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== 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 | [[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 | 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. | |||
== Birds of Arcata Marsh == | == 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:''' | '''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 62: | Line 75: | ||
|24-27" | |24-27" | ||
|Fall,Winter | |Fall,Winter | ||
|tundra lake, arctic coast | |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 | |marshes, ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Pied-billed Grebe | ||
|'' | |''Podilymbus podiceps'' | ||
|12-15" | |12-15" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|marshes, ponds | |marshes, ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Red-necked Grebe | |Red-necked Grebe | ||
Line 90: | Line 103: | ||
|18-22" | |18-22" | ||
|Winter | |Winter | ||
|coast, bay, lakes, ponds | |coast, bay, lakes, ponds | ||
| | |casual | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Western Grebe | |Western Grebe | ||
Line 104: | Line 110: | ||
|22-29" | |22-29" | ||
|Fall, Spring and Winter | |Fall, Spring and Winter | ||
|lakes, coastal bays | |lakes, coastal bays | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 118: | Line 124: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Brown Pelican | |Brown Pelican | ||
Line 125: | Line 131: | ||
|45-54" | |45-54" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|sandy coastal beaches | |sandy coastal beaches | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|Brandt's Cormorant | |||
|''Phalacrocorax penicillatus'' | |||
|33-35" | |||
|Year round | |||
|rocky coastal shores | |||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Double-Crested Cormorant | |Double-Crested Cormorant | ||
Line 132: | Line 145: | ||
|30-36" | |30-36" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|coasts, lakes, rivers, swamps | |coasts, lakes, rivers, swamps | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Pelagic Cormorant | |Pelagic Cormorant | ||
Line 146: | Line 152: | ||
|25-30" | |25-30" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|off shore and in shore waters | |off shore and in shore waters | ||
|casual | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 158: | Line 164: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|American Bittern | |American Bittern | ||
Line 165: | Line 171: | ||
|23-34" | |23-34" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|freash water wetlands | |freash water wetlands | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Least Bittern | |Least Bittern | ||
Line 172: | Line 178: | ||
|11-14" | |11-14" | ||
|Summer | |Summer | ||
|dense marshlands | |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 179: | Line 192: | ||
|42-52" | |42-52" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|lakes, rivers, marshes, ponds | |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 186: | Line 206: | ||
|37-41" | |37-41" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|salt and freashwater marshes, marshy ponds | |salt and freashwater marshes, marshy ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Snowy Egret | |Snowy Egret | ||
Line 193: | Line 213: | ||
|20-27" | |20-27" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|marshes, ponds, mudflats | |marshes, ponds, mudflats | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Cattle Egret | |Cattle Egret | ||
Line 200: | Line 220: | ||
|20" | |20" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|marshes, ponds | |marshes, ponds | ||
| | |uncommon | ||
|- | |- | ||
|White-faced Ibis | |White-faced Ibis | ||
Line 221: | Line 227: | ||
|19-26" | |19-26" | ||
|Fall and Spring | |Fall and Spring | ||
|salt and freashwater marshes | |salt and freashwater marshes | ||
|accidental | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 233: | 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 | |||
|bays, marshes | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Snow Goose | |Snow Goose | ||
Line 247: | Line 253: | ||
|25-31" | |25-31" | ||
|Fall and Winter | |Fall and Winter | ||
|coastal bays, salt and freashwater marshes | |coastal bays, salt and freashwater marshes | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Ross's Goose | |Ross's Goose | ||
Line 254: | Line 260: | ||
|21-25" | |21-25" | ||
|Fall and winter | |Fall and winter | ||
|salt and freashwater marshes | |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 | |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 | |Year round | ||
|lakes, bays | |||
|lakes, bays | |casual | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Wood Duck | |Wood Duck | ||
Line 275: | Line 295: | ||
|17-20" | |17-20" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|freashwater marshes, wooded swamps | |freashwater marshes, wooded swamps | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Black Brant | ||
|'' | |''Branta bernicla'' | ||
| | |23-26" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |lakes, rivers | ||
| | |rare | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Blue-winged Teal | |||
|''Anas discors'' | |||
|Blue-winged Teal | |||
|''Anas discors'' | |||
