Endangered and Threatened Bird Species in Ventura County
This listing is compiled by comparing DFG's official listing of Endangered and Threatened Species with Ventura County Audubon's sightings list, Walter Fuller's and Roger Pariseau's personal sightings at Ormond Beach. "(RECOVERED)" on DFG's listing refers to the Federal "delisting" of some California threatened or endangered species. Yes, this unexplained terminology is confusing!
Search Cornell University's All About Birds to learn more about other avian species.
(* = Personally observed and photographed at or over Ormond Beach Wetlands area.)
* American Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus anatum, Family: Falcons Length: 16~20 inches – Wingspan: 43~46 inches Weight: 1.3 pounds California: Endangered, 27 June 71 Federal: Delisted, 25 Aug 99 – Migratory Status: Decreasing to Stable – Breeds: March thru July
* Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Family: Hawks and Eagles Length: 34~43 inches – Wingspan: 6~8 feet Weight: 9.1 pounds California: Endangered, 2 Oct 80 Federal: Delisted, 8 Aug 07 – Migratory Status: Stable to increasing – Breeds: April thru Aug.
* Bank Swallow, Riparia riparia, Family: Hirundinidae, Swallows Length: 4.75~5.5 inches – Wingspan: 8.5 inches Weight: 0.5 ounce California: Threatened, 11 Jun 89 Federal: Not listed – Migratory Status: Stable – Breeds: Mar. thru Jul. Seen at Santa Clara River
* Belding's Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi, Family: Rails, Gallinules, Coots Length: 5.25~6.25 inches – Wingspan: 8~9.5 inches Weight: 0.8 ounce California: Endangered, 10 Jan 74 Federal: Not Listed – Migratory Status: Stable to declining – Breeds: March to August
* California Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Family: Pelicans Length: 48~50 inches – Wingspan: 78~84 inches Weight: 8.2 pounds California: Endangered, 27 Jun 71 Federal: Endangered, 13 Oct 70 – Migratory Status: Declining locally – Breeds: March to April
* California Clapper Rail, Rallus longirostris obsoleus, Family: Rails, Gallinules, Coots Length: 14~16 inches – Wingspan: 19~21 inches Weight: 11.4 ounces California: Endangered, 27 Jun 71 Federal: Endangered, 13 Oct 70 – Migratory Status: Stable – Breeds: Mar.~Jul.
* California Condor, Gymnogyps californianus, Family: American Vultures Length: 43~55 inches – Wingspan: 8~9.5 feet Weight: 22.3 pounds California: Endangered, 27 Jun 71 Federal: Endangered, 11 Mar 67 – Nonmigratory Status: Declining – Breeds: N/A - hand raised by humans
* California Gnatcatcher, Polioptila californica, Family: Old World Warblers and Gnatcatchers Length: 4.25 inches – Wingspan: 5.5~6 inches Weight: 0.2 ounce California: Not Listed Federal: Threatened, 30 Mar 93 – Nonmigratory Status: Declining – Breeds: Feb. thru Aug.
* California Least Tern, Sterna antillarum browni, Family: Gulls and Terns Length: 8~9 inches – Wingspan: 20 inches Weight: 1.5 ounces California: Endangered, 27 Jun 71 Federal: Endangered, 13 Oct 70 – Migratory Status: Declining locally – Breeds: April thru Sept.
* Inyo California Towhee, Pipilo crissalis eremophilus, Family: New World Sparrows Length: 8 inches – Wingspan: 11~11.5 inches Weight: 1.9 ounces California: Endangered, 2 Oct 80 Federal: Endangered, 3 Aug 87 – Nonmigratory Status: Increasing – Breeds: Apr. to Aug.
* Least Bell's Vireo, Vireo bellii pusillus, Family: Vireos Length: 5.5 inches – Wingspan: 8.5 inches Weight: 0.3 ounce California: Endangered, 2 Oct 80 Federal: Endangered, 2 May 86 – Migratory Status: Declining to reduction of riparian habitat – Breeds: May - June
* Light-footed Clapper Rail, Rallus longirostris levipes, Family: Rails, Gallinules, Coots Length: 14~16 inches – Wingspan: 19~21 inches Weight: 11.4 ounces California: Endangered, 27 Jun 71 Federal: Endangered, 13 Oct 70 – Migratory Status: Stable – Breeds: Spring
* San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus mearnsi, Family: Shrikes Length: 7.5 inches – Wingspan: 12.5 inches Weight: 1.0 ounce California: Not Listed Federal: Endangered, 11 Aug 77 – Migratory Status: Declining – Breeds: Jan. to July
San Clemente Sage Sparrow, Amphispiza belli clementeae, Family: New World Sparrows Length: 5.5 inches – Wingspan: 8.5 inches Weight: 0.5 ounce California: Not Listed Federal: Endangered, 11 Aug 77 – Most migrate Status: Stable? – Breeds: Apr. thru Sept.
* Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii extimus, Family: Tyrant Flycatchers Length: 5.75 inches – Wingspan: 8~9 inches Weight: 0.5 ounce California: Endangered, 2 Jan 91 Federal: Endangered, 29 Mar 95 – Migratory Status: Stable? – Breeds: Apr. to July
* Swainson's Hawk, Buteo sawinson, Family: Hawks and Eagles Length: 17~22 inches – Wingspan: 4~4.5 feet Weight 1.5~2.5 pounds California: Threatened, 17 Apr 83 Federal: Not listed – Migratory Status: Stable – Breeds: April thru Aug.
* Western Snowy Plover, Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus, Family: Plovers Length: 6~7 inches – Wingspan: 13.5 inches Weight: 1.4 ounces California: Not Listed Federal: Endangered, 5 Apr 93 – Some migrate Status: Declining locally – Breeds: Feb. thru July
Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus, Family: Cuculidae, Cuckoos, Roadrunners, Anis Length: 10.5~12.5 inches – Wingspan: c.19~21 inches Weight: 1.95~2.29 ounces California: 26 Mar 88 Federal: Not listed – Migratory Status: Stable? – Breeds: Apr. thru Sept. Seen at Santa Clara River
* Xantus's Murrelet, Synthliboramphus hypoleucus, Family: Murres and puffins Length: 10 inches – Wingspan: 16 inches Weight: 5.9 ounces California: Threatened, 22 Dec 04 Federal: Not listed – Migratory Status: Stable to declining – Breeds: Jan. thru July solely on the Channel Islands
(* = Personally observed and photographed at or over Ormond Beach Wetlands area.)
• Complete listing of endangered and threatened species [PDF]
• DFG: Species Accounts – Threatened and Endangered Birds [PDF]
• Ventura Audubon Society Bird List [PDF]
• Ormond Beach Wetlands

Page Originated: 04 Aug 04, Updated: 8 Feb 08

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