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== Introduction == | |||
[[Image:Canadagoose.jpg|frame|left|Figure 1. This is a family of Canada geese at the Arcata marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, just an example of some of the birds that come to breed here. The image was taken by Dustin Poppendieck]] | |||
The [[Arcata marsh]] and Wildlife Sanctuary is home to about 200 species of birds that visit the marsh each year.<ref>Bulger,Suzie."The Beginners Guide to Birding At the Arcata Marsh" FOAM 1996</ref> Most of these birds that come to the [[Arcata marsh]] Wildlife Sanctuary are seasonal, because they use the marsh only as a breeding site, as seen in ''Figure 1'', or as a place to rest during their biyearly migration. The [[Arcata marsh]] also acts as a refuge and home for other year round birds. | |||
One of the benefits the birds have at the [[Arcata marsh]] Wildlife Sanctuary is to help maintain a balanced ecosystem. The birds do this by consuming the varieties of marine life, such as fish, shellfish, and vegetation. Vegetation such as duck moss would other wise over populate and clog the waters of the marsh. | |||
Another thing that the [[Arcata marsh]] offers is as a place where people can come to monitor and watch the variety of birds that can be seen. The reason it is important to monitor the birds at the [[Arcata marsh]] is that some of the birds that visit are rare or endangered. This also allows the opportunity for several bird watchers to come and see the birds that visit each year. | |||
== Landscape == | |||
{{TOCright}} | {{TOCright}} | ||
[[Image:Arcatamarsh_aerialview_img2.jpg|frame|left|Figure 2. This is an image of the [[Arcata marsh]] from an aerial view]] | |||
The [[Arcata Marsh]] and Wildlife Center is a perfect location for bird watching and for birds to breed and prosper. The [[Arcata marsh]] is surrounded by many different types of bodies of water and many different types of land. The land throughout the sanctuary varies widely and has many different types; it includes forests, grasslands, open fields, and shores of all the bodies of water. The marsh is also close to a small town which attracts small birds that live near suburbs. The different types of water are an ocean, a saltwater bay, a lake, a pond, freshwater and saltwater marshes, mudflats, streams, and foothills. This setting in Northern California is an ideal place for birds; it provides such a vast variety of bodies of water that is attracts many different species of bird. The [[Arcata marsh]] has become one of the best places for birds to live and people to watch them. | |||
== Birds of Arcata Marsh == | |||
It is possible to see over 200 species of birds at the [[Arcata marsh]].<ref>Bulger,Suzie."The Beginners Guide to Birding At the Arcata Marsh" FOAM 1996</ref> Listed below are some of the most common birds that can be seen throughout the year. The types of birds are grouped together based on type of bird. Under each group name is a small description of the group. Below that is a list of the bird's common name, scientific name, size, time of year they are at the Arcata marsh, the best place to look for them, and the possibility a person will see them at that time of year. | |||
<ref> Birds of the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, List compiled by Kristina K Van Wert, April 1995, updated by Elias Elias in January 2006</ref> | |||
<ref>The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds,Chanticleer Press Inc., Newyork, 1977</ref> | |||
'''This list of links below will help you to get to the bird groups faster:''' | |||
*[[#Loons & Grebes|Loons & Grebes]] | *[[#Loons & Grebes|Loons & Grebes]] | ||
*[[#Pelicans & Cormorants|Pelicans & Cormorants]] | *[[#Pelicans & Cormorants|Pelicans & Cormorants]] | ||
Line 41: | Line 50: | ||
*[[#Finches|Finches]] | *[[#Finches|Finches]] | ||
*[[#Weaver Finches|Weaver Finches]] | *[[#Weaver Finches|Weaver Finches]] | ||
<ref> Birds of the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife | <ref> Birds of the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, List compiled by Kristina K Van Wert, April 1995, updated by Elias Elias in January 2006</ref> | ||
<ref>The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds,Chanticleer Press Inc., Newyork, 1977</ref> | <ref>The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds,Chanticleer Press Inc., Newyork, 1977</ref> | ||
==Loons & Grebes== | ===Loons & Grebes=== | ||
Loons and grebes are small duck-like birds that have pointed-beaks and are usually found in water. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 52: | Line 61: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |||
|Common Loon | |||
|''Gavia immer'' | |||
|28-36" | |||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |||
|lakes, rivers | |||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Red-throated Loon | |Red-throated Loon | ||
Line 58: | Line 75: | ||
|24-27" | |24-27" | ||
|Fall,Winter | |Fall,Winter | ||
| | |tundra lake, arctic coast | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Eared Grebe | ||
|'' | |''Podiceps nigricollis'' | ||
| | |12-14" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |marshy lakes, ponds | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Horned Grebe | ||
|'' | |''Podiceps auritus'' | ||
|12-15" | |12-15" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |marshes, ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Pied-billed Grebe | ||
|'' | |''Podilymbus podiceps'' | ||
|12-15" | |12-15" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |marshes, ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Red-necked Grebe | |Red-necked Grebe | ||
Line 82: | Line 103: | ||
|18-22" | |18-22" | ||
|Winter | |Winter | ||
| | |coast, bay, lakes, ponds | ||
|casual | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Western Grebe | |Western Grebe | ||
Line 94: | Line 110: | ||
|22-29" | |22-29" | ||
|Fall, Spring and Winter | |Fall, Spring and Winter | ||
| | |lakes, coastal bays | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Pelicans & Cormorants== | ===Pelicans & Cormorants=== | ||
Pelicans & Cormorants are fishing birds. Pelicans catch their fish by using their bill-pouch as a fishing net. Cormorants catch their fish by diving into the water and using their strong wings to propel them through the water. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 107: | Line 124: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 113: | Line 131: | ||
|45-54" | |45-54" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |sandy coastal beaches | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|Brandt's Cormorant | |||
|''Phalacrocorax penicillatus'' | |||
|33-35" | |||
|Year round | |||
|rocky coastal shores | |||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Double-Crested Cormorant | |Double-Crested Cormorant | ||
Line 119: | Line 145: | ||
|30-36" | |30-36" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |coasts, lakes, rivers, swamps | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Pelagic Cormorant | |Pelagic Cormorant | ||
Line 131: | Line 152: | ||
|25-30" | |25-30" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |off shore and in shore waters | ||
|casual | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Bitterns, Herons & Egrets== | ===Bitterns, Herons & Egrets=== | ||
These long-legged and long-beaked birds are usually seen at the waters edge, staying still while fishing for fish at the marsh. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 142: | Line 164: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 148: | Line 171: | ||
|23-34" | |23-34" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |freash water wetlands | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Least Bittern | |Least Bittern | ||
Line 154: | Line 178: | ||
|11-14" | |11-14" | ||
|Summer | |Summer | ||
| | |dense marshlands | ||
|accidental | |||
|- | |||
|Black-crowned Night Heron | |||
|''Nycticorax nycticorax'' | |||
|23-28" | |||
|Year round | |||
|edges of lakes, rivers, marshes, swamps, streams | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Great Blue Heron | |Great Blue Heron | ||
Line 160: | Line 192: | ||
|42-52" | |42-52" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |lakes, rivers, marshes, ponds | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |||
|Green Heron | |||
|''Butorides striatus'' | |||
|16-22" | |||
|Spring, Winter and Summer | |||
|along oceans, lakes, rivers, ponds | |||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Great Egret | |Great Egret | ||
Line 166: | Line 206: | ||
|37-41" | |37-41" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |salt and freashwater marshes, marshy ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Snowy Egret | |Snowy Egret | ||
Line 172: | Line 213: | ||
|20-27" | |20-27" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |marshes, ponds, mudflats | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Cattle Egret | |Cattle Egret | ||
Line 178: | Line 220: | ||
|20" | |20" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |marshes, ponds | ||
|uncommon | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
|White-faced Ibis | |White-faced Ibis | ||
Line 196: | Line 227: | ||
|19-26" | |19-26" | ||
|Fall and Spring | |Fall and Spring | ||
| | |salt and freashwater marshes | ||
|accidental | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Geese & Ducks== | ===Geese & Ducks=== | ||
Webbed feet and flat bills characterize geese and ducks. They are seen in the water most of the time, or are seen flying in a V-formation to or from the marsh. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 207: | Line 239: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Canada Goose | ||
|'' | |''Branta canadensis'' | ||
