birding basics

from Cornell Ornithology

Watching how a bird acts, eats or flys, helps you learn to identify birds. One of the main skills to be acquired by the birder is learning to watch how a bird acts and to recognize certain behaviors. This site includes tips for beginners and information about how to use eBird.

Bird-friendly Tree Trimming

by Los Angeles Audubon Society

Los Angeles County has more than 350 species of birds that live, nest, or pass through during annual migrations, and there are more than 120 species that live here year-round. Therefore, maintaining adequate green space for birds is critical. Birds are beautiful, economically important, and they are a bellwether of the health of our environment.

Based on experience, we also offer some brief guidance on hiring tree trimmers.

Unlicensed tree pruners are considered your employees regardless of the amount they charge. For most landscape and construction operations no license is needed to contract for less than $500. This is not the case in tree care, even if the pruner never climbs the tree. Ask the tree care provider the following:

• Do you have a current and active C61/D49 limited specialty Tree Service or C27 Landscape License?

If they do, the license number must be on their cards and advertising. Check the state license number status at csib.ca.gov and use the instant license check feature.

To reduce potential exposure in the case of an accident the provider should provide evidence of:

• Public liability and property damage insurance

• Workers compensation insurance (not required for the owner of the company).

Ask for insurance certificates to be sent from the insurance provider. This only requires a phone call by the arborist at no cost.

loCAL BIRd faqs

from the Natural History Museum

Found an injured bird and not sure what to do? Want to know the difference between a crow and a raven? And where did all those green parrots in Pasadena come from? Click the link below to find answers to these questions and more!

LA County Bird List

by Kimball Garrett & Mike San Miguel

Have a look at this comprehensive list of the bird species of Los Angeles County.

native yard-scaping

produced by LAAS Student Interns

This set of recommendations takes the form of a comic book written and illustrated by our high school Greenhouse Program students, under the guidance of Director of Environmental Education Stacey Vigallon.

Wildlife rehabilitation resources

Compiled by Los Angeles Audubon Society

Although Los Angeles Audubon Society (LAAS) does not attempt the rescue or rehabilitation of birds and other wildlife, we have compiled this list of other organizations and resources to provide hotline telephone numbers and online links to those seeking to provide help to injured birds and wildlife; or to report conditions that endanger birds, wildlife and water resources.

breeding bird atlas

Published by Los Angeles Audubon Society

Building on five years of volunteer surveying across the county, the Breeding Bird Atlas is an encyclopedic description of all of all birds ever nesting in Los Angeles County.  It is a must-have for anyone interested in the region's ecology and wanting to learn about bird nesting and breeding habits.