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Common Raven Jays and Crows Common Raven Corvus corax All Year Jays and Crows Daniel Fitzgerald Frequents a wide variety of habitats, including mountain environments; partial to cliff faces, where it prefers to nest. Often seen flying overhead. Black overall; note comparatively larger size and thick, massive bill. Utters a variety of low, guttural, croaks. In flight, wedge-shaped tail and tendency to soar distinguish it from American Crow . Large twig nest is built on rock ledge of cliff face or in trees; sometimes on man-made structures such as utility poles. Diversified omnivorous diet is supplemented by scavenging.

Wildflower Mount Diablo Bilobe Clarkia, Mule-ear Clarkia, Twolobe Clarkia Scientific Name: Clarkia biloba ssp. biloba Family: Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family) Blooms: June Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Native, endemic to California Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Brewer's Blackbird Blackbirds, Orioles, and Meadowlarks Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus All Year Blackbirds, Orioles, and Meadowlarks Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Here’s one where the eye color distinguishes the sexes with the adult male being whitish and the female being dark. The male can appear purplish in good light and otherwise black where the female is brownish gray.

Western Wood-Pewee Flycatchers Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus Summer Flycatchers Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Found in coniferous or mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, including riparian areas. Told from other flycatchers by the presence of obvious wing bars (compare to Olive-sided Flycatcher ). They generally do not wag their tails as phoebes do. Nests in trees, building a cup-shaped nest structure consisting of grasses, leaves, bark, and spider's silk. Diet primarily includes insects caught in flight.

American Goldfinch Finches and Relatives American Goldfinch Spinus tristis Summer Finches and Relatives Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald A bird of woodland edge, open areas, and second-growth habitats. Breeding male is bright yellow with black cap, wings and tail. Female is duller, lacks black cap. In winter, male loses black cap, and both males and females become more brown or gray in overall color; however, always note the white undertail coverts (compare to Lesser Goldfinch ). Cup-shaped nest built from plant fibers is placed in shrubs or trees. Feeds on seeds from a variety of plants.

American Kestrel Diurnal Birds of Prey American Kestrel Falco sparverius All Year Diurnal Birds of Prey Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Found in open areas and semi-forested habitats. Orangish tail. Bluish wings characteristic of the male; female has orangish-brown wings. Smallest of the North American falcons. Often hovers in mid-air while hunting. Nests in cavities. Feeds on terrestrial arthropods and small vertebrates; small snakes, lizards, frogs, and fish may also be taken. See a 6-minute film about local kestrels by Wally De Young; first of MDIA 's "Wild Mount Diablo" film series: https://youtu.be/NEHLANzZUcU

Lark Sparrow Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, and Longspurs Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus All Year Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, and Longspurs Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Open habitats with scattered trees or shrubs (e.g., oak-savannah habitats) are where you will encounter the Lark Sparrow. White and black tail pattern, central stick-pin on otherwise unstreaked breast, and boldly marked head make this sparrow easy to identify. Nests on the ground, sometimes in shrubs. Nest is a cup-shaped structure built from grasses, weed stems, and twigs. Seeds and insects are the mainstay of its diet.

Common Poorwill Owls and Nightjars Common Poorwill Phalaenoptilus nuttallii Summer Owls and Nightjars Arnold Joe Arnold Joe The common poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) is found in various habitats across western North America, including areas on Mount Diablo in California. Mount Diablo is known for its diverse ecosystem, including chaparral, oak woodlands, and rocky outcrops, which provide suitable habitat for common poorwills. Common poorwills are nocturnal birds, meaning they are most active during the night. They have a unique habit of hibernating during the winter months, which is uncommon among birds. Their diet consists mainly of insects, particularly moths, beetles, and other flying insects. They hunt for prey during their nocturnal flights. Common poorwills have cryptic plumage that helps them blend into their surroundings, making them difficult to spot during the day. They have large heads, short bills, and wide mouths adapted for catching insects in flight. They typically breed in the spring and summer months. The female lays two eggs in a shallow depression on the ground, usually hidden among vegetation or rocks. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks. On Mount Diablo, common poorwills inhabit areas with sparse vegetation, rocky terrain, and open woodlands where they can roost during the day and forage for insects at night. Birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts visiting Mount Diablo may have the opportunity to spot common poorwills, especially during the evening and nighttime hours when these nocturnal birds are most active. They are often heard before they are seen, with their distinctive "poor-will" calls echoing through the night air.

Lazuli Bunting Cardinals, Buntings, and Allies Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena Summer Cardinals, Buntings, and Allies Daniel Fitzgerald Found in chaparral and brushy areas, scrub oak, riparian tickets, and open woodlands; also frequents open grassy and weedy areas during migration. Males bluish underparts contrast with the white belly, white wing bars, and orangish-brown breast band (which extends to sides and flanks). Female: grayish-brown above, buffy below, without streaking on underparts. Nests in shrubs, where it builds a cup-shaped structure using grasses. Eats fruits, seeds, and insects.

Downy Woodpecker Kingfishers and Woodpeckers Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens All Year Kingfishers and Woodpeckers Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald This is like a smaller version of the Hairy Woodpecker with a similarly white back but small bill and spotted outer tail feathers.

Learn more about California native plants and where to obtain them. Native Plant Garden - Additional Resources General Information California Native Plant Society California Native Plant Society, East Bay Chapter Plant Selection For Your Area California Native Plant Society Calscape identifies plants that are suited to very specific areas. Watersmart Gardener Planting Guide (EBMUD) offers a simple landscaping layout with suggested plants that can be adapted to your needs. A UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden California Native Planting Plan offers a template for a simple layout that includes plant selection. Where To Get California Native Plants If you know what you want, your local nursery most likely will be able to order it for you. A great local resource is Native Here Nursery . Las Pilitas Nursery offers online ordering and carries many native plants from all parts of California. Books California Native Plants for the Garden by Carol Bornstein, David Fross, and Bart O'Brien Plants and Landscapes for Summer-dry Climates of the San Francisco Bay Region edited by Nora Harlow and published by the East Bay Municipal Utility District Mariposa Lily

Wildflower Mount Diablo Valley Tassels, Narrow Leaved Owl's Clover Scientific Name: Castilleja attenuata Family: Orobanchaceae (Broomrape Family) Blooms: Mar - May Color: White Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steven Beatty