The_Arboretum: Birds

Walks: The Dish

Birds:

Within the general vicinity look for:

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Vultures/Birds of Prey

.....Turkey Vulture

Common visitor seen soaring above campus year-round, occasionally feeding on dead animals along roads or in freshly disked areas.

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..... White-tailed Kite

More common in adjacent foothills, but a few pairs are present in the southern portions of campus. At least one pair has nested regularly in the faculty housing area.

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..... Sharp-shinned Hawk

Fairly common visitor throughout campus from fall through spring, preying on small birds in virtually any habitat type. Unlike its larger congener the Cooper's Hawk, this species does not breed on campus.

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..... Cooper's Hawk

Fairly common throughout campus year-round, foraging on birds (often Western Scrub-Jays, Mourning Doves, and House Finches) in virtually any habitat type. A few pairs breed on campus; one pair has nested for several years in coast live oaks near the mausoleum, another near the Cabrillo-Mirada intersection.

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Pheasants

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..... Ring-necked ..... ..... ..... Pheasant

More common in foothill and bayside areas; a few of these exotic birds may be resident on campus.

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Pigeons/Doves

..... Mourning Dove

Common to abundant resident throughout campus. Highly flexible in its use of nesting substrates; nests in a variety of trees and shrubs but also uses planters, artificial ledges, the eaves of buildings, and even old nests of other species.

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Woodpeckers

..... Northern Flicker

The "Red-shafted" form is an uncommon to fairly common migrant and winter resident throughout campus. Less common in summer, though a few pairs likely breed on campus. Often forages in mature trees, but forages on the ground (usually on ants) more often than any other woodpecker. "Yellow-shafted" Flickers and intergrades between Red-shafted and Yellow-shafted are fairly rare on campus, occurring occasionally in fall and winter.

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Flycatchers

..... Say's Phoebe

Uncommon migrant and winter resident. Most frequently seen around the Dish, and at Lagunita (including the lake bed when dry), more rarely in Quad locations where it sometimes collects insects from building walls.

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Vireos

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..... Warbling Vireo

Uncommon migrant throughout campus. A fairly common breeder in riparian and foothill areas nearby, but not known to breed on campus.

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Jays/crows/Ravens

..... Common Raven

Increasingly common visitor to campus. Most often seen in fall and winter, when flocks flying between bayside foraging areas and foothill roost sites can be seen flying over campus. This species' local populations have increased dramatically in recent years, and nesting on campus occurred for the first time in 1999, when a pair nested on Green Library.

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Swallows

..... Tree Swallow

Uncommon forager around campus from spring through fall, often with flocks of Violet-green and other swallows. Often breeds near water, and perhaps could nest near Lagunita some years, although breeding has not been confirmed on campus [ANY BREEDING RECORDS?].

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..... Violet-green Swallow

Uncommon to fairly common migrant and summer resident. Large flocks of migrants or post-breeding individuals occasionally forage or roost on campus. Small numbers nest in natural cavities and woodpecker holes (especially near the Dish), and occasionally in crevices and cavities in buildings on campus.

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..... No. Rough-winged ..... ..... Swallow

Uncommon forager on campus from spring through fall, often seen foraging over Lagunita in spring. Not known to breed on campus.

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..... Barn Swallow

Common migrant and summer resident throughout campus, attaching its mud nests to walls and the eaves of buildings.

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..... Cliff Swallow

Common resident from spring through fall, foraging aerially throughout campus. Large colonies in the Main Quad comprise most of the campus's breeding population, although a few pairs build their mud nests on residences and other structures. Nests are occasionally appropriated by House Sparrows.

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Thrushes

..... American Robin

Common resident throughout campus, nesting in a variety of trees and tall shrubs and on artificial substrates, such as planters and the eaves of buildings. Occasionally seen in flocks from fall through spring.

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Starlings

..... European Starling

Abundant resident which first bred at Stanford in 1963; found in a variety of habitat types throughout campus. Nests in a variety of artificial cavities and crevices but also uses natural cavities, including woodpecker holes. Stanford-area studies of interactions between starlings and Acorn Woodpeckers suggest that appropriation of woodpecker cavities by starlings may not have a significant impact on Acorn Woodpecker populations.

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Towhees

..... California Towhee

Common resident in a variety of habitat types virtually throughout campus. More common and widespread than the Spotted Towhee, foraging more frequently in open habitats and farther from cover than the Spotted. Probably the species most frequently parasitized by the Brown-headed Cowbird on campus.

