California is home to an incredibly diverse range of birds, from small sparrows to majestic pelicans. With its wide variety of habitats, from coastal wetlands to mountain forests, the state has an equally wide variety of bird species.
From the iconic California condor to the colorful western tanager, there are so many fascinating birds to discover in California.
Whether you’re birding in the Redwood Forest or along the Pacific Coast, you’re sure to be amazed by the variety of species found in the Golden State.
1. Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird is a beautiful species of bird belonging to the Trochilidae family. Native to western coastal regions of North America, it was named after Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli.
In the early 20th century, these birds bred only in northern Baja California and southern California but due to ornamental plant transplanting they can now be found across much of Pacific Coast region.
They are medium-sized with bright emerald green feathers on their back and crowns as well as rose-red patches at the throat for males which makes them quite distinguishable from other birds.
Their diet consists mainly nectar from flowers although they will occasionally feed on insects or spiders too making them important pollinators that help maintain healthy ecosystems.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Calypte |
| Species | C. anna |
2. California Scrub Jay
The California scrub jay is a species of bird native to western North America. It can be found from southern British Columbia all the way down through California and western Nevada near Reno, up to west beyond the Sierra Nevada range.
This beautiful blue feathered bird was once categorized with Woodhouse’s scrub jay as the “western scrub jay” along with island scrub jays.
The California Scrub Jay has distinctive features such as its greyish-blue feathers on its head, wings and tail; white cheeks; dark bill; and strong legs for perching in trees which makes it stand out among other birds in its family.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Aphelocoma |
| Species | A. californica |
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3. Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird is a beautiful species of hummingbird that breeds in the western United States. It stands only 3-3.5 inches long and its stunningly vibrant plumage make it an incredible sight to behold.
The male has a green back and forehead, with rust-colored (rufous) flanks, rump, and tail while his throat dazzles with an iridescent orange coloration.
Females are similarly colored but lack the colorful throat patch of males.
These birds feed primarily on nectar from flowers such as sagebrush, California fuchsia or currant bushes using their long bills and tongues to extract food from deep within them.
They also eat small insects for protein which they capture in flight like other hummingbirds do.
Allen’s Hummingbird can be found near chaparral shrubland during breeding season when wildflowers abound giving these tiny beauties plenty of sustenance.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Selasphorus |
| Species | S. sasin |
4. California Towhee
The California towhee (Melozone crissalis) is a medium-sized bird belonging to the family Passerellidae.
It can be found in coastal regions of Oregon, California and Baja California Sur in Mexico.
This species has been subject to taxonomic debate – some authors place it within Fringillidae instead.
The male Californian towhee are easily identified by their greyish brown plumage with black streaks on its back, tail and wings; while females have duller colors than males but still retain the same patterned feathering as them.
Additionally, they possess an orange-colored bill and legs which adds a pop of color to their otherwise dusky appearance.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Passerellidae |
| Genus | Melozone |
| Species | M. crissalis |
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5. New World Quail
New World quail are small birds found in the Americas, from Canada to Brazil. They belong to their own family, Odontophoridae, and have similar appearance and habits as Old World quail which belong to a different family.
New World Quails come in various species such as California Quail and Bobwhite Quail.
These birds have adapted well to human presence due to availability of food resources like agricultural crops.
They also live close together where they form large flocks for safety against predators like foxes or hawks.
The males usually sport colorful feathers during mating season that helps them attract female mates while providing an amazing sight for us viewers.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Superfamily | Phasianoidea |
| Family | Odontophoridae Gould, 1844 |
6. California Quail
The California quail is a small, ground-dwelling bird with an iconic drooping crest. Male birds have a dark brown cap and black face while females sport a brown back and white streaks on their flanks.
These quails are found in the western United States and parts of northern Mexico and may gather in groups to feed or dust bathe together during the day.
Their diet consists mainly of grasses, seeds, berries as well as some insects like beetles or ants.
The population has been declining due to habitat loss so conservation efforts are being implemented for this species’ survival.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Odontophoridae |
| Genus | Callipepla |
| Species | C. californica |
7. Snowy Plover
The Snowy Plover is a small wader bird, about 5-7″ in length. It breeds in the southern and western United States, the Caribbean, Ecuador, Peru and Chile.
Once thought to be a subspecies of the Kentish plover it has since been reclassified as its own species.
In order to protect nesting areas along Central California’s coastlines parts or entire beaches are closed off during breeding season for this endangered species.
