Top 17 Birds You’ll See in California
By Avian Feathers Team
Published April 2025
California is a dream destination for bird lovers. With its mountains, deserts, forests, and long coastline, the Golden State offers habitats for all kinds of birds, from tiny hummingbirds to giant condors. Whether you’re a kid just getting into birds or a seasoned birder, there’s always something amazing to spot.
In this guide, we’ll explore 17 incredible birds that call California home. You’ll learn what they look like, where to find them, and why they’re special.
Bring your binoculars.
These are birds you won’t want to miss!
1. California Condor
Scientific name: Gymnogyps californianus
Lifespan: 40–60 years (wild)
Size: 46–53 in / 117–135 cm
Wingspan: 109–117 in / 277–297 cm
Status: Critically Endangered
The California Condor is the largest flying bird in North America. With its immense wingspan and bald head, this rare scavenger soars through the skies of California’s rugged mountains and coastal canyons. Once extinct in the wild, the condor has made a slow but steady comeback thanks to captive breeding and reintroduction efforts. You’re most likely to spot one in Big Sur or near the Grand Canyon if you’re lucky.
These birds primarily feed on carrion, helping to clean up the environment. They are incredibly strong flyers and spend hours gliding on thermal updrafts. Despite their size, condors are graceful in the air. Each bird is tagged with a number, making them easy to track for conservation. Seeing one in the wild is a rare and unforgettable moment for any birder.
2. California Quail
Scientific name: Callipepla californica
Lifespan: 1–4 years
Size: 9–11 in / 23–28 cm
Wingspan: 12–14 in / 31–36 cm
Status: Least Concern
The California Quail is a round-bodied bird with a charming black plume that curves forward over its forehead. It’s also the official state bird. These birds are common in shrublands, foothills, and gardens across the state. You’ll often see them running across trails or scratching in the dirt with their coveys—groups of up to 20 or more.
Their soft “chi-ca-go” call is instantly recognizable. California Quail are ground dwellers and nesters, relying on camouflage and teamwork to stay safe from predators. They eat seeds, leaves, and insects and are especially active in the early morning and evening. They’re a favorite among bird watchers for their sociable nature and adorable appearance.
3. Western Bluebird
Scientific name: Sialia mexicana
Lifespan: 6–10 years
Size: 6–7 in / 15–18 cm
Wingspan: 11–13 in / 28–33 cm
Status: Least Concern
The Western Bluebird is a small thrush with bright blue feathers and a rusty-orange chest. It prefers open woodlands, orchards, and even golf courses throughout California. These birds often perch on low branches or fence posts while they scan for insects.
Western Bluebirds nest in tree cavities or nest boxes, making them easy to attract with the right setup. In spring, their cheerful song and fluttering courtship flights are common sights. Families often stay close together through the season, and older siblings may even help raise the next brood. They feed mostly on insects during breeding season and switch to berries in the fall and winter.
4. Anna's Hummingbird
Scientific name: Calypte anna
Lifespan: 3–5 years
Size: 3.9 in / 10 cm
Wingspan: 4.7 in / 12 cm
Status: Least Concern
Anna’s Hummingbird is one of the most common hummingbirds in California, known for its iridescent green body and flashy pink-red crown and throat. Unlike many other hummingbirds, Anna’s stays in California year-round, especially in coastal areas.
You’ll often see them visiting feeders, zipping through gardens, or perched high on twigs. Their courtship dive is spectacular: males fly high into the air, then swoop down with a loud chirp made by tail feathers. These hummingbirds feed on nectar, insects, and sap and are fiercely territorial. They’re especially active around dawn and dusk.
5. Red-tailed Hawk
Scientific name: Buteo jamaicensis
Lifespan: 10–20 years
Size: 18–26 in / 46–66 cm
Wingspan: 43–57 in / 110–145 cm
Status: Least Concern
Red-tailed Hawks are among the most widespread raptors in North America and a familiar sight in California. With broad wings and a rusty-red tail, these hawks soar high above fields, highways, and hills. They’re often seen perched on poles or circling in the sky.
They feed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles, using sharp talons and keen eyesight to strike from above. Their raspy scream is often used in movies as a generic “bird of prey” sound. Red-tailed Hawks form strong pair bonds and may return to the same nest year after year. They’re highly adaptable and thrive in both wild and urban environments.
