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179 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Common Loon
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Order: Gaviiformes
Family: Gaviidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Coatal (saltwater) aquatic Diet: Small fish, some crustaceans, molluscs, insects, aquatic plants Feet: Webbed and placed far back Fact: Compressed tarsi (lower leg) |
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Clark's Grebe
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Order: Podicipediformes
Family: Podicipedidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Aquatic Diet: Small fish, crustaceans, insects Fun facts: Lobed feet; build nests of floating vegetation and have elaborate courtship display |
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Brown Pelican
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Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Pelicanidae Seasonal Status: R but doesn't breed here Habitat: Coastal aquatic Diet: Fish Fact: Totipalmate |
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Totipalmate
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All four toes webbed
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Double-crested Cormorant
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Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Phalacrocoracidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Aquatic Diet: Fish Fact: Totipalmate; Double crests only occur during breeding plumage in Spring |
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Great Blue Heron
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Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Aquatic and wetland Diet: Small fish, small vertebrates Fact: Nests colonially in trees; claw on middle toe is pectinate (comb-like) for preening |
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Black-crowned Night Heron
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Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Aquatic and wetland Diet: Small fish, small vertebrates, invertebrates, & eggs of nesting birds Plumages: Immature is streaked brown, adult is black, gray and white |
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Northern Shoveler
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Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Aquatic Diet: Dabbling, filter-feeding Plumage: Males are bluish; females brown and spotted Fact: Front toes webbed, hallux elevated (palmate); long, broad, flat bills |
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Green-winged Teal
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Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Aquatic Diet: Dabbling, filter-feeding Plumage: Males more brightly colored, both have green patches on wings Fact: Front toes webbed, hallux elevated (palmate) |
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Bufflehead
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Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Aquatic Diet: Diving; small aquatic inverts Fact: Nest holes in trees; front toes webbed, hallux elevated (palmate) Plumage: Males have white patch on head, females have white patch on face; both smaller and stumpier than Shovelers |
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Surf Scoter
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Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Aquatic Diet: Diving; mussels Plumage: Males black, females brown Fact: Have weird, clown-like faces with huge bills; front toes webbed, hallux elevated (palmate) |
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Ruddy Duck
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Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Aquatic Diet: Diving; vertebrates and inverts Fact: Front toes webbed, hallux elevated (palmate) Plumage: Males have ruddy (breeding) plumage with blue bill, females are brown and have a bicolored face |
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Turkey Vulture
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Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Cathartidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Diet: Carrion (decaying flesh of dead animals) Fact: Raptorial feet; Use projective vomit as defense |
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Raptorial feet
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Toes are deeply cleft with long, strong, sharply curved nails (talons)
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Cooper's Hawk
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Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Woodland Diet: Birds, small vertebrates Fact: Females larger than males; raptorial feet; rectrices (tail feathers) are graduated (like a Japanese fan); small, pigeon-sized Plumage: Immature has brown streaked breast, adult gray upper parts with rufous barred breast |
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Sharp-shinned Hawk
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Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Woodland Diet: Small birds Fact: Females larger than males; Rectrices uniform in length, making it a square; smaller than Cooper's (smallest); raptorial feet Plumage: Immature has brown streaked breast, adult has gray upper parts with rufous barred breast |
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Red-tailed Hawk
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Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open habitats Diet: Small mammals--ground squirrels, mice, young cottontails, gophers; also birds and snakes Fact: Female larger than male; raptorial feet; much larger in size than other hawks; dark patagial mark on wing Plumage: Immature lacks rufous tail but it is instead streaked, adult has red tail; have belly bands |
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Northern Harrier
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Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Grassland and wetland Diet: Small vertebrates--rodents, frogs, snakes, birds Fact: White rump patch; **Wing tips reach the tail tip; owl-like face that aids in hearing prey; raptorial feet; nests on the ground in high grasses Plumage: Immature brown streaked (like female); adult male is gray |
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American Kestrel
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Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open habitats--woodland, grassland, and wetland Diet: Large insects, voles, and a few small birds Fact: Colorful little falcons; nests in old woodpecker holes; tomial tooth; raptorial feet Plumage: Male more blue on wings than female (more colorful); female larger than male; spotted chest |
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Peregrine Falcon
