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{{115inprogress|December 12th, 2008}}
{{TOCright}}
{{TOCright}}
[[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]]


== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
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 most of them 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 that also stay there.  
[[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.
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 come to visit. 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 several birds that visit each year.
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}}
[[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.


== What Type of Birds to Expect ==
== Birds of Arcata Marsh ==
Over 200 species of birds are possible to see 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 what the group is like.   Below that is a list of the birds common name, scientific name, size, time of year they are at the Arcata marsh, as well as the possibility they will be seen at that time.
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:'''
'''This list of links below will help you to get to the bird groups faster:'''
Line 55: 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 61: Line 75:
|24-27"
|24-27"
|Fall,Winter
|Fall,Winter
|Rare
|tundra lake, arctic coast
|rare
|-
|-
|Common Loon
|Eared Grebe
|''Gavia immer''
|''Podiceps nigricollis''
|28-36"
|12-14"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Uncommon
|marshy lakes, ponds
|uncommon
|-
|-
|Pied-billed Grebe
|Horned Grebe
|''Podilymbus podiceps''
|''Podiceps auritus''
|12-15"
|12-15"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|marshes, ponds
|common
|-
|-
|Horned Grebe
|Pied-billed Grebe
|''Podiceps auritus''
|''Podilymbus podiceps''
|12-15"
|12-15"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|marshes, ponds
|common
|-
|-
|Red-necked Grebe
|Red-necked Grebe
Line 85: Line 103:
|18-22"
|18-22"
|Winter
|Winter
|Casual
|coast, bay, lakes, ponds
|-
|casual
|Eared Grebe
|''Podiceps nigricollis''
|12-14"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Uncommon
|-
|-
|Western Grebe
|Western Grebe
Line 97: Line 110:
|22-29"
|22-29"
|Fall, Spring and Winter
|Fall, Spring and Winter
|Uncommon
|lakes, coastal bays
|uncommon
|-
|-
|}
|}
Line 110: Line 124:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 116: Line 131:
|45-54"
|45-54"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|sandy coastal beaches
|common
|-
|Brandt's Cormorant
|''Phalacrocorax penicillatus''
|33-35"
|Year round
|rocky coastal shores
|casual
|-
|-
|Double-Crested Cormorant
|Double-Crested Cormorant
Line 122: Line 145:
|30-36"
|30-36"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|coasts, lakes, rivers, swamps
|-
|common
|Brandt's Cormorant
|''Phalacrocorax penicillatus''
|33-35"
|Year round
|Casual
|-
|-
|Pelagic Cormorant
|Pelagic Cormorant
Line 134: Line 152:
|25-30"
|25-30"
|Year round
|Year round
|Casual
|off shore and in shore waters
|casual
|}
|}


Line 145: Line 164:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 151: Line 171:
|23-34"
|23-34"
|Year round
|Year round
|Uncommon
|freash water wetlands
|uncommon
|-
|-
|Least Bittern
|Least Bittern
Line 157: Line 178:
|11-14"
|11-14"
|Summer
|Summer
|Accidental
|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 163: Line 192:
|42-52"
|42-52"
|Year round
|Year round
|Uncommon
|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 169: Line 206:
|37-41"
|37-41"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|salt and freashwater marshes, marshy ponds
|common
|-
|-
|Snowy Egret
|Snowy Egret
Line 175: Line 213:
|20-27"
|20-27"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|marshes, ponds, mudflats
|common
|-
|-
|Cattle Egret
|Cattle Egret
Line 181: Line 220:
|20"
|20"
|Year round
|Year round
|Uncommon
|marshes, ponds
|-
|uncommon
|Green Heron
|''Butorides striatus''
|16-22"
|Spring, Winter and Summer
|Rare
|-
|Black-crowned Night Heron
|''Nycticorax nycticorax''
|23-28"
|Year round
|Common
|-
|-
|White-faced Ibis
|White-faced Ibis
Line 199: Line 227:
|19-26"
|19-26"
|Fall and Spring
|Fall and Spring
|Accidental
|salt and freashwater marshes
|accidental
|}
|}


