Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA – Bird List
Compiled by Callyn Yorke
The following is a list of all birds known to have occurred at Lake Palmdale since 1986, when I began systematic surveys within the boundaries of the property. The list is currently at 265 species, including five introduced taxa which have become naturalized in the region. Several species on the list, categorized as rare or vagrant, were reported by other observers during this time period; those records have been included, although in some cases (e.g. Mountain Quail, Neotropic Cormorant, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Wrentit, and Scott’s Oriole) sufficient documentation has not been obtained.*
To some extent, the distribution and abundance of birds at Lake Palmdale reflects significant habitat modifications through the years. Prior to the middle 1990’s, for example, there was a more extensive stand of cottonwood (Populus fremontii) in the southern section of the property than what occurs today. Consequently, comparatively few flycatcher (Empidonax spp.), warbler (Setophaga spp.) and vireo (Vireo spp.) species have been found at Lake Palmdale in recent years. Flooding of the marsh, shorelines and related water management practices, has impacted the number and variety of aquatic bird species, sometimes increasing breeding habitat for them (e.g. Western and Clark’s Grebe), while decreasing habitat for other species, (e.g. Black-crowned Night Heron, Sora, Marsh Wren and Yellow-headed Blackbird). Regular stocking of the lake with trout attracts Double-crested Cormorant and Osprey. Expanded open water acreage supports large flocks of wintering waterfowl, in addition to species relatively uncommon elsewhere in the Antelope Valley, e.g. Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) and loons (Gavia spp.). The proximity of Lake Palmdale to the Waste Management landfill, results in large flocks of California Gull, together with less common species, such as Herring and Glaucous-winged Gull, using the lake as a roosting and staging area in winter and spring, respectively.
Systematics and nomenclature used herein, follow the American Ornithologists Society (AOS) Checklist of Birds of North and Middle America, including the most recent supplement (2019). Taxonomic hierarchies, i.e. Order and Family, together with the location of species within a sequence, represent both the relative antiquity (presumed oldest forms listed first) and relatedness within and among the groups based on the fossil record and comparisons of molecular, morphological and behavioral characteristics. In some cases, e.g. Passeriformes, taxonomic groupings are highly speculative and await further study for clarification. Avian systematics, which rests upon conceptual foundations of Biological Science (i.e. Genetics, Evolution, Ecology and Biogeography), is one of the most dynamic and controversial fields of inquiry within the Life Sciences. It is likely that the current arrangement of taxa, as well as some assigned binomials (genus & species) will be the subject of multiple revisions in the years to come.
Key to the symbols following each species entry
Status at Lake Palmdale: YR = a year-round resident and usually breeding within or immediately adjacent to the property; SR = summer resident, usually arriving in spring, presumably breeding or attempting to do so, and departing in fall; WR = winter resident, i.e. arriving in fall and departing in spring; T = transient, found intermittently during migration and to a lesser extent in other seasons; absent in some years, numerous in others. This category includes species of uncertain distributional status in the region. B = evidence of breeding (i.e. nest building and/or presence of fledglings) inside or immediately adjacent to the Lake Palmdale property (e.g. Cliff Swallow); I = an introduced, exotic species.
Frequency and Abundance at Lake Palmdale (principally since 2009): A= abundant, i.e., more than 20 individuals found in most surveys during the appropriate season; C = common, i.e., 6 -20 individuals found in most surveys during the appropriate season; U = uncommon, i.e., 1- 5 individuals found in at least half of the surveys during the appropriate season; R = rarely encountered and if so, principally during migration or post-breeding dispersal. V = vagrant, i.e. an individual far from of its normal range and unexpected in any season.
