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 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 balanced ecosystem. The birds do this by consuming the varieties of marine life, such as fish, shellfish, and vegetation. Vegetation such as duck moss would other wise over populate and clog the waters of the marsh.
Another thing that the Arcata marsh offers is as a place where people can come to monitor and watch the variety of birds that come to visit. The reason it is important to monitor the birds at the Arcata marsh is that some of the birds that visit are rare or endangered. This also allows the opportunity for several bird watchers to come and see the several birds that visit each year.
What Type of Birds to Expect
Over 200 species of birds are possible to see 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 what the group is like. Below that is a list of the birds common name, scientific name, size, time of year they are at the Arcata marsh, as well as the possibility they will be seen at that time.
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 | 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 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
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 | 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
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black-necked Stilt | Himantopus | 13-16" | Year round | Causal |
American Avocet | Recurvirostra americana | 15-20" | Fall, Winter and Spring Common | |
Greater Yellowlegs | Tringa melanoleuca | 12-15" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Common |
Lesser Yellowlegs | Tringa flavipes | 9-11" | Year round | Rare |
Willet | Catoptrophorus semipalmatus | 14-17" | Year round | Common |
Spotted Sandpiper | Actitis macularia | 7-8" | Year round | Rare |
Long-billed Curlew | Numenius americanus | 20-26" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Uncommon |
Marbled Godwit | Limosa fedoa | 16-20" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Abundant |
Ruddy Turnstone | Arenaria interpres | 8-10" | Fall, Winter and spring | Rare |
Red Knot | Calidris canutus | 10-11" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Uncommon |
Western Sandpiper | Calidris mauri | 6-7" | Year round | Abundant |
Least Sandpiper | Calidris minutilla | 5-6" | Year round | Common |
Dunlin | Calidris alpina | 8-9" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Abundant |
Short-billed Dowitcher | Limnodromus griseus | 10-12" | Spring, Summer and Fall | Common |
Long-billed Dowitcher | Limnodromus scolopaceus | 11-12" | Fall and Winter | Common |
Red Phalarope | Phalaropus fulicarius | 7-9" | Fall, Winter and Spring | 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 | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|
Parasitic Jaeger | Stercorarius parasiticus | 16-21" | Summer and Fall | Casual |
Pomarine Jaeger | Stercorarius pomarinus | 20-23" | Fall | Casual |
Heermann's Gull | Larus heermanni | 18-21" | Summer | Common |
Mew Gull | Larus canus | 16-18" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Common |
Ring-billed Gull | Larus delawarensis | 18-21" | Year round | Common |
California Gull | Larus californicus | 20-23" | Year round | Uncommon |
Herring Gull | Larus argentatus | 22-26" | Year round | Rare |
Thayer's Gull | Larus thayeri | 22-25" | Year round | Rare |
Western Gull | Larus occidentalis | 24-27" | Year round | Common |
Glaucous-winged Gull | Larus glaucescens | 24-27" | Year round | Common |
Common Tern | Sterna hirundo | 13-16" | Fall and Spring | Casual |
Forster's Tern | Sterna forsteri | 14-16" | Year round | 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 | 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 eating 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
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Western Wood Pewee | Contopus sordidulus | 6" | Fall and Spring | Rare |
Willow Flycatcher | Empidonax traillii | 5-6" | Spring, Summer and Fall | Uncommon |
Black Phoebe | Sayornis nigricans | 6-7" | Year round | Common |
Western Kingbird | Tyrannus verticalis | 8-9" | Spring | Rare |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Horned Lark | Eremophia alpestris | 7-8" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Casual |
Cliff Swallow | Petrochelidon pyrrhonota | 5-6" | Spring, Summer and Fall | Common |
Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | 5-7" | Spring, Summmer and Fall |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Steller's Jay | Cyanocitta stelleri | 12-13" | Year round | Rare |