|14-16" | |14-16" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|lakes, ponds, marshes, shallow wetlands | |lakes, ponds, marshes, shallow wetlands | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Cinnamon Teal | |Cinnamon Teal | ||
Line 310: | Line 316: | ||
|14-17" | |14-17" | ||
|Winter, Spring and Summer | |Winter, Spring and Summer | ||
|shallow marshes, ponds | |shallow marshes, ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|Green-winged Teal | |||
|''Anas crecca'' | |||
|12-15" | |||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |||
|marshy lakes, marshes, ponds | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Mallard | ||
|''Anas | |''Anas platyrhynchos'' | ||
| | |20-28" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |lakes, bays, riverbeds, marshes, ponds | ||
|lakes, 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 | |Gadwell | ||
Line 324: | Line 351: | ||
|18-23" | |18-23" | ||
|Spring and Summer | |Spring and Summer | ||
|shallow lakes, marshes, ponds | |shallow lakes, marshes, ponds | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |||
|American Wigeon | |||
|''Anas americana'' | |||
|18-23" | |||
|Fall and Winter | |||
|shallow lakes, marshes, ponds | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|European Wigeon | |European Wigeon | ||
Line 331: | Line 365: | ||
|16-20" | |16-20" | ||
|Fall and Winter | |Fall and Winter | ||
|lakes, bays, marshes | |lakes, bays, marshes | ||
| | |casual | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Canvasback | |Canvasback | ||
Line 345: | Line 372: | ||
|19-24" | |19-24" | ||
|Fall and Winter | |Fall and Winter | ||
| | |akes, bays, marshes | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Redhead | |Redhead | ||
Line 352: | Line 379: | ||
|18-22" | |18-22" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
| | |akes, bays | ||
|rare | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Greater Scaup | |Greater Scaup | ||
Line 373: | Line 386: | ||
|15-20" | |15-20" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|lakes, marshes, pond | |lakes, marshes, pond | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Lesser Scaup | |Lesser Scaup | ||
Line 380: | Line 393: | ||
|15-18" | |15-18" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|lakes, rivers, ponds | |lakes, rivers, ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Oldsquaw | |Oldsquaw | ||
Line 387: | Line 400: | ||
|19-22" | |19-22" | ||
|Fall and Winter | |Fall and Winter | ||
|lakes, rivers | |lakes, rivers | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Black Scoter | |Black Scoter | ||
Line 394: | Line 407: | ||
|17-20" | |17-20" | ||
|Fall, Winter | |Fall, Winter | ||
|ocean, saltwater bays, ponds | |ocean, saltwater bays, ponds | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Surf Scoter | |Surf Scoter | ||
Line 401: | Line 414: | ||
|17-21" | |17-21" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|ocean, coastal bays | |ocean, coastal bays | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|White-winged Scoter | |White-winged Scoter | ||
Line 408: | Line 421: | ||
|19-23" | |19-23" | ||
|Fall and Winter | |Fall and Winter | ||
|ocean, lakes, coastal bays | |ocean, lakes, coastal bays | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Common Goldeneye | |Common Goldeneye | ||
Line 415: | Line 428: | ||
|16-20" | |16-20" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|coastal bays, wooded lakes and ponds | |coastal bays, wooded lakes and ponds | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Bufflehead | |Bufflehead | ||
Line 422: | Line 435: | ||
|13-15" | |13-15" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|lakes, saltwater bays, ponds | |lakes, saltwater bays, ponds | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|Common Merganser | |||
|''Mergus merganser'' | |||
|22-27" | |||
|Spring | |||
|lakes, rivers | |||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Hooded Merganser | |Hooded Merganser | ||
Line 429: | Line 449: | ||
|16-19" | |16-19" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|swamps, millponds, small forest pools | |swamps, millponds, small forest pools | ||
| | |rare | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Red-breasted Merganser | |Red-breasted Merganser | ||
Line 443: | Line 456: | ||
|19-26" | |19-26" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|wooded lakes, tundra ponds | |wooded lakes, tundra ponds | ||
| | |rare | ||
|} | |||
|} | |||
===Vultures, Hawks, & Falcons=== | ===Vultures, Hawks, & Falcons=== | ||
Line 462: | Line 468: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Turkey Vulture | |Turkey Vulture | ||
Line 469: | Line 475: | ||
|26-32" | |26-32" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|forest woodlands | |forest woodlands | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Osprey | |Osprey | ||
Line 476: | Line 482: | ||
|21-24" | |21-24" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
|large bodies of water | |large bodies of water | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|White-tailed Kite | |White-tailed Kite | ||
Line 483: | Line 489: | ||
|15-17" | |15-17" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|grassy plains, cultivated highlands | |grassy plains, cultivated highlands | ||
