FG-0022 · Wildlife · 6 species
Identifying Common Birds of California
By Derek Gauger · Updated
Overview
California's enormous range of habitats — coast, chaparral, oak woodland, Central Valley, and high Sierra — supports over 650 bird species, one of the richest tallies in the country. Many are easy to see in yards, parks, and along trails.
This guide covers common and distinctive California birds — the field marks that identify them, their habitats, and where to look. Pair it with a photo and the app to confirm any bird you spot.
Key species to know
FG-0022.01
California Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma californica
A crestless blue-and-gray jay with a bold blue breast band, bright and inquisitive. Common in oak woodland and backyards, where it caches acorns and scolds loudly.
Habitat: Oak woodland, chaparral, and suburbs west of the Sierra.
FG-0022.02
California Quail
Callipepla californica
California's state bird — a plump, gray-and-brown ground bird with a forward-curling black topknot. Travels in coveys that scurry through brush, giving a "chi-ca-go" call.
Habitat: Chaparral, brushy edges, and parks throughout the state.
FG-0022.03
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
A stocky resident hummingbird; the male flashes an iridescent rose-pink crown and throat. One of the few hummingbirds present year-round, common at feeders and flowering shrubs.
Habitat: Gardens, chaparral, and woodland edges along the coast and valleys.
FG-0022.04
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
A clown-faced woodpecker with a red cap, white eyes, and black-and-white plumage. Famously stores thousands of acorns in "granary" trees and lives in noisy family groups.
Habitat: Oak and mixed oak-pine woodland throughout much of the state.
FG-0022.05
Western Bluebird
Sialia mexicana
A small thrush; the male deep blue with a rusty chest and back patch, the female grayer. Often perches on fences and wires, dropping to the ground for insects.
Habitat: Open woodland, oak savanna, and farmland edges.
FG-0022.06
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
A large, broad-winged hawk, usually pale below with a brick-red tail in adults. The most commonly seen raptor in California, often perched along highways or soaring in wide circles.
Habitat: Open country, farmland, and roadsides statewide.
Through the seasons
- Spring brings peak song and the arrival of many migrant songbirds.
- Early morning is the most active time for feeding and song.
- Coastal refuges and the Central Valley draw huge numbers of wintering waterfowl and shorebirds.
Questions
- What is the state bird of California?
- The California quail is the state bird — a plump ground bird with a distinctive forward-curling black topknot.
- How can I identify a bird I saw in California?
- Note its size, shape, and field marks, then take a photo and use an app like Spotter to identify the species along with its habitat and range.
From Field Notes
- What Is the Big Hawk on the Fence Post or Soaring Over the Highway? Identifying the Red-Tailed Hawk
- How to Identify a Blue Jay (Field Marks and Calls)
- How to Identify a Bird: A Beginner's Field Guide
- What Is the Woodpecker With the Red Head and Zebra-Striped Back? Identifying the Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Not sure what you found?
Take a photo with Spotter for the name, field marks, look-alikes and safety notes in seconds.
In this guide
- Species
- 6
- Region
- California