A 1947 directory of bird spottings from the author's 50 years in Santa Cruz County and his review of local ornithological literature. Extensive, with elaborations on location and frequency and the occasional relevant anecdote.

Notables: Dr. J. G. Cooper, Dr. C. L. Anderson, W. Otto Emerson, Ed Fiske, Joseph Skirm, Lyman Belding, Albert G. Vrooman, Oliver Sillaman

[Apologies in advance:]
Class AVES Birds
Subclass NEORNITHES True Birds
SuperOrder NEOGNATHAE Non-struthious Birds
Order GAVIIFORMES Loons
Family GAVIIDAE Loons
Gavia immer -- Common Loon
Common in winter, vare rare in summer
Gavia arctica pacifica -- Pacific Arctic Loon
Common in winter; many dead ones found on the beaches
Gavia stellata -- Red-throated Loon
Occasionally one seen in winter time
Order COLYMBIFORMES Grebes
Family COLYMBIDAE Grebes
Colymbus grisegena holbollii -- Holboll Red-necked Grebe
Rare, I have picked up a number of dead specimens on the beach
Colymbus nigricollis -- Eared Grebe
Winter visitor. Plentiful.
Colymbus nigricollis californicus -- American Eared Grebe
Resident. Not many seen.
Aechmophorus occidentalis -- Western Grebe
Common.
Order PROCELLARIIFORMES Petrel-like Birds
Family DIOMEDEIDAE Albatrosses
Diomedea nigripes -- Black-footed Albatross
A few off shore. Only one taken
Family PROCELLARIIDAE Shearwaters and Fulmare
Fulmarus glacialis rodgersii -- Pacific Fulmar
From ten to twenty seen almost every winter.
Puffinus creatopus - Pink-footed Shearwater
Common off shore birds in migrations.
Puffinus griseus -- Sooty shearwater
Sometimes appear by thousands off shore.
Puffinis tenuirostris -- Slender-billed Shearwater
A few found on the beaches dead, as well as the two above species,
almost every year.
Puffinus opisthomelas -- Black-vented Shearwater
One dead only. This one found on beach.
Family HYDROBATIDAE Storm Petrels
Oceanodromo furcata plumbea -- Southern Fork-tailed Petrel
A dead one, picked up by W. B. Minturn of Fresno, was given to me.
It was found on the beach near Watsonville, Calif.
Order PELECANIFORMES Pelican-like Birds
Family PELECANIDAE Pelicans
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos -- White Pelican
Observed on the beaches near Watsonville by W. B. Minturn.
Pelecanus occidentalis californicus -- California Brown Pelican
Plentiful at all times except breeding season.
Family PHALACROCORACIDAE Cormorants
Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus -- Farallon Double-crested Cormorant
Winter visitor. A few may be seen about the mouth of the San Lorenzo
River at Santa Cruz.
Phalacrocorax penicillatus -- Brandt Cormorant
Very common. They roost in the eucalyptus trees out by the lighthouse.
Phalacrocorax pelagious resplendens--Baird Pelagic Cormorant
Very common on the high cliffs about one mile north of Davenport
where they breed.
Family FREGATIDAE Man-o'-war-birds
Fregata magnificens -- Man-o'-war-birds
About 1941 one of these beautiful birds stayed about the water for
number of days at Santa Cruz near the wharf.
a
Order CICONIIFORMES Stork-like birds
Family ARDEIDAE Herons and Bitterns
Ardea herodias hyperonca -- California Great Blue Heron
Resident. Quite common on the coastal district of Santa Cruz County.
They are of much value to the farmers for the amount of pocketgophers they catch.
Butorides virescens anthonyi -- Anthony Green Heron
Resident. Breeds. They are getting more plentiful as the years go by.
Casmerodius albus egretta -- American Common Egret
Under protection they are coming back very nicely. I am expecting soon
they will be coming back here to breed as they no doubt did many years
ago.
Leucophoyx thula brewsteri -- Western Snowy Egret
Rare, but seldom a winter passes but we see two or more.
Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli -- American Black-crowned Night Heron
Resident. Breeds.
Botaurus lentiginosus peeti -- Western American Bittern
Winter resident. Not plentiful.
Family THRESKIORNITHIDAE Ibises
Plegadis guarauna -- White-faced Glossy Ibis
Rare migrant. I have observed one.
Order ANSERIFORMES Goose-like Birds
Family ANATIDAE Ducks, Geese and Swans
Cygnus columbianus -- Whistling Swan
Rare. I mounted a specimen that Game Warden Walter Walch brought
to me many years ago. It was shot in Santa Cruz County. The
specimen is now in the Santa Cruz Museum.
Branta canadensis canadensis -- Honker Canada Goose
A number have been shot about here in the past few years.
A small flock stayed in the Santa Cruz city reservoir for some time.
Chen hyperborea hyperborea -- Lesser Snow Goose
Accidental visitor. I shot one after a terrific storm.
Branta canadensis minima -- Cackling Canada Goose
A specimen that had a band on its leg made its home with a lot of
Mallards and other kinds of ducks near the mouth of the San Lorenzo
River for a long time.
Branta bernicla nigricans -- Black Brant
This goose can be found along the coast. Many, I believe, are nonbreeding birds. They feed to a great extent on sea lettuce.
Dendrocygna bicolor helva -- Northern Fulvous Tree-Duck
One shot by Ralph Miller for whom I mounted the specimen.
It is now in the Santa Cruz Museum.
Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos -- Common Mallard
Very common. Breeds.
Anas cyanoptera -- Cinnamon Teal
Resident. Breeds in Neary's Lagoon in Santa Cruz
Anas discors -- Blue-winged Teal
The earliest duck to arrive from the north in the autumnal migration.
Found in restricted districts in lagoons between Santa Cruz and
Davenport.