| | |22-45" | ||
| | |Year round | ||
| | |lakes, bays, rivers, marshes | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Snow Goose | |Snow Goose | ||
Line 219: | Line 253: | ||
|25-31" | |25-31" | ||
|Fall and Winter | |Fall and Winter | ||
| | |coastal bays, salt and freashwater marshes | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Ross's Goose | |Ross's Goose | ||
Line 225: | Line 260: | ||
|21-25" | |21-25" | ||
|Fall and winter | |Fall and winter | ||
| | |salt and freashwater marshes | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |||
|White-fronted Goose | |||
|''Anser albifrons'' | |||
|26-34" | |||
|Fall | |||
|bays, marshes | |||
|casual | |||
|- | |||
|Ring-necked Duck | |||
|''Aythya collaris'' | |||
|14-18" | |||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |||
|wooded lakes, rivers, ponds | |||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Ruddy Duck | ||
|'' | |''Oxyura jamaicensis'' | ||
| | |14-16" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |shallow coastal bays, marshes | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Tufted Duck | ||
|'' | |''Aythya fuligula'' | ||
| | |17" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |lakes, bays | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Wood Duck | |Wood Duck | ||
Line 243: | Line 295: | ||
|17-20" | |17-20" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |freashwater marshes, wooded swamps | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |||
|Black Brant | |||
|''Branta bernicla'' | |||
|23-26" | |||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |||
|lakes, rivers | |||
|rare | |||
|- | |||
|Blue-winged Teal | |||
|''Anas discors'' | |||
|14-16" | |||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |||
|lakes, ponds, marshes, shallow wetlands | |||
|rare | |||
|- | |||
|Cinnamon Teal | |||
|''Anas cyanoptera'' | |||
|14-17" | |||
|Winter, Spring and Summer | |||
|shallow marshes, ponds | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Green-winged Teal | |Green-winged Teal | ||
Line 249: | Line 323: | ||
|12-15" | |12-15" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |marshy lakes, marshes, ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Mallard | |Mallard | ||
Line 255: | Line 330: | ||
|20-28" | |20-28" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |lakes, bays, riverbeds, marshes, ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Pintail | |Pintail | ||
Line 261: | Line 337: | ||
|25-29" | |25-29" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |marshes | ||
| | |rare | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Northern Shoveler | |Northern Shoveler | ||
Line 279: | Line 344: | ||
|17-20" | |17-20" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |lakes, marshes, ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Gadwell | |Gadwell | ||
Line 285: | Line 351: | ||
|18-23" | |18-23" | ||
|Spring and Summer | |Spring and Summer | ||
| | |shallow lakes, marshes, ponds | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |||
|American Wigeon | |||
|''Anas americana'' | |||
|18-23" | |||
|Fall and Winter | |||
|shallow lakes, marshes, ponds | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|European Wigeon | |European Wigeon | ||
Line 291: | Line 365: | ||
|16-20" | |16-20" | ||
|Fall and Winter | |Fall and Winter | ||
| | |lakes, bays, marshes | ||
| | |casual | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Canvasback | |Canvasback | ||
Line 303: | Line 372: | ||
|19-24" | |19-24" | ||
|Fall and Winter | |Fall and Winter | ||
| | |akes, bays, marshes | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Redhead | |Redhead | ||
Line 309: | Line 379: | ||
|18-22" | |18-22" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |akes, bays | ||
|rare | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Greater Scaup | |Greater Scaup | ||
Line 327: | Line 386: | ||
|15-20" | |15-20" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |lakes, marshes, pond | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Lesser Scaup | |Lesser Scaup | ||
Line 333: | Line 393: | ||
|15-18" | |15-18" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |lakes, rivers, ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Oldsquaw | |Oldsquaw | ||
Line 339: | Line 400: | ||
|19-22" | |19-22" | ||
|Fall and Winter | |Fall and Winter | ||
| | |lakes, rivers | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Black Scoter | |Black Scoter | ||
Line 345: | Line 407: | ||
|17-20" | |17-20" | ||
|Fall, Winter | |Fall, Winter | ||
| | |ocean, saltwater bays, ponds | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Surf Scoter | |Surf Scoter | ||
Line 351: | Line 414: | ||
|17-21" | |17-21" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |ocean, coastal bays | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|White-winged Scoter | |White-winged Scoter | ||
Line 357: | Line 421: | ||
|19-23" | |19-23" | ||
|Fall and Winter | |Fall and Winter | ||
| | |ocean, lakes, coastal bays | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Common Goldeneye | |Common Goldeneye | ||
Line 363: | Line 428: | ||
|16-20" | |16-20" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |coastal bays, wooded lakes and ponds | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Bufflehead | |Bufflehead | ||
Line 369: | Line 435: | ||
|13-15" | |13-15" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|Common | |lakes, saltwater bays, ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|Common Merganser | |||
|''Mergus merganser'' | |||
|22-27" | |||
|Spring | |||
|lakes, rivers | |||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Hooded Merganser | |Hooded Merganser | ||
Line 375: | Line 449: | ||
|16-19" | |16-19" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |swamps, millponds, small forest pools | ||
| | |rare | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Red-breasted Merganser | |Red-breasted Merganser | ||
Line 387: | Line 456: | ||
|19-26" | |19-26" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |wooded lakes, tundra ponds | ||
|rare | |||
| | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Vultures, Hawks, & Falcons== | ===Vultures, Hawks, & Falcons=== | ||
These flesh eating birds are usually seen soaring overhead or perched upon a telephone poll or tall tree looking for prey. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 404: | Line 468: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 410: | Line 475: | ||
|26-32" | |26-32" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |forest woodlands | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Osprey | |Osprey | ||
Line 416: | Line 482: | ||
|21-24" | |21-24" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
| | |large bodies of water | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|White-tailed Kite | |White-tailed Kite | ||
Line 422: | Line 489: | ||
|15-17" | |15-17" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |grassy plains, cultivated highlands | ||
|uncommon | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Red-shouldered Hawk | |Red-shouldered Hawk | ||
Line 434: | Line 496: | ||
|17-24" | |17-24" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |lakes | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Red-tailed Hawk | |Red-tailed Hawk | ||
Line 440: | Line 503: | ||
|19-25" | |19-25" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |minimal tree coverage | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|Rough-legged Hawk | |||
|''Buteo lagopus'' | |||
|19-24" | |||
|Fall and Winter | |||
|parks, cities, towns | |||
|rare | |||
|- | |||
|Sharp-shinned Hawk | |||
|''Accipiter striatus'' | |||
|10-14" | |||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |||
|coniferous and mixed forests | |||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Swainson's Hawk | |Swainson's Hawk | ||
Line 446: | Line 524: | ||
|19-22" | |19-22" | ||
|Spring | |Spring | ||
| | |marshes | ||
| | |accidental | ||
|- | |- | ||
|American Kestrel | |American Kestrel | ||
Line 458: | Line 531: | ||
|9-12" | |9-12" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |coniferous forests | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Merlin | |Merlin | ||
Line 464: | Line 538: | ||
|10-13" | |10-13" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |coasts | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Peregrine Falcon | |Peregrine Falcon | ||
Line 470: | Line 545: | ||
|15-21" | |15-21" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |dry plains | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Prairie Falcon | |Prairie Falcon | ||
Line 476: | Line 552: | ||
|17-20" | |17-20" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |plains | ||
|casual | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Quail== | ===Quail=== | ||
These small game birds are usually found in shrubs and have a characteristic crest on their head that looks like a backwards ponytail. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 487: | Line 564: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 493: | Line 571: | ||
|9-11" | |9-11" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |bushy foothills, suburbs | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Rails== | ===Rails=== | ||
These long billed small-bodied birds are usually seen around the marsh edge feeding on the vegetation. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 504: | Line 583: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 510: | Line 590: | ||
|8-10" | |8-10" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |freashwater marshes | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Sora | |Sora | ||
Line 516: | Line 597: | ||
|8-9" | |8-9" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |freashwater marshes, swamps | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|American Coot | |American Coot | ||
