BIRDS

by Brian Weed
Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society

diversity  |   feathers and flight  |  feather care  |  migration
niches and needs  |  avian world  |  birds you should look for

Fascination with Birds

People for thousands of years have had an enduring fascination with birds. Whether this attraction centered on the symbol of the golden eagle for the earliest inhabitants of the North American West, or the totems of the bald eagle and the raven for those living in the Pacific Northwest, or the sacred ibis in Egypt, or the roc and phoenix of Arabian mythology, birds have held a special place in all phases of human life.

Besides the early appeal as a religious and political symbol, birds often provided a reliable and easily harvested food source. In North America this sometimes led to the extinction of the species, as in the case of the great auk, the Labrador duck, the Carolina parakeet, and the passenger pigeon. Unfortunately, this has often been the case throughout the world. So, while various birds may have been treated with special reverence, there are others whose association with humans has been less charitable.

Much of our interest in birds comes from their special physical characteristic of having feathers and, for most of them, the ability to fly. Because they possess a wide range of physical capabilities, with most sharing the gift of flight, birds are able to inhabit almost every corner of the earth. They are the consummate traveler. One of the long-range travelers, the Arctic tern, journeys from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back each year, and, in the process, probably spends eight months of that year in constant daylight. As a consequence, it probably sees more sunlight than any other species.

Diversity

There are approximately 9,000 species of birds spread around the globe. They inhabit the densest cities, the coldest climates, and the driest deserts. They range in length from the eight-foot-tall ostrich to the bee hummingbird about the size of your thumb, wingspans of twelve feet in the wandering albatross, and speeds under water by the "flightless" penguin approaching 20 miles an hour in short bursts. Migration flights are amazing examples of the varied capabilities of birds. The Pacific golden plover flies from Alaska to Hawaii in one hop. Not only does it make the 2,500 mile flight, it has to do some errorless navigation. Although small and seemingly incapable of such a feat, the ruby-throated hummingbird makes an annual fall trip across the Gulf of Mexico to South America in one night. And it doesn't do this on the back of a goose as some people erroneously think! The blackpoll warbler flies for three days straight to reach the north coast of South America from its staging area in Nova Scotia.

Feathers and Flight

While birds are warm-blooded like the mammals and lay eggs like the reptiles, it is their feathers and flight that sets them apart for most of us. The earliest record of a birdlike fossil is that of the Archaeopteryx, a transitional species between reptiles and true birds. Its feathered tail and forelimbs, plus opposable toes, suggest a very primitive bird. Besides flight, the feathers provide one of the best insulating materials known. Light and strong, the feathers help keep the bird's body temperature in the comfortable range as well as providing the lift necessary for flight.

The bird's skeleton is very lightweight and strong, with many hollow bones uniquely braced. The large keel (an extension of the sternum) provides a suitable anchor for the powerful and much used flight muscles. A hummingbird, for instance, regularly beats its wings 225 beats a second and the rufous hummingbird often records beats of 200 per second during its courtship displays.

Due to the vital role flight plays in the life of birds, nature has further "lightened the load," so to speak, by providing for the eggs to be incubated outside the body. This allows for continued flight if necessary, as flight would be difficult, if not impossible, if embryos had to be incubated internally. Eggs vary greatly in size and number laid, with a hummingbird's egg being about the size of the nail on your little finger and various members of the grouse family laying clutches of 15+ eggs.

Feather Care

Because of the importance of the feathers for insulation and flight, birds spend a lot of time caring for them by passing the feathers through the bill to clean and straighten them. This process is called "preening." Most birds also have an oil gland just above the tail to aid in the cleaning process and to provide some waterproofing. As you watch the gulls along the shore at Point Lobos, you will notice that they spend a good deal of their roosting time putting their feathers in order. The wings of the cormorants have wide spaces between the individual feathers allowing them to become waterlogged, reducing the bird's buoyancy and helping them get into deeper water in search of food. To dry out these feathers you can see them perching on the coastal rocks with their wings outstretched in the sun. Despite the care given to their feathers by the birds, they become worn by exposure to the elements of nature. Because having feathers in sound condition is so vital to their well-being, the birds shed and replace their feathers at least once a year. This process is called "molting." Some birds such as the Western gulls here at Point Lobos, have two molts a year; a partial one in the spring and another in the fall where all the feathers are replaced. Most birds who only molt once a year do so in the fall when they have finished breeding and before migration. Birds usually molt over a period of time in order to keep enough feathers for flight and warmth. However, most waterfowl molt all their flight feathers at one time, leaving them flightless and vulnerable to predators. While workable for water birds, such a molting strategy obviously wouldn't work for a small land bird like a sparrow.

