Birds to See in California in April
174 bird species on our list for California are recorded regularly in April
Of these, the most often recorded are House Finch, Mourning Dove, American Crow, Common Raven and Song Sparrow. New this month: Northern Yellow Warbler, Red-necked Phalarope, Sooty Shearwater and Swainson's Thrush and 12 more.
On the move in April
GBIF · AprArriving
At their peak
From California’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 174 birds in April
174 birds
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.82% in Apr
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.18% in Apr
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.09% in Apr
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.83% in Apr
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.73% in Apr
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.61% in Apr
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.59% in Apr
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Apr
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.53% in Apr
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Apr
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Apr
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.26% in Apr
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataResidentCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.19% in Apr
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Apr
Acorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorusResidentCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Apr
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Apr
Nuttall's WoodpeckerDryobates nuttalliiResidentCommon17–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in Apr
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in Apr
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Apr
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in Apr
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.79% in Apr
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Apr
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Apr
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in Apr
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.60% in Apr
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Apr
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Apr
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Apr
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Apr
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.45% in Apr
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisResidentCommon35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Apr
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsResidentCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Apr
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Apr
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.38% in Apr
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Apr
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaResidentCommon16–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Apr
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Apr
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Apr
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.30% in Apr
OspreyPandion haliaetusResidentCommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Apr
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraResidentUncommon36–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Apr
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentCommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Apr
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusResidentUncommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Apr
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorCommon14–18 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.26% in Apr
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentCommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Apr
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisWinter visitorUncommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Apr
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Apr
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentCommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Apr
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentUncommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Apr
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorCommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.24% in Apr
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaResidentUncommon43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Apr
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.23% in Apr
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaWinter visitorCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Apr
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.23% in Apr
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Apr
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusResidentUncommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Apr
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Apr
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.21% in Apr
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Apr
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaResidentUncommon40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Apr
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Apr
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataResidentUncommon48–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Apr
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Apr
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.15% in Apr
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentUncommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Apr
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Apr
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.14% in Apr
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentUncommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Apr
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaResidentUncommon15–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.12% in Apr
Common LoonGavia immerResidentUncommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Apr
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.10% in Apr
Pacific WrenTroglodytes pacificusResidentUncommon8–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
Pacific LoonGavia pacificaResidentUncommon58–74 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Greater RoadrunnerGeococcyx californianusResidentUncommon52–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaSummer visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.07% in Apr
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.07% in Apr
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.07% in Apr
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentUncommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Apr
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantCommon18–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Apr
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentRare50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorUncommon53–76 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.05% in Apr
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Lewis's WoodpeckerMelanerpes lewisResidentUncommon26–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Red-breasted SapsuckerSphyrapicus ruberResidentUncommon19–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Ladder-backed WoodpeckerDryobates scalarisResidentRare16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorUncommon69–84 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in Apr
California GnatcatcherPolioptila californicaResidentUncommon10–11 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatusWinter visitorUncommon40–49 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusResidentRare86–230 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
White-headed WoodpeckerPicoides albolarvatusSummer visitorUncommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Sabine's GullXema sabiniPassage migrantUncommon27–33 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Apr
FulmarFulmarus glacialisResidentUncommon45–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentRare46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.03% in Apr
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesWinter visitorUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
Western Screech-owlMegascops kennicottiiResidentRare19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisResidentUncommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusResidentRare58–85 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Varied ThrushIxoreus naeviusWinter visitorUncommon20–26 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.02% in Apr
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantUncommon46–51 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.02% in Apr
Northern Pygmy-owlGlaucidium gnomaResidentRare15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.02% in Apr
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaWinter visitorUncommon19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorRare33–42 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 0.02% in Apr
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaSummer visitorRare16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoidesResidentUncommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantRare19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
California CondorGymnogyps californianusResidentRare109–140 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Red KnotCalidris canutusResidentRare23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Apr
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Apr
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusResidentRare13–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorUncommon22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Apr
Grey PhalaropePhalaropus fulicariusWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.01% in Apr
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusResidentRare17–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
ChukarAlectoris chukarResidentRare32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorRare37–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorRare32–36 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in Apr
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentRare75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Ross's GooseAnser rossiiWinter visitorUncommon57–64 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorRare87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentRare38–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Leach's Storm-petrelHydrobates leucorhousSummer visitorUncommon18–21 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaWinter visitorRare37–41 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in Apr
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesResidentRare81–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaWinter visitorRare17–19 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.00% in Apr
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorRare22–26 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
Gila WoodpeckerMelanerpes uropygialisResidentRare20–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataWinter visitorRare41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaWinter visitorRare40–47 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in Apr
Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulvaWinter visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Apr
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorRare11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Little StintCalidris minutaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisSummer visitorRare21–23 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.00% in Apr
Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopusWinter visitorRare46–59 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Red-naped SapsuckerSphyrapicus nuchalisWinter visitorRare19–21 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorRare12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorRare34–43 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.00% in Apr
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentRare43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusWinter visitorRare18–23 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Apr
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · records held back in Apr (protected)
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaPassage migrantRare17–19 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensWinter visitorRare11–12 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in Apr
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorRare62–68 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorRare52–64 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentRare12–13 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
BudgerigarMelopsittacus undulatusSummer visitorRare18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.00% in Apr
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made