Common Birds In Southern California – Birdwatching Galore!

Are you a fellow birdwatcher living on the West Coast? Here are the 8 Most Common Birds in Southern California to look out for!

Birdwatching is a distinguished form of activity that has been around since the late 1800s. Nonetheless, birding is an acquired taste to many. Still, you can’t deny that observing avifauna varieties isn’t an attractive way to pass the time.

If you’re based on the West Coast, then we’ve got a seminal avian lineup that’ll appeal to your refined tastes. Our article lists pertinent details of eight of the most common birds in southern Cali to ensure you don’t miss out on anything.

So, grab a comfy seat and have your pens at the ready – because we’re about to help you ace any birding events in the SoCal region.

8 Most Common Birds in Southern California

Don’t be disheartened when you hear some of the birds on the following list being termed backyard birds of Southern California. Besides, bird enthusiasts will tell you that the number of species observed counts in a birdwatching contest – not just the rarity!

If you’re a true nature lover at heart, the varieties we’ve compiled for you will have a definite appeal. Plus, there are a species or two in our that are pretty rare for these waters, so to say.

So, let’s get on without wasting any more time!

1. Oak Titmouse

An oak titmouse (aka Baeolophus inornatus) may not be the most vivid bird out there, but it’s pretty unique in its own right. It’s a small gray bird with brownish hues and has a small tuft. Additionally, both the males and females of this species look exactly alike.

What makes the oak titmice stand out is their scratchy call, described as a series of whistled notes.

The species is native to the area ranging from southern Oregon to California, and it prefers forests with oak-pine or dry oak trees. The species like roosting in thick foliage or birdhouses.

The oak titmouse likes to dine in on insects like spiders, but they’re also partial to eating berries, seeds, or even acorns.

2. White-breasted Nuthatch

Counted among the small birds in southern California, the white-breasted nuthatch appears as a stocky little songbird. It has a white face, chest, and sides with blue-grayish hues on its upper body. Surprisingly enough, its lower belly is a medium reddish-brown.

These nuthatches also possess short tails, large heads, and a pretty powerful bill. However, you can tell the males apart from the females quite easily. Male white-breasted nuthatches have a black crown, whereas their female counterparts have a grayish-blue crown.

The birds are commonly found in deciduous forests. But they’re used to the presence of humans, so don’t be surprised when you spot one in parks or near birdfeeders.

Their diet consists mainly of seeds, but they can also chow down on nuts and acorns.

3. Black Phoebe (Southern California Native Birds)

The Black Pheobe is one of the birds native to southern California. It’s sparrow-shaped and is predominantly black with a white belly, making it look like it’s dressed to the nines.

This species can be found in various habitats – but generally, they live close to water. Another fun fact, black phoebes build an open cup-like nest with mud – mostly under cliffs or other high places. Their diet consists mainly of insects.

4. American Goldfinch

If you’re on the lookout for colorful plumage – you can’t do much better than the American Goldfinch. This species displays strong sexual dichromatism – with the females changing shades from brown to bright yellow during the summer. On the other hand, the males are a vivid yellow in the summers and dull green during the winters.

Goldfinches like nesting in open fields near weeds, but you can also find them in woodland edges and suburban areas. Their diet ranges between consuming seeds, insects, buds, maple sap, and young twig bark.

5. Allen’s Hummingbird

No birdwatching list can be complete without the presence of a hummingbird. That’s why we’re adding Allen’s Hummingbird to our list for SoCal residents.

These little guys (or gals) are a delight to watch as they zip around from flower to flower. You can identify Allen’s Hummingbirds thanks to their stocky little bodies and bright green and orange-copper feathers. Another notable feature is their bill which is almost the same size as their little heads.

You can tell the males of the species apart from the females by looking for a greenish-bronze hue above their coppery flanks – which only the females and younglings sport.

6. Yellow-Throated Warbler

Another gem among the common birds of Southern California is the Yellow-throated Warbler. These birds aren’t native to the California region but show up every now and then because of migration. That makes spotting a Warbler even more of a treat for the birdwatchers of Cali.

Yellow-throated Warblers have a gray upper body, with a tiny dark-colored triangle near their eyes. However, it’s the bright yellow plumes around their throats that make them stand out.

You can even try attracting them to your backyard by setting up landscaping with trees, shrubs, and of course, a birdfeeder.

7. Red-Crowned Parrot

Red-crowned Amazons can be a feast for the eyes, with their bright green overall color and a striking patch of red on top of their heads. Their tails are a wonderful combination of green paling into yellow tips. Then there are the pale gray feet that complete the look.

The good news is, these birds are seen in abundance in areas like the O.C and the San Gabriel Valley – meaning Southern California residents can spot one flying over the horizon quite easily.

Common Birds In Southern California – The Wrap Up

There you go, folks. We’ve kept true to our word and rounded up some excellent candidates for your birdwatching events. Hopefully, by now, you’re in a better place to be able to identify any of these beauties through visuals alone. So, grab your binoculars, video cams, and other essentials, and get to birdwatching as soon as you can. We’ll be back next time with more bird facts that appeal to our avian-friendly readers!

How To Attract Barred Owls – 5 Simple Tips To Gain Feathery Friends

Are you searching for tips on how to attract barred owls? Take five and go through our article for 5 easy tips to gain feathery friends.

