Birds

 

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

NPS photo.

Birds at Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrill National Monument is home to a variety of birds. The park's varied habitats, including coastal scrub, rocky shorelines, and tidepools, attract numerous resident and migratory birds. Among the notable species frequently observed are the California quail, Anna’s hummingbird, and the American kestrel. The park's strategic location along the Pacific Flyway makes it a critical stopover for migratory birds, providing essential resources such as food and shelter. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching year-round, with spring and fall being particularly vibrant times due to the influx of migratory species. Cabrillo's bird populations play vital roles in the ecosystem, contributing to insect control, pollination, and seed dispersal, highlighting the park's ecological richness and importance.

Birdwatching At the Park

Cabrillo National Monument is a haven for birdwatchers, offering a diverse array of avian species that thrive in its unique coastal environment.

 

Learn About Common Birds at the Park

Below is information about each bird species commonly found at Cabrillo National Monument.

Click the links to see a photo and more details.

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

• Identification: Large, all-black bird with a stout bill and fan-shaped tail.
• Behavior: Highly social and adaptable, often found in groups.
• Habitat: Open woodlands, fields, and urban areas.

Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)

• Identification: Small bird with iridescent emerald feathers and a rose-pink throat.
• Behavior: Aggressive at feeders, known for their hovering flight.
• Habitat: Gardens, parks, and open woodlands.

Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)

• Identification: Small wren with a long tail, white eyebrow stripe, and brownish coloration.
• Behavior: Forages actively, often seen flicking its tail sideways.
• Habitat: Thickets, scrub, and open woodlands.

Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)

• Identification: Black bird with a white belly and distinctive tail-wagging behavior.
• Behavior: Perches conspicuously, sallying out to catch insects.
• Habitat: Near water, in open areas with scattered trees and shrubs.

Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)

• Identification: Tiny, round-bodied bird with a long tail and a plain face.
• Behavior: Travels in flocks, often seen hanging upside down while feeding.
• Habitat: Oak woodlands, chaparral, and gardens.

California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica)

• Identification: Small, gray bird with a black tail and white outer feathers.
• Behavior: Active and vocal, often seen flitting through coastal sage scrub.
• Habitat: Coastal sage scrub and chaparral.

California Quail (Callipepla californica)

• Identification: Plump bird with a forward-drooping head plume and scaled underparts.
• Behavior: Ground-dwelling, often seen in coveys.
• Habitat: Coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and open woodlands.

California Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)

• Identification: Bright blue bird with a grayish back and white underparts.
• Behavior: Bold and inquisitive, often seen caching food.
• Habitat: Oak woodlands, scrub, and suburban areas.

California Towhee (Melozone crissalis)

• Identification: Large, brown sparrow with a long tail and a plain face.
• Behavior: Often seen foraging on the ground in pairs.
• Habitat: Chaparral, scrub, and suburban gardens.

California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum)

• Identification: Large songbird with a long, curved bill and a brownish body.
• Behavior: Secretive, often foraging in dense underbrush.
• Habitat: Chaparral and coastal sage scrub.

Common Raven (Corvus corax)

• Identification: Very large, all-black bird with a thick neck and a shaggy throat.
• Behavior: Intelligent and resourceful, often seen soaring or perched in high places.
• Habitat: Varied, including deserts, mountains, and coastal areas.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

• Identification: Large white heron with a yellow bill and long black legs.
• Behavior: Stalks fish and other prey in shallow water.
• Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, and coastal areas.

House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)

• Identification: Small bird with a conical bill, males have red heads and breasts.
• Behavior: Often seen in flocks, feeding on seeds and fruits.
• Habitat: Urban areas, parks, and open woodlands.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

• Identification: Slim, long-tailed dove with a soft, mournful call.
• Behavior: Ground forager, often seen in pairs or small flocks.
• Habitat: Open fields, urban areas, and wooded edges.

Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

• Identification: Gray bird with white wing patches and a long tail.
• Behavior: Known for its mimicking song and territorial displays.
• Habitat: Suburban areas, parks, and scrub.

Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata)

• Identification: Small, olive-green bird with a faint orange crown.
• Behavior: Active forager, often seen flicking its tail.
• Habitat: Chaparral, woodlands, and gardens.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

• Identification: Large raptor with a white head and underparts, dark eye stripe.
• Behavior: Feeds primarily on fish, often seen diving into water.
• Habitat: Near lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

• Identification: Medium-sized raptor with a blue-gray back and a dark head.
• Behavior: Known for its high-speed dives to catch prey.
• Habitat: Cliffs, urban areas, and coastal regions.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

• Identification: Large hawk with a reddish-brown tail and broad wings.
• Behavior: Soars high in the sky, often seen perched on poles or trees.
• Habitat: Open fields, deserts, and forests.

Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)

• Identification: Large sparrow with a black head and back, white spots, and rufous sides.
• Behavior: Ground forager, often seen scratching in leaf litter.
• Habitat: Shrubby areas, woodlands, and gardens.

Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)

• Identification: Large gull with a white head and underparts, gray wings, and yellow bill.
• Behavior: Commonly seen near water, scavenging and foraging.
• Habitat: Coastal areas, beaches, and piers.

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

• Identification: Large shorebird with a long, curved bill and striped head.
• Behavior: Forages in mudflats and along shorelines.
• Habitat: Coastal wetlands, beaches, and mudflats.

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

• Identification: Small sparrow with a distinctive black and white striped head.
• Behavior: Ground forager, often seen in flocks.
• Habitat: Open fields, brushy areas, and gardens.

Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata)

• Identification: Small, brown bird with a long tail and a distinct song.
• Behavior: Often found in dense shrubs, skulking and foraging.
• Habitat: Coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and woodlands.

References:

• Allaboutbirds.org
• Audubon.org

 

All About Birds

Birds, belonging to the class Aves, are a diverse group of warm-blooded vertebrates with over 10,000 species found across the globe. They are characterized by feathers, beaks, and a high metabolic rate. Birds play essential roles in ecosystems, from pollination to seed dispersal, and are found in nearly every habitat on Earth.

Physical Characteristics

1. Feathers:

   • Feathers are unique to birds and serve multiple functions, including flight, insulation, and display. There are different types of feathers, such as contour feathers that shape the body and flight feathers that aid in flying.
   • Feathers are made of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails.

2. Beaks:

   • Birds have beaks (or bills) adapted to their feeding habits. For example, raptors like eagles have sharp, hooked beaks for tearing meat, while hummingbirds have long, slender beaks for sipping nectar.
   • Unlike mammals, birds do not have teeth.

3. Skeleton:

   • Birds have lightweight, hollow bones that aid in flight. The structure of their bones is reinforced with internal struts for strength.
   • The keel, a large breastbone, anchors strong flight muscles.

4. Respiratory System:

   • Birds have a unique respiratory system with air sacs that provide a constant flow of air through the lungs, which is highly efficient and supports their high metabolic needs, especially during flight.

Behavior and Adaptations

1. Flight:

   • Most birds are capable of flight, although some species like ostriches, emus, and penguins have evolved to be flightless.
   • Flight adaptations include strong pectoral muscles, lightweight bones, and aerodynamic body shapes.
     

2. Migration:

   • Many bird species migrate to exploit seasonal resources and favorable climates. Migration can be over short distances or involve long, arduous journeys across continents.
   • Birds use a combination of environmental cues, magnetic fields, and celestial navigation to find their way.
     

3. Communication:

   • Birds communicate through vocalizations and visual displays. Songs and calls are used for attracting mates, defending territories, and signaling alarm.
   • Plumage coloration and displays are often used in courtship rituals.
     

4. Feeding:

   • Birds exhibit a wide range of feeding strategies. Some are specialized feeders like the nectar-feeding hummingbirds, while others like crows are omnivorous and opportunistic.
   • Many birds have a gizzard, a specialized stomach that grinds up food, sometimes with the help of ingested stones.

Ecological Roles

1. Pollination and Seed Dispersal:

   • Birds like hummingbirds and sunbirds pollinate flowers while feeding on nectar. Frugivorous birds, such as parrots and hornbills, disperse seeds by eating fruits and excreting the seeds elsewhere.
     

2. Pest Control:

   • Birds of prey, like hawks and owls, help control rodent populations, while insectivorous birds, like swallows and warblers, reduce insect numbers.
     

3. Indicator Species:

   • Birds are often used as indicators of environmental health due to their sensitivity to habitat changes, pollution, and climate variations.

Conservation

1. Threats:

   • Habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and human activities such as hunting and trapping pose significant threats to bird populations.
   • Invasive species, such as cats and rats, can have devastating effects on native bird species, particularly on islands.
     

2. Conservation Efforts:

   • Protected areas, such as bird sanctuaries and national parks, help preserve critical habitats.
   • International agreements like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and organizations like the Audubon Society and BirdLife International work to protect bird species and their habitats.
   • Public awareness campaigns and citizen science projects, such as birdwatching and bird counts, contribute to conservation efforts.

Interesting Facts

1. Diverse Species: The smallest bird is the bee hummingbird, while the largest is the ostrich.
2. Remarkable Abilities: Some birds, like the Arctic tern, migrate over 25,000 miles annually.
3. Intelligence: Corvids (crows and ravens) and parrots are known for their high intelligence and problem-solving abilities.

For more detailed information on birds, you can explore resources such as National Geographic, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the Audubon Society.