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Birds

NOTES:

Names: Common and scientific names conform to the “Checklist of North and Middle American Birds” from the American Ornithological Society.

Abundance/Season: Abundance and seasonal data were collected by Dr. Catherine McFadden, Vivian & D. Kenneth Baker Professor of Biology at Harvey Mudd College, who has conducted monthly bird surveys at the BFS since December 2000. These data have been supplemented by observations by other BFS students, researchers, and visitors for birds not seen during the regular surveys. The most recent and complete frequency data are available on eBird, which contains data from Prof. McFadden’s surveys as well as observations reported by others.

Conservation Status: Any birds that have been assigned special protection or conservation status by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service or the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are indicated. Note that special status typically refers to nesting birds, rookeries, etc. and may not apply to some species at the BFS. Refer to the agency lists for details.

Photos and descriptions: Links labeled ‘BFS’, ‘AAB’ and ‘CP’ will direct you to the photos and/or descriptions of that species in the BFS Photo Database, ‘All About Birds’, and ‘CalPhotos’, respectively. Permissions policies for use of the linked photos are:

Additional information:


Common name Species name Abundance
/Season*
Photos &
Descriptions
Conservation
Status*
Notes
W Sp Su F

Ducks (Anatidae):

Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons w R AAB, CP

Canada Goose Branta canadensis w R R BFS, AAB, CP

Wood Duck Aix sponsa A AAB, CP

Cinnamon Teal Spatula cyanoptera w R R R BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly Anas cyanoptera

Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata w R R BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly Anas clypeata

Gadwall Mareca strepera w O R R BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly Anas strepera

American Wigeon Mareca americana w R R BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly Anas americana

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos r U C U O BFS, AAB, CP

Northern Pintail Anas acuta w R R BFS, AAB, CP

Green-winged Teal Anas crecca w R R AAB, CP

Canvasback Aythya valisineria w A AAB, CP

Redhead Aythya americana A AAB, CP CSC

Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris w O R R BFS, AAB, CP

Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis w R AAB, CP

Bufflehead Bucephala albeola w U O R BFS, AAB, CP

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula w A AAB, CP

Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus w R R AAB, CP

Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis r U U O U BFS, AAB, CP

Grouse & Quail (Odontophoridae):

California Quail Callipepla californica r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly in Phasianidae

Grebes (Podicipedidae):

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps O O R R BFS, AAB, CP

Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis A BFS, AAB, CP

Pigeons & Doves (Columbidae):

Rock Pigeon Columba livia R O O O BFS, AAB, CP

Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto x R O O O AAB, CP

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis e CP

Last seen 1990

Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Cuckoos (Cuculidae):

Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus R R R AAB, CP

Nightjars & Poor-wills (Caprimulgidae):

Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis A AAB, CP

Common Poorwill Phalaenoptilus nuttallii A AAB, CP

Swifts (Apodidae):

Vaux’s Swift Chaetura vauxi m R O AAB CSC

White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis O O R AAB, CP

Hummingbirds (Trochilidae):

Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri s U C O AAB, CP

Anna’s Hummingbird Calypte anna r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Costa’s Hummingbird Calypte costae R O R R AAB, CP BCC

Calliope Hummingbird Selasphorus calliope m A AAB, CP

Formerly Stellula calliope

Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus m R R AAB, CP BCC

Allen’s Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Coots, Rails, & Gallinules (Raillidae):

Virginia Rail Rallus limicola R R BFS, AAB, CP

Sora Porzana carolina A BFS, AAB, CP

Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata * ? ? ? ? AAB, CP

Formerly Gallinula chloropus
Formerly Common Moorhen
Seasonal data not available

American Coot Fulica americana r C C U C BFS, AAB, CP

Plovers (Charadriidae):

Killdeer Charadrius vociferous R R R O AAB, CP

Sandpipers (Scolopacidae):

