Birds of California

California has over 680 species of birds, per the list published by the California Bird Records Committee. Two of the many birds dwelling here, the island scrub-jay and Yellow-billed magpie, are endemic to California.

You would find pretty birds throughout the state, with birds like the California towhee, Allen’s hummingbird, and California scrub-jay occurring more in northern California. Whereas the house finch, Allen’s hummingbird, and spotted towhee mostly inhabit southern California.

The California quail, or valley quail, has been California’s official state bird since 1931. A popular game bird, it is primarily in season during winter.

Dark-eyed Junco
Allen’s Hummingbird
California Quail
California Towhee
Island Scrub-jay
Northern Mockingbird
Oak Titmouse
Cooper’s Hawk
Great Blue Heron
California Gull
Cedar Waxwing
Hooded Oriole
Anna’s Hummingbird
House Finch
California Scrub Jay
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-shouldered Hawk
Black Oystercatcher
Black-necked Stilt
Brown Pelican
Yellow Warbler
California Condor
Golden Eagle
Spotted Towhee
Greater Sage-Grouse
Western Bluebird
Long-billed Curlew
Sandhill Crane
Surf Scoter
Western Grebe
Western Snowy Plover
Heermann’s Gull
Greater White-Fronted Goose
Tundra Swan
Tufted Puffin
Pelagic Cormorant
Mountain Plover
Snowy Plover
Yellow-breasted Chat
White-Tailed Kite
Yellow-Billed Magpie
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Acorn Woodpecker
Band-Tailed Pigeon
Spotted Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Lawrence’s Goldfinch
Costa’s Hummingbird
Mountain Quail
California Thrasher
European Starling
White-Headed Woodpecker
Black-Chinned Sparrow
Mourning Dove
Black Phoebe
American Goldfinch

Birds of Prey: California Condor, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Harris’ Hawk

Backyard Birds: Anna’s Hummingbird, House Finch, California Scrub-jay, Northern Mockingbird, Mourning Dove

Birds found on the Beaches: Great Blue Heron, Snowy Plover, California Gull

Common Birds Identification by Color

Black Birds

Red-winged Blackbird
European Starling
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird

Yellow Birds

American Goldfinch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Evening Grosbeak

White Birds

Glaucous Gill
Snowy Owl
Iceland Gull
Trumpeter Swan
Great Egret

Blue Birds

California Scrub Jay
Western Bluebird
Great Blue Heron
Tree Swallow
Belted Kingfisher

Red Birds

House Finch
Red Crossbill
Summer Tanager (male)
Pine Grosbeak
Hepatic Tanager

References
- https://www.californiabirds.org/checklist.asp

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