Welcome to Covina! We are excited to share with you our city’s wide variety of birds. Covina is home to many native species of birds, as well as a few non-native species that have found a home here.
From vibrant hummingbirds to majestic bald eagles, there’s something for everyone here to enjoy. Whether you’re a casual birdwatcher or a serious birder, you’ll be sure to find plenty of opportunities to spot a wide variety of birds in Covina.
So go ahead and grab your binoculars, and let’s go bird-watching.
1. House Finch
The house finch is a species of bird belonging to the finch family Fringillidae, which is found in western North America. It has been introduced to the eastern half of the continent and Hawaii, due to its widespread popularity as a pet.
The house finch is part of a larger group of birds known as the American rosefinches, which are categorized into the genus Haemorhous. They are known for their bright red and brown coloring and their distinctive song.
They are generally quite social birds and can often be seen in flocks on bird feeders. They are generally quite hardy birds, able to survive in a variety of habitats, from forests to deserts. They are also known to form strong pair bonds and often mate for life.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Genus | Haemorhous |
| Species | H. mexicanus |
2. Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird is a species of bird that belongs to the Trochilidae family, which is made up of small-sized birds. It was named after Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli, a French noblewoman.
The species is native to the western regions of North America, specifically in northern Baja California and Southern California.
In the early 20th century, the species was only found breeding in these two regions. Anna’s hummingbird is a small bird, typically measuring around 7-9 cm in length. Its wingspan is usually around 12-13 cm.
The male bird is mostly green in color, with a purple crown and throat, and a white spot at the back of its head.
The female is slightly less colorful, with darker green feathers and an orange-brown crown. The species feeds mainly on nectar from flowers, and it can hover in the air while feeding. It also eats small insects such as spiders, aphids, and ants.
This species of hummingbird is an important pollinator, transferring pollen from one flower to another.In recent years, the population of Anna’s hummingbirds has been increasing, and it is now found in many places outside of its native range.
It has been recorded in areas as far away as Alaska and New York. It is an important species for the conservation of local flora and is a popular bird among birdwatchers.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Calypte |
| Species | C. anna |
3. White-Crowned Sparrow
The white-crowned sparrow is a small bird native to North America and a member of the New World sparrow family. It is a medium-sized bird, with a grey face and black and white streaking on the upper head.
This species is easily identifiable by its distinct markings, and it is a common sight in many parts of the United States and Canada. The white-crowned sparrow is an omnivore, eating both plants and small animals.
It is a ground feeder, often seen foraging in open grassy areas, or along the edges of wooded areas. It is also a migratory bird, and can often be seen in large flocks during its annual migration.
The white-crowned sparrow is an important species in the North American ecosystem, providing food for larger predators and helping to control insect populations. It is also a popular bird for birdwatching and photography.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Passerellidae |
| Genus | Zonotrichia |
| Species | Z. leucophrys |
4. Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s hummingbird is a small, colorful bird that is native to the western United States. It is a member of the genus Selasphorus, which includes seven species of hummingbird. The bird is mostly green with a white chin, a red forehead, and a pinkish-orange throat.
Its wings are short and blunt and its tail is forked. It is a fast-flying bird, capable of reaching speeds up to 30 miles per hour while searching for food.
It feeds on nectar from flowers and insects, and its long bill is adapted to extracting nectar from the deepest parts of flowers. The bird breeds in the western United States during the summer months, building nests out of moss and lichens.
It is a territorial bird, defending its nesting area from other birds. Allen’s hummingbird is a beautiful species that is an important part of the Western ecosystem.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Strisores |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Selasphorus |
| Species | S. sasin |
5. California Scrub Jay
The California scrub jay is a species of bird that is native to western North America. It is found in a wide range of areas, spanning from southern British Columbia all the way down to California and western Nevada, near Reno, and even west of the Sierra Nevada.
The California scrub jay is a unique bird, as it is the only species of scrub jay found in western North America. It is also known to be quite social, living in large family groups.
The California scrub jay is a colorful bird, with its head and upper chest a darker blue and its wings and tail a lighter blue. They also have black and white markings on their wings, and a white throat and chest.
These birds can be found in a variety of habitats, including chaparral, oak woodlands, and even coniferous forests. They feed mainly on acorns, insects, and small vertebrates, such as lizards and frogs.
The California scrub jay is an important part of the North American ecosystem, providing food and shelter for many other animals.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Aphelocoma |
| Species | A. californica |
6. Yellow-Rumped Warbler
The yellow-rumped warbler is a species of bird native to North America that can be seen in a variety of habitats. It is notable for its bright yellow rump, which distinguishes it from other warblers. This species is also unique in its migratory habits.
