Home » 19 Types of White Birds in California (Pictures and Identification)

19 Types of White Birds in California (Pictures and Identification)

California is home to many species of white birds that can be found in a variety of habitats across the state. From busy city streets to quiet wetlands, these birds stand out with their bright white feathers. This article focuses on 19 types of white birds in California, helping you recognize and learn about them.

These white birds vary in size, behavior, and preferred environments. Some are large and graceful, like swans and pelicans, while others are small and fast, like swifts. Each bird plays an important role in California’s ecosystems, and knowing how to identify them adds to the enjoyment of birdwatching.

This guide provides clear pictures and descriptions to make identification easier. If you spend time outdoors in California, you will likely see many of these white birds, and this list will help you know what to look for.

Different Types of White Birds Found in California

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)

White Birds in California

The Rock Pigeon is a medium-sized bird commonly found in urban and suburban areas across California. It typically has a grayish-blue body with two black bars on each wing, though pure white variants are also common, especially in city parks. Its iridescent neck feathers can show green or purple in sunlight, and it has red or orange eyes with pinkish feet.

This bird is highly adaptable and thrives in human-modified environments. In California, it’s seen around buildings, bridges, and agricultural structures. Rock Pigeons are year-round residents, forming large flocks and often nesting on building ledges or under highway overpasses.

Their diet consists mainly of seeds, grains, breadcrumbs, and human food scraps. They forage mostly on the ground and are comfortable near people, often congregating where food is abundant. Their strong homing instinct has made them a favorite for domestication and racing.

Ring-Billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

White Birds in California

The Ring-Billed Gull is a medium-sized gull with a white head and underparts, gray back and wings, and a distinctive black ring around its yellow bill. It has yellow legs and a red eye ring, making it relatively easy to identify. During the winter months, its head may become slightly streaked with gray.

This species is widespread throughout California, especially in coastal areas, lakes, rivers, and urban environments like parking lots and landfills. It’s most abundant during the winter migration period but can be found in smaller numbers throughout the year.

Ring-Billed Gulls are opportunistic feeders, consuming fish, insects, small rodents, and human leftovers. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in varied habitats, and they’re often seen scavenging near piers, parks, and fast-food locations. They’re also known to follow plows in agricultural fields to pick off disturbed insects.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

White Birds in California

The Great Egret is a tall, elegant wading bird known for its all-white plumage, long black legs, and bright yellow bill. It stands about 3.3 feet (1 meter) tall with a wingspan up to 5.5 feet (1.7 meters). During breeding season, it develops long, delicate plumes on its back.

It is found year-round in California’s wetlands, including marshes, lakes, ponds, riversides, and estuaries. The Great Egret is particularly common in the Central Valley, the Delta, and along the coast, where it stalks shallow water for food. It moves slowly and deliberately, striking swiftly at prey with its long bill.

Its diet consists of fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and aquatic insects. The Great Egret often hunts alone but may roost or nest in colonies with other herons and egrets. Its large size and graceful movement make it one of the most recognizable white birds in the state.

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)

White Birds in California

The Snowy Egret is a smaller wading bird with striking white plumage, long black legs, and bright yellow feet often described as “golden slippers.” It also has a slender black bill and a patch of yellow skin at the base of the beak. During breeding season, it displays elegant plumes on its head, neck, and back.

This egret is common throughout California in wetland habitats, including salt marshes, estuaries, tidal flats, ponds, and rice fields. It’s more active and animated than the Great Egret, often seen stirring the water with its feet to flush out prey. Snowy Egrets are frequently found in coastal regions and the Central Valley.

They primarily feed on small fish, shrimp, insects, and amphibians. Their hunting style is dynamic and includes foot stirring, rapid dashes, and wing shading to create shade and better see prey. They nest in colonies with other waders, usually in trees or shrubs near water.

