Western Bird Guide

LARGE-BILLED SPARROW

544. Passerculus rostratus. 5½ inches

The large and stouter bill, paler, and more of a grayish brown color, will distinguish this from any of the preceding. They are fairly common in the salt marshes of southern and Lower California. Their nesting habits and eggs are practically the same as those mentioned previously.

SAN BENITO SPARROW

544c. Passerculus r. sanctorum. 5½ inches

Breeds on San Benito Islands, winters in southern Lower California. Nesting habits are identical (not illustrated).

BAIRD SPARROW

545. Ammodramus bairdi. 5¼ inches

These sparrows breed abundantly in parts of the Dakotas on the plains, and winter in eastern Colorado, through Arizona to New Mexico. The tail-feathers of this species are much more pointed than on any of the preceding.

Nest.– This is placed on the ground in clumps of grass, and is made of fine dried grass. Usually four eggs are laid of a dull white, blotched and spotted with shades of brown and lilac (.80 × .60).

WESTERN GRASSHOPPER SPARROW

546a. Ammodramus s. bimaculatus. 5 inches

These birds are common in dry fields and pastures, where their faint lisping song is heard throughout the day. Nest is usually a deep structure in a hollow in some dry field, and usually placed near some rock or suitable place where they can watch the locality for danger. Four eggs are laid; white, finely dotted with chestnut (.72 × .55).

LECONTE SPARROW

548. Passerherbulus lecontei. 5 inches

More slender in form than the preceding; breeding above the line and winters through eastern Colorado to southern Texas. Nesting habits and eggs similar to above (not illustrated).

WESTERN LARK SPARROW

552a. Chondestes grammacus strigatus. 6½ inches

One of the most common, as well as the most handsome of the sparrow family on the western coast; with its bright chestnut on the sides of the head, and black and white on the crown. They nest in low bushes, or on the ground in a clump of grass; four eggs are laid; white with dark brown markings, mostly about the larger end (.80 × .60).

GAMBEL SPARROW

554a. Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelt. 6½ inches

This bird, a favorite with the people of the northwest, has been rightly called the “Northern Nightingale.” Their sweet song may be heard all during the day about dwellings or remote from them, or even in the night they have a habit of awakening and giving out the same sweet notes. In habits they much resemble the above, feeding upon the ground among the dead leaves in search of seed and insect food.

Nest.– This is placed on the ground in a clump of grass, and is made of fine grasses; four to six eggs of a pale greenish blue color, spotted and splashed with shades of brown (.90 × .65).

GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW

557. Zonotrichia coronata. 7 inches

The crown of white in the above is replaced with a golden color. These are common birds about the cities of California during the winter months. Habits the same as above, and also their eggs.

WESTERN TREE SPARROW

559a. Spizella monticola ochracea. 6 inches

Somewhat resembling the “Chippy Sparrow,” but is larger and has a dark spot on the breast as an identification mark. It breeds in the far north, above the northern borders of the United States, and in winter is common through Oregon, California, into Arizona and Texas.

Nest.– This is usually placed in low trees or bushes or on the ground made of grasses and lined with feathers. They lay three to five greenish white eggs, spotted with different shades of brown (.80 × .55).

WESTERN CHIPPING SPARROW

560a. Spizella passerina arizonæ. 5 inches

This is one of the most helpful birds to our gardens, living upon insects injurious to vegetation and on the seeds from the garden weeds. They will nest in trees and shrubs, or vines about the house, making a small compact nest, mostly of rootlets and horsehair. They lay from three to five greenish blue eggs, with few spots of brown, mostly about the larger end (.70 × .52).

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW

561. Spizella pallida. 5¼ inches

These are much like the Chipping Sparrow in every way, with the exception of color, the brown being replaced by the clay-color. Breeds in the Northern United States and into Canada; winters south to Texas and Mexico, rarely in eastern Colorado. Their nest is usually placed on the ground, but may be found in low shrubs in some localities; four eggs are the usual complement, of a light greenish blue, with spots of brown about the larger end (.65 × .50).

