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Birds

NOTES:

Names: Bird species are named according to List of the 2,048 Bird Species (with Scientific and English Names) Known from the A.O.U. Check-list Area, 7th ed., including revisions through 2008 (49th Supplement), from the The American Ornithologists’ Union.

Photos and descriptions: Links labeled ‘BFS’ are pages created for the Bernard Field Station. Photos on the BFS pages may be used for any personal or academic purposes as long as notification of use is sent to the BFS Webmaster and the image is clearly credited with ©[Name of photographer]. For higher-resolution images, please contact the photographer. Note that no photos taken at the BFS may be used for commercial purposes without the express permission of the Claremont University Consortium. You must have pop-ups enabled to view the BFS pages.

Links labeled ‘AAB’ and ‘BNA’ are species accounts from the ‘All About Birds’ and ‘Birds of North America Online’ websites at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. ‘AAB’ pages are accessible to anyone, but access to ‘BNA’ pages requires an institutional or individual subscription. The Claremont Colleges libraries have an institutional subscription, and these links can be accessed from Claremont Colleges IP addresses. Note that NO photographs from the ‘All About Birds’ or ‘Birds of North America Online’ sites may be downloaded, copied, archived, modified, or used for any reason, including posting on personal or other web sites, without permission of the photographer.
Common name Species name Abundance
/Season*		 Status* Source* Photos &
Descriptions
W Sp Su F

Ducks (Anatidae):
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons w A – – – S AAB, BNA, CP
Canada Goose Branta canadensis w – A – – S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus A – – –   S AAB, BNA, CP
Wood Duck Aix sponsa – A – –   S AAB, BNA, CP
Gadwall Anas strepera w O R – R S AAB, BNA, CP
American Wigeon Anas americana w O – – O S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos r O C U O S, J BFS, AAB, CP
Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera w R R – R S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata w A – – – S AAB, BNA, CP
Northern Pintail Anas acuta w A – – – S AAB, BNA, CP
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca w A – – – S AAB, BNA, CP
Canvasback Aythya valisineria w A – – – S AAB, BNA, CP
Redhead Aythya americana – – – A CSC S AAB, BNA, CP
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris w U R – R S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Greater Scaup Aythya marila w A – – – S AAB, BNA, CP
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis w R – – – S AAB, BNA, CP
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola w U O – R S, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula w A – – – S AAB, BNA, CP
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus w A – – – S AAB, BNA, CP
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis r C U U U S, J, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

Grouse & Quail (Odontophoridae):
California Quail Callipepla californica

Formerly in Phasianidae, Callipepla is now placed in Odontophoridae.

 r C C C C   S, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

Grebes (Podicipedidae):
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps O O R R S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis A – – – S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

Pelicans (Pelecanidae):
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos – A – – FSC, CSC S AAB, BNA, CP

Cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae):
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus R R R R FSC, CWL S AAB, BNA, CP

Herons & bitterns (Ardeidae):
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias – R R – FSC, CFFS S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Great Egret Ardea alba R O O R CFFS S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Snowy Egret Egretta thula R – – – S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Green Heron Butorides virescens – O O – S, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax – R O – FSC, BLMS S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

New World Vultures (Cathartidae):
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura R U U U FSC S AAB, BNA, CP

Hawks (Accipitridae):
Osprey Pandion haliaetus – – – O FSC, CFFS, CWL S AAB, BNA, CP
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus – R – – FSC, CFP, CaPIF S AAB, BNA, CP
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus A – – – CFP, CFFS S AAB, BNA, CP
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus w A – – – FSC, CSC, CaPIF S AAB, BNA, CP
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus w U O – R FSC, CWL S, R AAB, BNA, CP
Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii r C C C C FSC, CWL S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus r O O O O FSC S AAB, BNA, CP
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus v – – – A S AAB, BNA, CP
Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni m – A – – USWL, FSS, BCC, CT, CaPIF S AAB, BNA, CP
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis r C C C C S, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis * (no data) BLMS, CWL, BCC, CaPIF S AAB, BNA, CP
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos A – – – FSC, BLMS, CFFS, CFP, CWL, BCC S AAB, BNA, CP

