Wood Duck--Aix sponsa

Wood Duck couple. Courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service--photographer Dave Menke.

I first saw this American duck at the Los Angeles Arboretum, but this beautiful duck is also a resident of Orange County as well.  Since they are more wild than Mallards, you definitely won't find Wood Ducks hanging out in most neighborhood parks, but that doesn't mean they are above eating the bread and other junk food people toss out for the Mallards.  Wood Ducks can be found in Irvine Regional Park, Craig Regional Park, and other places with wooded areas and streams and lakes. Wood Ducks do dabble like puddle ducks, but they also dive, and they perch in trees. It is this last ability that gets them into the classification "Perching Ducks."  Wood Ducks are the only wild perching duck in Orange County.  The two other Perching Ducks that can be found in Orange County are not wild.  The Muscovy Duck either all white or partially black with some white is found in many parks and has some serious toe nails that help it cling to trees and other roosts.   Most Muscovy ducks are descendants of domestic Muscovy Ducks which are white.  The wild Muscovy Ducks are black.  Both the domestic and the wild ducks have black or red warty-looking skin around the eyes.  They are natives of Central and South America.  The other perching duck is the Mandarin Duck which is a native of Asia.  California has a small, feral population of Mandarin Ducks that appear sporadically at various parks, rivers, and streams in Orange County.   Both these ducks are either escapees or descendants of escapees and are not native to Orange County.  On the other hand, the Wood Duck is a wild, American duck, and a year-round Orange County resident that can be reliably found in several locations in Orange County.

Wood Duck drake crossing in front of Mallard hen at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California.

The drake (or male) Wood Duck is brightly colored. He is bright green with iridescent purple with bold white markings on his face, a red bill with a yellow base, and red eyes. He has a large crest of green, white, and purple. He is a stand-out kind of drake. The female is gray and brown with a few white markings. She does have a few areas of purple iridescent sheen. She has a white horizontal tear drop surrounding each eye. She is sometimes confused with the female Mandarin Duck (an exotic escapee), but the tear-drop of white around the eye is diagnostic.  See my post "Wood Duck or Mandarin Duck?"

Wood Duck hen in the water at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California. Notice the white tear drop around the eye.

Wood Ducks eat acorns, pecans, and other nuts, seeds, aquatic invertebrates, insects, green plants, and fruits. From fruit to nuts, from pill bugs and snails to butterflies, there isn't much they won't eat. There is even a short blurb in journal about a Wood Duck who ate a mouse--but that is very rare. It is obvious why there are Wood Ducks in Irvine Regional Park. It is because there are so many trees, acorns, and so much water.

Wood Duck hen at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California.

Their preferred habitat is wooded areas near streams, freshwater wetlands, ponds or lakes. But these areas must have food sources nearby or have plants in or near the water. This is no city bird. We see this species in parks containing woodlands, or with woodland areas nearby. Much habitat has been lost to development. And this is of concern.

Wood Duck Drake preening at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California.

The Wood Duck is a cavity nester. It makes its nest in tree cavities. So in addition to woodlands, lakes, streams, ponds, or any body of fresh water, the resident Wood Duck needs trees nearby with cavities in which it can nest.  Since there has been so much loss of habitat, many types of conservationists from hunters (yes, most hunters are conservationists) to birders have been looking at what can be done to provide nesting habitat for Wood Ducks. Nesting boxes has been a very successful solution, and the nest boxes that people build for Wood Ducks have provided nesting cavities for thousands of ducks. The Wood Duck Society is an organization that provides nest boxes for these beautiful ducks. There is an Orange County Chapter of the Wood Duck Society. At least one local Orange County park with suitable habitat has Wood Duck nest boxes attached to its trees.  I have seen Wood Ducks fly into the nest boxes, and I believe that they do nest in Orange County in nest boxes and in tree cavities.

A handsome duck. Again I took this picture at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California.

