California is home to a wide variety of birdlife, from large soaring eagles to tiny songbirds. In this blog post, we will focus on the small birds of California. These birds range in size from the tiny Anna’s hummingbird, which is only about 3 inches long, to the larger house finch, which is about 6 inches long.
Small birds play an important role in the ecosystem. They help to pollinate plants, disperse seeds, and control insect populations. They are also a joy to watch, with their bright colors and acrobatic flying skills.
California is home to a wide variety of small birds, from the tiny Anna’s hummingbird to the larger house finch. These birds play an important role in the ecosystem and are a joy to watch.
This blog post will provide you with a guide to the small birds of California, including information on their identification, habitat, and behavior.
Contents
- 1 Small Birds in California
- 2 House Wren
- 2.1 Rock Wren
- 2.2 California Quail
- 2.3 California Towhee
- 2.4 Lesser Goldfinch
- 2.5 Allen’s Hummingbird
- 2.6 Anna’s Hummingbird
- 2.7 Western Bluebird
- 2.8 Verdin
- 2.9 Cactus Wren
- 2.10 Black-chinned Hummingbird
- 2.11 Yellow Warbler
- 2.12 Yellow-rumped Warbler
- 2.13 Lazuli Bunting
- 2.14 Vermilion Flycatcher
- 2.15 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
- 2.16 Barn Swallow
- 2.17 Tree Swallow
- 2.18 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
- 2.19 Downy Woodpecker
- 2.20 Common Yellowthroat
- 2.21 Summer Tanager
- 2.22 Western Tanager
- 2.23 European Starling
- 2.24 House Finch
- 2.25 Red-winged Blackbird
- 2.26 Common Ground Dove
- 2.27 Blue Grosbeak
- 2.28 Bushtit
- 2.29 Oak Titmouse
- 2.30 American Goldfinch
- 2.31 Chipping Sparrow
- 2.32 Song Sparrow
- 3 Conclusion
Small Birds in California
- House Wren
- Rock Wren
- California Quail
- California Towhee
- Lesser Goldfinch
- Allen’s Hummingbird
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Western Bluebird
- Verdin
- Cactus Wren
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Yellow Warbler
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Lazuli Bunting
- Vermilion Flycatcher
- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
- Barn swallow
- Tree swallow
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet
- Downy Woodpecker
- Common Yellowthroat
- Summer Tanager
- Western Tanager
- European Starling
- House Finch
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Common Ground-Dove
- Blue Grosbeak
- Bushtit
- Oak Titmouse
- American Goldfinch
- Chipping Sparrow
- Song Sparrow
House Wren
House Wrens can be found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, thickets, and even residential areas.
Their primary food source consists of insects, spiders, and various other small invertebrates.
House Wrens display distinctive features, including brownish-streaked upperparts, complemented by white underparts, and a long, thin tail.
Their plumage exhibits a combination of brown, white, and black hues, making them easily distinguishable.
House Wrens are known for their active and acrobatic nature, frequently observed flitting about in the undergrowth.
These birds typically breed during the months from April to August, a period when their reproductive activity is at its peak.
One fascinating aspect of House Wrens is their cavity-nesting behavior, as they often take over old nests of other birds, such as robins or bluebirds, rather than building their own from scratch.
Rock Wren
The Rock Wren prefers to live on rocky cliffs and outcrops. It feeds on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. This bird has brownish-streaked upperparts, white underparts, and a short, stubby tail. Its colors are a mix of brown, white, and black. The Rock Wren is very active and acrobatic, often seen flitting about on rocks and cliffs. It breeds from May to August. A fun fact about the Rock Wren is that it is an excellent climber and can even cling to vertical surfaces.
California Quail
The California Quail is commonly found in chaparral, woodlands, and grasslands. Its diet includes seeds, fruits, insects, and spiders. This bird has a brownish-gray body with black-tipped feathers, a white belly, and a distinctive crest. Its colors consist of brown, gray, white, and black. The California Quail is gregarious and is often seen in flocks of up to 50 birds. It breeds from March to June. A fun fact about the California Quail is that it is known for its loud, whistling calls, which it uses to communicate with other quails.
California Towhee
The California Towhee prefers habitats such as chaparral, woodlands, and grasslands. It primarily feeds on seeds, fruits, insects, and spiders. This bird has a brownish-gray body with black-tipped feathers, a white belly, and a long, pointed tail. Its colors include brown, gray, white, and black. The California Towhee is active and ground-dwelling, often seen foraging in leaf litter. It breeds from March to June. A fun fact about the California Towhee is that it is recognized for its loud, metallic calls, which it uses to attract mates.
