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This attractive common species ranges across western North America. The widespread naturalization of introduced Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) may account for its being so widespread. This is the typical yellow form. A black form also occurs with reduced yellow striping. Formerly "P. gothica."
A fairly common low growing member of the Evening Primrose family native to coastal California from Humboldt to San Luis Obispo Counties. Sometimes called "Golden Eggs." Formerly placed in the genus "Oenothera" or "Camissonia." Its leaves are edible but reportedly act as a mild laxative.
Restricted to California and Nevada, this one has no English name so I made one up. Sometimes called Stink-beetles or Desert Stink-beetles they are famous for squirting a foul smelling toxic acid from their rear which can burn the skin of potential predators.
In full breeding plumage for only a short time before they migrate back north to breed. A common wintering sparrow in most of California, they usually remain through the end of April. They sing throughout the year, a melancholy "Oh dear me" or "Three blind mice." However hard-luck gold miners in...
An adult in breeding plumage, the striking bright red mouth lining and tongue are not visible unless they are calling. California birds are the race "C. c. eureka" which are smaller with shorter wings, but with a longer bill than populations breeding further north. These distinctive alcids nest...
Note the dark vein outlines on the underside of the wing. Formerly lumped with Green-veined White (P. napi) of Europe and Mustard White (Pieris oleracea) of northeastern North America, it is now recognized as a separate species inhabiting western North America. This is the spring form which has...
Supposedly named for its orange hood, but seems like a misnomer. A proper "hood" should be dark. Historically, these orioles' northern limit was Southern California, but the planting of California Fan Palms (Washingtonia filifera) into Northern California allowed this Palm specialist to expand...
Abundant and widespread across the northern hemisphere, this is a female with a newly hatched brood. Waterfowl chicks are precocial, covered with down feathers, eyes open and feeding themselves immediately after hatching. Most birds have altricial young, hatched blind, naked, totally helpless...
Thanks to a tip from our neighbor Peggy O'Brien, this nice adult male Sora came out in the open briefly. Females are similar but have reduced black on the chest. The name Sora reportedly comes from a Native American name for this shy marsh bird, more often heard than seen. A small chicken-like...
This impressive falcon is perched high on the cliffs overlooking Devil's Slide. The broad facial stripe suggests it is an adult "F. p. anatum," which is the breeding population in temperate North America. It is sometimes called the American Peregrine Falcon and formerly called the "Duck Hawk."...
Looking like a bit of detached bark spiraling up the tree trunk using its stiff tail for support, this cryptic species searches for spiders and other insects using its curved bill like tweezers. Formerly lumped with the similar Eurasian Treecreeper, genetic and vocal studies have shown that it...
Sometimes called "Franciscan Wallflower," this member of the Mustard family is a vulnerable range restricted species endemic to rocky cliffs of the Northern California coast from Sonoma to Santa Cruz counties. It may be confused with the similar Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum) but their...
These tiny gray-brown birds are easy to overlook as they forage on the towering cliffs of Devil's Slide. Rock Wrens are active little birds, often doing "knee-bends" while standing on a rock. The purpose of this behavior is unknown. Unlike many other wrens, the Rock Wren seldom holds its tail...
People often wonder how the Double-crested Cormorant got its name since it does not usually display a crest, much less two crests. However just prior to breeding they grow out crests above each eye. Usually black, but sometimes white. This is presumably the Pacific Coast race "N. a...
The black crown and mask suggests this is a male. This irruptive winter visitor has been having a good showing this season with this one still periodically visiting our feeder. Three species of nuthatch occupy different Bay Area habitat regions with Pygmy Nuthatches in pines in the coastal fog...
I was excited to see this cooperative White-winged Scoter since I have not seen this species in a couple of years. This is a young female (formative plumage) hatched last year based on the dark bill, mostly white belly, and lack of a bump on the top of the bill. Many years ago White-winged...
This plain gray species with crest avoids the coastal fog-belt, favoring dry oak woodland and savanna. Formerly lumped with the similar Juniper Titmouse of the Great Basin under the name "Plain Titmouse"; the two were split in 1996 based on differences in song, habitat and genetics. This is...
I don’t often spot this small bird at my feeder, but today, amidst the gloomy, overcast weather and occasional rain, it is a persistent visitor. It seems particularly drawn to the Nyjer seed feeder, where it fusses with the Pine Siskins and Goldfinches. Capturing a decent picture is challenging...
Usually a sleepy head, but not this time. This adult female was first noted by Ron Thorn six years ago January 2018 and it has returned every winter since. She can be difficult to pick out when sleeping with her head tucked. In addition to the tuft, the broad black bill tip extending well beyond...
Mega-rarity found 17 March by Ellen Plane and Alison Su. Very skulky, best located by its almost constant singing. Not the full-throated song with skylarking, but more of a variable whisper song given while the bird was hidden deep in the Scotch Broom. The barring on the rump and tail and flank...
This local rarity was first reported 11 February 2024 by Noah Eckman . This is arguably, the largest sparrow in North America. It is also one of most poorly known. They breed in remote regions of Canada and their nest was not described until 1932 when they were found breeding near Churchill...
One of the most sedentary of our birds, they seldom wander far from their home territories. An unassuming, locally common and confiding species, this near endemic to California and Baja was formerly lumped with the Canyon Towhee and known as Brown Towhee. In fact recent studies have found the...
The Osprey is a unique fish-eating raptor placed in its own family, the Pandionidae. This is probably a male based on its mostly white chest. The yellow eye indicates an adult. Ospreys lack the supraorbital ridge above the eye making them appear less fierce and more bug-eyed than most other...