Summer is here, and the forest is full of wonder. Sunlight filters through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor, while the air hums with the buzz of insects and the calls of birds deep in the trees. As you explore shady trails this season, take time to slow down and notice the details. There’s so much to take in, from the earthy scent of sun-warmed soil to the quiet rustle of wildlife moving through the undergrowth. Among our favorite creatures to scan for: birds. Read on to learn about some of our favorite forest species, how to spot them, and where in the Bay Area you’re most likely to find them.
Why do Forests Matter?
From oak woodlands to redwood groves, the Bay Area’s forests have long drawn admirers from near and far. But clear-cut logging, development, drought, and wildfires have exacted a heavy price. Today, our forests’ towering giants occupy a small fraction of their historic range. Forests offer powerful benefits to people and wildlife and impact the health of our entire region. Their trees store carbon, provide clean water, shelter diverse wildlife, and offer stunning settings for people to enjoy. That’s why POST is invested in protecting and managing remarkable properties like San Vicente Redwoods. Nestled above Davenport, this nearly 9,000-acre property is one of the Santa Cruz Mountains’ largest continuous protected forest areas. Every acre we preserve helps ensure a strong future for our forests and the species who depend on them, including fascinating birds.
Tips for Birdwatching in the Forest
- Look up into the canopy. Forest birds often stay high in the treetops. Watch for movement among the leaves and branches, or silhouettes flitting between trunks.
- Listen closely. Dense foliage can make birds harder to spot, but their songs and calls can help you locate them. Learn to recognize a few common forest bird calls before you go.
- Go early. Mornings are best. Birds are most active just after sunrise, and the quiet forest amplifies their songs.
- Watch the understory. While some birds stay high, others forage in the leaf litter or low shrubs. Movement on the forest floor might be a sign of something special.
- Pause by clearings and water. Gaps in the forest or small streams can be great spots to observe birds coming out to feed, drink, or bathe.
Some of our Favorite Forest Species
These gregarious and social birds are a lively presence in local oak woodlands.
Acorn Woodpecker
Acorn woodpeckers are nature’s noisemakers! They emit loud, laughing calls and pound on trees with their strong, pointy beaks. But they’re not just making a racket — this hammering is how they store food for winter. These red-capped birds drill holes in trees and pack thousands of acorns into them. They also have some of the most fascinating, complex social behaviors ever recorded in the animal kingdom. They live in big family groups, with many generations pitching in to raise young and maintain their food supply.
CHARACTERISTICS
Their black backs, red crowns, and white bellies and wing patches make them easy to spot as they flit between trees.
FUN FACT
Acorn woodpeckers are excellent at getting a grip. That’s because they have zygodactyl feet, which means two toes point forward and two point backward. This helps them hold onto tree trunks.
These barrel-chested birds are famous for their signature “quick, three beers!” call.
Olive-Sided Flycatcher
Keep an eye out for olive-sided flycatchers in California forests that are recovering from clear-cut logging or wildfire. These stocky, large-headed birds favor the edges of burned forests, not only because dead trees make great exposed perches, but because flying insects zip through their wide-open areas. Accustomed to long distances, these migratory birds travel thousands of miles between their breeding grounds in North America and their wintering habitats down south. Highly territorial, they drive out their rivals with strong, swift chases. They are a California Species of Special Concern, with populations declining due to habitat loss and climate change.
CHARACTERISTICS
This stocky, large-headed bird has a grayish-olive back and white belly.
FUN FACT
Olive-sided flycatchers are relationship experts, forming iron-clad pair bonds that can survive failed nestings.
This ground-loving woodpecker adds a pop of color to the forest with its flashy feathers.
NORTHERN FLICKER
If you’re looking to spot a northern flicker in the redwoods, you might try looking down. They often forage on the ground, hammering the soil for ants and beetles with their down-curved bill. To aid in this practice, they have evolved to have long, sticky tongues! Their brownish plumage features black spots, and the undersides of their wing and tail feathers are a vivid red. This makes them easy to spot in flight. Like other woodpeckers, they use their beaks to hammer on tree trunks and stumps, drumming out territorial messages. They often nest in tree cavities, leaving behind empty hollows that other birds, bats, and tiny mammals can use later.
CHARACTERISTICS
This large woodpecker has spotted brown feathers, a black chest crescent, and brightly colored wing undersides.
FUN FACT
Northern flickers have the longest tongues of any woodpecker in North America. To protect their brains, they wrap their tongues around their skulls while hammering wood with their beaks.
A Forest Hike to Spot Feathered Friends
Looking for some serious time on the trail? Take a 9.1-mile trek at POST-protected Purisima Creek Redwoods where you’ll meander through lush forests and take in breathtaking views of the coastline along the way. With a mix of moderate climbs and gentle descents, this tranquil-but-challenging hike is perfect for those looking to bask in the grandeur of California’s big trees.
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Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving more than 97,000 acres as permanently protected land in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. Learn more