ANSERIFORMES
Anatidae – Geese, Swans and Ducks
- Snow Goose Anser caerulescens T, WR, R
- Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons T, R
- Brant Branta bernicla T, R
- Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsonii T, R
- Canada Goose Branta canadensis WR, U
- Domestic Gray-lag Goose Anser anser I, T, R
- Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus T, R
- Wood Duck Aix sponsa T, R
- Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors T, U
- Cinnamon Teal Spatula cyanoptera WR, C
- Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata WR, C
- Gadwall Mareca strepera WR, C
- American Wigeon Mareca americana WR, C
- Mallard Anas platyrhynchos YR, WR, B, A
- Northern Pintail Anas acuta WR, U
- Green-winged Teal Anas crecca WR, C
- Canvasback Aythya valisineria WR, U
- Redhead Aythya americana WR, U
- Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris WR, T, U
- Greater Scaup Aythya marila WR, T, R
- Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis WR, A
- Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata T, R
- White-winged Scoter Melanitta deglandi T, R
- Bufflehead Bucephala albeola WR, A
- Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula WR, U
- Barrow’s Goldeneye Bucephala islandica T, R
- Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus WR, T, U
- Common Merganser Mergus merganser WR, T, U
- Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator T, R
- Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis YR, WR, B, A
GALLIFORMES
Odontophoridae – New World Quail
- Mountain Quail Oreotyx pictus T, R*
- California Quail Callipepla californica YR, B, C
PODICIPEDIFORMES
Podicipedidae – Grebes
- Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps YR, B, C
- Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus WR, U
- Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena T, R
- Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis WR, C
- Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis SR, T, B, C
- Clark’s Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii SR, T, B, C
COLUMBIFORMES
Columbidae – Pigeons and Doves
- Feral Rock Pigeon Columba livia I, YR, U
- Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata T, R
- Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto I, YR, C
- Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura YR, B, C
CUCULIFORMES
Cuculidae – Cuckoos and Roadrunners
- Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus YR, R
CAPRIMULGIFORMES
Caprimulgidae – Nighthawks
- Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis T, U
APODIFORMES
Apodidae – Swifts
- Black Swift Cypseloides niger T, R
- White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis T, R
- Vaux’s Swift Chaetura vauxi T, U
Trochilidae – Hummingbirds
- Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri SR, B, U
- Anna’s Hummingbird Calypte anna SR, T, B, C
- Costa’s Hummingbird Calypte costae T, R
- Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus T, U
GRUIFORMES
Rallidae – Rails, Gallinules and Coots
- Virginia Rail Rallus limicola T, U
- Sora Porzana carolina T, U
- Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus T, R
- American Coot Fulica americana YR, T, B, A
PROCELLARIIFORMES
Procellariidae – Petrels and Shearwaters
- Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel Hydrobates tethys V
- Least Storm-Petrel Hydrobates microsoma V
- Black Storm-Petrel Hydrobates melania V
CHARADRIIFORMES
Recurvirostridae – Stilts and Avocets
- Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus T, U
- American Avocet Recurvirostra americana T, U
Charadriidae – Plovers
- Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola T, R
- Killdeer Charardrius vociferus YR, B C
- Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus T, R
Scolopacidae – Sandpipers
- Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus T, R
- Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa T, R
- Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres T, R
- Sanderling Calidris alba T, R
- Dunlin Calidris alpina T, R
- Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii T, R
- Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla WR, T, C
- Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotus T, R
- Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri T, U
- Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus T, R
- Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus T, U
- Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata T, U
- Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius WR, T, C
- Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitarius T, R
- Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes T, R
- Willet Tringa semipalmata T, R
- Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca T, U
- Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor T, R
- Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus T, U
Stercoraridae – Jaegers and Skuas
- Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus T, R
- Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus T, R
Laridae – Gulls and Terns
- Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini T, R
- Bonaparte’s Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia T, U
- Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus V
- Franklin’s Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan T, R
- Heermann’s Gull Larus heermanni T, R
- Mew Gull Larus canus T, R
- Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis WR, C
- California Gull Larus californicus WR, A