Lesser Goldfinch
The Lesser Goldfinch is commonly found in open woodlands, meadows, and fields. Its diet consists of seeds, fruits, and insects. This bird has a yellow body with a black head and wings, as well as a white stripe on the forehead. Its colors are mainly yellow, black, and white. The Lesser Goldfinch is active and acrobatic, often seen flitting about in trees and shrubs. It breeds from May to August. A fun fact about the Lesser Goldfinch is that it is known for its beautiful songs, which it uses to attract mates.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird is a small, vibrant bird with a brilliant red throat (gorget) and greenish upperparts. They are commonly found along the western coast of North America, from Oregon to Baja California. Allen’s Hummingbirds feed primarily on nectar from flowers and are also attracted to sugar-water feeders. They are known for their incredible agility and rapid wing beats, allowing them to hover and dart with precision.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird that displays striking colors, including iridescent green and pink plumage on its head and throat. Males have bright pinkish-red throats, while females have a more subdued green coloration. Anna’s Hummingbirds are common along the western coast of North America, ranging from southern Alaska to Baja California. Like other hummingbirds, they feed on nectar and insects, and they are also known for their distinctive courtship displays.
Western Bluebird
Western Bluebird is a small thrush species known for its beautiful blue plumage on the upperparts, rusty-red breast, and white belly. These species are the most beautiful blue birds in California. They are commonly found in open woodlands and grasslands across western North America. Western Bluebirds primarily feed on insects and fruits, and they are cavity-nesters, often using old woodpecker holes or nest boxes for breeding.
Verdin
Verdin is a tiny, active bird with a distinctive appearance, featuring a yellow head and underparts, a grayish-brown back, and a thin, pointed bill. They are found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. Verdin primarily feeds on insects and nectar, and they are skilled at building intricate, spherical nests made from twigs and plant fibers.
Cactus Wren
Cactus Wren is a large wren species with bold, distinctive markings, including a white stripe above the eye, dark bars on the wings and tail, and a mottled brown back. They are well-adapted to desert environments and are commonly found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Cactus Wrens are primarily insectivorous and known for their elaborate, globe-shaped nests built among cacti.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird is a small hummingbird species with dark, shimmering green plumage on the upperparts and a blackish, iridescent throat (gorget) that appears black when viewed from some angles, but with a flash of iridescent violet when caught in the right light. They are commonly found in western North America, from the Pacific Northwest to Mexico. Black-chinned Hummingbirds feed on nectar from a variety of flowers and are known for their impressive migration journeys. These species are the beautiful black birds in California.
Yellow Warbler
The Yellow Warbler is a small, bright yellow songbird with a sweet, melodic song. It is commonly found across North America in various habitats, including woodlands, marshes, and gardens. The Yellow Warbler feeds on insects and spiders, and during the breeding season, they build cup-shaped nests woven with plant fibers.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
The Yellow-rumped Warbler is a medium-sized songbird with distinctive patches of yellow on its rump and sides. It has a grayish-blue back and is found across North America in various environments, including forests, woodlands, and parks. This warbler is known for its ability to digest waxes from bayberries and other fruits, which allows it to survive in colder climates when insects are scarce.
Lazuli Bunting
The Lazuli Bunting is a striking bird with vibrant blue plumage on its head, back, and tail, while the underparts are rich cinnamon-brown. It is commonly found in western North America, particularly in brushy habitats and open woodlands. Lazuli Buntings primarily feed on seeds and insects and are known for their cheerful, warbling songs.
Vermilion Flycatcher
The Vermilion Flycatcher is a small, brilliantly red bird with a contrasting black mask around its eyes and wings. It is found in parts of the southwestern United States and throughout Central and South America. As their name suggests, Vermilion Flycatchers feed on insects, and they are often seen perched on open branches or wires, waiting to catch flying insects on the wing.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a tiny, active songbird with mostly blue-gray plumage and a distinctive white eye ring. It is commonly found in woodlands and shrubby habitats across eastern and western North America. The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher feeds on insects, particularly small flying insects like gnats, and is known for its high-pitched, delicate calls.
Barn Swallow
The Barn Swallow is a medium-sized bird with a deeply forked tail, steel-blue upperparts, and a rufous-colored throat and underparts. It is a highly acrobatic flyer and is commonly seen swooping and gliding through the air, catching insects on the wing. Barn Swallows are found across North America and are often associated with open fields, farms, and bodies of water.