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Juncos

..... Dark-eyed Junco

Uncommon and local summer resident, fairly common and more widespread during migration and in winter. Breeding birds on main campus nest almost exclusively in dense mats of ivy and other vines planted around buildings and courtyards, although the choice of nesting cover may be more diverse in woodland and scrub habitats near the Dish and in the faculty housing area. From fall through spring, flocks (sometimes fairly large in the Arboretum) occur virtually throughout campus.

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Blackbirds

..... Brewer's Blackbird

Common to abundant resident in a variety of habitats virtually throughout campus.

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..... Brown-headed
..... Cowbird

Fairly common breeder in a variety of habitats virtually throughout campus, less common during the nonbreeding season. Laying its eggs in the nests of other species, the Brown-headed Cowbird has been observed parasitizing the California Towhee (the most frequent cowbird host) and [OBSERVERS ADD OTHER SPECIES] on campus.

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Finches

..... House Finch

Abundant resident in various habitats throughout campus. Frequently nests on artificial substrates, such as planters and the eaves of buildings.

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..... Lesser Goldfinch

Common resident in various habitats virtually throughout campus. May forage in flocks during the nonbreeding season.

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..... House Sparrow

Common resident around artificial structures throughout campus. This species nests in artificial crevices and cavities in buildings and other structures, and occasionally in bluebird nest boxes. Although it often forages on seeds in weedy and brushy habitats, the House Sparrow most frequently feeds on human leftovers.

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Within the scrub and woodland look for:

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Babblers

..... Wrentit

Uncommon, very secretive resident in dense, brushy vegetation. Sparsely distributed on main campus but more common and widespread in scrub near the Dish and around faculty housing.

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Mockingbirds/Thrashers

..... California Thrasher

Resident where dense, brushy vegetation provides cover and nesting habitat, although may forage in the open and sing from high, exposed perches. Sparsely distributed on main campus, but one or two pairs are usually present near the Oval. More common and widespread in scrub near the Dish and around faculty housing.

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Warblers

..... Orange-crowned ..... ..... Warbler

Uncommon migrant in various habitat types throughout campus. May breed in woodland and scrub near the Dish.

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..... Common
..... Yellowthroat

Uncommon to fairly rare migrant in brushy habitats and tall weedy vegetation, especially near water. Occurs most regularly near Lagunita and, during migration, in scrub near the Dish. Breeds in the Stanford vicinity; marginally suitable nesting habitat may be present around Lagunita in some years, though suitable wetland breeding habitat is generally absent from campus.

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..... Wilson's Warbler

Uncommon to fairly common migrant and summer resident in woodland and scrub near the Dish, with a few pairs probably nesting there. Uncommon migrant elsewhere on campus.

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Towhees

..... Spotted Towhee

Fairly common resident virtually throughout campus, primarily in dense patches of brushy vegetation. Distributed fairly sparsely on most of main campus but more common and widespread in woodland and scrub habitats near the Dish and around faculty housing. Less common and widespread than the California Towhee, and generally restricted to dense vegetation, unlike California.

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Sparrows

..... Fox Sparrow

Uncommon migrant and winter resident in dense patches of brushy vegetation, sparsely on most of main campus but more common in woodland and scrub habitats near the Dish and around faculty housing.

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Buntings

..... Lazuli Bunting

Fairly rare and irregular migrant and rare summer resident, occurring primarily in scrubby habitats near the Dish. Absent as a breeder in some years, but in years when this species is common and widespread throughout the Peninsula, a few pairs are present. Migrants probably occur occasionally in weedy or brushy habitats elsewhere on campus.

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Within the woodland look for:

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Vultures/Birds of Prey

..... Merlin

Uncommon migrant and winter visitor virtually throughout campus. During winter, often seen perched conspicuously at the tops of tall redwoods and eucalyptus trees or in rapid pursuit of Mourning Doves, House Finches, and other birds.

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Owls

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..... Western Screech-Owl

Uncommon to fairly rare resident in wooded areas near the Dish, nesting in cavities. Formerly common in, but now absent from, main campus; this species has apparently not adapted well to urbanization in the Stanford area.

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Woodpeckers

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..... Acorn Woodpecker

Common resident virtually wherever there are mature oaks. Social groups establish territories in which they collect acorns and cache them in the limbs and trunks of oaks, palms, eucalyptus, and occasionally the eaves of buildings. These caches are defended against Western Scrub-Jays and other groups of Acorn Woodpeckers. Although populations have declined in surrounding urban areas, those on campus should persist if mature oaks remain available.

