendrocygna bicolor
- Greater White-fronted Goose, Anser albifrons
- Emperor Goose, Chen canagica *
- Snow Goose, Chen caerulescens
- Ross's Goose, Chen rossii
- Cackling Goose, Branta hutchinsii
- Canada Goose, Branta canadensis
- Brant, Branta bernicla
- 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
- Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra
Long-tailed Duck , Clangula hyemalis- Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola
- Common Goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
- Barrow's Goldeneye, Bucephala islandica
- Smew, Mergellus albellus *
Hooded Merganser , Lophodytes cucullatusCommon Merganser , Mergus merganser- Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus serrator
- Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis
Partridges, Grouse, Turkeys, and Old World Quail
Order: Galliformes Family:
The Phasianidae is a family of birds which consists of the pheasants and their allies. 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. There are 180 species world wide, 16 North American species, and 8 Californian species.
- 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 (E)
- Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (I)
New World Quail
Order: Galliformes Family:
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. There are 32 species, world-wide, all found only in the Americas, 6 North American species, and 3 Californian species.
- Mountain Quail, Oreortyx pictus
- California Quail, Callipepla californica
- Gambel's Quail, Callipepla gambelii
Loons
Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae
Loons are aquatic birds size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely grey or black, they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well, and fly adequately, but, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body, are almost hopeless on land. There are 5 species world-wide, 5 North American species, and 5 Californian species.
- Red-throated Loon, Gavia stellata
- Arctic Loon, Gavia arctica *
- Pacific Loon, Gavia pacifica
- Common Loon, Gavia immer
- Yellow-billed Loon, Gavia adamsii *
Grebes
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large sized 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. There are 20 species world-wide, 7 North American species, and 7 Californian species.
- 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
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. There are 21 species world wide, 7 North American species, and 6 Californian species. Note that the Light-mantled Albatross does not appear on the North American list.
- Light-mantled Albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata *
- Shy Albatross, Thalassarche cauta *
- 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', characterised by united nostrils with medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species world wide, 24 North American species, and 21 Californian species. Note that Parkinson's Petrel does not occur on the North American list, but it does on the Californian list.
- Northern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis
- Great-winged Petrel, Pterodroma macroptera *
- Murphy's Petrel, Pterodroma ultima
- Mottled Petrel, Pterodroma inexpectata *
- Dark-rumped Petrel Pterodroma phaeopygia/sandwichensis *
- Cook's Petrel, Pterodroma cookii
- Stejneger's Petrel, Pterodroma longirostris *
- Bulwer's Petrel, Bulweria bulwerii *
- Parkinson's Petrel, Procellaria parkinsoni *
- Streaked Shearwater, Calonectris leucomelas *
- Cory's Shearwater, Calonectris diomedea *
- Pink-footed Shearwater, Puffinus creatopus
- Flesh-footed Shearwater, Puffinus carneipes
- Greater Shearwater, Puffinus gravis *
- Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus pacificus *
- Buller's Shearwater, Puffinus bulleri
- Sooty Shearwater, Puffinus griseus
- Short-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris
- Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus *
- Black-vented Shearwater, Puffinus opisthomelas
- Little Shearwater, Puffinus assimilis *
Storm-Petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
The storm-petrels are the smallest of 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. There are 21 species world wide, 12 North American species, and 8 Californian species.
- Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
- Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma furcata
- Ringed Storm-petrel, Oceanodroma hornbyi *
- Leach’s Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa
- Ashy Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma homochroa
- Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma tethys *
- Black Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma melania
- Least Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma microsoma
Tropicbirds
Order: Pelecaniformes 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. There are 3 species world wide, 3 North American species, and 3 Californian species.
- White-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus *
- Red-billed Tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus
- Red-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda *
Boobies and Gannets
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 8 species world wide, 5 North American species, and 4 Californian species.
- Masked Booby, Sula dactylatra *
- Blue-footed Booby, Sula nebouxii *
- Brown Booby, Sula leucogaster *
- Red-footed Booby, Sula sula *
Pelicans
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. There are 8 species world wide, 2 North American species, and 2 Californian species.
- American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
- Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis
Cormorants
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of coloured 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. There are 36 species world wide, 6 North American species, and 4 Californian species.