Line 522: | Line 604: | ||
|13-16" | |13-16" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |coastal bays and inlets | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Plovers== | ===Plovers=== | ||
These small shorebirds are usually seen during low tide feeding on shellfish. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 533: | Line 616: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |||
|American Golden Plover | |||
|''Pluvialis dominica'' | |||
|9-11" | |||
|Fall | |||
|shores | |||
|accidental | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Black-bellied Plover | |Black-bellied Plover | ||
Line 539: | Line 630: | ||
|10-13" | |10-13" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |lake shores, marshes | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Semipalmated Plover | |Semipalmated Plover | ||
Line 551: | Line 637: | ||
|6-8" | |6-8" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |lakes shores | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Snowy Plover | |Snowy Plover | ||
Line 557: | Line 644: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |sandy coastal beaches | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Killdeer | |Killdeer | ||
Line 563: | Line 651: | ||
|9-11" | |9-11" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |open areas | ||
|uncommon | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Stilts & Shorebirds== | ===Stilts & Shorebirds=== | ||
These birds are usually seen by the shores edge feeding off shellfish and are sometime characterized by their long bills and long legs.''' | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 574: | Line 663: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 580: | Line 670: | ||
|13-16" | |13-16" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |coastal bays, salt and freashwater marshes | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|American Avocet | |American Avocet | ||
|''Recurvirostra americana'' | |''Recurvirostra americana'' | ||
|15-20" | |15-20" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|marshy lakes, freashwater marshes | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Greater Yellowlegs | |Greater Yellowlegs | ||
Line 591: | Line 684: | ||
|12-15" | |12-15" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |lake shores, marshy ground, frequent pools | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Lesser Yellowlegs | |Lesser Yellowlegs | ||
Line 597: | Line 691: | ||
|9-11" | |9-11" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |inland lakes, rivers, ponds, sewage works | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Willet | |Willet | ||
Line 603: | Line 698: | ||
|14-17" | |14-17" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |coasts, mudbanks | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|Least Sandpiper | |||
|''Calidris minutilla'' | |||
|5-6" | |||
|Year round | |||
|sandy beaches | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Spotted Sandpiper | |Spotted Sandpiper | ||
Line 609: | Line 712: | ||
|7-8" | |7-8" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |ponds, streams | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |||
|Western Sandpiper | |||
|''Calidris mauri'' | |||
|6-7" | |||
|Year round | |||
|shores, mudflats, grassy pools | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Long-billed Curlew | |Long-billed Curlew | ||
Line 615: | Line 726: | ||
|20-26" | |20-26" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |lake, river, salt water marshes, mudflats | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Marbled Godwit | |Marbled Godwit | ||
Line 621: | Line 733: | ||
|16-20" | |16-20" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |sea beaches, salt marshes, mudflats | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Ruddy Turnstone | |Ruddy Turnstone | ||
Line 627: | Line 740: | ||
|8-10" | |8-10" | ||
|Fall, Winter and spring | |Fall, Winter and spring | ||
| | |coasts | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Red Knot | |Red Knot | ||
Line 633: | Line 747: | ||
|10-11" | |10-11" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |rocky beaches | ||
| | |uncommon | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Dunlin | |Dunlin | ||
Line 651: | Line 754: | ||
|8-9" | |8-9" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |beaches, lakes, river shores | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|Long-billed Dowitcher | |||
|''Limnodromus scolopaceus'' | |||
|11-12" | |||
|Fall and Winter | |||
|freashwater ponds | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Short-billed Dowitcher | |Short-billed Dowitcher | ||
Line 657: | Line 768: | ||
|10-12" | |10-12" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
| | |salt water marshes | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Red Phalarope | |Red Phalarope | ||
Line 669: | Line 775: | ||
|7-9" | |7-9" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |coast | ||
|casual | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Jaegers, Gulls & Terns== | ===Jaegers, Gulls & Terns=== | ||
These birds are usually seen flying over the waters of the marsh looking for fish. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 680: | Line 787: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 686: | Line 794: | ||
|16-21" | |16-21" | ||
|Summer and Fall | |Summer and Fall | ||
| | |oceans | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Pomarine Jaeger | |Pomarine Jaeger | ||
Line 692: | Line 801: | ||
|20-23" | |20-23" | ||
|Fall | |Fall | ||
| | |coasts | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |||
|California Gull | |||
|''Larus californicus'' | |||
|20-23" | |||
|Year round | |||
|coast, lakes, marshes | |||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |||
|Glaucous-winged Gull | |||
|''Larus glaucescens'' | |||
|24-27" | |||
|Year round | |||
|shores of lakes, rivers, dumps | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Heermann's Gull | |Heermann's Gull | ||
Line 698: | Line 822: | ||
|18-21" | |18-21" | ||
|Summer | |Summer | ||
| | |beaches, rocky shoreline | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|Herring Gull | |||
|''Larus argentatus'' | |||
|22-26" | |||
|Year round | |||
|shorelines, lakes, rivers, landfills | |||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Mew Gull | |Mew Gull | ||
Line 704: | Line 836: | ||
|16-18" | |16-18" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |coast, lakes | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Ring-billed Gull | |Ring-billed Gull | ||
Line 710: | Line 843: | ||
|18-21" | |18-21" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |coasts, lakes, rivers | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Thayer's Gull | |Thayer's Gull | ||
Line 728: | Line 850: | ||
|22-25" | |22-25" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |beach, coast | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Western Gull | |Western Gull | ||
Line 734: | Line 857: | ||
|24-27" | |24-27" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |ocean, beaches, dumps | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Common Tern | |Common Tern | ||
Line 746: | Line 864: | ||
|13-16" | |13-16" | ||
|Fall and Spring | |Fall and Spring | ||
| | |beaches, inland shores | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Forster's Tern | |Forster's Tern | ||
Line 752: | Line 871: | ||
|14-16" | |14-16" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |freashwater marshes | ||
|rare | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Auks== | ===Auks=== | ||
This penguin-like bird is usually found near the rocks of the bay and usually seen diving for fish. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 763: | Line 883: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 769: | Line 890: | ||
|16-17" | |16-17" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |rocky coasts | ||
|casual | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Doves== | ===Doves=== | ||
These Pigeon-like birds are usually seen near the grassy areas of the marsh. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 780: | Line 902: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |||
|Mourning Dove | |||
|''Zenaida macroura'' | |||
|11-13" | |||
|Year round | |||
|fields, parks, lawns | |||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Rock Dove | |Rock Dove | ||
Line 786: | Line 916: | ||
|13" | |13" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |coniferous forest | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Band-tailed Pigeon | |Band-tailed Pigeon | ||
Line 792: | Line 923: | ||
|14-15" | |14-15" | ||
|Spring | |Spring | ||
| | |coniferous and mixed forests | ||
| | |casual | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Owls & Goatsuckers== | ===Owls & Goatsuckers=== | ||
These big-eyed birds are usually only seen at night time, hunting small animals such as mice. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 809: | Line 935: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 815: | Line 942: | ||
|14-20" | |14-20" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |deep forest, open grassland | ||
| | |uncommon | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Burrowing Owl | |Burrowing Owl | ||
Line 827: | Line 949: | ||
|9-11" | |9-11" | ||
|Winter | |Winter | ||
| | |open, dry grasslands | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |||
|Great Horned Owl | |||
|''Bubo virginianus'' | |||
|18-25" | |||
|Year round | |||
|coniferous and mixed forests | |||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Long-eared Owl | |Long-eared Owl | ||
Line 833: | Line 963: | ||
|13-16" | |13-16" | ||
|Winter | |Winter | ||