Feathers, of course, come in many colors. Most of the color is found in the pigments produced when the feathers are formed. However, the color blue found in the scrub jays and Steller's jays at Point Lobos does not come from pigment but from the structure of the feather and how it reflects light. Similarly, the iridescent color of the "gorget" feathering found on the throats of male Anna's and Allen's hummingbirds that breed here at Point Lobos State Reserve also is caused by the structure of the feathers and not from pigment.

Migration

While not unique to their order, with birds the marvel of migration is brought to its full fruition. Whether it's the lengthy movements of the Arctic tern mentioned previously or the shorter trips made by some of the North American sparrow like birds, the strategy is used in some fashion by many of the birds throughout the world as well as those at Point Lobos State Reserve. Point Lobos has about 50 resident breeding birds; i.e., birds that live on the Reserve year-round and nest each year. Yet, over 200 species have been observed at Point Lobos since 1981. This suggests a lot of migrant movement. This includes species coming in the spring to nest on the Reserve, those coming to spend the winter, and those just passing through.

Just as it happens over the rest of the world, most of the spring movement is north to longer days and abundant insect life, and south in the fall to warmth and an assured food source. At least the birds hope the food source will be there. There is developing evidence that their winter habitat (rain forests, wetlands, etc.) is rapidly disappearing under relentless human pressure. Also, breeding habitat is being continuously strained here in North America.

We know a good deal about the who, what, when, and where of bird migration, but very little except conjecture about the why of migration. Why do some birds expose themselves to the hardships of a trip of often thousands of miles, sometimes over long stretches of water, twice a year, when other birds just like them stay put in their tropical or temperate homes? Whatever the complete answer is to the question of "why migrate," the fact that the birds seem to find it worthwhile suggests that it is a successful survival strategy. If it isn't, then many species of birds have selected a very poor course for reproductive success that may lead to their extinction.

Niches and Needs

The Point Lobos State Reserve, with its diverse vegetation of oaks and pines, coastal scrub and meadows, plus its rocky coast, pocket sand coves, offshore islands and ocean water, offers a very likely spot to attract the regular as well as wandering migrant. In May, a check of one of the sand beaches or shoreline rocks often catches migrating shorebirds as they pass through on their way north. Their stay is short, often just a few minutes, but it is a stop that is repeated year after year. In the summer and fall, a bit of scoping offshore should bring into view some of the hundreds of thousands of sooty shearwaters that pass through this area on their long journey from their nesting grounds in Australia around the Pacific Rim. With the arrival of the wintering birds, a check of the forest should bring the identifying calls of the ruby-crowned kinglet, Townsend's and yellow-rumped warblers, while a glimpse offshore usually provides a look at at least one of the three wintering loon species.

With all this movement of bird species throughout the year at Point Lobos, it should be no surprise that birds are "making their living" in all parts of the Reserve, from the forest canopy high in the trees to the ocean waters framing this ecological sanctuary. A walk through the Reserve at various times of the year might yield pygmy nuthatches, band-tailed pigeons and pine siskins high in the trees, with chestnut-backed chickadees and brown creepers checking for insects at mid-level, and California quail and rufous-sided towhee working on the forest floor. A check of the coastal scrub could offer a chance to see its resident denizens Anna's hummingbird, wrentit or white-crowned sparrow. Along the shoreline a glance at the rocks or just offshore should give you an opportunity to observe the resident pelagic cormorants, killdeer or black oystercatcher, western gulls, or, during spring and summer, a pigeon guillemot in its striking breeding plumage.

The Avian World

All of these birds are "making their living" in the niche provided by nature. Since each niche is different, each bird is different. As such, each adds to the diversity and scope of avian life. It is this uniqueness and complexity that draws people to this universal fascination with birds and bird study. With a little bit of patience you too can enter this compelling avian world. And where better to encounter this exciting part of the natural world than here at Point Lobos State Reserve, with its varied and protected habitats?. It is an appropriate place to follow Samuel Coleridge's counsel that...

"He prayeth well who loveth well

Both man and bird and beast."

Birds You Should Look For

The following descriptions are of birds you are most likely to see during your visit to the reserve. Photographs by Ranger Chuck Bancroft unless otherwise noted

Chestnut-backed chickadee
Parus rufiescens
The chickadee is easily recognizable by its chestnut colored back and rump, sooty-brown cap, whiter cheeks, black bib and white underparts. This resident can be found foraging for insects in the canopy of the coastal forest. While gleaning the tree leaves and needles for insects, the chickadees can often be observed hanging upside down on the twigs and cones. Its hoarse "chick-a-dee" call can be heard as it feeds. During the winter the chickadee often flocks with other "leaf-gleaners" such as kinglets and warblers as they search for insects.

