Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Leiothlypis ("plain unknown warbler") celata ("secret")

Immature Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) at Anchorage, Alaska - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Unclear
Weight: 9g  /  Length: 12-13cm  /  Wingspan: 18cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite the rather opulant sounding name, the namesake orange crown of this warbler is actually fairly difficult to see as it is usually hidden beneath the crest - in many ways this species is actually more closely resembling a drab old-world  phylloscopid warbler than the other parulid warblers we saw on the trip.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Leiothlypis
SUBSPECIES: L. c. celata, L. c. lutescens, L. orestera, L. c. sordida

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present largely everywhere but the High Tundra and Great Plains
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in the West including Alaska, Winters in South, Resident in thin strip along Pacific Coast
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at  San Francisco 

 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)

OTHER NAMES: Long-crested Jay, Mountain Jay, Pine Jay
Latin Etymology: Cyanocitta ("cyan jay") stelleri (named for Steller)

 Adult Steller's Jay (subspecies C. s. frontalis) at San Francisco, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis
Weight: 105g  /  Length: 29cm  /  Wingspan: 43-48cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Steller's Jay is a sister species to the famous Blue Jay of North America, the only other species in the genus Cyanocitta, but while that species mainly lives to the East of the Rockies, the Steller's lives in the Rockies themselves and the West. Like other jays they are simultaneously noisy but shy and often only caught in fleeting glimpses.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Cyanocitta
SUBSPECIES: C. s. stelleri, C. s. carlottae, C. s. frontalis, C. s. carbonacea, C. s. annectens, C. s. macrolpha, C. s. diademata, C. s. philippsi, C. s. coronata, C. s. purpurea, C. s. azteca, C. s. teotepecensis, C. s. restricta, C. s. ridgwayi, C. s. lazula, C. s. sauvis

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Range centred on the Rockies and Pacific Coast
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Roy's Redwoods, San Francisco and Berkeley

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica)

OTHER NAMES: Western Scrub Jay, Scrub Jay
Latin Etymology: Aphelocoma ("simple hair") californica ("of California")

Adult California Scrub Jay (subspecies A. c. oocleptica) at Berkeley, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Aphelocoma californica oocleptica
Weight: 70-100g  /  Length: 27-31cm  /  Wingspan: 38-40cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A dash of bright blue from the trees was usually what I saw of this species - noisy and ubiquitous, it is nonetheless generally a fairly shy species by the standards of corvids, rarely giving me a good look at the brilliant plumage. They are known to cache food for winter, and can remember the location of over 200 such locations.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Aphelocoma
SUBSPECIES: A. c. immanis, A. c. caurina, A. c. oocleptica, A. c. californica, A. c. obscura, A. c. cana, A. c. cactophila, A. c. hypoleuca

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Washington, Oregon and Colorado
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Roy's Redwoods, San Jose, San Francisco and Berkeley

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Junco ("reeds") hyemalis ("of winter")

Adult male Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) at Berkeley, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: probably Junco hyemalis pinosus
Weight: 18-30g  /  Length: 13-16m  /  Wingspan: 18-25cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A highly variable species which the various subspecies have such drastically different appearances they were previously considered separate species. There are six groups which contain subspecies of vastly differing appearances and colour schemes. The groups were only realised to represent a single large species when it was noted that they interbreed extensively where they meet.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Junco
SUBSPECIES: J. h. hyemalis, J. h. carolinensis, J. h. cismontanus, J. h. aikeni, J. h. monatus, J. h. mutabilis, J. h. oreganus, J. h. pinosus, J. h. pontilis, J. h. shufeldti, J. h. thurberi, J. h. townsendi, J. h. mearnsi, J. h. caniceps, J. h. dorsalis

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in Alaska, Resident on West Coast and North East, Winters in Central and South US
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley and San Francisco

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)

OTHER NAMES: Hollywood Finch
Latin Etymology: Haemorhous ("blood rump") mexicanus ("of Mexico")

Adult male House Finch (subspecies H. m. frontalis) at San Jose, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Haemorhous mexicanus frontalis
Weight: 16-27 g  /  Length: 12.5-15cm  /  Wingspan: 20-25cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Probably the most abundant and common bird seen on my trip to the Bay, the House Finch is a small brown finch where the males have a coral coloured flush to them. They have experienced a rapid range expansion since the 40's - they were sold as "Hollywood Finches" in New York at that time, and subsequently escaped and formed a feram population which has now linked up across the entire Lower 48 and into Southern Canada.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Haemorhous
SUBSPECIES: H. m. frontalis, H. m. clementis, H. m. amplus, H. m. rubbrrimus, H.m rhodopnus, H. m. coccineus, H. m. potosinus, H. m. centralis, H. m. mexicanus, H. m. rosepectus, H. m. griscomi, H. m. mcgregori

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found across the entire Lower 48 and Hawai'i
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley, San Francisco, San Jose etc

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria)

OTHER NAMES: Dark-backed Goldfinch, Arkansas Goldfinch
Latin Etymology: Spinus (bird mentioned by Aristophanes) psaltria ("singer")  