This rare bird can easily be identified by its sandy brown color with white underbelly that helps camouflage itself from predators while on land but stands out when taking flight due to its brilliant white wingspan which provides an eye catching display against blue sky backdrop.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Charadrius |
| Species | C. nivosus |
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8. California Condor
The California condor is a majestic bird, being the largest North American landbird. It was sadly pushed to extinction in the wild back in 1987 when all remaining individuals were captured.
Since then, conservation efforts have allowed for reintroductions of these birds into areas such as northern Arizona and southern Utah, including Zion National Park and Grand Canyon area; coastal mountains of California; and northern Baja California.
The species has been given plenty of protection with numerous laws created to protect it from human interference or disturbance while also helping boost its population size through captive breeding programs.
Thanks to this effort we can now enjoy seeing this incredible species flying across our skies once more.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Cathartidae |
| Genus | Gymnogyps |
| Species | G. californianus |
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9. Oak Titmouse
The Oak Titmouse is a small passerine bird of the tit family, Paridae. It has an overall grayish-brown plumage with a cream-colored undersides and its face is plain in coloration lacking any distinct patterning or markings.
The distinguishing feature of this species however, is the tufted crest on top of its head that gives it a unique appearance.
They are native to western North America where they inhabit oak woodlands and chaparral habitats at elevations between sea level up to 5500 feet above sea level.
These birds feed mostly on insects such as caterpillars but also consume seeds and fruits during colder months when insect prey becomes scarce.
In addition, they have been seen stealing food from other birds’ nests including acorn Woodpecker’s caches.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Paridae |
| Genus | Baeolophus |
| Species | B. inornatus |
10. Black Phoebe
The black phoebe is a beautiful passerine bird belonging to the tyrant-flycatcher family. It breeds from southwest Oregon and California south through Central and South America, where it can be found year-round.
However, its northern populations tend to migrate seasonally in some areas. Six subspecies of this species have been identified so far: two are occasional visitors while the others are more common residents in their range.
The adult has mainly dark grey upperparts with a white belly; juveniles may show brownish tones instead of grey ones on their back.
Its main diet consists of insects which it catches by hovering over water or flying out after them from perches near rivers or streams – hence why they’re often seen around these places.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Tyrannidae |
| Genus | Sayornis |
| Species | S. nigricans |
11. Tricolored Blackbird
The Tricolored Blackbird is a member of the Icteridae family, found in coastal areas from Northern California to upper Baja California.
It’s an incredibly social and gregarious bird that loves forming huge colonies- bigger than any other North American landbird.
The birds are quite striking with their black feathers, white shoulder patches and yellowish beaks.
They tend to build nests out of grasses or weeds near water sources like wetlands or marshes.
Unfortunately they have been steadily declining due to habitat destruction, although conservation efforts have helped stabilize their population in recent years.
With enough protection we can ensure these beautiful creatures remain part of our ecosystem for future generations to enjoy.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Icteridae |
| Genus | Agelaius |
| Species | A. tricolor |
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12. Chestnut-Backed Chickadee
The Chestnut-backed Chickadee is a small passerine bird in the tit family, Paridae. It lives within the Pacific Northwest region of America and Canada; its range extending from southern Alaska to southwestern California.
This species remains a permanent resident throughout its area rather than migrating seasonally, although feeding flocks may temporarily move short distances for food sources.
They are commonly found in woodlands with dense understory vegetation as well as suburban gardens.
The male and female birds can be distinguished by their distinctive patterned plumage: males have brown backs while females are grayer above but both share white bellies and buffy sides striped with black barring across their wings and tails.
These sociable birds usually feed on insects or seeds which they obtain from trees or shrubs using their sharp beaks.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Paridae |
| Genus | Poecile |
| Species | P. rufescens |
13. California Gull
The California Gull is a medium-sized bird, smaller than the herring gull but larger than the ring-billed gull. It has a yellow bill with black ring and yellow legs.
Its head is rounder compared to other gulls and its body mainly white in color with grey back and wings.
They are mostly found around lakes, rivers or coasts of western North America where there is plenty of food available for them such as fish, insects and crustaceans which they consume on their daily diet.
During breeding season these birds form large colonies near water bodies or wetlands where they also make their nests using grasses sticks or feathers.