Wood Ducks are seasonally monogamous.   Not a big selling point for boyfriends or husbands, but pretty amazing for ducks in general.  Wood Ducks have a courtship in which the flashy male shows off his crest and some mutual preening occurs. The hen finds a tree cavity or nest box lays up to 15 eggs. The male heads off to molt alone. So he misses the big show. The hen usually produces two broods a year. When nest boxes are placed too close together, hens sometimes lay eggs in each other's nests leading to harmfully high numbers of eggs in a nest. This over burdened nest is called a dump-nest, and is not a good thing for the ducks.   So nest boxes are usually places far enough apart to discourage this behavior.

Wood Duck hen courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service--Photographer Dave Menke. Notice the horizontal white tear drop around the eye. 

Breeding season is from January through April, but as late as June in some areas. The nest boxes and cavities can be quite high.  Ducklings cannot fly like the mother and father can.   Since the duckling must get out of the nest box and there is no ladder, they must jump sometimes hundreds of feet to the ground below. The mother stands on the ground and calls the ducklings. They respond, one by one by climbing up to the hole and jumping down. It looks like mass bungee jumping without the bungee as one duckling after the other jumps and bounces on the ground. Take a look below.

Three views of the ducklings jumping out of the nest: Inside the nest, from a distance, and over the exit. YouTube Video.

Although the longest living Wood Duck recorded was approximately 15 years old, most live only 3-4 years. They protect themselves by sleeping on the water. Their enemies are foxes, raccoons, snakes, and Great Horned Owls. It is a good thing the hen has so many ducklings because the mortality rate among Wood Duck ducklings is very high.

Female swimming at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California.

After Mallards, Wood Ducks are the most hunted ducks in the United States. Hunters, most of whom are conservationists, are very active in nesting box programs and other efforts to keep the populations high. Wood Ducks are not endangered.

Male at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton.

You will find Wood Ducks from Southern Canada and south through Mexico. They breed as far south as Southern California.   Lots of Wood Ducks come south to winter in Southern California and add to winter population.

Wood hen and drake swimming at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California .     

I love to go birding in areas with Wood Ducks.   The lakes, streams, and the trees make for a quiet and restful walk.  When you are birding in the OC or in L.A., check out the places below where Wood Duck have been seen.  I doubt that you will be disappointed.

OC Birder Girl Links

The Wild Ducks of Orange County

Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California

Wood Duck or Mandarin Duck?





Where to Find Wood Ducks in Orange County and Los Angeles
(This is not an exhaustive list.)

Irvine Regional Park



Craig Regional Park



Yorba Regional Park



Descanso Gardens





Franklin Canyon





Los Angeles Arboretum

Wood Duck Drake flapping his wings. Courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service--Photographer Dave Menke.



External Links and Resources

All About Birds: Wood Duck

Good Article.

Animal Diversity Website: Wood Duck

Thorough article written by students at Michigan State.

BirdWeb: Wood Duck

Informative Article from the Seattle Audubon Society.




California Waterfowl: Wood Duck Program

Details on the program which seeks to increase the number of Wood Ducks in California. Includes Wood Duck box instructions. Hunters are involved in this effort.




ConserveNature.org: Wood Duck

Good article from this New York website.

Hinterland Who's Who: Wood Duck

Nice article from Canadian site.




How to Build a Wood Duck Nest Box

Instructions on how to build a Wood Duck Nest Box.






Life History and Habitat Needs of the Wood Duck

Detailed information from USGS's Waterfowl Management Handbook.




Management of Wood Ducks on Private Lands and Waters

Good information on Wood Ducks and what they need.




STMA Schools: Wood Duck Cam

Wood Duck Cam clips in off season and live Cam in breeding season.




USGS: Wood Duck

Short, but helpful article. Also see their page on Wood Duck boxes.





Wood Duck Society

An organization over 100 years old that is all about Wood Ducks and nest boxes.