Line 210: Line 239:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
|White-fronted Goose
|Canada Goose
|''Anser albifrons''
|''Branta canadensis''
|26-34"
|22-45"
|Fall
|Year round
|Casual
|lakes, bays, rivers, marshes
|common
|-
|-
|Snow Goose
|Snow Goose
Line 222: Line 253:
|25-31"
|25-31"
|Fall and Winter
|Fall and Winter
|Casual
|coastal bays, salt and freashwater marshes
|casual
|-
|-
|Ross's Goose
|Ross's Goose
Line 228: Line 260:
|21-25"
|21-25"
|Fall and winter
|Fall and winter
|Casual
|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
|-
|-
|Black Brant
|Ruddy Duck
|''Branta bernicla''
|''Oxyura jamaicensis''
|23-26"
|14-16"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|shallow coastal bays, marshes
|casual
|-
|-
|Canada Goose
|Tufted Duck
|''Branta canadensis''
|''Aythya fuligula''
|22-45"
|17"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|lakes, bays
|casual
|-
|-
|Wood Duck
|Wood Duck
Line 246: Line 295:
|17-20"
|17-20"
|Year round
|Year round
|Rare
|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 252: Line 323:
|12-15"
|12-15"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Abundant
|marshy lakes, marshes, ponds
|common
|-
|-
|Mallard
|Mallard
Line 258: Line 330:
|20-28"
|20-28"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|lakes, bays, riverbeds, marshes, ponds
|common
|-
|-
|Pintail
|Pintail
Line 264: Line 337:
|25-29"
|25-29"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|marshes
|-
|rare
|Blue-winged Teal
|''Anas discors''
|14-16"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|-
|Cinnamon Teal
|''Anas cyanoptera''
|14-17"
|Winter, Spring and Summer
|Common
|-
|-
|Northern Shoveler
|Northern Shoveler
Line 282: Line 344:
|17-20"
|17-20"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|lakes, marshes, ponds
|common
|-
|-
|Gadwell
|Gadwell
Line 288: Line 351:
|18-23"
|18-23"
|Spring and Summer
|Spring and Summer
|Uncommon
|shallow lakes, marshes, ponds
|uncommon
|-
|American Wigeon
|''Anas americana''
|18-23"
|Fall and Winter
|shallow lakes, marshes, ponds
|common
|-
|-
|European Wigeon
|European Wigeon
Line 294: Line 365:
|16-20"
|16-20"
|Fall and Winter
|Fall and Winter
|Casual
|lakes, bays, marshes
|-
|casual
|American Wigeon
|''Anas americana''
|18-23"
|Fall and Winter
|Common
|-
|-
|Canvasback
|Canvasback
Line 306: Line 372:
|19-24"
|19-24"
|Fall and Winter
|Fall and Winter
|Rare
|akes, bays, marshes
|rare
|-
|-
|Redhead
|Redhead
Line 312: Line 379:
|18-22"
|18-22"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|akes, bays
|-
|rare
|Ring-necked Duck
|''Aythya collaris''
|14-18"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Uncommon
|-
|Tufted Duck
|''Aythya fuligula''
|17"
|Year round
|Casual
|-
|-
|Greater Scaup
|Greater Scaup
Line 330: Line 386:
|15-20"
|15-20"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|lakes, marshes, pond
|common
|-
|-
|Lesser Scaup
|Lesser Scaup
Line 336: Line 393:
|15-18"
|15-18"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|lakes, rivers, ponds
|common
|-
|-
|Oldsquaw
|Oldsquaw
Line 342: Line 400:
|19-22"
|19-22"
|Fall and Winter
|Fall and Winter
|Casual
|lakes, rivers
|casual
|-
|-
|Black Scoter
|Black Scoter
Line 348: Line 407:
|17-20"
|17-20"
|Fall, Winter
|Fall, Winter
|Casual
|ocean, saltwater bays, ponds
|casual
|-
|-
|Surf Scoter
|Surf Scoter
Line 354: Line 414:
|17-21"
|17-21"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Uncommon
|ocean, coastal bays
|uncommon
|-
|-
|White-winged Scoter
|White-winged Scoter
Line 360: Line 421:
|19-23"
|19-23"
|Fall and Winter
|Fall and Winter
|Casual
|ocean, lakes, coastal bays
|casual
|-
|-
|Common Goldeneye
|Common Goldeneye
Line 366: Line 428:
|16-20"
|16-20"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|coastal bays, wooded lakes and ponds
|rare
|-
|-
|Bufflehead
|Bufflehead
Line 372: 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 378: Line 449:
|16-19"
|16-19"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|swamps, millponds, small forest pools
|-
|rare
|Common Merganser
|''Mergus merganser''
|22-27"
|Spring
|Casual
|-
|-
|Red-breasted Merganser
|Red-breasted Merganser
Line 390: Line 456:
|19-26"
|19-26"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|wooded lakes, tundra ponds
|-
|rare
|Ruddy Duck
|''Oxyura jamaicensis''
|14-16"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Casual
|}
|}


