Birds in California

If you’re capable of exploring different states, as a birdwatcher, you can never miss out on birds in California. The state has recorded more birds than any other. If you take one look at the sheer size of California and the interesting amalgamation of habitats, it makes sense that birds would find the state to be favorable to live in. From being the land of Mojave Desert to owning the United States’s highest peak to the 840-mile stretching coastline, birdwatchers in California are an active bunch, always on the alert for the state’s rare birds.

What Is The State Bird Of California?

Named the official state bird in 1931, California Quail is a plump little fellow, with a black bird and plume. The bib has a white stripe encircling it. This bird species likes spending its time on the ground. However, it is known to be quite temperamental and ready to fight when disturbed.

Video of 60 Birds to Look For in California

Pictures of 60 Birds You Can See in California

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What Are The Top Spots To Go Bird Watching in California?

Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges Complex offers you two refuges where you could fulfill your bird watching desires, Tule Lake and Lower Klamath. The area surrounding these refugees has been developed for agriculture. Because of this, it attracts a large number of waterfowl and Bald Eagles. The other attractions are the Sage Thrasher, Tricolored Blackbird, Say’s Phoebe, Rock Wren among many.

Regarded among America’s iconic parks, the Yosemite National parks are also a small paradise for birdwatchers who want to find interesting birds in California. Among the large coniferous forests, birds such as Black-throated Gray Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee thrive here.

The Morro Bay state park also gives you a great vantage point to peep some Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron and Snowy Egret.

How Many Birds Can You See In California?

Over 710 birds have been spotted among the birds in California, making it the highest count among any states. The wonderful Los Angeles alone has seen 548 bird species as its resident or passerby. A close second is San Diego with 546 and then Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and Mari have 546, 509, and 505 respectively.

The county’s well-known hotspot is Southeast Farallon Island with a gathering of 429 different species. However, the area is restricted and needs special permission for visitors. The second most popular area in Hayward Regional Shoreline with 367 species. Andrew Molera SP–Big Sur River mouth also makes for a good choice with 360.

Top Birds To See In California

Dark-eyed Junco, while present in central and southern California only during the winter season, can be found all over California for the rest of the year. These small songbirds with adorable eyes tend to feed on the ground. They also hide behind shrubs with their white tails feathers.

Allen’s Hummingbird signals early spring in California’s coastal regions. These species have a pretty reddish-brown top with a white underbelly and golden and black bib.

Except for a few areas in Oregon, California Towhees tend to make a home only in California. They tend to stick to their nests except for when they need food and make sounds that sound like someone’s tapping metal. Mates pairs tend to make squealing noises together.

Common Birds To See In California

California Towhee is a common sight in Los Angeles. Places like Sacramento see a startling amount of Mockingbird, woodpecker, house finch and so on. The city of Fresno is amassed with Bewick’s wren, Spotted sandpipers, Acorn woodpeckers.

Final thoughts

The highest bird count among all states means as a birdwatcher, even if you were to take a walk in a remote city in California, you will still come across some interesting bird species. The lakes and shores simply call out to the birds and that’s where you need to be if you want to see some.