Anas carolinensis -- Green-winged Teal
Not plentiful.
Anas acuta tzitzihoa -- American Pintail
I believe this is the commonest duck in Santa Cruz County.
Mareca americana -- Baldpate
I found one dead specimen and have seen a few others.
Spatula clypeata -- Shoveller
I think they are increasing in number slowly.
Aix sponsa -- Wood Duck
They are more or less found along the streams that find their source
in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and are likely on the increase.
Nyroca valisineria -- Canvas-back Duck
Rare. I saw a beautiful one, tho, on the San Lorenzo River last
spring 1946.
Nyroca americana -- Redhead Duck
A rare duck, but occasionally seen.
Nyroca affinis -- Lesser Scaup Duck
One of our commoner ducks. I think they are on the increase.
Glaucionetta clangula -- Common Golden-eye
Not very common, but I see a few every year.
Charitonetta albeola -- Buffle-head Duck
Getting common again.
Melanitta fusca deglandi -- American White-winged Scoter
Abundant. Large numbers get mixed up with oil and are found
dying on the beaches.
Melanitta perspicillata -- Surf Scoter
Abundant. Large numbers get mixed up with oil and are found
dying on the beaches.
Oidemia nigra americana -- American Black Scoter
I have found only one of these rare birds. It was a female and was
washed up under the Casino steps at the Santa Cruz Beach. I
managed to save the skin.
Erismatura jamaicensis rubida -- Northern Ruddy Duck
Common. They seem to be holding their own.
Lophodytes cucullatus -- Hooded Merganser
I saw a flock of these beautiful birds in the height of a terrific
wind and rainstorm at Corcoran's Lagoon about 1939.
Mergus serrator -- Red-breasted Merganser
Abundant.
Order FALCONIFORMES Hawk-like Birds
Family CATHARTIDAE New World Vultures
Cathartes aura teter -- Western Turkey Vulture
Common resident. Breeds. Great scavengers.
Gymnogyps californianus -- California Condor
In February 1896 I came to Santa Cruz to reside and bought a home;
now fifty years have passed. Ed Fiske reported that the last ones
he had seen was in September 1885. Reported in "Land Birds of
Santa Cruz County" by McGregor.
Family ACCIPITRIDAE Kites, Hawks and Eagles
Elanus leucurus majusculus -- North American White-tailed Kite
Frequently seen in the southern part of Santa Cruz County.
have failed to see any about the northern end.
I
Accipiter gentilis atricapillus-- American Goshawk
Only one seen; and that was seen about six years ago about sixteen
miles up the Empire Grade, elevation 2000 ft.
Accipiter cooperii -- Cooper Hawk
Common resident. Doubtless breed.
Accipiter striatus velox -- Northern Sharp-shinned Hawk
Very common resident. No doubt breeds. It makes life miserable
for all small birds.
Buteo jamaicensis calurus -- Western Red-tailed Hawk
Resident. Breeds. These majestic birds are holding their own quite
well, as they are ever watchful to guard against being shot.
Buteo lineatus elegans -- Red-bellied Red-shouldered Hawk
Very rare. My Boy Scout friend m. George shot a beautiful specimen
here about three years since.
Buteo swainsoni -- Swainson Hawk
I have not knowingly seen it, but it has been reported in Richard
C. McGregor's "Land birds of Santa Cruz County." 1901.
Buteo regalis -- Ferruginous Rough-legged Hawk
One shot in the neighborhood of Soquel and mounted by the late
H. F. Lorquin and now in the Soquel School Museum.
Aquila chrysaetos canadensis -- American Golden Eagle
Now very rare. Two got electrocuted on the Big Creek electric power
line wires about 40 years ago, one of which I mounted and is now in
the Santa Cruz High School Museum. I got the following story from
Prof. Hoover, brother of ex-President Hoover, at his ranch on
Waddell Creek, Santa Cruz Co. where the Grinnell Naturalists Club
were encamped Sept. 14, 1941 near where the Golden Eagles breed:
"The eagles bother my sheep herd. One day a house cat was going along
my pasture, the eagle swooped down, seized the cat in his talons and
flew it about a thousand feet in the air. We procured the rifle and
began shooting at the eagle which dropped the cat which fell in the
brush some distance away." They never went out to see if the cat
was killed by the fall or not, but the eagle kept on going.
Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus -- Southern Bald Eagle
Very rare. The late Capt. Merrell shot one which I mounted and is
now in the Santa Cruz Museum at Seabright. The specimen was shot
at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River.
Circus cyaneus -- Marsh Hawk
Winter resident.
Family PANDIONIDAE Ospreys
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis -- American Osprey
Rare winter visitant.
Family FALCONIDAE Falcons and Caracaras
Falco mexicanus -- Prairie Falcon
A stranger found a wounded bird by the roadside while passing
through Mission San Jose, and, hearing that I was interested in
birds, gave it to me. The distance by airline from Santa Cruz Co.
is 17 miles, and, as this species has been noted in Santa Cruz Co..
before, this species frequents here without doubt.
Falco peregrinus anatum -- American Duck Hawk
They are known to nest in two localities in Santa Cruz Co. --
on the Wilder ranch, a game preserve four miles up the coast from
Santa Cruz, and at San Vacinte Point near Davenport, Calif. Mr.
Delos Wilder and son shot one which was raising havoc with their
poultry. When Mrs. Wilder went out for a ponyback ride the hawk
darted within two or three feet of her face and struck one of their
dogs on its back. So, after shooting it, they brought it to me for
identification and gave it to me. It now rests with all my other
bird collections at the University of California in Berkeley.
Falco columbarius bendirei -- Western Pigeon Hawk
Rare. I shot one, but specimen was stolen.