6. Acorn Woodpecker
Scientific name: Melanerpes formicivorus
Lifespan: 5–10 years
Size: 7.5–9.1 in / 19–23 cm
Wingspan: 14–17 in / 36–43 cm
Status: Least Concern
The Acorn Woodpecker is easy to recognize with its clown-like face, red crown, and black-and-white body. These birds live in oak woodlands and are most famous for storing acorns in “granary trees.” They drill holes in tree trunks and stash acorns for later, sometimes thousands in a single tree.
They live in large family groups and share nesting duties, which makes them fun to watch. Acorn Woodpeckers also eat insects, fruits, and sap, but acorns are their main staple. Their loud, laughing calls echo through forests. If you see a tree full of small holes, you’re probably near their territory.
7. American White Pelican
Scientific name: Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Lifespan: 15–25 years
Size: 50–70 in / 127–178 cm
Wingspan: 95–120 in / 240–305 cm
Status: Least Concern
The American White Pelican is a massive waterbird with snowy feathers, black-tipped wings, and a long orange bill with a pouch. It’s found in wetlands, lakes, and reservoirs across California, especially in the Central Valley and along the coast.
Unlike Brown Pelicans, these birds don’t dive for food. Instead, they work together in groups to herd fish into shallow water and scoop them up. During breeding season, adults grow a prominent bump on their bill. Watching a flock of pelicans glide silently in formation is a striking and peaceful experience.
8. Peregrine Falcon
Scientific name: Falco peregrinus
Lifespan: 13–17 years
Size: 13–23 in / 33–58 cm
Wingspan: 29–47 in / 74–120 cm
Status: Least Concern
The Peregrine Falcon is one of the fastest birds on Earth, capable of diving at speeds over 200 miles per hour. These sleek raptors are found in coastal cliffs, tall city buildings, and mountain ranges across California. Their blue-gray backs and sharp mustache-like facial markings make them easy to recognize.
Peregrines primarily feed on other birds, which they strike mid-air with powerful talons. After nearly disappearing due to pesticide use, their numbers have rebounded thanks to conservation efforts. Watching a Peregrine falcon hunt or care for its young on a ledge is a thrilling sight for birders and city dwellers alike.
9. Oak Titmouse
Scientific name: Baeolophus inornatus
Lifespan: 5–6 years
Size: 5–6 in / 12–15 cm
Wingspan: 8–9 in / 20–23 cm
Status: Least Concern
The Oak Titmouse is a small, drab gray songbird with a short crest, found only in California and parts of southwestern Oregon. It lives year-round in oak woodlands and chaparral habitats, often moving in mixed flocks with other small birds.
These active birds are often heard before they’re seen, delivering short, scratchy calls or whistled songs. They nest in tree cavities and will use nest boxes. Their diet includes insects, seeds, and berries, and they often hang upside down to feed. Despite their plain look, their energetic behavior and loyalty to oak forests make them a favorite among California birders.
10. Black Phoebe
Scientific name: Baeolophus inornatus
Lifespan: 5–6 years
Size: 5–6 in / 12–15 cm
Wingspan: 8–9 in / 20–23 cm
Status: Least Concern
Black Phoebes are small, flycatcher birds with sooty black upperparts, a white belly, and a perky tail that often bobs up and down. Common near water, you’ll spot them perched on fences, posts, or rocks near creeks, ponds, and even fountains in urban parks.
They make short flights to catch flying insects in midair and return to the same perch repeatedly. Black Phoebes also build mud cup nests under bridges, eaves, or cliffs. Their gentle chirping and tidy appearance make them a calming presence in many California landscapes.
11. Northern Mockingbird
Scientific name: Mimus polyglottos
Lifespan: 8–10 years
Size: 8–11 in / 20–28 cm
Wingspan: 12–15 in / 31–38 cm
Status: Least Concern
The Northern Mockingbird is famous for its mimicry. It can imitate dozens of bird calls and even sounds like car alarms or cell phones. Gray above and white below, with striking white wing patches, this bird is found in towns, suburbs, and scrubland throughout the state.
Mockingbirds are fiercely territorial and often sing both day and night, especially during the breeding season. Their long repertoire and bold personalities make them stand out in any birding walk. Despite their plain appearance, their singing skills give them a spotlight in the avian world.
12. Tricolored Blackbird
Scientific name: Agelaius tricolor
Lifespan: 3–5 years
Size: 7–8 in / 18–20 cm
Wingspan: 10–13 in / 25–33 cm
Status: Threatened (California)
The Tricolored Blackbird is a close relative of the Red-winged Blackbird but with a distinctive white wing stripe under its red shoulder patch. It is found almost entirely in California and prefers large freshwater marshes and agricultural fields.
