Welcome to the San Francisco Bay Area, home of some of the most beautiful blue birds in the world! These majestic birds can be seen gliding through the air, gracefully perched atop telephone wires, and even diving into local bodies of water in search of food.
From the rare and endangered Western Snowy Plover to the regal White-Crowned Sparrow, the Bay Area’s blue birds are both captivating and inspiring.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common species of bluebird found in the Bay Area, as well as discuss their importance to the local ecosystem. So grab your binoculars and join us on a journey of discovery!
1. House Finch
Source: Wikipedia
The house finch is a species of bird belonging to the Fringillidae family. Native to western North America, it has now been introduced to the eastern portion of the continent and Hawaii.
Within the Fringillidae family, the house finch is classified within the genus Haemorhous, along with two other species of American rosefinches.
This species is easily identifiable by its red-orange head and breast feathers, making it a popular choice for birdwatchers and bird enthusiasts. It feeds mainly on seeds and grains, but also enjoys fruits and suet.
In its natural habitat, the house finch can be found in open woodlands, grasslands, canyons, and suburban backgrounds. House finches are social birds, often found in small flocks. They are a fairly vocal species, often making chirping and twittering sounds.
The house finch is an important species in many North American ecosystems, providing pollination and pest control services.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Genus | Haemorhous |
| Species | H. mexicanus |
2. American Robin
Source: Wikipedia
The American robin is a migratory bird species that belongs to the true thrush genus and the Turdidae family, which is a larger family of thrushes. It is named after the European robin due to its reddish-orange breast, although the two species are not closely related.
The European robin belongs to the Old World flycatcher family. The American robin is a common bird species found throughout North America. It is a medium-sized songbird with a length of around 25 centimeters and a wingspan of around 40 centimeters.
The upper parts of the body are dark gray-brown in color while the lower parts are orange-red. The head is gray-brown with a white throat and a black bill. The song of the American Robin is a series of chirps and trills.
The American robin is a migratory bird species, meaning that it travels to different locations throughout the year to breed and find food. It breeds in the spring and summer months and migrates south in the winter months.
During the breeding season, the birds are found in open woodlands, parks, and gardens. They feed on insects, berries, and fruits. The American robin is an important species in North American culture and folklore.
It is the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and its image is featured on the reverse of the Canadian one-dollar coin. It is also the mascot of several universities, including the University of Michigan and the University of Oregon.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Turdus |
| Species | T. migratorius |
3. California Scrub Jay
The California scrub jay is a species of bird that is native to western North America. It can be found in the provinces of southern British Columbia and in the states of California and western Nevada near Reno.
The jay’s range stretches from the west of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. These birds have a distinct appearance, with bright blue wings and tail feathers, a gray head and breast, and a white belly.
They are quite social birds and often live in groups of up to a dozen individuals.
They are omnivorous and feed mainly on acorns, seeds, fruit, and insects. California scrub jays are known to be particularly intelligent, displaying a number of complex behaviors, such as caching food, and even remembering the locations of their caches.
They are also known to be inquisitive and bold, often approaching humans and other animals. Due to their small range, the California scrub jay is considered to be vulnerable to extinction.
This is mainly due to habitat destruction, as their native habitat is being destroyed for development and logging. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this species and to ensure it does not become endangered.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Aphelocoma |
| Species | A. californica |
4. Steller’s Jay
Steller’s jay is a beautiful and unique bird that can be found in western North America and in the mountains of Central America. This bird is closely related to the blue jay, which can be found in eastern North America.
The Steller’s jay is the only crested jay that can be found west of the Rocky Mountains. This is a distinctive feature of the Steller’s jay that sets it apart from other birds in the same family.
The Steller’s jay is a striking bird with a black head, wings, and tail, and a blue crest, back, and chest. It is also known for its loud call, which is a mix of whistles, chortles, and raspy notes. This call can be heard from up to a half-mile away.
The Steller’s jay is a very social bird that often forms large flocks. They are also very curious and are known to investigate people and their activities. The Steller’s jay is an omnivorous bird and feeds on a variety of items.
They will eat insects, berries, nuts, seeds, and small vertebrates. They have also been known to steal food from other birds and animals, including humans.
They have also been known to actively seek out and eat human food, such as birdseed and popcorn. Overall, Steller’s jay is an interesting and unique bird.
Its distinctive features and loud call make it a distinctive presence in western North America and the mountains of Central America.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Cyanocitta |
| Species | C. stelleri |
5. Great Blue Heron
The great blue heron is a majestic bird known for its sleek, elegant wingspan and bright blue-gray feathers. It is a member of the heron family Ardeidae and is found in a wide variety of habitats.