Adult male Lesser Goldfinch (subspecies S. p. hesperophilus) at Berkeley, California - Septmeber 2022

Featured Subspecies: Spinus psaltria hesperophilus
Weight: 8-11.5g  /  Length: 9-12cm  /  Wingspan: 20cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The three species of American Goldfinch aren't actually closesly related to the Eurasian Goldfinch, actually being more closely related to the siskins. It is one of the smallest true finches in the world, only rivalled by it's close relation the Andean Siskin. They travel in flocks, the largest of which we encountered was probably around 50 birds.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Spinus
SUBSPECIES: S. p. hesperophilus, S. p. witti, S. p. psaltria, S. p. jouyi, S. p. colombianus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Resident on West Coast and the Mexican border, Breeding inland in South-West
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP:  Seen at Berkeley and  San Francisco 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Euphagus ("good eating") cyanocephalus ("dark blue headed")

Adult male Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) at Monterey, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 63g/kg  /  Length: 20-26cm  /  Wingspan: 39cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A bird that in many ways has the feel of a North American answer to a Jackdaw, they have the same dark plumage, pale eye, upright stance and marching gait that I would associate with that species, not to mention that I also first encountered them in a carpark. Despite all this however, they are not closely related, being a part of the Icterids - better known as the New World Blackbirds.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Euphagus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
A large range resident on the West Coast, Breeding in Northern States as far East as the Great Lakes and Wintering in the South.
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at  San Francisco and Monterey

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens)

OTHER NAMES: Black-throated Grey Warbler
Latin Etymology: Setophaga ("moth eating") nigrescens ("blackish")

Adult male Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens) at San Francisco, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Setophaga nigriscens nigriscens
Weight: 8.4g  /  Length: 13cm  /  Wingspan: 19cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species of distinctive pied warbler with a small bright yellow eyebrow, despite a fairly wide range and distinctive colouring it is considered poorly known. It is a bird of forest, where it's favoured food is caterpillars. It non-breeding range is situated entirely within Mexico.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Setophaga
SUBSPECIES: S. n. halseii, S. n. nigriscens

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Breeds in Western States of the Lower 48
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at  San Francisco

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga townsendi)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Setophaga ("moth eating") townsendi (named for John Townsend)

Adult male Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga townsendi) at San Francisco, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: n/a
Weight: 8.8g  /  Length: 11-13cm  /  Wingspan: 20cm
NO UK STATUS/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A stunningly coloured New World Warbler tied to the Pacific Coast, Townsend's warbler is a long distance migrant despite it's small size, with a migratory range spanning from Alaska to Oregon in the Summer to Oregon to Central America in the Non-breeding season. The female is less starkly patterned with the male, with the blacks being replaced by olive tones.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Setophaga
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in extreme Northwest of the Lower 48 and Southern Alaska, Winters along Pacific Coast of Lower 48
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Roy's Redwoods and San Francisco

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Turdus ("thrush") migratorius ("migratory") 

Adult female American Robin (Turdus migratorius) at Berkeley, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Unclear - possibly Turdus migratorius caurinus (The Northwestern Robin)
Weight: 77g  /  Length: 23-28cm  /  Wingspan: 31-41cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite the name, the American Robin is not actually related to the Robins found in Eurasia and is infact a member of the Thrush family, connected by only having a red chest. They are the most abundant bird species in North America, present at different times of the year from the Southern border of Mexico to all but the Arctic fringes of Alaska and Canada.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Turdus
SUBSPECIES: T. m. migratorius, T. m. nigrideus, T. m. achrusterus, T. m. caurinus, T. m. propiquus, T. m confinis, T. m. phillipsi

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
An abundant resident throughout the Lower 48 and Alaska, migratory within it's range.
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at  Berkeley and San Francisco 

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

OTHER NAMES: Crow
Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") brachyrhynchus ("short bill")

 
Adult American Crow (subspecies C. b. hesperis) at Berkeley, Califoria - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis ("Western Crow")
Weight: 316-620g  /  Length: 40-53cm  /  Wingspan: 85-100cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

With a range centred around the American Crow fills much the same niche as the Carrion and Hooded Crow do in Europe. It's range is centred on the US and Southern Canada, also reaching into Northern Mexico. Interestingly, in the Bay Area it shares much of it's range with Common Raven, which in Europe is generally a species that favours more remote areas.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
SUBSPECIES: C. b. bracyrhynchosm C, b, hesperis, C, b, caurinus, C. b. pascuus, C. b. paulus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found throughout the entire Lower 48

- CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at  Berkeley and San Francisco

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Dryobates ("woodland walker") pubescens ("downy/pubescent")

Adult female Downy Woodpecker (subspecies D. p.. turati) at San Francisco, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Dryobates pubescens turati
Weight: 21-28g  /  Length: 14-18cm  /  Wingspan: 25-30cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The smallest woodpecker in North America, despite the similar plumage and theming of name, it is not closely related to the Hairy Woodpecker which shares much of its range. The best way to distinguish them when good views are had is that the downy has a tiny needle like bill compared to the hairy's more iconically large woodpecker chisel.