Pygmy nuthatch
Sitta pygmaeapygmy
This permanent resident is found high in the canopy of the pine forest as it forages for insects in the branches, needle clumps, and cones. Although often hard to see so high in the dense canopy, its staccato call notes regularly indicate its presence (the notes sound like a telegraph or morse code). It would be a rare day that pygmies wouldn't be heard on even the most casual walk through the forests of Point Lobos. This small bird has a grayish back, a brownish-gray cap, white chin, and buffy underparts.

Dark eyed junco
Junco phaeonotus
Members of the sparrow family, juncos are most often seen feeding along many of the paths throughout the more forested portions of Point Lobos. These year-round residents are easily recognized by their black-hooded head, reddish-brown back, and buffy-orange sides. Their white outer tail feathers are conspicuous as they fly up from the forest floor. The dark-eyed junco is regularly seen foraging near the park entrance and is often the first bird seen upon entering the Reserve.

Anna's hummingbird
Calypte anna
Although the smallest bird to maintain year-round residence at Point Lobos, Anna's hummingbird is certainly one of the most colorful. Their bright green backs and the male's deep rose-red head and throat offer a striking complement to the flowers upon which they feed. The male's courting high dive, ending with a sharp sound, can be heard as early as December as this permanent resident begins its breeding season. Anna's can be seen throughout the year flitting from flower to flower or hawking out from an open perch for insects as they feed in the coastal scrub and meadows.

Spotted towhee
Pipilo maculatus
The spotted towhee is one of the most strikingly patterned and colored birds of Point Lobos. However, it is often missed by the unobservant visitor because this year-round resident favors the thick scrub of the coastal areas and the tangled understory of the interior forest. Its black upperparts contrasting with bright chestnut sides and white underparts provide easy identification once it is seen. During spring it can often be seen high on a tree limb giving its trilling song or buzzy call, but most often it can only be glimpsed as it scratches the forest floor, or insects and seeds.

California quail
Callipepla californica
A quick movement across a forest path or a sudden California quailburst of whirring wings is often the first indication of the presence of this common year-round resident. Its emphatic call of "chi-ca-go" can carry for a long distance through the forest. The plume curving forward from the bird's crown distinguishes this state bird of California. Although primarily seed eaters, they may supplement their diet with a few insects, spiders, and snails. The male with his more pronounced plume can sometimes be spotted out on an exposed tree limb as he stands sentry for his feeding flock.

White-crowned sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
This year-round resident of the coastal scrub can often be seen around the parking lots and picnic areas of the Reserve. The sedentary, local subspecies nuttalli is joined by migrants from farther north during the winter months (November through April). Easily recognizable by its black-and-white, striped crown, this common sparrow spends most of its time within a few feet of the ground as it feeds on seeds, spiders, and plant blossoms. Its song of two descending notes followed by a twittery trill can often be heard at Whalers Cove, by the docent information station, at Mound Meadow, or near Bird Island.

Scrub jay
Aphelocoma coerulescens
The harsh shreep, aggressive manner, long blue tail, blue head, blue wings, and grayish markings make the scrub jay easy to recognize. Jays have a powerful all-purpose bill and will eat just about anything. Look for the jay year-round throughout the reserve, especially in the pine forest picnic areas and the scrub brush along the coastline.

Wrentit
Chamaea fasciata
The punctuating first notes of its song and the subsequent descending notes are often all the acquaintance a visitor gets with this bird of the thick coastal scrub. Listen for it at the docent "info station." The song is often described as that of a "bouncing ping pong ball." Its habitat rather than its shyness makes the visual encounter with this somewhat small grayish-brown bird with a long tail a real treat. Primarily feasting on insects and spiders, the wrentit will shift to fruit during the winter months. The male and female form a tight monogamous pair bond, with both incubating the eggs.

American kestrel
Falco sparverius
This small falcon is a permanent resident and should be looked for on open perches near the edges of the Reserve's meadows. Its long, pointed wings and long tail identify it as a falcon, and its hovering while hunting is very distinctive of this species. Insects are its usual prey, although small birds (even hummingbirds) and mammals add to its diet. Both sexes have vertical, double black stripes on their white face, with the males having blue feathers covering the wings contrasting with the female's brown coverts.

Red-tailed hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
The red-tailed hawk is a familiar bird to most people of the United States. Its broad wings, soaring style, and red tail in the adult mark this bird as a regular resident of the Monterey Coast. Although it isn't known to nest at Point Lobos, it does nest close by in the coastal mountains and frequents the Reserve as it looks for its favored rodent prey. Birds are occasionally spooked from daytime roosts along the forest edges and can be seen soaring high over the forest canopy.