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Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open habitats, usually near water--seacoast, wetlands; also in cities Diet: Medium-sized birds (shorebirds, small ducks, pigeons); attacks in dives called stoops Fact: One of fastest birds in world, reaches speeds of up to 200 mph in stoops; often perches high on buildings or towers; raptorial feet; black sideburns; tomial tooth |
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California Quail
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Order: Galliformes
Family: Odontophoridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Chapparal and open woodland with brushy understory Diet: Seeds, foliage, fruit, and a few insects Fact: Elevated hallux Plumage: Male more colorful than female and head plume more developed |
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American Coot
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Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Aquatic Diet: Omnivorous--aquatic and terrestrial vegetation, small fishes, tadpoles, snails, insects Fact: Lobed toes |
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Clapper Rail
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Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Salt-marsh (wetland) Diet: Salt-marsh invertebrates Fact: Rust Plumage: Rusty colored breast; barred bridges; long, heavy bill |
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Killdeer
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open habitats--wetlands, mudflats, farm fields, golf courses, dirt parking lots, etc. Diet: Small invertebrates Fact: Sometimes nest on gravel roofs of buildings; perform distraction display in which it feigns injury to lead potential predators away from concealed ***Have 3 toes (no hallux) and also bill is constricted in middle (pigeon-like)=a distinguishing characteristic of plovers |
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Black-bellied Plover
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Wetland Diet: Small aquatic invertebrates Fact: 4 toes (untypical of plovers) although hallux is reduced; bill constricted in middle (plover characteristic) Plumage: Breeding males have black bellies, non-breeding=white bellies |
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Black-necked Stilt
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Recurvirostridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Wetlands Diet: Small aquatic invertebrates--brine shrimp and other small crustaceans Fact: Really tall legs; orange/red legs, needle-like bill |
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American Avocet
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Order: Charadriidae
Family: Recurvirostridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Wetlands Diet: Small aquatic invertebrates--brine shrimp and other small crustaceans Fact: Bill of female more recurved (up) than male; white stripe on wing Plumage: Winter (non-breeding; gray) plumage less colorful than breeding plumage (orange) |
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Willet
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Wetlands Diet: Aquatic inverts Fact: Boring like William Shakespeare; a white stripe on wing when flying Plumage: Gray and boring |
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Whimbrel
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Wetlands Diet: Aquatic inverts Fact: Long decurved bill like "windmill;" white stripe on head |
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Marbled Godwit
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Wetlands Diet: Aquatic inverts Fact: Loooong bill; similar to Short-billed Dowitcher but larger and black legs; semi-palmated, sharp bill Plumage: Marbled color all over |
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Western Sandpiper
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Wetlands Diet: Aquatic inverts Fact: Slightly larger than Least (about size of whole hand); black legs; long, sharp bills for pecking Plumage: Patches of rufous on back and streaked chest |
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Least Sandpiper
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Wetlands Diet: Aquatic inverts Fact: Smaller than Western (fits in palm of hand); yellow legs; sharp, shorter bills for pecking Plumage: Marbled back, brown chest |
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Dunlin
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Wetlands Diet: Aquatic inverts Fact: Slightly decurved bill; similar to Dowitcher but . . . Plumage: Black belly! Reddish back |
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Short-billed Dowitcher
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Wetlands Diet: Aquatic inverts Fact: Looks similar to Marbled Godwit BUT smaller and has yellow legs; black bill that's not very pointy |
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Ring-billed Gull
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Aquatic, wetland, and urban Diet: Omnivorous scavengers--fish, inverts, birds' eggs, garbage Fact: Ring on bill; bright yellow legs, black wing tips (medium sized) |
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Western Gull
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Aquatic and urban Diet: Omnivorous scavengers--fish, inverts, birds eggs, garbage Fact: Larger, black wing tips, pink legs |
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Glaucous-winged Gull
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Aquatic and urban Diet: Omnivorous scavengers--fish, inverts, birds eggs, garbage Fact: Pearly gray; wing tips never darker than color of back |
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Forster's Tern
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Aquatic Diet: Fish and insects Fact: Long, forked tail; black head caps |
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Common Murre
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Alcidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Coastal waters Diet: Piscivorous Fact: Look like penguins! Nest on rocks offshore in Marin Co. Plumage: |
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Rock Pigeon
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Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Urban settings or near human dwellings Diet: Grain, seeds, fruit, donuts, French fries, tacos, potato chips, bread crumbs, chocolate sundaes, cheeseburgers, fried chicken, etc. Fact: Adapted to nest on ledges on buildings in towns and cities Plumage: Two black bars wings, green iridescence on neck |
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Band-tailed Pigeon
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Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Forest and woodland Diet: Acorns, grain, fruits, seeds, terminal buds of live oaks Fact: Crush whole acorns with their gizzards; fly in groups Plumage: Pale-gray and lavender overall with some green iridescence on back neck |
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Mourning Dove
