These birds breed from Alaska and Newfoundland south to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and central Mexico, and winter as far north as Pennsylvania and British Columbia. Strong direct flight on rapid wing beats. They can soar for longs periods with minimal wing movement. There are a number of bird types that fit this category. Females are a staid brown, without the male’s bright eye or the female Red-winged Blackbird’s streaks. These birds live in open woods all over the West, particularly among evergreens, where they often stay hidden in the canopy. The picture shows the bird’s rather bland looking tan feathers. Eats small rodents, birds. I have a pair of birds in my back yard that are nested in a tree. Bill is heavy and black. The Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus, is a passerine bird of the family Icteridae, found in most of North America. Though less showy, females are also splendid, wearing soft, tawny feathers instead of the male's bright red plumage. Golden-cheeked Warbler: Medium warbler, black upperparts, white underparts with thick black streaks on sides. California hosts the Red-shafted Northern Flicker, pictured at the top of the page. A bird to be seen in the full sun, the male Brewer’s Blackbird is a glossy, almost liquid combination of black, midnight blue, and metallic green. The black birds are no exception. Taxonomy From the American Ornithological Union (1998) Head has black crown, forehead, nape and throat, bright yellow face, and black eye-line. Photo: Michele Black/Audubon Photography Awards. black bill, legs and feet. The male has a red crown on the top of the head. Soars and glides on thermals with wings lifted slightly above back, tilts from side to side. Direct flight with steady, deep wing beats. Northern California east bay. Circles like a turkey vulture. The “bronzed grackle” race of the Common Grackle, breeding roughly west of the Appalachians and in New England, has the characteristic bronzy back. They have a yellow breast and a black half circle under the neck. Eye-rings are gray. In most places, the most common black-colored of the birds … Dark feathers (brown, look black from father). The red shoulder patches of the male, hidden under body feathers much of the time, are brilliantly displayed when he is singing. The red bellied woodpecker is easily identified with its bold black and white wings and back and red head and neck. LENGTH: 11 in. The Turkey Vulture is a large black-brown bird with a bare red head. They are notably bold, and several will often attack a larger bird, such as a hawk or crow, that flies over their nesting area. Eyes are large and red. LENGTH: 10 in. I have never seen this type of bird before. Barred wings and tail; Forehead and throat may have white flecks; California Scrub-Jay. Face is black and white; crown is pale yellow and sweeps back as a plume. Locates carrion with its keen eyesight, can survive several days without food. Head has black-and-white striped crown, white face, black eyestripe and a pointed bill. Learn to identify the birds in your yard with this backyard bird identification guide featuring the most common North American backyard birds. • Large dark birds, have a featherless red head and pale bill. California Condor: Very large raptor with black body, bare-skinned red-orange head, and white wing patches. All these birds are mostly found in fields and sometimes in the woods. American Crow. The underparts are gray-ish white, paler on the female than the male. Throat to belly is yellow, broad black V on breast. The only bird with a breeding range confined to Texas. Birds of Orange County, California Compiled by Peter J. Bryant, mainly from the photographs of John Avise, University of California, Irvine Click on images or names to open. From the large ravens and crows to the medium-sized grackles to the smaller birds, such as blackbirds, cowbirds, and starlings. Black head, breast, and legs ; Steller's Jay. A clear look at a male Western Tanager is like looking at a flame: an orange-red head, brilliant yellow body, and coal-black wings, back and tail. Their breeding habitat is wooded areas across northern Canada and the west coast of North America from Alaska to California. California Wings are dark with two white bars. San Diego County, California has over 500 birds on the accepted ABA list and many other introduced species. ... distinct black feathers on the head, complimented by white striped and a red throat. Eastern Meadowlark: Short ground-dwelling bird with buff- and black-streaked brown upperparts. Has the largest wingspan of any North American bird. Bill, legs are yellow. (Cathartes aura). With its black face and crimson crest, beak, and body, the male Northern Cardinal, or “redbird” to many, is one of the most recognized and well-known birds in North America. Turkey Vulture. Do you know what type of bird this could be? Runs or hops while foraging on the ground. Eats seeds, grains, berries, fruits, insects, caterpillars, spiders, snails, grubs and mollusks. They nest either in a sheltered location on the ground or low in trees or shrubs.