Falcons (Falconidae):
American Kestrel Falco sparverius R R R O S AAB, BNA, CP
Merlin Falco columbarius w R R – – FSC, CWL S AAB, BNA, CP
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus A – – – CFFS, CFP, BCC S AAB, BNA, CP

Coots, Rails, & Gallinules (Raillidae):
Virginia Rail Rallus limicola – – – A S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Sora Porzana carolina – – – A S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus * (no data) S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
American Coot Fulica americana r C C C C S, J, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

Plovers (Charadriidae):
Killdeer Charadrius vociferous R R R R S, R AAB, BNA, CP

Sandpipers (Scolopacidae):
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia – – – A S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus – R – – S AAB, BNA, CP
Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata – – – A S AAB, BNA, CP

Gulls & Terns (Laridae):
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis R R – – S AAB, BNA, CP
California Gull Larus californicus * (no data) CWL S AAB, BNA, CP

Pigeons & Doves (Columbidae):
Rock Pigeon Columba livia O O O O S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata r C C C C FSC S BFS, AAB, BNA
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis e (last seen 1990) S BNA, CP
Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto x – – A – S AAB, BNA, CP
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura r C C C C S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

Parrots (Psittacidae):
Red-crowned Parrot Amazona viridigenalis x – – A – USWL S, E BNA, CP

Cuckoos (Cuculidae):
Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus – – – A CaPIF S, E AAB, BNA, CP

Barn Owls (Tytonidae):
Barn Owl Tyto alba r R R – – S AAB, BNA, CP

Owls (Strigidae):
Western Screech-Owl Megascops kennicottii * (no data) S AAB, BNA, CP
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus r – O O R S, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

Nightjars & Poor-wills (Caprimulgidae):
Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis – A – – FSC, CaPIF S BNA
Common Poorwill Phalaenoptilus nuttallii – A – –   S AAB, BNA, CP

Swifts (Apodidae):
Vaux’s Swift Chaetura vauxi m – R – O FSC, CSC S AAB, BNA
White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis – O O – S AAB, BNA

Hummingbirds (Trochilidae):
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri s – U C U S, R AAB, BNA, CP
Anna’s Hummingbird Calypte anna r C C C C S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Costa’s Hummingbird Calypte costae O O O R USWL, CaPIF S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Calliope Hummingbird Stellula calliope m – A – – USWL S AAB, BNA, CP
Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus m – R R – FSC, BCC S AAB, BNA, CP
Allen’s Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin r C C C C USWL S AAB, BNA, CP

Kingfishers (Alcedinidae):
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon R R R R S BFS, AAB, BNA

Woodpeckers (Picidae):
Lewis’s Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis – – – A USWL, BCC S AAB, BNA, CP
Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus r U U C C CaPIF S, R, E AAB, BNA, CP
Red-breasted Sapsucker Sphyrapicus ruber R – – R S AAB, BNA, CP
Nuttall's Woodpecker Picoides nuttallii r C C C C USWL, CaPIF S, R, E AAB, BNA, CP
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens r O O O O S AAB, BNA, CP
Northern Flicker (red-shafted) Colaptes auratus w C U – C S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae):
Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi m – O – – FSC, CSC, NT, USWL, BCC S, R AAB, BNA
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus m – O – R S AAB, BNA, CP
Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii extimus m – – – R FE, CE, USWL, FSS, CaPIF S AAB, BNA
Hammond’s Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii m – R – R S AAB, BNA, CP
Gray Flycatcher Empidonax wrightii m – R – – S AAB, BNA
Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri m – A – – S AAB, BNA, CP
Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis m – O R – S AAB, BNA
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans r U C C C S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Say’s Phoebe Sayornis saya w O – – O S AAB, BNA, CP
Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens s – U C –   S, R AAB, BNA, CP
Cassin’s Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans O – R R S, R AAB, BNA
Thick-billed Kingbird Tyrannus crassirostris v A – – – USWL S BNA
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis s – O O R S AAB, BNA, CP

Shrikes (Laniidae):
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus – – – A FSC, CSC, BCC S AAB, BNA, CP