| | |dense grasslands, open forests | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Short-eared Owl | |Short-eared Owl | ||
Line 839: | Line 970: | ||
|13-17" | |13-17" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |salt water marshes, grasslands | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Snowy Owl | ||
|'' | |''Nyctea scandiaca'' | ||
| | |20-27" | ||
| | |Fall | ||
| | |coast lines, marshes | ||
|accidental | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Common Nighthawk | |Common Nighthawk | ||
Line 851: | Line 984: | ||
|8-10" | |8-10" | ||
|Summer | |Summer | ||
| | |gravel roofs | ||
|rare | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Swifts & Hummingbirds== | ===Swifts & Hummingbirds=== | ||
Swifts are usually seen gliding in the air catching insects while the humming birds are seen feeding of nectar from the flowers at the marsh. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 862: | Line 996: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 868: | Line 1,003: | ||
|4" | |4" | ||
|Sping, Summer and Fall | |Sping, Summer and Fall | ||
| | |coniferous forests | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|Allen's Hummingbird | |||
|''Selasphorus sasin'' | |||
|3" | |||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |||
|edges of redwood forests | |||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Anna's Hummingbird | |Anna's Hummingbird | ||
Line 874: | Line 1,017: | ||
|3-4" | |3-4" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |oak woodlands, gardens | ||
|common | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Rufous Hummingbird | |Rufous Hummingbird | ||
Line 886: | Line 1,024: | ||
|3-4" | |3-4" | ||
|Spring | |Spring | ||
| | |coast, lowland stream bottoms, forests | ||
|uncommon | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Kingfishers & Woodpeckers== | ===Kingfishers & Woodpeckers=== | ||
Kingfishers are usually seen catching small fish while the Woodpeckers are seen eating and storing food in the bark of trees. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 897: | Line 1,036: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 903: | Line 1,043: | ||
|11-14" | |11-14" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |lakes, rivers | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Downy Woodpecker | |Downy Woodpecker | ||
Line 915: | Line 1,050: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |woodlands, parks, gardens | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Hairy Woodpecker | ||
|''Picoides villosus'' | |||
|8-10" | |||
|Year round | |||
|forests | |||
|casual | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Flycatchers== | ===Flycatchers=== | ||
These birds are usually seen in the trees or in the sky eating insects. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 928: | Line 1,069: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 934: | Line 1,076: | ||
|6" | |6" | ||
|Fall and Spring | |Fall and Spring | ||
| | |woodlands | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Willow Flycatcher | |Willow Flycatcher | ||
Line 940: | Line 1,083: | ||
|5-6" | |5-6" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
| | |wooded lake shores and streams | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Black Phoebe | |Black Phoebe | ||
Line 946: | Line 1,090: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |lakes, ponds, streams | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Western Kingbird | |Western Kingbird | ||
Line 952: | Line 1,097: | ||
|8-9" | |8-9" | ||
|Spring | |Spring | ||
| | |ponds and streams with trees | ||
|rare | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Larks & Swallows== | ===Larks & Swallows=== | ||
These birds are seen gliding around the Marsh eating insects. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 963: | Line 1,109: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 969: | Line 1,116: | ||
|7-8" | |7-8" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |beaches, fields | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |||
|Barn Swallow | |||
|''Hirundo rustica'' | |||
|5-7" | |||
|Spring, Summmer and Fall | |||
|lake shore, marshes, suburban areas | |||
|unknown | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Cliff Swallow | |Cliff Swallow | ||
Line 975: | Line 1,130: | ||
|5-6" | |5-6" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
| | |lakes shores, marshes | ||
|common | |||
| | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Jays, Crows & Ravens== | ===Jays, Crows & Ravens=== | ||
These scavenger birds are usually seen looking for food wherever it may be found. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 991: | Line 1,142: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 997: | Line 1,149: | ||
|12-13" | |12-13" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |conferous forest | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Common Crow | |Common Crow | ||
Line 1,003: | Line 1,156: | ||
|17-21" | |17-21" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |open areas, town | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Common Raven | |Common Raven | ||
Line 1,009: | Line 1,163: | ||
|21-27" | |21-27" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |coniferous forests, rocky coasts | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Chickadees & Bushtits== | ===Chickadees & Bushtits=== | ||
These small birds are usually seen hanging out in bushes or trees. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,020: | Line 1,175: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,026: | Line 1,182: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |mixed forest, suburban areas | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Chestnut-backed Chickadee | |Chestnut-backed Chickadee | ||
Line 1,032: | Line 1,189: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |coniferous forests | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Bushtit | |Bushtit | ||
Line 1,038: | Line 1,196: | ||
|3-4" | |3-4" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |edges of coniferous forests | ||
|casual | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Nuthatchers, Creepers & Wrens== | ===Nuthatchers, Creepers & Wrens=== | ||
These birds are usually found in the trees of the marsh. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,049: | Line 1,208: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,055: | Line 1,215: | ||
|4" | |4" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |coniferous forest | ||
| | |rare | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Long-billed Marsh Wren | |Long-billed Marsh Wren | ||
Line 1,067: | Line 1,222: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |coast, wetland habitat | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Rock Wren | |Rock Wren | ||
Line 1,073: | Line 1,229: | ||
|5-6" | |5-6" | ||
|Fall | |Fall | ||
| | |exposed rocks | ||
|accidental | |||
|- | |||
|Winter Wren | |||
|''Troglodytes troglodytes'' | |||
|4" | |||
|Winter | |||
|coniferous forest | |||
|rare | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Kinglets== | ===Kinglets=== | ||
The Kinglets can be seen in the trees searching for insects. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,084: | Line 1,248: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,090: | Line 1,255: | ||
|3-4" | |3-4" | ||
|Winter | |Winter | ||
| | |coniferous forest | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Ruby-crowned Kinglet | |Ruby-crowned Kinglet | ||
Line 1,096: | Line 1,262: | ||
|3-4" | |3-4" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |coniferous forest | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Thrushes & Mockingbirds== | ===Thrushes & Mockingbirds=== | ||
These birds are usually seen in the trees or around the marsh feeding off of insects. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,107: | Line 1,274: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |||
|Hermit Thrush | |||
|''Catharus guttatus'' | |||
|6-8" | |||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |||
|coniferous and mixed forests | |||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Swainson's Thrush | |Swainson's Thrush | ||
Line 1,113: | Line 1,288: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
| | |coniferous forest | ||
| | |rare | ||
|- | |- | ||
|American Robin | |American Robin | ||
Line 1,125: | Line 1,295: | ||
|9-11" | |9-11" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |woodlands, gardens, towns | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Mockingbird | |Mockingbird | ||
Line 1,131: | Line 1,302: | ||
|9-11" | |9-11" | ||
|Winter | |Winter | ||
| | |parks, residential areas | ||
|casual | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Waxwings== | ===Waxwings=== | ||
These birds are usually seen eatting the berries around the marsh. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,142: | Line 1,314: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,148: | Line 1,321: | ||
|6-8" | |6-8" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
| | |open woodland, residential areas | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Shrikes & Starlings== | ===Shrikes & Starlings=== | ||
These birds are seen in the trees and flying around the marsh feeding off of insects. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,159: | Line 1,333: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,165: | Line 1,340: | ||
|9-10" | |9-10" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |edges of forests | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Starling | |Starling | ||
Line 1,171: | Line 1,347: | ||
|7-8" | |7-8" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |suburben areas | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Vireos== | ===Vireos=== | ||
