Home Index Checklist Taxonomy Photo Checklist CBC's Birding Flora Fauna

Birds of Kern County, California - Checklist

Total number of species: 446 native + 10 introduced = 456 (California Condor may be treated as introduced). eBird has records for 442 species total which include CRBC and ABA uncountable introduced species. Rose-ringed Parakeet should be countable in Kern County only so it is included on this checklist. Cells highlighted in green have a change created from the 63rd AOS supplement. https://www.natureali.org/AOS_changes.htm

bold italics with asterisk * = CBRC review species

ITALICS WITH ASTERISK * = exceptional, rare visitants or vagrants

(E) = endangered species; (T) = threatened species; (FP) = Fully Protected by CDFG; (SSC)(BCC) = species (bird) of special (conservation) concern; sensitive = listed as sensitive with USFS or BLM; (W) = watch list; (I) = introduced

LINK to: Birds of Kern County, California: A photo checklist - Checklist Birds of Butterbredt Spring, California
  Name Scientific status Notes
Anseriformes - Screamers, Swans, Geese, and Ducks
Anatidae - Ducks, Geese, and Swans
1 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis * 19 June 1938 Buena Vista Lake 
2 Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor *SSC exceptional spring
3 Snow Goose Anser caerulescens   winters in Kern Desert in large numbers
4 Ross's Goose Anser rossii   wintering Kern desert 
5 Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons   winters in the Central Valley
6 Brant Branta bernicla SSC exceptionally rare
7 Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii W rare winter throughout county 
8 Canada Goose Branta canadensis   resident populations at lakes 
9 Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus   rare in Kern County - winter
10 Wood Duck Aix sponsa   resident population in Hart Park
11 Garganey Spatula querquedula * two late September records
12 Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors   uncommon fall through spring
13 Cinnamon Teal Spatula cyanoptera   resident breeder
14 Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata   resident breeder
15 Gadwall Mareca strepera   resident breeder
16 Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope   rare visitor in winter 
17 American Wigeon Mareca americana   common in winter at wetlands
18 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos   resident breeder - many domestic
19 Northern Pintail Anas acuta   fairly common in winter through spring
20 Green-winged Teal Anas crecca   fairly common fall through spring 
21 Canvasback Aythya valisineria W uncommon fall through spring
22 Redhead Aythya americana SSC uncommon resident breeder
23 Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris   common fall through spring
24 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula   2 January records
25 Greater Scaup Aythya marila   rare inland in winter
26 Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis   common in all except summer
27 Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata   very rare fall through spring
28 White-winged Scoter Melanitta deglandi   exceptionally rare early winter
29 Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis   exceptionally rare winter to spring
30 Bufflehead Bucephala albeola   common except in summer
31 Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula   fairly common fall through spring
32 Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica SSC exceptional
33 Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus   occasional along rivers fall-spring
34 Common Merganser Mergus merganser   very common in winter
35 Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator   rare but expected at lakes fall-spring
36 Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis   breeds on quiet water 
Galliformes - Gallinaceous Birds
Odontophoridae - New World Quail
37 Mountain Quail Oreortyx pictus   breeds in mountains
38 California Quail Callipepla californica   resident in scrub and riparian
39 Gambel's Quail Callipepla gambelii   native to restricted China Lake NAWS 
Phasianidae - Partridges, Grouse, Turkeys, and Old World Quail
40 Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo I (I) Mtns and KRV
41 Sooty Grouse Dendragapus fuliginosus SSC Greenhorn Mountains
42 Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus I (I) found in grasslands near water
43 Chukar Alectoris chukar I (I) uncommon in desert mountains
Podicipediformes - Grebes
Podicipedidae - Grebes
44 Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps   common resident lakes and marshes 
45 Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus   rare but expected in winter
46 Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena   very rare Oct-Jan in lakes
47 Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis   most common in winter 
48 Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis   breeds on Isabella Reservoir
49 Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii   Breeds on Isabella Reservoir
Columbiformes - Pigeons and Doves
Columbidae - Pigeons and Doves
50 Rock Pigeon Columba livia I (I) feral populations around county
51 Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata   breeds in mountains near oaks
52 Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto I (I) common first recorded 13 May 2001
53 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis I (I) very rare in Bakersfield
54 Inca Dove Columbina inca   1-record Ridgecrest
55 Common Ground Dove Columbina passerina   SJV resident breeder
56 Ruddy Ground Dove Columbina talpacoti * 6-fall records, desert