BREWER SPARROW

562. Spizella breweri. 5 inches

This is very similar to above, but much more streaked with dark above. It is to be found from British Columbia south to Mexico, especially in sections where the sage brush is found, and in southern California near the coast. Its nesting habits are much the same as the above, and the eggs are indistinguishable.

WORTHEN SPARROW

564. Spizella wortheni. 5 inches

This is a southern form of the Chipping Sparrow, and is found in New Mexico and Mexico.

BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW

565. Spizella atrogularis. 5½ inches

This is easily identified by the black chin, throat and forehead. It is quite common in parts of southern California, and south into Arizona and New Mexico. The habits are similar to those of the Field Sparrow, their eggs differing in being unspotted and are a bluish green (.65 × .50).

WHITE-WINGED JUNCO

566. Junco aikeni. 6½ inches

This is slightly larger than the common “Black and White Snowbird” (Hyemalis). It is also a paler bird and the wings are crossed by two white bars. It is found in the central Rocky Mountain regions, where it breeds in the northern part, and winters to eastern Colorado.

SLATE-COLORED JUNCO

567. Junco hyemalis. 6 inches

This is common “Black and White Snowbird” of the east, and is the same as above, but darker and does not have any white wing bars. They breed mostly north of the United States, nesting on the ground, often under some boulder, making their nest of roots and grass in which they lay four greenish white eggs, spotted with brown about the larger end (not illustrated).

OREGON JUNCO

567a. Junco hyemalis oreganus. 6 inches

There are several of the sub-species of “Hyemalis,” all of which are very much alike in habits; varying in color and location. The Oregon Junco is found from British Columbia to southern California, breeding on the mountains of Oregon and northward. In color, this differs much from the preceding, with more black, and on the back a brownish color. The nesting habits and eggs are very much the same as the preceding.

PINK-SIDED JUNCO

567g. Junco hyemalis mearnsi. 6 inches

These breed at high altitudes in the mountains of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho, and winter south to Mexico.

THURBER JUNCO

567c. Junco hyemalis thurberi. 6 inches

Found most commonly in the Sierra Nevadas from Oregon to southern California. The difference in coloring is shown in the illustrations of this and the two preceding.

GRAY-HEADED JUNCO

570b. Junco phœonotus caniceps. 6 inches

The same as the Slate-colored, with the exception of having the back a reddish brown. The nests of all the Juncos are placed on the ground, and the markings of their eggs vary but little.

BAIRD JUNCO

571. Junco bairdi. 6 inches

Found in the mountains of southern and Lower California. This is a gray-headed variety with brown on the back and sides.

GUADALUPE JUNCO

572. Junco insularis. 5½ inches

One of the smallest of the family, and found locally only on the Guadalupe Islands off the lower California coast, where they nest commonly in the pine groves, among the needles on the ground, or frequently protected by some overhanging stone. Their nest and eggs are the same as the others. Eggs bluish white, with fine dots of brown about the larger end (.77 × .60).

DESERT SPARROW

573a. Amphispiza bilineata deserticola. 5¼ inches

This is an abundant bird among the foothills of southwestern United States, in Texas, New Mexico and southern California. It is found in the hot desert plains, where it builds its nest in low bushes, of the sagebrush or cactus, within two or three feet of the ground. It is made up of twigs, roots and fine grass, and lined with feathers and horsehair. They lay three or four bluish white eggs (.72 × .55).

BELL SPARROW

574. Amphispiza belli. 5¼ inches

In the hot valleys and foothills of the southern half of California and in the Colorado Desert, south to Lower California, these grayish, black and white sparrows are found abundantly in localities where the sagebrush is common. They build their nests of roots and twigs, loosely put together, and usually lined with grass, feathers and horsehair, in the low sagebrush within two feet of the ground, or quite often placed on the ground under the cover of one of these bushes. They lay three or four pale greenish eggs, heavily blotched and spotted with shades of brown (.75 × .60).