- Herring Gull Larus argentatus WR, U
- Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus V*
- Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens T, R
- Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia T, C
- Black Tern Chlidonias niger T, U
- Common Tern Sterna hirundo T, R
- Forster’s Tern Sterna forsteri T, U
GAVIIFORMES
Gaviidae – Loons
- Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata T, R
- Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica T, R
- Common Loon Gavia immer T, U
SULIFORMES
Phalacrocoracidae – Cormorants
- Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus WR, C
- Neotropic Cormorant Nannopterum brasilianum R *
Pelecanidae – Pelicans
- American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchus T, C
- Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis V
Ardeidae – Bitterns, Herons and Egrets
- American Bittern Botarus lentiginosus T, R
- Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis T, R
- Great-Blue Heron Ardea herodias WR, T, U
- Great Egret Ardea alba WR, T, U
- Snowy Egret Egretta thula WR, T, U
- Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis T, R
- Green Heron Butorides virescens WR, T, U
- Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax WR, T, U
Threskiornithidae – Ibises
- White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi T, U
CATHARTIFORMES
Cathartidae – New World Vultures
- Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura T, C
ACCIPITRIFORMES
Pandionidae – Osprey
- Osprey Pandion haliaetus WR, T, U
Accipitridae – Kites, Eagles and Hawks
- White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus T, R
- Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos WR, T, R
- Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius T, R
- Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus T, R
- Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii YR, B, U
- Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus T, R
- Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus YR, B, U
- Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni T, U
- Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis WR, SR, B, C
- Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus T, R
STRIGIFORMES
Tytonidae – Barn Owls
- Barn Owl Tyto alba YR, T, R
Strigidae – Typical Owls
- Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus YR, B, U
CORACIIFORMES
Alcedinidae – Kingfishers
- Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon WR, T, U
PICIFORMES
Picidae – Woodpeckers
- Lewis’s Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis T, R*
- Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus T, R
- Red-breasted Sapsucker Sphyrapicus ruber T, U
- Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens T, U
- Nuttall’s Woodpecker Dryobates nuttallii YR, B, U
- Ladder-backed Woodpecker Dyrobates scalaris T, R
- Hairy Woodpecker Dryobates villosus T, R
- Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus WR, C
FALCONIFORMES
Falconidae – Falcons
- American Kestrel Falco columbarius YR, T, R
- Merlin Falco columbarius T, R
- Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus T, R
- Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus YR, R
PASSERIFORMES
Tyrannidae – Tyrant Flycatchers
- Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens SR, B, U
- Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus V*
- Cassin’s Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans T, R
- Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis SR, B, C
- Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi T, R
- Western Wood Pewee Contopus sordidulus T, U
- Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii T, U
- Hammond’s Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii T, U
- Gray Flycatcher Empidonax wrightii T, R
- Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri T, R
- Pacific- slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis T, U
- Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans YR, B, C
- Say’s Phoebe Sayornis saya YR, B, U
- Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus T, R
Laniidae – Shrikes
- Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus T, U
Vireonidae – Vireos
- Hutton’s Vireo Vireo huttoni T, R
- Bell’s Vireo Vireo bellii T, R
- Cassin’s Vireo Vireo cassinii T, U
- Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus T, R
- Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus T, U
- Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus V
Corvidae – Jays and Crows
- Steller’s Jay Cyanocitta stelleri T, R
- California Jay Aphelocoma californica YR, B, U
- American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos T, U
- Common (Northern) Raven Corvus corax YR, B, A
Alaudidae – Larks
- Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris YR, T, C
Hirundinidae – Swallows
- Bank Swallow Riparia riparia T, R
- Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor SR, T, B, A
- Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina T, U
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis T, B, C
- Purple Martin Progne subis T, R
- Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica SR, T, B, A
- Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota SR, T, B, C
Paridae – Chickadees and Titmice
- Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambeli T, U
- Oak Titmouse Baeolophus inornata YR, B, U
Remizidae -Penduline Tits and Verdins
- Verdin Auriparus flaviceps YR, B, U
Aegithalidae – Long-tailed Tits and Bushtits
- Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus YR, B, C
Sittidae – Nuthatches
- White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis T, U
- Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea T, R
Certhiidae – Creepers
- Brown Creeper Certhia americana T, R
Troglodytidae – Wrens
- Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus T, R
- House Wren Troglodytes aedon SR, T, B, U
- Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris SR, T, B, C
- Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii YR, B, C
- Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus YR, B, U
Polioptilidae – Gnatcatchers
- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea T, U
Regulidae – Kinglets
- Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa T, R
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula WR, T, C
Sylviidae – Sylviid Warblers
- Wrentit Chamaea fasciata T, R*
Turdidae – Thrushes
- Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus T, U
- Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus T, U
- American Robin Turdus migratorius T, U
- Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana SR, T, B, U
- Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides WR, T, R
Mimidae – Thrashers and Mockingbirds
- California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum YR, B, U
- Le Conte’s Thrasher Toxostoma lecontei YR, T, R
- Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos YR, B, U
Sturnidae – Starlings
- European (Common) Starling Sturnus vulgaris I, YR, B, C
Bombycillidae – Waxwings
- Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum T, B, C
Ptiliogonatidae – Silky-flycatchers
- Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens T, U
Passeridae – Old World Sparrows
- House Sparrow Passer domesticus I, YR, B, C
Motacillidae – Wagtails and Pipits
- American (Buff-bellied) Pipit Anthus rubescens WR, T, U
Fringillidae – Finches
- Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus T, R
- House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus YR, B, A
- Purple Finch Haemorhous purpureus T, U
- Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra T, U
- Pine Siskin Spinus pinus T, U
- Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria SR, T, B, C
- Lawrence’s Goldfinch Spinus lawrencei SR, T, B, U
- American Goldfinch Spinus tristis T, U
Passerellidae – New World Sparrows
- Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus YR, T, B, U
- Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina T, U
- Brewer’s Sparrow Spizella breweri T, R
- Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca T, R
- Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis T, U
- White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys WR, A
- Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla WR, T, R
- Bell’s Sparrow Artemisiospiza belli T, R
- Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus T, U
- Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis WR, T, C
- Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia YR, T, B, C
- Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii WR, T, U
- Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana T, R
- California Towhee Melozone crissalis YR, B, U
- Spotted Towhee Pipilo macularis YR, T, R
Icteriidae – Chats
- Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens T, R
Icteridae – New World Orioles and Blackbirds
- Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus SR, B, U
- Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta T, R
- Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus SR, U
- Bullock’s Oriole Icterus bullockii SR, B, C
- Scott’s Oriole Icterus parisorum T, R*
- Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus SR, B, A
- Tricolored Blackbird Agelaius tricolor SR, T, B, C
- Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater SR, B, C
- Brewer’s Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus YR, T, R
- Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus SR, B, C
Parulidae – Wood-Warblers
- Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum V
- Northern Waterthrush Parkesia novemboracensis T, R
- Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora cyanoptera V
- Black and White Warbler Mniotila varia V
- Prothonotary Warbler Prothonotaria citrea V
- Orange-crowned Warbler Leiothlypis celata T, C
- Lucy’s Warbler Leiothlypis luciae V
- Nashville Warbler Leiothlypis ruficapillus T, U
- Virginia’s Warbler Leiothlypis virginae T, R
- MacGillivray’s Warbler Geothlypis tolmei T, U
- Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas SR, T, B, C
- Hooded Warbler Geothlypis citrina V
- American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla T, R
- Northern Parula Setophaga americana T, R
- Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia SR, B, C
- Blackpoll Warbler Setophaga striata V
- Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata WR, T, A
- Prairie Warbler Setophaga discolor V
- Black-throated Gray Warbler Setophaga nigrescens T, C
- Townsend’s Warbler Setophaga townsendi T, R
- Hermit Warbler Setophaga occidentalis T, U
- Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens V
- Wilson’s Warbler Cardellina pusilla T, C
Cardinalidae – Cardinals and Presumed Relatives
- Summer Tanager Piranga rubra T, R
- Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana T, C
- Black-headed Grosbeak Pheuticus melanocephalus T, C
- Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea T, R
- Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena T, R