Line 407: Line 468:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 413: Line 475:
|26-32"
|26-32"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|forest woodlands
|common
|-
|-
|Osprey
|Osprey
Line 419: Line 482:
|21-24"
|21-24"
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Common
|large bodies of water
|common
|-
|-
|White-tailed Kite
|White-tailed Kite
Line 425: Line 489:
|15-17"
|15-17"
|Year round
|Year round
|Uncommon
|grassy plains, cultivated highlands
|-
|uncommon
|Sharp-shinned Hawk
|''Accipiter striatus''
|10-14"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|-
|-
|Red-shouldered Hawk
|Red-shouldered Hawk
Line 437: Line 496:
|17-24"
|17-24"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|lakes
|common
|-
|-
|Red-tailed Hawk
|Red-tailed Hawk
Line 443: Line 503:
|19-25"
|19-25"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|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 449: Line 524:
|19-22"
|19-22"
|Spring
|Spring
|Accidental
|marshes
|-
|accidental
|Rough-legged Hawk
|''Buteo lagopus''
|19-24"
|Fall and Winter
|Rare
|-
|-
|American Kestrel
|American Kestrel
Line 461: Line 531:
|9-12"
|9-12"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|coniferous forests
|common
|-
|-
|Merlin
|Merlin
Line 467: Line 538:
|10-13"
|10-13"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Uncommon
|coasts
|uncommon
|-
|-
|Peregrine Falcon
|Peregrine Falcon
Line 473: Line 545:
|15-21"
|15-21"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Uncommon
|dry plains
|uncommon
|-
|-
|Prairie Falcon
|Prairie Falcon
Line 479: Line 552:
|17-20"
|17-20"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Casual
|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 on their head.
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 490: Line 564:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 496: Line 571:
|9-11"
|9-11"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|bushy foothills, suburbs
|common
|}
|}


===Rails===
===Rails===
These long billed small-bodied birds are usually seen around the marsh edge feeing on the vegetation.
These long billed small-bodied birds are usually seen around the marsh edge feeding on the vegetation.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 507: Line 583:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 513: Line 590:
|8-10"
|8-10"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|freashwater marshes
|common
|-
|-
|Sora
|Sora
Line 519: Line 597:
|8-9"
|8-9"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|freashwater marshes, swamps
|common
|-
|-
|American Coot
|American Coot
Line 525: Line 604:
|13-16"
|13-16"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|coastal bays and inlets
|common
|}
|}


