Least Bell’s Vireo

If you’re lucky, during the summer months you might catch a glimpse of a Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus). These small, gray songbirds are endangered, primarily due to loss and degradation of their breeding habitat; dense, low shrubs along river and stream corridors. Least Bell’s Vireos breed in Southern California from March to August, building small, cup-shaped nests made of grasses, bark, and even horsehair. Their winter territory ranges from Baja California to Nicaragua.

Hooded Oriole

The Hooded Orioles move to warmer climates in Mexico during the winter. They then return to cooler habitats in the United States during the summer to breed and raise their young.

Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrushes (Catharus guttatus) spend the winter months in the southern United States and Mexico, migrating north to breed during the summer. They adapt to different environments by changing their diet. In summer, they eat mostly insects, adding fruit in the winter to supplement their diet. They build their nests on the ground or in low trees.

Osprey—A Winter Resident

The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a large bird of prey that feeds almost exclusively on fish. In fact, in Spanish it is often called “gavilán pescador,” which means “fishing hawk.” Ospreys hover over the water before diving feet-first into the water to catch fish. These typically winter residents have long claws and specialized pads on their feet to help them grasp their slippery prey.

American White Pelican

Did you know that the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) has a wingspan of 8 to 9½ feet? These winter residents scoop up fish while swimming, rather than diving from the air.

Double-Crested Cormorant

These winter residents are a common sight at Santee Lakes. They can often be spotted extending their wings to dry, or diving underwater to catch their next meal. Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) primarily eat fish, although they may also dine on the occasional aquatic insect or amphibian.

Loyal Mates?

Unlike many other ducks, Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) often remain with the same mate for a number of years. Buffleheads can be seen at Santee Lakes during the winter months, before beginning their long migration to Canada and Alaska to breed.