BFS Birds

NOTES:

Names: Common and scientific names conform to the “Checklist of North and Middle American Birds” from the American Ornithological Society.

Abundance/Season: Abundance and seasonal data were collected by Dr. Catherine McFadden, Vivian & D. Kenneth Baker Professor of Biology at Harvey Mudd College, who has conducted monthly bird surveys at the BFS since December 2000. These data have been supplemented by observations by other BFS students, researchers, and visitors for birds not seen during the regular surveys. The most recent and complete frequency data are available on eBird, which contains data from Prof. McFadden’s surveys as well as observations reported by others.

Conservation Status: Any birds that have been assigned special protection or conservation status by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service or the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are indicated. Note that special status typically refers to nesting birds, rookeries, etc. and may not apply to some species at the BFS. Refer to the agency lists for details.

Photos and descriptions: Links labeled ‘BFS’, ‘AAB’ and ‘CP’ will direct you to the photos and/or descriptions of that species in the BFS Photo Database, ‘All About Birds’, and ‘CalPhotos’, respectively. Permissions policies for use of the linked photos are:

  • BFS: Photos on the BFS pages may be used for any personal or academic purposes as long as notification of use is sent to the BFS Webmaster and the image is clearly credited with ©[Name of photographer]. For higher-resolution images, please contact the photographer. No photos taken at the BFS may be used for commercial purposes without the express permission of The Claremont Colleges Services.
  • AAB: NO photographs may be downloaded, copied, archived, modified, or used for any reason, including posting on personal or other web sites, without permission of the photographer.
  • CP: Thumbnails may be used as long as they are properly credited. Use guidelines for the large photos vary among photographers. Click the “View Details” link at the top of the large images for information.

Additional information:

  • ‘Birds of the World’ is a powerful research database that brings together deep, scholarly content from four celebrated works of ornithology with millions of bird observations from eBird and multimedia from the Macaulay Library into a single platform where biologists and birders can explore comprehensive life history information on birds. Institutional or individual subscription required. Claremont Colleges students and faculty can access “Birds of the World” through the Claremont Colleges Library.
Common name Species name Abundance/Season* Photos &
Descriptions
Conservation
Status*
Notes
W Sp Su F
Ducks (Anatidae):
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons w R AAB, CP
Canada Goose Branta canadensis w R R BFS, AAB, CP
Wood Duck Aix sponsa A AAB, CP
Cinnamon Teal Spatula cyanoptera w R R R BFS, AAB, CP Formerly Anas cyanoptera
Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata w R R BFS, AAB, CP Formerly Anas clypeata
Gadwall Mareca strepera w O R R BFS, AAB, CP Formerly Anas strepera
American Wigeon Mareca americana w R R BFS, AAB, CP Formerly Anas americana
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos r U C U O BFS, AAB, CP
Northern Pintail Anas acuta w R R BFS, AAB, CP
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca w R R AAB, CP
Canvasback Aythya valisineria w A AAB, CP
Redhead Aythya americana A AAB, CP CSC
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris w O R R BFS, AAB, CP
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis w R AAB, CP
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola w U O R BFS, AAB, CP
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula w A AAB, CP
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus w R R AAB, CP
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis r U U O U BFS, AAB, CP
Grouse & Quail (Odontophoridae):
California Quail Callipepla californica r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP Formerly in Phasianidae
Grebes (Podicipedidae):
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps O O R R BFS, AAB, CP
Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis A BFS, AAB, CP
Pigeons & Doves (Columbidae):
Rock Pigeon Columba livia R O O O BFS, AAB, CP
Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP
Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto x R O O O AAB, CP
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis e CP Last seen 1990
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP
Cuckoos (Cuculidae):
Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus R R R AAB, CP
Nightjars & Poor-wills (Caprimulgidae):
Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis A AAB, CP
Common Poorwill Phalaenoptilus nuttallii A AAB, CP
Swifts (Apodidae):
Vaux’s Swift Chaetura vauxi m R O AAB CSC
White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis O O R AAB, CP
Hummingbirds (Trochilidae):
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri s U C O AAB, CP
Anna’s Hummingbird Calypte anna r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP
Costa’s Hummingbird Calypte costae R O R R AAB, CP BCC
Calliope Hummingbird Selasphorus calliope m A AAB, CP Formerly Stellula calliope
Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus m R R AAB, CP BCC
Allen’s Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP
Coots, Rails, & Gallinules (Raillidae):
Virginia Rail Rallus limicola R R BFS, AAB, CP
Sora Porzana carolina A BFS, AAB, CP
Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata * ? ? ? ? AAB, CP Formerly Gallinula chloropus
Formerly Common Moorhen
Seasonal data not available
American Coot Fulica americana r C C U C BFS, AAB, CP
Plovers (Charadriidae):
Killdeer Charadrius vociferous R R R O AAB, CP
Sandpipers (Scolopacidae):
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus R AAB, CP BCC
Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata R AAB, CP
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius A A BFS, AAB, CP Formerly Actitis macularia
Gulls & Terns (Laridae):
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis R R AAB, CP
Western Gull Larus occidentalis A AAB, CP
California Gull Larus californicus A AAB, CP CWL
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia A AAB, CP BCC
Cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae):
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus R O R R BFS, AAB, CP CWL
Pelicans (Pelecanidae):
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos A BFS, AAB, CP CSC
Herons & bitterns (Ardeidae):
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias R R O R BFS, AAB, CP
Great Egret Ardea alba R O R R BFS, AAB, CP
Snowy Egret Egretta thula R R R BFS, AAB, CP
Green Heron Butorides virescens R O O BFS, AAB, CP
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax O BFS, AAB, CP
Ibises and Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae):
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi A AAB, CP CWL
New World Vultures (Cathartidae):
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura O O U O BFS, AAB, CP
Ospreys (Pandionidae):
Osprey Pandion haliaetus R O BFS, AAB, CP CWL Formerly in Accipitridae
Hawks (Accipitridae):
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus R R AAB, CP CFP
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos A BFS, AAB, CP CFP, CWL, BCC
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius w A AAB, CP CSC Formerly Circus cyaneus
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus w U O O BFS, AAB, CP CWL
Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP CWL
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus R AAB, CP CE, CFP, BCC
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus r O U U O BFS, AAB, CP
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus v A AAB, CP
Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni m R R AAB, CP CT, BCC
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis A AAB, CP CWL, BCC
Barn Owls (Tytonidae):
Barn Owl Tyto alba r R R R AAB, CP
Owls (Strigidae):
