Birds of California

California has over 680 species of birds, per the list published by the California Bird Records Committee. Two of the many birds dwelling here, the island scrub-jay and Yellow-billed magpie, are endemic to California.

You would find pretty birds throughout the state, with birds like the California towhee, Allen’s hummingbird, and California scrub-jay occurring more in northern California. Whereas the house finch, Allen’s hummingbird, and spotted towhee mostly inhabit southern California.

The California quail, or valley quail, has been California’s official state bird since 1931. A popular game bird, it is primarily in season during winter.

Birds of California

  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Allen’s Hummingbird
  • California Quail
  • California Towhee
  • Island Scrub-jay
  • Northern Mockingbird
  • Oak Titmouse
  • Cooper’s Hawk
  • Great Blue Heron
  • California Gull
  • Cedar Waxwing
  • Hooded Oriole
  • Anna’s Hummingbird
  • House Finch
  • California Scrub Jay
  • Yellow-rumped Warbler
  • Chestnut-backed Chickadee
  • Red-shouldered Hawk
  • Black Oystercatcher
  • Black-necked Stilt
  • Brown Pelican
  • Yellow Warbler
  • California Condor
  • Golden Eagle
  • Spotted Towhee
  • Greater Sage-Grouse
  • Western Bluebird
  • Long-billed Curlew
  • Sandhill Crane
  • Surf Scoter
  • Western Grebe
  • Western Snowy Plover
  • Heermann’s Gull
  • Greater White-Fronted Goose
  • Tundra Swan
  • Tufted Puffin
  • Pelagic Cormorant
  • Mountain Plover
  • Snowy Plover
  • Yellow-breasted Chat
  • White-Tailed Kite
  • Yellow-Billed Magpie
  • Northern Pygmy-Owl
  • Acorn Woodpecker
  • Band-Tailed Pigeon
  • Spotted Dove
  • Common Ground-Dove
  • Lawrence’s Goldfinch
  • Costa’s Hummingbird
  • Mountain Quail
  • California Thrasher
  • European Starling
  • White-Headed Woodpecker
  • Black-Chinned Sparrow
  • Mourning Dove
  • Black Phoebe
  • American Goldfinch

Birds of Prey: California Condor, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Harris’ Hawk

Backyard Birds: Anna’s Hummingbird, House Finch, California Scrub-jay, Northern Mockingbird, Mourning Dove

Birds found on the Beaches: Great Blue Heron, Snowy Plover, California Gull

Common Birds Identification by Color

Black Birds

  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • European Starling
  • Yellow-headed Blackbird
  • Great-tailed Grackle
  • Brown-headed Cowbird

Yellow Birds

  • American Goldfinch
  • Lesser Goldfinch
  • American Yellow Warbler
  • Common Yellowthroat
  • Evening Grosbeak

White Birds

Blue Birds

  • California Scrub Jay
  • Western Bluebird
  • Great Blue Heron
  • Tree Swallow
  • Belted Kingfisher

Red Birds

  • House Finch
  • Red Crossbill
  • Summer Tanager (male)
  • Pine Grosbeak
  • Hepatic Tanager

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