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Flycatchers

..... Ash-throated ..... ..... ..... Flycatcher

Uncommon migrant and summer resident in wooded areas at the Dish, nesting in natural cavities and old woodpecker holes, usually in oak woodland. Fairly rare during migration, and not known to breed, on main campus.

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Jays/Crows/Ravens

..... Steller's Jay

Fairly rare resident in wooded areas near the Dish, very rarely occurring elsewhere on campus during winter.

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..... Western Scrub-Jay

Common to abundant resident throughout campus, especially in oak-dominated habitats, where it feeds on acorns. Also eats a variety of fruits (including those of the eucalyptus), preys upon insects and small vertebrates, and scavenges discarded food items at Tresidder Union. Scrub-jays on campus have been seen killing and eating fully-grown juvenile European Starlings.

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Wrens

..... Bewick's Wren

Uncommon to locally common resident virtually throughout campus, occurring primarily in dense patches of brushy vegetation. Distributed fairly sparsely on most of main campus but more common and widespread in woodland and scrub habitats near the Dish and around faculty housing.

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..... House Wren

Uncommon migrant and summer resident in wooded areas near the Dish, nesting in natural cavities, old woodpecker holes, and nest boxes. Uncommon to fairly rare migrant elsewhere on campus.

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Gnatcatchers

..... Blue-gray
..... Gnatcatcher

Uncommon migrant and summer resident breeding in wooded areas near the Dish. Fairly rare elsewhere on campus.

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Grosbeaks

..... Black-headed ..... ..... ..... Grosbeak

Uncommon migrant in various habitats throughout campus, most common near the Dish where it breeds in small numbers in wooded areas.

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Orioles

..... Bullock's Oriole

Uncommon migrant and summer resident virtually throughout campus, more widespread than the Hooded Oriole. Often seen in oaks and eucalyptus in the Arboretum and in woodlands near the Dish.

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Within the grassland look for:

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Herons/Egrets

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..... Great Egret

Uncommon visitor to Lagunita when water is present; has been seen feeding on California tiger salamanders there. May forage year-round for small mammals in grassy habitats, though less frequently than the Great Blue Heron.

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Vultures/Birds of Prey

..... Red-shouldered ..... ..... Hawk

Resident virtually throughout campus, foraging for small vertebrates in fields and occasionally on lawns. The number of breeding pairs is only 5-10 due to large territory size and the paucity of trees large enough for nesting. Most pairs of this highly vocal raptor nest in eucalyptus trees, which provide sturdy support for nests and protection from predators (see Red-tailed Hawk).

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..... Red-tailed Hawk

A few pairs are resident on campus, foraging for California ground squirrels and smaller rodents in fields, ruderal habitats, and occasionally on lawns. Abundance is limited by territory size and availability of large trees for nesting. Competes to some extent with the Red-shouldered Hawk for nest sites, although generally prefers larger, sturdier platforms for nest support and more open canopies than the Red-shouldered Hawk.

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..... American Kestrel

Uncommon resident on campus, nesting in natural tree cavities, Acorn Woodpecker holes, and occasionally in buildings and foraging in fields habitats. One pair nested inside the old chemistry building on Lomita Drive, entering through a broken window!

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Flycatchers

..... Western Kingbird

Uncommon migrant and rare summer resident at the Dish, fairly rare elsewhere on campus. Most common in spring, but occasionally a pair will linger to nest at the Dish. Feeds on insects while making long sallies over open fields.

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Shrikes

..... Loggerhead Shrike

Occasional visitor to the Dish and Lagunita, especially from fall through spring. Forages on arthropods and small vertebrates in open areas. Ostensibly suitable breeding habitat present, but not known to nest on campus currently.

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Larks

..... Horned Lark

This ground-nester is an uncommon resident in grasslands at the Dish, occasionally foraging in the dry bed of Lagunita in fall, before it is filled by winter rains.

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Thrushes

..... Western Bluebird

Fairly common resident at the Dish. Uncommon elsewhere on campus, occurring primarily in habitats having oaks interspersed with open grassland or fields. Nests in natural cavities, woodpecker holes, and artificial nest boxes.

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Pipits

..... American Pipit

Uncommon to fairly rare migrant and winter resident in areas having broad expanses of short vegetation. Occurs primarily in the dry bed of Lagunita in fall and in short grassland near the Dish, although may occasionally visit playfields and the Oval.

