Sonoma County Bird List

Benjamin D. Parmeter and Alan N. Wight

October 23, 2018

This is a list of all of the bird species recorded in Sonoma County, California, United States as of the date shown above. A total of 456 species have been recorded.

In addition, a record of Veery is currently being reviewed by the California Bird Records Committee and will be added to the Sonoma County list if accepted.

The species names and order follow the eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018 which is "based largely on decisions of the North American Checklist Committee (NACC), through the Fifty-ninth supplement to the American Ornithological Society’s Check-list of North American Birds (July 2018)."

Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl) Emperor Goose Anser canagicus Snow Goose Anser caerulescens Ross's Goose Anser rossii Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons Brant Branta bernicla Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii Canada Goose Branta canadensis Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus Wood Duck Aix sponsa Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors Cinnamon Teal Spatula cyanoptera Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata Gadwall Mareca strepera Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope American Wigeon Mareca americana Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Northern Pintail Anas acuta Green-winged Teal Anas crecca Canvasback Aythya valisineria Redhead Aythya americana Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Greater Scaup Aythya marila Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Steller's Eider Polysticta stelleri King Eider Somateria spectabilis Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata White-winged Scoter Melanitta deglandi Black Scoter Melanitta americana Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus Common Merganser Mergus merganser Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis

Odontophoridae (New World Quail) Mountain Quail Oreortyx pictus California Quail Callipepla californica

Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies) Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Introduced Sooty Grouse Dendragapus fuliginosus Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo Introduced

Podicipedidae (Grebes) Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) Rock Pigeon Columba livia Introduced Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto Introduced White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura

Cuculidae (Cuckoos) Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus

Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies) Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor Common Poorwill Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Apodidae (Swifts) Black Swift Cypseloides niger Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna Costa's Hummingbird Calypte costae Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus Allen's Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin Calliope Hummingbird Selasphorus calliope Broad-billed Hummingbird Cynanthus latirostris Violet-crowned Hummingbird Amazilia violiceps

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots) Ridgway's Rail Rallus obsoletus Virginia Rail Rallus limicola Sora Porzana carolina Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata American Coot Fulica americana Yellow Rail Coturnicops noveboracensis Black Rail Laterallus jamaicensis

Gruidae (Cranes) Sandhill Crane Antigone canadensis

Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets) Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus American Avocet Recurvirostra americana

Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers) Black Oystercatcher Haematopus bachmani

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings) Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva Lesser Sand-Plover Charadrius mongolus Snowy Plover Charadrius nivosus Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Mountain Plover Charadrius montanus

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies) Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Black Turnstone Arenaria melanocephala Red Knot Calidris canutus Surfbird Calidris virgata Ruff Calidris pugnax Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Sanderling Calidris alba Dunlin Calidris alpina Rock Sandpiper Calidris ptilocnemis Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Buff-breasted Sandpiper Calidris subruficollis Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria Wandering Tattler Tringa incana Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Willet Tringa semipalmata Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes

Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers) South Polar Skua Stercorarius maccormicki Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus

Alcidae (Auks, Murres, and Puffins) Common Murre Uria aalge Thick-billed Murre Uria lomvia Pigeon Guillemot Cepphus columba Long-billed Murrelet Brachyramphus perdix Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus Scripps's Murrelet Synthliboramphus scrippsi Guadalupe Murrelet Synthliboramphus hypoleucus Craveri's Murrelet Synthliboramphus craveri Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus Cassin's Auklet Ptychoramphus aleuticus Crested Auklet Aethia cristatella Rhinoceros Auklet Cerorhinca monocerata Horned Puffin Fratercula corniculata Tufted Puffin Fratercula cirrhata

Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers) Swallow-tailed Gull Creagrus furcatus Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Sabine's Gull Xema sabini Bonaparte's Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla Franklin's Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan Heermann's Gull Larus heermanni Mew Gull Larus canus Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis Western Gull Larus occidentalis California Gull Larus californicus Herring Gull Larus argentatus Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus Least Tern Sternula antillarum Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Black Tern Chlidonias niger Common Tern Sterna hirundo Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus Elegant Tern Thalasseus elegans Black Skimmer Rynchops niger

Gaviidae (Loons) Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata Arctic Loon Gavia arctica Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica Common Loon Gavia immer Yellow-billed Loon Gavia adamsii

Diomedeidae (Albatrosses) White-capped Albatross Thalassarche cauta Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans Laysan Albatross Phoebastria immutabilis Black-footed Albatross Phoebastria nigripes Short-tailed Albatross Phoebastria albatrus

Oceanitidae (Southern Storm-Petrels) Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus

Hydrobatidae (Northern Storm-Petrels) Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma furcata Leach's Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa Ashy Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma homochroa Black Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma melania Least Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma microsoma

Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels) Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis Murphy's Petrel Pterodroma ultima Hawaiian Petrel Pterodroma sandwichensis Cook's Petrel Pterodroma cookii Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea Pink-footed Shearwater Ardenna creatopus Flesh-footed Shearwater Ardenna carneipes Great Shearwater Ardenna gravis Buller's Shearwater Ardenna bulleri Sooty Shearwater Ardenna grisea Short-tailed Shearwater Ardenna tenuirostris Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus Black-vented Shearwater Puffinus opisthomelas

Ciconiidae (Storks) Wood Stork Mycteria americana

Fregatidae (Frigatebirds) Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens

Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets) Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii Brown Booby Sula leucogaster

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags) Brandt's Cormorant Phalacrocorax penicillatus Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus

Pelecanidae (Pelicans) American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns) American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Great Egret Ardea alba Snowy Egret Egretta thula Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Green Heron Butorides virescens Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills) White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi

Cathartidae (New World Vultures) California Condor Gymnogyps californianus Extirpated Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

Pandionidae (Osprey) Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis

Tytonidae (Barn-Owls) Barn Owl Tyto alba

Strigidae (Owls) Western Screech-Owl Megascops kennicottii Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus Northern Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium gnoma Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia Spotted Owl Strix occidentalis Barred Owl Strix varia Long-eared Owl Asio otus Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus

Alcedinidae (Kingfishers) Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon

Picidae (Woodpeckers) Williamson's Sapsucker Sphyrapicus thyroideus Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius Red-naped Sapsucker Sphyrapicus nuchalis Red-breasted Sapsucker Sphyrapicus ruber Lewis's Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens Nuttall's Woodpecker Dryobates nuttallii Hairy Woodpecker Dryobates villosus White-headed Woodpecker Dryobates albolarvatus Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras) Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway American Kestrel Falco sparverius Merlin Falco columbarius Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus

Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers) Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii Gray Flycatcher Empidonax wrightii Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Myiodynastes luteiventris Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Cassin's Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana

Laniidae (Shrikes) Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus Northern Shrike Lanius borealis

Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis) White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus Bell's Vireo Vireo bellii Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons Cassin's Vireo Vireo cassinii Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus Yellow-green Vireo Vireo flavoviridis

Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies) Canada Jay Perisoreus canadensis Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata California Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica Yellow-billed Magpie Pica nuttalli Clark's Nutcracker Nucifraga columbiana American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Common Raven Corvus corax

Alaudidae (Larks) Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris

Hirundinidae (Swallows) Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Purple Martin Progne subis Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina Bank Swallow Riparia riparia Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice) Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambeli Chestnut-backed Chickadee Poecile rufescens Oak Titmouse Baeolophus inornatus

Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits) Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus

Sittidae (Nuthatches) Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea

Certhiidae (Treecreepers) Brown Creeper Certhia americana

Troglodytidae (Wrens) Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus House Wren Troglodytes aedon Pacific Wren Troglodytes pacificus Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii

Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea

Cinclidae (Dippers) American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus

Regulidae (Kinglets) Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula

Paradoxornithidae (Parrotbills, Wrentit, and Allies) Wrentit Chamaea fasciata

Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers) Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies) Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi Varied Thrush Ixoreus naevius Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus American Robin Turdus migratorius

Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers) Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos

Sturnidae (Starlings) European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Introduced

Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits) Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus American Pipit Anthus rubescens

Bombycillidae (Waxwings) Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum

Ptiliogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers) Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens

Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies) Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus Purple Finch Haemorhous purpureus Cassin's Finch Haemorhous cassinii Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Pine Siskin Spinus pinus Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria Lawrence's Goldfinch Spinus lawrencei American Goldfinch Spinus tristis

Calcariidae (Longspurs and Snow Buntings) Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus Chestnut-collared Longspur Calcarius ornatus Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis

Passerellidae (New World Sparrows) Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina Clay-colored Sparrow Spizella pallida Black-chinned Sparrow Spizella atrogularis Brewer's Sparrow Spizella breweri Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus Lark Bunting Calamospiza melanocorys American Tree Sparrow Spizelloides arborea Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla Harris's Sparrow Zonotrichia querula White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis Bell's Sparrow Artemisiospiza belli Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana California Towhee Melozone crissalis Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus

Icteriidae (Yellow-breasted Chat) Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens

Icteridae (Troupials and Allies) Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula Scott's Oriole Icterus parisorum Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Tricolored Blackbird Agelaius tricolor Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus

Parulidae (New World Warblers) Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum Northern Waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea Tennessee Warbler Oreothlypis peregrina Orange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis celata Lucy's Warbler Oreothlypis luciae Nashville Warbler Oreothlypis ruficapilla Virginia's Warbler Oreothlypis virginiae Connecticut Warbler Oporornis agilis MacGillivray's Warbler Geothlypis tolmiei Kentucky Warbler Geothlypis formosa Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Hooded Warbler Setophaga citrina American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla Cape May Warbler Setophaga tigrina Northern Parula Setophaga americana Magnolia Warbler Setophaga magnolia Bay-breasted Warbler Setophaga castanea Blackburnian Warbler Setophaga fusca Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia Chestnut-sided Warbler Setophaga pensylvanica Blackpoll Warbler Setophaga striata Black-throated Blue Warbler Setophaga caerulescens Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica Prairie Warbler Setophaga discolor Black-throated Gray Warbler Setophaga nigrescens Townsend's Warbler Setophaga townsendi Hermit Warbler Setophaga occidentalis Canada Warbler Cardellina canadensis Wilson's Warbler Cardellina pusilla

Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies) Summer Tanager Piranga rubra Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea Painted Bunting Passerina ciris

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows) House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced

Families: 68 Genera: 233 Species: 456

References:

Bolander, G. and B. D. Parmeter. 2001. Birds of Sonoma County, California - An Annotated Checklist and Birding Gazetteer. Revised and Updated 2000 by Benjamin D. Parmeter. Redwood Region Ornithological Society.

Chesser, R. T., K. J. Burns, C. Cicero, J. L. Dunn, A. W. Kratter, I. J. Lovette, P. C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen, Jr., D. F. Stotz, B. M. Winger, and K. Winker. 2018. Check-list of North American Birds (online). American Ornithological Society. http://checklist.aou.org/taxa

Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. eBird. 2012. eBird: An online database of bird distribution and abundance [web application]. eBird, Ithaca, New York. Available: http://www.ebird.org.

Lichtwardt, E. R. et al. 2004. Field List of the Birds of Sonoma County, California and Offshore Waters. Redwood Region Ornithological Society.

Parmeter, B. D. and A. N. Wight. 2012. Birds of Sonoma County, California - An Annotated Checklist. Updated 2000 - 2010. Redwood Region Ornithological Society.