Related Species:

Order: Piciformes

Family: Picidae

Genus: Dryobates

SUBSPECIES: D. p. glacialis, D. p.. medianus, D. p. fumidus, D. p. gairdnerii, D. p. turati, D. p. leucurus, D. p. pubescens

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Found over most of the Lower 48 and Southern Alaska
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Jose and San Francisco

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Nuttall's Woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Dryobates ("woodland walker") nuttallii (named for naturalist Thomas Nuttall)

Male Species (Dryobates nuttallii)  at San Francisco, California September 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 30-45g  /  Length: 16-18cm  /  Wingspan: 33-41cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species almost entirely endemic to California, though their range just tips over into Mexico in the South. They prefer oak woodlands although depending on availability of habitat they may also be found in other areas.

Related Species:

Order: Piciformes

Family: Picidae

Genus: Dryobates

SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Near endemic to California
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Francisco

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Red-masked Parakeet (Psittacara erythrogenys)

OTHER NAMES: Cherry-headed Conure, Red-headed Conure
Latin Etymology: Psittacara ("parrot head") erythrogenys ("red cheeked") 

Two Red-masked Parakeet (Psittacara erythrogenys) at San Francisco, California September 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 200g  /  Length: 33cm  /  Wingspan: 56cm
NO UK STATUS /IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

A parrot whose native range is Ecuador and Peru but due to escapees has now established into populations in several pockets of the United States. There is no definite take on the source of this population, but they have succeeded in creating a small and expanding population of around 300 individuals in San Francisco.

Related Species:

Order: Psittaciformes

Family: Psittacidae

Genus: Psittacara

SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Small isolated feral populations found in California, Florida, Puerto Rico and Hawai'i
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Francisco

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)

OTHER NAMES: Chickenhawk N/A

Latin Etymology: Accipiter ("to grasp") striatus ("striated")

Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk (subspecies A. s. velox) at San Francisco, California Septmeber 2022

Featured Subspecies: Accipiter striatus velox
Weight: 82-115g  /  Length:23-30cm  /  Wingspan: 42-58cm
NO UK STATUS/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small raptor with a similar ecological niche to Sparrowhawks in Eurasia - that of agile hunter of small birds through dense foliage.  They are however, unlike most sparrowhawks in Europe, notably migratory in much of their range, with the majority of the inland population of Canada migrating South to the Southern United Sates, Mexico and Central America.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Accipiter
SUBSPECIES: A. s. fringilloides, A. s. striatus, A. s. venator, A. s. perobscurus, A. s. velox, A. s. suttoi, A. s. madrensis

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found across most of the Lower 48 and Alaska
- CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Francisco

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

OTHER NAMES: Redtail, Chickenhawk
Latin Etymology: Buteo ("buzzard") jamaicensis ("of Jamaica")

Two Adult Red-tailed Hawk (subspecies B. j. calurus) at San Jose, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Western Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis calurus)
Weight: 690-1370g  /  Length: 46-65cm  /  Wingspan: 105-141cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The most abundant of North America Raptors, the Red tailed hawk fills roughly the same ecological niche as the Common Buzzard - a very adaptable medium sized raptors that will both scavenge and take prey. They are found across every habitat found in the continental North America, limited in the North only by the end of the treeline and extending southwards to te tropics of Central America. They are a popular bird in falconry due to how common they are and being more trainable than almost all other raptors.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Buteo
SUBSPECIES: B. j. jamaicensis, B. j. alascensis, B. j.borealis, B. j. calurus, B. j. costaricensis, B. j. fueresi, B. j. fumosus, B. j. hadropus, B. j. harlani, B. j. kemsiesi, B. j. kriderii, B. j. socorreoensis, B. j. solitudinus, B. j. umbrinus

 - Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA
A common resident.
 - COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: One bird seen at San Gerardo de Dota

UNITED STATES 
Found across all Lower 48 and much of Alaska
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley, Monterey,San Jose, Hayward  and San Francisco

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Buteo ("buzzard") lineatus ("lined")

Adult Red-shouldered Hawk (subspecies B. l. elegans) at Monterey, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Buteo lineatus elegans
Weight: 550-700g  /  Length: 38-61cm  /  Wingspan: 90-127cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The smaller and less common of the two buteo species seen on the trip, they were nonetheless a fairly common species throughout, often surverying their surroundings from branches or overhead wires for prey. They are more active predatos than many buteos, focusing to a greater degree on rodents and other small animals. The subspecies lineatus seen in California is substantially redder in colouration than the other subspecies, and given that the population is separated from the rest geographically is regarded to be somewhat more distinct.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Buteo
SUBSPECIES: B. l. lineatus, B. l. alleni, B. l. elegans, B. l. extimus, B. l. taxanus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Primary found in Eastern US,and a narrow coast centric range in California
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley, Monterey and San Francisco

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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