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Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open habitats (woodland and grassland) Diet: Grains and seeds Fact: Much smaller in size than other doves and has black spots on back; gray-brown overall Plumage: |
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Greater Roadrunner
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Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Cuculidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open woodland and chaparral Diet: Large terrestrial inverts and small terrestrial verts like lizards, snakes, and birds Fact: Zygodactyl feet |
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Zygodactyl
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Two toes going forward and two going back
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Great-horned Owl
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Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Wide range--Wetland, grassland, woodland, urban, etc. Diet: Wide range--Mice, squirrels, rabbits, hares, skunks, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects Fact: Nest in old hawk or crow nests or on cliffs |
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Barn Owl
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Order: Strigiformes
Family: Tytonidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open habitats (grasslands) Diet: Rodents like mice and gophers Fact: Strongly nocturnal; nest and roost in barns or other human structures; Nail of middle toe pectinate Plumage: Serrated edges to primary feathers allow silent flight |
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Burrowing Owl
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Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Grassland Diet: Small animals--insects, scorpions, small mammals, birds, and reptiles Fact: Diurnal; lives in burrows made by other animals, mainly ground squirrels |
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Common Poorwill
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Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Caprimulgidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Woodland and chaparral Diet: Aerial insects--beetles or moths Fact: Goes into torpor (hibernation) during winter; nocturnal; nail of middle toe pectinate |
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White-throated Swift
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Order: Apodiformes
Family: Apodidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Spend most of day in flight Diet: Small flying insects caught on the wing Fact: Can reach speeds close to 200 mph in dives; pamprodactyl Plumage: |
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Pamprodactyl
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All four toes pointing forward; seen in Swifts (Apodidae)
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Anna's Hummingbird
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Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Woodland and chaparral, towns and suburbs Diet: Flower nectar and tiny insects Fact: Male performs dive display that makes loud "pop" made by outer tail feathers Plumage: Male has bright purplish-pink crown, brighter than female ***VOCALIZATION |
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Allen's Hummingbird
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Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae Seasonal Status: S Habitat: Woodland and chaparral Diet: Flower nectar and tiny insects Fact: Male performs dive display with trilling sounds produced by wings; much smaller than Anna's Plumage: Males have more iridescent orange, female is greener |
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Belted Kingfisher
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Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Alcedinidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Aquatic Diet: Fish Fact: Nest in burrows that it excavates in the soft earth in stream banks, roadcuts, etc.; crested head; feet syndactyl Plumage: Female has bright rufous belly band |
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Syndactyl
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Two or more digits fused; ex. Belted Kingfisher
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Anisodactyl
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Three toes forward and one back
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Acorn Woodpecker
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Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Oak woodland Diet: Acorns and insects Fact: Maintain large granaries of acorns in small cavities drilled into trees or wooden structures; live in large groups and breed cooperatively; zygodactyl feet for clinging onto vertical surfaces Plumage: Red cap and yellow throat |
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Red-breasted Sapsucker
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Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Woodland and forest (often in fruit trees) Diet: Sap and insects attracted to the sap; cambium of trees Fact: Drill small, orderly sets of holes in tree trunks, then return later to harvest the sap and insects in sap; zygodactyl Plumage: Bright red wash on head |
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Nuttall's Woodpecker
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Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Oak woodland Diet: Insects and arthropods (not acorns) Fact: zygodactyl Plumage: Red nape on head, with horizontal zebra stripes |
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Downy Woodpecker
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Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Deciduous woodland Diet: Larvae of wood-boring insects Fact: Zygodactyl Plumage: Males have red nape on head, females don't; fewer stripes than Nuttall's, white patch on back |
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Northern Flicker
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Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Woodland (including parks) Diet: Ants and beetles that it digs for in ground Fact: Zygodactyl; spotted belly and brown, barred back Plumage: Males have red malar stripe under eye, females don't ***VOCALIZATION |
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Olive-sided Flycatcher
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae Seasonal Status: S Habitat: Forest Diet: Flying insects Fact: Wide, broad based bills; flat Plumage: White stripe down belly, dark vest, and white tuffs on back |
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Western Wood-pewee
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae Seasonal Status: S Habitat: Woodland and forest Diet: Flying insects Fact: Use bill to identify as flycatcher from bill; very nondescript Plumage: White wing bars on dark body |
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Pacific-slope Flycatcher