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Sparrows

..... Grasshopper
..... Sparrow

Fairly rare and local summer resident in grassland habitats at the Dish, where 1-2 pairs nest in most years. No records elsewhere on campus.

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..... Savannah Sparrow

Fairly common migrant and winter resident in areas having broad expanses of short vegetation. Occurs primarily in the dry bed of Lagunita in fall and in short grassland near the Dish, but may visit playfields and the Oval.

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..... White-crowned ..... ..... ..... Sparrow

Common migrant and winter resident virtually throughout campus, occurring in a variety of habitat types but usually found in close proximity to the cover of brush or dense weedy vegetation. Often occurs in flocks with Golden-crowned Sparrows,but is less closely tied to shrubs and brushy vegetation and more likely to occur in or near tall grasses and forbs (without nearby brush) than the Golden-crowned. Forages primarily on or near the ground, although in spring flocks forage in the crowns of flowering oaks and eucalyptus.

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..... Golden-crowned ..... ..... Sparrow

Common migrant and winter resident virtually throughout campus, occurring in a variety of habitat types but usually found in close proximity to the cover of brushy vegetation. Often occurs in flocks with White-crowned Sparrows, although it is more closely tied to shrubs and brushy vegetation, and less likely to occur in tall grasses and forbs away from brush, than is the White-crowned. Forages primarily on or near the ground, although in spring flocks forage in the crowns of flowering oaks and eucalyptus.

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Blackbirds

..... Red-winged
..... Blackbird

Common breeder in mustard and other herbaceous vegetation on the hills near the Dish and near Lagunita, fairly rare as a breeder elsewhere on campus. A few pairs may nest in the wetland area south of Campus Drive between Lomita Drive and Palm Drive. During the nonbreeding season, small numbers (and occasionally flocks) may forage throughout campus.

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..... Western Meadowlark

Common resident in grassland and weedy habitats near the Dish, with a few pairs possibly nesting around Lagunita and fields on the western side of campus. During the nonbreeding season, flocks are present in the dry bed of Lagunita in fall, and occasional individuals may occur in open, grassy habitats elsewhere on campus.

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Along San Francisquito Creek look for:

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Kingfishers

..... Belted Kingfisher

Fairly rare visitor to Lagunita, breeding more regularly along streams nearby (e.g., San Francisquito Creek).

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Species commonly seen throughout the campus, and also seen here include:

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Vultures / Birds of Prey

..... Sharp-shinned Hawk

Fairly common visitor throughout campus from fall through spring, preying on small birds in virtually any habitat type.

Pigeons / Doves

..... Mourning Dove

Common to abundant resident throughout campus

Hummingbirds

..... Anna's Hummingbird

Abundant throughout campus, nesting in virtually any type of tree or tall shrub, even in areas with heavy human activity.

Woodpeckers

..... Acorn Woodpecker

Common resident virtually wherever there are mature oaks, tending acorn caches in the limbs and trunks of oaks, palms, eucalyptus

Jays / Crows / Ravens

..... Western Scrub-Jay

Common to abundant resident throughout campus, especially in oak-dominated habitats, where it feeds on acorns. Also eats a variety of fruits (including those of the eucalyptus), preys upon insects and small vertebrates, and scavenges

Thrushes

..... American Robin

Common resident throughout campus.

Starlings

..... European Starling

Abundant resident which first bred at Stanford in 1963; found in a variety of habitat types throughout campus.

Towhees

..... California Towhee

Common resident in a variety of habitat types virtually throughout campus.

Juncos

..... Dark-eyed Junco

Uncommon and local summer resident, fairly common and more widespread during migration and in winter

Blackbirds

..... Brewer's Blackbird

Common to abundant resident in a variety of habitats virtually throughout campus.

..... Brown-headed
..... Cowbird

Fairly common breeder in a variety of habitats virtually throughout campus, less common during the nonbreeding season.

Finches

..... House Finch

Abundant resident in various habitats throughout campus.

..... Lesser Goldfinch

Common resident in various habitats virtually throughout campus.

Old World Sparrows

..... House Sparrow

ACommon resident around artificial structures throughout campus.

Species not commonly seen throughout the campus, but may be seen here include:

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..... Orange-crowned
..... Warbler

Uncommon migrant in various habitat types throughout campus. t

..... Purple Finch

Uncommon and irregular migrant and winter resident in various habitats throughout campus. Occasionally seen at feeders or foraging on fruits and seeds in the Arboretum.