- Brandt's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
- Neotropic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus *
- Double-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus
- Pelagic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax pelagicus
Darters
Darters are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beaks. They often swim with only the neck above water, and are fish-eaters. There are 4 species world wide, 1 North American species, and 1 Californian species.
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Anhingidae
- Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga *
Frigatebirds
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black or black and white, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured 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. There are 5 species world wide, 3 North American species, and 2 Californian species.
- Magnificent Frigatebird, Fregata magnificens
- Great Frigatebird, Fregata minor *
Bitterns, Herons, and Egrets
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and Egrets are medium to large sized wadng birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secrative. Unlike other long necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species world wide, 17 North American species, and 12 Californian species.
- 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: Ciconiiformes Family: Threskiornithidae
- American White Ibis, Eudocimus albus *
- Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus *
- White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi
- Roseate Spoonbill, Ajaia ajaja *
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. There are 19 species world wide, 2 North American species, and 1 Californian species.
- Wood Stork, Mycteria americana
New World Vultures
Order: Ciconiiformes 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. There are 7 species world wide, all found only in the Americas, 3 North American species, and 3 Californian species.
- Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus *
- Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura
- California Condor, Gymnogyps californianus (E)
Hawks, Kites, and Eagles
Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae
The family Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include 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. There are 233 species world wide, 28 North American species, and 18 Californian species.
- Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
- 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 *
- 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
- Ferruginous Hawk, Buteo regalis
- Rough-legged Hawk, Buteo lagopus
- Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
Caracaras and Falcons
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 feet. There are 62 species world wide, 11 North American species, and 6 Californian species.
- Crested Caracara, Caracara cheriway *
- American Kestrel, Falco sparverius
- Merlin, Falco columbarius
- Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus *
- Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus
- Prairie Falcon, Falco mexicanus
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, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species world wide, 13 North American species, and 8 Californian species.
- Yellow Rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis
- Black Rail, Laterallus jamaicensis
- Clapper Rail, Rallus longirostris
- Virginia Rail, Rallus limicola
- Sora, Porzana carolina
- Purple Gallinule, Porphyrio martinica *
- Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
- American Coot, Fulica americana
Cranes
Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and 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". There are 15 species world wide, 3 North American species, and 1 Californian species.
- Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis
Lapwings and Plovers
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, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species world wide, 17 North American species, and 12 Californian species.
- 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 alexandrinus
- Wilson's Plover, Charadrius wilsonia *
- Semipalmated Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
- Piping Plover, Charadrius melodus *
- Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
- Mountain Plover, Charadrius montanus
- Eurasian Dotterel, Charadrius morinellus *
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. There are 11 species world-wide, 2 North American species, and 2 Californian species.
- American Oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus *
- American Black Oystercatcher, Haematopus bachmani
Stilts and Avocets
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species world wide, 3 North American species, and 2 Californian species.
- Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
- American Avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Sandpipers, Curlews, Stints, Godwits, Snipes, and Phalaropes
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
The Scolopacidae are 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 species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 86 species world wide, 65 North American species, and 47 Californian species.
- Common Greenshank, Tringa nebularia *
- Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca
- Lesser Yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes
- Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythropus *
- Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria
- Willet, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
- Wandering Tattler, Heteroscelus incanus
- Gray-tailed Tattler, Heteroscelus brevipes *
- Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularia
- Terek Sandpiper, Xenus cinereus *
- 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
- Surfbird, Aphriza virgata
- Red Knot, Calidris canutus
- Sanderling, Calidris alba
- Semipalmated Sandpiper, Calidris pusilla
- Western Sandpiper, Calidris mauri
- Red-necked Stint, Calidris ruficollis *
- Little Stint, Calidris minuta *
- Long-toed Stint, Calidris subminuta *
- Least Sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
- White-rumped Sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis *
- Baird's Sandpiper, Calidris bairdii
- Pectoral Sandpiper, Calidris melanotos
- Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Calidris acuminata
- Rock Sandpiper, Calidris ptilocnemis
- Dunlin, Calidris alpina
- Curlew Sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea *
- Stilt Sandpiper, Calidris himantopus
- Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Tryngites subruficollis
- Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
- Short-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus
- Long-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus
- Jack Snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus *
- Wilson's Snipe, Gallinago delicata
- American Woodcock, Scolopax minor *
- Wilson's Phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor
- Red-necked Phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
- Red Phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius
Skuas , Gulls, Terns , and
Skimmers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes jaegers, skuas, gulls, terns, kittiwakes and skimmers. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 108 species world wide, 54 North American species, and 44 Californian species. Note that the Swallow-tailed Gull is not included in the North American list.