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae Seasonal Status: S Habitat: Woodland and forest, often near creeks or streams Diet: Insects, caught on the wing and gleaned from foliage Fact: Similar to Hutton's Vireo but bills different Plumage: Yellowish throat and big white eye ring; greenish body and flat, broad bill ***VOCALIZATION |
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Black Phoebe
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open habitats--open woodland wetlands, lawns; usually near water Diet: Insects, caught on the wing or on ground Fact: Broad, flat flycatcher bill Plumage: Black head, dark gray body with white belly |
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Loggerhead Shrike
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Laniidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Grasslands and wetlands Diet: Large insects and small verts such as mice, birds, and lizards Fact: Impale prey on thorns, twigs, or barbed wire fences; allows bird to tear prey apart (since no raptorial feet) and also functions as territorial marker Plumage: Dark eye mask and black stripe on wing; gray body |
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Hutton's Vireo
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Vireonidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Oak woodland Diet: Insects Fact: Sing while sitting on nest; thicker bill than the needle-shaped bill of Kinglet; bill slightly hooked Plumage: Olive-colored; similar to Ruby-crowned Kinglet but bills different |
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Warbling Vireo
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Vireonidae Seasonal Status: S Habitat: Woodland and forest Diet: Insects Fact: Sing while on nest; bill slightly hooked Plumage: White supercilium; yellowish chest; olive body |
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Steller's Jay
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Woodland and forest Diet: Omnivorous--nuts, fruits, insects, lizards, and mice, bird eggs, garbage Fact: Imitate the vocalizations of red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks |
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Western Scrub-jay
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Woodland and chaparral Diet: Omnivorous (generalists) |
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American Crow
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open habitats Diet: Omnivorous (generalists) Fact: Tails are squared and flat Plumage: Smaller and smoother than raven |
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Common Raven
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Often in more extreme environments (desert, alpine, etc.) Diet: Omnivorous (generalists) Fact: Larger than a red-tailed hawk=quite big; tails wedged and shaggier than crow |
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Horned Lark
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Grassland and wetland Diet: Seeds, grains, and insects Fact: Very long claw on hallux Plumage: Black mask and little horns |
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Violet-green Swallow
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open habitats such as wetlands and grasslands Diet: Aerial insectivores Fact: Nest in cavities from woodpeckers or nest boxes |
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Cliff Swallow
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae Seasonal Status: S Habitat: Wetlands and grasslands Diet: Insectivores Fact: Nest in colonies; attach mud nests to cliffs, buildings, bridges, etc. Plumage: White chest and forehead, blue crown and dark back |
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Chestnut-backed Chickadee
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Woodland and forest Diet: Small insects, fruits, seeds Fact: Tiny! Often join mixed species of foraging flocks of insectivorous birds in winter; conical bill; use old holes or nest boxes; sometimes make own cavity Plumage: Reddish-brown back, black crown and white face stripe, gray wings, white chest |
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Oak Titmouse
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Oak woodland Diet: Acorns, fruits, and small insects Fact: A near-endemic to California; strong, conical bill Plumage: Similar to Hutton's Vireo but a gray-brown all over (not olive) and a white cheek patch, and bills different |
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Bushtit
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Aegithalidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Woodland and chaparral, urban Diet: Small insects and spiders Fact: Tiny! Move in large flocks when not breeding; build pensile nest (of lichen, spider webs, etc.) that resemble old sock; nests predated by scrub-jays Plumage: Long tail, brown head, gray body; very small, straight, compressed bill |
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Red-breasted Nuthatch
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sittidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Woodland and forest Diet: Conifer seeds, small insects, insect eggs, and larva Fact: Nest in cavities; excavates its own hole; straight, slender chisel-like bill Plumage: Red breast, black cap and eye bar, blue-gray back |
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Brown Creeper
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Certhiidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Woodland and forest Diet: Forages for inverts by probing bark on trunks of trees Fact: Move up tree in spiral and fly back down to start over; thin, decurved bill Plumage: White supercilium, brown and streaky pattern on back with white chest; long tail |
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Bewick's Wren
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Troglodytidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Chaparral and woodland Diet: Insectivorous Fact: Slender, decurved bill; tails point up Plumage: White supercilium; barred raccoon tail and wings; brown back |
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Marsh Wren
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Troglodytidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Wetlands with reeds or cattails Diet: Insectivorous Fact: Slender, decurved bills; males build domed nests; sometimes destroy eggs or nestlings of conspecifics and or other marsh-dwelling birds (blackbirds) Plumage: White supercilium; barred raccoon tail; more colorful back than other wrens with black stripes ***VOCALIZATION |
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House Wren
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Troglodytidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Woodland Diet: Insectivorous Fact: Slender, decurved bills Plumage: NO supercilium; barred raccoon tail; more barring on wings than Bewick's; brown back |
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Ruby-crowned Kinglet