Western Screech-Owl Megascops kennicottii * ? ? ? ? AAB, CP Seasonal data not available.
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus r R R O O BFS, AAB, CP
Kingfishers (Alcedinidae):
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon R R R O BFS, AAB, CP
Woodpeckers (Picidae):
Lewis’s Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis A AAB, CP BCC
Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus r U U C C BFS, AAB, CP
Red-breasted Sapsucker Sphyrapicus ruber R R AAB, CP
Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens r O O O O BFS, AAB, CP Formerly Picoides pubescens
Nuttall’s Woodpecker Dryobates nuttallii r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP Formerly Picoides nuttallii
Hairy Woodpecker Dryobates villosus R R AAB, CP Formerly Picoides villosus
Northern Flicker (red-shafted) Colaptes auratus w C U U BFS, AAB, CP
Falcons (Falconidae):
American Kestrel Falco sparverius R R O O BFS, AAB, CP
Merlin Falco columbarius w R R R AAB, CP CWL
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus R R R AAB, CP CFP, BCC
Parrots (Psittacidae):
Red-masked Parakeet Psittacara erythrogenys x R CP
Red-crowned Parrot Amazona viridigenalis x R R R R CP
Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae):
Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens s U U BFS, AAB, CP
Cassin’s Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans r U O O U BFS, AAB, CP
Thick-billed Kingbird Tyrannus crassirostris v A BNA
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis s O U R AAB, CP
Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi m O AAB, CP CSC, BCC
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus m O R R BFS, AAB, CP
Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii extimus m R R R AAB, CP FE, CE, BCC
Hammond’s Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii m R R AAB, CP
Gray Flycatcher Empidonax wrightii m R AAB, CP
Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri m A AAB, CP
Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis m O R R AAB, CP
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP
Say’s Phoebe Sayornis saya r O R R U BFS, AAB, CP
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus A AAB, CP CSC
Shrikes (Laniidae):
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus A AAB, CP CSC, BCC
Vireos (Vireonidae):
Bell’s Vireo Vireo bellii pusillus m R AAB, CP FE, CE
Hutton’s Vireo Vireo huttoni r O O R O AAB, CP
Cassin’s Vireo Vireo cassinii m O AAB, CP
Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus A AAB
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus m O R BFS, AAB, CP
Crows & Jays (Corvidae):
Steller’s Jay Cyanocitta stelleri A AAB, CP
California Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP Formerly Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP
Common Raven Corvus corax r U U O O BFS, AAB, CP
Swallows (Hirundinidae):
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor m A AAB, CP
Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina m O R R AAB, CP
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis s C U BFS, AAB, CP
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica s O U R AAB, CP
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota s O U AAB, CP
Chickadees & Titmice (Paridae):
Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambeli O R R R AAB, CP
Oak Titmouse Baeolophus inornatus r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP BCC
Bushtits (Aegithalidae):
Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP
Nuthatches & Wallcreepers (Sittidae):
Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis R AAB, CP
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis R R R O AAB, CP
Wrens (Troglodytidae):
Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus A AAB, CP
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris A AAB, CP
House Wren Troglodytes aedon r O C U O BFS, AAB, CP
Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP
Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus e BFS, AAB, CP CSC, BCC Last seen 2007
Gnatcatchers (Polioptilidae):
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea r U O O C BFS, AAB, CP Formerly in Sylviidae
California Gnatcatcher Polioptila californica e AAB, CP FT, CSC Formerly in Sylviidae
Last seen 1994
Kinglets (Regulidae):
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula w C U U AAB, CP
Sylvid Babblers (Sylviidae):
Wrentit Chamaea fasciata r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP
Thrushes (Turdidae):
Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana r U U U U BFS, AAB, CP
Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus m R AAB, CP
Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus w C U U AAB, CP
American Robin Turdus migratorius r U O O O BFS, AAB, CP
Mimic Thrushes (Mimidae):
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum v R AAB, CP
California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP
Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus m A BFS, AAB, CP
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP
Starlings (Sturnidae):
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris r C C U C AAB, CP
Waxwings (Bombycillidae):
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum w U U O BFS, AAB, CP
Silky Flycatchers (Ptilogonatidae):
Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens r U C C U BFS, AAB, CP
Weaver Finches (Ploceidae):
Northern Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus x A
Indigobirds (Viduidae):
Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura x R R CP
Waxbills (Estrildidae):
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata x A CP Formerly Nutmeg Mannikin
Old World Sparrows (Passeridae):
House Sparrow Passer domesticus r U U U O AAB, CP
Finches (Fringillidae):
House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP Formerly Carpodacus mexicanus
Purple Finch Haemorhous purpureus w U U R U BFS, AAB, CP Formerly Carpodacus purpureus
Cassin’s Finch Haemorhous cassinii A AAB, CP Formerly Carpodacus cassinii