Line 536: 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 542: Line 630:
|10-13"
|10-13"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|lake shores, marshes
|-
|common
|American Golden Plover
|''Pluvialis dominica''
|9-11"
|Fall
|Accidental
|-
|-
|Semipalmated Plover
|Semipalmated Plover
Line 554: Line 637:
|6-8"
|6-8"
|Year round
|Year round
|Uncommon
|lakes shores
|uncommon
|-
|-
|Snowy Plover
|Snowy Plover
Line 560: Line 644:
|6-7"
|6-7"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|sandy coastal beaches
|common
|-
|-
|Killdeer
|Killdeer
Line 566: Line 651:
|9-11"
|9-11"
|Year round
|Year round
|Uncommon
|open areas
|uncommon
|}
|}


Line 577: Line 663:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 583: Line 670:
|13-16"
|13-16"
|Year round
|Year round
|Causal
|coastal bays, salt and freashwater marshes
|casual
|-
|-
|American Avocet
|American Avocet
|''Recurvirostra americana''
|''Recurvirostra americana''
|15-20"
|15-20"
|Fall, Winter and Spring Common
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|marshy lakes, freashwater marshes
|common
|-
|-
|Greater Yellowlegs
|Greater Yellowlegs
Line 594: Line 684:
|12-15"
|12-15"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|lake shores, marshy ground, frequent pools
|common
|-
|-
|Lesser Yellowlegs
|Lesser Yellowlegs
Line 600: Line 691:
|9-11"
|9-11"
|Year round
|Year round
|Rare
|inland lakes, rivers, ponds, sewage works
|rare
|-
|-
|Willet
|Willet
Line 606: Line 698:
|14-17"
|14-17"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|coasts, mudbanks
|common
|-
|Least Sandpiper
|''Calidris minutilla''
|5-6"
|Year round
|sandy beaches
|common
|-
|-
|Spotted Sandpiper
|Spotted Sandpiper
Line 612: Line 712:
|7-8"
|7-8"
|Year round
|Year round
|Rare
|ponds, streams
|rare
|-
|Western Sandpiper
|''Calidris mauri''
|6-7"
|Year round
|shores, mudflats, grassy pools
|common
|-
|-
|Long-billed Curlew
|Long-billed Curlew
Line 618: Line 726:
|20-26"
|20-26"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Uncommon
|lake, river, salt water marshes, mudflats
|uncommon
|-
|-
|Marbled Godwit
|Marbled Godwit
Line 624: Line 733:
|16-20"
|16-20"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Abundant
|sea beaches, salt marshes, mudflats
|common
|-
|-
|Ruddy Turnstone
|Ruddy Turnstone
Line 630: Line 740:
|8-10"
|8-10"
|Fall, Winter and spring
|Fall, Winter and spring
|Rare
|coasts
|rare
|-
|-
|Red Knot
|Red Knot
Line 636: Line 747:
|10-11"
|10-11"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Uncommon
|rocky beaches
|-
|uncommon
|Western Sandpiper
|''Calidris mauri''
|6-7"
|Year round
|Abundant
|-
|Least Sandpiper
|''Calidris minutilla''
|5-6"
|Year round
|Common
|-
|-
|Dunlin
|Dunlin
Line 654: Line 754:
|8-9"
|8-9"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Abundant
|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 660: Line 768:
|10-12"
|10-12"
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Common
|salt water marshes
|-
|common
|Long-billed Dowitcher
|''Limnodromus scolopaceus''
|11-12"
|Fall and Winter
|Common
|-
|-
|Red Phalarope
|Red Phalarope
Line 672: Line 775:
|7-9"
|7-9"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Casual
|coast
|casual
|}
|}