SAGE SPARROW

574.1. Amphispiza nevadensis. 6 inches

These are a very quiet and shy sparrow, rarely singing except at their breeding season, and to be found commonly throughout the sage deserts of the Great Basin, from Oregon and Montana to Lower California and New Mexico. They nest either in small sagebrush or upon the ground, making their nests of shred from the sage and grasses, lining it with feathers and hair. They lay from three to four grayish eggs, with heavy markings of shades of brown about the larger end (.75 × .60).

CALIFORNIA SAGE SPARROW

574.1b. Amphispiza n. canescens. 5½ inches

Somewhat smaller than the last, and found from eastern California east to Nevada (not illustrated).

BOTTERI SPARROW

576. Peucæa botterii. 6¼ inches

A larger gray sparrow, streaked with brown, and black spots. A southern bird, found in Arizona, Texas and Mexico (not illustrated).

CASSIN SPARROW

578. Peucæa cassini. 5½ inches

Found on the arid plains from Texas to Kansas, where it breeds much the same as does the Sage Sparrow.

RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW

579. Aimophila carpalis. 5¼ inches

This small and paler sparrow is found on the plains of Mexico and north to Arizona. In appearance and habits it is similar to the Chipping Sparrow, and the two are frequently found in the same locality. They nest in low bushes, making them of coarse grass and lined with down and hair, in which they place four sunmarked, bluish white eggs (.70 × .60).

RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW

580. Aimophila ruficeps. 5½ inches

Slightly larger than the former, and the color more of a brown streaked with darker, and still more of a reddish brown on the crown. It is found throughout California along the coast to Lower California. They build on the ground, concealing their nest in a clump of grass or under some bush. They lay from three to five pale bluish white, unmarked eggs (.80 × .60).

SONG SPARROW

581. Melospiza melodia. 6¼ inches

A bird of song, as the name indicates, and their song can be heard in every state of the Union and in Canada. This is the most subdivided of any of the bird family; more than twenty sub-species are listed, all having about the same song and general appearance. In some localities they will be a darker brown, and in the light desert sands they are very light in color. It is almost impossible to distinguish one from another even when in the hand. Their eggs also have the same variation, and cannot be positively identified one from another. They all build either in low bushes or upon the ground. Usually four eggs, greenish white, blotched and spotted with all shades and patterns of brown (.80 × .60).

HEERMANN SONG SPARROW

581c. Melospiza m. heermanni. 6¼ inches

Found in the central valleys of California, casually to Nevada.

RUSTY SONG SPARROW

581e. Melospiza m. morphna. 6¼ inches

In the Pacific Coast belt from Alaska to southern California.

LINCOLN SPARROW

583. Melospiza lincolni. 5½ inches

To be found most commonly in the central and western parts of North America, rare in the eastern part. In appearance they are very much like the Song Sparrow, but in their habits are more retiring, and keep more closely in the grass, and out of sight. They nest in tufts of grass within a few inches of the ground, or in a slight depression in the ground. The nest is made of twigs, roots and grasses. Their eggs are similar to the Song Sparrows; three or four in number, greenish white, heavily marked with brown (.80 × .58).

SHUMAGIN FOX SPARROW

585a. Passerella iliaca unalaschcensis. 6½ inches

These are large reddish brown sparrows, thickly marked with spots of darker brown on the back and under parts. They are to be found from Alaska to southern California.

Nest.– In low bushes near the ground. Four pale greenish eggs, marked with brown (.94 × .68).

THICK-BILLED FOX SPARROW

585b. Passerella i. megarhyncha. 7¼ inches

This is quite a little larger than the above, has a much thicker bill, and is to be found throughout California in the mountains.

OREGON TOWHEE

588b. Pipilo maculatus oregonus. 8 inches

This family are all ground birds, and are usually found scratching among the leaves for their food supply of seeds and insects. This is a much darker bird than his eastern relative. The females are marked much the same as the males, replacing the black with a brown. They build their nest on or near the ground, of twigs, grass and with a finer lining of grass, and usually it is well concealed in bunches of grass or under some brush pile. They lay four or five eggs of a pale gray or white, much spotted with brown (.95 × .75).

