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Birds of Baja California
 Yellow-footed Gull (Larus livens)A medium-sized gull native to Baja California, it has a distinct yellowish hue on its legs and feet. This species is primarily found along the coast and is known to feed on fish, crabs, and other marine creatures |  Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)A common migratory bird, the Yellow Warbler visits Baja California during its seasonal migration. This small, bright yellow songbird is often spotted in riparian areas where it feeds on insects. |
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 White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)The White-winged Dove is a medium-sized dove found across Baja California, recognizable by the white edges on its wings and its soft cooing call. It thrives in desert and urban areas, often seen perched on telephone wires. |  Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri)Migrating along the Pacific Coast, the Western Sandpiper visits Baja California’s shorelines in the winter months. It is a small shorebird, known for its delicate, pale gray and white plumage and rapid foraging behavior. |
 Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)A long-distance migrant, the Whimbrel is commonly found along the Baja California coast during its migration. With its long, curved bill, it is often seen probing mudflats for food. |  Sinaloa Wren (Cantorchilus sinaloae)Native to Baja California, this wren inhabits dense scrubland, particularly near water sources. It is a small, inconspicuous bird, noted for its lively and rapid movements. |
 Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicanaFound throughout Baja California, the Western Bluebird is a small, colorful songbird that prefers open woodlands and grasslands. The male has striking bright blue plumage, while the female is more muted in color. |  Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensisDuring the winter months, the Sandhill Crane migrates to Baja California, particularly the agricultural valleys and wetlands. These tall, long-legged birds are known for their dramatic, trumpet-like calls. |
 Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)A common migratory hummingbird species in Baja California, the Rufous Hummingbird travels from the Pacific Northwest to the region for the winter. It is easily identified by its bright orange plumage and energetic flight patterns. |  Pintail Whydah (Vidua macroura)A migratory species that occasionally reaches Baja California, the Pintail Whydah is known for its long, iridescent tail feathers. It is a finch-like bird that prefers open savannas and grasslands, often in mixed-species flocks. |
 Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)The Peregrine Falcon, known for its incredible speed, migrates through Baja California on its way to wintering grounds in Central and South America. This raptor is renowned for its hunting prowess, especially its high-speed dive to catch prey. |  Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor)This predatory songbird, often referred to as the butcherbird, is known for its aggressive hunting style and sharp beak. It is found in Baja California, particularly in open fields and scrubby habitats, where it preys on small birds and mammals. |
 Northern Pintail (Anas acutaThe Northern Pintail migrates to Baja California’s wetlands during the winter months, known for its graceful neck and long, pointed tail feathers. It is commonly found in shallow coastal waters, feeding on aquatic plants and small invertebrates. |  Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus)A migratory plover that visits Baja California’s desert regions, the Mountain Plover is known for its pale, camouflaged plumage and preference for open, flat landscapes. These birds often forage for insects and seeds. |
 Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)A migratory raptor, the Osprey is often found in Baja California’s coastal regions during the winter months. It is a fish-eating bird of prey, known for its distinctive dark eyestripe and powerful talons. |  Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa)The Marbled Godwit migrates to Baja California’s mudflats and tidal estuaries, where it feeds on invertebrates like worms and crustaceans. Its long, slightly upturned bill and mottled brown plumage make it easily recognizable. |
 Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)A common migratory shorebird, the Lesser Yellowlegs passes through Baja California on its migration routes to Central and South America. It is easily identified by its long, slender yellow legs and sharp, straight bill. |  Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)The Greater Roadrunner, famous for its fast running speed and its association with the desert southwest, is native to Baja California. It is a sleek, ground-dwelling bird that preys on insects, reptiles, and small mammals. |
 Mexican Parrotlet (Forpus cyanopygius)A small, vibrant green parrot, the Mexican Parrotlet is native to the Baja California region and is often found in desert and scrub habitats. They are social birds, often seen in small flocks. |  Gilded Flicker (Colaptes chrysoides)A striking woodpecker species, the Gilded Flicker is often seen in the Sonoran Desert and Baja California’s dry, open woodlands. It is recognized by its golden-yellow underwings and distinctive drumming sound. |
 Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae)Native to Baja California, the Costa's Hummingbird is a small, iridescent bird that is often seen in arid desert areas. Males display a brilliant violet crown and throat, making them easy to spot when they hover near flowers |  Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteriForster’s Tern is a common migrant to Baja California's coastal waters during the winter. A sleek seabird with a black cap and white underparts, it is known for its graceful flight and hunting style, diving for small fish. |
 Desert Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus)This species is a lesser-known cormorant found along Baja California’s desert coastline. It is often spotted in coastal waters, diving for fish, and has a distinctive, sleek, black appearance. |  Common Loon (Gavia immer)A winter migrant to Baja California, the Common Loon is found on coastal waters and lakes. Its striking black and white plumage and eerie calls make it easily recognizable among waterfowl. |
 Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)Although primarily found in North America, Canada Geese migrate to Baja California in the winter to escape colder temperatures. These large, honking geese are often seen in wetlands and agricultural fields along the coast. |  California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus)One of the largest flying birds in North America, the California Condor is a critically endangered species. Known for its impressive wingspan of up to 9.5 feet, it was reintroduced to Baja California in the 1990s to aid in population recovery. |
 Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)The Cactus Wren is the largest wren species found in Baja California and is adapted to the arid desert environment. It is known for its loud, rattling call and its tendency to build nests in the spiny branches of cacti. |  Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)The Burrowing Owl is a small, nocturnal species that nests in burrows on the ground, often in desert and grassland habitats in Baja California. Known for its large, round eyes and distinctive white spots on its back, it is an agile and opportunistic hunter of insects and small vertebrates. |
 Black-throated Magpie Jay (Calocitta colliei)Endemic to Baja California, this strikingly colorful bird features a bright blue body with a black throat. Known for its playful behavior and loud calls, it is found in semi-arid habitats. |  Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)Migrating from the Arctic, the Black-bellied Plover is often seen in the mudflats and shorelines of Baja California during the winter months. It is known for its bold black belly in breeding plumage and its calm, methodical foraging. |
 Black-and-White Warbler (Mniotilta varia)This small, striking warbler migrates through Baja California in the fall and spring, traveling from North America to Central and South America. With its black-and-white striped plumage, it is often spotted in wooded areas. |  Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)The Bald Eagle migrates to Baja California’s coastal habitats during the winter months, where it can be seen in wetlands and estuaries. Known for its white head and powerful build, it is one of North America's most iconic raptors. |
 Baja California Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus)A small, elusive bird, the Baja California Rock Wren is typically found in rocky, dry areas. This species is characterized by its streaked brown plumage and habit of nesting in cracks and crevices. |  Baja California Quail (Callipepla gambelii)This small, ground-dwelling quail is native to Baja California and is known for its distinctive topknot and grayish-brown plumage. These quails are commonly seen in the chaparral and scrublands of the region. |
 American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)A small migratory falcon, the American Kestrel migrates to Baja California in the fall and is commonly seen hunting in open fields and grasslands. It is known for its colorful plumage and ability to hover while hunting. |  Baja California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica)This small, non-migratory songbird is an endemic species found in Baja California. It inhabits coastal sage scrub and is noted for its distinctive gray-blue plumage and feisty behavior. |
 American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)The American Avocet migrates to Baja California’s wetlands during the winter, known for its long, upward-curved bill and striking black-and-white plumage. This shorebird feeds on small invertebrates in shallow waters. |  California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus)(Gymnogyps californianus) One of the largest flying birds in North America, the California Condor is a critically endangered species. Known for its impressive wingspan of up to 9.5 feet, it was reintroduced to Baja California in the 1990s to aid in population recovery. |
Baja's Birds add life and color to the Baja experience all around you.
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