Large speckled brown and white raptor looking into camera.
There are over 30 bird of prey species (raptors) in California. This group of birds consists of eagles, falcons, hawks, harriers, kites, owls, and vultures. Raptors are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, in addition to other federal and state laws and regulations.
Most raptors are predators that hunt live prey, such as rodents, rabbits, other birds, or fish. They provide significant ecosystem benefits including helping control rodent populations. Raptors may cause concerns due to property damage when hunting or nesting or as a health hazard due to sick or dead birds (disease outbreak). Some raptors may be seen along roads looking for roadkill and may be at risk of injury due to vehicles.
Vultures, the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) and the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), are scavengers that primarily consume dead animals rather than hunt live prey like other raptors. They lack talons and rely on their excellent sense of smell and eyesight to find food. Vultures provide significant ecosystem benefits by removing dead and diseased animals from the landscape. They are highly social, curious, and form strong bonds. Vultures may cause concerns due to property damage when gathering in communal perching areas (large roosts).
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California is home to the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and common raven (Corvus corax), commonly referred to as corvids. They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and can be found in diverse habitats statewide. Ravens are much larger than crows and may travel in pairs, while crows are smaller and flock in large groups (known as a “murder”).
Crows and ravens are scavengers and can eat almost anything including seeds, dead or injured animals, and other birds. They provide many ecosystem benefits in this role. When gathering in large groups, crows may cause concern due to property damage or as a health hazard. Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus (WNV) to crows. Crows cannot transmit WNV to humans.
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Waterbirds
California provides important habitat each year for millions of migratory birds to feed, shelter, and nest along the Pacific Flyway (migration path). They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and other federal and state laws. Certain species are specially adapted to live in habitat on the coast and inland near lakes and rivers ("waterbirds").
California’s most common waterbirds include the Canada goose (Branta canadensis), Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos), California gull (Larus californicus) and Western gull (L. occidentalis), and the American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and California brown pelican (P. occidentalis).
Waterbirds provide many ecosystem benefits, such as nutrient and seed dispersers, and are an important part of the natural food chain.
Potential conflict may occur due to property damage, human health or safety concerns, water quality (i.e., large resident flocks), and animal welfare (e.g., fishing line injuries, entanglement) issues. Some species of waterbird have adapted to living in human-modified areas as migratory or year-round.
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Wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are a non-native game bird that were introduced to California in 1877. There are five subspecies of wild turkey distributed throughout the state. Male turkeys, or “gobblers", have a "beard" of modified feathers on their neck and sharp spurs on their legs for fighting other males - both of which are used to impress female turkeys, or “hens”.
Wild Turkeys eat leaves, grasses, fruits, berries, and seeds, in addition to insects. Turkeys may cause concern due to crop damage and other property damage. Do not feed wild turkeys or other wildlife. Pick ripe fruit off trees, and promptly collect any fruit that falls. During the mating season, male turkeys can become territorial or aggressive.
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There are 17 woodpecker species found in California, including the acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), the glided northern flicker (Colaptes auratus chrysoide), and gila woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis). Woodpeckers are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Two species are listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act.
Woodpeckers provide many ecosystem benefits that include controlling insect populations, dispersing seeds, and creating shelter for other species. A woodpecker diet is diverse and may include insects, acorns, nuts, seeds, berries, and sap. Woodpeckers may cause concern due to property damage or noise disturbance as they build nests, search for food, or use surfaces to “drum” (social display).
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