Falco sparverius sparverius -- North American Sparrow Hawk
Resident. Breeds. They are one of the most useful of all our
birds--getting insects, mice, shrews, but very few birds.
Order GALLIFORMES Fowl-like Birds
Family TETRAONIDAE Grouse
Lophortyx californioa brunnescens -- Coast California Quail
Common. Large flocks in protected places. Breeds.
Family RALLIDAE Rails
Rallus longirostris obsoletus -- California Clapper Rail
Probably breeding in a few marshes. Rare.
Rallus limicola limicola -- Northern Virginia Rail
Common resident. Breeds.
Porzana carolina -- Sora Rail
Common resident. Doubtless breeds in a few places. Many are
killed annually by hitting the wires. Rats swarm in such large
numbers in Neary's Lagoon which has the largest tule patch in
Santa Cruz Co. that birds have little chance to nest and reproduce
in Santa Cruz.
Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus -- California Black Rail
I have never seen them alive. A few dead ones have been found in
the streets after hitting the telephone wires.
Coturnicops noveboracensis -- Yellow Rail
Found by Vrooman in Scott's Valley. That marsh has been drained.
He had a trained dog that assisted him in this work.
Fulica americana americana -- North American Coot
Abundant resident in winter. Breeds.
Order CHARADRIIFORMES Plover-like Birds
Family НА ЕМАТОРODIDAE Oyster-catchers
Haematopus bachmanii -- Black Oyster-catcher
H. F. Lorquin, taxidermist, informed me that he collected a number
a few years ago on the beaches east side of Waddell Creek. I have
no doubt but what they breed on New Years Islands only a short distance
away.
Family CHARADRIIDAE Plovers
Squatarola squatarola -- Black-bellied Plover
Common winter resident on the rocks & beaches in suitable places.
Charadrius semipalmatus -- Semipalmated Plover
Common. Spring and fall migrant.
Charadrius nivosus nivosus -- Western snowy plover
Resident in small flocks where there are sand dunes back of the
beaches and small vine & beach flowering plants growing over them.
Breeds.
Oxyechus vociferus vociferus -- Northern Killdeer
Common resident. Breeds.
Family SCOLOPACIDAE Snipe, Sandpipers, etc.
Numenius hudsonicus -- Hudsonian Curlew
They are on our beaches quite common all the year except when they
go north to breed. A few strawberry growers complain about their
trespassing in their gardens and devouring their berries. Strawberries grow in the north where they breed; that is likely where
they got the habit.
Numenius americanus -- Long-billed curlew
I usually see not more than one to three every year.
Limosa fedoa -- Marbled Godwit
Getting more common every year. Often seen in flocks of 30 or 40
on our beach front. Go north to breed.
Totanus flavipes -- Lesser Yellow-legs
Not at all common. Found about our lagoons. Two specimens taken.
Totanus melanoleucus -- Greater Yellow-legs
Common about our lagoons.
Actitis macularia -- Spotted Sandpiper
Common in suitable places about our lagoons and rocky coast line.
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus -- Western Willet
Abundant on our beaches. Seem to be increasing in numbers.
Heteroscelus incanus -- Wandering Tattler
Can be found in more or less numbers nearly all the year.
Aphriza virgata -- Surf-bird
I am not positive of ever having seen one. Vrooman once said that
Brendiger collected three and sold their skins for a dollar each
in early days.
Arenaria interpres morinalla -- American Ruddy Turnstone
Not common, but I collected a nice series.
Arenaria melanocephala -- Black Turnstone
Flocks of from 10 to 50 birds can be seen in suitable places along
the coast of Santa Cruz County. Very few go up into the lagoons.
Limnodromus griseus scolopaceus -- Long-billed Dowitcher
Common in Younger's Lagoon one mile north up the coast from
Swanton Beach Park. Less common in other lagoons.
Limnodromus griseus hendersoni -- Interior Dowitcher
I captured one in breeding plumage that did not make the annual
trip north to the arctic regions, so that will eliminate what
some authorities called the Eastern Dowitcher. Common in Younger's
Lagoon during migrations.
Capella delicata -- Wilson Snipe
-10-
Common in wet grass and tule-like places. I am inclined to think
that a few breed, at least I have been informed so about Neary's
Lagoon.
Crocethia alba -- Sanderling
Abundant in migrations in spring and fall. I have seen as many as
500 at once feeding on the offal washed up on the beach where the
city sewer empties.
Ereunetes mauri -- Western Sandpiper
An abundant migratory bird. More about the lagoons than beaches.
Erolia minutilla -- Least Sandpiper
A very common bird found mostly about the lagoons.
Erolia bairdii -- Baird Sandpiper
I have many records of this bird from Younger's Lagoon, but at not
many other places.
Erolia melanotos -- Pectoral Sandpiper
I expect I have seen about one hundred in Younger's Lagoon altogether.
Last Oct. 1945 I was leading a party of 26 people--the Audubon Society
of Santa Clara Co.--and to our surprise, a flock of not less than
50 of these supposed rare birds flew in.
Erolia alpina pacifica -- American Red-backed Sandpiper
Common spring and fall migrant.
Family RECURVIROSTRIDAE Avocets and Stilts
Recurvirostra americana -- American Avocet
Two or three seen about Younger's Lagoon every year.
Family PHALAROPODIDAE Phalaropes
Phalaropus fulicarius -- Red Phalarope
Present in spring and fall, sometimes in less or greater numbers.
Lobipes lobatus -- Northern Phalarope
These birds come in vast numbers. It's a wonderful sight when
hundreds of these birds are sailing around together on the water
and a hawk appears in the sky and dives at great speed into the midst
of them. They fly into the air instantly. The hawk pursues one
into the air at sometimes great heights, but I have never seen a
hawk catch one yet. This occurs at Younger's Lagoon and often
repeated.