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus R AAB, CP BCC

Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata R AAB, CP

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius A A BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly Actitis macularia

Gulls & Terns (Laridae):

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis R R AAB, CP

Western Gull Larus occidentalis A AAB, CP

California Gull Larus californicus A AAB, CP CWL

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia A AAB, CP BCC

Cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae):

Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus R O R R BFS, AAB, CP CWL

Pelicans (Pelecanidae):

American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos A BFS, AAB, CP CSC

Herons & bitterns (Ardeidae):

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias R R O R BFS, AAB, CP

Great Egret Ardea alba R O R R BFS, AAB, CP

Snowy Egret Egretta thula R R R BFS, AAB, CP

Green Heron Butorides virescens R O O BFS, AAB, CP

Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax O BFS, AAB, CP

Ibises and Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae):

White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi A AAB, CP CWL

New World Vultures (Cathartidae):

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura O O U O BFS, AAB, CP

Ospreys (Pandionidae):

Osprey Pandion haliaetus R O BFS, AAB, CP CWL

Formerly in Accipitridae

Hawks (Accipitridae):

White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus R R AAB, CP CFP

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos A BFS, AAB, CP CFP, CWL, BCC

Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius w A AAB, CP CSC

Formerly Circus cyaneus

Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus w U O O BFS, AAB, CP CWL

Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP CWL

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus R AAB, CP CE, CFP, BCC

Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus r O U U O BFS, AAB, CP

Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus v A AAB, CP

Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni m R R AAB, CP CT, BCC

Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis A AAB, CP CWL, BCC

Barn Owls (Tytonidae):

Barn Owl Tyto alba r R R R AAB, CP

Owls (Strigidae):

Western Screech-Owl Megascops kennicottii * ? ? ? ? AAB, CP

Seasonal data not available.

Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus r R R O O BFS, AAB, CP

Kingfishers (Alcedinidae):

Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon R R R O BFS, AAB, CP

Woodpeckers (Picidae):

Lewis’s Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis A AAB, CP BCC

Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus r U U C C BFS, AAB, CP

Red-breasted Sapsucker Sphyrapicus ruber R R AAB, CP

Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens r O O O O BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly Picoides pubescens

Nuttall’s Woodpecker Dryobates nuttallii r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly Picoides nuttallii

Hairy Woodpecker Dryobates villosus R R AAB, CP

Formerly Picoides villosus

Northern Flicker (red-shafted) Colaptes auratus w C U U BFS, AAB, CP

Falcons (Falconidae):

American Kestrel Falco sparverius R R O O BFS, AAB, CP

Merlin Falco columbarius w R R R AAB, CP CWL

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus R R R AAB, CP CFP, BCC

Parrots (Psittacidae):

Red-masked Parakeet Psittacara erythrogenys x R CP

Red-crowned Parrot Amazona viridigenalis x R R R R CP

Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae):

Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens s U U BFS, AAB, CP

Cassin’s Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans r U O O U BFS, AAB, CP

Thick-billed Kingbird Tyrannus crassirostris v A BNA

Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis s O U R AAB, CP

Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi m O AAB, CP CSC, BCC

Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus m O R R BFS, AAB, CP

Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii extimus m R R R AAB, CP FE, CE, BCC

Hammond’s Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii m R R AAB, CP

Gray Flycatcher Empidonax wrightii m R AAB, CP

Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri m A AAB, CP

Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis m O R R AAB, CP

Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Say’s Phoebe Sayornis saya r O R R U BFS, AAB, CP

Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus A AAB, CP CSC

Shrikes (Laniidae):

Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus A AAB, CP CSC, BCC

Vireos (Vireonidae):

Bell’s Vireo Vireo bellii pusillus m R AAB, CP FE, CE

Hutton’s Vireo Vireo huttoni r O O R O AAB, CP

Cassin’s Vireo Vireo cassinii m O AAB, CP

Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus A AAB

Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus m O R BFS, AAB, CP

Crows & Jays (Corvidae):