Line 683: Line 787:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 689: Line 794:
|16-21"
|16-21"
|Summer and Fall
|Summer and Fall
|Casual
|oceans
|casual
|-
|-
|Pomarine Jaeger
|Pomarine Jaeger
Line 695: Line 801:
|20-23"
|20-23"
|Fall
|Fall
|Casual
|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 701: Line 822:
|18-21"
|18-21"
|Summer
|Summer
|Common
|beaches, rocky shoreline
|common
|-
|Herring Gull
|''Larus argentatus''
|22-26"
|Year round
|shorelines, lakes, rivers, landfills
|rare
|-
|-
|Mew Gull
|Mew Gull
Line 707: Line 836:
|16-18"
|16-18"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|coast, lakes
|common
|-
|-
|Ring-billed Gull
|Ring-billed Gull
Line 713: Line 843:
|18-21"
|18-21"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|coasts, lakes, rivers
|-
|common
|California Gull
|''Larus californicus''
|20-23"
|Year round
|Uncommon
|-
|Herring Gull
|''Larus argentatus''
|22-26"
|Year round
|Rare
|-
|-
|Thayer's Gull
|Thayer's Gull
Line 731: Line 850:
|22-25"
|22-25"
|Year round
|Year round
|Rare
|beach, coast
|rare
|-
|-
|Western Gull
|Western Gull
Line 737: Line 857:
|24-27"
|24-27"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|ocean, beaches, dumps
|-
|common
|Glaucous-winged Gull
|''Larus glaucescens''
|24-27"
|Year round
|Common
|-
|-
|Common Tern
|Common Tern
Line 749: Line 864:
|13-16"
|13-16"
|Fall and Spring
|Fall and Spring
|Casual
|beaches, inland shores
|casual
|-
|-
|Forster's Tern
|Forster's Tern
Line 755: Line 871:
|14-16"
|14-16"
|Year round
|Year round
|Rare
|freashwater marshes
|rare
|}
|}


Line 766: Line 883:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 772: Line 890:
|16-17"
|16-17"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Casual
|rocky coasts
|casual
|}
|}


Line 783: 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 789: Line 916:
|13"
|13"
|Year round
|Year round
|Uncommon
|coniferous forest
|uncommon
|-
|-
|Band-tailed Pigeon
|Band-tailed Pigeon
Line 795: Line 923:
|14-15"
|14-15"
|Spring
|Spring
|Casual
|coniferous and mixed forests
|-
|casual
|Mourning Dove
|''Zenaida macroura''
|11-13"
|Year round
|Uncommon
|}
|}


Line 812: Line 935:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 818: Line 942:
|14-20"
|14-20"
|Year round
|Year round
|Uncommon
|deep forest, open grassland
|-
|uncommon
|Snowy Owl
|''Nyctea scandiaca''
|20-27"
|Fall
|Accidental
|-
|-
|Burrowing Owl
|Burrowing Owl
Line 830: Line 949:
|9-11"
|9-11"
|Winter
|Winter
|Casual
|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 836: Line 963:
|13-16"
|13-16"
|Winter
|Winter
|Casual
|dense grasslands, open forests
|casual
|-
|-
|Short-eared Owl
|Short-eared Owl
Line 842: Line 970:
|13-17"
|13-17"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|salt water marshes, grasslands
|rare
|-
|-
|Great Horned Owl
|Snowy Owl
|''Bubo virginianus''
|''Nyctea scandiaca''
|18-25"
|20-27"
|Year round
|Fall
|Rare
|coast lines, marshes
|accidental
|-
|-
|Common Nighthawk
|Common Nighthawk
Line 854: Line 984:
|8-10"
|8-10"
|Summer
|Summer
|Rare
|gravel roofs
|rare
|}
|}


Line 865: Line 996:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 871: Line 1,003:
|4"
|4"
|Sping, Summer and Fall
|Sping, Summer and Fall
|Common
|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 877: Line 1,017:
|3-4"
|3-4"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|oak woodlands, gardens
|-
|common
|Allen's Hummingbird
|''Selasphorus sasin''
|3"
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Uncommon
|-
|-
|Rufous Hummingbird
|Rufous Hummingbird
Line 889: Line 1,024:
|3-4"
|3-4"
|Spring
|Spring
|Uncommon
|coast, lowland stream bottoms, forests
|uncommon
|}
|}