Vireos (Vireonidae):
Bell’s Vireo Vireo bellii pusillus m – – A – FE, CE, NT, USWL, BCC, CaPIF S AAB, BNA
Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus – A – – S AAB, BNA
Cassin’s Vireo Vireo cassinii m – R – – S AAB, BNA, CP
Hutton’s Vireo Vireo huttoni r R O R –   S AAB, BNA, CP
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus m – O R – CaPIF S, R AAB, BNA, CP

Crows & Jays (Corvidae):
Steller’s Jay Cyanocitta stelleri * (no data) S AAB, BNA, CP
Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica r C C C C CaPIF S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos r C C C C S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Common Raven Corvus corax r O O R R S AAB, BNA, CP

Swallows (Hirundinidae):
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor m (no data) FSC, CaPIF S AAB, BNA, CP
Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina m – O – R S AAB, BNA, CP
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis s – C U – S, R AAB, BNA
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota s – O U – S AAB, BNA, CP
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica – O O R S AAB, BNA, CP

Chickadees & Titmice (Paridae):
Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambeli O R R R S AAB, BNA, CP
Oak Titmouse Baeolophus inornatus r C C C C USWL, CaPIF S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

Bushtits (Aegithalidae):
Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus r C C C C S, R, E AAB, BNA, CP

Nuthatches & Wallcreepers (Sittidae):
Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis A – – – S AAB, BNA, CP
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis R – R R FSC S AAB, BNA, CP

Wrens (Troglodytidae):
Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus r U U U U FSC, CSC, BCC, CaPIF S, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus - - - A S AAB, BNA, CP
Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii r C C C C   S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
House Wren Troglodytes aedon r O C U O S, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

Kinglets (Regulidae):
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula w C U – U S, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

Gnatcatchers (Sylviidae):
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea

Formerly in Polioptilidae, Polioptila is now placed in Sylviidae.

 w C O R C CaPIF S, R AAB, BNA, CP
California Gnatcatcher Polioptila californica

Formerly in Polioptilidae, Polioptila is now placed in Sylviidae.

 e (last seen 1994) FT, CSC, USWL, CaPIF – BNA

Thrushes (Turdidae):
Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana r O U O O FSC, CaPIF S AAB, BNA, CP
Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus m – R – – CaPIF S, R AAB, BNA, CP
Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus w U U – U S AAB, BNA, CP
American Robin Turdus migratorius w C U R O S, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

Babblers (Timaliidae):
Wrentit Chamaea fasciata r C C C C USWL, CaPIF S, R, E AAB, BNA, CP

Mimic Thrushes (Mimidae):
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos r C C C C S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus m – – – A S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum v A – – – S AAB, BNA, CP
California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum r C C C C USWL S, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

Starlings (Sturnidae):
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris r C U U U   S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP

Waxwings (Bombycillidae):
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum w U U – U S AAB, BNA, CP

Silky Flycatchers (Ptilogonatidae):
Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens r C C C C S, R, E AAB, BNA, CP

Wood Warblers (Parulidae):
Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata m O U – U S, R AAB, BNA, CP
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla m – U – R S AAB, BNA, CP
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia m – U – R FSC, CSC, CaPIF S, R, J AAB, BNA, CP
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata w C U R U S, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Black-throated Gray Warbler Dendroica nigrescens m – O – R S, R AAB, BNA, CP
Townsend’s Warbler Dendroica townsendi m – O – R S, R AAB, BNA, CP
Hermit Warbler Dendroica occidentalis m – R – – USWL S, R AAB, BNA, CP
MacGillivray’s Warbler Oporornis tolmiei m – R – – FSC S AAB, BNA, CP
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas r U U U U CaPIF S, R AAB, BNA, CP
Wilson’s Warbler Wilsonia pusilla m – U – R FSC, CaPIF S, R AAB, BNA, CP
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens m – R – – FSC, CSC, CaPIF S AAB, BNA, CP

Tanagers (Thraupidae):
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra m – A – – FSC, CSC S AAB, BNA, CP
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana m R U O O S, R AAB, BNA