It is one of the earliest to arrive in the spring and one of the last to depart in the fall. It is a common sight in both rural and urban areas, so it can be seen in a large portion of the continent during the warmer months.
During the winter, it migrates to northern Mexico and Central America, where it spends its time in more tropical climates. The yellow-rumped warbler feeds mainly on insects and spiders and is an important part of the food chain.
It is also known to eat berries in the winter, when there are fewer insects available. This species is a favorite of bird watchers and is quite sociable, often found in large flocks in the fall.
It is also known for its distinctive song, which is a melodic mixture of chirps and trills. Overall, the yellow-rumped warbler is a common species of bird that can be seen across North America.
It is an interesting species to observe and provides an opportunity for birders to enjoy its beauty and its unique behavior.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Setophaga |
| Species | S. coronata |
7. Mourning Dove
The mourning dove is a species of dove found in the family Columbidae. It is native to North America and is widely known by its distinctive “woo-oo-oo” call. It is also known as the American mourning dove, the rain dove, and colloquially as the turtle dove.
Historically, it was known as the Carolina pigeon or Carolina turtledove. The mourning dove is a medium-sized bird, with a long pointed tail and a small head. Their coloring is typically grayish-brown on the back and wings, with a pale gray or white underside.
They have a black half-collar around their neck and a white patch on their wings. The mourning dove is a seed-eater, primarily eating wild grains and other seeds. They also eat insects to supplement their diet.
The mourning dove is a monogamous species, forming pairs during the breeding season. They typically build their nests in trees or shrubs, and the female will lay two white eggs, which she will incubate for around two weeks.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Zenaida |
| Species | Z. macroura |
8. American Robin
The American robin is a migratory bird that belongs to the true thrush genus and Turdidae family, which is part of the wider thrush family. It gets its name from the European robin due to its reddish-orange breast, but the two species are not closely related.
The European robin is part of the Old World flycatcher family. The American robin is found in North and Central America and is the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin. It has a grey back, wings, and tail along with a pale orange-yellow belly.
The male and female birds look very similar. The American robin is an omnivorous bird, eating earthworms, insects, and fruits. It is known for its melodic song which it sings during the breeding season.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Turdus |
| Species | T. migratorius |
9. Dark-Eyed Junco
The dark-eyed junco is a species of sparrow that belongs to the junco family. It is native to much of temperate North America and in summer it is known to migrate far into the Arctic. This species is very variable, and it is similar to the fox sparrow.
Its systematics, or the study of its relationships to other species, is complicated and still not fully understood by scientists. The dark-eyed junco is a small, grayish bird with distinct dark eyes.
This species is quite common in its native range and can often be seen in wooded or grassy areas. These birds usually feed on the ground, eating insects, seeds, and berries. In colder climates, they may also consume conifer buds and fruit.
The dark-eyed junco has been observed forming flocks with other species of birds, such as chickadees and finches. The dark-eyed junco is an important part of the North American ecosystem, providing food for many predators.
It also serves as prey for owls, hawks, and other birds of prey. In addition, this species plays an important role in the pollination of plants and the dispersal of seeds.
Overall, the dark-eyed junco is a fascinating species of sparrow that is common in much of temperate North America. Its variable nature and complicated systematics make it an interesting subject of study, and its ecological importance is undeniable.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Passerellidae |
| Genus | Junco |
| Species | J. hyemalis |
10. Western Bluebird
The western bluebird is a species of songbird native to North America. It belongs to the thrush family, which includes other species such as the American robin, and gray-cheeked thrush.
It is a small bird, measuring between 15 to 18 cm in length and weighing around 20 to 30 grams. Western bluebirds have distinctive blue plumage, with a grayish-white belly and some yellow on the wings, tail, and throat.
They can also be distinguished by their long, thin beaks and short, rounded tails. Western bluebirds are found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, and agricultural areas.
They feed mainly on insects, spiders, and other invertebrates, but will also eat some fruits and berries. They build their nests in trees and shrubs and usually lay between three and five eggs.
These birds are quite vocal, and their songs are often heard in the early morning and late afternoon. Western bluebirds are a species of conservation concern due to their declining population in some areas.
This is primarily due to habitat loss and competition with other species, such as the house sparrow and European starling. Therefore, it is important to protect their remaining habitats, so that their populations can recover.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Sialia |
| Species | S. mexicana |
11. Spotted Towhee
The spotted towhee is a large sparrow from the New World. It is part of the genus Pipilo, which includes several other species of towhee.