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BACK

Vultures/Birds of Prey
.....Turkey Vulture	Common visitor seen soaring above campus year-round, occasionally feeding on dead animals along roads or in freshly disked areas.
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..... White-tailed Kite	More common in adjacent foothills, but a few pairs are present in the southern portions of campus. At least one pair has nested regularly in the faculty housing area.
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..... Sharp-shinned Hawk	Fairly common visitor throughout campus from fall through spring, preying on small birds in virtually any habitat type. Unlike its larger congener the Cooper's Hawk, this species does not breed on campus.
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..... Cooper's Hawk	Fairly common throughout campus year-round, foraging on birds (often Western Scrub-Jays, Mourning Doves, and House Finches) in virtually any habitat type. A few pairs breed on campus; one pair has nested for several years in coast live oaks near the mausoleum, another near the Cabrillo-Mirada intersection.
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Pheasants	A
..... Ring-necked ..... ..... ..... Pheasant	More common in foothill and bayside areas; a few of these exotic birds may be resident on campus.
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Pigeons/Doves
..... Mourning Dove	Common to abundant resident throughout campus. Highly flexible in its use of nesting substrates; nests in a variety of trees and shrubs but also uses planters, artificial ledges, the eaves of buildings, and even old nests of other species.
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Woodpeckers
..... Northern Flicker	The "Red-shafted" form is an uncommon to fairly common migrant and winter resident throughout campus. Less common in summer, though a few pairs likely breed on campus. Often forages in mature trees, but forages on the ground (usually on ants) more often than any other woodpecker. "Yellow-shafted" Flickers and intergrades between Red-shafted and Yellow-shafted are fairly rare on campus, occurring occasionally in fall and winter.
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Flycatchers
..... Say's Phoebe	Uncommon migrant and winter resident. Most frequently seen around the Dish, and at Lagunita (including the lake bed when dry), more rarely in Quad locations where it sometimes collects insects from building walls.
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Vireos	A
..... Warbling Vireo	Uncommon migrant throughout campus. A fairly common breeder in riparian and foothill areas nearby, but not known to breed on campus.
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Jays/crows/Ravens
..... Common Raven	Increasingly common visitor to campus. Most often seen in fall and winter, when flocks flying between bayside foraging areas and foothill roost sites can be seen flying over campus. This species' local populations have increased dramatically in recent years, and nesting on campus occurred for the first time in 1999, when a pair nested on Green Library.
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Swallows
..... Tree Swallow	Uncommon forager around campus from spring through fall, often with flocks of Violet-green and other swallows. Often breeds near water, and perhaps could nest near Lagunita some years, although breeding has not been confirmed on campus [ANY BREEDING RECORDS?].
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..... Violet-green Swallow	Uncommon to fairly common migrant and summer resident. Large flocks of migrants or post-breeding individuals occasionally forage or roost on campus. Small numbers nest in natural cavities and woodpecker holes (especially near the Dish), and occasionally in crevices and cavities in buildings on campus.
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..... No. Rough-winged ..... ..... Swallow	Uncommon forager on campus from spring through fall, often seen foraging over Lagunita in spring. Not known to breed on campus.
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..... Barn Swallow	Common migrant and summer resident throughout campus, attaching its mud nests to walls and the eaves of buildings.
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..... Cliff Swallow	Common resident from spring through fall, foraging aerially throughout campus. Large colonies in the Main Quad comprise most of the campus's breeding population, although a few pairs build their mud nests on residences and other structures. Nests are occasionally appropriated by House Sparrows.
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Thrushes
..... American Robin	Common resident throughout campus, nesting in a variety of trees and tall shrubs and on artificial substrates, such as planters and the eaves of buildings. Occasionally seen in flocks from fall through spring.
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Starlings
..... European Starling	Abundant resident which first bred at Stanford in 1963; found in a variety of habitat types throughout campus. Nests in a variety of artificial cavities and crevices but also uses natural cavities, including woodpecker holes. Stanford-area studies of interactions between starlings and Acorn Woodpeckers suggest that appropriation of woodpecker cavities by starlings may not have a significant impact on Acorn Woodpecker populations.
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Towhees
..... California Towhee	Common resident in a variety of habitat types virtually throughout campus. More common and widespread than the Spotted Towhee, foraging more frequently in open habitats and farther from cover than the Spotted. Probably the species most frequently parasitized by the Brown-headed Cowbird on campus.
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Juncos
..... Dark-eyed Junco	Uncommon and local summer resident, fairly common and more widespread during migration and in winter. Breeding birds on main campus nest almost exclusively in dense mats of ivy and other vines planted around buildings and courtyards, although the choice of nesting cover may be more diverse in woodland and scrub habitats near the Dish and in the faculty housing area. From fall through spring, flocks (sometimes fairly large in the Arboretum) occur virtually throughout campus.
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Blackbirds