These birds are seen on the canopies of the trees at the marsh. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,182: | Line 1,359: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,188: | Line 1,366: | ||
|4" | |4" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |mixed forest | ||
|rare | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Warblers== | ===Warblers=== | ||
These birds are usually found in the canopies of the trees at the marsh. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,199: | Line 1,378: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |||
|Common Yellowthroat | |||
|''Geothlypis trichas'' | |||
|4-5" | |||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |||
|marshes, streams | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Orange-crowned Warbler | |Orange-crowned Warbler | ||
Line 1,205: | Line 1,392: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
| | |edge of forests | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Nashville Warbler | |Nashville Warbler | ||
Line 1,211: | Line 1,399: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Spring and Fall | |Spring and Fall | ||
| | |mixed forest | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Yellow Warbler | |Yellow Warbler | ||
Line 1,217: | Line 1,406: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Fall and Spring | |Fall and Spring | ||
| | |edges of marshes, swamps, and forests | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Yellow-rumped Warbler | |Yellow-rumped Warbler | ||
Line 1,223: | Line 1,413: | ||
|5-6" | |5-6" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |coniferous forest, and edge of forests | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Common Yellowthroat | |Common Yellowthroat | ||
Line 1,229: | Line 1,420: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
| | |marshes, streams | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Wilson's Warbler | |Wilson's Warbler | ||
Line 1,235: | Line 1,427: | ||
|4" | |4" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
| | |along streams | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Tanagers== | ===Tanagers=== | ||
These small yellow birds are seen in the brush or in the trees of the marsh. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,246: | Line 1,439: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,252: | Line 1,446: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
| | |coniferous forests | ||
|rare | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Grosbeaks, Sparrows & Buntings== | ===Grosbeaks, Sparrows & Buntings=== | ||
These song birds can be seen flying around the marsh. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,263: | Line 1,458: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,269: | Line 1,465: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
| | |river bottoms, lake shores, trees, shrubs | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Clay-colored Sparrow | |Clay-colored Sparrow | ||
Line 1,275: | Line 1,472: | ||
|5" | |5" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |brushy grasslands | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |||
|Fox Sparrow | |||
|''Passerella iliaca'' | |||
|6-7" | |||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |||
|coniferous forests | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Golden-crowned Sparrow | ||
|'' | |''Zonotrichia atricapilla'' | ||
| | |6-7" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |coniferous forests | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Savannah Sparrow | |Savannah Sparrow | ||
Line 1,287: | Line 1,493: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |salt marshes, grasslands | ||
|common | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Song Sparrow | |Song Sparrow | ||
Line 1,299: | Line 1,500: | ||
|5-7" | |5-7" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |marshes, edge of forests | ||
|common | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
|White-crowned Sparrow | |White-crowned Sparrow | ||
Line 1,311: | Line 1,507: | ||
|5-7" | |5-7" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |dense brush, open woods and gardens | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|White-throated Sparrow | |White-throated Sparrow | ||
Line 1,317: | Line 1,514: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |gardens, backyards | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |||
|Vesper Sparrow | |||
|''Pooecetes gramineus'' | |||
|5-6" | |||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |||
|grasslands | |||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Dark-eyed Junco | |Dark-eyed Junco | ||
Line 1,323: | Line 1,528: | ||
|5-6" | |5-6" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |edge of coniferous and mixed forests | ||
|uncommon | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Meadowlarks, Blackbirds & Orioles== | ===Meadowlarks, Blackbirds & Orioles=== | ||
These song birds are seen in the trees and around the marsh. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,334: | Line 1,540: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |||
|Brewer's Blackbird | |||
|''Euphagus cyanocephalus'' | |||
|8-10" | |||
|Year round | |||
|fields | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Red-Winged Blackbird | |Red-Winged Blackbird | ||
Line 1,340: | Line 1,554: | ||
|7-9" | |7-9" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |salt and freashwater marshes | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Western Meadolark | |Western Meadolark | ||
Line 1,346: | Line 1,561: | ||
|8-11" | |8-11" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |meadows, plains | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Brown-headed Cowbird | |Brown-headed Cowbird | ||
Line 1,358: | Line 1,568: | ||
|6-8" | |6-8" | ||
|Spring and Summer | |Spring and Summer | ||
| | |edge of woodland, suburban areas | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Finches== | ===Finches=== | ||
These small birds are seen in the trees or flying around the marsh. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,370: | Line 1,581: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,376: | Line 1,588: | ||
|5" | |5" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |suburban areas | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|American Goldfinch | |||
|''Carduelis tristis'' | |||
|4-5" | |||
|Year round | |||
|weedy grasslands, nearby trees | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Pine Siskin | |Pine Siskin | ||
Line 1,382: | Line 1,602: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |coniferous forests, woodlands, parks | ||
| | |common | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Weaver Finches== | ===Weaver Finches=== | ||
These small finch-like birds are brown in color and seen usually in the trees or hiding in the several bushes at the marsh. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,399: | Line 1,614: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 1,405: | Line 1,621: | ||
|5-6" | |5-6" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |cities, towns | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
== | == External links == | ||
These are some links that will help you learn more about the specific birds that you found interesting. | |||
*http://www.audubon.org/ | *http://www.audubon.org/ | ||
*http://www.whatbird.com/ | *http://www.whatbird.com/ | ||
*http:// | *http://forestrecon.aminus3.com/tag/marsh/ | ||
*http://realpeoplerealstuff.com/videoad/arcata-marsh-wildlife-sanctuary | |||
==References== | == References == | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Arcata | [[Category:Arcata Marsh]] | ||
[[Category:Birds]] |
Revision as of 04:27, 11 April 2010
Introduction
The Arcata marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary is home to about 200 species of birds that visit the marsh each year.[1] Most of these birds that come to the Arcata marsh Wildlife Sanctuary are seasonal, because they use the marsh only as a breeding site, as seen in Figure 1, or as a place to rest during their biyearly migration. The Arcata marsh also acts as a refuge and home for other year round birds. One of the benefits the birds have at the Arcata marsh Wildlife Sanctuary is to help maintain a balanced ecosystem. The birds do this by consuming the varieties of marine life, such as fish, shellfish, and vegetation. Vegetation such as duck moss would other wise over populate and clog the waters of the marsh.
Another thing that the Arcata marsh offers is as a place where people can come to monitor and watch the variety of birds that can be seen. The reason it is important to monitor the birds at the Arcata marsh is that some of the birds that visit are rare or endangered. This also allows the opportunity for several bird watchers to come and see the birds that visit each year.
Landscape
The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Center is a perfect location for bird watching and for birds to breed and prosper. The Arcata marsh is surrounded by many different types of bodies of water and many different types of land. The land throughout the sanctuary varies widely and has many different types; it includes forests, grasslands, open fields, and shores of all the bodies of water. The marsh is also close to a small town which attracts small birds that live near suburbs. The different types of water are an ocean, a saltwater bay, a lake, a pond, freshwater and saltwater marshes, mudflats, streams, and foothills. This setting in Northern California is an ideal place for birds; it provides such a vast variety of bodies of water that is attracts many different species of bird. The Arcata marsh has become one of the best places for birds to live and people to watch them.