In recent decades, there has been much debate among ornithologists about the taxonomy of the towhee species, resulting in the 1995 split of the rufous-sided towhee into the eastern towhee and the spotted towhee.
Prior to this split, the spotted towhee was known as the Oregon towhee. This species is found in western North America, ranging from southern British Columbia to northern Mexico. Its habitat includes dense shrubland and woodlands, as well as open areas near human settlements.
The spotted towhee is recognizable by its dark brown back and wings, and its white belly with bold black spots. It is an active forager, typically scratching in the leaf litter for insects and seeds.
The spotted towhee is usually solitary or found in pairs, and its song is a loud, ringing “drink-your-tee.”.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Passerellidae |
| Genus | Pipilo |
| Species | P. maculatus |
12. Black Phoebe
The black phoebe is a member of the tyrant-flycatcher family, a group of birds known for their habit of catching insects in flight. This species is found across the Americas, from southwest Oregon and California in the United States, down through Central and South America.
In most of its range, the black phoebe is a permanent resident, though its northern populations may migrate southward for the winter.
Its migratory habits are less pronounced than in other birds of the same genus, suggesting that the black phoebe is better adapted to surviving the northern winters.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Tyrannidae |
| Genus | Sayornis |
| Species | S. nigricans |
13. Northern Mockingbird
The northern mockingbird is a species of mockingbird that is commonly found in North America. Its range is mostly permanent, but during inclement weather, some birds may migrate farther south.
This species is rarely observed in Europe, suggesting that its range does not extend that far. The northern mockingbird is a medium-sized songbird, typically grey or brown in color.
It is noted for its vocal mimicry, as it is able to imitate the songs of other birds and even the sound of other animals.
This species is a popular choice for birdwatchers and backyard birders, making it a familiar sight in many parts of North America. The northern mockingbird is an omnivore, feeding on insects, fruits, and grains.
Its diet consists mostly of insects during the summer months and more fruits in the winter months.
It will sometimes scavenge food from human environments, including bird feeders and trash bins. The northern mockingbird is an important species in its ecosystem, as it helps to control insect populations and disperse seeds.
This species is also an important part of the culture of the United States, as it is the state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Mimidae |
| Genus | Mimus |
| Species | M. polyglottos |
14. American Goldfinch
The American goldfinch is a small bird that can be found in North America. It is a member of the finch family and is known for its migratory behavior. During the breeding season, the goldfinch can be found in the region from mid-Alberta to North Carolina.
During the winter, the bird migrates even further south, ranging from just south of the Canada–United States border all the way to Mexico. This behavior helps the goldfinch find suitable conditions to survive the cold winter months.
The American goldfinch is a beautiful sight to behold, with its bright yellow and black coloring. Its cheerful song is often heard in fields and meadows during the warmer months.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Genus | Spinus |
| Species | S. tristis |
15. Oak Titmouse
The oak titmouse is a small songbird that is part of the Paridae family, also known as the tit family. This particular species of bird was first identified in 1996 by the American Ornithologists’ Union.
The reason for the classification was that the oak titmouse was found to have distinct differences from the plain titmouse. These differences included the bird’s preferred habitat, its song, and its genetic makeup.
The oak titmouse is predominantly found in oak trees, hence the name, but they can also be spotted in other forested areas. They are known to have a very distinctive song which sets them apart from other species of birds.
Their genetic makeup is also distinct, with the oak titmouse possessing a unique set of genes that differ from the plain titmouse.
Overall, the oak titmouse is a unique species of bird that can be distinguished from other species by its song, habitat preferences, and genetic makeup. It is an important part of the Paridae family and contributes to the diversity and beauty of the natural world.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Paridae |
| Genus | Baeolophus |
| Species | B. inornatus |
16. California Gnatcatcher
Source: summitwestenv.com
The California gnatcatcher is a small bird native to the coastal regions of California. It is 10.8 cm long and mainly feeds on insects. It is closely related to the black-tailed gnatcatcher, which is found in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts.
The California gnatcatcher is usually a solitary bird, but during the winter it joins other birds in flocks. Its preferred habitat is dense coastal sage scrub growth.
This species was recently split from its relative, the black-tailed gnatcatcher, due to differences in its appearance, habitat, and behavior.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Polioptilidae |
| Genus | Polioptila |
| Species | P. californica |
Conclusion
Birds in Covina have adapted to the urban environment and provide a unique opportunity for birdwatchers to observe a variety of species in one place.
While the city has the potential to attract large numbers of birds, conservation efforts are needed to protect and enhance the existing habitats to provide adequate food, water, and shelter sources.
With the right conservation efforts, Covina can become a vibrant haven for birds to thrive and provide visitors with an enriching experience.