The great blue heron can be seen near the shores of lakes, rivers, and oceans, as well as in wetlands across North and Central America, far northwestern South America, the Caribbean, and the Galápagos Islands.
It is a large bird, often standing four feet tall, and has long, slender legs well-suited for wading in the shallow water of its preferred habitats. The great blue heron feeds mainly on fish, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals, which it catches with its long, sharp bill.
It is a powerful hunter, capable of catching prey up to twice its own size. The great blue heron is an impressive bird, and its presence near the waters of many parts of the world is a testament to its adaptability and resilience.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | A. herodias |
6. Snowy Egret
Source: ebirds.org
The snowy egret is a small white heron belonging to the genus Aigrette. This genus name is derived from Provençal French, meaning “the little egret”. This name is a diminutive of the word aigron, which means “heron” in French.
The species name thula is an error made by the Chilean naturalist Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782. He incorrectly referred to the snowy egret as the Araucano term for the black-necked swan. Despite this error, the name has been kept as the species name for the snowy egret.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Egretta |
| Species | E. thula |
7. Red-winged Blackbird
Source: vtecostudies.org
The red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a medium-sized bird native to both North and Central America. It belongs to the family Icteridae, which includes a variety of colorful songbirds, such as orioles, meadowlarks, and grackles.
The red-winged blackbird has a striking appearance, with a glossy black body, bright red shoulder patches, and yellow wing bars. Its measurements range from 16 to 18 cm in length and a wingspan of 25 to 30 cm.
The red-winged blackbird is a highly social species, typically found in loose flocks in open areas, such as meadows, marshes, and agricultural land. It feeds mainly on insects, but will also eat seeds and grains.
It nests in tall marsh plants or shrubs and builds a cup-shaped nest from grass, twigs, and mud. Its song is a loud “conk-la-ree” and is often heard in the spring and summer months.
The red-winged blackbird is an important species in its range, providing both food and shelter for other species. It is also an important part of the local ecosystem, helping to maintain balance in the food web by controlling insect populations.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Icteridae |
| Genus | Agelaius |
| Species | A. phoeniceus |
8. Brown Pelican
The brown pelican is a species of bird from the family of Pelecanidae. This family is one of the three species found in the Americas and one of the two that feed by diving into the water.
This species of bird is known for its large throat pouch used to catch its food while it dives into the water. Brown pelicans are found along the coasts of North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
They are a coastal species, preferring shallow waters with plenty of fish. They are also known to congregate in large groups on coastal beaches or islands. Brown pelicans can be distinguished by their large size and unique coloration.
They have brown feathers on their heads, backs, and wings, and white feathers on their chests and bellies. They also have a long, thick bill with a hook on the end.
This species of bird is an important part of the coastal ecosystem as they help to keep fish populations in balance. They are also important to the fishing industry as they are known to eat fish that would otherwise be caught by fishermen.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Pelecanidae |
| Genus | Pelecanus |
| Species | P. occidentalis |
9. Brewer’s Blackbird
Brewer’s blackbird is a species of bird that is found in the New World. It is a medium-sized bird, characterized by its black coloring. It is named after the ornithologist Thomas Mayo Brewer, who was an American naturalist in the 19th century.
He studied birds extensively and named a number of species. Brewer’s Blackbird was one of them. Brewer’s blackbird is found mainly in North America, living in open woodlands, grasslands, and agricultural fields.
They tend to form large flocks, which can easily be spotted in the sky. They have a wide variety of diets, including seeds, fruit, insects, and other invertebrates. Brewer’s blackbird is an important species in the ecosystems of its habitat.
As a seed disperser, it helps to maintain healthy plant populations. It is also a significant predator of insects, which helps to control insect populations. Brewer’s blackbird is a beloved species and is an important part of the natural landscape.
Its graceful flight and beautiful songs make it a delight to watch. It is also an important part of the cultural history of many areas, having been a prominent part of the birdlife for centuries.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Icteridae |
| Genus | Euphagus |
| Species | E. cyanocephalus |
10. Black-crowned Night Heron
The black-crowned night heron, also known as the black-capped night heron, is a medium-sized heron found in many places around the world. It is especially prevalent in parts of Europe, Asia, and both North and South America.
It is often referred to simply as the night heron in Eurasia. This heron has a black crown and upper neck, gray back and wings, and white underparts. Its legs are yellow, and its bill is black.
It has a distinctive hunchbacked posture, and its wingspan ranges from 39 to 47 inches. The night heron is a solitary bird and is usually found near freshwater ponds, marshes, and swamps. It feeds mainly on fish, frogs, and insects, and it is also known to scavenge for food.