Sparrows, Towhees, & Juncos (Emberizidae):
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus r C C C C   S, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
California Towhee Pipilo crissalis r C C C C   S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina w R R – R S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus w O R – O CaPIF S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis – R – R FSC, CaPIF S AAB, BNA, CP
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca w U U – R S AAB, BNA, CP
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia r C C U C FSC, CSC, CaPIF S, R AAB, BNA, CP
Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii w O O – O S AAB, BNA, CP
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis v A – – – S AAB, BNA, CP
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys w C U – C S, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla w O O – R S AAB, BNA, CP
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) Junco hyemalis w U O – U S AAB, BNA, CP

Cardinals & Grosbeaks (Cardinalidae):
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis x A – – – CWL S AAB, BNA, CP
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus s R U C O CaPIF S, R BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea – A – – CaPIF S AAB, BNA
Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena m – O – – S AAB, BNA, CP

Blackbirds & Orioles (Icteridae):
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus R U O O S AAB, BNA, CP
Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta O – – O CaPIF S AAB, BNA, CP
Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus – – – A CSC S BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Brewer’s Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus – A – – S AAB, BNA, CP
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus – O O – S AAB, BNA, CP
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater s – U U R S, R AAB, BNA, CP
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus s – U U – BCC S, R AAB, BNA, CP
Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii s – O O – S, R AAB, BNA, CP

Finches (Fringillidae):
Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus U U R O S AAB, BNA, CP
Cassin’s Finch Carpodacus cassinii A – – – S AAB, BNA, CP
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus r C C C C S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus R R – R S AAB, BNA, CP
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria r C C C C S, R, E BFS, AAB, BNA, CP
Lawrence’s Goldfinch Carduelis lawrencei – O O R USWL, BCC S AAB, BNA, CP
American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis C O O O S, R AAB, BNA, CP

Old World Sparrows (Passeridae):
House Sparrow Passer domesticus r O O U R S AAB, BNA, CP

Weaver Finches (Ploceidae):
Orange Bishop Euplectes franciscanus x – – A – S

Waxbills (Estrildidae):
Nutmeg Mannikin Lonchura punctulata x R – – – S
Unconfirmed species reports:
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
Abundance and seasonal data collected by Dr. Catherine McFadden, Vivian & D. Kenneth Baker Professor of Biology at Harvey Mudd College, who has conducted monthly bird surveys since December 2000.
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
FSC = Listed as a ‘Species of Concern’ by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Note that ‘Species of Concern’ is an informal term referring to a species that might be in need of conservation action; it does not confer any special regulatory status.
CE = California Endangered species (State and Federally Listed Endangered Animals of California [pdf], February 2009)
CT = California Threatened species (State and Federally Listed Endangered Animals of California [pdf], February 2009)
CSC = California Species of Special Concern (Special Animals [pdf], California Department of Fish & Game, March 2009)
CWL = California Department of Fish & Game Watch List (Special Animals [pdf], California Department of Fish & Game, March 2009)
CFP = California Department of Fish & Game Fully Protected (Special Animals [pdf], California Department of Fish & Game, March 2009)
BCC = Birds of Conservation Concern 2002 [pdf], U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management
CFFS = Designated as ‘Sensitive’ by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection according to the California Forest Practice Rules 2008 [pdf]
NT = Classified as ‘Near Threatened’ on the 2009 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with Bird Updates for 2009
USWL = The United States WatchList of Birds of Conservation Concern, a joint project between American Bird Conservancy and the National Audubon Society.
CaPIF = Designated as a focus species for Coastal Scrub & Chaparral, Grasslands, Oak Woodlands, or Riparian Bird Conservation Plans by California Partners in Flight
 
Sources:
E = Envicom field survey on the Robert J. Bernard Biological Field Station, September 28 and October 13, 1998
R = Recon survey of the the Bernard Biological Field Station, 1996
J = JNE & Assoc., Inc. 1996 surveys of pHake Lake
S = Confirmed sightings by BFS faculty and researchers
 
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.
BNA = Poole, A., and F. Gill, eds. The Birds of North America, No. 292. The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Available online at http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/BNA/ to individuals or institutions with a subscription.

© 2001-2012 Bernard Field Station Faculty Advisory Committee
Page last updated 6 September 2012 by Nancy Hamlett.