No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 43: Line 43:
|tundra lake, arctic coast
|tundra lake, arctic coast
|rare
|rare
|-
|Pied-billed Grebe
|''Podilymbus podiceps''
|12-15"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|marshes, ponds
|common
|-
|-
|Eared Grebe
|Eared Grebe
Line 60: Line 53:
|Horned Grebe
|Horned Grebe
|''Podiceps auritus''
|''Podiceps auritus''
|12-15"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|marshes, ponds
|common
|-
|Pied-billed Grebe
|''Podilymbus podiceps''
|12-15"
|12-15"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
Line 205: Line 205:
!Size
!Size
!Time of Year seen
!Time of Year seen
!Preferred habitat
!Possibility of being seen
!Possibility of being seen
!Preferred habitat
|-
|-
|White-fronted Goose
|Canada Goose
|''Anser albifrons''
|''Branta canadensis''
|26-34"
|22-45"
|Fall
|Year round
|Casual
|lakes, bays, rivers, marshes
|bays, marshes
|common
|-
|-
|Snow Goose
|Snow Goose
Line 219: Line 219:
|25-31"
|25-31"
|Fall and Winter
|Fall and Winter
|Casual
|coastal bays, salt and freashwater marshes
|coastal bays, salt and freashwater marshes
|casual
|-
|-
|Ross's Goose
|Ross's Goose
Line 226: Line 226:
|21-25"
|21-25"
|Fall and winter
|Fall and winter
|Casual
|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
|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
|lakes, rivers
|casual
|-
|-
|Canada Goose
|Tufted Duck
|''Branta canadensis''
|''Aythya fuligula''
|22-45"
|17"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|lakes, bays
|lakes, bays, rivers, marshes
|casual
|-
|-
|Wood Duck
|Wood Duck
Line 247: Line 261:
|17-20"
|17-20"
|Year round
|Year round
|Rare
|freashwater marshes, wooded swamps
|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 254: Line 289:
|12-15"
|12-15"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Abundant
|marshy lakes, marshes, ponds
|marshy lakes, marshes, ponds
|common
|-
|-
|Mallard
|Mallard
Line 261: Line 296:
|20-28"
|20-28"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|lakes, bays, riverbeds, marshes, ponds
|lakes, bays, riverbeds, marshes, ponds
|common
|-
|-
|Pintail
|Pintail
Line 268: Line 303:
|25-29"
|25-29"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|marshes
|marshes
|-
|rare
|Blue-winged Teal
|''Anas discors''
|14-16"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|lakes, ponds, marshes, shallow wetlands
|-
|Cinnamon Teal
|''Anas cyanoptera''
|14-17"
|Winter, Spring and Summer
|Common
|shallow marshes, ponds
|-
|-
|Northern Shoveler
|Northern Shoveler
Line 289: Line 310:
|17-20"
|17-20"
|Year round
|Year round
|Common
|lakes, marshes, ponds
|lakes, marshes, ponds
|common
|-
|-
|Gadwell
|Gadwell
Line 296: Line 317:
|18-23"
|18-23"
|Spring and Summer
|Spring and Summer
|Uncommon
|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 303: Line 331:
|16-20"
|16-20"
|Fall and Winter
|Fall and Winter
|Casual
|lakes, bays, marshes
|lakes, bays, marshes
|-
|casual
|American Wigeon
|''Anas americana''
|18-23"
|Fall and Winter
|Common
|shallow lakes, marshes, ponds
|-
|-
|Canvasback
|Canvasback
Line 317: Line 338:
|19-24"
|19-24"
|Fall and Winter
|Fall and Winter
|Rare
|akes, bays, marshes
|lakes, bays, marshes
|rare
|-
|-
|Redhead
|Redhead
Line 324: Line 345:
|18-22"
|18-22"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|akes, bays
|lakes, bays
|rare
|-
|Ring-necked Duck
|''Aythya collaris''
|14-18"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Uncommon
|wooded lakes, rivers, ponds
|-
|Tufted Duck
|''Aythya fuligula''
|17"
|Year round
|Casual
|lakes, bays
|-
|-
|Greater Scaup
|Greater Scaup
Line 345: Line 352:
|15-20"
|15-20"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|lakes, marshes, pond
|lakes, marshes, pond
|common
|-
|-
|Lesser Scaup
|Lesser Scaup
Line 352: Line 359:
|15-18"
|15-18"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|lakes, rivers, ponds
|lakes, rivers, ponds
|common
|-
|-
|Oldsquaw
|Oldsquaw
Line 359: Line 366:
|19-22"
|19-22"
|Fall and Winter
|Fall and Winter
|Casual
|lakes, rivers
|lakes, rivers
|casual
|-
|-
|Black Scoter
|Black Scoter
Line 366: Line 373:
|17-20"
|17-20"
|Fall, Winter
|Fall, Winter
|Casual
|ocean, saltwater bays, ponds
|ocean, saltwater bays, ponds
|casual
|-
|-
|Surf Scoter
|Surf Scoter
Line 373: Line 380:
|17-21"
|17-21"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Uncommon
|ocean, coastal bays
|ocean, coastal bays
|uncommon
|-
|-
|White-winged Scoter
|White-winged Scoter
Line 380: Line 387:
|19-23"
|19-23"
|Fall and Winter
|Fall and Winter
|Casual
|ocean, lakes, coastal bays
|ocean, lakes, coastal bays
|casual
|-
|-
|Common Goldeneye
|Common Goldeneye
Line 387: Line 394:
|16-20"
|16-20"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|coastal bays, wooded lakes and ponds
|coastal bays, wooded lakes and ponds
|rare
|-
|-
|Bufflehead
|Bufflehead
Line 394: Line 401:
|13-15"
|13-15"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Common
|lakes, saltwater bays, ponds
|lakes, saltwater bays, ponds
|common
|-
|Common Merganser
|''Mergus merganser''
|22-27"
|Spring
|lakes, rivers
|casual
|-
|-
|Hooded Merganser
|Hooded Merganser
Line 401: Line 415:
|16-19"
|16-19"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|swamps, millponds, small forest pools
|swamps, millponds, small forest pools
|-
|rare
|Common Merganser
|''Mergus merganser''
|22-27"
|Spring
|Casual
|lakes, rivers
|-
|-
|Red-breasted Merganser
|Red-breasted Merganser
Line 415: Line 422:
|19-26"
|19-26"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Rare
|wooded lakes, tundra ponds
|wooded lakes, tundra ponds
|-
|rare
|Ruddy Duck
|''Oxyura jamaicensis''
|14-16"
|Fall, Winter and Spring
|Casual
|shallow coastal bays, marshes
|}
|}