57 White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica   resident in Ridgecrest
58 Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura   resident
Cuculiformes - Cuckoos and Allies
Cuculidae - Cuckoos, Roadrunners, and Anis
59 Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris * 14–15 Oct 1988 Galileo Hill
60 Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus   resident
61 Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus FT, SE (SE) summer riparian resident
Caprimulgiformes - Nightjars
Caprimulgidae - Nightjars
62 Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis   summer resident 
63 Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor   rare migrant, may nest in mountains
64 Common Poorwill Phalaenoptilus nuttallii   uncommon resident
Apodiformes - Swifts and Hummingbirds
Apodidae - Swifts
65 Black Swift Cypseloides niger SSC rare migrant
66 Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica   2-records desert
67 Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi SSC common migrant in spring and fall
68 White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis   nesting resident
Trochilidae - Hummingbirds
69 Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri   nesting summer resident
70 Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna   resident
71 Costa's Hummingbird Calypte costae W (BCC) resident in desert
72 Calliope Hummingbird Selasphorus calliope   summer nests in mountains
73 Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus W (BCC) common migrant
74 Allen's Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin   rare migrant
75 Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus   Apr-May records with a few fall records
76 Broad-billed Hummingbird Cynanthus latirostris * 3-records in spring and late fall
77 Violet-crowned Hummingbird Ramosomyia violiceps * KRP 7 July - 2 Aug 2018
Gruiformes - Rails, Cranes, and Allies
Rallidae - Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
78 Virginia Rail Rallus limicola   resident breeder
79 Sora Porzana carolina   common
80 Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata   resident breeder
81 American Coot Fulica americana   resident breeder
Gruidae - Cranes
82 Sandhill Crane Antigone canadensis ST (ST-Greater) (FP)winter
Charadriiformes - Shorebirds, Gulls, Auks, and Allies
Recurvirostridae - Stilts and Avocets
83 Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus   resident breeder
84 American Avocet Recurvirostra americana   resident breeder
Charadriidae - Lapwings and Plovers
85 Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola   migrant winter
86 American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica   over 12-records mostly desert wetlands
87 Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva   rare winter
88 Killdeer Charadrius vociferus   resident breeder
89 Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus   common spring and fall migrant
90 Mountain Plover Charadrius montanus SSC (SSC)(BCC)(W)
91 Snowy Plover Charadrius nivosus FT (FT) (SSC)(W)
Scolopacidae - Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies
92 Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda * 3-desert records
93 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus   uncommon spring through fall
94 Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus W (BCC)uncommon
95 Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica * 1-record China Lake
96 Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa   winter
97 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres   exceptional
98 Black Turnstone Arenaria melanocephala   (W) exceptional
99 Red Knot Calidris canutus   very rare
100 Ruff Calidris pugnax   extremely rare shallow wetlands
101 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata   exceptional
102 Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus   exceptional
103 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea * 2-July records 1X desert 1x SJV
104 Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis * 13 Jun 2005 China Lake, Susan Steele
105 Sanderling Calidris alba   rare winter
106 Dunlin Calidris alpina   winter
107 Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii   fall migrant
108 Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla   common peep
109 White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis * 4-records China Lake
110 Buff-breasted Sandpiper Calidris subruficollis   4-records Edwards Air Force Base
111 Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos   uncommon migrant
112 Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla   very rare spring migrant
113 Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri   winter
114 Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus   migrant
115 Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus   winter
116 Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata   winter
117 Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius   migrant-winter
118 Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria   uncommon migrant
119 Wandering Tattler Tringa incana   4-records shallow wetlands
120 Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes   migrant
121 Willet Tringa semipalmata   uncommon migrant
122 Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca   common winter
123 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola * 22-23 May 2007 China Lake
124 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis *P  29 Mar 2020, William Rockey, KNWR
125 Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor   migrant