| | |uncommon | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Red-shouldered Hawk | |Red-shouldered Hawk | ||
Line 497: | Line 496: | ||
|17-24" | |17-24" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|lakes | |lakes | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Red-tailed Hawk | |Red-tailed Hawk | ||
Line 504: | Line 503: | ||
|19-25" | |19-25" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|minimal tree coverage | |minimal tree coverage | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Rough-legged Hawk | |Rough-legged Hawk | ||
Line 518: | Line 510: | ||
|19-24" | |19-24" | ||
|Fall and Winter | |Fall and Winter | ||
|parks, cities, towns | |parks, cities, towns | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|American Kestrel | |Sharp-shinned Hawk | ||
|''Falco sparverius'' | |''Accipiter striatus'' | ||
|9-12" | |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 | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|coniferous forests | |coniferous forests | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Merlin | |Merlin | ||
Line 532: | Line 538: | ||
|10-13" | |10-13" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|coasts | |coasts | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Peregrine Falcon | |Peregrine Falcon | ||
Line 539: | Line 545: | ||
|15-21" | |15-21" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|dry plains | |dry plains | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Prairie Falcon | |Prairie Falcon | ||
Line 546: | Line 552: | ||
|17-20" | |17-20" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|plains | |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 | 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 558: | Line 564: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|California Quail | |California Quail | ||
Line 565: | Line 571: | ||
|9-11" | |9-11" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|bushy foothills, suburbs | |bushy foothills, suburbs | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
===Rails=== | ===Rails=== | ||
These long billed small-bodied birds are usually seen around the marsh edge | These long billed small-bodied birds are usually seen around the marsh edge feeding on the vegetation. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 577: | Line 583: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Virginia Rail | |Virginia Rail | ||
Line 584: | Line 590: | ||
|8-10" | |8-10" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|freashwater marshes | |freashwater marshes | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Sora | |Sora | ||
Line 591: | Line 597: | ||
|8-9" | |8-9" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|freashwater marshes, swamps | |freashwater marshes, swamps | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|American Coot | |American Coot | ||
Line 598: | Line 604: | ||
|13-16" | |13-16" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|coastal bays and inlets | |coastal bays and inlets | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 610: | 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 617: | Line 630: | ||
|10-13" | |10-13" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|lake shores, marshes | |lake shores, marshes | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Semipalmated Plover | |Semipalmated Plover | ||
Line 631: | Line 637: | ||
|6-8" | |6-8" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|lakes shores | |lakes shores | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Snowy Plover | |Snowy Plover | ||
Line 638: | Line 644: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|sandy coastal beaches | |sandy coastal beaches | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Killdeer | |Killdeer | ||
Line 645: | Line 651: | ||
|9-11" | |9-11" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|open areas | |open areas | ||
|uncommon | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 657: | Line 663: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Black-necked Stilt | |Black-necked Stilt | ||
Line 664: | Line 670: | ||
|13-16" | |13-16" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|coastal bays, salt and freashwater marshes | |coastal bays, salt and freashwater marshes | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|American Avocet | |American Avocet | ||
Line 671: | Line 677: | ||
|15-20" | |15-20" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|marshy lakes, freashwater marshes | |marshy lakes, freashwater marshes | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Greater Yellowlegs | |Greater Yellowlegs | ||
Line 678: | Line 684: | ||
|12-15" | |12-15" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|lake shores, marshy ground, frequent pools | |lake shores, marshy ground, frequent pools | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Lesser Yellowlegs | |Lesser Yellowlegs | ||
Line 685: | Line 691: | ||
|9-11" | |9-11" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|inland lakes, rivers, ponds, sewage works | |inland lakes, rivers, ponds, sewage works | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Willet | |Willet | ||
Line 692: | Line 698: | ||
