House Finches are one of the most numerous and commonly seen and heard birds in our neighborhoods and trees filled residential parks.Although native to Mexico and the Southwest, they have rapidly expanded coast to coast due to introduction and colonization and are now the default finch in US urban and suburban settings. These adaptable seed [...]
The Peregrine Falcon is an extraordinary bird by every measure. Their worldwide range is more extensive than any other bird. They’re found on all continents except Antartica, inhabiting a wide variety of environments, including mountains, coastlines, river valleys, and increasingly urban areas. While historically cliff dwellers, they have adapted to nesting on tall buildings in [...]
The Ash-throated Flycatcher is a welcome local breeder to Southern California each spring. The eight inch Flycatcher spends the cold winter months in coastal Mexico and Central America before its annual return to breed in the arid southwest. It nests primarily in tree cavities excavated in previous nesting seasons by enterprising woodpeckers. The mated pair [...]
Springtime in the Western States heralds the welcome return of the sky-blue headed Lazuli Bunting and its bubbly springtime song. The Lazuli Bunting is named for a vibrant blue gemstone, lapis lazuli. During its breeding season, a male Lazuli Bunting has bright cerulean-blue head and back, white wing bars, a rusty breast, and white belly. [...]
Barn Swallows return! The diving and darting Barn Swallows overhead have returned to Orange County to breed after spending the winter in the tropics. Watch for their long streaming tail and rusty-orange breast and throat as they devour 60 insects per hour on the wing. The Barn Swallow is a long slender swallow with glittering [...]