These birds form some of the largest breeding colonies of any North American landbird, often nesting in tight clusters. Sadly, habitat loss has caused a sharp population decline, making them a conservation priority in the state. Their noisy, gregarious flocks are still a dramatic sight in the right areas.
13. California Thrasher
Scientific name: Toxostoma
redivivum
Lifespan: 8–10 years
Size: 12 in / 30 cm
Wingspan: 12–14 in / 31–36 cm
Status: Least Concern
The California Thrasher is a long-tailed songbird with a downcurved bill, native to chaparral and coastal scrublands. It’s a bit shy and usually stays low to the ground, scratching through leaf litter for insects and seeds.
This thrasher is known for its strong, melodic singing, which can be heard in the early mornings. It’s a key indicator species of healthy coastal sage scrub. With persistence, you may catch a glimpse of it perched on a low branch, throwing its song across the brushy hillsides.
14. Yellow-billed Magpie
Scientific name: Pica
nuttalli
Lifespan: 5–10 years
Size: 18–22 in / 46–56 cm
Wingspan: 24 in / 61 cm
Status: Near Threatened
The Yellow-billed Magpie is a striking black-and-white bird with a bright yellow bill and bare yellow skin around the eye. Found only in California’s Central Valley and surrounding foothills, it’s a truly local species.
These birds are highly social and intelligent, often seen in small flocks. They eat insects, grains, fruits, and small animals. Unlike their more widespread relatives, they are sensitive to West Nile Virus and habitat changes. They remain one of California’s most iconic endemic birds.
15. Allen’s Hummingbird
Scientific name: Selasphorus sasin
Lifespan: 3–5 years
Size: 3–4 in / 7.5–10 cm
Wingspan: 4.3 in / 11 cm
Status: Near Threatened
Allen’s Hummingbird is a fiery little bird with coppery-orange plumage and a green back. Males have an iridescent orange-red throat that flashes in the sunlight. They are most commonly found along the coastal areas of central and southern California.
These hummingbirds are aggressive for their size and will chase away other birds from feeders and flowers.
They migrate between California and Mexico, but some populations stay year-round. Their buzzing flight and courtship displays are a dazzling part of the coastal springtime.
16. California Gnatcatcher
Scientific name: Polioptila californica
Lifespan: 3–5 years
Size: 4.3–5.1 in / 11–13 cm
Wingspan: 5.5 in / 14 cm
Status: Threatened
The California Gnatcatcher is a tiny, gray songbird with a long black tail edged in white. Males have a black cap during breeding season. These birds live in coastal sage scrub, a habitat that’s increasingly rare in Southern California.
They feed on insects and are often seen flicking their tails as they forage through low shrubs. Their soft “mew” calls are easy to overlook unless you’re listening closely. Because they depend on disappearing native habitat, they are closely monitored and protected under the Endangered Species Act.
17. San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike
Scientific name: Lanius ludovicianus mearnsi
Lifespan: 3–5 years
Size: 8.3–9.1 in / 21–23 cm
Wingspan: 11–12.6 in / 28–32 cm
Status: Endangered
The San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike is a rare subspecies found only on San Clemente Island, part of California’s Channel Islands. This striking gray, black, and white bird is a fierce hunter despite its small size. It uses sharp beaks and even impales prey on thorns or barbed wire.
Once close to extinction, intense conservation efforts have helped bring their numbers up. They nest in shrubs and feed on insects, lizards, and small mammals. Birders need special access to the island to see one, making it a rare and prized sighting.
California’s birdlife is as diverse as its landscape. These 17 species showcase the beauty, resilience, and variety of the avian world in the Golden State. From the giant wingspan of the California Condor to the tiny flash of an Allen’s Hummingbird, each bird tells a story of survival, adaptation, and natural wonder.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned birder, exploring California’s birds is a rewarding adventure. So grab your field guide, head outside, and enjoy the sights and sounds of California’s incredible feathered residents.
Where to Go Birdwatching in California
From redwood forests to coastal cliffs, California is packed with birding hotspots that offer great chances to see these amazing birds:
• Point Reyes National Seashore – Ideal for spotting raptors, seabirds, and songbirds.
• Yosemite National Park – Look for woodpeckers, bluebirds, and high-country species.
• Salton Sea – A top destination for pelicans, shorebirds, and migratory flocks.
• Big Sur Coast – Watch for California Condors soaring along the cliffs.
• Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve – A great place for waterbirds and coastal species.
Pack your binoculars, bring a camera, and take a field guide—it’s always a good time for birding in California.