126 Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus   migrant
127 Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius   rare migrant
Stercorariidae - Skuas
128 Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus   rare
129 Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus   rare
130 Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus   rare
Laridae - Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers
131 Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla   exceptional
132 Sabine's Gull Xema sabini   rare migrant
133 Bonaparte's Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia   uncommon winter
134 Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus   1-record TLDD. 4-records China Lake
135 Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla W exceptional
136 Franklin's Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan   spring migrant
137 Heermann's Gull Larus heermanni   8-records Spring-Fall
138 Short-billed Gull Larus brachyrhynchus   very rare winter (formerly Mew Gull)
139 Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis   common winter
140 Western Gull Larus occidentalis   exceptional winter
141 Yellow-footed Gull Larus livens   exceptional 
142 California Gull Larus californicus W common
143 Herring Gull Larus argentatus   uncommon winter
144 Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides   Thayer's Gull subspecies of Iceland
145 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus   late Dec SJV early Jan KRV
146 Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens   rare winter
147 Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus   very rare winter
148 Least Tern Sternula antillarum FE (SE) (FE) (FP)
149 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica SSC (SSC)   2 May 2014 SJV
150 Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia W (BCC) summer resident
151 Black Tern Chlidonias niger SSC uncommon migrant
152 Common Tern Sterna hirundo   very rare
153 Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea   16-records - desert
154 Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri   uncommon summer
155 Black Skimmer Rynchops niger SSC 5-summer records shallow ponds
Gaviiformes - Loons
Gaviidae - Loons
156 Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata   Lake Isabella - Dec 28, 1992
157 Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica   rare winter
158 Common Loon Gavia immer SSC uncommon winter
Ciconiiformes - Storks
Ciconiidae - Storks
159 Wood Stork Mycteria americana SSC exceptional
Suliformes - Frigatebirds, Boobies, Cormorants, Darters, and Allies
Fregatidae - Frigatebirds
160 Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens   exceptional
Phalacrocoracidae - Cormorants
161 Double-crested Cormorant Nannopterum auritus W resident breeder
162 Neotropic Cormorant Nannopterum brasilianus * 3-records late spring SJV, KRV
Pelecaniformes - Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, and Allies
Pelecanidae - Pelicans
163 American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos SSC resident
164 Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis * very rare
  Ardeidae - Herons, Bitterns, and Allies    
165 American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus W resident breeder
166 Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis SSC rare nesting
167 Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias S sensitive resident breeder
168 Great Egret Ardea alba S sensitive resident breeder
169 Snowy Egret Egretta thula W resident breeder
170 Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea   4-desert sewer pond records
171 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis   resident breeder
172 Green Heron Butorides virescens   resident breeder
173 Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax W resident breeder
Threskiornithidae - Ibises and Spoonbills
174 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus   Kern Water Bank - 23 April 2019 
175 White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi W resident breeder
176 Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja * 2 Oct 1966 near Buttonwillow
Cathartiformes - New World Vultures
Cathartidae - New World Vultures
177 California Condor Gymnogyps californianus FE (E) resident breeder
178 Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura   resident breeder
Accipitriformes - Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies
Pandionidae - Ospreys
179 Osprey Pandion haliaetus S resident breeder
Accipitridae - Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies
180 White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus * resident breeder
181 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos * sensitive resident breeder
182 Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius SSC resident breeder
183 Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus W winter resident
184 Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii W resident breeder
185 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis SSC (FS) resident breeder
186 Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus SE (SE) uncommon resident
187 Mississippi Kite Ictinia mississippiensis * 5 Jun 1992 Kern River Preserve
188 Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus * 27 Apr 2008 Galileo Hill
189 Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus W 5 Mar 2001 California City
190 Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus   resident breeder
191 Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus   3-records late spring-fall
