Birds of San Diego Bay NWR

The bay supports numerous endangered and threatened species of plants and animals and is a vital link to other wildlife areas. Thousands of resident and over-wintering waterfowl, seabirds, shorebirds and the largest contiguous mud-flat in southern California make this refuge a supermarket for avifauna, and an important stop on the Pacific Flyway. Visitors can bird-watch from several vantage points, walk and/or ride bicycles along a bike path bordering a good portion of the south bay from Coronado to Imperial Beach.

Photos

Caption

North America's largest shorebird, the Long-billed Curlew breeds in the grasslands of the Great Plains and Great Basin. However, it winters in the marshes, mudflats, and beaches of the California coast and here, in San Diego Bay NWR.

Photo: (Rinus Baak/USFWS)

A large diving duck with a long thin bill, the Red-breasted Merganser is found in large lakes, rivers and the ocean. It prefers salt water more than the other two species of merganser.

Photo: (Rinus Baak/USFWS)

When adult American avocets defend their nests, they attempt to drive away the predator by taking a big chance. They lure the predator away by doing a distracting "broken wing" behavior to trick the predator into preying on an “injured bird”... an easy prey to catch!

Photo: (Lisa Cox/USFWS)

This male scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) wobbles along the mudflats. It's bill is a distinctive, heavy triangular bill, forming a sort of wedge-shaped head. The surf scoter's call is generally a low whistle or gurgle for males, and a croaking sound for females.

Photo: (Rinus Baak/USFWS)

Last Updated: Jan 09, 2013

What We Do

Belding's Savannah Sparrow

Belding's savannah sparrow is a State and Federally protected bird. It is a rare subspecies of the Savannah sparrow, however it is common on the marshes of San Diego Bay, and the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge. It is distinguished from the Savannah sparrow by having heavier and darker streaking, and a smaller beak profile.

San Diego BayNational Wildlife Refuge | California