SAN DIEGO TOWHEE

588d. Pipilo maculatus megolonyx. 8 inches

Darker and with few white markings. Southern California (not illustrated).

CANON TOWHEE

591. Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus. 8½ inches

These birds have more brown, and nest in bushes or trees and not so much on the ground. Their eggs are more strongly marked. They range from Colorado to Texas and Arizona.

CALIFORNIA TOWHEE

591.1. Pipilo crissalis. 9½ inches

A larger and still darker variety, with but very little white if any. It is found in California, from Shasta County to the southern part of the state. They are not as shy as the Towhee family generally are, and frequently come about habitations, where they will scratch about barnyards like chickens. They nest within a few feet of the ground, building much the same as other members of this family. The eggs are also very similar to the others.

ABERT TOWHEE

592. Pipilo aberti. 9 inches

More of a reddish brown. Found in Arizona, New Mexico and southern California, where it breeds on the coast range.

GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE

592.1. Oreospiza chlorura. 7 inches

This member of the family has characteristics of his own entirely different from any of the others. They are birds of the brush, and rarely appear above the shrubbery in which they nest.

ARIZONA CARDINAL

593a. Cardinalis c. superbus. 9 inches

These are birds of vine grown gardens and thickets, where, with their beautiful song, brilliant plumage, and quiet disposition, they make themselves the favorites of mankind. The bill is very large and stout, but the general makeup of the bird, with its long crest, is much to be admired. They build their nest of twigs, roots and grasses, loosely put together, which is placed in bushes, vines or low trees. Their three or four eggs are a pale bluish white, with varied markings or spots of shades of brown, mostly about the larger end (1.00 × .70). Found in Arizona and into Mexico.

ARIZONA PYRRHULOXIA

594. Pyrrhuloxia sinuata. 8½ inches

The bill of these birds is more hooked, short and stout like the parrots. Their crest, which is not as heavy as the Cardinals, they have the habit of raising and lowering often, changing the whole appearance of the bird. Their nesting habits and eggs are similar to the last.

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK

596. Zamelodia melanocephala. 7½ inches

This species similar in size to the Rose-breasted Grosbeak of the eastern sections (which is sometimes found west to Colorado), does not have the bright colors of his eastern brother. In habits they appear to be much the same, their song is wonderfully sweet and clear. They are very quiet birds, and when nesting will almost allow one to touch them before leaving. Their nests are simply a few straws and sticks, loosely laid on the forks of some horizontal branch of a bush or low tree, so frail that frequently their eggs can be seen from beneath. They lay four eggs of a bluish green, spotted and blotched with different shades of brown (1.00 × .70).

WESTERN BLUE GROSBEAK

597a. Guiraca cærulea lazula. 7 inches

Found more in the open woods, in small groves and along the roadside in the small brush. It seems out of place to have three members of the same family with such a difference of plumage. One with rose, white and black; the next with black, brown and yellow; and this bird, a blue and black. Their nesting habits and also their eggs are much the same as above, the eggs being a little smaller (.85 × .62).

INDIGO BUNTING

598. Passerina cyanea. 5 inches

An eastern form, of an indigo blue on the head, shading to lighter on the under parts and towards the rump. It is found as far west as Colorado and into Texas (not illustrated).

LAZULI BUNTING

599. Passerina amœna. 5½ inches

Similar to the above, but lighter, while the under parts and breast are brownish. The wings are barred with two bands of white. It is found from British Columbia to Lower California and from the western coast to eastern Colorado. The nesting habits and eggs of the two are identical. They build in bushes or lower branches of trees, only a few feet from the ground, three or four eggs of a pale bluish white, unmarked (.75 × .58).

BEAUTIFUL BUNTING

600a. Passerina versicolor pulchra. 5½ inches

These are the most varied in color markings of any of our North American birds, having bright colors. Found in southern and Lower California, Arizona and into Mexico. Like the above they are to be found in thickets and hedges, where they build their nests within a few feet of the ground.