Steganopus tricolor -- Wilson Phalarope
In 1945 I collected two of these birds at Younger's Lagoon and saw
one at Twin Lakes on Aug. 10, 1945. These are the first reported
records on the coast from San Francisco to Santa Barbara County.
Family STERCORARIIDAE Skuas and Jaegers
-11-
Stercorarius parasitious -- Parasitic Jaeger
One specimen taken two miles off shore from Santa Cruz.
Family LARIDAE Gulls and Terns
Larus heermanni -- Heermann Gull
Abundant. They breed off the islands of Lower California and in the
Gulf of California. The young birds are almost black. The adult is
white on top of the head, bills red, legs and feet quite black.
Larus delawarensis -- Ring-billed Gull
Winter visitant August to May. A few non-breeding birds at other times
of the year.
Larus canus brachyrhynchus -- Short-billed Mew Gull
Not very common at Santa Cruz. Winter visitant.
Larus argentatus smithsonianus -- American Herring Gull
Common. A large species with light mantle on back.
Larus californious -- California Gull
Very common. This is the gull that comes around the school grounds
to pick up the bread crumbs discarded by the children. Breeds
at Mono Lake, Calif. and Great Salt Lake, Utah.
Larus occidentalis occidentalis -- Northern Western Gull
Resident. A large gull, the adult birds having a very dark mantle
on back. Nearly all different species of gulls take three or four
years to get the adult light colored plumage--thus the confusion in
identifying young birds. Breeds on the Farallon Islands.
Larus glaucescens -- Glaucous-winged Gull
Common in winter. A few non-breeders remain all of the year. A
large gull with no black markings on wing--does not breed in California.
Larus hyperboreus -- Glaucous Gull
This, the very largest of all our gulls, is rare. I have collected
about five of these white gulls of the arctic which need further
study before they can be fully classified.
Larus philadelphia -- Bonaparte Gull
Many times abundant during migrations. A few may be found any
time of the year. Pigeon size, breeds in the far north.
Rissa tridactyla pollicaris -- Pacific Black-legged Kittiwake
Rare winter visitant. Breeds in the far north. Since 1944 I've
found about five.
Xema sabini -- Sabine Gull
I saw one that was sick from contact with oil at Swanton Beach Park
in the late summer of 1944. I tried to pick it up, but it took wing
and flew far out to sea.
Hydroprogne caspia caspia -- Holarctic Caspian Tern
On Aug. 10, 1946 in company with the son of Mr. D. E. Danby of this
city, we made a trip to Twin Lakes to observe birds on the mud flat.
Near the sewer pumping plant were a large number of California Gulls,
Heermann and Ring-billed Gulls and three Holarctic Caspian Terns--
two adult and one juvenile--the largest species of tern found on
this coast. In getting all my bird books together I easily identified,
by the very slight indentation in the fork of their tail feathers,
their large red bills, their loud voices, and other markings, the
first ones I had seen alive in many years.
Sterna hirundo hirundo -- Linnaean Common Tern
Found at the same place, the same day of the year in 1945 and in 1946.
Sterna forsteri -- Forster Tern
One dead one picked up on the beach. A very few others likely seen.
Sterna albifrons browni -- California Least Tern
I understand that they have been found nesting on the beach not
over half a mile from the Pajaro River, the Santa Cruz-Monterey
County line.
Family ALCIDAE Auks, Murres, etc.
Uris aalge californica -- California Common Murre
Very common except at breeding season. I find as many as fifty
dead ones on the beaches every year.
Cepphus columba columba -- American Pigeon Guillemot
Very common along the shore line. Breeds in the cliffs and has
been found nesting among the fish boxes and on timbers under the
Santa Cruz City Wharf.
Brachyramphus marmoratus marmoratus -- American Marbled Murrelet
Common some winters. I find many dead on the beach, oil soaked.
Endomychura hypoleuca scrippsi -- Northern Xantus Murrelet
One oil soaked one found on the beach, but after being cleaned
made a fair specimen.
Synthliboramphus antiquus -- Ancient Murrelet
Commonly found on the beaches in winter. They are also victims of oil.
Ptychoramphus aleuticus aleuticus -- Northern Cassin Auklet
Never a winter but what I find more or less dead ones on the beaches
from the effects of oil.
Cerorhinca monocerata -- Rhinoceros Auklet
I find about half dozen dead from oil poisoning each year.
Fratercula corniculata -- Horned Puffin
Dried remains of one specimen now the only one ever reported from
Santa Cruz County is in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology.
Order COLUMBIFORMES Pigeon-like Birds
Family COLUMBIDAE Pigeons and Doves
-13-
Columba fasciata Lonilis -- Pacific Band-tailed Pigeon
Increasing very fast. I saw a flock of a few hundred being pursued
by a band of hunters in te open season on the Cowell properties in
the Graham Hill district in 1945.
Zenaidura macroura marginella -- Western Mourning Dove
Moderately common. Breeds.
Zenaida asiatica mearnsi -- Western White-winged Dove
One was seen a number of times 5 miles west of Watsonville July 18,
1939 by Bond. (Report from Condor) They think it was an escaped
cage bird.
Order CUCULIFORMES Cuckoo-like Birds
Family CUCULIDAE Cuckoos, Road-runners, etc.
Coccyzus americanus occidentalis -- Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo
The late Mr. Oliver Silliman reported to me that at one time many
years ago he found a pair of these rare birds nesting in a tree
bending over the Pajaro River which forms the boundary between
Monterey and Santa Cruz County. As this stream at low water is
only a few yards wide, I think the bird doubtless crossed many times.
Geococcyx californianus -- California Road-runner
Rare resident. Breeds. I have not seen or heard one for about
two years.