Birds of Arcata Marsh
It is possible to see over 200 species of birds at the Arcata marsh.[2] Listed below are some of the most common birds that can be seen throughout the year. The types of birds are grouped together based on type of bird. Under each group name is a small description of the group. Below that is a list of the bird's common name, scientific name, size, time of year they are at the Arcata marsh, the best place to look for them, and the possibility a person will see them at that time of year. [3] [4]
This list of links below will help you to get to the bird groups faster:
- Loons & Grebes
- Pelicans & Cormorants
- Bitterns, Herons & Egrets
- Geese & Ducks
- Vultures, Hawks & Falcons
- Quail
- Rails
- Plovers
- Stilts & Shorebirds
- Jaegers, Gulls & Terns
- Auks
- Doves
- Owls & Goatsuckers
- Swifts & Hummingbirds
- Kingfishers & Woodpeckers
- Flycatchers
- Larks & Swallows
- Jay, Crows & Ravens
- Chickadees & Bushtits
- Nuthatcher, Creepers & Wrens
- Kinglets
- Thrushers & Mockingbirds
- Waxwings
- Shrikes & Starlings
- Vireos
- Warblers
- Tanagers
- Grosbeaks, Sparrows & Buntings
- Meadowlarks, Blackbirds & Orioles
- Finches
- Weaver Finches
Loons & Grebes
Loons and grebes are small duck-like birds that have pointed-beaks and are usually found in water.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Common Loon | Gavia immer | 28-36" | Fall, Winter and Spring | lakes, rivers | uncommon |
Red-throated Loon | Gavia stellata | 24-27" | Fall,Winter | tundra lake, arctic coast | rare |
Eared Grebe | Podiceps nigricollis | 12-14" | Fall, Winter and Spring | marshy lakes, ponds | uncommon |
Horned Grebe | Podiceps auritus | 12-15" | Fall, Winter and Spring | marshes, ponds | common |
Pied-billed Grebe | Podilymbus podiceps | 12-15" | Fall, Winter and Spring | marshes, ponds | common |
Red-necked Grebe | Podiceps grisegena | 18-22" | Winter | coast, bay, lakes, ponds | casual |
Western Grebe | Aechmophorus occidentalis | 22-29" | Fall, Spring and Winter | lakes, coastal bays | uncommon |
Pelicans & Cormorants
Pelicans & Cormorants are fishing birds. Pelicans catch their fish by using their bill-pouch as a fishing net. Cormorants catch their fish by diving into the water and using their strong wings to propel them through the water.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brown Pelican | Pelecanus occidentalis | 45-54" | Year round | sandy coastal beaches | common |
Brandt's Cormorant | Phalacrocorax penicillatus | 33-35" | Year round | rocky coastal shores | casual |
Double-Crested Cormorant | Phalacrocorax auritus | 30-36" | Year round | coasts, lakes, rivers, swamps | common |
Pelagic Cormorant | Phalacrocorax pelagicus | 25-30" | Year round | off shore and in shore waters | casual |
Bitterns, Herons & Egrets
These long-legged and long-beaked birds are usually seen at the waters edge, staying still while fishing for fish at the marsh.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
American Bittern | Botaurus lentiginosus | 23-34" | Year round | freash water wetlands | uncommon |
Least Bittern | Ixobrychus exilis | 11-14" | Summer | dense marshlands | accidental |
Black-crowned Night Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax | 23-28" | Year round | edges of lakes, rivers, marshes, swamps, streams | common |
Great Blue Heron | Ardea herodias | 42-52" | Year round | lakes, rivers, marshes, ponds | uncommon |
Green Heron | Butorides striatus | 16-22" | Spring, Winter and Summer | along oceans, lakes, rivers, ponds | rare |
Great Egret | Casmerodius albus | 37-41" | Year round | salt and freashwater marshes, marshy ponds | common |
Snowy Egret | Egretta thula | 20-27" | Year round | marshes, ponds, mudflats | common |
Cattle Egret | Bubulcus ibis | 20" | Year round | marshes, ponds | uncommon |
White-faced Ibis | Plegadis chihi | 19-26" | Fall and Spring | salt and freashwater marshes | accidental |
Geese & Ducks
Webbed feet and flat bills characterize geese and ducks. They are seen in the water most of the time, or are seen flying in a V-formation to or from the marsh.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canada Goose | Branta canadensis | 22-45" | Year round | lakes, bays, rivers, marshes | common |
Snow Goose | Chen caerulescents | 25-31" | Fall and Winter | coastal bays, salt and freashwater marshes | casual |
Ross's Goose | Chen rossii | 21-25" | Fall and winter | salt and freashwater marshes | casual |
White-fronted Goose | Anser albifrons | 26-34" | Fall | bays, marshes | casual |
Ring-necked Duck | Aythya collaris | 14-18" | Fall, Winter and Spring | wooded lakes, rivers, ponds | uncommon |
Ruddy Duck | Oxyura jamaicensis | 14-16" | Fall, Winter and Spring | shallow coastal bays, marshes | casual |
Tufted Duck | Aythya fuligula | 17" | Year round | lakes, bays | casual |
Wood Duck | Aix sponsa | 17-20" | Year round | freashwater marshes, wooded swamps | rare |
Black Brant | Branta bernicla | 23-26" | Fall, Winter and Spring | lakes, rivers | rare |
Blue-winged Teal | Anas discors | 14-16" | Fall, Winter and Spring | lakes, ponds, marshes, shallow wetlands | rare |
Cinnamon Teal | Anas cyanoptera | 14-17" | Winter, Spring and Summer | shallow marshes, ponds | common |
Green-winged Teal | Anas crecca | 12-15" | Fall, Winter and Spring | marshy lakes, marshes, ponds | common |
Mallard | Anas platyrhynchos | 20-28" | Year round | lakes, bays, riverbeds, marshes, ponds | common |
Pintail | Anas acuta | 25-29" | Fall, Winter and Spring | marshes | rare |
Northern Shoveler | Anas clypeata | 17-20" | Year round | lakes, marshes, ponds | common |
Gadwell | Anas strepera | 18-23" | Spring and Summer | shallow lakes, marshes, ponds | uncommon |
American Wigeon | Anas americana | 18-23" | Fall and Winter | shallow lakes, marshes, ponds | common |
European Wigeon | Anas penelope | 16-20" | Fall and Winter | lakes, bays, marshes | casual |
Canvasback | Aythya valisineria | 19-24" | Fall and Winter | akes, bays, marshes | rare |
Redhead | Aythya americana | 18-22" | Fall, Winter and Spring | akes, bays | rare |
Greater Scaup | Aythya marila | 15-20" | Fall, Winter and Spring | lakes, marshes, pond | common |
Lesser Scaup | Aythya affinis | 15-18" | Fall, Winter and Spring | lakes, rivers, ponds | common |
Oldsquaw | Clangula hyemalis | 19-22" | Fall and Winter | lakes, rivers | casual |
Black Scoter | Melanitta nigra | 17-20" | Fall, Winter | ocean, saltwater bays, ponds | casual |
Surf Scoter | Melanitta perspicillata | 17-21" | Fall, Winter and Spring | ocean, coastal bays | uncommon |
White-winged Scoter | Melanitta deglandi | 19-23" | Fall and Winter | ocean, lakes, coastal bays | casual |
Common Goldeneye | Bucephala clangula | 16-20" | Fall, Winter and Spring | coastal bays, wooded lakes and ponds | rare |
Bufflehead | Bucephala albeola | 13-15" | Fall, Winter and Spring | lakes, saltwater bays, ponds | common |
Common Merganser | Mergus merganser | 22-27" | Spring | lakes, rivers | casual |
Hooded Merganser | Lophodytes cucullatus | 16-19" | Fall, Winter and Spring | swamps, millponds, small forest pools | rare |
Red-breasted Merganser | Mergus serrator | 19-26" | Fall, Winter and Spring | wooded lakes, tundra ponds | rare |
Vultures, Hawks, & Falcons
These flesh eating birds are usually seen soaring overhead or perched upon a telephone poll or tall tree looking for prey.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Turkey Vulture | Cathartes aura | 26-32" | Year round | forest woodlands | common |
Osprey | Pandion haliaetus | 21-24" | Spring, Summer and Fall | large bodies of water | common |
White-tailed Kite | Elanus leucurus | 15-17" | Year round | grassy plains, cultivated highlands | uncommon |
Red-shouldered Hawk | Buteo lineatus | 17-24" | Year round | lakes | common |
Red-tailed Hawk | Buteo jamaicensis | 19-25" | Year round | minimal tree coverage | common |
Rough-legged Hawk | Buteo lagopus | 19-24" | Fall and Winter | parks, cities, towns | rare |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | Accipiter striatus | 10-14" | Fall, Winter and Spring | coniferous and mixed forests | rare |