Revision as of 03:54, 21 November 2008

Template:115inprogress

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

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 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]

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura 26-32" Year round Common forest woodlands
Osprey Pandion haliaetus 21-24" Spring, Summer and Fall Common large bodies of water
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus 15-17" Year round Uncommon grassy plains, cultivated highlands
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus 10-14" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare coniferous and mixed forests
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus 17-24" Year round Common lakes
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 19-25" Year round Common minimal tree coverage
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni 19-22" Spring Accidental marshes
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus 19-24" Fall and Winter Rare parks, cities, towns
American Kestrel Falco sparverius 9-12" Fall, Winter and Spring Common coniferous forests
Merlin Falco columbarius 10-13" Fall, Winter and Spring Uncommon coasts
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 15-21" Fall, Winter and Spring Uncommon dry plains
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus 17-20" Fall, Winter and Spring Casual plains

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
California Quail Lophortyx californicus 9-11" Year round Common bushy foothills, suburbs

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Virginia Rail Rallus limicola 8-10" Fall, Winter and Spring Common freashwater marshes
Sora Porzana carolina 8-9" Fall, Winter and Spring Common freashwater marshes, swamps
American Coot Fulica americana 13-16" Year round Common coastal bays and inlets

Plovers

These small shorebirds are usually seen during low tide feeding on shellfish.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola 10-13" Year round Common lake shores, marshes
American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica 9-11" Fall Accidental shores
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus 6-8" Year round Uncommon lakes shores
Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 6-7" Year round Common sandy coastal beaches
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus 9-11" Year round Uncommon open areas

