California is the richest state in the United States for bird diversity, with 722 species documented in the state. This represents over 62% of all bird species found in the United States. Approximately 450 species utilize California for breeding, wintering or migration. California is in the heart of the Pacific Flyway, a major migration route for birds as they move between their breeding and non-breeding grounds and vice-versa. The vast mosaic of unique habitats created by the topography, geology and geography of the state gives rise to this incredible biodiversity. The state also creates many unique sub-species and populations that are different from the rest of the country. As a result, California holds the most Bird Important Areas in the country with 175 recognized. What birder would not want to explore this unique state? Let's plan your excursion today!  

Specialty and Endemic Birds in the Region

forest species

Mountain Quail
California Quail
Band-tailed Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird
Costa's Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
California Condor
White-tailed Kite
Spotted Owl
Acorn Woodpecker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Lewis's Woodpecker
Western Flycatcher
Black Phoebe
Hutton's Vireo
California Scrub-Jay
Yellow-billed Magpie
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Oak Titmouse
Pacific Wren
Wrentit
California Thrasher
Phainopepla
Hermit Warbler
California Towhee
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Bell's Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Hooded Oriole

open habitat species

Black Swift
Vaux's Swift
Cassin's Kingbird
Tricolored Blackbird

pelagic or coastal species

Black Oystercatcher
Pacific Golden-Plover
Wandering Tattler
Black Turnstone
Surfbird
Pigeon Guillemont
Marbled Murrelet
Scripp's Murrelet
Ancient Murrelet
Cassin's Auklet
Rhinoceros Auklet
Heermann's Gull
Western Gull
Elegant Tern
Pacific Loon
Black-footed Albatross
Buller's Shearwater
Short-tailed Shearwater
Pink-footed Shearwater
Black-vented Shearwater
Black Storm-Petrel
Ashy Storm-Petrel
Brandt's Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant

wetland species

Ridgway's Rail
Short-billed Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull

Possible Target Species of Endemic, State or Regional Specialties

California endemic or near endemic species

Ashy Storm-Petrel (pelagic in August-September)
Nuttall’s Woodpecker (year-round)
Yellow-billed Magpie (year-round)
California Thrasher (year-round)
Oak Titmouse (year-round)
Bell’s Sparrow (year-round, easier in spring/summer)
California Towhee (year-round)
Lawrence’s Goldfinch (spring/summer)
Tricolored Blackbird (year-round)

west coast specialities

Brandt’s Cormorant (year-round)
Pelagic Cormorant (year-round)
Black Oystercatcher (year-round)
Pacific Golden-Plover (fall)
Black Turnstone (July-April)
Marbled Murrelet (year-round, easier summer/fall)
Heermann’s Gull (year-round)
Short-billed Gull (Nov-April)
Western Gull (year-round)
Glaucous-winged Gull (Nov-April)
Elegant Tern (April-Nov)
Surfbird
Wandering Tattler
Mountain Quail
California Quail
California Condor
Allen’s Hummingbird
Vaux’s Swift
REd-breasted Sapsucker
California Scrub-Jay
Varied Thrush
Wrentit
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Pacific Wren
Cassin’s Vireo
Townsend’s Warbler
Hermit Warbler
Golden-crowned Sparrow

range restricted species

Pacific Loon
Ancient Murrelet
Rhinoceros Auklet
Mountain Plover
Ridgway’s Rail
Black Rail
Western Screech-Owl
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Calliope Hummingbird
Black Swift
Lewis’s Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
Steller’s Jay
Hammond’s Flycatcher
Western Flycatcher
Black Phoebe
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Cassin’s Kingbird
Sage Thrasher
Western Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird
American Dipper
Phainopepla
Bushtit
Pygmy Nuthatch
Hutton’s Vireo
MacGillivray’s Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Black-chinned Sparrow
Sagebrush Sparrow
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Hooded Oriole