Some birds of Southern California

In Southern California for the past six days with temperatures as high as 105-107F each day I went birding.  Blazing sun overhead, it was a challenge.  Nevertheless, I managed some interesting sightings.

Tyrannus sp., probably Cassin's (Tyrannus vociferans).  I have a variety of poor photos like the one above.  Cassin's is the only kingbird that is present in S. California year around.  Two or three pairs were near my accommodations, but I could never get a decent photo and I never really heard it vocalize.  

Above and below:  Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii).

I believe the bird above is an adult female Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri).  I never got a better look at the bird and I am not great at hummingbirds, but it's the only ID that makes sense to me.

Above and below:  Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus).

House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus).  I saw a lot of House Finches and was reminded that House Finch was once an exclusively western bird.

The bird above really surprised me.  It reminded me of the poor lighting I was constantly photographing in.  No matter the time of day, or direction, the sun was so harsh.  Looking through binoculars or the camera viewfinder revealed a bird but none of the identifying field marks.  When I downloaded my photos on the computer this bird was not the House Finch I thought it to be.  I believe this bird is a female Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena).  

Perhaps one of my worst photos of the trip, but Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) is always identifiable.

Above and below:  Tyrannus sp.

The mighty Pacific Ocean taken from a trail lookout at Torrey Pines State Park near La Jolla.

Above and two below:  California Towhee (Melozone crissalis).  California Quail (Callipepla californica) is the State bird of California, which I also saw, albeit poorly, at Skinner Reservoir.  The State bird could just as easily be California Towhee, plain as it is, which I saw every day.

Above and below:  Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni) in adult non-breeding plumage.  In breeding plumage this is a beautiful gull.

Above and below:  Snowy Egret (Egret thula), which at first, in the harsh glare of the sun, I thought was a Great Egret (Albea alba).  In the photo above it reveals its yellow slipper.  I was accompanied by a non-birder who waded into the water after the bird (yes, this is true) and, of course, it flushed fully revealing its yellow feet.

Western Gull (Larus occidentalis).  A large, elegant and beautiful gull.  Should probably get its own post.

Western Gull

Western Gull

Western Gull

My guess for the gull above and below is a 2nd winter Western Gull.

Western Grebe at Skinner Reservoir will get its own post later.

Marbled Godwit (Mimosa fedoa).  This bird will get its own post later.

Above and below:  Greater Yellowlegs at Skinner Reservoir.

Above and below:  Pied-billed Grebe at Skinner Reservoir

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) at Skinner Reservoir, the only sparrow I saw the whole trip.

Above and below:  Raggedy Northern Mockingbird (Minus polyglottus), beak open to dissipate heat.  I saw many birds, not only passerines, keeping their beak open.

Finally, above and below:  This bird was a shocker.  I looked at the breast pattern and color of the head - again, poor because of the harsh sunlight - the shape of the tail and the general shape of the bird.  I could not begin a guess its identity.  I pulled the second edition Sibley Guide (2014) from the shelf.  Where to start?  Grosbeaks?  Buntings? Finches?   Sibley is sooo good.  There is was on the very last page, right next to Orange Bishop.  The last bird illustrated, this bird is a Nutmeg Mannikin (Lonchura punctuate).  Sibley includes the following narrative:  "Native to Asia.  Small populations established and spreading in Southern California since 1980s, and also in Houston, Texas.  Found in weedy areas such as vacant lots and stream floodplains.  Also known as Spice Finch or Scaly-breasted Munia" (page 583).  Crazy!  I never see birds like this.  

Don't forget to click on the image for enlarged viewing.

Next post:  Marbled Godwit!