Pine Siskin Spinus pinus w R R R AAB, CP Formerly Carduelis pinus
Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP Formerly Carduelis psaltria
Lawrence’s Goldfinch Spinus lawrencei O R R BFS, AAB, CP BCC
American Goldfinch Spinus tristis w U O R O AAB, CP Formerly Carduelis tristis
New World Sparrows (Passerellidae):
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus w O O O U BFS, AAB, CP Formerly in Emberizidae
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina R O R O AAB, CP Formerly in Emberizidae
Brewer’s Sparrow Spizella breweri m R R AAB, CP BCC Formerly in Emberizidae
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca w U O O AAB, CP Formerly in Emberizidae
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) Junco hyemalis r U O O AAB, CP Formerly in Emberizidae
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys w C U C BFS, AAB, CP Formerly in Emberizidae
Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla w O O R AAB, CP Formerly in Emberizidae
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis v R R AAB, CP Formerly in Emberizidae
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis R R O AAB, CP Formerly in Emberizidae
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP Formerly in Emberizidae
Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii w O O O BFS, AAB, CP Formerly in Emberizidae
California Towhee Melozone crissalis r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP Formerly Pipilo crissalis
Formerly in Emberizidae
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus r C C C C BFS, AAB, CP Formerly in Emberizidae
Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteriidae):
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens m R AAB, CP CSC Formerly in Parulidae
Blackbirds & Orioles (Icteridae):
Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus A BFS, AAB, CP CSC
Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta R R O BFS, AAB, CP
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus s U U R BFS, AAB, CP
Bullock’s Oriole Icterus bullockii s R O AAB, CP
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus R U O O BFS, AAB, CP
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater s U U R BFS, AAB, CP
Brewer’s Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus R R AAB, CP
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus O R BFS, AAB, CP
Wood Warblers (Parulidae):
Orange-crowned Warbler Leiothlypis celata m O U R U AAB, CP Formerly Oreothlypis celata
Nashville Warbler Leiothlypis ruficapilla m O R AAB, CP Formerly Oreothlypis celata
MacGillivray’s Warbler Geothlypis tolmiei m R R AAB, CP Formerly Oporornis tolmiei
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas r U C U U BFS, AAB, CP
Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia m O R BFS, AAB, CP CSC, BCC Formerly Dendroica petechia
Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata w C U R U BFS, AAB, CP Formerly Dendroica coronata
Black-throated Gray Warbler Setophaga nigrescens m R O R AAB, CP Formerly Dendroica nigrescens
Townsend’s Warbler Setophaga townsendi m O R AAB, CP Formerly Dendroica townsendi
Hermit Warbler Setophaga occidentalis m R AAB, CP Formerly Dendroica occidentalis
Wilson’s Warbler Cardellina pusilla m U O AAB, CP Formerly Wilsonia pusilla
Cardinals & Grosbeaks (Cardinalidae):
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra v R AAB, CP CSC Formerly in Thraupidae
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana m R U U O BFS, AAB, CP Formerly in Thraupidae
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis x A BFS, AAB, CP CWL
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus s U C O BFS, AAB, CP
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea R AAB, CP
Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena m O R R AAB, CP
Unconfirmed species reports:
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus
Greater Scaup Aythya marila
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor
American Pipit Anthus rubescens
*Key:
Abundance/Season:
C = common, seen on >70% of visits
U = uncommon, seen on 30-70% of visits
O = occasional, seen on 10-30% of visits
R = rare, seen on <10% of visits
A = accidental, seen on only one occasion
r = resident (present all year, presumably breed at BFS or nearby)
s = summer visitor
w = winter visitor
m = migrant
v = vagrant, outside normal range
x = exotic
e = extirpated, no longer occur at the BFS
* = Reported by a reliable observer, but seasonal data are not available.
W = Dec-Feb
Sp = Mar-May
Su = Jun-Aug
F = Sep-Nov
Conservation Status:
Note that special status typically refers to nesting birds, rookeries, etc. Refer to agency lists for details.
FE = Federal Endangered Species
FT = Federal Threatened Species
CE = California Endangered species (State and Federally Listed Endangered Animals of California [pdf] (November 2020)
CT = California Threatened species (State and Federally Listed Endangered Animals of California [pdf] (November 2020)
CSC = California Bird Species of Special Concern, California Department of Fish & Wildlife
CWL = California Department of Fish & Wildlife Watch List (Special Animals [pdf], California Department of Fish & Wildlife (November 2020)
CFP = California Department of Fish & Wildlife Fully Protected
BCC = Birds of Conservation Concern 2008, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Program
Links to Photos and Descriptions:
BFS = Robert J. Bernard Biological Field Station. Most of the birds shown were photographed at the BFS. Additional photographs taken elsewhere have been generously provided to the BFS by Claremont Colleges faculty, students, and staff, and additional photographers.
AAB = ‘All About Birds’ species accounts. From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
CP = CalPhotos Digital Library Project, UC Berkeley. Clicking the CalPhotos link for a listing will return a display of all photos for that taxon. If you want to use any of these photos, be sure to check the guidelines for Using the Photos in CalPhotos