Journal Articles

FREQUENCY AND TIMING OF SECOND BROODS IN WOOD DUCKS

Wilson Bulletin: Vol. 99, No. 4, October-December, 1987

Wood Ducks gathering acorns

North American Bird Bander: Vol. 3, No. 3, July-Septembers, 1978



American Kestrels Sit on Wood Duck Eggs

Wilson Bulletin: Vol. 87, No. 4, October-December, 1975

Second Broods in the Wood Duck

Journal of Field Ornithology: Vol. 38, No. 3, July, 1967

Second Nestings of the Wood Duck

Auk: Vol. 83, No. 2, April-June, 1966

Wood Duck Courting a Mallard

Auk: Vol. 65, No. 3, July-September, 1948

Wood Ducks Versus Squirrels

Auk: Vol. 64, No. 4, October-December, 1947

A Mouse Eaten by a Wood Duck

Wilson Bulletin: Vol. 56, No. 3, July-September, 1944

Injury-feigning by a Wood Duck

uk: Vol. 54, No. 2, April-June, 1937

Nesting of the Wood Duck in California

Condor: Vol. 26, No. 2, March-April, 1924

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OC Birder Girl Videos

Blue-winged Teal--Anas discors

Male Blue-winged Teal

With a North American population of 6.6 million for 2008, the Blue-winged Teal population is moving in the right direction. Teals are ducks who are smaller than the average. Other teals in Orange County include the Cinnamon Teals and Green-winged Teals. Blue-winged Teals have been known to hybridize with Cinnamon Teals, and Northern Shovelers. Blue-winged Teals prefer shallow water and can be found at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, and other similar Orange County environments.

Male and female Blue-winged Teal.

Blue-winged Teals have the diagnostic vertical crescent on each side of the face just behind the bill. The blue patch for which they are named is on the shoulder and only visible if they stretch out their wings or fly. Both male and female are finely patterned with a brownish color over most of their body. Females look very similar to the female Cinnamon Teals and have a broken white eye-ring and white at the base of the bill and otherwise are brown. They can be found from Alaska to South America. Like all teals, it is a dabbling duck. It inhabits ponds and wetlands eating aquatic plants and seeds, and aquatic invertebrates.

Interesting view of double-crescents from the front.

The Blue-winged teal winters in Orange County and areas south. It breeds in Canada and Alaska and the Midwest.




Male Blue-winged Teal. Notice the white spot by the tail.

Blue-winged Teals can be found hanging out with other ducks at wetlands and ponds. Usually you will see mixed flocks of Cinnamon Teals, Green-winged Teals, Northern Pintails, Scaups, and Mallards. You won't see them at community parks. These are wilder ducks.




Blue-winged teal drake and dabbling Blue-winged hen.

When you are out birding in the fall and winter, and even the very beginning of spring, look for the Blue-winged Teal.











OC Birder Girl Links





Wild Ducks of Orange County






American Wigeon






Cinnamon Teal--Anas cyanoptera







Green-winged Teal--Anas crecca







Mallards







Northern Pintails







Northern Shovelers







Odd Ducks












Taking a rest on the shore.










External Links and Resources





All About Birds: Blue-winged Teal

Detailed page about Blue-winged Teals.






Animal Diversity Web: Blue-winged Teal


Very Detailed page about Blue-winged Teals.








Ducks Unlimited: Blue-Winged Teal



Information about the Blue-winged Teal.






HYBRID OF BLUE-WINGED TEAL x SHOVELLER IN NORTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA by
FRANK A. HALL and STANLEY W. HARRIS

Journal article on a hybrid Blue-winged Teal and Northern Shoveler.

Internet Bird Collection: Blue-winged Teal

Great site. Very good videos. Check out the high quality videos at the IBC. Seeing the bird in action really helps a birder identify the species in the field.

Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center: Blue-winged Teal

Photos of the Blue-winged Teal

US Geological Survey: Blue-winged Teal

Short article with pictures.

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Green-winged Teal--Anas crecca

Green-winged Teal at Upper Newport Bay

Like the American Wigeon, the Green-winged Teal has a green stripe through its eye. It is the smallest dabbling duck in Orange County. According to the Natural History of Waterfowl by Frank S. Todd, the word teal may derive from words in medieval English and or Old Dutch meaning "small." It is true that teals are all small birds. The Green-winged Teal's most easily seen field marks are the chestnut head, the iridescent green stripe on on the side of the head, and the vertical, thin, white stripe down the male Green-winged Teal's side, and the dark bill.