..... Brewer's Blackbird	Common to abundant resident in a variety of habitats virtually throughout campus.
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..... Brown-headed ..... Cowbird	Fairly common breeder in a variety of habitats virtually throughout campus, less common during the nonbreeding season. Laying its eggs in the nests of other species, the Brown-headed Cowbird has been observed parasitizing the California Towhee (the most frequent cowbird host) and [OBSERVERS ADD OTHER SPECIES] on campus.
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Finches
..... House Finch	Abundant resident in various habitats throughout campus. Frequently nests on artificial substrates, such as planters and the eaves of buildings.
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..... Lesser Goldfinch	Common resident in various habitats virtually throughout campus. May forage in flocks during the nonbreeding season.
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..... House Sparrow	Common resident around artificial structures throughout campus. This species nests in artificial crevices and cavities in buildings and other structures, and occasionally in bluebird nest boxes. Although it often forages on seeds in weedy and brushy habitats, the House Sparrow most frequently feeds on human leftovers.
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Babblers
..... Wrentit	Uncommon, very secretive resident in dense, brushy vegetation. Sparsely distributed on main campus but more common and widespread in scrub near the Dish and around faculty housing.
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Mockingbirds/Thrashers
..... California Thrasher	Resident where dense, brushy vegetation provides cover and nesting habitat, although may forage in the open and sing from high, exposed perches. Sparsely distributed on main campus, but one or two pairs are usually present near the Oval. More common and widespread in scrub near the Dish and around faculty housing.
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Warblers
..... Orange-crowned ..... ..... Warbler	Uncommon migrant in various habitat types throughout campus. May breed in woodland and scrub near the Dish.
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..... Common ..... Yellowthroat	Uncommon to fairly rare migrant in brushy habitats and tall weedy vegetation, especially near water. Occurs most regularly near Lagunita and, during migration, in scrub near the Dish. Breeds in the Stanford vicinity; marginally suitable nesting habitat may be present around Lagunita in some years, though suitable wetland breeding habitat is generally absent from campus.
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..... Wilson's Warbler	Uncommon to fairly common migrant and summer resident in woodland and scrub near the Dish, with a few pairs probably nesting there. Uncommon migrant elsewhere on campus.
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Towhees
..... Spotted Towhee	Fairly common resident virtually throughout campus, primarily in dense patches of brushy vegetation. Distributed fairly sparsely on most of main campus but more common and widespread in woodland and scrub habitats near the Dish and around faculty housing. Less common and widespread than the California Towhee, and generally restricted to dense vegetation, unlike California.
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Sparrows
..... Fox Sparrow	Uncommon migrant and winter resident in dense patches of brushy vegetation, sparsely on most of main campus but more common in woodland and scrub habitats near the Dish and around faculty housing.
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Buntings
..... Lazuli Bunting	Fairly rare and irregular migrant and rare summer resident, occurring primarily in scrubby habitats near the Dish. Absent as a breeder in some years, but in years when this species is common and widespread throughout the Peninsula, a few pairs are present. Migrants probably occur occasionally in weedy or brushy habitats elsewhere on campus.
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Vultures/Birds of Prey
..... Merlin	Uncommon migrant and winter visitor virtually throughout campus. During winter, often seen perched conspicuously at the tops of tall redwoods and eucalyptus trees or in rapid pursuit of Mourning Doves, House Finches, and other birds.
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Owls	A
..... Western Screech-Owl	Uncommon to fairly rare resident in wooded areas near the Dish, nesting in cavities. Formerly common in, but now absent from, main campus; this species has apparently not adapted well to urbanization in the Stanford area.
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Woodpeckers	A
..... Acorn Woodpecker	Common resident virtually wherever there are mature oaks. Social groups establish territories in which they collect acorns and cache them in the limbs and trunks of oaks, palms, eucalyptus, and occasionally the eaves of buildings. These caches are defended against Western Scrub-Jays and other groups of Acorn Woodpeckers. Although populations have declined in surrounding urban areas, those on campus should persist if mature oaks remain available.
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Flycatchers
..... Ash-throated ..... ..... ..... Flycatcher	Uncommon migrant and summer resident in wooded areas at the Dish, nesting in natural cavities and old woodpecker holes, usually in oak woodland. Fairly rare during migration, and not known to breed, on main campus.
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Jays/Crows/Ravens
..... Steller's Jay	Fairly rare resident in wooded areas near the Dish, very rarely occurring elsewhere on campus during winter.
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..... Western Scrub-Jay	Common to abundant resident throughout campus, especially in oak-dominated habitats, where it feeds on acorns. Also eats a variety of fruits (including those of the eucalyptus), preys upon insects and small vertebrates, and scavenges discarded food items at Tresidder Union. Scrub-jays on campus have been seen killing and eating fully-grown juvenile European Starlings.
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Wrens
..... Bewick's Wren	Uncommon to locally common resident virtually throughout campus, occurring primarily in dense patches of brushy vegetation. Distributed fairly sparsely on most of main campus but more common and widespread in woodland and scrub habitats near the Dish and around faculty housing.