|14-17" | |14-17" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|coasts, mudbanks | |coasts, mudbanks | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|Least Sandpiper | |||
|''Calidris minutilla'' | |||
|5-6" | |||
|Year round | |||
|sandy beaches | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Spotted Sandpiper | |Spotted Sandpiper | ||
Line 699: | Line 712: | ||
|7-8" | |7-8" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|ponds, streams | |ponds, streams | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |||
|Western Sandpiper | |||
|''Calidris mauri'' | |||
|6-7" | |||
|Year round | |||
|shores, mudflats, grassy pools | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Long-billed Curlew | |Long-billed Curlew | ||
Line 706: | Line 726: | ||
|20-26" | |20-26" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|lake, river, salt water marshes, mudflats | |lake, river, salt water marshes, mudflats | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Marbled Godwit | |Marbled Godwit | ||
Line 713: | Line 733: | ||
|16-20" | |16-20" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|sea beaches, salt marshes, mudflats | |sea beaches, salt marshes, mudflats | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Ruddy Turnstone | |Ruddy Turnstone | ||
Line 720: | Line 740: | ||
|8-10" | |8-10" | ||
|Fall, Winter and spring | |Fall, Winter and spring | ||
|coasts | |coasts | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Red Knot | |Red Knot | ||
Line 727: | Line 747: | ||
|10-11" | |10-11" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|rocky beaches | |rocky beaches | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Dunlin | ||
|''Calidris | |''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 | |||
|'' | |||
| | |||
|Fall | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Short-billed Dowitcher | |Short-billed Dowitcher | ||
Line 755: | Line 768: | ||
|10-12" | |10-12" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
|salt water marshes | |salt water marshes | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Red Phalarope | |Red Phalarope | ||
Line 769: | Line 775: | ||
|7-9" | |7-9" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|coast | |coast | ||
|casual | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 781: | Line 787: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Parasitic Jaeger | |Parasitic Jaeger | ||
Line 788: | Line 794: | ||
|16-21" | |16-21" | ||
|Summer and Fall | |Summer and Fall | ||
|oceans | |oceans | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Pomarine Jaeger | |Pomarine Jaeger | ||
Line 795: | Line 801: | ||
|20-23" | |20-23" | ||
|Fall | |Fall | ||
|coasts | |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 802: | Line 822: | ||
|18-21" | |18-21" | ||
|Summer | |Summer | ||
|beaches, rocky shoreline | |beaches, rocky shoreline | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|Herring Gull | |||
|''Larus argentatus'' | |||
|22-26" | |||
|Year round | |||
|shorelines, lakes, rivers, landfills | |||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Mew Gull | |Mew Gull | ||
Line 809: | Line 836: | ||
|16-18" | |16-18" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|coast, lakes | |coast, lakes | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Ring-billed Gull | |Ring-billed Gull | ||
Line 816: | Line 843: | ||
|18-21" | |18-21" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|coasts, lakes, rivers | |coasts, lakes, rivers | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Thayer's Gull | ||
|''Larus | |''Larus thayeri'' | ||
| | |22-25" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |beach, coast | ||
| | |rare | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Western Gull | |||
|Western Gull | |||
|''Larus occidentalis'' | |''Larus occidentalis'' | ||
|24-27" | |24-27" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|ocean, beaches, dumps | |ocean, beaches, dumps | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Common Tern | |Common Tern | ||
Line 858: | Line 864: | ||
|13-16" | |13-16" | ||
|Fall and Spring | |Fall and Spring | ||
|beaches, inland shores | |beaches, inland shores | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Forster's Tern | |Forster's Tern | ||
Line 865: | Line 871: | ||
|14-16" | |14-16" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|freashwater marshes | |freashwater marshes | ||
|rare | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 877: | Line 883: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Common Murre | |Common Murre | ||
Line 884: | Line 890: | ||
|16-17" | |16-17" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|rocky coasts | |rocky coasts | ||
|casual | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 896: | Line 902: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Rock Dove | |Mourning Dove | ||
|''Columba livia'' | |''Zenaida macroura'' | ||
|11-13" | |||
|Year round | |||
|fields, parks, lawns | |||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |||
|Rock Dove | |||
|''Columba livia'' | |||
|13" | |13" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|coniferous forest | |coniferous forest | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Band-tailed Pigeon | |Band-tailed Pigeon | ||