192 Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni ST (ST-CA) (W)  resident breeder
193 Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus   late spring, fall migrant
194 Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis   resident breeder
195 Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus   rare winter resident Transverse Range
196 Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis W (BCC) uncommon winter
Strigiformes - Owls
Tytonidae - Barn Owls
197 Barn Owl Tyto alba   resident breeder
Strigidae - Typical Owls
198 Flammulated Owl Psiloscops flammeolus   (BCC) summer breeder mountains
199 Western Screech-Owl Megascops kennicottii   resident breeder
200 Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus   resident breeder
201 Northern Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium gnoma   resident breeder
202 Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia SSC resident breeder
203 Spotted Owl Strix occidentalis SSC resident breeder
204 Barred Owl Strix varia   discovered June 2017, Greenhorn
205 Long-eared Owl Asio otus SSC resident breeder
206 Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus SSC rare in winter
207 Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus   resident breeder
Coraciiformes - Rollers, Motmots, Kingfishers, and Allies
Alcedinidae - Kingfishers
208 Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon   resident breeder
Piciformes - Puffbirds, Jacamars, Toucans, Woodpeckers, and Allies
Picidae - Woodpeckers and Allies
209 Lewis's Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis W (BCC) irruptive nesting
210 Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus   resident breeder
211 Williamson's Sapsucker Sphyrapicus thyroideus   uncommon resident
212 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius   rare winter
213 Red-naped Sapsucker Sphyrapicus nuchalis   uncommon winter
214 Red-breasted Sapsucker Sphyrapicus ruber W resident breeder
215 Black-backed Woodpecker Picoides arcticus W (FSS) Greenhorn Mtns. Breeding
216 Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens   resident breeder
217 Nuttall's Woodpecker Dryobates nuttallii   resident breeder
218 Ladder-backed Woodpecker Dryobates scalaris   resident breeder
219 Hairy Woodpecker Dryobates villosus   resident breeder
220 White-headed Woodpecker Dryobates albolarvatus   resident breeder
221 Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus   resident breeder
222 Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus   rare nesting resident
Falconiformes - Caracaras and Falcons
Falconidae - Caracaras and Falcons
223 Crested Caracara Caracara plancus * FT 25-27 Mar 2008 KRP
224 American Kestrel Falco sparverius   resident breeder
225 Merlin Falco columbarius W winter resident
226 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus * (BCC) resident breeder
227 Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus W (BCC) resident breeder
Psittaciformes - Parrots
Psittacidae - African and New World Parrots
228 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri   (I) not on official list  resident breeder
Passeriformes - Passerine Birds
Tyrannidae - Tyrant Flycatchers
229 Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens   summer nesting
230 Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus * exceptional fall vagrant, desert
231 Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus W rare breeding
232 Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus   exceptional
233 Cassin's Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans   rare resident
234 Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis   summer nesting
235 Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus   very rare vagrant
236 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus   rare vagrant
237 Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi SSC (BCC) summer breeders
238 Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus   summer nesting
239 Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens * 2-June records, desert, KRP
240 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris * 7-records Sept-Oct, desert
241 Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum * 3 records late spring E Sierra
242 Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii FE (SE full species) (FE - extimus)
243 Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus   exceptional
244 Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii   common migrant
245 Gray Flycatcher Empidonax wrightii   uncommon migrant
246 Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri   summer nesting
247 Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis   summer nesting
248 Cordilleran Flycatcher Empidonax occidentalis   31 May 2016, Galileo
249 Buff-breasted Flycatcher Empidonax fulvifrons * 15 May 2016, Galileo
250 Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans   resident breeder
251 Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe   rare vagrant grasslands/wetlands
252 Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya   resident breeder
253 Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus SSC rare
Vireonidae - Vireos
254 White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus * five records desert and KRV
255 Bell's Vireo Vireo bellii FE (FE) (SE) resident
256 Gray Vireo Vireo vicinior SSC exceptional
257 Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni   rare nesting
258 Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons   7 late spring records, one Oct. desert
259 Cassin's Vireo Vireo cassinii   summer nesting