- South Polar Skua, Stercorarius maccormicki
- Pomarine Jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
- Parasitic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
Long-tailed Jaeger , Stercorarius longicaudus- Laughing Gull, Larus atricilla
- Franklin's Gull, Larus pipixcan
- Little Gull, Larus minutus *
Black-headed Gull , Larus ridibundus *- Bonaparte's Gull, Larus philadelphia
- Heermann's Gull, Larus heermanni
- Belcher's Gull, Larus belcheri *
- Black-tailed Gull, Larus crassirostris *
- Mew Gull, Larus canus
- Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis
- 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 *
- Yellow-footed Gull, Larus livens
- Western Gull, Larus occidentalis
- Glaucous-winged Gull, Larus glaucescens
- Glaucous Gull, Larus hyperboreus
- Sabine's Gull, Xema sabini
- Swallow-tailed Gull, Creagrus furcatus *
- Black-legged Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla
- Red-legged Kittiwake, Rissa brevirostris *
- Ross's Gull, Rhodostethia rosea *
- Ivory Gull, Pagophila eburnea *
- Gull-billed Tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
- Caspian Tern, Hydroprogne caspia
- Royal Tern, Sterna maxima
- Elegant Tern, Sterna elegans
- Sandwich Tern, Sterna sandvicensis *
- Common Tern, Sterna hirundo
- Arctic Tern, Sterna paradisaea
- Forster's Tern, Sterna forsteri
- Least Tern, Sternula antillarum
- Bridled Tern, Onychoprion anaethetus *
- Sooty Tern, Onychoprion fuscata *
- White-winged Tern, Chlidonias leucopterus *
- Black Tern, Chlidonias niger
- Black Skimmer, Rynchops niger
Auks, Murres, and Puffins
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae
Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colours, their upright posture and some of their habits, however they are not related to the penguins at all, being able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest. There are 24 species world wide, 22 North American species, and 16 Californian species.
- 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 *
- Xantus's 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
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. There are 308 species world wide, 18 North American species, and 10 Californian species.
- Rock Pigeon, Columba livia (I)
- Band-tailed Pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata
- Oriental Turtle-Dove, Streptopelia orientalis *
- Eurasian Collared-Dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I)
- Spotted Dove, Streptopelia chinensis (I)
- White-winged Dove, Zenaida asiatica
- Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura
- Inca Dove, Columbina inca
- Common Ground-Dove, Columbina passerina
- Ruddy Ground-Dove, Columbina talpacoti
Lories, Parakeets, Macaws, and Parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species world wide, 8 North American species, and 1 Californian species.
- Red-crowned Parrot, Amazona viridigenalis (I)
Cuckoos, Roadrunners, and Anis
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. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species world wide, 8 North American species, and 4 Californian species.
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
- Black-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus *
- Greater Roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus
- Groove-billed Ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris *
Barn owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species world wide, 1 North American species, and 1 Californian species.
- 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. There are 195 species world wide, 21 North American species, and 13 Californian species.
- Flammulated Owl, Otus 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
Nightjars
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is crypically coloured to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species world wide, 9 North American species, and 6 Californian species.
- Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis
- Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
- Common Poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
- Chuck-will's-widow, Caprimulgus carolinensis *
- Buff-collared Nightjar, Caprimulgus ridgwayi *
- Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus
Swifts
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
The swifts are small aerial birds, spending 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 that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species world wide, 9 North American species, and 5 Californian species.
- Black Swift, Cypseloides niger
- White-collared Swift, Streptoprocne zonaris *
- Chimney Swift, Chaetura pelagica
- Vaux's Swift, Chaetura vauxi
- White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus
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. There are 337 species world wide, 23 North American species, and 14 Californian species.
- Green Violet-ear, Colibri thalassinus *
- Broad-billed Hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris *
- Xantus's Hummingbird, Hylocharis xantusii *
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Amazilia violiceps *
- Blue-throated Hummingbird, Lampornis clemenciae *
- Magnificent Hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens *
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris *
- Black-chinned Hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri