Birds of Griffith Park
Purple Finch, a scarce resident in Vermont and Western canyons (courtesy of Raul Roa)
Click on the following list to see a printable report:
Field checklist (p. 1)
Field checklist (p. 2)
Annotated checklist (2007)
Post May, 2007 Fire Bird Monitoring Report - 2007-2008
The bird community of Griffith Park is surprisingly intact, representing most of the rich diversity found elsewhere in the Santa Monica Mountains. More than 200 species have been recorded here over the years, and around 150 occur every year. From March through June, nearly 70 species may nest, particularly in the many small canyons that drain off the slopes into the Los Angeles River. The park's boundaries take in high, chaparral-covered ridges, shady picnic areas, and natural wetland habitat along the Los Angeles River.
Some of the more interesting residents of the Griffith Park bird community include Cinnamon Teal and Black-necked Stilt along the L.A. River, Hutton's Vireo and Purple Finch in canyons, and Rufous-crowned Sparrow in arid chaparral and scrub. These birds depend on the wild areas of the park for their survival in the middle of the city.
In 2007, we initiated bird surveys in the park, which continue to yield surprises.