260 Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius * Exceptional spring-fall vagrant desert
261 Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus   uncommon migrant
262 Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus   four October records - desert
263 Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus   summer nesting
264 Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus   exceptional
265 Yellow-green Vireo Vireo flavoviridis   3-fall records Galileo Hill
Laniidae - Shrikes
266 Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus SSC resident breeder
267 Northern Shrike Lanius borealis   exceptional
Corvidae - Crows and Jays
268 Pinyon Jay Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus   resident breeder
269 Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri   resident breeder
270 California Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica   resident breeder
271 Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma woodhouseii   rare
272 Clark's Nutcracker Nucifraga columbiana   rare SW county
273 Black-billed Magpie Pica hudsonia   exceptional
274 Yellow-billed Magpie Pica nuttalli W (BCC) rare NW corner county
275 American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos   resident breeder
276 Common Raven Corvus corax   resident breeder
Remizidae - Penduline Tits and Verdins
277 Verdin Auriparus flaviceps   resident breeder
Paridae - Chickadees and Titmice
278 Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambeli   resident breeder
279 Oak Titmouse Baeolophus inornatus W (BCC) resident breeder
280 Juniper Titmouse Baeolophus ridgwayi   exceptional Desert-Mtns
Alaudidae - Larks
281 Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris W resident breeder
Hirundinidae - Swallows
282 Bank Swallow Riparia riparia ST uncommon migrant
283 Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor   resident breeder
284 Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina   summer nesting
285 Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis   summer nesting
286 Purple Martin Progne subis SSC uncommon summer breeds in oak woodland
287 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica   summer nesting
288 Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota   summer nesting
Aegithalidae - Long-tailed Tits and Bushtits
289 Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus   resident breeder
Phylloscopidae - Leaf Warblers
290 Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus * 4–5 Oct 1997 Cantil
291 Arctic/Kamchatka Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus borealis/examinandus * 6-10 Sept 2007 - Galileo Hill
Sylviidae - Sylviid Warblers
292 Wrentit Chamaea fasciata   resident breeder in chaparral
Regulidae - Kinglets
293 Ruby-crowned Kinglet Corthylio calendula   resident breeder in mountains
294 Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa   resident breeder in mountains
Bombycillidae - Waxwings
295 Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus   exceptional
296 Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum   uncommon 
Ptiliogonatidae - Silky-flycatchers
297 Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens   resident breeder
Sittidae - Nuthatches
298 Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis   resident breeder
299 White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis   resident breeder
300 Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea   resident breeder
Certhiidae - Creepers
301 Brown Creeper Certhia americana   resident breeder
Polioptilidae - Gnatcatchers and Gnatwrens
302 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea   resident breeder
303 Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Polioptila melanura W  Summer 2009 - Jon Feenstra
Troglodytidae - Wrens
304 Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus   resident breeder
305 Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus   resident breeder
306 Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus   resident breeder in desert scrub
307 Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii   resident breeder
308 House Wren Troglodytes aedon   resident breeder
309 Pacific Wren Troglodytes pacificus   resident breeder in mountain riparian areas
310 Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris   resident breeder in marshland
Mimidae - Mockingbirds and Thrashers
312 Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis   June records desert, once Oct KRP
313 Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre   13 Jul 2018 - Mojave East Park -Simon Kiesé
313 Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum   exceptional
314 Bendire's Thrasher Toxostoma bendirei SSC exceptional summer
315 California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum   resident breeder
316 LeConte's Thrasher Toxostoma lecontei SSC resident breeder
317 Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus   migrant
318 Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos   resident breeder
Sturnidae - Starlings
319 European Starling Sturnus vulgaris I (I) resident breeder
Cinclidae - Dippers
320 American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus   resident breeder
Turdidae - Thrushes
321 Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana   resident breeder
322 Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides   common winter
323 Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi   resident breeder
324 Veery Catharus fuscescens * 19–24 Sep 1991 Galileo Hill
325 Gray-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus * Two Sept-Oct records at Galileo
326 Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus   common migrant
327 Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus   resident breeder
328 Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina * One June record, Two October records
329 Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus * 28 May 2001 Galileo Hill
330 American Robin Turdus migratorius   resident breeder
331 Varied Thrush Ixoreus naevius   irruptive winter
Passeridae - Old World Sparrows
332 House Sparrow Passer domesticus I (I) resident breeder
Estrildidae - Waxbills and Allies
333 Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata I (I) extremely rare desert and SJV
Motacillidae - Wagtails and Pipits
334 Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus   2 September records desert
335 American Pipit Anthus rubescens   winter resident
336 Sprague's Pipit Anthus spragueii   2 October records desert 
Fringillidae - Fringilline and Cardueline Finches and Allies
337 Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus   rare breeding
338 Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator   exceptional
339 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Leucosticte tephrocotis   exceptional
340 House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus   resident breeder
341 Purple Finch Haemorhous purpureus   resident breeder
342 Cassin's Finch Haemorhous cassinii   summer in mountains - winter lowlands
343 Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra   irruptive -  resident breeder
344 Pine Siskin Spinus pinus   irruptive - mostly winter
345 Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria   breeds in grasslands, riparian areas
346 Lawrence's Goldfinch Spinus lawrencei W (BCC) winter vagrant, summer resident
347 American Goldfinch Spinus tristis   resident fall through spring
Calcariidae - Longspurs and Snow Buntings
348 Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus   rare winter
349 Chestnut-collared Longspur Calcarius ornatus   uncommon winter
350 Smith's Longspur Calcarius pictus * 10 Oct 1996 Galileo Hill
351 McCown's Longspur Rhynchophanes mccownii   exceptional
352 Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis * 23–27 Dec 1978 Kelso Valley
Emberizidae - Old World Buntings
353 Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica * 7–10 Nov 1993 Cantil
Passerellidae - New World Sparrows
354 Cassin's Sparrow Peucaea cassinii * 10–13 Jun 2001 Kern River Preserve
355 Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum SSC summer nesting
356 Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata   resident breeder
357 Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus   resident breeder
358 Lark Bunting Calamospiza melanocorys   rare vagrant
359 Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina   resident breeder
360 Clay-colored Sparrow Spizella pallida * occasional vagrant
361 Black-chinned Sparrow Spizella atrogularis   summer breeding
362 Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla * exceptionally rare fall-winter
363 Brewer's Sparrow Spizella breweri W (BCC) migrant summer
364 Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca   resident breeder
365 American Tree Sparrow Spizelloides arborea * exceptional
366 Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis   resident breeder
367 White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys   winter resident
368 Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla   winter resident
369 Harris's Sparrow Zonotrichia querula * rare winter vagrant
370 White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis   regular winter vagrant
371 Sagebrush Sparrow Artemisiospiza nevadensis * winter desert
372 Bell's Sparrow Artemisiospiza belli W (BCC) resident breeder
373 Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus W (BCC) winter
374 LeConte's Sparrow Ammospiza leconteii * 27 Nov 1988–2 Jan 1989 China Lake
375 Nelson's Sparrow Ammospiza nelsoni * exceptional
376 Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis   resident breeder
377 Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia   resident breeder
378 Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii   winter resident
379 Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana * regular winter vagrant
380 California Towhee Melozone crissalis   resident breeder
381 Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps   resident breeder
382 Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus   resident breeder
383 Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus   resident breeder
Icteriidae - Yellow-breasted Chats
384 Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens SSC summer nesting
Icteridae - Blackbirds
385 Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus SSC resident breeder
386 Bobolink  Dolichonyx  oryzivorus * exceptional
387 Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta   resident breeder
388 Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius * extremely rare
389 Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus   summer breeding
390 Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii   summer breeding
391 Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula * rare spring-fall vagrant
392 Scott's Oriole Icterus parisorum   summer breeding
393 Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus SSC Kern subspecies resident breeder
394 Tricolored Blackbird Agelaius tricolor SE (SE) resident breeder
395 Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus * 4 county records
396 Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater   resident breeder