Swainson's Hawk | Buteo swainsoni | 19-22" | Spring | marshes | accidental |
American Kestrel | Falco sparverius | 9-12" | Fall, Winter and Spring | coniferous forests | common |
Merlin | Falco columbarius | 10-13" | Fall, Winter and Spring | coasts | uncommon |
Peregrine Falcon | Falco peregrinus | 15-21" | Fall, Winter and Spring | dry plains | uncommon |
Prairie Falcon | Falco mexicanus | 17-20" | Fall, Winter and Spring | plains | casual |
Quail
These small game birds are usually found in shrubs and have a characteristic crest on their head that looks like a backwards ponytail.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
California Quail | Lophortyx californicus | 9-11" | Year round | bushy foothills, suburbs | common |
Rails
These long billed small-bodied birds are usually seen around the marsh edge feeding on the vegetation.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia Rail | Rallus limicola | 8-10" | Fall, Winter and Spring | freashwater marshes | common |
Sora | Porzana carolina | 8-9" | Fall, Winter and Spring | freashwater marshes, swamps | common |
American Coot | Fulica americana | 13-16" | Year round | coastal bays and inlets | common |
Plovers
These small shorebirds are usually seen during low tide feeding on shellfish.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
American Golden Plover | Pluvialis dominica | 9-11" | Fall | shores | accidental |
Black-bellied Plover | Pluvialis squatarola | 10-13" | Year round | lake shores, marshes | common |
Semipalmated Plover | Charadrius semipalmatus | 6-8" | Year round | lakes shores | uncommon |
Snowy Plover | Charadrius alexandrinus | 6-7" | Year round | sandy coastal beaches | common |
Killdeer | Charadrius vociferus | 9-11" | Year round | open areas | uncommon |
Stilts & Shorebirds
These birds are usually seen by the shores edge feeding off shellfish and are sometime characterized by their long bills and long legs.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black-necked Stilt | Himantopus | 13-16" | Year round | coastal bays, salt and freashwater marshes | casual |
American Avocet | Recurvirostra americana | 15-20" | Fall, Winter and Spring | marshy lakes, freashwater marshes | common |
Greater Yellowlegs | Tringa melanoleuca | 12-15" | Fall, Winter and Spring | lake shores, marshy ground, frequent pools | common |
Lesser Yellowlegs | Tringa flavipes | 9-11" | Year round | inland lakes, rivers, ponds, sewage works | rare |
Willet | Catoptrophorus semipalmatus | 14-17" | Year round | coasts, mudbanks | common |
Least Sandpiper | Calidris minutilla | 5-6" | Year round | sandy beaches | common |
Spotted Sandpiper | Actitis macularia | 7-8" | Year round | ponds, streams | rare |
Western Sandpiper | Calidris mauri | 6-7" | Year round | shores, mudflats, grassy pools | common |
Long-billed Curlew | Numenius americanus | 20-26" | Fall, Winter and Spring | lake, river, salt water marshes, mudflats | uncommon |
Marbled Godwit | Limosa fedoa | 16-20" | Fall, Winter and Spring | sea beaches, salt marshes, mudflats | common |
Ruddy Turnstone | Arenaria interpres | 8-10" | Fall, Winter and spring | coasts | rare |
Red Knot | Calidris canutus | 10-11" | Fall, Winter and Spring | rocky beaches | uncommon |
Dunlin | Calidris alpina | 8-9" | Fall, Winter and Spring | beaches, lakes, river shores | common |
Long-billed Dowitcher | Limnodromus scolopaceus | 11-12" | Fall and Winter | freashwater ponds | common |
Short-billed Dowitcher | Limnodromus griseus | 10-12" | Spring, Summer and Fall | salt water marshes | common |
Red Phalarope | Phalaropus fulicarius | 7-9" | Fall, Winter and Spring | coast | casual |
Jaegers, Gulls & Terns
These birds are usually seen flying over the waters of the marsh looking for fish.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Parasitic Jaeger | Stercorarius parasiticus | 16-21" | Summer and Fall | oceans | casual |
Pomarine Jaeger | Stercorarius pomarinus | 20-23" | Fall | coasts | casual |
California Gull | Larus californicus | 20-23" | Year round | coast, lakes, marshes | uncommon |
Glaucous-winged Gull | Larus glaucescens | 24-27" | Year round | shores of lakes, rivers, dumps | common |
Heermann's Gull | Larus heermanni | 18-21" | Summer | beaches, rocky shoreline | common |
Herring Gull | Larus argentatus | 22-26" | Year round | shorelines, lakes, rivers, landfills | rare |
Mew Gull | Larus canus | 16-18" | Fall, Winter and Spring | coast, lakes | common |
Ring-billed Gull | Larus delawarensis | 18-21" | Year round | coasts, lakes, rivers | common |
Thayer's Gull | Larus thayeri | 22-25" | Year round | beach, coast | rare |
Western Gull | Larus occidentalis | 24-27" | Year round | ocean, beaches, dumps | common |
Common Tern | Sterna hirundo | 13-16" | Fall and Spring | beaches, inland shores | casual |
Forster's Tern | Sterna forsteri | 14-16" | Year round | freashwater marshes | rare |
Auks
This penguin-like bird is usually found near the rocks of the bay and usually seen diving for fish.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Common Murre | Uria aalge | 16-17" | Fall, Winter and Spring | rocky coasts | casual |
Doves
These Pigeon-like birds are usually seen near the grassy areas of the marsh.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mourning Dove | Zenaida macroura | 11-13" | Year round | fields, parks, lawns | uncommon |
Rock Dove | Columba livia | 13" | Year round | coniferous forest | uncommon |
Band-tailed Pigeon | Columba fasciata | 14-15" | Spring | coniferous and mixed forests | casual |
Owls & Goatsuckers
These big-eyed birds are usually only seen at night time, hunting small animals such as mice.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barn Owl | Tyto alba | 14-20" | Year round | deep forest, open grassland | uncommon |
Burrowing Owl | Athene cunicularia | 9-11" | Winter | open, dry grasslands | casual |
Great Horned Owl | Bubo virginianus | 18-25" | Year round | coniferous and mixed forests | rare |
Long-eared Owl | Asio otus | 13-16" | Winter | dense grasslands, open forests | casual |
Short-eared Owl | Asio flammeus | 13-17" | Fall, Winter and Spring | salt water marshes, grasslands | rare |
Snowy Owl | Nyctea scandiaca | 20-27" | Fall | coast lines, marshes | accidental |
Common Nighthawk | Chordeiles minor | 8-10" | Summer | gravel roofs | rare |
Swifts & Hummingbirds
Swifts are usually seen gliding in the air catching insects while the humming birds are seen feeding of nectar from the flowers at the marsh.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vaux's Swift | Chaetura Vauxi | 4" | Sping, Summer and Fall | coniferous forests | common |
Allen's Hummingbird | Selasphorus sasin | 3" | Spring, Summer and Fall | edges of redwood forests | uncommon |
Anna's Hummingbird | Calypte anna | 3-4" | Year round | oak woodlands, gardens | common |
Rufous Hummingbird | Selasphorus rufus | 3-4" | Spring | coast, lowland stream bottoms, forests | uncommon |
Kingfishers & Woodpeckers
Kingfishers are usually seen catching small fish while the Woodpeckers are seen eating and storing food in the bark of trees.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Belted Kingfisher | Megaceryle alcyon | 11-14" | Year round | lakes, rivers | common |
Downy Woodpecker | Picoides pubescens | 6-7" | Year round | woodlands, parks, gardens | rare |
Hairy Woodpecker | Picoides villosus | 8-10" | Year round | forests | casual |
Flycatchers
These birds are usually seen in the trees or in the sky eating insects.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Wood Pewee | Contopus sordidulus | 6" | Fall and Spring | woodlands | rare |
Willow Flycatcher | Empidonax traillii | 5-6" | Spring, Summer and Fall | wooded lake shores and streams | uncommon |
Black Phoebe | Sayornis nigricans | 6-7" | Year round | lakes, ponds, streams | common |
Western Kingbird | Tyrannus verticalis | 8-9" | Spring | ponds and streams with trees | rare |
Larks & Swallows