Order STRIGIFORMES Owls
Family TYTONIDAE Barn Owls
Tyto alba pratincola -- North American Barn Owl
Resident. Breeds. Not very plentiful. If the people could only
understand the value of these fine birds in their destroying
pocket-gophers they would surely not kill them.
Family STRIGIDAE Horned Owls, etc.
Otus asio bendirei -- Coast Screech Owl
Common. Breeds. These lovely little owls live in and about town,
come on my house, light on the fence, and on a little tree a few
feet from my bedroom window, and give me much pleasant entertainment.
Bubo virginianus pacificus -- Pacific Horned Owl
Common. Breeds. This powerful bird's favorite food seems to be
skunk. The odor is nearly always on their feathers.
Nyctea scandiaca -- Snowy Owl
Reported that one was taken at Wood's Lagoon about 1896-7 from
report in new distribution list of California Dec. 30, 1944.
Glaucidium gnoma californicum -- California Pigmy Owl
It is likely more common than is generally believed by most people.
The first one reported was by W. A. Cooper in 1879. It had a nest
in one of those old Lombardi poplars out by Kron's Tannery--the
trees have only recently been cut down. I received a fine one from
the old Sillerin ranch on Bear Creek eight miles above Boulder
Creek recently.
Speotyto cunicularia hypugaea -- Western Burrowing Owl
Formerly common. Now rare due to poisoning of ground squirrels.
Asio wilsonianus -- American Long-eared Owl
The late Albert G. Vrooman located a colony of these birds where he
procured 5 sets of eggs. The nests were built on top of wood-rat's
nests. The location was about 10 miles up the coast from Santa Cruz
toward Davenport, then go up the Bonny Doon road about 1 1/2 miles,
then turn left, go over a very steep ridge down into a very steep
canyon and up on top the other side and you are there. The country
was so full of bush poison oak and rattlesnakes that I never had the
nerve to undertake the trip.
Asio flammeus flammeus -- Northern Short-eared Owl
Not very common. I have seen a few. My Boy Scout friend William
George shot a fine one.
Cryptoglaux acadica acadica -- Nearctic Saw-whet Owl
Two records from Mt. Hermon, and I picked up a dead one on the
Scott's Valley road three miles out from Santa Cruz.
Order CAPRIMULGIFORMES Goatsucker-like Birds
Family CAPRIMULGIDAE Goatsuckers
Chordeiles minor hesperis -- Pacific Booming Nighthawk
Reported in Mc Gregor's list of Santa Cruz land birds in 1901.
I have not seen any in over 50 years residence here.
Phalaenoptilus nuttallii californicus -- Dusky Poor-will
Rather plentiful in the mountains.
Order MICROPODIFORMES Swifts and Hummingbirds
Family MICROPODIDAE Swifts
Chaetura vauxi vauxi -- Northern Vaux Swift
Sometimes plenty in migrations, a few likely breed in Santa Cruz Co.
Nephoecetes niger borealis -- Northern Black Swift
I have collected one bird, nest and egg. They are not common.
Mr. Vrooman who was the first one to discover the swift's egg which
proved new to science, told me that he collected about 50 in all
his lifetime.
Aeronautes saxatalis saxatalis -- Western White-throated Swift
Common in a few suitable places. Breeds. Found near Eagle Rock.
Family TROCHILIDAE Hummingbirds
Calypte anna -- Anna Hummingbird
Common resident. Breeds. In very cold winter weather they are
reported found dead in many cases.
Selasphorus rufus -- Rufous Hummingbird
Vrooman reported to me that he collected one in his garden.
Selasphorus sasin sasin -- Migratory Allen Hummingbird
Abundant. Breeds.
Order CORACIIFORMES Roller-like Birds
Family ALCEDINIDAE Kingfishers
Megaceryle alcyon caurina -- Western Belted Kingfisher
Common in suitable places. Resident. Breeds.
Order PICIFORMES Woodpecker-like Birds
Family PICIDAE Woodpeckers
Colaptes auratus borealis -- Boreal Yellow-shafted Flicker
Not typical. Only one taken.
Colaptes cafer collaris -- Monterey Red-shafted Flicker
Common resident. A great ant consumer. Breeds.
Balanosphyra formicivora bairdi -- California Acorn Woodpecker
Common where there is suitable food. Breeds.
Asyndesmus lewis -- Lewis Woodpecker
Winter visitor occasionally in more or less places where there is
suitable food. Found near Twin Lakes.
Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis -- Red-naped Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
One collected by Paul Covelle in Scott's Valley Dec. 11, 1934.
Sphyrapicus varius daggetti -- Sierra Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
I collected 9 mostly in the locality where sub-species nuchalis
was collected.
Sphyrapicus thyroideus thyroideus -- Pacific Williamson Sapsucker
Vrooman collected one in the Graham Hill district and told me he
saw another in his yard in Santa Cruz.
Dryobates villosus hyloscopus -- Cabanis Hairy Woodpecker
Rather common. Breeds.
Dryobates pubescens turati -- Willow Downy Woodpecker
Common almost everywhere where there are bushes and trees. Breeds.
Dryobates albolarvatus -- White-headed Woodpecker
Mr. & Mrs. Boreland of Mount Hermon have seen and have reported to
me of seeing a woodpecker with a white head. This is in the
yellow pine belt; naturally we do not know whether it was the
northern or southern form of the white-headed woodpecker.
OrderPASSERIFORMES Perching Birds
Family TYRANNIDAE Tyrant Flycatchers
Tyrannus verticalis -- Western Kingbird
I saw and collected one near Swanton Beach Park after a terrific
wind storm. They were said to have been common in Santa Cruz
before I came here.
Tyrannus vociferans vociferans -- Northern Cassin Kingbird
Were found by Dr. Cooper in Santa Cruz in about 1870.
Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens -- Northern Ash-throated Flycatcher
Common in Santa Cruz Mountains. Breeds. I saw one in my garden
in Santa Cruz in August 1946 for the first time.
Sayornis nigricans seriatra -- California Black Phoebe
Common almost everywhere. Breeds. One of our most beneficial
birds in destroying insects.
Sayornis saya saya -- Rocky Mountain Say Phoebe
Not uncommon winter visitant.
Empidonax difficilis difficilis -- Northern Western Flycatcher
Common summer resident. Breeds.
Myiochanes richardsonii richardsonii -- Western Wood Pewee
Not very common. Summer resident.
Nuttallornis borealis -- Olive-sided Flycatcher
Seems to be not so common as it used to be. I have not seen or
heard a single one in the city of Santa Cruz this year 1946.
Family ALAUDIDAE Larks
Otocoris alpestris lamprochroma -- Warner Horned Lark
Rare. I have taken two specimens.
Otocoris alpestris strigata -- Streaked horned lark
At least one specimen taken this season. This is new to Santa Cruz
County and also the third record for the State of California.
Family HIRUNDINIDAE Swallows
Tachycineta thalassina lepida -- Northern Violet-green Swallow
Common summer resident. Breeds.
Iridoprocne bicolor -- Tree Swallow
Vrooman found a pair nesting in an orchard. I have never located
any to date. Mr. Tildin found a nest at Twin Lakes also.
Riparia riparia riparia -- Common Bank Swallow
Abundant.
Stelgidopteryx ruficollis serripennis -- Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Common summer resident.
Hirundo rustica erythrogaster -- American Barn Swallow
Common resident. Breeds.
Petrochelidon albifrons albifrons -- Common Cliff Swallow
Common summer resident. Breeds.
Progne subis subis -- Northern Purple Martin
Common in the high redwood forests where the trees are dead topped
and full of woodpecker holes. I have seen 20 or more birds nesting
in one tree. In mid-day they fly down to ocean beaches and get
coarse sand to aid in digestion. I shot one this season and examined
its gizzard. It contained nothing but very large tree ants. He
was just about to land among other birds that were scooping up
the sand.
Family CORVIDAE Jays, Magpies and Crows
Cyanocitta stelleri carbonacea -- Coast Stełler Jay
This crested beautiful jay lives mostly in the dark forests.
Aphelocoma californica californica -- Southern California Jay
This crestless jay which is abundant and breeds is noted for its
destruction of other birds eggs and young. There is no state
law against shooting them.
Pica nuttallii -- Yellow-billed Magpie
In 50 years residence I have seen not more than two or three.
Dr. Anderson, early naturalist in Santa Cruz, found them common
about 1870.
Corvus corax sinuatus -- American Holarctic Raven
Emerson and Skirm, early ornithologists in Santa Cruz, said it
was rare. I have never heard of any being seen since. They are
still found in Monterey County.
Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis -- Western American Crow
Rare. I have only seen about half a dozen. They like to stay
about the cattle ranches where they usually get shot.
Nucifraga columbiana -- Clark Nutcracker
In November 1895 there was a large number of these noisy birds in the
yellow pine belt near Mt. Hermon. I have never heard of any having
been seen since. It's only an occasional visitant.
Family PARIDAE Tits
Parus rufescens barlowi -- Santa Cruz Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Very common. Resident. Breeds.
Parus inornatus inornatus -- California Plain Titmouse
Common. Breeds. One of our most attractive musical birds.
Psaltriparus minimus minimus -- Coast Bush-tit
Abundant. This is one of the smallest of all our birds. Flies in
large flocks and destroys countless amount of small insects such
as inhabit fruit trees.
Family SITTIDAE Nuthatches
Sitta carolinensis aculeata -- Slender-billed White-breasted Nuthatch
I have found it exceedingly rare where I have done most of my
collecting. I have no doubt but it is much more common higher
where white oaks grow.
Sitta canadensis -- Red-breasted Nuthatch
Rare. Irregular visitor.
Sitta pygmaea pygmaea -- Monterey Pigmy Nuthatch
Abundant in the yellow pine district. Breeds.
Family CERTHIIDAE Creepers
Certhia familiaris occidentalis -- Tawny Brown Creeper
Common. Breeds.
Family CHAMAEIDAE Wren-tits
Chamaea fasciata intermedia -- Intermediate Wren-tit
Common. Breeds.
Family TROGLODYTIDAE Wrens
Troglodytes troglodytes pacificus -- Western Winter Wren
Resident. Common in the deep, dark, heavy lumbered canyons in
the Santa Cruz Mountains. Breeds.
Thryomanes bewickii spilurus -- Vigors Bewick Wren
Common. Breeds. Generally distributed.
Telmatodytes palustris plesius -- Western Long-billed Marsh Wren
I collected one in Scott's Valley.
Telmatodytes palustris aestuarinus -- Suisun Long-billed Marsh Wren
Very common in almost all the low, wet, swampy places in the low
lands. Breeds.
Catherpes mexicanus conspersus -- Dotted Canyon Wren
Noted by Mc Gregor and a number of naturalists. I have never
attempted to collect a specimen, they are so rare. I collected one
in San Luis Obispo Co. for comparison.
Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus -- Northern Rock Wren
Noted by Emerson and Keeding about 1900 and by Mr. Borland on
the ocean cliffs near Aptos about 1941 -- one pair.
Family MIMIDAE Mockingbirds and Thrashers
Mimus polyglottos leucopterus -- Western Mockingbird
Very common in Santa Cruz. Breeds. It's extending its range in the
coastal district clear down to the Monterey County line. I do not
think it will ever inhabit the higher mountains back from the coast.
They first appeared here about 25 years ago.