397 Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus * exceptionally rare fall vagrant
398 Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus   resident breeder
399 Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula * exceptionally rare spring-fall vagrant
400 Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus   resident breeder
Parulidae - Wood-Warblers
401 Ovenbird  Seiurus  aurocapilla   regular vagrant
402 Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum * exceptionally rare spring-fall vagrant
403 Louisiana Waterthrush Parkesia motacilla * 3-8 Sept 2012, California City
404 Northern Waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis   regular vagrant
405 Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera * 31 May 2008 Butterbredt Spring
406 Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora cyanoptera * 25 May 2009 Butterbredt Spring
407 Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia   regular vagrant
408 Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea * exceptionally rare spring-fall vagrant
409 Tennessee Warbler Leiothlypis peregrina * rare migrant
410 Orange-crowned Warbler Leiothlypis celata   resident breeder
411 Lucy's Warbler Leiothlypis luciae *SSC (BCC) rare occasional desert
412 Nashville Warbler Leiothlypis ruficapilla   summer
413 Virginia's Warbler Leiothlypis virginiae W (BCC) very rare
414 Connecticut Warbler Oporornis agilis * 23 May 2006 Butterbredt Spring
415 MacGillivray's Warbler Geothlypis tolmiei   summer breeding
416 Mourning Warbler Geothlypis philadelphia * exceptionally rare fall vagrant
417 Kentucky Warbler Geothlypis formosa * exceptionally rare vagrant
418 Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas   resident breeder
419 Hooded Warbler Setophaga citrina   rare
420 American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla   regular vagrant
421 Cape May Warbler Setophaga tigrina * rare
422 Cerulean Warbler Setophaga cerulea * 17 May 1985 California City
423 Northern Parula Setophaga americana * rare
424 Magnolia Warbler Setophaga magnolia * rare
425 Bay-breasted Warbler Setophaga castanea * rare
426 Blackburnian Warbler Setophaga fusca * rare
427 Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia SSC (BCC) summer resident
428 Chestnut-sided Warbler Setophaga pensylvanica   regular vagrant
429 Blackpoll Warbler Setophaga striata   regular vagrant
430 Black-throated Blue Warbler Setophaga caerulescens   rare
431 Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum * rare
432 Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus * 8 Nov 2014 - Ridgecrest 
433 Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata   resident breeder
434 Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica * Apr-Jun - Eight desert records
435 Prairie Warbler Setophaga discolor * exceptional
436 Grace's Warbler Setophaga graciae * 5 May 2013, Ridgecrest
437 Black-throated Gray Warbler Setophaga nigrescens   summer breeding
438 Townsend's Warbler Setophaga townsendi   resident breeder
439 Hermit Warbler Setophaga occidentalis   resident breeder
440 Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens * rare
441 Canada Warbler Cardellina canadensis * rare
442 Wilson's Warbler Cardellina pusilla   migrant
443 Red-faced Warbler Cardellina rubrifrons * 7-8 October 2014,  Galileo Hill
444 Painted Redstart Myioborus pictus * extremely rare
Cardinalidae - Cardinals and Allies
445 Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava * Galileo Hill Tom Wurster
446 Summer Tanager Piranga rubra   breeds Kern River Preserve
447 Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea * 4 records Oct, 1 May - desert
448 Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana   summer breeding
449 Pyrrhuloxia Cardinalis  sinuatus * 7-8 May 2011 Susan Steele  Inyokern
450 Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus   regular vagrant
451 Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus   summer breeding
452 Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea   summer breeding
453 Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena   summer breeding
454 Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea   rare breeding
455 Painted Bunting Passerina ciris * 10-fall records - desert
456 Dickcissel Spiza  americana * 25 Aug 2015 N Fork Isabella Reservoir
HYPOTHETICAL LIST
  Trumpeter Swan* Cygnus buccinator   NOT ON OFFICIAL LIST Buena Vista Lake 10 1893 in Grinnell & Miller. 1X only. Sighting listed as unconfirmed but a few have been observed just outside of county. sexes look similar (monomorphic) 
  Muscovy Duck (Domestic) Cairina moschata I NOT ON OFFICIAL LIST AS ESTABLISHED. Introduced population at Hart Park and other parks around county. sexes look similar (monomorphic) but males larger (size dimorphic) 
  Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata I lakes and ponds. NOT ON OFFICIAL LIST. Occasional escapee seen in the county - not established. sexes look different (dimorphic) 
  Indian Peafowl (I) Pavo cristatus I NOT ON OFFICIAL LIST AS ESTABLISHED A flock of peafowl are breeding at Hart Park in Bakersfield, these are related to the birds at the old zoo.  sexes look different (dimorphic)  
  African Collared-Dove - (I) Streptopelia roseogrisea I suburbia NOT ON OFFICIAL LIST AS ESTABLISHED small populations in Shafter and Bakersfield escapes and deliberate releases by breeders.    
  Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus I a few have been spotted in the county. Most likely escaped caged birds. 

Nature Alley is dedicated to protecting natural communities wherever they exist

Copyright 1998-2022
page updated 19-Nov-2022