Backyard Bird Blog — Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance

Common Backyard Birds

California Towhee

California Towhee

by Dave Zittin

The California Towhee is the largest sparrow found in our area. This species is non-migratory and is here throughout the year. California Towhees are territorial during breeding season and are often seen sparring with their reflections in windows and car mirrors. They show strong pair bonding. Frequently we see two at a time feeding in our backyard.

California Towhee by Dave Zittin. Notice the cinnamon colored throat.

California Towhee by Dave Zittin. Notice the cinnamon colored throat.

Attracting California Towhees to Backyards

Like other bird species in our area, California Towhees are omnivorous. They specialize in eating seeds and fruits but they will also consume insects. Although they seem to prefer eating off of the ground, I have seen them on suet and hanging seed feeders.

Description

The California Towhee is a large, plain sparrow belonging to the genus Melozone. This species is mostly gray-brown in color. The wings and the top of the head (crown) can be a little darker than the rest of the body. The under tail coverts and the areas immediately around the eyes and the throat are a warm, cinnamon-brown color. The cinnamon throat often contains dusky spots or streaks.

California Towhee with rufous under tail coverts. Photo by Dave Zittin

California Towhee with rufous under tail coverts. Photo by Dave Zittin

Distribution

The California Towhee ranges from the Southern Oregon border south to the southern tip of Baja California. In California it occurs mostly in the western half of the state. In natural areas they occur in chaparral scrub lands and in riparian areas. California Towhees are often encountered feeding at trail edges where they can retreat into brush if threatened. They also do well in suburban backyards whenever there is food, water and plants which can provide safety.

Similar Species

There is one unrelated species that resembles the California Towhee, the California Thrasher. Both are large brown birds that are often seen feeding off of the ground. However, the California Thrasher is larger and has a very long down curved bill which it uses to thrash and turn over leaf litter as it forages for insects. The bill of the California Towhee is short and conical. The California Towhee uses both feet at the same time, not its bill, to turn over ground litter in search of food. There are eight species in the genus Melozone, three of which occur in the United States. The other species are found from Mexico and south into Central and South America. There is only one species of Melozone in our area, the California Towhee.

California Towhee by Brooke Miller

California Towhee by Brooke Miller

California Thrasher pair by Janna Pauser

California Thrasher pair by Janna Pauser

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California Towhees have a distinct metallic “clink” call. Listen to it by visiting the “Sounds” tab at:

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Banner Photo by Carter Gasiorowski

Nuttall's Woodpecker

Nuttall’s Woodpecker

by Dave Zittin

Eight species of woodpeckers occur in Santa Clara County. In suburban areas, the Nuttall's Woodpecker is the most common backyard visitor.

Male Nuttall’s Woodpecker.  Note the white barring pattern on an otherwise black back. Photo by Tom Grey

Male Nuttall’s Woodpecker.  Note the white barring pattern on an otherwise black back. Photo by Tom Grey

Attracting Nuttall's Woodpecker to Backyards

Most woodpeckers are omnivorous. The Nuttall's Woodpecker's diet is composed mostly of insects, but it will eat seeds, berries and other fruits. This woodpecker uses its feet and stiff tail feathers to prop itself while feeding. From my experience a suet feeder with a “paddle” that extends well below the suet block so that the bird can use its tail feathers for support is best. I have had luck attracting woodpeckers using suet containing dried insects. During the summer, Nuttall's Woodpecker is a common visitor and I will see one on the feeder several times each day. Often this species will “announce” its arrival with a loud metallic rattle call.

Male Nuttall’s Woodpecker at a suet feeder with a “paddle”.  The paddle extends well below the suet block so that the woodpecker can use its tail feathers to support itself while feeding. Photo by Dave Zittin.

Male Nuttall’s Woodpecker at a suet feeder with a “paddle”.  The paddle extends well below the suet block so that the woodpecker can use its tail feathers to support itself while feeding. Photo by Dave Zittin.

Descriptions

Nuttall's Woodpecker can be distinguished from our other local woodpeckers by a white barring pattern on an otherwise black back. The mature male has a white and black streaked forehead and a large red patch that covers the entire rear of the head. The top of the female's head is black. Immature birds resemble adults except that both sexes can show red on their crowns, but it does not extend down the back of the head as it does in the adult male (see the banner photo on the top of this page.)

Female Nuttall’s Woodpecker.  She lacks the red crown of the male. Photo by Dave Zittin.

