Common Nevada & California Backyard Birds Western Gardeners Should Know

California and Nevada share a state border, but they don’t host exactly the same wild bird populations. That’s in part due to the location – one state is coastal, the other not – and in part due to the difference in climate.

California, with its long coastline, is a major stop along the Pacific Flyway for spring migration and offers myriad habitats for these “snow birds.” Around a billion birds migrate through in springtime on their way north. Gardeners can help these migrating species by using plants native to California and Nevada in their gardens. These migratory species include common types of songbirds, raptors and flycatchers, and might be among your favorite California backyard birds.

The backyard birds of Nevada are more likely to stay in the region all year long, but species vary among the different ecosystems. The deserts in eastern Nevada offer food and nesting material to different wild birds than the pine forests of the south.

Backyard Birds Of California

If you are just starting out birdwatching, here are some common backyard birds in California.

American Robin

This might not be the most common California birds, but it is certainly one of the best recognized. The robin-red-breast is known for its bright red chest area, its pretty chatter, and its rich songs. Bird baths are a great way to attract robins to your yard.

Cedar Waxwing

Here’s a pretty California bird that is easy to recognize, although its name is less well-known than the robin. The waxwing is unique – starting with its black mask, tan feathers, and crested head.

The red, waxlike droplets on their inner wing feathers give it its common name. If you have native fruiting trees in your area, you’ll see happy groups of waxwings descending on overripe berries in winter. Berry-bearing shrubs like 'Winterthur' viburnum, which can be found in the Gardening Know How Shop, are favorites of waxwings.

Oak Titmouse

Do you want to identify an oak titmouse? Look for a small, gray bird with an unimposing crest on its head. You’ll find them easily in oak woodlands. These backyard birds of California chatter, offering rapid calls as they search for insects for lunch.

It sounds something like peter-peter-peter. Titmice are attracted to a birdfeeder that includes suet or seeds and you can create a backyard bird sanctuary by including things like bird baths and native shrubs.

Goldfinch

You’ve never seen yellow until you spot a goldfinch. Both lesser goldfinch and the bigger American goldfinch have spectacular yellow feathers.

According to birding lore, if the first bird you see on January 1st is a goldfinch, get ready for a year of joy and good fortune! Attract them to your feeder by offering them nyjer seeds, best served up in a nyjer seed-feeder.

Anna’s Hummingbird

Attach a bright-colored hummingbird feeder to a window or tree branch and see what happens. The pretty little birds darting over to sip the sugary water will likely be a species of Anna’s hummingbird. Planting flowering vines for hummingbirds is another great way to attract them to your yard.

These California birds vary in color depending on their sex: females have subdued coloring and a little drab while the males are little iridescent jewels, bright green with a brilliant pink-reddish mark on the throat.

Crowned Sparrows

Winters in California are quite mild, and this attracts migrating bird species. Two species that leave northern areas and head to California to winter are the “crowned sparrows”: white-crowned and golden-crowned sparrows. The adults are tan or gray. They have brown backs with black stripes, and they also have distinct crown patterns.

The white-crowned sparrow has white and black stripes on the top of the head, while the golden-crowned sparrow has a black crown with a golden central area. Attracting birds to your backyard can be done with a simple bird feeder and a bird bath. Crowned sparrows are fond of millet.

Allen's Hummingbird

Another very common California bird is the jewel-toned Allen's hummingbird, tiny fliers with brilliant reddish orange throats. They winter in Mexico but return to coastal California in early spring to delight us with their elaborate courting ritual. There is a small resident population in Southern California year-round.

Western Scrub Jay

One you are likely to see at your backyard feeder is the long-tailed western scrub jay, seen often in California coastal areas and foothills. Assertive, inquisitive, and vocal, California scrub jays eat insects, fruits, seeds and acorns, hiding the latter away for winter consumption.

They are less popular with other birds, however, since they also like to rob nests and consume eggs and young birds.

Cooper's Hawk

The Cooper's hawk is the most common hawk in California, but it may not be one of the most common in your backyard. They live in woodlands throughout the state, but are secretive. Look for their long trails and rounded wings as they hunt from the air above the edge of a forest or field for robins, doves and small mammals. You can attract these birds of prey, but they might eat the smaller birds at your feeders.

Chestnut-Backed Chickadees

Set out suet or seeds, and you may see chestnut-backed chickadees year-round in coastal California's coniferous forests as well as forest habitats in the central Sierra Nevada and suburban areas in eastern San Francisco Bay. They are merry and sociable, foraging in flocks of other species as well as their own.

Backyard Birds Of Nevada

Here are some common backyard birds you might spot in Nevada.

Dark-Eyed Juncos

There are over 600 million dark-eyed juncos in North America, making them one of the most abundant songbirds. They are the classic “snowbirds,” appearing across the country – including Nevada – as winter temperatures start dropping.

A common subspecies has a black or gray hood that contrasts with the brown back. You are likely to see juncos ground feeding. Watch for the flash of their white tail feathers as they seek cover and listen for their ticking calls.

Spotted Towhee

The male spotted towhee has a black hood, breast and back and chestnut sides. The bird’s body is spotted with bold white spots and its belly is also white. The female has the same coloring but slightly less bold.

Spotted towhees can be attracted to feeders by putting out black sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, cracked corn, or millet. Otherwise, they are largely ground feeders.

Pine Siskin

Nevada – especially southern Nevada – has lots of pine siskin birds. These small finches are brown and black with pointed bills and notched tails. Males have yellow on the wings. Pine siskins need smaller seeds like nyjer seeds or thistle. They are also attracted to hulled sunflower seeds and suet.

Chestnut-Collared Longspur

One Nevada bird you may see in summer in short-grass prairies is the chestnut-collared longspur. The male’s breeding plumage is exceptional, with black, brown, and buff stripes on the back and two pale wing bars and a white shoulder patch.

Harris's Sparrow

Another common Nevada bird is Harris’s sparrow, a large, plump sparrow with distinctive markings including streaked reddish brown back and reddish brown wings with two white wing bars and a pink bill. They form flocks with other sparrow species.

Frequently Asked Questions

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