Situated next to the Morro Bay Estuary and on the Pacific Flyway, the Elfin Forest is a prime location for birding. Some of the birds change with the seasons, but overall, during a year roughly 100 species can be seen. There are two overlooks of the bay where many waterbirds can be spotted. Bring your binoculars and see how many you can find.
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Cathartes aura
- Sense of smell is used to locate carcasses
- Large bird with a wing span of 65 – 70 inches
- Thermal air currents help them to soar without having to flap their wings
- Look up to see them soaring above the Elfin Forest
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Selena Carroll
Callipepla californica
- Recognized by a topknot of feathers above their head
- Prefer to run on the ground rather than fly when startled
- Adapted to arid environments by getting moisture from eating insects and plants
- It is the California State Bird
Dylan Wheeler
Toxostoma redivivum
- Large brown bird with downward curving beak
- About 1 foot in length and in wingspan, long tail
- Males sing from bush tops in spring
- Dig in leaf litter for bugs, also eat berries and seeds
- Mockingbird relative mimics other birds
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Pipilo maculatus
- Their flanks are orange colored as well as their eyes
- More colorful than the California Towhee which is also in the Elfin Forest
- You may hear them scratching around in the leaf litter before you see them
- They do a two-footed backwards hop in the leaves to find seeds and insects
Bubo virginianus
- A widespread and common owl in North America
- Stands 2 feet tall with a wing span of 4 – 5 feet
- Horns are actally feathers that look like ears
- Prey on rabbits, rodents and other birds
Aphelocoma
- A beautiful azure/grey bird
- In summer, it lives on insects, spiders and caterpillars
- In winter, it favors seeds and acorns, which it may store in holes it makes in the trunks of Coastal Live Oak trees