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Lore › Birds by region › California
Birds of California
Lore covers 708 bird species that have been recorded in California, and 385 of them are regular birds you can reasonably expect to see. You learn them from real photos taken by birders, one question at a time: pick the right name, earn points and keep a daily streak. It is free and it works in your browser, no app needed.
The most common birds in California
These are the birds you will meet first. Lore starts every guide with the common species, so you learn what you actually see in the field.
- Red-tailed HawkResident
Buteo jamaicensis - MallardResident
Anas platyrhynchos - House FinchResident
Haemorhous mexicanus - Anna's HummingbirdResident
Calypte anna - Black PhoebeResident
Sayornis nigricans - White-crowned SparrowResident
Zonotrichia leucophrys - Great Blue HeronResident
Ardea herodias - Western GullResident
Larus occidentalis - California Scrub-JayResident
Aphelocoma californica - Snowy EgretResident
Egretta thula - Great EgretResident
Ardea alba - California TowheeResident
Melozone crissalis - Dark-eyed JuncoResident
Junco hyemalis - Western BluebirdResident
Sialia mexicana - Lesser GoldfinchResident
Spinus psaltria - Yellow-rumped WarblerWinter visitor
Setophaga coronata - Canada GooseResident
Branta canadensis - Mourning DoveResident
Zenaida macroura - Turkey VultureResident
Cathartes aura - Black-crowned Night HeronResident
Nycticorax nycticorax - Brown PelicanResident
Pelecanus occidentalis - Acorn WoodpeckerResident
Melanerpes formicivorus - Red-shouldered HawkResident
Buteo lineatus - American CootResident
Fulica americana - Song SparrowResident
Melospiza melodia - Double-crested CormorantResident
Nannopterum auritum - American CrowResident
Corvus brachyrhynchos - Common RavenResident
Corvus corax - Northern MockingbirdResident
Mimus polyglottos - Cooper's HawkResident
Astur cooperii - Wild TurkeyResident
Meleagris gallopavo - American RobinResident
Turdus migratorius - California QuailResident
Callipepla californica - House SparrowResident
Passer domesticus - BushtitResident
Psaltriparus minimus - Great Horned OwlResident
Bubo virginianus
Birds in California through the year
Of the 385 regular birds in California, Lore counts 247 resident species that stay all year, 59 summer visitors, 56 winter visitors and 11 passage migrants. The rest are partly migratory or irregular.
Most species are present in April (341 regular birds) and the fewest in January (313). Lore's guides follow the seasons, so you can learn the birds that are around this month, or the ones that arrive next month.
Regular birds present per month.
Which bird families are most common in California?
The families with the most regular species in California are Ducks, Geese, and Swans (37), Sandpipers and Allies (26), New World Sparrows (25), Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers (23) and New World Warblers (19).
How Lore teaches you the birds
- Real photos. Every picture was taken by a birder and credited in the game.
- Guides for your region. Common birds, year-round birds, summer and winter visitors, birds by family, and more.
- A daily mystery bird. Clues first, the photo last.
- Challenges. Play the same birds as your friends in a group, or join the open Ultimate Birders' Challenge.
More birds in North America
Frequently asked questions
How many birds can I learn in California? Lore has 708 species for California, of which 385 are regular. The most common are the Red-tailed Hawk, Mallard and House Finch.
Is Lore free? Yes. Lore is free, has no ads and is made as a hobby. You do not need an account to start.
Where do the photos and data come from? Photos come from iNaturalist and Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licences, and rarity and names come from eBird. See the photo credits.
Lore is free and made as a hobby. Photos: iNaturalist observers and Wikimedia Commons (CC licences). Names and rarity data: eBird. Photo credits · All regions · Follow Lore on Instagram.