As omnivores they play an important role in maintaining balance within local ecosystems by eating both plants material like seeds & fruits as well as small mammals like rodents.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Larus |
| Species | L. californicus |
14. Mountain Quail
The Mountain Quail is a unique species of ground-dwelling bird found only in the New World quail family.
It stands an average length of 26 to 28 cm and has distinctive features such as its long tail feathers, black tufts on either side of their heads, and bold white bars across their wings.
This beautiful creature inhabits mountainous regions from coast to coast in western North America, particularly California’s coastal mountains.
Its diet consists mainly of seeds, insects and other small animals that it can find on the ground or low shrubs. The mountain quail is known for its remarkable speed; they are able to run up steep hillsides with ease.
Additionally due to their specialized adaptations like camouflage coloring which helps them blend into rocky terrain and thick brush coverings that serve as protection from predators.
These birds have become highly successful at surviving in harsh conditions over millions of years – making them one impressive avian species indeed.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Odontophoridae |
| Genus | Oreortyx Baird, 1858 |
| Species | O. pictus |
15. Least Tern
The Least Tern is a species of tern native to North America and northern South America. It has many close relatives, such as the yellow-billed tern and Peruvian tern from South America, or the little tern from the Old World.
The bird measures 8.7 – 9.4 inches in length with a wingspan of 16–18 inches acrosss, making it an intermediate size between most other species of birds within its family groupings.
Its feathers are usually gray on top with white underneath and typically have darker accents near their heads along with bright red bills for feeding during summer months when they mate upon beaches found throughout these regions mentioned above.
They feed mainly on small fish that live at shallow depths near shorelines where they also nest nearby due to migratory patterns which take place annually each year.
Hence why this particular bird does not travel far distances away from areas known as home for them over long periods of time like some other types do.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Sternula |
| Species | S. antillarum |
16. White-Tailed Kite
The White-tailed Kite is a small raptor found in western North America and parts of South America. It was first described by French ornithologist Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot in 1818, with the type locality being Paraguay.
This species belongs to the same family as Old World black-winged kites, but is more widespread than its relative.
They are recognized easily due to their distinct white heads and tails, grey wings and backs, yellow eyes and legs.
Theses birds primarily hunt for rodents such as mice during daylight hours using their exceptional hunting skills like hovering midair before diving down on prey or swooping low over grasslands looking for food items on the ground.
In addition they also feed upon insects including grasshoppers and locusts which provides them additional nutrition throughout summer months.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Elanus |
| Species | E. leucurus |
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17. Western Bluebird
The Western Bluebird is a small North American thrush that was formally described by English naturalist William John Swainson in 1832.
It has six subspecies and measures 15 to 18 cm long, with the adult male being bright blue on top and light orange-brown underneath.
Its wings have white bars which contrast against its bright plumage. The female is duller overall but retains the same wing pattern as its counterpart.
In addition, it also sports an attractive reddish patch near its bill area when breeding season arrives.
This species can be found inhabiting open woodlands, grassy meadows or agricultural areas of western America from Alaska southwards into Mexico and Guatemala where they feed mainly on insects such as beetles, flies, ants etc..
All in all this gorgeous bird adds colour to any environment.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Sialia |
| Species | S. mexicana |
18. American White Pelican
The American White Pelican is a majestic bird from the Pelecaniformes order, known for its impressive size and ability to soar gracefully in the sky.
It breeds during summer months in North America and migrates southwards towards Central and South America during winter.
The species was first described by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin back in 1789 as part of his updated version of Carl Linnaeus’ work.
This large aquatic bird has an all-white plumage with black primary flight feathers on its wings, while its beak features a characteristic yellowish colouration at the base near the face.
Its diet mainly consists of fish which it typically catches after dipping into water using its long bill; yet sometimes they can be seen stealing food items from other birds such as cormorants or gulls.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Pelecanidae |
| Genus | Pelecanus |
| Species | P. erythrorhynchos |
19. Gnatcatcher
Gnatcatchers are small passerine birds from the family Polioptilidae. They inhabit North and South America, apart from far south regions and high Andean areas.
Most species of this mostly tropical and subtropical group remain in one area year-round; however, the blue-grey gnatcatcher of U.S.A and Canada migrate to warmer climates during wintertime.
Gnatcatchers share a close relation with wrens.[1] The size varies between 5–7 inches long depending on specie, they typically have dark upperparts while their underparts range in color: white or greyish shades may predominate but some species show yellow tinting too.
