Birds Seen in Hercules
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
Not Canadian geese! The most widespread goose. Flocks travel in strings or in V's,
honking loudly. Some birds that used to migrate now over winter because food is
provided for them by people at local ponds. Feeds on wide variety of plants, some
insects, mollusks, and sometimes small fish.
Park and in fields in late December and early January. They winter along the coast
near fresh
marshes, salt marshes, lakes and ponds. Nests
in
tundra. May mate for
life.
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Wide spread over open country, woods, deserts and foothills. Present year-round in
Hercules. Feeds mainly on dead animals. Unlike most birds, has a well-developed
sense of smell. Plays an important part of nature's cleanup crew. Nests inside hollow
trees or logs, inside dense thickets or old buildings. Even though they look rather like
large hawks, evidence suggests they are more closely related to the storks. They are
able to soar for hours holding their
wings in a slight V.
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
A woodland hawk built to fly fast between trees. Often heard before it is seen by its
clear whistled call of kee-yer (dropping inflection) Steller's jays often give a near perfect
imitation of this call. Present year-round and known to nest here, usually in deciduous
trees, sometimes in conifer, in fork of main trunk or at base of branches against trunk,
usually 35-65 feet above ground. Diet includes small mammals, amphibians, reptiles
and birds. Hits prey on the wing, knocks to ground and pounces.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
The most
widespread and familiar large hawk in
over the fields calling keeer-r-r, slurring downward. Known to nest in redwood trees.
Does most hunting from high perch then swoops down to capture prey in its talons. Also
hunts by flying over fields, watching for prey below. Most hawks have binocular vision
and can see a small mouse or rabbit in the field from 3'000 feet up in the air. A person on
the ground couldn't even see the hawk at that height! Pairs sometimes remain together for
years. Easily disturbed while breeding and may leave
the nest, so stay far away!!
California Quail (Callipepla californica)
Quail live in coveys at most seasons and are often seen around the compost piles.
Nest site is usually on the ground, under a shrub or brush pile or next to a log
or other cover. Females lay 10-16 eggs. Due to the number of house cats allowed
to roam Hercules, the quail population is drastically reduced.
White-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus)
Length: 14.5 inches Wingspan: 40 inches Sexes similar
Medium-sized, graceful, long-winged hawk
Pointed wings Long, squared-off tail Red eye
Black upperwing coverts appear as black shoulder at rest
Often hovers and soars with wings held in a dihedral
Band-tailed Pigeon (Columba fasciata)
Seen most frequently in the winter and early spring. Large flocks often burst
from the trees with loud wing beats and startle the hiker. Unique among birds,
both male and female produce "crop milk" and feed young for about 2 weeks.
During the nesting season, the walls of the crop secrete a milky fluid rich in fat
and protein. The young bird inserts its bill into the corner of the parent's mouth,
and the adult will regurgitate the "pigeon milk" for the young to eat. The pigeon
family is among the few birds that can drink by suction, sticking their bills in the
water and drinking continuously; most other birds must take one billful of water
at a time and then tilt the head back to swallow. Diet consists of mostly nuts,
seeds, berries but diet shifts with seasons. Acorns are a major part when available.
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Most of us recognize the mournful cooing of this dove. Seen all year. Nest is a very
flimsy platform of twigs, usually in a tree, sometimes on the ground, sometimes on a
building ledge or other structure. Mourning doves may raise up to six broods a year,
more than any other native bird. Feed al most entirely on seeds and grasses, occasionally
snails but
rarely insects. Both parents feed the
young "pigeon milk" (see Band-tailed
Pigeon).
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
A hardy little bird and permanent resident in Hercules. Often sits on a perch emitting a buzzy
song, protecting its territory. A female hummingbird has a simple role in nesting: she does
everything. After mating the male goes his separate way, taking no part in nest building or
raising of the young. Anna's have a high a high metabolic rate so need huge energy intake
and may feed an average of about 15 times per hour. Hummers are most attracted to long
tubular flowers that are red, orange, or violet. Many such flowers have evolved to be pollinated
by these birds. In addition to nectar, sugar-water, sometimes oozing sap at drillings made by
sapsuckers, hummers also eat many tiny insects. Hummers, like no other birds, can fly
forward,
backwards, sideways, up or down and hover in one spot.
Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Parus rufescens)
A perky, cheerful little bird found all year in Hercules and in all habitats except chaparral.
Listen for it husky, fast chick-a-dee calls. Forages by hopping among branches, often
hanging upside down to feed on a wide variety of insects. Also eats seeds and berries.
Nest site is a hole in a tree, a natural cavity in dead or rotten wood, often in old woodpecker
holes or nest boxes. Nest is usually low- 2-20 ft. above the ground, a natural cavity in dead
or rotten wood, often
in old woodpecker nest holes or nest boxes.
Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus)
Formerly known as Plain Titmouse. Year round resident nesting in oak.
Nests in a hole in tree, stump, fencepost or pole. May be a natural cavity or
old woodpecker hole. In rotten wood both members of pair may work to enlarge
small cavity. Both parents bring food to the nestlings. Titmice feed mainly on insects
including many oak moth caterpillars. Also eat seeds, berries and acorns which they
hold with their feet and pound open with their bill.
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
Permanent resident in Hercules. Widely known as "upside-down birds" because they
can walk down trees head first. By going down trees head first, nuthatches may spot
insects in hidden bark crevices that have been overlooked by woodpeckers or creepers
or other birds moving up the trees. Eats mostly insects during summer, and seeds in
the winter. Nest is a large natural cavity or old woodpecker hole. Adults may spend minutes
at a time sweeping the outside and inside of nest with a crushed insect held in bill;
chemical secretions of insects may help repel predators. They sometimes add mud
to the rim of the nest to make entrance smaller. Female incubates and is fed on the nest by
the male. Both parents feed the young.
Brown Creeper
(Certhia
A permanent resident in Hercules. Has the distinctive habit of feeding by
creeping up a tree trunk then flying down to the base of next tree and
starting up again. When alarmed will flatten itself and remain motionless
against tree trunk, becoming even more inconspicuous. Creepers even place
their nests against tree trunks, tucked under loose slabs of bark, where
they are very difficult to find. Feeds on a wide variety of insects. May be
found on oaks, redwoods and other species of trees.
Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)
Bushtits are common nesters in Hercules. Except when nesting, they usually
forage in flocks. In winter flocks move about giving ongoing chatter of soft contact
calls. At night groups will huddle close together in a tight mass for warmth.
Bushtits build unique gourd-shaped hanging pocket nests made of mosses,
rootlets, lichens, spider webs and leaves; inside lined with plant down, animal
hair and feathers with a small entrance hole near the top. Nest if firmly
attached to twigs and branches by spider webs. Diet is mostly insects, and
sometimes berries and seeds.
Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana)
Found all year in Hercules; most often in the oaks.. They often flutter
down to the road or field to pluck insects from the grass. Bluebirds are cavity
nesters, easily intimidated by aggressive starlings, sparrows and other cavity nesters
who take over the bluebird's nest holes. In the past, they declined seriously in
many areas with loss of habitat and loss of nesting sites. Many thousands of
bluebird houses have been put up across the continent. Their diet consists
of mostly insects and berries.
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
A familiar bird over most of
Robins have a rich caroling song which is among the earliest bird songs heard at
dawn in spring and summer. They do much foraging on the ground looking for their
favorite foods of insects and earthworms. In the winter, they feed heavily on wild
berries and fruits. Nest is a cup of grasses and twigs worked into a solid foundation
of mud, lined with fine grasses and plant fibers. Parents are very aggressive in
defense of their nest. In winter robins may gather in large flocks looking for food sources.
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)
This beautiful large finch shows up in Hercules as early as March and nests there during
spring and early summer. The loosely constructed nest is made of twigs, weeds, and pine
needles, lined with fine plant fibers and animal hair. Look and listen for the grosbeaks
robin-like song in the madrone trees on the road behind the tennis court. They feed on
many insects, also spiders, snails, seeds and berries including mistletoe and poison oak.