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus 13-16" Year round Causal coastal bays, salt and freashwater marshes
American Avocet Recurvirostra americana 15-20" Fall, Winter and Spring Common marshy lakes, freashwater marshes
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca 12-15" Fall, Winter and Spring Common lake shores, marshy ground, frequent pools
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes 9-11" Year round Rare inland lakes, rivers, ponds, sewage works
Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus 14-17" Year round Common coasts, mudbanks
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia 7-8" Year round Rare ponds, streams
Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus 20-26" Fall, Winter and Spring Uncommon lake, river, salt water marshes, mudflats
Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa 16-20" Fall, Winter and Spring Abundant sea beaches, salt marshes, mudflats
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 8-10" Fall, Winter and spring Rare coasts
Red Knot Calidris canutus 10-11" Fall, Winter and Spring Uncommon rocky beaches
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri 6-7" Year round Abundant shores, mudflats, grassy pools
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla 5-6" Year round Common sandy beaches
Dunlin Calidris alpina 8-9" Fall, Winter and Spring Abundant beaches, lakes, river shores
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus 10-12" Spring, Summer and Fall Common salt water marshes
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus 11-12" Fall and Winter Common freashwater ponds
Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 7-9" Fall, Winter and Spring Casual coast

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus 16-21" Summer and Fall Casual oceans
Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus 20-23" Fall Casual coasts
Heermann's Gull Larus heermanni 18-21" Summer Common beaches, rocky shoreline
Mew Gull Larus canus 16-18" Fall, Winter and Spring Common coast, lakes
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis 18-21" Year round Common coasts, lakes, rivers
California Gull Larus californicus 20-23" Year round Uncommon coast, lakes, marshes
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 22-26" Year round Rare shorelines, lakes, rivers, landfills
Thayer's Gull Larus thayeri 22-25" Year round Rare beach,coast
Western Gull Larus occidentalis 24-27" Year round Common ocean, beaches, dumps
Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens 24-27" Year round Common shores of lakes, rivers, dumps
Common Tern Sterna hirundo 13-16" Fall and Spring Casual beaches, inland shores
Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri 14-16" Year round Rare freashwater marshes

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Common Murre Uria aalge 16-17" Fall, Winter and Spring Casual rocky coasts

Doves

These Pigeon-like birds are usually seen near the grassy areas of the marsh.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Rock Dove Columba livia 13" Year round Uncommon coniferous forest
Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata 14-15" Spring Casual coniferous and mixed forests
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura 11-13" Year round Uncommon fields, parks, lawns

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Barn Owl Tyto alba 14-20" Year round Uncommon deep forest, open grassland
Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca 20-27" Fall Accidental coast lines, marshes
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia 9-11" Winter Casual open, dry grasslands
Long-eared Owl Asio otus 13-16" Winter Casual dense grasslands, open forests
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus 13-17" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare salt water marshes, grasslands
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus 18-25" Year round Rare coniferous and mixed forests
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor 8-10" Summer Rare gravel roofs

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Vaux's Swift Chaetura Vauxi 4" Sping, Summer and Fall Common coniferous forests
Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna 3-4" Year round Common oak woodlands, gardens
Allen's Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin 3" Spring, Summer and Fall Uncommon edges of redwood forests
Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus 3-4" Spring Uncommon coast, lowland stream bottoms, forests

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon 11-14" Year round Common lakes, rivers
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus 8-10" Year round Casual forests
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens 6-7" Year round Rare woodlands, parks, gardens

Flycatchers

These birds are usually seen in the trees or in the sky eating insects.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Western Wood Pewee Contopus sordidulus 6" Fall and Spring Rare woodlands
Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii 5-6" Spring, Summer and Fall Uncommon wooded lake shores and streams
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans 6-7" Year round Common lakes, ponds, streams
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis 8-9" Spring Rare ponds and streams with trees