DICKCISSEL

604. Spiza americana. 6¼ inches

The male is a prettily marked bird with a yellow line over the eye, on the side of the throat, edge of wing and front under parts; black patch on the breast, white throat and a bright chestnut patch on the wing. It is found rarely in Colorado and into southern California (not illustrated).

LARK BUNTING

605. Calamospiza melanocorys. 7 inches

Bill very short and thick, and light color. The male in summer is a dull black all over, with the exception of white wing-coverts. Their habits are similar to the above. They have a fine song, which they often give while on the wing, after the manner of the Bobolink. The female is a sparrow-like looking bird, mottled brown and white. They are birds of the plains, from Canada to Texas, occasionally in California and Colorado. Nest on the ground, laying four pale blue eggs (.85 × .65).

WESTERN TANAGER

607. Piranga ludoviciana. 6½ inches

Found from British Columbia to southern California, breeding in mountains. Three or four eggs, bluish green, spotted with brown (.95 × .75).

HEPATIC TANAGER

609. Piranga hepatica. 7½ inches

A pale colored bird as compared with the Scarlet Tanager of the east, lacking also the black wings of its eastern brother. The female is a pale yellow on the under parts and an olive above. Their range is throughout Arizona and into Mexico. The nest is built upon horizontal branches of trees at varying heights from the ground, and is made of twigs, grass and hair, usually a frail structure, in which they lay four eggs of a greenish blue, spotted with shades of brown (.92 × .64).

COOPER TANAGER

610a. Piranga rubra cooperi. 7 inches

Western United States, breeding from Central California to Texas and the borders of Mexico. Their breeding habits are the same and the eggs are not distinguishable from the others, all of them varying in the markings, but practically of the same size and general color.

WESTERN MARTIN

611a. Progne subis hesperia. 8½ inches

The male of this is not to be distinguished from the eastern Purple Martin, and in the female a lighter gray on the forehead is the only difference. They nest in cavities of trees or in boxes provided for them in the cities and towns, both in the east and west, as they are to be found breeding throughout the United States and into British Columbia. They make their nests of twigs, roots and mud, usually lined with feathers, and lay from four to six white eggs (.95 × .65).

CLIFF SWALLOW

612. Petrochelidon lunifrons. 5½ inches

Their range is throughout the whole of North America; they can easily be recognized by their brownish throat and breast, white forehead and black cap. Their nests or homes are built of mud, securely cemented to the face of cliffs, or under the eaves of buildings. They make them round or gourd-shaped, with a small opening in the side, and lining the inside with grass and feathers. They lay four eggs, creamy white, spotted with shades of brown (.80 × .55).

BARN SWALLOW

613. Hirundo erythrogastra. 7½ inches

Their range is throughout North America, breeding generally from Alaska to southern California, and over the eastern part of the United States. They nest in barns, sheds or in any buildings where they are not likely to be disturbed, building their nests of mud on the rafters or beams near the roof, and lining it with feathers. They are a familiar bird in all parts of the country, and one of the most graceful while on the wing, skimming over the ponds and meadows in search of the insect life which constitutes their food. Their eggs are similar to the Cliff Swallow, creamy white, spotted with shades of brown and chestnut (.80 × .55).

TREE SWALLOW

614. Iridoprocne bicolor. 6 inches

Perhaps this is more commonly known as the White-bellied Swallow, and it is found in the whole of temperate North America, breeding from the middle United States northward. They nest in holes of trees and stumps naturally, but accept the bird houses that are put up for them in suitable locations near ponds or wet marshes. Their eggs are the same as above, both in number and markings.

NORTHERN VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW

615. Tachycineta thalassina lepida. 5¼ inches

In the Rocky Mountain regions of the United States and west to the Pacific, breeding throughout its range. A most beautiful species with its blue, green and purple back and white under parts. They are abundant in favorable localities in California, building their nests in holes of trees, at times well up in the mountains, in the tops of some of the largest redwoods and pines, using woodpecker holes, and at times placing their nest in a crevice of the cliffs. Their nests are made of grass and fine roots, and nicely lined with feathers. Their four to six eggs are pure white (.72 × .50).

BANK SWALLOW