Green-winged Teal dabbling at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Green-winged Teals eat a variety of aquatic foods, including aquatic invertebrates, aquatic vegetation, and aquatic plant seeds. They prefer shallow ponds or other shallow bodies of water. They can be found in either fresh or salt water.

Male Green-winged Teal at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve

I have seen Green-winged Teals at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and at San Joaquin Wildlife Reserve. They would also be at other wetlands in the area. I have never seen them at community parks.






Male and female Green-winged Teal

Very few Green-winged Teals breed outside of Canada. The male and female pair up before they migrate to the breeding grounds.

Male and female Green-winged Teal at at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve

The Green-winged Teal population is increasing despite being the second most hunted duck in the United States. Animal Diversity Web believes it is due in part to the inaccessibility of their breeding grounds.

Green-winged Teals at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve in Orange County

Green-winged Teals are very easy to spot. When you are out birding wetlands, or shallow water areas, look for the duck with the rich red-brown head and the bright green stripe on the side of its head. The vertical white stripe on the side is another easy field mark. Enjoy watching the Green-winged Teal in Orange County.

Green-winged Teal from behind. Notice the two green stripes on either side of its head.

Duck Size

Green-winged Teal 14 " long Wingspan 23"

Blue-winged Teal 15.5 " long Wingspan 24"

Cinnamon Teal 16" long Wingspan 22"

Northern Shoveler 19" long Wingspan 30"

American Wigeon 20 " long Wingspan 32"

Northern Pintail 21" long Wingspan 32"

Mallard 23 " long Wingspan 35"

OC Birder Girl Links

Ducks

The Wild Ducks of Orange County

American Wigeon--Anas americana

Cinnamon Teal--Anas cyanoptera

Mallards--Anas platyrhynchos

Northern Pintail--Anas acuta

Northern Shoveler--Anas clypeata

Places to see Green-winged Teals

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve aka Newport Back Bay

External Links

All About Birds: Green-winged Teal

Detailed page about the Green-winged Teal includes Cool Facts, Description, Similar Species, Sound, Range, Reproduction, and Other Names.

Animal Diversity Web: Green-winged Teal

Michigan University's great Animal Diversity Web tackles the Green-winged Teal covering habitat, reproduction, physical description, range, diet, conservation status and more.

BirdWeb: Green-winged Teal

Seattle Audubon site profiles the Green-winged Teal. Includes information on range, behavior, diet, nesting, migration status, conservation status, and more.

USGS: Green-winged Teal

Short, helpful article.

Virtual Bird's Natural History of Waterfowl: The Green-winged Teal

Long and detailed article on the the Green-winged Teal.

Species, Age and Sex Identification of Ducks Using Wing Plumage:
Green-winged Teal

From the US Geological Service. A short and well illustrated article about the wings of the Green-winged Teal.

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Cinnamon Teal--Anas cyanoptera

Male and Female Cinnamon Teal

Cinnamon Teals are year-round residents of Southern California and Orange County. They are a native American species. A cinnamon, reddish-brown duck, it is small in comparison to the Mallard. The Cinnamon Teal male has orange-red eyes.

Notice how big the Mallard looks. This is a normal-sized Mallard, not a hybrid. The photograph was taken at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Cinnamon Teals are dabbling ducks. They spend a lot of their time head-down in the water. They come up for air and then, down again into the muddy water. "Just try and get a picture!" they seem to quack. It took me at least six months to get a clear picture of a Cinnamon Teal with its head up. I had their necks, their backs, and their butts, but the whole duck eluded me. How did I finally get the shots? Patience, patience, patience. Birding is a lot like photography. If you want the really good sightings or photographs, you stay and watch and wait. Finally, you will be rewarded.

Most of my pictures looked like this in the beginning.