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..... House Wren	Uncommon migrant and summer resident in wooded areas near the Dish, nesting in natural cavities, old woodpecker holes, and nest boxes. Uncommon to fairly rare migrant elsewhere on campus.
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Gnatcatchers
..... Blue-gray ..... Gnatcatcher	Uncommon migrant and summer resident breeding in wooded areas near the Dish. Fairly rare elsewhere on campus.
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Grosbeaks
..... Black-headed ..... ..... ..... Grosbeak	Uncommon migrant in various habitats throughout campus, most common near the Dish where it breeds in small numbers in wooded areas.
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Orioles
..... Bullock's Oriole	Uncommon migrant and summer resident virtually throughout campus, more widespread than the Hooded Oriole. Often seen in oaks and eucalyptus in the Arboretum and in woodlands near the Dish.
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Herons/Egrets
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..... Great Egret	Uncommon visitor to Lagunita when water is present; has been seen feeding on California tiger salamanders there. May forage year-round for small mammals in grassy habitats, though less frequently than the Great Blue Heron.
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Vultures/Birds of Prey
..... Red-shouldered ..... ..... Hawk	Resident virtually throughout campus, foraging for small vertebrates in fields and occasionally on lawns. The number of breeding pairs is only 5-10 due to large territory size and the paucity of trees large enough for nesting. Most pairs of this highly vocal raptor nest in eucalyptus trees, which provide sturdy support for nests and protection from predators (see Red-tailed Hawk).
	AA
..... Red-tailed Hawk	A few pairs are resident on campus, foraging for California ground squirrels and smaller rodents in fields, ruderal habitats, and occasionally on lawns. Abundance is limited by territory size and availability of large trees for nesting. Competes to some extent with the Red-shouldered Hawk for nest sites, although generally prefers larger, sturdier platforms for nest support and more open canopies than the Red-shouldered Hawk.
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..... American Kestrel	Uncommon resident on campus, nesting in natural tree cavities, Acorn Woodpecker holes, and occasionally in buildings and foraging in fields habitats. One pair nested inside the old chemistry building on Lomita Drive, entering through a broken window!
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Flycatchers
..... Western Kingbird	Uncommon migrant and rare summer resident at the Dish, fairly rare elsewhere on campus. Most common in spring, but occasionally a pair will linger to nest at the Dish. Feeds on insects while making long sallies over open fields.
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Shrikes
..... Loggerhead Shrike	Occasional visitor to the Dish and Lagunita, especially from fall through spring. Forages on arthropods and small vertebrates in open areas. Ostensibly suitable breeding habitat present, but not known to nest on campus currently.
	A
Larks
..... Horned Lark	This ground-nester is an uncommon resident in grasslands at the Dish, occasionally foraging in the dry bed of Lagunita in fall, before it is filled by winter rains.
	A
Thrushes
..... Western Bluebird	Fairly common resident at the Dish. Uncommon elsewhere on campus, occurring primarily in habitats having oaks interspersed with open grassland or fields. Nests in natural cavities, woodpecker holes, and artificial nest boxes.
	A
Pipits
..... American Pipit	Uncommon to fairly rare migrant and winter resident in areas having broad expanses of short vegetation. Occurs primarily in the dry bed of Lagunita in fall and in short grassland near the Dish, although may occasionally visit playfields and the Oval.
	A
Sparrows
..... Grasshopper ..... Sparrow	Fairly rare and local summer resident in grassland habitats at the Dish, where 1-2 pairs nest in most years. No records elsewhere on campus.
	A
..... Savannah Sparrow	Fairly common migrant and winter resident in areas having broad expanses of short vegetation. Occurs primarily in the dry bed of Lagunita in fall and in short grassland near the Dish, but may visit playfields and the Oval.
	A
..... White-crowned ..... ..... ..... Sparrow	Common migrant and winter resident virtually throughout campus, occurring in a variety of habitat types but usually found in close proximity to the cover of brush or dense weedy vegetation. Often occurs in flocks with Golden-crowned Sparrows,but is less closely tied to shrubs and brushy vegetation and more likely to occur in or near tall grasses and forbs (without nearby brush) than the Golden-crowned. Forages primarily on or near the ground, although in spring flocks forage in the crowns of flowering oaks and eucalyptus.
	A
..... Golden-crowned ..... ..... Sparrow	Common migrant and winter resident virtually throughout campus, occurring in a variety of habitat types but usually found in close proximity to the cover of brushy vegetation. Often occurs in flocks with White-crowned Sparrows, although it is more closely tied to shrubs and brushy vegetation, and less likely to occur in tall grasses and forbs away from brush, than is the White-crowned. Forages primarily on or near the ground, although in spring flocks forage in the crowns of flowering oaks and eucalyptus.
	A
Blackbirds
..... Red-winged ..... Blackbird	Common breeder in mustard and other herbaceous vegetation on the hills near the Dish and near Lagunita, fairly rare as a breeder elsewhere on campus. A few pairs may nest in the wetland area south of Campus Drive between Lomita Drive and Palm Drive. During the nonbreeding season, small numbers (and occasionally flocks) may forage throughout campus.
	A
..... Western Meadowlark	Common resident in grassland and weedy habitats near the Dish, with a few pairs possibly nesting around Lagunita and fields on the western side of campus. During the nonbreeding season, flocks are present in the dry bed of Lagunita in fall, and occasional individuals may occur in open, grassy habitats elsewhere on campus.
	A

