Sherry, feel free to see:

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/ssc/birds.html

Here, you’ll see the publication whose cover is shown below. 

It’s an excellent resource to read analysis of the status of California’s at-risk birds using the latest data to describe current populations, ranges, and threats. 

Species highlighted in this 450-page book include seabirds, raptors, shorebirds, waterfowl, and perching birds, all of which are represented on a Bird Species of Special Concern list.

This list also notes California habitats with high numbers of special concern bird species, including wetlands, scrublands, grasslands, and riparian forests.

Jasper (in Fresno), that’s a fine question. Here’s some simplified thoughts: 1) Depending on when you’re pursuing wood-warblers, I vary where I go — and I’ll limit my answer to the northern California area where I typically guide birders on outings; 2) That written, it’s often best to visit forested areas featuring needle (conifer) trees for finding species such as Hermit (male, below photo) and Black-throated Gray Warbler whose greatest numbers begin returning to breeding grounds in, say, Marin County (1st county north of the Golden Gate Bridge) by April, while MacGillivray’s is far more uncommon and returns a little later to sporadic SF Bay Area nesting venues;

3) Other wood-warbler species in the SF Bay Area and close to it may be year-round, including Common Yellow-throat, Yellow-rumped Warbler (nests at higher elevations at selected Bay Area locations), and, more rare) Yellow Warbler (extirpated/locally extinct in most of the eight SF Bay Area counties; and 4) Townsend’s is restricted to the non-breeding season, but is common and easy to find from autumn through early spring throughout the SF Bay Area. Obviously, in sum, the five aforementioned species are FAR fewer than Midwestern and East Coast diversity and numbers. And, as mentioned, my overview above is a general introduction* to which species are potential observations. (* = You may have noticed I did not mention Yellow-breasted Chat, which is no longer designated a wood-warbler and is in its own family.)

Josie (in North Carolina): Perhaps you’re soon hearing Pine Warbler? — given they are year-round residents that are early singers in your region. Another candidate is Common Yellowthroat, some of which I believe could be year-round residents who do not leave.

Wish to explore this question to find your own answers, Josie? A good source is eBird, of course….where you can click on the “Explore” menu bar item at its home page. Then, look at checklists from March (and April) annually. In turn, when a wood-warbler species is present on a checklist, note whether the observer mentions singing as part of the identification.

I’ll write more about this topic soon….For now, it’s time to lead a birding tour as I guide local San Francisco Bay area folks to Bodega Bay in Sonoma County (~50 miles north of San Francisco). A Yellow-billed Loon remains present, so I suspect a weekend day will not find our group alone.

Regards, Daniel, WarblerWatch.com

Good question, Channy (in Cincinnati). Yes, it’s true both kinds of feeders may attract a rare to uncommon visit by some wood-warbler species, such as seed eating Yellow-rumped and Pine Warbler. Nectar sometimes coaxes wood-warblers with longer bills such as Cape May, Orange-crowned, and Virginia.

That written, the vast majority of wood-warblers typically abstain from visiting feeders. Most maintain a nearly-total insectivorous diet, so stay away from feeders.

As for suet feeders, I’ve seen the above species at suet, in addition to Townsend’s.

How about you and other readers? You have seen wood-warblers at feeders? Please let me know at DanielEdelstein@att.net

Lastly, my web site — WarblerWatch.com — has more information several bird topics via the “Birding Links” pulldown menu. Information about my birding tours is at the “Birding Tours” area.

Happy Holidays to everyone…!

What’s an example of a “superspecies” in the family?

Thanks for the query, Ms. Jones (in Santa Barbara, CA).

(The Black-Throated Gray Warbler in the above photo is one of five species within the Black-Throated Green superspecies group.)

Think of a superspecies as a group of related species that evolved from a common ancestor, but live in distinct ranges apart from each other. A good example of a superspecies is the Black-Throated Green Warbler group that includes this species as well as Townsend’s, Hermit, Golden-Cheeked, and Black-Throated Gray Warblers.