The bill which you don't see when it is dabbling is reminiscent of the Northern Shoveler. It is big for a smaller bird, and pretty handy, too. So what are these little ducks dabbling for? The Cinnamon Teal eats roots, insects, mollusks, and seeds. It frequently forages in the shallow water , but also on the land. It dabbles on the surface like the Northern Shoveler or head down in the water like the Northern Pintail. Unlike diving ducks, dabbling ducks aren't doing any underwater swimming. They have smaller feet than ducks like Ring-necked Ducks, Bufflehead Ducks, and Surf Scoters because they don't need built in paddles to propel them beneath the surface. The nickname of "puddle duck" for dabbling ducks is an apt one even if they are found in water somewhat deeper than a puddle. You won't find them in the middle of a lake or deep river. They are in the shallow water dabbling on the surface or just below it for those seeds and roots, mollusks, or insects.

Preening those eye-catching feathers. (Green-winged Teal behind.)

Cinnamon Teals can be found in places with water since that is where they mostly feed. They like marshes, lakes, ponds, estuaries that have food they can eat and shelter. Ponds and lakes or other bodies of water with no vegetation probably won't attract a Cinnamon Teal. It is usually not the sort to be found in a neighborhood park or even a woodsy regional park. They are definitely wilder than the average Mallard or American Wigeon. So where in Orange County would you see Cinnamon Teals?

Cinnamon Teals in a seasonal puddle outside San Jacinto Wildlife Area in Riverside County.

San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Newport Back Bay, and other areas like those would be the most likely environments. You might also find them along rivers like the Santa Ana River as long as it is location with both food and shelter.

Dabbling in one of the duck ponds at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Notice the black pattern on the back. The female has a similar lighter pattern.

Remember that male Cinnamon Teals are only Cinnamon part of the year. During a brief time from July to September (Sibley) the males look much like the female, but with a warmer brown and the characteristic orange-red eyes. Notice, too, that the Cinnamon Teal male is not all cinnamon, but has a patterned black back.

Pair of Cinnamon Teals

Cinnamon Teals are highly sought after by hunters, but being a small bird and a fast bird with unpredictable turns in flight, they are hard to shoot. Cinnamon Teals cannot be hunted in the Orange County locations listed in this post.

Male and female dabbling in shallow water. Notice the broken eye ring on the female. Notice also that she does not have a red eye.

Ducks in general tend to hybridize, but Cinnamon Teals are well known for hybridizing with Blue-winged Teals, so you may see hybrids in the area. So what do they look like? Well, they are variable. Many look a little bit like both. You might see a cinnamon colored bird somewhat like the Cinnamon Teal with a crescent on its face like the Blue-winged Teal. There are some links below that have pictures of hybrids.

Cinnamon Teals draw attention.

The Cinnamon Teal draws attention wherever it goes. It really is a beauty. Get familiar with all the plumages so you can id it in Spring, Summer, Winter, or Fall. Then when you are out birding the OC, you may just see our resident California native, the Cinnamon Teal.



A Male Cinnamon Teal


Compare duck sizes and know what to expect.

Male and female Cinnamon Teal at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Duck Size

Cinnamon Teal 16" long Wingspan 22"

Blue-winged Teal 15.5 " long Wingspan 24"

Green-winged Teal 14 " long Wingspan 23"

American Wigeon 20 " long Wingspan 32"

Northern Shoveler 19" long Wingspan 30"

Northern Pintail 21" long Wingspan 32"

Mallard 23 " long Wingspan 35"

Male Cinnamon Teal at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

OC Birder Girl Links

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve aka Newport Back Bay

San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Other Dabbling Ducks (Puddle Ducks)

American Wigeon

Mallards

Northern Pintail

Northern Shoveler--Anas clypeata

The Wild Ducks of Orange County

External Links

All About Birds

Detailed article on the Cinnamon Teal includes photographs, description, range, food, behavior, cool facts, and more.

Animal Diversity Web: Cinnamon Teal

Very detailed information on the Cinnamon Teal including geographic range, photographs, sounds, physical description, habitat, food, reproduction, lifespan, ecosystem roles, conservation status, and more.

Nature Works: Cinnamon Teal

Great information and pictures from New Hampshire's Public Television's Nature Works. Includes diet, range, life cycle, and behavior.