Toxostoma revivum sonomae -- Northern California Thrasher
This is one of our best song birds. Breeds. They inhabit the
thickets and have a long curved bill.
Family TURDIDAE Thrushes
Turdos migratorius propinquus -- Western Robin
Now resident. In migrations last winter 1945-6 they were in the
truck gardens up the coast by thousands. Breeds.
Ixoreus naevius meruloides -- Northern Varied Thrush
Some winters common, other winters abundant. My opinion is that
that depends mostly on the amount of food.
Hylocichla guttata guttata -- Alaska Hermit Thrush
Not very plentiful. Winter visitor.
Hylocichla guttata nanus -- Dwarf Hermit Thrush
Abundant winter resident. Generally distributed.
Hylocichla guttata slevini -- Monterey Hermit Thrush
Rather common in a few spots. Most noticeable near Mt. Hermon.
Summer resident. Breeds.
Hylocichla ustulata ustulata -- Russet-backed Swainson Thrush
Common summer resident. Breeds. One of our best song birds.
Sialia mexicana occidentalis -- Western Mexican Bluebird
These beautiful birds are resident, but not nearly as common as
formerly, on account, principally of their being driven from their
homes by the introduction of the much despised English Sparrows.
Sialia currucoides -- Mountain Bluebird
Very rare. Emerson reported seeing one on Bear Creek Canyon grade
about 1901.
Myadestes townsendi townsendi -- Northern Townsend Solitaire
Mr. Hawbecker collected one near Watsonville, and I am very sure of
seeing one in Santa Cruz.
Family SYLVIIDAE Old-World Warblers, Gnatcatchers, Kinglets
Polioptila caerulea amoenissima -- Western Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
Rare. Winter resident.
Regulus satrapa olivaceus -- Western Golden-crowned Kinglet
Emerson saw one October 1884 at the summit above Soquel Creek, and
there have been other reports, but it must be exceedingly rare on
the coast where I do most of my collecting.
Regulus calendula grinnelli -- Sitka Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Abundant winter resident.
Family MOTACILLIDAE Wagtails
Anthus spinoletta alticola -- Rocky Mountain Water Pipit
Abundant winter resident.
Family BOMBYCILLIDAE Waxwings
Bombycilla cedrorum -- Cedar waxwing
Common winter resident. A little less common than used to be.
Family LANIIDAE Shrikes
Lanius ludovicianus gambeli -- California Loggerhead Shrike
Rather common resident.
Family VIREONIDAE Vireos
Vireo huttoni huttoni -- California Hutton Vireo
Common in the Mt. Hermon district. Another one of our fine song
birds.
Vireo solitarius cassinii -- Cassin Solitary Vireo
I shot one in De Laveaga Park June 19, 1938. It was evidently a
breeding bird. I could not find its nest. It was the only one
I have seen in the county.
Vireo gilvus swainsonii -- Western Warbling Vireo
Abundant summer resident. Lovely singer.
Family COMPSOTHLYPIDAE Wood Warblers
-21-
Vermivora celata lutescens -- Lutescent Orange-crowned Warbler
Rather common. Breeds.
Dendroica aestiva brewsteri -- California Yellow Warbler
Rare, so far as I have observed.
Dendroica coronata hooveri -- Alaska Myrtle Warbler
Two taken only.
Dendroica nigrescens -- Black-throated Gray Warbler
Rather common in a few places. Breeds.
Dendroica townsendi -- Townsend Warbler
Regular winter resident--sometimes in places quite common, such as
De Laveaga Park.
Seirus noveboracensis -- Northern Water-thrush
One taken by Lyman Belding Sept. 1885.
Oporornis tolmiei -- Tolmie Warbler
I took one at Laguna. They are said to be above Boulder Creek in
one canyon quite numerous in winter.
Geothlypis trichas occidentalis -- Western Yellow-throat
I collected one at Neary's Lagoon in Santa Cruz.
Geothlypis trichas sinuosa -- San Francisco Yellow-throat
Abundant in tule marshes.
Geothlypis trichas scirpicola -- Tule Yellow-throat
Abundant in Neary's Lagoon and other suitable
Icteria virens auricollis -- Long-tailed Chat
Rare. Breeds.
Wilsonia pusilla chryseola -- Golden Pileolated Warbler
Abundant. Summer resident. Breeds.
Family ICTERIDAE American Orioles and Blackbirds
Sturnella neglecta -- Western Meadowlark
Abundant resident. Breeds.
Agelaius phoeniceus mailliardorum -- San Francisco Red-winged Blackbird
Abundant resident about most of the marshes. Breeds.
Agelaius tricolor--- Tricolored Blackbird
Emerson reported it as common about the swamp holes at the mouth
the San Lorenzo River in Mc Gregor's list of the birds of Santa
Cruz in 1901. On April 30, 1932 at a point 5 miles west of
Watsonville, Piper informs of a colony of about 1000 nesting
(From Condor, March & April 1927, p. 75.)
Icterus cucullatus californicus -- California Hooded Oriole
Distribution from Southern California to N.W. Baha California, this
oriole was formerly called the Arizona Oriole. It came here after the
planting of the Washington palms, the fiber of whose leaves is used
for nest building material.
Icterus bullockii parvus -- Ridgway's Oriole
Distribution from San Francisco to Lower California, in migration
to Southern Arizona and Southern Sonora. This was formerly called
Bullock's Oriole. It's not nearly as common as in former days.
Euphagus cyanocephalus -- Brewer Blackbird
Abundant resident. Breeds. These birds have no red patches on
their wing shoulders.
Family THRAUPIDAE Tanagers
Piranga ludoviciana -- Western Tanager
Locally common in the Santa Cruz Mountains in spots. Sometimes
seen in Santa Cruz in migrations.