Turkey vulture
Cathartes aura
This cousin of the California condor can usually be seen during most of the year soaring high above the forest canopy as it looks for its next meal of carrion. It flies with its two-toned wings (flight feathers silver and linings black) held in a shallow "V" as it rocks side to side in its quest for a meal. Although fairly common from early spring to late summer, it becomes scarcer in the fall and may be absent from the Reserve during the winter months. Any of the Reserve's meadows provide good viewing locations, with the area below the Hudson House particularly favorable.

Brown pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
This large bird with its distinctive pouch is a common site at Point Lobos as it glides low over the waves or as it roosts quietly at Bird Island. Visitors must look closely at the rock face as this large brown and white bird can surprisingly blend in with the mottled background of the island. The adult bird has a brown body and a white head, while the immature is all brownish with white underparts. When a school of fish comes close to shore the visitor may get the chance to see the pelicans plunge-dive head first into the water after their prey. Once a nester at Point Lobos, the brown pelican has not nested here since 1966, a victim of egg shell thinning caused by the widespread use of DDT.

Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
Point Lobos is one of the few local places where you can readily see Rock Pigeons nesting "in the rocks" on the cliffs at Guillemot Island and just off Pelican Point. Most often we see them on our city streets or hanging out around the Monterey harbor area pecking at our leftovers. Here at the Reserve you can actually see them in an environment close to their ancestral origins.

Western gull
Larus occidentalis
This large gull is the most common gull at Point Lobos and the only gull to nest in Monterey County. Its large size, dark gray back, white head and body, and pink legs distinguish the Western gull from the other gulls that visit during the winter months. Their ground nests and the resulting chicks can easily be seen on the nearshore rocks and cliffs during the late spring and early summer. Western gulls eat just about everything, ranging from morsels scavenged from the beach, to the young of other birds, to the picnic lunch of the unwary visitor.

Black oystercatcher
Haematopus bachmani
The loud, laughing call of the black oystercatcher may be the first indication of the presence of this year-round resident. Its striking long red bill, blackish body and pink legs make this denizen of the rocky shore a special attraction for the attentive visitor. Despite its striking appearance and emphatic call the oystercatcher can easily blend into the creases and folds of the offshore rocks. Most often they can be observed as they feed on various invertebrates along the rocky shore.

Brandt's cormorant
Phalacrocorax penicillatus
The large black birds seen sitting on the offshore rocks and islands, or flying low over the waves in long lines are predominately Brandt's cormorants. Doublecrested and pelagic cormorants are present in smaller numbers. Brandt's often gather in feeding rafts just outside the kelp beds where they dive to search for fish. Their gregarious nesting colony at Bird Island during the breeding season (usually beginning in April) can reach 2000-3000 nesting pairs. The Brandt's has a brilliant blue throat patch, especially prominent during the breeding season. The smaller pelagic cormorant which nests in isolated pairs on cliff faces has a red throat pouch and white flank patches in breeding season. The double-crested is regularly present only during the winter months.

Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
Watch along the rocky shore at Weston Beach and the meadow areas nearby for this play-acting bird. The distinctive double breast bands and the loud piercing call "kill-dee" or "dee dee dee" make the killdeer easy to recognize. It feeds almost entirely on insects, worms, and grubs. The female will lay her eggs on the rocks without a formal nest. To keep predators away she will feign a broken wing or leg and lure the intruder away.

Great Egret     Ardea alba
Snowy Egret     Egretta thula

Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
The standing of this stately bird has become increasingly prominent in recent years with the establishment of a small colony of nesting herons at Blue Fish Cove and another one on the north side of Coal Chute Point. The nesting birds and their young can be easily seen in the Monterey Pine trees along the west side of Blue Fish Cove from the North Shore Trail during the spring and summer. The smaller group at Coal Chute Point can be seen in the pine trees on the northeast side above the Pit. The nests are even becoming a bit of a "tourist attraction" when the squalling youngsters greet a parent returning with a choice bit of fish, reptile or rodent. During the fall and winter this big slate-blue bird can be seen in the field below the Hudson House and out on the kelp beds.

Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
One of the more interesting nesters at Point Lobos is the Black-crowned night heron. Nesting both on the ground or ina tree, this striking bird and its young can usually be seen on or near a nest at Guillemot Island or the island between Pelican Point and Bird Island during the spring and summer. The highly streaked plumage of the juvenile bird contrasts dramatically with the more beautiful plumage of the adult birds.

Our thanks to Armin Neubert and Peter LaTourrette for their generous contribution of images to illustrate the bird section of the web site.

To see more of Peter LaTourrette's images, you can visit his web sites at http://birdphotography.com   or  http://www.stanford.edu/~petelat1/