Steller’s Jay Cyanocitta stelleri A AAB, CP

California Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly Western Scrub-Jay

American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Common Raven Corvus corax r U U O O BFS, AAB, CP

Swallows (Hirundinidae):

Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor m A AAB, CP

Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina m O R R AAB, CP

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis s C U BFS, AAB, CP

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica s O U R AAB, CP

Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota s O U AAB, CP

Chickadees & Titmice (Paridae):

Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambeli O R R R AAB, CP

Oak Titmouse Baeolophus inornatus r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP BCC

Bushtits (Aegithalidae):

Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Nuthatches & Wallcreepers (Sittidae):

Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis R AAB, CP

White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis R R R O AAB, CP

Wrens (Troglodytidae):

Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus A AAB, CP

Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris A AAB, CP

House Wren Troglodytes aedon r O C U O BFS, AAB, CP

Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus e BFS, AAB, CP CSC, BCC

Last seen 2007

Gnatcatchers (Polioptilidae):

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea r U O O C BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly in Sylviidae

California Gnatcatcher Polioptila californica e AAB, CP FT, CSC

Formerly in Sylviidae
Last seen 1994

Kinglets (Regulidae):

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula w C U U AAB, CP

Sylvid Babblers (Sylviidae):

Wrentit Chamaea fasciata r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Thrushes (Turdidae):

Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana r U U U U BFS, AAB, CP

Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus m R AAB, CP

Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus w C U U AAB, CP

American Robin Turdus migratorius r U O O O BFS, AAB, CP

Mimic Thrushes (Mimidae):

Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum v R AAB, CP

California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus m A BFS, AAB, CP

Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Starlings (Sturnidae):

European Starling Sturnus vulgaris r C C U C AAB, CP

Waxwings (Bombycillidae):

Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum w U U O BFS, AAB, CP

Silky Flycatchers (Ptilogonatidae):

Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens r U C C U BFS, AAB, CP

Weaver Finches (Ploceidae):

Northern Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus x A

Indigobirds (Viduidae):

Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura x R R CP

Waxbills (Estrildidae):

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata x A CP

Formerly Nutmeg Mannikin

Old World Sparrows (Passeridae):

House Sparrow Passer domesticus r U U U O AAB, CP

Finches (Fringillidae):

House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly Carpodacus mexicanus

Purple Finch Haemorhous purpureus w U U R U BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly Carpodacus purpureus

Cassin’s Finch Haemorhous cassinii A AAB, CP

Formerly Carpodacus cassinii

Pine Siskin Spinus pinus w R R R AAB, CP

Formerly Carduelis pinus

Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly Carduelis psaltria

Lawrence’s Goldfinch Spinus lawrencei O R R BFS, AAB, CP BCC

American Goldfinch Spinus tristis w U O R O AAB, CP

Formerly Carduelis tristis

New World Sparrows (Passerellidae):

Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
w O O O U BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly in Emberizidae

Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina R O R O AAB, CP

Formerly in Emberizidae

Brewer’s Sparrow Spizella breweri m R R AAB, CP BCC

Formerly in Emberizidae

Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca w U O O AAB, CP

Formerly in Emberizidae

Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) Junco hyemalis r U O O AAB, CP

Formerly in Emberizidae

White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys w C U C BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly in Emberizidae

Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla w O O R AAB, CP

Formerly in Emberizidae

White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis v R R AAB, CP

Formerly in Emberizidae

Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis R R O AAB, CP

Formerly in Emberizidae

Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly in Emberizidae

Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii w O O O BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly in Emberizidae

California Towhee Melozone crissalis r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly Pipilo crissalis
Formerly in Emberizidae

Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly in Emberizidae

Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteriidae):

Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens m R AAB, CP CSC

Formerly in Parulidae

Blackbirds & Orioles (Icteridae):

Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus A BFS, AAB, CP CSC

Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta R R O BFS, AAB, CP

Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus s U U R BFS, AAB, CP

Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii s R O AAB, CP

Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus R U O O BFS, AAB, CP

Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater s U U R BFS, AAB, CP

Brewer’s Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus R R AAB, CP

Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus O R BFS, AAB, CP

Wood Warblers (Parulidae):

Orange-crowned Warbler Leiothlypis celata m O U R U AAB, CP

Formerly Oreothlypis celata

Nashville Warbler Leiothlypis ruficapilla m O R AAB, CP

Formerly Oreothlypis celata

MacGillivray’s Warbler Geothlypis tolmiei m R R AAB, CP

Formerly Oporornis tolmiei

Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas r U C U U BFS, AAB, CP

Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia m O R BFS, AAB, CP CSC, BCC

Formerly Dendroica petechia

Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata w C U R U BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly Dendroica coronata

Black-throated Gray Warbler Setophaga nigrescens m R O R AAB, CP

Formerly Dendroica nigrescens

Townsend’s Warbler Setophaga townsendi m O R AAB, CP

Formerly Dendroica townsendi

Hermit Warbler Setophaga occidentalis m R AAB, CP

Formerly Dendroica occidentalis

Wilson’s Warbler Cardellina pusilla m U O AAB, CP

Formerly Wilsonia pusilla

Cardinals & Grosbeaks (Cardinalidae):

Summer Tanager Piranga rubra v R AAB, CP CSC

Formerly in Thraupidae

Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana m R U U O BFS, AAB, CP

Formerly in Thraupidae

Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis x A BFS, AAB, CP CWL

Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus s U C O BFS, AAB, CP

Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea R AAB, CP

Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena m O R R AAB, CP


Unconfirmed species reports:
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus
Greater Scaup Aythya marila
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor
American Pipit Anthus rubescens

*Key:

Abundance/Season:
C = common, seen on >70% of visits
U = uncommon, seen on 30-70% of visits
O = occasional, seen on 10-30% of visits
R = rare, seen on <10% of visits
A = accidental, seen on only one occasion
 
r = resident (present all year, presumably breed at BFS or nearby)
s = summer visitor
w = winter visitor
m = migrant
v = vagrant, outside normal range
x = exotic
e = extirpated, no longer occur at the BFS
* = Reported by a reliable observer, but seasonal data are not available.
 
W = Dec-Feb
Sp = Mar-May
Su = Jun-Aug
F = Sep-Nov
Conservation Status:
Note that special status typically refers to nesting birds, rookeries, etc. Refer to agency lists for details.
FE = Federal Endangered Species
FT = Federal Threatened Species
CE = California Endangered species (State and Federally Listed Endangered Animals of California [pdf] (November 2020)
CT = California Threatened species (State and Federally Listed Endangered Animals of California [pdf] (November 2020)
CSC = California Bird Species of Special Concern, California Department of Fish & Wildlife
CWL = California Department of Fish & Wildlife Watch List (Special Animals [pdf], California Department of Fish & Wildlife (November 2020)
CFP = California Department of Fish & Wildlife Fully Protected
BCC = Birds of Conservation Concern 2008, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Program
 
Links to Photos and Descriptions:
BFS = Robert J. Bernard Biological Field Station. Most of the birds shown were photographed at the BFS. Additional photographs taken elsewhere have been generously provided to the BFS by Claremont Colleges faculty, students, and staff, and additional photographers.
AAB = ‘All About Birds’ species accounts. From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
CP = CalPhotos Digital Library Project, UC Berkeley. Clicking the CalPhotos link for a listing will return a display of all photos for that taxon. If you want to use any of these photos, be sure to check the guidelines for Using the Photos in CalPhotos

© 2001-2021 Bernard Field Station Faculty Advisory Committee
Page last updated 26 October 2021 by Nancy Hamlett.