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Riparian Birds of Mount Diablo's Mitchell Canyon

By Jenn Roe

A diverse mix of birds is drawn to Mitchell Canyon's riparian (stream-side) habitat, a corridor of close-growing trees, shade-loving shrubs, vines, and other vegetation that thrive along the banks of Mitchell Creek. Birds find ample water here, along with food, nesting sites and cover from prey.

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The species found in Mitchell Canyon include year-round and seasonal (summer or winter) residents, visitors from nearby woodland, grassland or chaparral habitats, or those in need of a stopover during migration. 

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Those shown here are only a few of the many types of birds seen in and around Mitchell Canyon. 

Breeding birds species in the riparian habitat include:

  • Nutall's Woodpecker (year-round)

  • Black Phoebe (year-round)

  • American Goldfinch (year-round)

  • Lesser Goldfinch (year-round)

  • House Finch (year-round)

  • Bushtit (year-round)

  • Spotted Towhee (year-round)

  • Ash-throated Flycatcher (summer)

  • Allen's Hummingbird (summer)

  • Wilson's Warbler (summer)

  • Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (winter)

  • Yellow-rumped Warbler (winter)

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Pipilo maculatus 2 (Spotted Towhee).jpg

Spotted Towhee | Daniel Fitzgerald

Sayornis nigricans 5 (Black Phoebe).jpg

Black Phoebe | Daniel Fitzgerald

Spinus psaltria 6 (Lesser Goldfinch).jpg

Lesser Goldfinch | Daniel Fitzgerald

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