Each of the latter four species in the above group is thought to have evolved from its Black-Throated Green ancestor. As this species expanded from its southeastern USA deciduous forest territory into coniferous forest created by the most recent glacial advances, isolation occurred among populations. As generations of separated populations slowly spread west and north throughout lower North America, each population became a divergent “island.” Gene flow ceased as reproductive isolation caused speciation to occur over eons. The resulting five species share various field marks, but also express their own unique characteristics.

Nonetheless, despite their status as species, hybridization sometimes occurs among species within a superspecies, including the Black-Throated Green superspecies wherein populations of Townsend’s and Hermit hybridize in Oregon and Washington. To simplify, where both species occur, over time Townsend’s appear to usually dominate and increase in number.

More technical, the five species within the Black-Throated Green superspecies have parapatric distributions. That is to say, each of the five species has ranges that do not significantly overlap but are immediately adjacent to each other (and/or occur together in a narrow contact zone, with the aforementioned reference to Townsend’s and Hermit Warbler hybridization a scenario where overlapping occurs).

To learn more about this subject, read a classic article by R.M. Mengel titled “The probable history of species formation in some northern wood warblers.” One source where this article appears is in a 1964 edition of “Living Bird” (page 943).

Hi Jeremiah….and your query is a periodic question I receive, so I’m glad to help, below.

Here’s the answer to your question, above: I suggest your first move is to check:
http://digest.sialia.com/?rm=all_lists

….as this site a composite list featuring all the listserv sites in California where birders add their bird sightings.

At sialia.com, you’ll see a left column by which you can one-by-one click on a chosen region of California….Upon doing so for one region, you’ll see a list of the latest bird sightings lists posted by birders.

As for common annual and upcoming migration, I am pleased to note that I 
currently have begun to hear the courtship “peek” sound from male Anna’s Hummingbirds (and, actually, since October, 2022). 

During this process, males descend during their courtship dance, air rushing through their tail feathers at the bottom of their elevator drop initiates the “peek” sound.

By December annually, eggs are added to nests in the SF Bay Area, with Great Horned Owl joining the maternity ward by January annually as females incubate eggs or hatch them.

Interestingly, also, the earliest returning Allen’s Hummingbirds may begin returning by next and beyond through February and March to SF Bay Area coastal breeding locations. I expect the initial report of a returning Allen’s Hummingbird to appear at sialia.com by 1/15/23 or soon after.

Other questions? Glad to help: danieledelstein@att.net

Thank you, Alex (in Madison, WI)….”Yes,” I’m lucky to have detected a few: N. Waterthrush, Wilson’s, Yellow, Orange-crowned, and Yellow-rumped.

Interesting to me, though, the latter four on the above list are ALL different subspecies than the ones I detect in N. CA where I live (Marin Co., SF Bay Area).

Curiously, I am surprised by the absence of Blackpoll Warbler to date, given last summer I noticed several, including watching nesting behavior in western-northwestern Alaska adjacent to the Anvik River where I stayed for two weeks.

Last month and now I have primarily enjoyed the Arctic Circle area at Iniakuk Lake (west of Coldfoot by approximately 150 miles). Beyond wood-warblers, the most typical species have been Gray-cheeked Thrush, Wilson’s Snipe, (Gambel’s) White-crowned Sparrow, and, yes, Common Loon.

Misses so far on this trip due to fires that have impeded my travel: Yellow-billed Loon, Bluethroat, and N. Wheatear.

Oh well, next year, I hope….given I return to leading bird tours as soon as I return this week after the 4th of July holiday. I’ll be leading a birder to pursue the CA Condor at Pinnacles National Park, an hour south of San Jose.

Meanwhile, happy birding discoveries….Regards, Daniel, WarblerWatch.com, DanielEdelstein@att.net