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Regulidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Woodland and forest Diet: Insectivorous Fact: Red crown usually concealed (but can blow on head); often join mixed species foraging flocks Plumage: Olive-colored; Similar to Hutton's Vireo but Ruby has a more needle-shaped bill in comparison to Hutton's thicker bill; female has no red crown |
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Golden-crowned Kinglet
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Regulidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Forest, esp. conifers Diet: Insectivorous Fact: Stay high in canopies Plumage: Needle-shaped bill; golden crest seen when you blow on it; females don't have gold; black and white striped facial pattern |
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American Robin
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Wide variety of habitats Diet: Insects and small arthropods and fruit Fact: Forage on or near ground; often first species to sing in dawn chorus Plumage: Males have dark head and reddish chest, females gray back and head and orangish chest (duller) ***VOCALIZATION |
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Varied Thrush
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Cool woodland and forest, often in oaks Diet: Insects, arthropods, fruit Fact: Forage on or near ground Plumage: Similar to robin, but shorter tail and have dark breast band, orange supercilium and wing bars; female duller than male |
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Hermit Thrush
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Chaparral and woodland Diet: Insects, arthropods, fruit Fact: Runs on ground Plumage: Dark spots on chest; sharp bill; like Swainson's but brown back and no buffy color on chest |
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Swainson's Thrush
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae Seasonal Status: S Habitat: Riparian woodland Diet: Insects, arthropods, fruit Fact: Straight, slender bill Plumage: Like Hermit Thrush but browner (lighter) spots on chest and buffy/yellow tint on chest and reddish-brown back |
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Western Bluebird
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open oak woodlands Diet: Insects, berries (mistletoe and poison oak) Fact: Nest in cavities from old woodpeckers or nest boxes Plumage: Male is deeply colored blue with orange chest, female is duller but rump is bright blue |
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Wrentit
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Timaliidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Chaparral and woodland Diet: Insects and fruits, including poison oak berries Fact: Super long tail Plumage: Plain brown-gray body; short bill ***VOCALIZATION |
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Northern Mockingbird
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Mimidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open habitats with shrubs, suburbs, parks Diet: Fruit and insects Fact: Can mimic other birds, machines, etc. Slender decurved bill Plumage: Long tail, dark eye line, gray back, dark barred wings, white chest; white outer tail feathers |
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California Thrasher
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Mimidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Chaparral Diet: Soil inverts, insects, fruit, seeds Fact: A near-endemic to California Plumage: Long decurved bill; brown back and buffy belly |
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European Starling
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sturnidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open and urban Diet: Omnivorous-insects, berries, seeds, and garbage Fact: Non-native, introduced from Europe; nest in cavities of other cavity-nesting birds=detrimental effect; can mimic other birds Plumage: Iridescent, oily breeding plumage from feather wear from holes rather than molt; non-breeding=white speckles all over |
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American Pipit
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Wetlands and ploughed fields Diet: Insects Fact: Very long claw on hallux for walking on ground; short, slender pointed bill Plumage: White supercilium, buffy colored belly, white outer tail feathers |
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Cedar Waxwing
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Bombycillidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Open woodland (towns, parks, etc.) Diet: Fruits and insects Fact: Red, waxlike tips to secondaries |
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Yellow-rumped Warbler
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Wide variety of habitats Diet: Fruit and insects Fact: Join mixed species foraging flocks Plumage: Distinguishable yellow rump above tail (move away tail if not visible) |
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Townsend's Warbler
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Woodland and forest Diet: Insects and their larva Fact: Join mixed species foraging flocks Plumage: Black and yellow pattern on face and body |
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Orange-crowned Warbler
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Chaparral and woodland Diet: Insects and larva Fact: Orange crown usually concealed (but can blow on it) Plumage: A drab yellow with blurry olive streaks on chest and olive back; Similar to Wilson's Warbler, but not as bright yellow |
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Wilson's Warbler
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae Seasonal Status: S Habitat: Riparian woodland Diet: Insects and larva Fact: Brightest yellow of any bird we will see Plumage: Male has a black cap, female has subtle cap; bright yellow chest with olive-colored back; compare to Orange-crowned and Common Yellowthroat |
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Common Yellowthroat
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Wetlands Diet: Insects and larva Fact: Similar to Orange-crowned and Wilson's Plumage: Yellow throat only and rump; males have a broad black eye mask |
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Spotted Towhee
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Chaparral and woodland Diet: Seeds and insects Fact: Short, conical bill adapted for feeding on seeds Plumage: Male has black head and wings with white wing bars; rufous and white chest; female duller |
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California Towhee
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Chaparral and other brushy habitats (parks and gardens) Diet: Seeds and insects Fact: Sparrow shaped bill Plumage: Grayish body all over, long tail, rufousy throats; pretty large |
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Savannah Sparrow
