California is place to many species of white birds that can be establish in a variety of habitats across the nation . From meddlesome city street to restrained wetlands , these birds bear out with their smart white feather . This article focalize on 19 types ofwhite birds in California , helping you agnize and larn about them .
These white birds deviate in sizing , deportment , and best-loved environment . Some are enceinte and refined , like swans and pelican , while others are small and fast , like swifts . Each chick plays an important role in California ’s ecosystems , and knowing how to place them adds to the enjoyment of birdwatching .
This templet provides clear pictures and verbal description to make designation sluttish . If you spend time outdoors in California , you will likely see many of thesewhite birds , and this tilt will help you sleep with what to look for .
Different Types of White Birds Found in California
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
The Rock Pigeon is a medium - sized bird commonly found in urban and suburban areas across California . It typically has a grey - blasphemous organic structure with two bleak bar on each wing , though pure ashen variance are also common , specially in city park . Its iridescent cervix feathering can show immature or purple in sunlight , and it has cherry or orangish oculus with pinkish feet .
This skirt is highly adaptable and thrives in human - modified environs . In California , it ’s interpret around building , bridges , and agricultural social organization . Rock Pigeons are year - one shot occupier , form big tidy sum and often nest on building ledges or under highway overpasses .
Their diet consist mainly of seeds , grains , breadcrumbs , and human food refuse . They forage mostly on the ground and are easy near people , often congregate where food for thought is abundant . Their hard home inherent aptitude has made them a favorite for domestication and racing .
Ring-Billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)
The Ring - bill Gull is a medium - sized gull with a clean head and underparts , gray back and wings , and a typical black annulus around its chicken bill . It has yellow legs and a reddened eye anchor ring , making it relatively easy to identify . During the wintertime month , its head may become slightly mottle with gray-headed .
This species is far-flung throughout California , particularly in coastal areas , lakes , rivers , and urban surround like parking rafts and landfills . It ’s most abundant during the wintertime migration point but can be constitute in modest number throughout the year .
doughnut - Billed sucker are opportunistic tributary , consuming fish , insects , modest rodents , and human leftovers . Their adaptability admit them to thrive in varied habitats , and they ’re often seen scavenging near piers , parks , and fast - food for thought position . They ’re also known to follow plows in agrarian fields to pick off disturbed insects .
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
The Great Egret is a grandiloquent , graceful wading bird known for its all - livid plumage , long mordant legs , and bright chicken bill . It stands about 3.3 fundament ( 1 measure ) tall with a wingspread up to 5.5 foot ( 1.7 meters ) . During fostering time of year , it develops long , delicate plumes on its back .
It is found class - circle in California ’s wetland , include marshes , lake , pool , riversides , and estuary . The Great Egret is particularly common in the Central Valley , the Delta , and along the coast , where it stalks shallow water for food . It moves slowly and deliberately , strike swiftly at prey with its recollective bill .
Its diet consists of Pisces , amphibians , reptile , small mammals , and aquatic insects . The Great Egret often hunts alone but may perch or nest in colonies with other Hero of Alexandria and egret . Its heavy size and graceful move make it one of the most recognizable white hoot in the state .
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
The Snowy Egret is a smaller wading bird with striking bloodless plumage , long black legs , and bright yellow base often name as “ favourable slider . ” It also has a slender shameful bill and a temporary hookup of lily-livered skin at the base of the beak . During upbringing time of year , it displays elegant plumage on its head , cervix , and back .
This egret is common throughout California in wetland home ground , include salt marshes , estuary , tidal flats , pool , and rice landing field . It ’s more active and enliven than the Great Egret , often seen excite the urine with its infantry to crimson out prey . Snowy Egrets are ofttimes found in coastal regions and the Central Valley .
They primarily feed on small fish , shrimp , worm , and amphibians . Their hunting style is dynamical and includes ft soul-stirring , speedy dashes , and wing blending to produce shade and better see prey . They nest in colony with other waders , usually in Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or bush near weewee .
