Catalina Island is one of the best birding destinations in Southern California. A new bird guide and checklist produced by the Catalina Island Conservancy offers a comprehensive look at the various species, abundance, endemic status and seasonal presence of birds on the Island.  

Catalina supports over 60 endemic plants, insects and animals found nowhere else on earth. And the list includes several unique bird species. The Island also serves as an important migratory stopping ground. 

The new checklist documents bird species found on Catalina Island and within one mile of surrounding waters. It draws from decades of accumulated data, including recent community science observations from eBird and iNaturalist.  

eBird, which is maintained by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, was used by birders in December for the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. During that event, dozens of people spread out across Catalina to document birds they saw and heard. Data collection is part of a national bird survey. It helps scientists better understand the behaviors and population of birds and the related environmental health. 

Laura Vandezande, a Conservancy staff member and longtime birder, helped develop the guide.  

“Catalina is a cool place to do birding because especially in fall and spring, you’re going to get migrants that might be a little unusual,” said Vandezande. “And because Catalina has been underbirded. That means there haven’t been a lot of people out here looking. There are a lot of species that haven’t been reported and now they’re getting on to the list.” 

While the bald eagle is commonly spotted year-round, it’s uncommon to spot the Anna’s hummingbird in spring through fall but common in the winter. Another rare example is the band-tailed pigeon, which is not commonly observed any time of year on Catalina. The checklist is designed for use in the field. It works well when used with apps like Merlin, which capture and identify bird sounds. 

Guide users can also track accidental species, which are rarely observed visitors on the Island. The wood duck, red knot and tufted puffin are all examples of “accidental species.” 

Birders are encouraged to contribute sightings to the eBird, Merlin and iNaturalist platforms. Your observations, photos and audio recordings provide valuable scientific data. Catalina Island Conservancy staff developed the list with data and guidance from Paul W. Collins and Justyn Stahl, authors of Birds of California’s Channel Islands. 

Pick up a free guide at the Trailhead Visitor Center in Avalon.