Line 910: | Line 923: | ||
|14-15" | |14-15" | ||
|Spring | |Spring | ||
|coniferous and mixed forests | |coniferous and mixed forests | ||
| | |casual | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 929: | Line 935: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Barn Owl | |Barn Owl | ||
Line 936: | Line 942: | ||
|14-20" | |14-20" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|deep forest, open grassland | |deep forest, open grassland | ||
| | |uncommon | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Burrowing Owl | |Burrowing Owl | ||
Line 950: | Line 949: | ||
|9-11" | |9-11" | ||
|Winter | |Winter | ||
|open, dry grasslands | |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 957: | Line 963: | ||
|13-16" | |13-16" | ||
|Winter | |Winter | ||
|dense grasslands, open forests | |dense grasslands, open forests | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Short-eared Owl | |Short-eared Owl | ||
Line 964: | Line 970: | ||
|13-17" | |13-17" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|salt water marshes, grasslands | |salt water marshes, grasslands | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Snowy Owl | ||
|'' | |''Nyctea scandiaca'' | ||
| | |20-27" | ||
| | |Fall | ||
| | |coast lines, marshes | ||
| | |accidental | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Common Nighthawk | |Common Nighthawk | ||
Line 978: | Line 984: | ||
|8-10" | |8-10" | ||
|Summer | |Summer | ||
|gravel roofs | |gravel roofs | ||
|rare | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 990: | Line 996: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Vaux's Swift | |Vaux's Swift | ||
Line 997: | Line 1,003: | ||
|4" | |4" | ||
|Sping, Summer and Fall | |Sping, Summer and Fall | ||
|coniferous forests | |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 1,004: | Line 1,017: | ||
|3-4" | |3-4" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|oak woodlands, gardens | |oak woodlands, gardens | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Rufous Hummingbird | |Rufous Hummingbird | ||
Line 1,018: | Line 1,024: | ||
|3-4" | |3-4" | ||
|Spring | |Spring | ||
|coast, lowland stream bottoms, forests | |coast, lowland stream bottoms, forests | ||
|uncommon | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,030: | Line 1,036: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Belted Kingfisher | |Belted Kingfisher | ||
Line 1,037: | Line 1,043: | ||
|11-14" | |11-14" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|lakes, rivers | |lakes, rivers | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Downy Woodpecker | |Downy Woodpecker | ||
Line 1,051: | Line 1,050: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|woodlands, parks, gardens | |woodlands, parks, gardens | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Hairy Woodpecker | ||
|''Picoides villosus'' | |||
|8-10" | |||
|Year round | |||
|forests | |||
|casual | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,065: | Line 1,069: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Western Wood Pewee | |Western Wood Pewee | ||
Line 1,072: | Line 1,076: | ||
|6" | |6" | ||
|Fall and Spring | |Fall and Spring | ||
|woodlands | |woodlands | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Willow Flycatcher | |Willow Flycatcher | ||
Line 1,079: | Line 1,083: | ||
|5-6" | |5-6" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
|wooded lake shores and streams | |wooded lake shores and streams | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Black Phoebe | |Black Phoebe | ||
Line 1,086: | Line 1,090: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|lakes, ponds, streams | |lakes, ponds, streams | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Western Kingbird | |Western Kingbird | ||
Line 1,093: | Line 1,097: | ||
|8-9" | |8-9" | ||
|Spring | |Spring | ||
|ponds and streams with trees | |ponds and streams with trees | ||
|rare | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,105: | Line 1,109: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Horned Lark | |Horned Lark | ||
Line 1,112: | Line 1,116: | ||
|7-8" | |7-8" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|beaches, fields | |beaches, fields | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |||
|Barn Swallow | |||
|''Hirundo rustica'' | |||
|5-7" | |||
|Spring, Summmer and Fall | |||
|lake shore, marshes, suburban areas | |||
|unknown | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Cliff Swallow | |Cliff Swallow | ||
Line 1,119: | Line 1,130: | ||
|5-6" | |5-6" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
|lakes shores, marshes | |lakes shores, marshes | ||
| | |common | ||
|} | |||
===Jays, Crows & Ravens=== | |||
These scavenger birds are usually seen looking for food wherever it may be found. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|} | |||
===Jays, Crows & Ravens=== | |||
These scavenger birds are usually seen looking for food wherever it may be found. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|- | |- | ||
!Bird Name | !Bird Name | ||
Line 1,138: | Line 1,142: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Steller's Jay | |Steller's Jay | ||
Line 1,145: | Line 1,149: | ||
