Fall brings this small, active, yellow sliver of warbler as it briefly stops in our leafy tree-filled parks along its annual migration route from its northerly montane, breeding grounds to warmer Central American habitats in winter months. Although seen as a fairly common spring and fall transient it’s considered a rare winter visitor.  Observers do [...]

The Mourning Dove is one of the most abundant and widespread bird species found exclusively in North and Central America. With their plump, brownish-gray bodies with dark spots and long, pointy tails, they are a common sight in our parks and neighborhoods. They are routinely seen eagerly visiting bird feeders and making nests in garden [...]

(Español: Cenzontle Norteño) The Northern Mockingbird is a non-migrating resident breeding bird with an outsized voice, personality and presence. Its Latin name, Mimus polyglottos, literally translates to “many-tongued mimic.” A polyglot is a person who speaks many languages, here referencing this bird’s ability to imitate a multitude of sounds from its environment. They are known for [...]

The Nuttall’s Woodpecker occurs only in California and Baja California and is strongly associated with oak woodlands. They are non-migratory, and maintain yearround territories. Males and females come together in the spring for breeding but do not spend time together after late summer. Male Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, distinguished by its bright red cap, do the nest [...]

The Black Phoebe is a dapper black and white flycatcher that seems comfortable living close to people, so long as a fresh water source is nearby. It’s a year-round familiar feature in tree filled neighborhoods, flowering gardens, verdant parks and stream sides where it perches on low branches or shrubs lying in wait for an [...]