These birds are seen gliding around the Marsh eating insects.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Horned Lark | Eremophia alpestris | 7-8" | Fall, Winter and Spring | beaches, fields | casual |
Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | 5-7" | Spring, Summmer and Fall | lake shore, marshes, suburban areas | unknown |
Cliff Swallow | Petrochelidon pyrrhonota | 5-6" | Spring, Summer and Fall | lakes shores, marshes | common |
Jays, Crows & Ravens
These scavenger birds are usually seen looking for food wherever it may be found.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steller's Jay | Cyanocitta stelleri | 12-13" | Year round | conferous forest | rare |
Common Crow | Corvus brachyrhynchos | 17-21" | Year round | open areas, town | common |
Common Raven | Corvus corax | 21-27" | Year round | coniferous forests, rocky coasts | common |
Chickadees & Bushtits
These small birds are usually seen hanging out in bushes or trees.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black-capped Chickadee | Parus atricapillus | 4-5" | Year round | mixed forest, suburban areas | common |
Chestnut-backed Chickadee | Parus rufescens | 4-5" | Year round | coniferous forests | uncommon |
Bushtit | Psaltriparus minimus | 3-4" | Year round | edges of coniferous forests | casual |
Nuthatchers, Creepers & Wrens
These birds are usually found in the trees of the marsh.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Red-breasted Nuthatch | Sitta canadensis | 4" | Fall, Winter and Spring | coniferous forest | rare |
Long-billed Marsh Wren | Cistothorus palustris | 4-5" | Year round | coast, wetland habitat | common |
Rock Wren | Salpinctes obsoletus | 5-6" | Fall | exposed rocks | accidental |
Winter Wren | Troglodytes troglodytes | 4" | Winter | coniferous forest | rare |
Kinglets
The Kinglets can be seen in the trees searching for insects.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Golden-crowned Kinglet | Regulus satrapa | 3-4" | Winter | coniferous forest | rare |
Ruby-crowned Kinglet | Regulus calendula | 3-4" | Fall, Winter and Spring | coniferous forest | common |
Thrushes & Mockingbirds
These birds are usually seen in the trees or around the marsh feeding off of insects.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hermit Thrush | Catharus guttatus | 6-8" | Fall, Winter and Spring | coniferous and mixed forests | rare |
Swainson's Thrush | Catharus ustulatus | 6-7" | Spring, Summer and Fall | coniferous forest | rare |
American Robin | Turdus migratorius | 9-11" | Year round | woodlands, gardens, towns | common |
Mockingbird | Minus polyglottos | 9-11" | Winter | parks, residential areas | casual |
Waxwings
These birds are usually seen eatting the berries around the marsh.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cedar Waxwings | Bombycilla cedrorum | 6-8" | Spring, Summer and Fall | open woodland, residential areas | common |
Shrikes & Starlings
These birds are seen in the trees and flying around the marsh feeding off of insects.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Northern Shrike | Lanius excubitor | 9-10" | Fall, Winter and Spring | edges of forests | rare |
Starling | Sturnus vulgaris | 7-8" | Year round | suburben areas | common |
Vireos
These birds are seen on the canopies of the trees at the marsh.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hutton's Vireo | Vireo huttoni | 4" | Year round | mixed forest | rare |
Warblers
These birds are usually found in the canopies of the trees at the marsh.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Common Yellowthroat | Geothlypis trichas | 4-5" | Spring, Summer and Fall | marshes, streams | common |
Orange-crowned Warbler | Vermivora celata | 4-5" | Spring, Summer and Fall | edge of forests | common |
Nashville Warbler | Vermivora ruficapilla | 4-5" | Spring and Fall | mixed forest | rare |
Yellow Warbler | Dendroica petechia | 4-5" | Fall and Spring | edges of marshes, swamps, and forests | common |
Yellow-rumped Warbler | Dendroica coronata | 5-6" | Fall, Winter and Spring | coniferous forest, and edge of forests | common |
Common Yellowthroat | Geothlypis trichas | 4-5" | Spring, Summer and Fall | marshes, streams | common |
Wilson's Warbler | Wilsonia pusilla | 4" | Spring, Summer and Fall | along streams | common |
Tanagers
These small yellow birds are seen in the brush or in the trees of the marsh.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Tanager | Piranga ludoviciana | 6-7" | Spring, Summer and Fall | coniferous forests | rare |
Grosbeaks, Sparrows & Buntings
These song birds can be seen flying around the marsh.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black-headed Grosbeak | Pheucticus melanocephalus | 6-7" | Spring, Summer and Fall | river bottoms, lake shores, trees, shrubs | casual |
Clay-colored Sparrow | Spizella pallida | 5" | Fall, Winter and Spring | brushy grasslands | rare |
Fox Sparrow | Passerella iliaca | 6-7" | Fall, Winter and Spring | coniferous forests | common |
Golden-crowned Sparrow | Zonotrichia atricapilla | 6-7" | Fall, Winter and Spring | coniferous forests | common |
Savannah Sparrow | Passerculus sandwichensis | 4-5" | Year round | salt marshes, grasslands | common |
Song Sparrow | Melospiza melodia | 5-7" | Year round | marshes, edge of forests | common |
White-crowned Sparrow | Zonotrichia leucophrys | 5-7" | Fall, Winter and Spring | dense brush, open woods and gardens | common |
White-throated Sparrow | Zonotrichia albiocollis | 6-7" | Fall, Winter and Spring | gardens, backyards | rare |
Vesper Sparrow | Pooecetes gramineus | 5-6" | Fall, Winter and Spring | grasslands | rare |
Dark-eyed Junco | Junco hyemalis | 5-6" | Fall, Winter and Spring | edge of coniferous and mixed forests | uncommon |
Meadowlarks, Blackbirds & Orioles
These song birds are seen in the trees and around the marsh.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brewer's Blackbird | Euphagus cyanocephalus | 8-10" | Year round | fields | common |
Red-Winged Blackbird | Agelaius phoeniceus | 7-9" | Year round | salt and freashwater marshes | uncommon |
Western Meadolark | Sturnella neglecta | 8-11" | Fall, Winter and Spring | meadows, plains | common |
Brown-headed Cowbird | Molothrus ater | 6-8" | Spring and Summer | edge of woodland, suburban areas | common |
Finches
These small birds are seen in the trees or flying around the marsh.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
House Finch | Carpodacus mexicanus | 5" | Year round | suburban areas | common |
American Goldfinch | Carduelis tristis | 4-5" | Year round | weedy grasslands, nearby trees | common |
Pine Siskin | Carduelis pinus | 4-5" | Year round | coniferous forests, woodlands, parks | common |
Weaver Finches
These small finch-like birds are brown in color and seen usually in the trees or hiding in the several bushes at the marsh.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Size | Time of Year seen | Preferred habitat | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
House Sparrow | Passer domesticus | 5-6" | Year round | cities, towns | common |
External links
These are some links that will help you learn more about the specific birds that you found interesting.
- http://www.audubon.org/
- http://www.whatbird.com/
- http://forestrecon.aminus3.com/tag/marsh/
- http://realpeoplerealstuff.com/videoad/arcata-marsh-wildlife-sanctuary
References
- ↑ Bulger,Suzie."The Beginners Guide to Birding At the Arcata Marsh" FOAM 1996
- ↑ Bulger,Suzie."The Beginners Guide to Birding At the Arcata Marsh" FOAM 1996
- ↑ Birds of the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, List compiled by Kristina K Van Wert, April 1995, updated by Elias Elias in January 2006
- ↑ The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds,Chanticleer Press Inc., Newyork, 1977
- ↑ Birds of the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, List compiled by Kristina K Van Wert, April 1995, updated by Elias Elias in January 2006
- ↑ The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds,Chanticleer Press Inc., Newyork, 1977