|12-13" | |12-13" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
| | |conferous forest | ||
| | |rare | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Common Crow | |Common Crow | ||
Line 1,152: | Line 1,156: | ||
|17-21" | |17-21" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|open areas, town | |open areas, town | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Common Raven | |Common Raven | ||
Line 1,159: | Line 1,163: | ||
|21-27" | |21-27" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|coniferous forests, rocky coasts | |coniferous forests, rocky coasts | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,171: | Line 1,175: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Black-capped Chickadee | |Black-capped Chickadee | ||
Line 1,178: | Line 1,182: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|mixed forest, suburban areas | |mixed forest, suburban areas | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Chestnut-backed Chickadee | |Chestnut-backed Chickadee | ||
Line 1,185: | Line 1,189: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|coniferous forests | |coniferous forests | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Bushtit | |Bushtit | ||
Line 1,192: | Line 1,196: | ||
|3-4" | |3-4" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|edges of coniferous forests | |edges of coniferous forests | ||
|casual | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,204: | Line 1,208: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Red-breasted Nuthatch | |Red-breasted Nuthatch | ||
Line 1,211: | Line 1,215: | ||
|4" | |4" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|coniferous forest | |coniferous forest | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Long-billed Marsh Wren | |Long-billed Marsh Wren | ||
Line 1,225: | Line 1,222: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|coast, wetland habitat | |coast, wetland habitat | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Rock Wren | |Rock Wren | ||
Line 1,232: | Line 1,229: | ||
|5-6" | |5-6" | ||
|Fall | |Fall | ||
|exposed rocks | |exposed rocks | ||
|} | |accidental | ||
|- | |||
|Winter Wren | |||
|''Troglodytes troglodytes'' | |||
|4" | |||
|Winter | |||
|coniferous forest | |||
|rare | |||
|} | |||
===Kinglets=== | ===Kinglets=== | ||
Line 1,244: | Line 1,248: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Golden-crowned Kinglet | |Golden-crowned Kinglet | ||
Line 1,251: | Line 1,255: | ||
|3-4" | |3-4" | ||
|Winter | |Winter | ||
|coniferous forest | |coniferous forest | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Ruby-crowned Kinglet | |Ruby-crowned Kinglet | ||
Line 1,258: | Line 1,262: | ||
|3-4" | |3-4" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|coniferous forest | |coniferous forest | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,270: | 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 1,277: | Line 1,288: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
|coniferous forest | |coniferous forest | ||
| | |rare | ||
|- | |- | ||
|American Robin | |American Robin | ||
Line 1,291: | Line 1,295: | ||
|9-11" | |9-11" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|woodlands, gardens, towns | |woodlands, gardens, towns | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Mockingbird | |Mockingbird | ||
Line 1,298: | Line 1,302: | ||
|9-11" | |9-11" | ||
|Winter | |Winter | ||
|parks, residential areas | |parks, residential areas | ||
|casual | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,310: | Line 1,314: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Cedar Waxwings | |Cedar Waxwings | ||
Line 1,317: | Line 1,321: | ||
|6-8" | |6-8" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
|open woodland, residential areas | |open woodland, residential areas | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,329: | Line 1,333: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Northern Shrike | |Northern Shrike | ||
Line 1,336: | Line 1,340: | ||
|9-10" | |9-10" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|edges of forests | |edges of forests | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Starling | |Starling | ||
Line 1,343: | Line 1,347: | ||
|7-8" | |7-8" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|suburben areas | |suburben areas | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,355: | Line 1,359: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Hutton's Vireo | |Hutton's Vireo | ||
Line 1,362: | Line 1,366: | ||
|4" | |4" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|mixed forest | |mixed forest | ||
|rare | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,374: | 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 1,381: | Line 1,392: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
|edge of forests | |edge of forests | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Nashville Warbler | |Nashville Warbler | ||
Line 1,388: | Line 1,399: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Spring and Fall | |Spring and Fall | ||
|mixed forest | |mixed forest | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Yellow Warbler | |Yellow Warbler | ||
Line 1,395: | Line 1,406: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Fall and Spring | |Fall and Spring | ||