It is a nocturnal bird, with most of its activity occurring during the night. The black-crowned night heron is a widespread species and is classified as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
However, its population is suspected to be declining in some areas, primarily due to habitat loss and degradation. The species is also threatened by hunting in some areas. Conservation efforts are needed to ensure the continued survival of this species.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Nycticorax |
| Species | N. nycticorax |
11. Lesser Goldfinch
The lesser goldfinch is a small songbird native to the Americas. It is part of the New World goldfinch clade in the genus Spinus, along with its relatives the American goldfinch and Lawrence’s goldfinch.
Males of all three species have a distinguishing black forehead, while females do not. The black forehead is a key feature that can be used to identify the lesser goldfinch, as well as its relatives.
The lesser goldfinch is found in a variety of habitats, including open woodlands, grasslands, and scrublands in the western and southwestern United States. It is a migratory bird, and in the winter, it moves southward to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
The lesser goldfinch typically feeds on a variety of seeds, including those of sunflowers, thistles, dandelions, and asters. It also eats insects, larvae, and spiders.
The bird is sociable and often found in flocks, and its clear, distinctive song can be heard in the early morning and late evening.
The lesser goldfinch is an important species in the western United States, and its populations have been declining in recent years, making it a species of conservation concern. Its decline is due to habitat destruction, climate change, and other factors.
Conservation efforts are needed to ensure the continued survival of the lesser goldfinch and its relatives.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Genus | Spinus |
| Species | S. psaltria |
12. Belted Kingfisher
The belted kingfisher is a large and easily noticeable water bird found in North America. It belongs to the bird family Alcedinidae, which is also known as the kingfisher family. This family is made up of kingfishers from all over the world.
Recently, however, research has suggested that this family should be divided into three smaller subfamilies. This would mean that the belted kingfisher would be part of one of these subfamilies, along with the other kingfishers in the Alcedinidae family.
This research has been done to better understand the different species of kingfishers and how they are related to each other.
By studying the genetic makeup of the different kingfishers, scientists can gain a better insight into their evolution, behavior, and habitat preferences.
It is hoped that this research will lead to a greater understanding of the kingfisher family and how its different species interact with each other.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Genus | Megaceryle |
| Species | M. alcyon |
13. Cliff Swallow
The cliff swallow, also known as the American cliff swallow, is a species of passerine bird that belongs to the family Hirundinidae. This family, commonly known as swallows and martins, contains about 90 species of small to medium-sized birds that consume insects.
The cliff swallow is a small to medium-sized bird, typically 12 to 16 cm in length, with a wingspan of 25 to 28 cm. This species of bird is characterized by its dark brown upperparts, its white forehead, and its reddish-brown chin and throat.
Its most distinctive feature, however, is its long, deeply forked tail. The cliff swallow is found in a variety of habitats, from open fields and meadows to cliffs, quarries, and abandoned buildings.
The cliff swallow typically feeds on insects such as flies, beetles, and wasps, which it catches in mid-flight. It also builds its nest in sheltered places such as cliffs, tunnels, bridges, and culverts. The cliff swallow is a sociable bird and is often seen in large flocks.
It is an important species to humans, as it helps to control insect populations and is a symbol of good luck.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Genus | Petrochelidon |
| Species | P. pyrrhonota |
14. Double-crested Cormorant
Source: Wikipedia
The double-crested cormorant is a large and long-necked water bird that belongs to the cormorant family. Native to North America, these birds can be found in a variety of habitats, including bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.
They have a wide range and can be spotted from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska all the way down to Florida and Mexico. The double-crested cormorant has a distinctive appearance, with a long neck, webbed feet, and a long, pointed bill.
It has a glossy blackish-brown plumage and is usually around 25-30 inches in length. The bird gets its name from the two bright white ‘crests’ on its head, which are visible when it is in flight.
These birds are highly adaptable and can live in both fresh and saltwater environments. They are expert swimmers and divers, and will often dive underwater to catch fish. In addition to fish, they also feed on amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic insects.
Cormorants are social birds and can often be seen in large flocks near rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Overall, the double-crested cormorant is a fascinating species of water bird that is widely distributed across North America.
Its adaptable nature and wide range make it an interesting bird to observe in its natural habitat.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Nannopterum |
| Species | N. auritum |
Conclusion
The bluebirds of the San Francisco Bay Area are a beautiful sight to behold. They are a reminder of the importance of preserving our environment and keeping our natural habitats safe. While they may be hard to spot, they are out there, and they are worth protecting.
With careful conservation efforts, we can ensure that these beautiful birds will remain a part of the Bay Area for generations to come.