Female Nuttall’s Woodpecker.  She lacks the red crown of the male. Photo by Dave Zittin.

Distribution

Nuttall's Woodpecker is truly a California species and is found almost exclusively in this state with a small population in Northwest Baja California. This species prefers oak woodlands and riparian areas, but it occurs wherever there are trees and has done well in populated areas.

Similar Species

There are two other species that beginning birders might mistake for Nuttall's Woodpecker, the Hairy Woodpecker and Downy Woodpecker. Both of these species have a prominent white streak in the upper center of their backs instead of a black back with white stripes that is seen on the Nuttall's Woodpecker.

Downy Woodpecker.  Note the lack of barring on its back and its tiny bill.  Photo by Peter Hart.

Downy Woodpecker.  Note the lack of barring on its back and its tiny bill.  Photo by Peter Hart.

Female Hairy Woodpecker.  Note the prominent white streak on its back.  Photo by Peter Hart.

Female Hairy Woodpecker.  Note the prominent white streak on its back.  Photo by Peter Hart.

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In the “sounds” section in the references below, be sure to listen to the characteristic metallic “rattle” call of Nuttall's Woodpecker.

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Banner Photo Credit:  Immature Nuttall’s Woodpecker by Brooke Miller

White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrow

by Dave Zittin

In the fall many migrant bird species leave northern areas and head south to the relatively mild winters of California. Two such species are affectionately referred to as  “crowned sparrows”. Adults of both of these species have distinct crown markings which we can use to tell them apart. Both species began returning to Santa Clara County in the past few weeks  and are now abundant throughout much of the county. They will remain here until late spring. 

Attracting them to backyards

Crowned sparrows love backyards, especially if seed is placed on the ground or on platform feeders and they will eat almost any commercial bird seed mixture. They are opportunistic feeders that will also eat fruits, vegetables, insects and spiders and will ravage emerging garden seedlings. If you have a veggie garden you will want to place a protective covering over the seedlings. I used to lay chicken wire over seedlings to protect them until they were large enough to escape foraging birds.  

Description 

White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows belong to a small genus of sparrows, Zonotrichia, whose adults have distinct crown patterns and a brown back with black striping.  Both of these species have an unmarked, uniform tan-gray breast color. The two species are easily told apart from each other as adults. The adult White-crowned Sparrow has distinct white and black stripes stripes on its crown (the top of the head). The adult Golden-crowned Sparrow has a distinct black crown that is divided at the top of its head, with a golden-colored central area. 

Adult White-crowned Sparrow with distinct white and black stripes stripes on its crown. Photo: Dave Zittin

Adult White-crowned Sparrow with distinct white and black stripes stripes on its crown. Photo: Dave Zittin

Adult Golden-crowned Sparrow with distinct black crown divided by a golden-colored central area. Photo: Dave Zittin

Adult Golden-crowned Sparrow with distinct black crown divided by a golden-colored central area. Photo: Dave Zittin

Telling immature individuals apart is often a challenge for beginning birders, but it's really not  difficult. The two species have different beak colors regardless of age. The immature White-crowned Sparrow's bill is mostly a  bright yellow or yellow-orange color and if there is any dark color on the bill it is found only as  a small spot at the tip of the bill.  The Golden-crowned  Sparrow has a bill that is a uniform dusky gray color along its entire length and the upper beak is darker than the lower beak.The face patterns of the immature birds also differ. The  White-crowned Sparrow's head is boldly striped with brown and creamy buff stripes.  Striping is less apparent on Golden-crowned Sparrow's face and there is a small yellow patch on the top of the crown. 

Immature White-crowned Sparrow. Photo: Carter Gasiorowski

Immature White-crowned Sparrow. Photo: Carter Gasiorowski

Immature Golden-crowned Sparrow. Photo: Brooke Miller

Immature Golden-crowned Sparrow. Photo: Brooke Miller

Distribution 

Both species start their northern migration to breeding grounds, leaving Santa Clara County  by the end of April and return to winter here starting in September. 

The Golden-crowned Sparrow's distribution is restricted to the westernmost parts of the  continental United States, Alaska and Canada. In the winter this species occurs over the west coast of the continental United States. In the summer they range from Western British Columbia north along the coast, SE Alaska and north to cover much of western Alaska. The Golden-crowned Sparrow was a nemesis bird for the gold miners of the 1800s who likened its song to: “I'm so tired” or “No gold here”. “Oh dear me” is another interpretation. 