Tree Swallow
The Tree Swallow is a medium-sized swallow with iridescent blue-green upperparts and white underparts. They are found across North America, often near bodies of water where they feed on flying insects. Tree Swallows are cavity-nesters and readily use nest boxes for breeding.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a small, energetic songbird with olive-green plumage and a bright red crown patch, which is often concealed unless the bird is excited or agitated. It is commonly found in coniferous and mixed forests across North America. Ruby-crowned Kinglets feed on insects and are known for their rapid, high-pitched songs.
Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is a small woodpecker species with black and white plumage and a distinctive ladder-like pattern on its back. They are found throughout North America and are commonly seen in woodlands and suburban areas. Downy Woodpeckers feed on insects and are skilled at excavating holes in trees to find their prey.
Common Yellowthroat
The Common Yellowthroat is a small warbler with a yellow face, olive upperparts, and a distinctive black mask across its eyes. They are found in marshes, wetlands, and shrubby areas across North America. Common Yellowthroats feed on insects and are known for their “witchety-witchety-witchety” song, which sounds like they are saying their name.
Summer Tanager
The Summer Tanager is a medium-sized songbird with bright red plumage, often seen in the southern United States and parts of Central and South America. They primarily feed on insects, and their song is a series of short, melodious notes.
Western Tanager
The Western Tanager is a colorful bird with a bright yellow body, black wings, and a reddish-orange head. It is commonly found in coniferous forests across western North America. Western Tanagers eat insects, fruits, and nectar and are known for their sweet, warbling songs.
European Starling
The European Starling is a medium-sized bird with iridescent black plumage and speckles. It was introduced to North America and has become widespread across the continent. European Starlings are omnivorous, feeding on insects, fruits, and seeds. They are known for their remarkable vocal mimicry and can imitate various sounds, including other bird calls and even human noises.
House Finch
The House Finch is a small songbird with a red or orange coloration on the head and upper parts. They have adapted well to human-altered environments and are commonly seen in urban areas throughout North America. House Finches primarily feed on seeds and fruits, and their song is a pleasant, warbling melody.
Red-winged Blackbird
The Red-winged Blackbird is a medium-sized blackbird with striking red and yellow shoulder patches (epaulets) on the males. They are widespread across North America and are often found in wetland habitats. Red-winged Blackbirds feed on seeds, insects, and grains, and their song is a distinctive series of “conk-la-ree” notes.
Common Ground Dove
The Common Ground Dove is a small, slender dove with a brownish-gray body and a distinctive scaled pattern on the wings. They are commonly found in open habitats, including grasslands and agricultural fields, across the southern United States and parts of Central and South America. Common Ground Doves primarily feed on seeds and grains and have a soft, cooing call.
Blue Grosbeak
The Blue Grosbeak is a striking bird with deep blue plumage on the head, back, and wings, complemented by warm rusty-brown underparts. It is commonly found in open woodlands and shrubby areas across the southern and central United States. Blue Grosbeaks primarily feed on seeds and insects and have a rich, melodious song.
Bushtit
The Bushtit is a tiny, social songbird with plain, grayish-brown plumage and a long tail. They are commonly found in woodlands and scrublands throughout western North America. Bushtits feed on insects and spiders and often move in large, chattering flocks, building intricate hanging nests made from spiderwebs.
Oak Titmouse
The Oak Titmouse is a small, active bird with grayish-brown plumage and a distinctive crest on the head. They are commonly found in oak woodlands and mixed forests in the western United States. Oak Titmice primarily feed on insects, seeds, and acorns and have a variety of calls and songs.
American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch is a beautiful songbird with bright yellow plumage, black wings, and a distinctive black cap on the head of the male during the breeding season. They are commonly found across North America, often in open fields and meadows. American Goldfinches primarily feed on seeds, particularly from thistle plants, and their song is a cheerful series of musical notes.
Chipping Sparrow
The Chipping Sparrow is a small, energetic bird with a crisp, chestnut cap on its head, a grayish back, and a white belly. It is commonly found in a variety of habitats, including gardens, parks, and woodlands, across North America. Chipping Sparrows primarily feed on seeds and insects and have a distinctive song that sounds like a series of rapid, dry chips.
Song Sparrow
The Song Sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow with a streaked brown back, a white belly, and a dark central spot on its chest. They are found in a wide range of habitats, including marshes, wetlands, and gardens, throughout North America. Song Sparrows feed on seeds and insects and are known for their varied and melodious songs, which can differ in different regions.
Conclusion
Small birds are a vital part of the California ecosystem. They help to control insect populations, and they also provide food for larger animals. If you are interested in attracting small birds to your backyard, there are a few things you can do. First, plant native plants that attract insects. Second, put up a bird feeder that offers a variety of seeds. Third, provide a source of water for the birds to drink.