House Finch Eating Golden Currant at Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area
Irwindale, California
May 7, 2022
At Santa Fe Dam, I located a patch of Golden Currant (Ribes aureum) that had produced tons of berries! Birds like California Thrashers, Northern Mockingbirds, and House Finches were snacking on the delectable treats.
White-breasted Nuthatch Finding Food at Placerita Canyon Newhall, California
March 28, 2022
While exploring Placerita Canyon with my friends from Los Angeles Birders-Students, we spotted this White-breasted Nuthatch! One of my favorite birds!
Allen’s Hummingbird in my Backyard
Los Angeles, California
March 5, 2022
After some brief but intense rains, this Allen’s Hummingbird was drying off in the sun. This was perhaps my closest encounter with a hummingbird yet. So happy! ;)
Red-winged Blackbird Singing at Sepulveda Basin
Van Nuys, California
February 20, 2022
I have a newfound appreciation for Red-winged Blackbirds after hearing their beautiful calls!
Northern Mockingbird Foraging at Lower Arroyo Secco
Pasadena, California
February 19, 2022
As my mom and I left the park, we spotted this Northern Mockingbird foraging in the newly cut grass.
California Ground Squirrel Feeding at Lower Arroyo Secco Pasadena, California
February 19, 2022
There was a family of ground squirrels living in some rocks piled along a hill side. They had direct access to a variety of plants for food.
Lesser Scaup Feeding and Diving at Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area
Irwindale, California
February 18, 2022
This was a lifer for me! I found the Lesser Scaup feeding in the shallows by the dock. Before I started recording, I think I saw the scaup bring up a small fish after a quick dive!
American Goldfinches feeding on Western Sycamore Seeds at Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area
Irwindale, California
February 18, 2022
A group of American Goldfinches chirped above my head, flying and grasping onto the branches of Western Sycamore. Goldfinches love the seeds, plucking them out of the sphere with their pointed bill. Also in the same tree: Bushtits and Cedar Waxwings!
Group of Red-whiskered Bulbuls in my Neighborhood
Los Angeles, California
February 14, 2022
What a lovely group of birds on Valentine’s Day! Red-whiskered bulbuls are native the tropical regions of Asia, namely eastern India and southern China. However, by the 1960’s, they had already been introduced to LA County (1968), the Hawaiian island of Oahu (1965), and southern Florida (1960). This is likely due to the bulbul’s involvement in the song bird trade. Red-whiskered bulbuls can also be found in parts of Australia and Singapore. Red-whiskered bulbuls are most often seen in pairs or small groups (like the ones in the video). That song you hear are the calls of a rather noisy Northern Mockingbird.
Bushtit Collecting Nest Material at Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area
Irwindale, California
February 7, 2022
This female bushtit (identified by yellow iris) is collecting nest material in a western sycamore tree. Only… if you follow where the string is from, it seems to be attached to a used oriole nest. Sneaky bushtit!
Another California Thrasher Singing at Hahamongna Watershed Park
Pasadena, California
January 20, 2022
I told you they could sing louder (see December 17, 2021 video)! This California thrasher was singing while perched in laurel sumac.
Bewick’s Wren Singing at Hahamongna Watershed Park
Pasadena, California
January 20, 2022
For me, the calls of a Bewick’s wren are sometimes hard to remember. I’ll hear the call and think: “Wow, that sounds really familiar. Which bird is it?!” From a distance, I saw this small bird singing beautifully while perched at the top of a tree. Upon zooming my camera in to focus on the bird, I realized it was a Bewick’s wren. Ah, I’ll have to remember the song for next time!
Lesser Goldfinch Feeding on Rosemary at Deukmejian Wilderness Park
Glendale, California
January 11, 2022
While leaving Deukmejian, I spotted this male lesser goldfinch feeding on rosemary in the parking lot.
California Ground Squirrel at Deukmejian Wilderness Park
Glendale, California
January 11, 2022
This California ground squirrel was sitting in a bush. Can you hear the common ravens in the background?
Golden-crowned Sparrow Foraging at Deukmejian Wilderness Park Glendale, California
January 11, 2022
While birding Deukmejian, I spotted a single golden-crowned sparrow foraging on the ground. This one is immature, hinted by the brown in the crown.
California Thrasher Singing at Hahamongna Watershed Park Pasadena, California
December 17, 2021
California thrashers are one of my favorite birds to spot at Hahamongna. In fact, the first one at there I ever saw was singing in a dead tree there. While the thrasher in the video is singing quietly, they can get quite loud. After the thrasher flew down from the tree, it started foraging in the foliage using its long bill to upturn dirt.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet on Mule Fat at Hahamongna Watershed Park
Pasadena, California
December 17, 2021
In my experience (and I’m sure I’m not alone), ruby-crowned kinglets are near impossible to photograph or video because they move around a lot. However, with all the ruby-crowned kinglets I saw at Hahamongna, some were on the more cooperative side, like this one.
Red-breasted Sapsucker at Franklin Canyon Park
Beverly Hills, California
November 28, 2021
While it turned out that I didn’t get any web-worthy photos that day, I did get video of this red-breasted sapsucker! They were way up in a tree and hard to spot, but we found them! Turns out they’re not too common at Franklin Canyon!