Kingfishers
..... Belted Kingfisher	Fairly rare visitor to Lagunita, breeding more regularly along streams nearby (e.g., San Francisquito Creek).
	A

Vultures / Birds of Prey
..... Sharp-shinned Hawk	Fairly common visitor throughout campus from fall through spring, preying on small birds in virtually any habitat type.
Pigeons / Doves
..... Mourning Dove	Common to abundant resident throughout campus
Hummingbirds
..... Anna's Hummingbird	Abundant throughout campus, nesting in virtually any type of tree or tall shrub, even in areas with heavy human activity.
Woodpeckers
..... Acorn Woodpecker	Common resident virtually wherever there are mature oaks, tending acorn caches in the limbs and trunks of oaks, palms, eucalyptus
Jays / Crows / Ravens
..... Western Scrub-Jay	Common to abundant resident throughout campus, especially in oak-dominated habitats, where it feeds on acorns. Also eats a variety of fruits (including those of the eucalyptus), preys upon insects and small vertebrates, and scavenges
Thrushes
..... American Robin	Common resident throughout campus.
Starlings
..... European Starling	Abundant resident which first bred at Stanford in 1963; found in a variety of habitat types throughout campus.
Towhees
..... California Towhee	Common resident in a variety of habitat types virtually throughout campus.
Juncos
..... Dark-eyed Junco	Uncommon and local summer resident, fairly common and more widespread during migration and in winter
Blackbirds
..... Brewer's Blackbird	Common to abundant resident in a variety of habitats virtually throughout campus.
..... Brown-headed ..... Cowbird	Fairly common breeder in a variety of habitats virtually throughout campus, less common during the nonbreeding season.
Finches
..... House Finch	Abundant resident in various habitats throughout campus.
..... Lesser Goldfinch	Common resident in various habitats virtually throughout campus.
Old World Sparrows
..... House Sparrow	ACommon resident around artificial structures throughout campus.

..... Orange-crowned ..... Warbler	Uncommon migrant in various habitat types throughout campus. t
..... Purple Finch	Uncommon and irregular migrant and winter resident in various habitats throughout campus. Occasionally seen at feeders or foraging on fruits and seeds in the Arboretum.
	AA