Line 900: Line 1,036:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 906: Line 1,043:
|11-14"
|11-14"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|lakes, rivers
|-
|common
|Hairy Woodpecker
|''Picoides villosus''
|8-10"
|Year round
|Casual
|-
|-
|Downy Woodpecker
|Downy Woodpecker
Line 918: Line 1,050:
|6-7"
|6-7"
|Year round
|Year round
|Rare
|woodlands, parks, gardens
|rare
|-
|-
|
|Hairy Woodpecker
|''Picoides villosus''
|8-10"
|Year round
|forests
|casual
|}
|}


Line 931: Line 1,069:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 937: Line 1,076:
|6"
|6"
|Fall and Spring
|Fall and Spring
|Rare
|woodlands
|rare
|-
|-
|Willow Flycatcher
|Willow Flycatcher
Line 943: Line 1,083:
|5-6"
|5-6"
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Uncommon
|wooded lake shores and streams
|uncommon
|-
|-
|Black Phoebe
|Black Phoebe
Line 949: Line 1,090:
|6-7"
|6-7"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|lakes, ponds, streams
|common
|-
|-
|Western Kingbird
|Western Kingbird
Line 955: Line 1,097:
|8-9"
|8-9"
|Spring
|Spring
|Rare
|ponds and streams with trees
|rare
|}
|}


Line 966: Line 1,109:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 972: Line 1,116:
|7-8"
|7-8"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Casual
|beaches, fields
|casual
|-
|Barn Swallow
|''Hirundo rustica''
|5-7"
|Spring, Summmer and Fall
|lake shore, marshes, suburban areas
|unknown
|-
|-
|Cliff Swallow
|Cliff Swallow
Line 978: Line 1,130:
|5-6"
|5-6"
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Common
|lakes shores, marshes
|-
|common
|Barn Swallow
|''Hirundo rustica''
|5-7"
|Spring, Summmer and Fall
|}
|}


Line 994: Line 1,142:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 1,000: Line 1,149:
|12-13"
|12-13"
|Year round
|Year round
|Rare
|conferous forest
|rare
|-
|-
|Common Crow
|Common Crow
Line 1,006: Line 1,156:
|17-21"
|17-21"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|open areas, town
|common
|-
|-
|Common Raven
|Common Raven
Line 1,012: Line 1,163:
|21-27"
|21-27"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|coniferous forests, rocky coasts
|common
|}
|}


Line 1,023: Line 1,175:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 1,029: Line 1,182:
|4-5"
|4-5"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|mixed forest, suburban areas
|common
|-
|-
|Chestnut-backed Chickadee
|Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Line 1,035: Line 1,189:
|4-5"
|4-5"
|Year round
|Year round
|Uncommon
|coniferous forests
|uncommon
|-
|-
|Bushtit
|Bushtit
Line 1,041: Line 1,196:
|3-4"
|3-4"
|Year round
|Year round
|Casual
|edges of coniferous forests
|casual
|}
|}


Line 1,052: Line 1,208:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 1,058: Line 1,215:
|4"
|4"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|coniferous forest
|-
|rare
|Winter Wren
|''Troglodytes troglodytes''
|4"
|Winter
|Rare
|-
|-
|Long-billed Marsh Wren
|Long-billed Marsh Wren
Line 1,070: Line 1,222:
|4-5"
|4-5"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|coast, wetland habitat
|common
|-
|-
|Rock Wren
|Rock Wren
Line 1,076: Line 1,229:
|5-6"
|5-6"
|Fall
|Fall
|Accidental
|exposed rocks
|accidental
|-
|Winter Wren
|''Troglodytes troglodytes''
|4"
|Winter
|coniferous forest
|rare
|}
|}