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Grassland Diet: Seeds and insects Fact: Sparrow bill Plumage: Yellow supercilium (will be provided on test); Streaked back of black and rufous |
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Song Sparrow
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Wetlands and brush habitats near water Diet: Seeds and insects Fact: Sparrow bill Plumage: Streaks all over body and on every feather; dark reddish-brown wings ***VOCALIZATION |
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Fox Sparrow
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Chaparral and woodland with brushy understory Diet: Seeds and insects Fact: Chevron marks on chest down to belly; bicolored bill; back is solid brown |
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White-crowned Sparrow
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Chaparral and brush; parks and gardens Diet: Seeds and insects Fact: Known for many regional song dialects Plumage: Immature has no white crown but dark brown eyebrows; plain gray underparts with brown streaked wings |
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Golden-crowned Sparrow
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae Seasonal Status: W Habitat: Chaparral and woodland with brush Diet: Seeds and insects Fact: Plumage: Yellow on top of head and black eye bar; brown streaked wings |
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Dark-eyed Junco
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open woodland and forest Diet: Seeds and insects Plumage: Male has black hood/cap, female is a duller gray hood; back is rufous colored and belly white and underside of tail white ***VOCALIZATION |
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Red-winged Blackbird
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Wetlands, human environments (towns, feedlots) Diet: Omnivorous--seeds, insects, fruit Fact: Female looks like sparrow but pointed, conical bill that's longer Plumage: Male is all black with red wing, female has brown streaks all over and white supercilium ***VOCALIZATION |
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Black-headed Grosbeak
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cardinalidae Seasonal Status: S Habitat: Riparian woodland Diet: Insects, fruits, seeds Fact: Short, conical massive bill; compare to Oriole and Spotted Towhee Plumage: Male has black head and wings with orange chest and rump; female is brown streaked with buffy breast |
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Brewer's Blackbird
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open habitats and urban environments Diet: Omnivorous Fact: Often seen on sidewalks; look at bills Plumage: Male has iridescent plumage of purple and green; female is a drab brown all overwith some iridescence |
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Brown-headed Cowbird
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open habitats and woodland Diet: Omnivorous Fact: Brood parasites--lay eggs in nests of other species Plumage: Males have dark brown head and glossy black body with green iridescence; female is plain brown but they have a stout bill, thicker than other black birds |
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Bullock's Oriole
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae Seasonal Status: S Habitat: Open woodland Diet: Omnivorous Plumage: Males have black throat and eye line with bright orange chest and belly; females have orange-yellow on head with grayish belly |
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Western Meadowlark
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Grassland Diet: Omnivorous Plumage: Brown streaked back with yellow chest; black V goes across chest ***Vocalization |
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Lesser Goldfinch
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open woodland Diet: Weeds and flower seeds Fact: Don't need to know female Plumage: Black cap on head that goes back to neck, olive back, yellow chest, dark wings; compare to American Goldfinch but more black on head "Less is more"; also a black bill |
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American Goldfinch
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open woodland Diet: Weed and flower seeds Fact: Don't need to know females Plumage: Black ONLY on forehead; yellow body with black wings; compare to Lesser Goldfinch but less black on head; yellow bill also |
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House Finch
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Open woodland and urban Diet: Seeds, grasses, forbs Fact: Compare to Purple Finch (females esp.) Plumage: More decurved colmon, stubbier bill; male has red head with brown streaks below red; female is brown streaked, has no white supercilium, and bill is different ***VOCALIZATION |
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Purple Finch
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Woodland and forest Diet: Seeds, flowers, berries, buds, insects Fact: Compare to House Finch (females esp.) Plumage: Straighter colmon; male has red head with no brown streaks underneath; female is brown streaked but has white supercilium and bill different |
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Pine Siskin
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Woodland and forest Diet: Catkins of willows and alders, tree buds, and tender needle tips from coniferous trees Fact: Move in large flocks; compare to Townsend's Warbler Plumage: Yellow streaks on body and wings and tail (not rump); sharp pointed bill |
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House Sparrow
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passeridae Seasonal Status: R Habitat: Urban and farmland Diet: Seeds, fruit, insects, garbage Fact: Nest in cavities in buildings or in nest boxes; evict native birds from nesting sites Plumage: Males have black bib (army soldiers) and gray cap; brown bars on wings and back; female is drab gray-brown overall with brown bars on wings, Buffy-colored supercilium |
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Non-native Species
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Rock Pigeon, European Starling, & House Sparrow; all native to Eurasia
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California Near Endemics
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Allen's Hummingbird, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Oak Titmouse, and California Thrasher
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Culmen
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The upper ridge of a bird's bill
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Auriculars
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Ear coverts
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Gape
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The width of the mouth when it is open
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Hallux
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Hind toe