Their diet consists mainly insects which is usually captured by short sallies above vegetation level when foraging for food.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Certhioidea |
| Family | Polioptilidae Baird, 1858 |
20. Heermann’s Gull
Heermann’s gull is a type of seabird found in the United States, Mexico and British Columbia. It nests on Isla Rasa in the Gulf of California and can be seen near shores or out at sea, though rarely inland.
Named after Adolphus Lewis Heermann, a nineteenth-century explorer and naturalist, this species looks quite different from other gulls due to its brownish colouring with white spots around the wings.
It has bright yellow legs as well as red eyes circled by an orange ring – features that make it easily identifiable among bird watchers.
Their diet consists mainly of fish but they will also eat insects, crustaceans and molluscs if necessary.
Although not considered endangered yet their numbers have been decreasing over time so conservation efforts are imperative for these beautiful birds.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Larus |
| Species | L. heermanni |
21. Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s hummingbird is a species of the Trochilidae family. It inhabits arid regions in both the southwest United States and northwest Mexico, migrating to western Mexico for wintering purposes.
This bird was named by French ornithologist Jules Bourcier in 1839 after honouring François Coste, who had sent specimens to him from North America.
Costa’s hummingbirds are small birds averaging 3-3.5 inches (7–9cm) long with typically green feathers on their back and tail while underparts are usually greyish or sometimes white with purple highlights around throat area giving them an iridescent appearance when light hits it right angle.
Males also have red patches on forehead which they use as part of courtship display behavior along with singing distinctive “wheep” sound during mating season.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Calypte |
| Species | C. costae |
22. Western Snowy Plover
The western snowy plover is a small wader belonging to the plover bird family. It breeds in various areas of the United States and Caribbean, but its population has been decreasing over time due to habitat loss and other threats.
For this reason, on March 5th 1993 it was listed as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
In order to protect their habitats along California’s coast, Oregon’s coast and Washington’s coasts they have also been designated as critical habitats by The U.S Fish & Wildlife Service in 2012.
Conservation efforts are being taken for these birds including beach closures during nesting season; however more needs to be done if we want them safe from extinction. We must take action now before it’s too late.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Charadrius |
| Species | C. nivosus |
| Subspecies | C. n. nivosus |
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23. Bewick’s Wren
The Bewick’s wren (Thryomanes bewickii) is a small, grey-brown bird native to North America. Measuring at around 14 cm long it has distinctive white markings on its face and tail giving it an attractive appearance.
It can often be found in thickets or scrubby areas as well as urban gardens and parks.
Its song is loud and melodious which makes them popular amongst ornithologists; they are known for their complex vocalisations composed of whistles, clicks, churrs and trills.
The Bewick’s Wren mainly feeds on insects but will also eat fruits if available during the colder months when food may otherwise be scarce.
This species of wren plays an important role in controlling insect populations making them beneficial inhabitants of our environment.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Troglodytidae |
| Genus | Thryomanes P.L. Sclater, 1862 |
| Species | T. bewickii |
24. White-Headed Woodpecker
The white-headed woodpecker is a beautiful, non-migratory bird native to the pine forests of western North America.
It has a black body that measures around 20 cm in length and a distinctively white head with crescent shaped primary feathers.
The male also features an attractive red spot at the back of its head as well.
This range stretches from British Columbia down through California, Arizona and New Mexico; they typically inhabit elevation ranging between 900–3000 m above sea level but can be found up to 4200 m on occasion.
They are omnivorous birds that feed mainly on insects such as ants and beetles, although they will occasionally supplement their diet with fruits or nuts when available.
All in all, this truly remarkable species offers much for us to admire about it.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
| Genus | Leuconotopicus |
| Species | L. albolarvatus |
25. Lawrence’s Goldfinch
Lawrence’s goldfinch is a small songbird that can be found in California and Baja California, as well as the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
They measure about 4.75 inches long and weigh 0.4 ounces making them slightly bigger than their lesser cousin but smaller than American Goldfinches with less yellow plumage.
These birds feed on both plants matter such as seeds from grasses or sunflowers which are stored for later use in winter when food sources become scarce however they also eat insects during nesting season to give extra protein to their young chicks.
Their colorful nature makes them popular amongst bird watchers who love to observe these impressive creatures up close while they flit around gardens, parks, meadows or open woodlands singing sweetly along the way.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Subfamily | Carduelinae |
| Genus | Spinus |
| Species | S. lawrencei |
26. Black-Chinned Sparrow
The Black-chinned Sparrow is a small, slim bird found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It has gray plumage with reddish-brown on its wings, tail feathers, and black chin.
