Birds to See in California in August
170 bird species on our list for California are recorded regularly in August
Of these, the most often recorded are House Finch, Mourning Dove, American Crow, Turkey Vulture and Song Sparrow. New this month: Eurasian Teal, Willow Flycatcher, Arctic Jaeger and Arctic Tern and 11 more.
On the move in August
GBIF · AugArriving
At their peak
Barn SwallowBusiest month of the year · Mar–Oct
Least SandpiperBusiest month of the year · Jul–May
Red-necked PhalaropeBusiest month of the year · Apr–May
Western SandpiperBusiest month of the year · Jul–May
Sooty ShearwaterBusiest month of the year · Apr–Nov
Semipalmated PloverBusiest month of the year · Jul–May
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 170 birds in August
170 birds
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.75% in Aug
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 2.26% in Aug
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 2.18% in Aug
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.62% in Aug
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaResidentCommon12–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Aug
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in Aug
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.48% in Aug- Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.39% in Aug
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in Aug
Nuttall's WoodpeckerDryobates nuttalliiResidentCommon17–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.20% in Aug
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 1.18% in Aug
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Aug
Acorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorusResidentCommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Aug
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in Aug
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Aug
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Aug
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Aug
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in Aug- Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.77% in Aug
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in Aug
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Aug
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Aug
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsResidentCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Aug
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Aug- Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantCommon18–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.63% in Aug
- Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorCommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.62% in Aug
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Aug
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentCommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Aug
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaResidentCommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Aug
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataResidentCommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Aug
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentCommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Aug
Northern FlickerColaptes auratusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Aug
OspreyPandion haliaetusResidentCommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Aug
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.50% in Aug
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Aug- Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaSummer visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.47% in Aug
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaResidentUncommon40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Aug- Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.42% in Aug
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusResidentUncommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Aug
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Aug
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Aug
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentUncommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Aug
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Aug
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Aug
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaResidentUncommon43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Aug
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Aug
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.25% in Aug
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.23% in Aug
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Aug
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisResidentCommon35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Aug
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisResidentUncommon10–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Aug
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraResidentUncommon36–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Aug
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Aug
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Aug
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusSummer visitorUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Aug
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Aug
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Aug
Sabine's GullXema sabiniPassage migrantUncommon27–33 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Aug
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesWinter visitorUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.16% in Aug
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataResidentUncommon48–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Aug
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.15% in Aug
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorUncommon22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.15% in Aug
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Aug
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Aug
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiPassage migrantUncommon13–17 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.12% in Aug
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaWinter visitorCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Aug
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaResidentCommon16–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Aug
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumResidentCommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Aug
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantUncommon46–51 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.11% in Aug
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Aug
Grey PhalaropePhalaropus fulicariusWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.10% in Aug
FulmarFulmarus glacialisResidentUncommon45–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Aug
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentUncommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Aug
Long-tailed JaegerStercorarius longicaudusPassage migrantUncommon48–58 cmRegularly Jul–Oct · 0.09% in Aug
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.09% in Aug
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.09% in Aug
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusResidentUncommon11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.08% in Aug
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaPassage migrantUncommon33–39 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.08% in Aug
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisWinter visitorUncommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Aug
Common TernSterna hirundoPassage migrantUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Jul–Oct · 0.08% in Aug
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
Virginia RailRallus limicolaResidentUncommon20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
White-headed WoodpeckerPicoides albolarvatusSummer visitorUncommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Aug
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.07% in Aug
Leach's Storm-petrelHydrobates leucorhousSummer visitorUncommon18–21 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Aug
Common LoonGavia immerResidentUncommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Aug
Pacific WrenTroglodytes pacificusResidentUncommon8–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Aug
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusResidentUncommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Aug
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantUncommon41–46 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.07% in Aug
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Aug
California GnatcatcherPolioptila californicaResidentUncommon10–11 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Aug
Greater RoadrunnerGeococcyx californianusResidentUncommon52–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Aug
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentUncommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Aug
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Aug
Red-breasted SapsuckerSphyrapicus ruberResidentUncommon19–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Aug
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Aug
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentUncommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Aug
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Aug
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaPassage migrantRare19–23 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Aug
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaPassage migrantRare15–18 cmRegularly Jul–Sep · 0.04% in Aug
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Aug
Fox SparrowPasserella iliacaResidentUncommon15–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Red KnotCalidris canutusResidentRare23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorRare22–26 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Aug
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Aug
Pacific LoonGavia pacificaResidentUncommon58–74 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.03% in Aug
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentRare46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Western Screech-owlMegascops kennicottiiResidentRare19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoidesResidentUncommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensisResidentUncommon80–122 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Williamson's SapsuckerSphyrapicus thyroideusSummer visitorRare21–25 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.02% in Aug
Ladder-backed WoodpeckerDryobates scalarisResidentRare16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulvaWinter visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in Aug
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertinaSummer visitorRare16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentRare50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorRare20–32 cmRegularly Jul–Mar · 0.02% in Aug
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in Aug
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaWinter visitorUncommon19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusResidentRare86–230 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
California CondorGymnogyps californianusResidentRare109–140 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorRare87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusResidentRare13–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticusSummer visitorRare21–24 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusResidentRare58–85 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Northern Pygmy-owlGlaucidium gnomaResidentRare15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisWinter visitorRare12–15 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.01% in Aug
Lewis's WoodpeckerMelanerpes lewisResidentUncommon26–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusWinter visitorRare18–23 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Aug
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentRare75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaSummer visitorRare11–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanSummer visitorRare32–36 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in Aug
ChukarAlectoris chukarResidentRare32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantRare36–42 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.00% in Aug
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusSummer visitorRare18–22 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.00% in Aug
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorRare37–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesResidentRare81–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorRare33–42 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 0.00% in Aug
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.00% in Aug
BudgerigarMelopsittacus undulatusSummer visitorRare18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.00% in Aug
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly Aug–Dec · 0.00% in Aug
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisResidentRare20–24 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.00% in Aug
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaPassage migrantRare17–19 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.00% in Aug
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSummer visitorRare30–38 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in Aug
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataWinter visitorRare41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaPassage migrantRare37–41 cmRegularly Jul–Oct · 0.00% in Aug
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentRare38–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusResidentRare17–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · records held back in Aug (protected)
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly Jun–Mar · 0.00% in Aug
Gila WoodpeckerMelanerpes uropygialisResidentRare20–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusPassage migrantRare16–20 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.00% in Aug
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisSummer visitorRare21–23 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.00% in Aug
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentRare43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorRare52–64 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.00% in Aug
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.00% in Aug
Flammulated OwlPsiloscops flammeolusSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.00% in Aug
Little StintCalidris minutaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.00% in Aug
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentRare12–13 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.00% in Aug
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Aug–Nov · 0.00% in Aug
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