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Lores
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The surface on each side of a bird's head between the eye and the upper base of the beak
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Nape
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The back of the neck
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Primaries
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The largest flight feathers on a bird's wing
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Retrices
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Tail feathers
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Remiges
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Wing feathers
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Rictal bristles
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Feathers that point out from a bird's face near the base of the bill
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Secondaries
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The flight feathers growing from the second joint of a bird's wing
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Supercilium
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The line above a bird's eyebrow
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Tarsus
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Part of leg between the bird's "knee" and "ankle;" below the bird's thigh
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Arboreal Salamander
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Name: Aneides lugubris
Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae Habitat: Woodland Breeding: Terrestrial Fact: Tail prehensile; nasolabial groove Identification: Large triangular head, big jaw muscles, squared off toes for climbing; brown with yellow spots on back; distinct grooves on side |
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Black Salamander
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Name: Aneides flavipunctatus
Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae Habitat: Forest Breeding: Terrestrial Fact: nasolabial groove; lungless; prehensile tail Identification: Smaller triangular jaw; ALL BLACK; squared toes for climbing trees; can be white or yellow spotted |
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Wandering Salamander
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Name: Aneides vagrans
Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae Habitat: Forest Breeding: Terrestrial, parental guarding of eggs Fact: Nasolabial groove; lungless; tail prehensile Identification: Smallest of Aneides; squared toes; cloudy pattern |
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California Slender Salamander
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Name: Batrachoseps attenuatus
Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae Habitat: Woodland/grassland Breeding: Terrestrial Fact: Four toes in both front and back; lungless; use worm burrows and root tunnels; nasolabial groove Identification: Very slender, slim body and small limbs; solid brown |
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Ensatina
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Name: Ensatina eschscholtzii
Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae Habitat: Woodland Breeding: Terrestrial Fact: Nasolabial groove; lungless; mimic coloration of Tarichas (poisonous) Identification: Constriction at base of tail; brown on back, yellowish on belly |
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Web-toed Salamander
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Name: Hydromantes spp.
Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae Habitat: Woodland Breeding: terrestrial Fact: Toes webbed; nasolabial groove; lungless Identification: Projectile tongue (look at pics) |
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Rough-skinned Newt
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Name: Taricha granulosa
Order: Caudata Family: Salamandridae Habitat: Woodland Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Possess lungs Identification: Brown up under eye; eyes don't break profile; poisonous |
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California Newt
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Name: Taricha torosa
Order: Caudata Family: Salamandridae Habitat: Woodland and forests Breed in: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Males metamorphose each year; possess lungs Identification: Yellow extends up under the eye from belly; bulging eyes |
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Red-bellied Newt
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Name: Taricha rivularis
Order: Caudata Family: Salamandridae Habitat: Woodland and forests Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Poisonous, lungs ID: Dark coloration extends under elbows and dark stripe across the vent (males); dark on back and red/orange on belly |
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California Tiger Salamander
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Name: Ambystoma californiense
Order: Caudata Family: Ambystomatidae Habitat: Grassland/woodland Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Endemic to Cali ID: Black with cream spots; very large |
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Northwestern Salamander
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Name: Ambystoma gracile
Order: Caudata Family: Ambystomatidae Habitat: Grassland/woodland Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Has bean-shaped paratoid gland ID: Similar to Aneides but no square toes; dark all over |
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Long-Toed Salamander
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Name: Ambystoma macrodactylum
Order: Caudata Family: Ambystomatidae Habitat: Grassland/woodland Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Smallest of family; very long fingers ID: Dark with yellowish belly *Compare to Rhycotriton female |
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California Giant Salamander
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Name: Dicamptodon ensatus
Order: Caudata Family: Dicamptodontidae Habitat: Forest Breeding: Aquatic (lotic) Fact: Largest of all ID: Marbled patterning on back |
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Southern Torrent Salamander
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Name: Rhyacotriton variegatus
Order: Caudata Family: Rhyacotritonidae Habitat: Forest Breeding: Aquatic (lotic) Fact: Males have squared off vent, females do not ID: Peppery pattern all over (esp. seen on stomach); slightly compressed tail *Compare to Hydromantes |
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Western Toad
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Name: Bufo boreas
Order: Anura Family: Bufonidae Habitat: Generalist Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: White stripe goes down back; paratoid glands; tarsal fold ID: Warty and large *Compare to B. canorus |