Line 1,087: Line 1,248:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 1,093: Line 1,255:
|3-4"
|3-4"
|Winter
|Winter
|Rare
|coniferous forest
|rare
|-
|-
|Ruby-crowned Kinglet
|Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Line 1,099: Line 1,262:
|3-4"
|3-4"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|coniferous forest
|common
|}
|}


Line 1,110: 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 1,116: Line 1,288:
|6-7"
|6-7"
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Rare
|coniferous forest
|-
|rare
|Hermit Thrush
|''Catharus guttatus''
|6-8"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|-
|-
|American Robin
|American Robin
Line 1,128: Line 1,295:
|9-11"
|9-11"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|woodlands, gardens, towns
|common
|-
|-
|Mockingbird
|Mockingbird
Line 1,134: Line 1,302:
|9-11"
|9-11"
|Winter
|Winter
|Casual
|parks, residential areas
|casual
|}
|}


Line 1,145: Line 1,314:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 1,151: Line 1,321:
|6-8"
|6-8"
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Common
|open woodland, residential areas
|common
|}
|}


Line 1,162: Line 1,333:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 1,168: Line 1,340:
|9-10"
|9-10"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|edges of forests
|rare
|-
|-
|Starling
|Starling
Line 1,174: Line 1,347:
|7-8"
|7-8"
|Year round
|Year round
|Abundant
|suburben areas
|common
|}
|}


Line 1,185: Line 1,359:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 1,191: Line 1,366:
|4"
|4"
|Year round
|Year round
|Rare
|mixed forest
|rare
|}
|}


Line 1,202: 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 1,208: Line 1,392:
|4-5"
|4-5"
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Common
|edge of forests
|common
|-
|-
|Nashville Warbler
|Nashville Warbler
Line 1,214: Line 1,399:
|4-5"
|4-5"
|Spring and Fall
|Spring and Fall
|Rare
|mixed forest
|rare
|-
|-
|Yellow Warbler
|Yellow Warbler
Line 1,220: Line 1,406:
|4-5"
|4-5"
|Fall and Spring
|Fall and Spring
|Commmon
|edges of marshes, swamps, and forests
|common
|-
|-
|Yellow-rumped Warbler
|Yellow-rumped Warbler
Line 1,226: Line 1,413:
|5-6"
|5-6"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|coniferous forest, and edge of forests
|common
|-
|-
|Common Yellowthroat
|Common Yellowthroat
Line 1,232: Line 1,420:
|4-5"
|4-5"
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Common
|marshes, streams
|common
|-
|-
|Wilson's Warbler
|Wilson's Warbler
Line 1,238: Line 1,427:
|4"
|4"
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Common
|along streams
|common
|}
|}


Line 1,249: Line 1,439:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 1,255: Line 1,446:
|6-7"
|6-7"
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Rare
|coniferous forests
|rare
|}
|}


Line 1,266: Line 1,458:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 1,272: Line 1,465:
|6-7"
|6-7"
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Spring, Summer and Fall
|Casual
|river bottoms, lake shores, trees, shrubs
|casual
|-
|-
|Clay-colored Sparrow
|Clay-colored Sparrow
Line 1,278: Line 1,472:
|5"
|5"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|brushy grasslands
|rare
|-
|Fox Sparrow
|''Passerella iliaca''
|6-7"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|coniferous forests
|common
|-
|-
|Vesper Sparrow
|Golden-crowned Sparrow
|''Pooecetes gramineus''
|''Zonotrichia atricapilla''
|5-6"
|6-7"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|coniferous forests
|common
|-
|-
|Savannah Sparrow
|Savannah Sparrow
Line 1,290: Line 1,493:
|4-5"
|4-5"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|salt marshes, grasslands
|-
|common
|Fox sparrow
|''Passerella iliaca''
|6-7"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|-
|-
|Song Sparrow
|Song Sparrow
Line 1,302: Line 1,500:
|5-7"
|5-7"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|marshes, edge of forests
|-
|common
|Golden-crowned Sparrow
|''Zonotrichia atricapilla''
|6-7"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|-
|-
|White-crowned Sparrow
|White-crowned Sparrow
Line 1,314: Line 1,507:
|5-7"
|5-7"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|dense brush, open woods and gardens
|common
|-
|-
|White-throated Sparrow
|White-throated Sparrow
Line 1,320: Line 1,514:
|6-7"
|6-7"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|gardens, backyards
|rare
|-
|Vesper Sparrow
|''Pooecetes gramineus''
|5-6"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|grasslands
|rare
|-
|-
|Dark-eyed Junco
|Dark-eyed Junco
Line 1,326: Line 1,528:
|5-6"
|5-6"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Uncommon
|edge of coniferous and mixed forests
|uncommon
|}
|}


