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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 most of them use the marsh only as a breeding site, as seen in figure 1, or as a place to rest during their biyearly migration. The Arcata marsh also acts as a refuge and home for all of the other year round birds that also stay there. One of the benefits the birds have at the Arcata marsh Wildlife Sanctuary is to help maintain a balance ecosystem. The birds do this by consuming the varieties of marine life, such as fish and shellfish, and vegetation, such duck moss, that would other wise clog up and over populate the waters of the marsh. Another thing that the Arcata marsh offers is as a place where people can come to monitor and watch the variety of birds that come to visit. The reason it is important to monitor the birds at the Arcata marsh is that some of the birds that visit are rare or endangered. This also allows the opportunity for several bird watchers to come and see the several birds that visit each year.

What Type of Birds to Expect

Of the 200 species of birds that it is possible to see,[2]listed below are just some of the most common birds that can be seen throughout the year. The types of birds are grouped together based on what bird they are. Under each group name is a small description of what the group is like. Then below that is a list of the birds common name, scientific name, size, time of year they are at the Arcata marsh, as well as the possibility they will be seen at that time.

This list of links below will help you to get to the bird groups faster.

[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 Possibility of being seen
Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata 24-27" Fall,Winter Rare
Common Loon Gavia immer 28-36" Fall, Winter and Spring Uncommon
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps 12-15" Fall, Winter and Spring Common
Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus 12-15" Fall, Winter and Spring Common
Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena 18-22" Winter Casual
Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis 12-14" Fall, Winter and Spring Uncommon
Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis 22-29" Fall, Spring and Winter Uncommon


Pelicans & Cormorants

Pelicans & Cormorants are great 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 Possibility of being seen
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis 45-54" Year round Common
Double-Crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus 30-36" Year round Common
Brandt's Cormorant Phalacrocorax penicillatus 33-35" Year round Casual
Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus 25-30" Year round 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 Possibility of being seen
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus 23-34" Year round Uncommon
Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis 11-14" Summer Accidental
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 42-52" Year round Uncommon
Great Egret Casmerodius albus 37-41" Year round Common
Snowy Egret Egretta thula 20-27" Year round Common
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 20" Year round Uncommon
Green Heron Butorides striatus 16-22" Spring, Winter and Summer Rare
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 23-28" Year round Common
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi 19-26" Fall and Spring Accidental

Geese & Ducks

Their webbed feet, and their flat bill 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 Possibility of being seen
White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 26-34" Fall Casual
Snow Goose Chen caerulescents 25-31" Fall and Winter Casual
Ross's Goose Chen rossii 21-25" Fall and winter Casual
Black Brant Branta bernicla 23-26" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare
Canada Goose Branta canadensis 22-45" Year round Common
Wood Duck Aix sponsa 17-20" Year round Rare
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca 12-15" Fall, Winter and Spring Abundant
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 20-28" Year round Common
Pintail Anas acuta 25-29" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors 14-16" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare
Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera 14-17" Winter, Spring and Summer Common
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata 17-20" Year round Common
Gadwell Anas strepera 18-23" Spring and Summer Uncommon
European Wigeon Anas penelope 16-20" Fall and Winter Casual
American Wigeon Anas americana 18-23" Fall and Winter Common
Canvasback Aythya valisineria 19-24" Fall and Winter Rare
Redhead Aythya americana 18-22" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris 14-18" Fall, Winter and Spring Uncommon
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 17" Year round Casual
Greater Scaup Aythya marila 15-20" Fall, Winter and Spring Common
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis 15-18" Fall, Winter and Spring Common
Oldsquaw Clangula hyemalis 19-22" Fall and Winter Casual
Black Scoter Melanitta nigra 17-20" Fall, Winter Casual
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata 17-21" Fall, Winter and Spring Uncommon
White-winged Scoter Melanitta deglandi 19-23" Fall and Winter Casual
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 16-20" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola 13-15" Fall, Winter and Spring Common
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus 16-19" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare
Common Merganser Mergus merganser 22-27" Spring Casual
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator 19-26" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis 14-16" Fall, Winter and Spring Casual

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
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura 26-32" Year round Common
Osprey Pandion haliaetus 21-24" Spring, Summer and Fall Common
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus 15-17" Year round Uncommon
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus 10-14" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus 17-24" Year round Common
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 19-25" Year round Common
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni 19-22" Spring Accidental
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus 19-24" Fall and Winter Rare
American Kestrel Falco sparverius 9-12" Fall, Winter and Spring Common
Merlin Falco columbarius 10-13" Fall, Winter and Spring Uncommon
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 15-21" Fall, Winter and Spring Uncommon
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus 17-20" Fall, Winter and Spring 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 on their head.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen
California Quail Lophortyx californicus 9-11" Year round Common

Rails

These long billed small-bodied birds are usually seen around the marsh edge feeing on the vegetation.

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen
Virginia Rail Rallus limicola 8-10" Fall, Winter and Spring Common
Sora Porzana carolina 8-9" Fall, Winter and Spring Common
American Coot Fulica americana 13-16" Year round Common

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
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola 10-13" Year round Common
American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica 9-11" Fall Accidental
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus 6-8" Year round Uncommon
Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 6-7" Year round Common
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus 9-11" Year round Uncommon

Stilts & Shorebirds

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


Jaegers, Gulls & Terns

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


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
Common Murre Uria aalge 16-17" Fall, Winter and Spring 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 Possibility of being seen
Rock Dove Columba livia 13" Year round Uncommon
Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata 14-15" Spring Casual
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura 11-13" Year round Uncommon

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
Barn Owl Tyto alba 14-20" Year round Uncommon
Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca 20-27" Fall Accidental
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia 9-11" Winter Casual
Long-eared Owl Asio otus 13-16" Winter Casual
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus 13-17" Fall, Winter and Spring Rare
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus 18-25" Year round Rare
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor 8-10" Summer 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 Possibility of being seen
Vaux's Swift Chaetura Vauxi 4" Sping, Summer and Fall Common
Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna 3-4" Year round Common
Allen's Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin 3" Spring, Summer and Fall Uncommon
Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus 3-4" Spring Uncommon

Kingfishers & Woodpeckers

Kingfishers are usually seen catching small fish while the Woodpeckers are seen eatting and storing food in the bark of trees

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon 11-14" Year round Common
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus 8-10" Year round Casual
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens 6-7" Year round Rare

Flycatchers

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


Larks & Swallows

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


Jays, Crows & Ravens

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


Chickadees & Bushtits

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


Nuthatchers, Creepers & Wrens

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


Kinglets

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


Thrushers & Mockingbirds

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


Pipits & Waxwings

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


Shrikes & Starlings

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


Vireos

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


Warblers

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


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
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana 6-7" Spring, Summer and Fall Rare

Grosbeaks, Sparrows & Buntings

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


Meadowlarks, Blackbirds & Orioles

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


Finches

Bird Name Scientific Name Size Time of Year seen Possibility of being seen


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
House Sparrow Passer domesticus 5-6" Year round Common

Links



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 Sancturary, 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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