Sanderlings at Leo Carrillo State Park
Malibu, California
November 27, 2021
In addition to invertebrates at the tide pools, there were also a good number of bird species, including these sanderlings, who were wading through the tides looking for a bite to eat!
Willet at Leo Carrillo State Park Video Montage
Malibu, California
November 27, 2021
A willet meanders about the rocks looking for something to eat.
American Coots at Peck Road Water Conservation Park
Arcadia, California
November 13, 2021
Two American coots socialize with each other while swimming and looking for food.
Feeder Cam: Rufous-crowned Sparrow in my Backyard
Los Angeles, California
October 24, 2021
I love seeing what kinds of birds the feeders attract! Here, a rufous-crowned sparrow eats the seeds and millet while a northern mockingbird calls (see next video).
Northern Mockingbird in my Backyard
Los Angeles, California
October 24, 2021
Heard the lovely sounds of this northern mockingbird, then found him in the bottlebrush!
Anna’s Hummingbird at Oro Vista Park
Sunland, California
October 19, 2021
Oro Vista has lots of native plants, including California buckwheat, California sagebrush, yerba santa, mule fat, western sycamore, and chaparral yucca, which these hummingbirds were resting on.
Rock Wren at Oro Vista Park
Sunland, California
October 19, 2021
I first spotted the wren soaking up some sun on a rock. Then, they flew over to a fence and started singing!
Juvenile and Female Dark-eyed Juncos in my Backyard
Los Angeles, California
August 31, 2021
There’s a junco party going on under the bird feeder!
Northern mockingbird Feeding on Figs in my Backyard
Los Angeles, California
August 18, 2021
Ripe figs bring hungry birds, such as this northern mockingbird!
California Thrasher in my Backyard
Los Angeles, California
August 18, 2021
California Thrashers are one of my favorite birds! I was so happy when one wandered into my backyard!!!
Long-billed Dowitcher at Peck Road Water Conservation Park
Arcadia, California
August 14, 2021
As we approach the fall, shorebirds are making their way to local water ways. This long-billed dowitcher was joined by western and lesser sandpipers. Visit reservoirs, rivers, lakes, and more for some shorebird action!
Mountain Quail and Chicks at Sequoia National Park
Three Rivers, California
July 29, 2021
While staying at a lodge inside the park, I spotted a family of quails. It was dark and raining, so I wasn’t positive on the identification. To my relief, the family was still there in the morning and I was able to ID them as mountain quails, a lifer! It was so fun watching this family forage!
*Three other chicks off screen
Female Hooded Oriole Feeding on Laurel Sumac in my Neighborhood
Los Angles, California
July 17, 2021
Hooded orioles are often heard before they are seen (at least in my experience). When they decide to come out of hiding, it’s so exciting! Here’s a female hooded oriole, characterized by her yellow plumage.
Anna’s hummingbird Feeding on Succulent Flowers in my Backyard
Los Angeles, California
July 16, 2021
It’s always so wonderful to see local wildlife pollinating flowers, especially when that pollinator is a hummingbird! Plant native plants to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and more to your area!
Male House Finch Rivalry in my Backyard
Los Angles, California
July 15, 2021
Dark-eyed Junco and House Finch in my Backyard
Los Angles, California
July 15, 2021
There’s something comforting about multiple species feeding at the same time.
Juvenile California Towhee in my Backyard
Los Angeles, California
July 15, 2021
How to identify juvenile birds: Look for streaks in plumage, loose feathers (random out of place feathers), dull colors, plumage characteristic of juvenile birds, and/or overall inexperience (not flying off, wobbly fly, etc.)
*A nest is the most dangerous place for a bird to be, mainly due to the risk of predation. In order to get out as soon as possible, a bird grows cheap feathers, characterized by their loose texture. These feathers are not that great for flying, but will do the job for now. Later, the bird will molt into better quality feathers. During the molt, you can still spot a few loose feathers.
Male Nuttall’s Woodpecker at Lower Arroyo Secco
Pasadena, California
July 6, 2021
I heard the sound of a Nuttall’s woodpecker and was able to track it down to this tree. From there, I watched him for fifteen minutes or so, admiring his beautiful plumage and the way he moved about through the branches.
Red-shouldered Hawk Versus Northern Mockingbirds!
Los Angeles, California
July 2, 2021
July is nesting time for northern mockingbirds. They aggressively defend their nests and chicks from any would-be predator, such as hawks. Hawks may arrive at a nest, but the parents quickly scare them away. In this instance, the red-shouldered hawk flew to a nearby pine, where it just sat and groomed itself. The fight was not over and the northern mockingbirds followed the hawk and continued to bother it. The hawk flew away without bothering any nests.
In this video, listen for the shrills and squawks the dive bombing mockingbirds make!
Red-crowned Parrots Feeding on Loquats in my Backyard
Los Angeles, California
May 26, 2021
They came in a trio. Clutching the round, yellow fruit in their feet and bring them up to their bill to eat.