Line 1,337: 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 1,343: Line 1,554:
|7-9"
|7-9"
|Year round
|Year round
|Uncommon
|salt and freashwater marshes
|uncommon
|-
|-
|Western Meadolark
|Western Meadolark
Line 1,349: Line 1,561:
|8-11"
|8-11"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|meadows, plains
|-
|common
|Brewer's Blackbird
|''Euphagus cyanocephalus''
|8-10"
|Year round
|Common
|-
|-
|Brown-headed Cowbird
|Brown-headed Cowbird
Line 1,361: Line 1,568:
|6-8"
|6-8"
|Spring and Summer
|Spring and Summer
|Common
|edge of woodland, suburban areas
|common
|-
|-
|}
|}
Line 1,373: Line 1,581:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
Line 1,379: Line 1,588:
|5"
|5"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|suburban areas
|common
|-
|American Goldfinch
|''Carduelis tristis''
|4-5"
|Year round
|weedy grasslands, nearby trees
|common
|-
|-
|Pine Siskin
|Pine Siskin
Line 1,385: Line 1,602:
|4-5"
|4-5"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|coniferous forests, woodlands, parks
|-
|common
|American Goldfinch
|''Carduelis tristis''
|4-5"
|Year round
|Common
|}
|}


Line 1,402: Line 1,614:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
|-
|-
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|5-6"
|5-6"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|cities, towns
|common
|}
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== Landscape ==
== External links ==
{{TOCright}}
These are some links that will help you learn more about the specific birds that you found interesting.
[[Image:art3img2.jpg|frame|left|Figure 2. This is an image of the [[Arcata marsh]] from and areal 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 close to many different types of bodies of water. It has an ocean, a saltwater bay, a lake, a pond, freshwater and saltwater marshes, mudflats, streams, and foothills. The land throughout the sanctuary also varies widely and has many different types of land. This setting in Northern California is an idealistic 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.


== Links ==
*http://www.audubon.org/
*http://www.audubon.org/
*http://www.whatbird.com/
*http://www.whatbird.com/
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[[Category:Arcata Marsh]]
[[Category:Arcata Marsh]]
[[Category:Arcata marsh]]
[[Category:Birds]]
[[Category:Birds]]

Revision as of 04:27, 11 April 2010

Introduction

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.[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

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.[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:

[5] [6]

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.

References

  1. ↑ Bulger,Suzie."The Beginners Guide to Birding At the Arcata Marsh" FOAM 1996
  2. ↑ Bulger,Suzie."The Beginners Guide to Birding At the Arcata Marsh" FOAM 1996
  3. ↑ Birds of the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, List compiled by Kristina K Van Wert, April 1995, updated by Elias Elias in January 2006
  4. ↑ The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds,Chanticleer Press Inc., Newyork, 1977
  5. ↑ Birds of the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, List compiled by Kristina K Van Wert, April 1995, updated by Elias Elias in January 2006
  6. ↑ The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds,Chanticleer Press Inc., Newyork, 1977
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