Barred owls are pretty common in some areas of the United States. They’re adorable with their big, dark eyes and yellow bills. Nonetheless, their good looks aren’t the only reason they’re coveted as backyard neighbors.

If you’re looking to attract a few Barred Owls to your vicinity – we’ve got some great tips lined up. All you have to do is go through each and pick the ones that are practicable for you. Pretty simple, right? Good, now let’s get on with how attracting Barred Owls works.

5 Easy Tips To Attract Barred Owls To Your Backyard

If you’ve been searching how to attract owls to your yard on Google – this section’s for you.

Thankfully, attracting a Barred Owl’s interest doesn’t involve rocket science. All you need to do is carefully scan your outdoor space and add elements that make it more inviting to the said owls.

Also, remember that Barred Owls can get pretty territorial once they’ve established a nest. They’re not above attacking unwary folks or animals that stray too close to their roosting spots. So, before doing anything else, make sure you pick a location that’s nice and secluded to give the owls their space and to keep you and your loved ones safe from unforeseen mishaps.

1. Set Up The Sanctuary

We’ve already mentioned how Barred Owls prefer dense forests with old trees and sizable trunks to take shelter in during daylight. So, if you’re trying to attract owls but have no trees nearby – things are going to get difficult.

Barred Owls don’t mind the tree type (be it deciduous or coniferous) as long as they’re large enough to accommodate them. You can try and place Barred Owl houses (aka nest boxes) to try and tempt the birds. However, natural shelter options seem to work best.

2. Food Source For Barred Owls

Barred Owls will roost in forests that offer plenty of choice in terms of prey. They particularly like voles, mice, gophers, and other small rodents – meaning they are skilled hunters.

That’s precisely why setting up a bird feeding station won’t do much in terms of making your yard more inviting. However, here’s what you can do. Don’t mow the grass in your backyard and let it grow out. Throw in a brush pile or two to create the right atmosphere. And, most importantly, leave some grub (like seeds) for the Rodentia around.

Once the scene is set, and mice and other rodents regularly frequent your yard – you’ll have Barred Owls circling the yard naturally.

On the flip side, if the reason you want to make friends with Barred Owls is that your yard is home to rodents anyways – move on to the other tips for pointers.

3. Don’t Forget The Water Source

Remember how Barred Owls pick a forest that has a water source nearby? Well, if you’re trying to grab a Barred Owl’s attention, you’re going to have to arrange for a water source – if there isn’t one at hand.

While owls aren’t big on drinking too much water or bathing in birdbaths regularly, they will search out water sources to cool off when the temperatures skyrocket. So, if summer’s around the corner and reports predict a scorcher – set up a deep birdbath in a secluded and relatively peaceful area for the Barred Owls to enjoy.

4. Limit The Presence Of Pets Outdoors

Cats love hunting small prey like owls. Dogs, on the other hand, just like chasing squirrels and other small creatures around. Both pet types can end up disturbing the prey population and put off the Barred Owls from your outdoor space.

But, here’s the good news. You don’t have to place a permanent embargo on your pets from frolicking outdoors. Instead, keep the pet population indoors and away from the site you’ve set up to attract the owls. That way, when the owls come out to hunt at dusk – the coast is going to be clear.

Also, Barred Owls have been known to attack and, in some instances, kill pets. For example, cats and small-sized canines are at particular risk because they just look like food to the Barred Owls from up top. So, keeping pets indoors when it’s time for the owls to come out and hunt is necessary for their safety.

5. Avoid Setting Up Artificial Lighting

Here’s the thing. If your backyard is luminous with different types of lighting arrangements – that’s not going to make for a very conducive hunting ground.

Plus, owls are nocturnal hunters – which means they’re well equipped to go hunting in the pitch black. Putting up bright lights near the area you’ve set up for the owls may interfere with their hunting abilities.

Why Do People Want To Invite Barred Owls Anyways?

Barred Owls prefer to live in dense forests with tall trees and nearby water sources, such as a river. More often than not, these birds of prey will populate mature woodlands because of game diversity and dead trees with large cavities that make for perfect nesting places.

That’s why it’s not immediately obvious why people would seek to invite an owl species that seem to mind its own business. However, it may surprise you to learn Barred Owls can make short work of getting rid of most types of meddlesome creatures like mice, reptiles, and amphibians.

Additionally, they’re pretty popular among bird-watchers and enthusiasts for their beauty. Plus, the distinctive hooting of Barred Owls does tend to add to the ambiance.

Conclusion

Barred Owls are majestic birds in their own right. But, what people will often overlook is that these birds are used to natural habitats. Attracting Barred Owls to your vicinity isn’t improper in itself, but it does come with a set of responsibilities.

If you’re successful in trying to get a Barred Owl to roost near your yard, that means you’re going to have to maintain the living standards (as it were) until the owls decide otherwise.

It’s also a good idea to inform other members of the family or folks living around the area of your intentions to ensure everyone’s up to date and don’t stray too close to the owl’s nest.

Besides that, we’re hoping your quest of how to attract Barred Owls comes to fruition and that you and your feathery friends coexist in peace and harmony.

Learn more about How To Attract Great Horned Owls To Your Backyard