US Geological Survey: Cinnamon Teal

Short, but informative article on the Cinnamon Teal.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Short article about the Cinnamon Teal.

The Great Backyard Count: Totals for Cinnamon Teals

Totals over the years of Cinnamon Teals in California from the Audubon Society. Orange County cities included.

Searchable Ornithological Research Archive

Search Sora for articles about the Cinnamon Teal. There are over 500 articles.

Arizona Field Ornithologists (AZFO)

Take a look at this interesting hybrid and the explanation for it.

Backyard Cam: Cinnamon Teal Hybrid

Pat's Backyard Cam is a great site. Check out this Cinnamon Teal Hybrid, and don't forget to check out the rest of her site at Pat's Backyard Cam.

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The Wild Ducks of Orange County

DABBLING DUCKS (AKA Puddle Ducks)

American Wigeons at Huntington Central Park having a whistling contest.

Eurasian Wigeon at Huntington Central Park. This is a rare bird, but is regulary seen around Orange County in the fall and winter.

Blue-winged Teals at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Cinnamon Teals at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Mallards--Huntington Central Park

Northern Pintails at Newport Back Bay

Female and Male Northern Shovelers at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Male Northern Shoveler at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Female Northern Shoveler at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Male and female Green-winged Teal at Newport Back Bay

Male Green-winged Teal--Newport Back Bay

PERCHING DUCKS

Male Wood Duck--Aix sponsa at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California

Female Wood Duck--Aix sponsa at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California

Male Mandarin Duck (Exotic--non-native Asian species--most are escapees) at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Seen from time to time in Orange County, CA.









Female Mandarin Duck (exotic Asian species--non-native--most are escapees) at Huntington Central Park

DIVING DUCKS

Male Bufflehead Duck at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Female Bufflehead Duck at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Male Ruddy Duck Foreground non-breeding plumage at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Male Ruddy Duck in almost full breeding plumage. Just a little black still on the tip of the otherwise bright, blue bill.

Female Ruddy Duck at at Mason Regional Park swimming with her tail down.

Male Surf Scoter at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Female Surf Scoter at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

White-winged Scoter--female looks like the Surf Scoter female with less clearly defined white patches. This is a rare bird for Orange County. Photo taken at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve .

Male and female Redhead--Aythya americana at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Canvasback Ducks Photo Courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Photographer Donna Dewhurst.

Male and Female Lesser Scaups at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Male Ring-necked Duck Photo Courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Photographer--Lee Karney.












Ring-necked Duck Courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Photographer Dave Menke.

Red-breasted Merganser at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Here is a male Hooded Merganser courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service photographer Tim McCabe. The Hooded Merganser is a rare bird for this area but turns up regularly in our rivers, lakes, estuaries, and ponds. Places like Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, and Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve aka Newport Back Bay, San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, and several of the Regional Parks.


Here is a female Hooded Merganser courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service photographer Glen Smart. Again, a rare bird that turns up on a regular basis.


So when you are out birding in fall, winter, and early spring keep your binoculars and camera ready to spot some great wild ducks in Orange County! Check out the links below for more on ducks and places to go bird watching to see ducks. We have lots of birding hot spots in Orange County where you can see wild ducks.






OC Birder Girl Links







Odd Ducks



Strange-looking ducks and duck-like birds you might see in Orange County.












Birding Hot Spots in Orange County, California



Orange County, California has many great birding places including wonderful parks, nature centers, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, and a national forest.




















Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Great place to see wild ducks or do any kind of birding. You can see more of the wilder variety here like Northern Pintails, Buffleheads, Scaups, Mergansers, and Scoters as well as Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, and Northern Shovelers.













Central Park in Huntington Beach
Another birding hot spot. Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, Mallards, and Northern Shovelers.













Mason Regional Park



Lots of surprises here as far as birding. You never know what you might find. Mostly Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, and Mallards though.











San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary



Wilder fresh water ducks and the more common ones, too. Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, Pintails, Buffleheads, and Northern Shovelers.







Tewinkle Park -- Costa Mesa

Mostly the usual park fair with a few occasional surprises.

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