The White-crowned Sparrow has a much wider distribution. In the winter it occurs across  much of the southern half of the United States and south into northern Mexico. In the summer breeding season it occurs in the Northern Rocky Mountains, north into Alaska and across Northern Canada all the way to Labrador. There are some populations that do not migrate and an example close to us is on the coast at Half Moon Bay where they are found throughout the year. 

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Listen to songs of both species in All About Birds because both species sing outside of their breeding season. 

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Banner Photo Credit: Golden-crowned Sparrow by Tom Grey

House Finch

House Finch

by Dave Zittin

Perhaps one of the most common backyard birds is the House Finch. The bright red head of most male House Finches, especially during breeding season, causes even the non-birder to comment on the “pretty red bird” they saw in their backyard. 

Male House Finch. Photo by Dave Zittin.

Male House Finch. Photo by Dave Zittin.

Attracting them to backyards 

House Finches are easily attracted to backyard seed feeders and will eat just about any seed that is available on the market for birds.  It does not matter where the seeds are placed, in a feeder or on the ground, they will be devoured by this species. Their strong, conical beak gives them the ability to crack open and remove husks in order to get at the nutritious seed inside. If you give them in-shell sunflower seeds, there will be a lot of husks on the ground which can be messy if you are feeding them over a patio or deck, but House Finches will have no problem removing the husks. 

Description 

The prominent red color on most male House Finches is due to their consumption of carotenoids which are a group of yellow-orange pigments that give color to carrots, flamingos, salmon, and many other living things. House Finches are unable to produce their own colors and the carotenoids in their diet make their way into their feathers giving them their characteristic colors. Sometimes, the diet of the male House Finch does not include enough of the “correct” pigments and it will end up showing a yellow or mustard-like color. Research shows that females select red males, the brighter the better, which suggests that their mate-to-be is probably going to be more successful at food gathering when it comes time to feed the young than a male with a color other than red. The female is a more drab gray and has numerous blurry, brown streaks on the breast and belly. 

Yellow Male House Finch. Photo by Brooke Miller.

Yellow Male House Finch. Photo by Brooke Miller.

Female House Finches. Photo by Dave Zittin

Female House Finches. Photo by Dave Zittin

Distribution 

House Finches are widespread. Initially they were found in the southwestern United States. They were introduced to the east coast as escaped cage birds in the 1930s and have spread over a large area in the east. The western population has been making its way north from the Southwest. Today the House Finch occurs in the U.S. west of the Rockies from the Mexican border north to the Canadian border, and in most of the eastern half of the country. There are also introduced populations in Hawaii. 

Similar species 

House Finches - especially the bright, red males - are sometimes mistaken for Purple Finches. Purple Finches are larger and not commonly found in backyards. The stripes on the side of the belly of the Purple Finch are red whereas those of the House Finch are dark brown. 

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Banner Photo: House Finch by Dave Zitten

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco

by Dave Zittin

This small sparrow species is common in Santa Clara County. Although they tend to be found in forested areas, they seem to be at home in our backyards, especially if there is something to eat. On the California Coast they can be found throughout the year. They will eat suet, but seem to prefer grain.

Dark-eyed Junco. Photo: Brooke Miller

Dark-eyed Junco. Photo: Brooke Miller

The black head and the auburn-colored back of the adult bird makes this species easy to identify. Watch their tails, especially when they fly. The outer feathers are white. It has been suggested that the white feathers advertise “I see you” to a predator and you will be wasting your time if you try to catch me.

Immature juncos resemble the adult in size and shape, but do not have the solid adult colors seen on the head, breast and belly, Instead these areas on the immature bird show obvious streaking. However, both the immature and the adult juncos do have white outer tail feathers that are especially obvious when the bird flies away from the observer.

Juvenile Dark-eyed Junco. Photo: Dave Zittin

Brood parasitism is when an individual relies on another individual to rear its young. Dark- eyed Juncos are often the hosts of such parasitism by the Brown-headed Cowbird. In the photo showing two birds, the larger, gray bird is an immature Brown-headed Cowbird which is being raised by a Dark-eyed Junco and the photo shows the junco about to feed the cowbird. Don't be surprised to see this in your backyard someday especially if you have feeders that draw juncos.

Dark-eyed Junco feeding juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird. Photo: Dave Zittin

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Banner Photo: Dark-eyed Junco by Dave Zittin