Both parents incubate the eggs and will sing from the nest. This is one of the few birds
able to eat Monarch butterflies despite the noxious chemicals those insects contain from
eating
milkweeds in the larval stage.
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)
Formerly known as Rufous-sided Towhee. A rather shy permanent resident and ground
nester in Hercules. Found typically in understory of open woods. Also typical of towhees
is their habit of scratching in dirt or leaf litter with both feet at once, jumping forward and
scratching backward. Diet consists of mostly insects, seeds, berries and acorns. The
call sounds like a cat mewing sound.
Found only
in western
diet as Spotted Towhee but not as shy. These towhees may mate for life; when you see one,
always look for a nearby mate. Males and females look alike. The male will defend the nest a
ggressively, attacking intruding males or even his own reflection. Nest is usually in a low shrub
or tree, not on the ground like Spotted Towhee's. The call note is a metallic chink.
Song Sparrow
(melospiza medodia)
This permanent resident in Hercules nests in very low shrubs or on the ground.
A widespread, melodious sparrow often found perched on tall grasses. Also found near
creek sides, and woodland edges, and, in spring, singing loudly. In summer, song sparrows
feed mostly on insects and spiders; in winter mainly on grass seeds and weeds.
Forages mostly on the ground like Spotted Towhee’s.
Golden-crowned Sparrow
(Zonotrichia atricapilla)
This handsome, large sparrow is a specialty of the far west, nesting in
and western
arriving in Hercules in October and staying through March. Their song is distinctive;
a series of three or more plaintive whistled notes coming down the scale, “oh dear me.”
Especially fond of buds, flowers, new shoots and seeds, they are the bane of
gardeners in Hercules.
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Red-wings seem to sing their nasal song in every march and every wet field from coast to coast.
These birds visit Hercules sporadically in flocks, foraging for seeds and insects in tilled fields. T
hey are bold birds and often attack a larger bird such as a hawk or crow that they think is
threatening their nesting territory. The epaulets are usually hidden by body feathers, but are
colorfully displayed if male is courting a female, defending territory or
singing.
Dark-eyed Junko
(Junco hyemalis)
These small sparrows are found by the hundreds in Hercules all year. Look for these
dark-headed birds in small flocks on the ground feeding and scratching. As they take
flight, two white outer tail feathers conspicuously and easily identify this species. The
pinkish bill is also a good field mark. Summer diet consists mostly of insects including
caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers and spiders. In winter they feed mostly on seeds
and berries. Nest site is almost always on the ground, well hidden under overhanging
grass or in a shallow hole in dirt bank.
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
With its black cap, greenish back, yellow belly and tiny size, this finch is easy to overlook
as it flits acrobatically among the sun-dappled green leaves. Found nesting in Hercules
between April and August before migrating south for the winter. Especially fond of seeds
of the daisy family such as thistle and wild sunflowers. Also feeds on flowers and buds of trees.
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
Usually present all year in surrounding area. Meadowlarks are found in Hercules in
flocks during fall and winter. They may be seen in the fields feeding on insects and
seeds especially right after the fields have been disked in preparation for planting
red oat hay. Not larks at all but relatives of the blackbirds and orioles, their melodious
flutelike
song is a familiar one.
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
A clown-faced woodpecker living all year in oaks. Usually lives in a communal group
and stores acorns in dead or dying trees. Such "granary trees" may be used for generations
and may be riddled with up to 50,000 holes. They tend their acorns faithfully. Acorns are
pounded in pointed end first. As the fresh acorns dry, they shrink and become loose in the
holes. The woodpeckers rotate them or remove them to tighter fitting holes so as not to lose
them to squirrels and robber birds. Nesting is a group activity consisting of, at least, 2-5
breeding males and females, assisted by their previous offspring. Everyone takes part in
incubating the eggs and feeding the young in a single nest.
Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber)
Seen fall and winter in Hercules. Nests on the Pacific Northwest coast and well
up into
bark, usually in neatly spaced rows, and then returning to them periodically to feed
on sap that oozes out. They also eat the insects that are attracted to the sap. The
sap wells may be visited by other birds including other woodpeckers and even
hummingbirds, as well as by squirrels.
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Sometimes seen but always heard calling loudly in fall through winter in Hercules. These large
brown woodpeckers spend much of their time on the ground where they hop around searching
for ants. Also eat other insects, many fruits, berries, seeds and nuts. There are two different
forms of flickers in California-Yellow-shafted in the east and north and the Red-shafted Flicker
here in the west. Feathers of these birds were highly prized by the Ohlones who used them
in ceremonial headdresses. Unlike most woodpeckers flickers seldom drum on trees, but like
most
woodpeckers, tree cavities are selected for nest sites.
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)
This black and white flycatcher may be seen all year in Hercules perching in an
open conspicuous spot, usually near a water source. It darts out to catch insects
in midair. The nest is usually an open cup, semicircular and attached to a vertical
wall. Water ensures the availability of mud which is mixed with grass and weeds to
form the nest. Phoebes often return to the same nest site year after year.
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina)
This iridescent swallow migrates in flocks and is seen in Hercules as early as March
and stays through August. Forages in flight caching a wide variety of insects in the air.
Look up over the parking lot on a warm spring day to see them swooping overhead.
They have been known to nest in Hercules. Nest site is in a cavity in a tree, in a hole
or rock crevice or in a birdhouse.
Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)
Diet is similar to Scrub-jay's with a particular fondness for wasps and wild bees.
Often aggressive and noisy, sounding the forest alarm to alert other animals of possible danger.
Enjoys imitating the calls of other birds and can imitate, almost perfectly, the call of the
Red-shouldered Hawk. Many a hiker, hearing this call, looks up for the hawk while the jay is
perched in a nearby tree seeming to laugh at his hoax. The Steller's nest is different from
the scrub-jay's in that it is a bulky, ragged cup of twigs, weeds, moss and dry leaves
cemented together with mud.
Swallows: Cliff Swallows, Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows
Cliff Swallow: Has a nearly
square tail, pale breast and underside
Tree swallow has buff belly with glossy bluish green above.
photo by J. Mills at Hercules Albersons
Photos
by Jeffra Cook
Shorebirds
Sea Gulls (genus Larus)
They are typically medium to large
birds, usually gray or white, often with
black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and
webbed feet. Gull species range in size from the Little Gull, at 120 g (4.2 oz)
and 29 cm (11.5 inches), to the to larger varieties at 1.75 kg (3.8 lbs) and
76 cm (30 inches).
photo by J. Mills
Eared Grebes (Podiceps nigricollis )
Length: 9 inches Wingspan: 23 inches
Small, stocky-bodied grebe with short, thin bill with lower mandible beveled
upwards at the tip
Feet set far back on body and trail awkwardly behind body in flight Head
triangular, with a peak
towards the center of the head
photo: J.
Mills
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)
Habitat: Freshwater and saltwater wetlands.
Weight: 1-2 pounds. Length: 28 inches.Wingspan: 42 inches.
Life Expectancy: Approximately 8 years of age. Food: Frogs,
salamanders, crayfish, water scorpions, diving beetles, dragonflies,
killifish, pickerel, suckers, small eels, garter and water snakes, and occasionally voles.
Photo by J.
Mills
Great Snowy Egrets
(Egretta thula)
Length: 20 inches Wingspan: 38 inches Sexes similar
Medium-sized long-legged wading bird
Usually holds necks in "S" curve in flight
Entirely white plumage
Adult: Thin black bill and yellow facial skin
Black legs with yellow feet
Shaggy plumes on head, neck, and back in alternate plumage
photo by J. Mills at Refugio Creek
Blue Heron Ardea herodias
photo: J.
Mills
Mallard Ducks
photo: J.
Mills at Shoreline Park
Common Moorhen
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
