Wood Duck

Scientific name: Aix sponsa
Status: Year-round resident

Wood Ducks are considered by many to be one of the most beautiful ducks in North America. Wood Ducks nest in holes in trees, usually near water, and they eat seeds, fruits, and invertebrates. These colorful, medium-sized ducks were nearly driven to extinction due to hunting and habitat loss. Thanks in part to successful nesting programs like the one here at Santee Lakes, Wood Ducks have made a remarkable comeback in many parts of the United States.

Mallard

Scientific name: Anas platyrhynchos
Status: Year-round resident

These large, familiar ducks are found in nearly all wetland habitats. Male Mallards are easily recognized by their dark green heads; females are brown with white markings. Mallards make their nests in or on the ground and line them with vegetation and feathers. Lucky visitors will see down-covered Mallard chicks at Santee Lakes in the spring.

Great Blue Heron

Scientific name: Ardea herodias
Status: Year-round resident

Great Blue Herons are one of the largest birds found at Santee Lakes. These large, blue-gray birds can measure up to 4 ft. tall! Great Blue Herons have long legs, yellow eyes, and a yellow bill. They catch their food, usually fish, frogs, and invertebrates, by stabbing it with their sharp, spear-like bill.

Bufflehead

Scientific name: Bucephala albeola
Status: Winter resident

Buffleheads are migratory birds; they spend the winter here in San Diego, and return to Canada during the summer to breed and raise their young. Like Wood Ducks, Buffleheads nest in trees, often in holes excavated by other bird species. Buffleheads are expert divers, a skill they use to catch their favorite food: aquatic invertebrates. These small, black and white ducks can be spotted at Santee Lakes during the nesting season.

Great Egret

Scientific name: Ardea alba
Status: Year-round resident

Great Egrets have long, black legs and feet, and a long yellow bill. These large, all white birds are found throughout much of the world, often wading along the shores of marshes and ponds. They catch their food, usually fish, frogs, and invertebrates, by stabbing it with their sharp, spear-like bill.

Red-tailed Hawk

Scientific name: Buteo jamaicensis
Status: Year-round resident

Red-tailed Hawks are common throughout the United States. These large, predatory birds get their name from their broad tail, which is reddish on top. Red-tailed Hawks can be seen soaring over open areas or perched on utility poles, looking for rodents, lizards, and other small prey.

Anna's Hummingbird

Scientific name: Calypte anna
Status: Year-round resident

Hummingbirds are the smallest birds on earth. Their tiny wings beat rapidly – from 15 to 80 times per second, depending on the species. Hummingbirds can fly forward, backward, and even hover in place as they drink nectar from flowers. Anna’s Hummingbird is the most common species of hummingbird in Southern California.

Osprey

Scientific name: Pandion haliaetus
Status: Typically winter resident

Ospreys are found throughout the world, and are one of the largest birds in North America. Ospreys are “piscivores” – fish eaters – and are most often seen near lakes, rivers, and oceans. When an Osprey spots a fish, it plunges toward the water feet-first and captures the fish with its long talons.

Black Phoebe

Scientific name: Sayornis nigricans
Status: Year-round resident

Black Phoebes belong to a family of birds called “tyrant flycatchers”. Like the name suggests, flycatchers eat insects. They can often be seen perched on utility poles and power lines, waiting to fly out and catch their next meal. Black Phoebes are nearly always found near water, where they may supplement their insect diet with the occasional small fish.

American Coot

Scientific name: Fulica americana
Status: Year-round resident

Coots may look like ducks, but they’re not. Unlike ducks, Coots do not have webbed feet, and they have a chicken-like bill. These water birds spend most of their time swimming, and are easily recognized by their all black body and white bill.

Western Scrub Jay

Scientific name: Aphelocoma californica
Status: Year-round resident

These large jays can be easily recognized by their blue head, wings, and tail, and their loud, scratchy call. Scrub Jays are familiar visitors at parks, campsites, and backyard feeders. Scrub Jays eat nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects. They often hide thousands of acorns for later use.