|edges of marshes, swamps, and forests | |edges of marshes, swamps, and forests | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Yellow-rumped Warbler | |Yellow-rumped Warbler | ||
Line 1,402: | Line 1,413: | ||
|5-6" | |5-6" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|coniferous forest, and edge of forests | |coniferous forest, and edge of forests | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Common Yellowthroat | |Common Yellowthroat | ||
Line 1,409: | Line 1,420: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
|marshes, streams | |marshes, streams | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Wilson's Warbler | |Wilson's Warbler | ||
Line 1,416: | Line 1,427: | ||
|4" | |4" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
|along streams | |along streams | ||
|common | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,428: | Line 1,439: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Western Tanager | |Western Tanager | ||
Line 1,435: | Line 1,446: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
|coniferous forests | |coniferous forests | ||
|rare | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,447: | Line 1,458: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Black-headed Grosbeak | |Black-headed Grosbeak | ||
Line 1,454: | Line 1,465: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Spring, Summer and Fall | |Spring, Summer and Fall | ||
|river bottoms, lake shores, trees, shrubs | |river bottoms, lake shores, trees, shrubs | ||
|casual | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Clay-colored Sparrow | |Clay-colored Sparrow | ||
Line 1,461: | Line 1,472: | ||
|5" | |5" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|brushy grasslands | |brushy grasslands | ||
| | |rare | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Fox Sparrow | |Fox Sparrow | ||
Line 1,482: | Line 1,479: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|coniferous forests | |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 | |Song Sparrow | ||
Line 1,489: | Line 1,500: | ||
|5-7" | |5-7" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|marshes, edge of forests | |marshes, edge of forests | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|White-crowned Sparrow | |White-crowned Sparrow | ||
Line 1,503: | Line 1,507: | ||
|5-7" | |5-7" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|dense brush, open woods and gardens | |dense brush, open woods and gardens | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|White-throated Sparrow | |White-throated Sparrow | ||
Line 1,510: | Line 1,514: | ||
|6-7" | |6-7" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|gardens, backyards | |gardens, backyards | ||
|rare | |||
|- | |||
|Vesper Sparrow | |||
|''Pooecetes gramineus'' | |||
|5-6" | |||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |||
|grasslands | |||
|rare | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Dark-eyed Junco | |Dark-eyed Junco | ||
Line 1,517: | Line 1,528: | ||
|5-6" | |5-6" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|edge of coniferous and mixed forests | |edge of coniferous and mixed forests | ||
|uncommon | |||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,529: | 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 1,536: | Line 1,554: | ||
|7-9" | |7-9" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|salt and freashwater marshes | |salt and freashwater marshes | ||
|uncommon | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Western Meadolark | |Western Meadolark | ||
Line 1,543: | Line 1,561: | ||
|8-11" | |8-11" | ||
|Fall, Winter and Spring | |Fall, Winter and Spring | ||
|meadows, plains | |meadows, plains | ||
| | |common | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Brown-headed Cowbird | |Brown-headed Cowbird | ||
Line 1,557: | Line 1,568: | ||
|6-8" | |6-8" | ||
|Spring and Summer | |Spring and Summer | ||
|edge of woodland, suburban areas | |edge of woodland, suburban areas | ||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,570: | Line 1,581: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|House Finch | |House Finch | ||
Line 1,577: | Line 1,588: | ||
|5" | |5" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|suburban areas | |suburban areas | ||
|common | |||
|- | |||
|American Goldfinch | |||
|''Carduelis tristis'' | |||
|4-5" | |||
|Year round | |||
|weedy grasslands, nearby trees | |||
|common | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Pine Siskin | |Pine Siskin | ||
Line 1,584: | Line 1,602: | ||
|4-5" | |4-5" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|coniferous forests, woodlands, parks | |coniferous forests, woodlands, parks | ||
| | |common | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 1,603: | Line 1,614: | ||
!Size | !Size | ||
!Time of Year seen | !Time of Year seen | ||
!Preferred habitat | |||
!Possibility of being seen | !Possibility of being seen | ||
|- | |- | ||
|House Sparrow | |House Sparrow | ||
Line 1,610: | Line 1,621: | ||
|5-6" | |5-6" | ||
|Year round | |Year round | ||
|cities, towns | |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/ |
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