Its long tail helps it to maneuver quickly through dense vegetation when searching for food or seeking shelter from predators.
This species migrates south after breeding during summer months while those living in Mexico are year-round residents of their habitat.
The diet consists mainly of seeds but they will also eat insects such as grasshoppers and caterpillars as well as spiders and other invertebrates for protein rich nutrition supplementing their seed based diet.
They require open habitats like grasslands to find food sources so conservation efforts focus on providing these important habitats throughout their range.
This includes avoiding land conversion into agricultural areas which could impact them adversely if not managed properly by local authorities.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Passerellidae |
| Genus | Spizella |
| Species | S. atrogularis |
27. Northern Pygmy Owl
The Northern Pygmy Owl is a small species of owl native to western North America. It has mottled brown and white feathers, yellow eyes, and a relatively long tail for its size.
They are fairly common in the area they inhabit but have disappeared from some areas due to habitat loss and other factors.
These owls feed on insects, rodents, lizards and frogs in their natural habitats which include open woodlands such as coniferous forests or riparian corridors along rivers or streams where there are plenty of trees for them to perch upon while hunting.
Despite their diminutive size these birds can be surprisingly loud with calls that range from short barks to high-pitched whistles meant as territorial warnings against predators like hawks or cats who might try to make a meal out of one of these tiny hunters.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Genus | Glaucidium |
| Species | G. californicum |
28. California Thrasher
The California thrasher is a member of the Mimidae family and is found in chaparral habitats in both California and Baja California. It has grey-brown upperparts, white underparts with pale streaks, yellow eyes and a black bill.
Its long tail helps it to forage through dense vegetation as well as aiding its agility when climbing trees or shrubs.
The species’ diet consists mainly of insects such as beetles, ants and grasshoppers but can also feed on small fruits like berries or seeds from wildflowers.
It builds an open cup nest out of twigs, stems and leaves which are lined with soft material like feathers or fur near the base of bushes or low tree branches.
This bird forms part of a superspecies along with crissal thrasher (Toxostoma crissale) and LeConte’s thrasher (Toxostoma lecontei).Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Mimidae |
| Genus | Toxostoma |
| Species | T. redivivum |
Also Featured In: Birds that Live in Chaparral,
29. California Gnatcatcher
The California gnatcatcher is a small, insectivorous bird which inhabits dense coastal sage scrub growth.
It measures 10.8 cm (4.3 in) long and has recently been split from the similar black-tailed gnatcatcher of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts due to differences in plumage coloration.
The male has dusky grey feathers overall with white underparts while the female is brownish above with dull yellow underparts.
During winter these birds often form flocks but are usually solitary during other times of year, making them hard to spot amongst their natural habitat’s foliage.
They feed on various insects such as flies, beetles, spiders and grasshoppers found within their environmentScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Polioptilidae |
| Genus | Polioptila |
| Species | P. californica |
30. Yellow-Billed Magpie
The Yellow-billed Magpie is a large bird found in the U.S. state of California, specifically in its Central Valley and adjacent foothills and mountains.
It has a distinctive yellow bill, as well as a bright yellow streak around its eye that distinguishes it from other magpies such as the black-billed magpie found elsewhere throughout North America.
Its diet consists mainly of insects, fruit and small mammals like rodents but will also scavenge for food where possible – meaning they are often seen on roadsides or near human habitation due to trash availability.
They live within flocks which can range anywhere between two birds up to huge numbers estimated at over several hundred individuals.
In addition to their loud calls when flying together these birds have an incredible variety of vocalisations including whistles, chirps and rattles used both during courtship displays or warning signals against predatorsScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Pica |
| Species | P. nuttalli |
31. Western Gull
The Western Gull is a majestic seabird found on the West Coast of North America, ranging from British Columbia to Baja California. It has a large white head and stands between 22-27 inches in size.
Its upper parts are gray while its underparts range from brownish grey to white depending on age or sex of the bird.
The most distinguishing feature is its yellow feet which set it apart from other gulls in the area such as Larus livens.
These birds feed by scavenging for food including fish, mollusks, crustaceans and even carrion when available.
They also nest near ocean shores with their eggs hatching anywhere within 28 days after being laid. A beautiful sight to behold at any beach; these birds will surely captivate you with their grandeur.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Larus |
| Species | L. occidentalis |