Family FRINGILLIDAE
Hedymeles melanocephalus maculatus -- Pacific Black-headed Grosbeak
Common summer resident. Breeds. Also one of our fine song birds.
Guiraca caerulea salicarius -- California Blue Grosbeak
One record. Noted by Cooper in early days on the San Lorenzo River.
Passerina amoena -- Lazuli Bunting
Locally common summer resident. Breeds. I have found them most
common up near Eagle Rock.
Hesperiphona vespetina brooksi -- Western Evening Grosbeak
In my 50 years residence in Santa Cruz I have seen two flocks.
They feed on the seeds of the large maple and usually arrive in
November. The best place to look for them is near the Water St.
bridge in Santa Cruz.
Carpodacus purpureus californicus -- California Purple Finch
Common resident in springtime when the fruit trees are in full
bloom. When you see the blossoms on the ground like snow, you will
see these beautiful birds taking their rations.
Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis -- Common House Finch
Abundant resident. Sings very fine, but a great pest to the fruit
grower. They are often called Linnets.
Spinus pinus pinus -- Northern Pine Siskin
Abundant resident. No doubt breeds.
Spinus tristis salicamans -- Willow American Goldfinch
Abundant. Breeds.
Spinus psaltria hesperophilus -- Green-backed Arkansas Goldfinch
Abundant resident. Breeds.
Spinus lawrencei -- Lawrence Goldfinch
I have never seen one knowingly in Santa Cruz County. They were
reported by Mc Gregor & Fiske common about Santa Cruz before 1901.
It does not appear possible to me that the above is correct, there
are so many great seasonal changes in the goldfinches. I know
Lawrence Goldfinch very well. Paul F. Covelle of the Oakland
Museum saw one at Mt. Hermon several years ago.
Loxia curvirostra sitkensis -- Sitka Red Crossbill
Only one record on Feb. 19, 1899. Vrooman took one specimen at
Seabright. Specimen now in Museum of Vertebrate Zoology.
Loxia curvirostra benti -- Rocky Mountain Red Crossbill
Only one record. George B. Badger took 2 specimens on Dec. 27, 1891
at Glenwood, California. Specimen now in Museum of Vertebrate
Zoology.
Oberholseria chlorura -- Green-tailed Towhee
William George, my Boy Scout friend shot a very beautiful specimen
in the yellow pine district near Santa Cruz.
Pipilo maculatus falcifer -- San Francisco Spotted Towhee
Common. Breeds.
Pipilo fuscus petulans -- San Francisco Brown Towhee
Very common. Breeds.
Passerculus sandwichensis bryanti -- Bryant Savannah Sparrow
Common in wet places all along the coast.
Passerculus sandwichensis rostratus -- Large-billed Savannah Sparrow
One specimen taken. See Grinnell's "Distribution of the birds of
Californi" p. 488 for details.
Pooecetes gramineus affinis -- Oregon Vesper Sparrow
The late Mrs. Amelia Allen observed a small flock out by Swanton
Beach Park in Santa Cruz, so she informed me.
Chondestes grammacus strigatus -- Western Lark Sparrow
Not common on the coast, more common on the meadow a little farther
in the interior. Summer resident. Breeds.
Amphispiza belli belli -- California Bell Sparrow
Vrooman in his years of collecting only found one place near
Glenwood where he could find any of these birds.
Junco oreganus thurberi -- Sierra Nevada Oregon Junco
Not common. Winter visitant.
Junco oreganus pinosus -- Point Pinos Oregon Junco
Abundant. Breeds. Resident.
Spizella passerina arizonae -- Western Chipping Sparrow
Common locally. Breeds.
Zonotrichia querula -- Harris Sparrow
Vrooman collected 1 specimen of this very rare bird near Davenport.
No doubt a straggler.
Zonotrichia leucophrys pugetensis -- Puget Sound White-crowned Sparrow
Common winter visitant.
Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli -- Nuttall White-crowned Sparrow
Abundant resident. Breed along the coast above Santa Cruz.
Zonotrichia coronata -- Golden-crowned Sparrow
Abundant winter resident.
Zonotrichia albicollis -- White-throated Sparrow
Very rare winter visitant. I have collected only one in Santa Cruz.
Passerella iliaca altivagans -- Alberta Fox Sparrow
I found a dead one under a high power line at Mt. Hermon. This
is the first record for Santa Cruz County.
Passerella iliaca unalaschcensis -- Shumagin Fox Sparrow
Common winter resident.
Passerella iliaca sinuosa -- Valdez Fox Sparrow
Common winter resident.
Passerella iliaca meruloides -- Yakutat Fox Sparrow
Common winter resident.
Passerella iliaca fuliginosa -- Sooty Fox Sparrow
Common in wet, dark places. Winter resident.
Melospiza lincolnii lincolnii -- Northern Lincoln Sparrow
Common the winter of 1945-6. Mixed up with many other species of
sparrows.
Melospiza lincolnii gracilis -- Northwestern Lincoln Sparrow
Found at Montecito Springs, Santa Cruz.
Melospiza melodia fisherella -- Modoc Song Sparrow
I succeeded in securing the first record for Santa Cruz, as far as
I can ascertain, during the winter of 1946.
Melospiza melodia morphna -- Rusty Song Sparrow
I secured a specimen this winter, the first record that I know of
in Santa Cruz County, 1946. Many specimens of the different kinds
of sparrows that I have sent to the University of California this
year 1946 are not yet fully classified.
Melospiza melodia santaecrucis -- Santa Cruz Song Sparrow
Abundant resident. Breeds. A very fine song sparrow. They often
follow me about the garden when I am hoeing weeds. They pick up
the insects and worms.
*** INTRODUCED SPECIES ***
Phasianus colchicus torquatus -- Ring-necked Pheasant
Increasing in numbers and well established in the coastal areas
of Santa Cruz County.