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Yosemite Toad
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Name: Bufo canorus
Order: Anura Family: Bufonidae Habitat: Grassland Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Sexually dichromatic ; paratoids much larger than eye ID: Female is darker than male |
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Red-spotted Toad
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Name: Bufo punctatus
Order: Anura Family: Bufonidae Habitat: Desert/grassland Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Smallest of Bufos; paratoid round and bunched ID: Warts are finer, like little pinheads |
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Pacific Treefrog
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Name: Pseudacris regilla
Order: Anura Family: Hylidae Habitat: Grassland Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Enlarged toe pads; smooth skin; males have gray vocal sac ID: Brown and green; 2 dark lines that go down back; dark eye mask stripe |
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California Treefrog
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Name: Pseudacris cadaverina
Order: Anura Family: Hylidae Habitat: Grassland Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Enlarged toe pads; skin wartier than regilla ID: Chalky gray, splotchy, looks granite |
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Red-legged Frog
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Name: Rana draytonii
Order: Anura Family: Ranidae Habitat: Woodland/forest Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Webbing on back feet doesn't extend to end of 4th toe; very large ID: Dorsolateral folds (usually show up as dark stripes); dark barring on legs |
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Foothill Yellow-legged Frog
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Name: Rana boylii
Order: Anura Family: Ranidae Habitat: Woodland/forest Breeding: Aquatic (lotic) Fact: Toe tips are LIGHT; tympanum has tiny bumps; smaller; complete webbing on feet ID: Brown back, yellowish belly |
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Mountain Yellow-legged Frog
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Name: Rana muscosa
Order: Anura Family: Ranidae Habitat: Grassland Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Complete webbing on back feet ID: Color patterning is marbled; dark toe tips; smooth tympanic membrane *Compare to R. boylii |
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American Bullfrog
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Name: Rana catesbeiana
Order: Anura Family: Ranidae Habitat: Grassland/woodland Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Quite large; huge tympanum relative to eye; fold crest of skin above tympanum ID: Brownish in color, bars on legs |
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Tailed Frog
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Name: Ascaphus truei
Order: Anura Family: Ascaphidae Habitat: Forest/woodland Breeding: Aquatic (lotic) Fact: Tail present=intermittent organ of males for internal fertilization ID: brown back, yellow tummy |
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Couch's Spadefoot
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Name: Scaphiopus couchii
Order: Anura Family: Pelobatidae Habitat: Grassland/desert Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Spade is sickle-shaped ID: Blotchy patterns on a light background; dorsal markings often form a network |
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Western Spadefoot
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Name: Spea hammondii
Order: Anura Family: Pelobatidae Habitat: Grassland Breeding: Aquatic (lentic) Fact: Loaf of bread spade; straight-edged ID: Grayish, dorsal stripes longitudinal; hour-glass markings on back |
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Paratoid glands?
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Bufo sp. and Ambystoma gracile (poison)
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Tympanic membrane?
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Anura (eardrum)
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Nasolabial groove?
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Plethodontidae (chemosensory organ)
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Spade-foot?
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Pelobatidae
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Intromittent organ?
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Ascaphus truei (penis, internal fertilization)
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Dorsolateral fold?
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Rana draytonii
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Inflated toe pads?
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Pseudacris (climbing)
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Square-off toe pads?
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Aneides (climbing)
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Tetrodotoxin?
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Taricha sp.
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Costal grooves?
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Caudata
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Ballistic tongue projection
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Hyrdomantes (tongue shoots out from protractor muscles)
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Ring species
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A connected series of neighboring populations, each of which can interbreed with closely sited related populations; 2 end populations to end ring EXAMPLE: Ensatina eschscholtzii
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Evolutionary arms race
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Taricha sp. with garter snakes
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Non-native species
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Rana catesbeiana (introduced and negatively affecting other frogs)
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Endemic to California
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Bufo canorus, Rana muscosa, Ambystoma californiense, Dicamptodon ensatus, Hydromantes sp., Taricha rivularis, Taricha torosa)
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Direct development
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Plethodontidae; terrestrial breeding
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Metamorphosis
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Everything else but Plethodontiae; aquatic breeding
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Sexually diachromatic/dimorphic
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Bufo canorus, Pseudacris sp., Ascaphus truei, Taricha sp., Rhyacotriton variegatus
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