Larks & Swallows

These birds are seen gliding around the Marsh eating insects.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Horned Lark Eremophia alpestris 7-8" Fall, Winter and Spring Casual beaches, fields
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota 5-6" Spring, Summer and Fall Common lakes shores, marshes
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 5-7" Spring, Summmer and Fall Unknown lake shore, marshes, suburban areas

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri 12-13" Year round Rare coniferous forest
Common Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos 17-21" Year round Common open areas, town
Common Raven Corvus corax 21-27" Year round Common coniferous forests, rocky coasts

Chickadees & Bushtits

These small birds are usually seen hanging out in bushes or trees.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Black-capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus 4-5" Year round Common mixed forest, suburban areas
Chestnut-backed Chickadee Parus rufescens 4-5" Year round Uncommon coniferous forests
Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus 3-4" Year round Casual edges of coniferous forests

Nuthatchers, Creepers & Wrens

These birds are usually found in the trees of the marsh.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis 4" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare coniferous forest
Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes 4" Winter Rare coniferous forest
Long-billed Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris 4-5" Year round Common coast, wetland habitat
Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus 5-6" Fall Accidental exposed rocks

Kinglets

The Kinglets can be seen in the trees searching for insects.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa 3-4" Winter Rare coniferous forest
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula 3-4" Fall, Winter and Spring Common coniferous forest

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus 6-7" Spring, Summer and Fall Rare coniferous forest
Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus 6-8" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare coniferous and mixed forests
American Robin Turdus migratorius 9-11" Year round Common woodlands, gardens, towns
Mockingbird Minus polyglottos 9-11" Winter Casual parks, residential areas

Waxwings

These birds are usually seen eatting the berries around the marsh.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Cedar Waxwings Bombycilla cedrorum 6-8" Spring, Summer and Fall Common open woodland, residential areas

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Northern Shrike Lanius excubitor 9-10" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare edges of forests
Starling Sturnus vulgaris 7-8" Year round Abundant suburben areas

Vireos

These birds are seen on the canopies of the trees at the marsh.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni 4" Year round Rare mixed forest

Warblers

These birds are usually found in the canopies of the trees at the marsh.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata 4-5" Spring, Summer and Fall Common edge of forests
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla 4-5" Spring and Fall Rare mixed forest
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia 4-5" Fall and Spring Commmon edges of marshes, swamps, and forests
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata 5-6" Fall, Winter and Spring Common coniferous forest, and edge of forests
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas 4-5" Spring, Summer and Fall Common marshes, streams
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla 4" Spring, Summer and Fall Common along streams

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana 6-7" Spring, Summer and Fall Rare coniferous forests

Grosbeaks, Sparrows & Buntings

These song birds can be seen flying around the marsh.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus 6-7" Spring, Summer and Fall Casual river bottoms, lake shores, trees, shrubs
Clay-colored Sparrow Spizella pallida 5" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare brushy grasslands
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus 5-6" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare grasslands
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis 4-5" Year round Common salt marshes, grasslands
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca 6-7" Fall, Winter and Spring Common coniferous forests
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia 5-7" Year round Common marshes, edge of forests
Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla 6-7" Fall, Winter and Spring Common coniferous forests
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys 5-7" Fall, Winter and Spring Common dense brush, open woods and gardens
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albiocollis 6-7" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare gardens, backyards
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis 5-6" Fall, Winter and Spring Uncommon edge of coniferous and mixed forests

Meadowlarks, Blackbirds & Orioles

These song birds are seen in the trees and around the marsh.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
Red-Winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus 7-9" Year round Uncommon salt and freashwater marshes
Western Meadolark Sturnella neglecta 8-11" Fall, Winter and Spring Common meadows, plains
Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus 8-10" Year round Common fields
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater 6-8" Spring and Summer Common edge of woodland, suburban areas

Finches

These small birds are seen in the trees or flying around the marsh.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus 5" Year round Common suburban areas
Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus 4-5" Year round Common coniferous forests, woodlands, parks
American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis 4-5" Year round Common weedy grasslands, nearby trees

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 Possibility of being seen Preferred habitat
House Sparrow Passer domesticus 5-6" Year round Common cities, towns

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
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