Common Crow | Corvus brachyrhynchos | 17-21" | Year round | Common |
Common Raven | Corvus corax | 21-27" | Year round | Common |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black-capped Chickadee | Parus atricapillus | 4-5" | Year round | Common |
Chestnut-backed Chickadee | Parus rufescens | 4-5" | Year round | Uncommon |
Bushtit | Psaltriparus minimus | 3-4" | Year round | Casual |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Red-breasted Nuthatch | Sitta canadensis | 4" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Rare |
Winter Wren | Troglodytes troglodytes | 4" | Winter | Rare |
Long-billed Marsh Wren | Cistothorus palustris | 4-5" | Year round | Common |
Rock Wren | Salpinctes obsoletus | 5-6" | Fall | Accidental |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Golden-crowned Kinglet | Regulus satrapa | 3-4" | Winter | Rare |
Ruby-crowned Kinglet | Regulus calendula | 3-4" | Fall, Winter and Spring | 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 | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|
Swainson's Thrush | Catharus ustulatus | 6-7" | Spring, Summer and Fall | Rare |
Hermit Thrush | Catharus guttatus | 6-8" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Rare |
American Robin | Turdus migratorius | 9-11" | Year round | Common |
Mockingbird | Minus polyglottos | 9-11" | Winter | Casual |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cedar Waxwings | Bombycilla cedrorum | 6-8" | Spring, Summer and Fall | 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 | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|
Northern Shrike | Lanius excubitor | 9-10" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Rare |
Starling | Sturnus vulgaris | 7-8" | Year round | Abundant |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hutton's Vireo | Vireo huttoni | 4" | Year round | 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 | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|
Orange-crowned Warbler | Vermivora celata | 4-5" | Spring, Summer and Fall | Common |
Nashville Warbler | Vermivora ruficapilla | 4-5" | Spring and Fall | Rare |
Yellow Warbler | Dendroica petechia | 4-5" | Fall and Spring | Commmon |
Yellow-rumped Warbler | Dendroica coronata | 5-6" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Common |
Common Yellowthroat | Geothlypis trichas | 4-5" | Spring, Summer and Fall | Common |
Wilson's Warbler | Wilsonia pusilla | 4" | Spring, Summer and Fall | 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 | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|
Western Tanager | Piranga ludoviciana | 6-7" | Spring, Summer and Fall | Rare |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black-headed Grosbeak | Pheucticus melanocephalus | 6-7" | Spring, Summer and Fall | Casual |
Clay-colored Sparrow | Spizella pallida | 5" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Rare |
Vesper Sparrow | Pooecetes gramineus | 5-6" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Rare |
Savannah Sparrow | Passerculus sandwichensis | 4-5" | Year round | Common |
Fox sparrow | Passerella iliaca | 6-7" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Common |
Song Sparrow | Melospiza melodia | 5-7" | Year round | Common |
Golden-crowned Sparrow | Zonotrichia atricapilla | 6-7" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Common |
White-crowned Sparrow | Zonotrichia leucophrys | 5-7" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Common |
White-throated Sparrow | Zonotrichia albiocollis | 6-7" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Rare |
Dark-eyed Junco | Junco hyemalis | 5-6" | Fall, Winter and Spring | 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 | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|
Red-Winged Blackbird | Agelaius phoeniceus | 7-9" | Year round | Uncommon |
Western Meadolark | Sturnella neglecta | 8-11" | Fall, Winter and Spring | Common |
Brewer's Blackbird | Euphagus cyanocephalus | 8-10" | Year round | Common |
Brown-headed Cowbird | Molothrus ater | 6-8" | Spring and Summer | Common |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
House Finch | Carpodacus mexicanus | 5" | Year round | Common |
Pine Siskin | Carduelis pinus | 4-5" | Year round | Common |
American Goldfinch | Carduelis tristis | 4-5" | Year round | 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 | Possibility of being seen |
---|---|---|---|---|
House Sparrow | Passer domesticus | 5-6" | Year round | Common |
Links
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 Sancturary, 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