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

White Birds in California

The Cattle Egret is a compact white heron with a thick neck, short yellow bill, and yellow legs. During breeding season, it develops buff-colored patches on its crown, chest, and back. It is smaller than most egrets, standing about 20 inches tall with a wingspan of around 35 inches.

In California, Cattle Egrets are especially prevalent in agricultural regions, pastures, and grasslands. They are frequently observed near livestock, taking advantage of the animals’ movements to stir up insects. They can be found throughout the Central Valley, coastal plains, and even urban lawns during migration.

Their diet is mostly made up of insects like grasshoppers, flies, and beetles, but they also consume small reptiles and frogs. Unlike other egrets, they often forage on dry land and are more terrestrial. Their association with cattle and farm machinery makes them one of the most recognizable birds in rural California.

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

White Birds in California

The American White Pelican is a massive waterbird with bright white plumage, black wingtips visible in flight, and a long orange bill with a distinct throat pouch. It has an impressive wingspan of up to 9 feet, making it one of the largest North American birds. During the breeding season, adults develop a noticeable horn-shaped growth on the upper part of their bill.

This species is commonly seen in large flocks on freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving rivers across inland California. They are especially abundant in the Central Valley during migration and winter. While they do breed in some parts of the inland West, they are mostly non-breeding visitors to California.

American White Pelicans feed mainly on fish, which they catch cooperatively in shallow water by swimming in groups and herding prey. Unlike Brown Pelicans, they do not dive but instead scoop up fish while floating. Their synchronized hunting behavior and graceful flight make them easy to identify from a distance.

Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)

White Birds in California

The Western Gull is a large, stocky gull with a white head and underparts, gray back, pink legs, and a heavy yellow bill marked with a red spot. It closely resembles other gulls but is best identified by its dark gray upperwings and relatively large size. Juveniles are brown and mottled before gradually molting into adult plumage over four years.

This gull is highly common along the California coastline, from beaches and rocky shores to harbors and fishing piers. It is a year-round resident and often nests on offshore islands and coastal cliffs. Western Gulls are also known to venture into urban waterfronts and coastal towns.

Western Gulls are omnivorous scavengers, eating fish, marine invertebrates, carrion, garbage, and even eggs or chicks of other seabirds. Their bold behavior and loud calls make them a familiar presence at seafood markets, beaches, and marinas. They are among the dominant gull species along the Pacific Coast.

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

White Birds in California

The White-breasted Nuthatch is a small, agile songbird with a white face and underparts, a black cap, and a blue-gray back. It has a short tail and a long, slightly upturned bill, perfect for probing bark. Males tend to have a darker cap than females, and both sexes show a subtle rusty wash on their lower belly.

This species is very common in coniferous and mixed forests throughout California, especially in the Sierra Nevada, coastal redwood forests, and even large urban parks with mature trees. It is a year-round resident and is known for its ability to move headfirst down tree trunks in search of food.

White-breasted Nuthatches feed on insects, spiders, and seeds, often wedging large seeds into bark crevices and hammering them open with their bills. They are frequent visitors to backyard feeders, especially in winter, where they enjoy sunflower seeds and suet. Their nasal “yank-yank” calls are a common sound in wooded areas.

White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus)

White Birds in California

The White-tailed Kite is a graceful raptor with snow-white underparts and head, gray wings, and black patches on the shoulders. Its eyes are strikingly red, and it has a short white tail that helps with its hovering flight. This species is medium-sized, typically measuring around 15 inches long with a wingspan near 40 inches.

It is widespread in California, especially in open country such as grasslands, agricultural fields, and savannas. Common regions include the Central Valley, coastal lowlands, and foothills. White-tailed Kites are resident year-round and are best known for their habit of hovering in place like a kestrel while scanning for prey.

Their diet is primarily small rodents like voles and mice, but they may also take insects and small birds. They hunt by sight and often perch on fence posts or trees overlooking open fields. During the breeding season, they perform acrobatic aerial displays, including high circling and food-passing rituals.

Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)

White Birds in California

The Snow Goose is a large, stocky waterfowl with a white body, black wingtips, and a pinkish bill with a distinctive “grinning patch.” There is also a “blue morph” version with a dark gray body and white head, but the white morph is more commonly seen in California. They are known for their loud, honking calls and their formation flying.

These geese are extremely abundant in California during the winter months, particularly in the Central Valley. They arrive in large flocks in October and stay until February or March, often forming enormous gatherings at wildlife refuges, wetlands, and flooded rice fields. Notable locations include Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and Merced County wetlands.

Snow Geese feed mainly on grasses, sedges, grains, and agricultural waste. They forage in fields during the day and roost in water bodies at night. Their large flocks can number in the tens of thousands, and their mass movements create one of the most impressive bird spectacles in the state.

Ross’s Goose (Anser rossii)

White Birds in California

Ross’s Goose is a small white goose with a compact body, short neck, and stubby pink bill without the black “grinning patch” seen in Snow Geese. Adults have pure white plumage with black wingtips, while juveniles may appear light gray. Their smaller size and rounder head help distinguish them from their larger cousins.

In California, Ross’s Goose is less common than the Snow Goose but often seen mixed into the same large winter flocks across the Central Valley. They typically arrive in late fall and stay through early spring, frequenting wildlife refuges, flooded fields, and shallow lakes where they can rest and feed.

Their diet consists mainly of grasses, sedges, and leftover grains in agricultural areas. They forage in open fields and are known to graze in large groups, often flying together in tight, high-pitched flocks. Ross’s Geese are highly social and follow similar migratory patterns to Snow Geese, wintering primarily in the Sacramento Valley.

Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri)

White Birds in California

Forster’s Tern is a sleek, medium-sized tern with a white body, pale gray wings, black cap (in breeding plumage), and a long, deeply forked tail. In non-breeding plumage, the black cap is replaced by a black eye patch on a white head, and their slender orange bill becomes more muted.

They are seasonally common in California, especially around wetlands, marshes, estuaries, and salt ponds along the coast and inland valleys. Most sightings occur during the breeding and migration seasons, from spring through fall, particularly in areas like San Francisco Bay and the Salton Sea.

Forster’s Terns feed by plunge-diving into shallow water to catch small fish and aquatic insects. They are agile fliers and often seen hovering above water before a rapid dive. Their calls are harsh and scratchy, often heard in noisy colonies where they nest on floating vegetation or small islets.

White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)

White Birds in California

The White-winged Dove is a medium-sized dove with a tan-gray body, bright white wing patches visible in flight, a blue eye ring, and a slightly curved black bill. It is slightly larger and stockier than the Mourning Dove and has a squared tail with white tips.

This species has become increasingly common in southern California, particularly in urban parks, desert towns, and residential areas. It is often associated with areas that have palm trees, citrus groves, or backyard feeders. White-winged Doves are most numerous from spring through fall, with some populations staying year-round in warmer areas.

They primarily feed on seeds, grains, and fruits, often foraging on the ground or visiting bird feeders. In desert regions, they are especially fond of saguaro and other cactus fruits. Their cooing call and bold white wing flashes make them easy to spot during the breeding season.

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)

White Birds in California

The Caspian Tern is the largest tern species, with a thick red-orange bill, pale gray wings, white body, and a black cap during the breeding season. Their wings are broad and slightly angular, and in flight, they appear powerful and steady compared to smaller terns.

In California, Caspian Terns are most often found near large lakes, bays, and coastal regions, including San Francisco Bay, the Salton Sea, and coastal lagoons. While not as numerous as Forster’s Terns, they are still fairly widespread during migration and breeding seasons.

Their diet is composed mainly of fish, which they catch by diving from the air into open water. They nest in loose colonies on sandy or rocky islands, often competing with gulls for space. Caspian Terns are known for their loud, barking calls and commanding presence when flying over coastal areas.

Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus)

White Birds in California

The Tundra Swan is a large, elegant white swan with a long neck, black bill often marked with a yellow spot near the eye, and black legs. It is slightly smaller and lighter than the Trumpeter Swan but can be difficult to distinguish without close observation.

These swans are winter visitors to northern California, especially in the Central Valley, where they gather in large numbers between November and February. Key locations include the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, where wetlands and agricultural fields provide feeding and resting grounds.

Tundra Swans feed on aquatic vegetation, grasses, and leftover grains in harvested fields. They are often seen grazing in flooded pastures or floating on calm ponds. Their bugling calls and graceful appearance make them a highlight of winter birdwatching in northern parts of the state.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)

White Birds in California

The Trumpeter Swan is the largest native North American waterfowl, with a pure white body, long neck, and a distinctive black bill without any yellow markings. It has a robust build and can weigh up to 30 pounds, with a wingspan exceeding 7 feet. Compared to the Tundra Swan, it has a longer neck and a lower-pitched call.

This swan is less common in California, often appearing sporadically in suitable wetland habitats during winter. Most sightings occur in the northern and northeastern parts of the state where wetlands and large lakes provide resting spots. The Trumpeter Swan is mainly a winter visitor and sometimes breeds in remote areas outside California.

Trumpeter Swans feed primarily on submerged aquatic vegetation, roots, and tubers, often dabbling in shallow waters. They forage by tipping forward to reach underwater plants and may graze on grasses along the shore. Their slow, deep trumpet-like calls can be heard echoing over calm waters.

Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens)

White Birds in California

The Glaucous-winged Gull is a large gull with a white head and body, pale gray wings without black tips, pink legs, and a thick yellow bill with a red spot. Its wings are noticeably paler than most gulls, giving it a ghostly appearance in flight. Juveniles have mottled brown plumage before gradually molting into adult colors.

This species is mainly a winter visitor in northern California’s coastal areas, especially around bays, harbors, and rocky shorelines. It is more commonly found north of the San Francisco Bay Area but can occasionally be seen farther south during cold months. Glaucous-winged Gulls prefer cooler coastal environments.

Their diet is highly opportunistic, including fish, marine invertebrates, carrion, and human refuse. They are known for scavenging around fishing docks and garbage dumps, often outcompeting smaller gulls for food. Their vocalizations are loud and varied, ranging from harsh squawks to melodic calls.

White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)

White Birds in California

The White-faced Ibis is a medium-sized wading bird with dark iridescent plumage that shines with green, purple, and bronze hues in sunlight. Despite its name, it has a distinctive white feathering around the base of its bill during the breeding season, which gives it its name. Its long, curved reddish bill and red eyes stand out against its dark body.

This ibis is seasonally common in California’s inland wetlands, marshes, and agricultural fields, especially during spring and summer when it breeds in colonies. It is harder to identify outside the breeding season due to the loss of the white facial feathers and the more muted coloration of its plumage.

White-faced Ibises feed mainly on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish by probing in shallow water or soft mud. They often forage in groups, stirring the water with their feet to flush prey. Their quiet, grunting calls contrast with their striking visual appearance in the marshes.

White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis)

White Birds in California

The White-throated Swift is a small, fast-flying bird with dark, glossy blue-black upperparts, a bright white throat and upper chest, and a white patch on the belly. Its long, pointed wings and short tail make it an agile flyer. It is often seen darting near cliffs and rocky canyons, where it nests in crevices.

In California, this swift is found mostly in scattered locations in mountainous and desert regions, particularly along rocky cliffs and canyons. It is not widespread but can be locally common where suitable nesting sites are available. The species is usually present from spring through early fall.

White-throated Swifts catch flying insects in midair, hunting on the wing with rapid, acrobatic maneuvers. They roost and nest on vertical rock faces, often in colonies. Their high-pitched twittering calls are common around their nesting sites and during foraging flights.

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