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
The Cattle Egret is a compact white Hero with a fatheaded neck , short yellowish bill , and yellow legs . During rearing time of year , it develop buff - colored patches on its jacket crown , chest of drawers , and back . It is smaller than most egrets , standing about 20 inch marvelous with a wingspread of around 35 column inch .
In California , Cattle Egrets are especially predominant in agricultural region , pastures , and grasslands . They are oft observed near stock , taking advantage of the animals ’ movements to excite up insect . They can be get hold throughout the Central Valley , coastal plains , and even urban lawn during migration .
Their diet is mostly made up of insects like grasshoppers , tent-fly , and mallet , but they also ware minuscule reptiles and frogs . Unlike other egrets , they often scrounge on dry state and are more terrestrial . Their association with Bos taurus and farm machinery make them one of the most recognisable bird in rural California .
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
The American White Pelican is a massive waterbird with shining white plumage , black-market wingtips seeable in flight , and a prospicient orange bill with a distinguishable pharynx sack . It has an telling wingspread of up to 9 feet , making it one of the largest North American birds . During the breeding time of year , adult develop a detectable horn - form development on the upper part of their invoice .
This species is normally seen in large flock on fresh water lakes , reservoirs , and slow - incite river across inland California . They are especially abundant in the Central Valley during migration and winter . While they do breed in some role of the inland West , they are mostly non - breeding visitors to California .
American White Pelicans flow mainly on Pisces , which they catch cooperatively in shallow water by swimming in groups and herding prey . Unlike Brown Pelicans , they do not plunk but instead take up up fish while floating . Their synchronised search behavior and refined flight make them easy to identify from a space .
Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)
The Western Gull is a with child , stocky mark with a white header and underpart , gray back , pink legs , and a leaden chicken bill check with a ruby spot . It closely resembles other gulls but is best discover by its dark gray upperwings and comparatively large size of it . Juveniles are chocolate-brown and mottled before gradually molting into adult feather over four years .
This gull is highly common along the California coastline , from beaches and rocky shores to harbour and fishing piers . It is a year - round occupant and often nests on offshore island and coastal cliffs . Western Gulls are also known to venture into urban waterfronts and coastal towns .
Western Gulls are omnivorous scavenger , eat fish , shipboard soldier invertebrate , carrion , refuse , and even eggs or chicks of other seafowl . Their bluff behavior and meretricious calls make them a familiar presence at seafood market , beaches , and marinas . They are among the rife chump species along the Pacific Coast .
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
The White - breast Nuthatch is a small , agile songbird with a white face and underparts , a black cap , and a blasphemous - gray back . It has a short tail and a recollective , somewhat upturned bill , everlasting for dig into barque . male run to have a darker detonating gadget than females , and both sexes show a subtle rusty wash on their lower belly .
This species is very plebeian in cone-bearing and mixed forests throughout California , especially in the Sierra Nevada , coastal redwood forests , and even large urban parks with mature trees . It is a yr - round resident and is know for its ability to move headfirst down tree trunks in search of food .
blanched - breasted Nuthatches feed on dirt ball , spiders , and seeds , often wedging large seeds into barque crevices and hammering them open with their neb . They are frequent visitor to backyard feeders , specially in wintertime , where they enjoy sunflower come and suet . Their nasal “ yank - Yankee ” call are a common strait in wooded areas .
White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus)
The White - tail Kite is a graceful raptor with snow - whitened underparts and head , grizzly wings , and shameful fleck on the shoulders . Its eyes are strikingly red , and it has a short white tail that helps with its hovering flight . This species is medium - sized , typically measure out around 15 inch long with a wingspan near 40 inches .
It is widespread in California , especially in open area such as grasslands , farming fields , and savannas . mutual regions include the Central Valley , coastal lowlands , and foothills . White - dock Kites are resident year - round and are considerably known for their habit of hovering in position like a sparrow hawk while scanning for quarry .
Their dieting is primarily modest gnawer like voles and mice , but they may also take insect and modest birds . They hunt by sight and often perch on fencing post or trees overlooking open fields . During the breeding time of year , they perform athletic aeriform displays , including gamey circling and nutrient - passing rituals .
Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)
The Snow Goose is a large , stocky waterfowl with a white torso , black wingtips , and a pink bill with a classifiable “ grin spell . ” There is also a “ blue morph ” variant with a sorry gray body and white fountainhead , but the white morph is more commonly find out in California . They are known for their loud , beep calls and their formation flying .
These geese are extremely abundant in California during the wintertime month , particularly in the Central Valley . They get in prominent flocks in October and stick until February or March , often constitute tremendous gathering at wildlife recourse , wetland , and flooded rice fields . Notable locations include Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and Merced County wetlands .
Snow Geese feed mainly on grasses , sedges , grains , and agricultural waste product . They forage in field during the day and roost in water trunk at Nox . Their bombastic flock can number in the tens of thousands , and their quite a little motion make one of the most impressive snort eyeglasses in the state .
Ross’s Goose (Anser rossii)
Ross ’s Goose is a small snowy jackass with a compact body , brusk neck , and stubby pink bill without the mordant “ grin plot ” seen in Snow Geese . Adults have pure white plumage with black-market wingtips , while juveniles may appear light-colored gray . Their smaller sizing and rounder caput help distinguish them from their larger full cousin .
In California , Ross ’s Goose is less common than the Snow Goose but often seen mixed into the same large wintertime flocks across the Central Valley . They typically arrive in late fall and stay through former spring , frequent wildlife refuges , flooded field , and shallow lakes where they can rest and eat .
Their dieting consist principally of grasses , sedges , and leftover grain in agricultural areas . They forage in open fields and are acknowledge to graze in large chemical group , often fly together in tight , high - pitch flock . Ross ’s Geese are highly social and follow alike migratory pattern to Snow Geese , wintering primarily in the Sacramento Valley .
Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri)
Forster ’s Tern is a silklike , intermediate - sized tern with a livid trunk , pallid gray-headed wings , sinister cap ( in multiply plumage ) , and a foresighted , deeply forked tail . In non - breeding plumage , the black cap is replace by a contraband optic patch on a white-hot head , and their slender orange bill becomes more muted .
They are seasonally coarse in California , especially around wetlands , marshland , estuary , and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks ponds along the seacoast and inland valley . Most sightings occur during the procreation and migration season , from natural spring through fall , particularly in areas like San Francisco Bay and the Salton Sea .
Forster ’s tern feed by dip - diving into shallow piss to catch small fish and aquatic insects . They are agile fliers and often visualise loom above water before a rapid dive . Their calls are harsh and scratchy , often get wind in noisy colonies where they nest on float vegetation or small islet .
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)
The White - winged Dove is a intermediate - sized squab with a tan - grey organic structure , shining livid wing patches visible in flight , a blue center band , and a slightly curved black bill . It is slightly larger and heavyset than the Mourning Dove and has a squared after part with white tips .
This species has become progressively common insouthern California , peculiarly in urban parks , desert towns , and residential areas . It is often associated with areas that havepalm trees , citrus groves , or backyard feeders . White - winged Columba are most legion from give through dusk , with some populations staying year - round in quick areas .
They primarily feed on seeds , grains , and fruits , often foraging on the earth or visit bird feeders . In desert regions , they are specially fond of saguaro and other cactus fruits . Their cooing call and bold livid annexe flashes make them well-to-do to spot during the breeding time of year .
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
The Caspian Tern is the large tern coinage , with a heavyset red - orange card , pallid gray wings , clean body , and a black cap during the breeding season . Their wings are wide and slightly angular , and in flight , they seem herculean and steady compared to smaller tern .
In California , Caspian Terns are most often found near tumid lake , bays , and coastal regions , admit San Francisco Bay , the Salton Sea , and coastal lagoons . While not as numerous as Forster ’s Terns , they are still fairly far-flung during migration and breeding season .
Their diet is compile mainly of fish , which they catch by dive from the melodic phrase into open urine . They draw close in idle Colony on arenaceous or rocky islands , often competing with gulls for space . Caspian Terns are known for their loud , barking calls and commanding presence when fell over coastal areas .
Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus)
The Tundra Swan is a large , elegant white swan with a farseeing cervix , black bill often marked with a yellow-bellied situation near the eye , and black ramification . It is more or less smaller and light than the Trumpeter Swan but can be hard to distinguish without close observation .
These swan are wintertime visitors to northern California , especially in the Central Valley , where they gather in large numbers between November and February . Key locations include the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys , where wetlands and farming subject field offer feeding and resting grounds .
Tundra Swans feed on aquatic vegetation , grasses , and leftover grain in harvested field . They are often seen grazing in glut pastures or floating on calm pool . Their bugling calls and refined visual aspect make them a highlight of winter birdwatching in northern parts of the state .
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)
The Trumpeter Swan is the big aboriginal North American water bird , with a pure bloodless body , long cervix , and a classifiable black bill without any yellow scoring . It has a robust build and can matter up to 30 pounds , with a wingspan exceeding 7 feet . Compared to the Tundra Swan , it has a longer neck opening and a lower - pitched call .
This swan is less common in California , often appearing sporadically in suitable wetland habitats during winter . Most sightings come about in the northern and northeastern part of the state where wetland and large lakes provide resting stain . The Trumpeter Swan is chiefly a winter visitant and sometimes breed in remote expanse outside California .
Trumpeter Swans bung chiefly on submerged aquatic vegetation , roots , and tubers , often dabble in shallow waters . They forage by tipping forward to reach underwater plants and may rake on grasses along the shoring . Their obtuse , deep trumpet - like calls can be heard echo over serene waters .
Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens)
The Glaucous - winged Gull is a enceinte gull with a white head and body , pale gray wings without black tips , pinkish legs , and a thick yellow bill with a crimson office . Its wings are perceptibly paler than most gulls , give it a ghostly appearance in flight . Juveniles have mottled brownish plumage before bit by bit molting into grownup color .
This species is in the main a winter visitant in northern California ’s coastal areas , specially around bay , haven , and rough shorelines . It is more ordinarily found north of the San Francisco Bay Area but can on occasion be seen farther in the south during cold month . Glaucous - winged fool prefer cooler coastal environments .
Their diet is highly opportunistic , including Pisces , shipboard soldier invertebrate , carrion , and human refuse . They are known for salvage around fishing wharfage and garbage dumps , often outcompeting small gulls for food for thought . Their vocalism are loud and wide-ranging , ranging from harsh squawks to musical call .
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)
The White - faced Ibis is a medium - sized wading bird with dark iridescent plume that struggle with green , purple , and bronze hue in sun . Despite its name , it has a distinctive white square around the base of its flier during the breeding time of year , which gives it its name . Its tenacious , curved carmine bill and red-faced eyes stand out against its dark body .
This ibis is seasonally vulgar in California ’s inland wetland , marshes , and agricultural fields , particularly during spring and summer when it breeds in colony . It is heavy to name outside the procreation time of year due to the loss of the clean facial feathers and the more muted coloration of its plumage .
White - faced Ibises feed primarily on aquatic insects , crustacean , and small fish by probe in shallow urine or diffuse mud . They often forage in groups , put forward the water with their feet to sluice prey . Their placid , grunting calls contrast with their striking visual appearance in the Reginald Marsh .
White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis)
The White - throated Swift is a small , fast - take flight bird with dark , glossy blue - Negroid upperparts , a brilliant white throat and upper chest , and a white bandage on the belly . Its long , pointed wings and brusk tail make it an agile flyer . It is often seen scoot near cliffs and rocky canyons , where it nests in crevices .
In California , this swift is found mostly in scattered locations in mountainous and desert regions , peculiarly along rocky cliffs and canyon . It is not widespread but can be locally common where suitable nesting web site are usable . The species is usually present from give through early fall .
White - throated Swifts catch flying insects in midair , hunt on the flank with speedy , gymnastic maneuvers . They roost and nest on erect stone faces , often in colonies . Their high - pitched twittering outcry are common around their nesting site and during foraging flights .
