Presidio of San Francisco

Frequent Flyers National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Presidio of San Francisco Golden Gate National Recreation Area of the Presidio The Presidio of San Francisco has one of the greatest diversity of birds of any urban park in the world, with over 200 species identified here. A number of factors create this diversity, including the exceptionally wide variety of habitats found here—from open water and protected bay, to rocky and sandy shoreline, to tidal marshes, coastal scrub, grasslands, mixed woodlands and ornamental areas. Because the Presidio lies on a major bird migratory route, the Pacific flyway, it also hosts a variety of transient birds that stop over to rest and feed on their journey to and from places as far away as South America and the Canadian arctic. This combination of factors makes the Presidio a birder’s paradise with many different species to see throughout the year. Red-shouldered Hawk (juvenile) Allen’s Hummingbird Chestnut-backed Chickadee Woodland & scrub Common year-round Woodland & scrub Common spring & summer Woodland Common year-round Black Phoebe Hermit Thrush All terrestrial habitats Common year-round Oak & scrub Fairly common fall–spring Ruby-crowned Kinglet Woodland Common fall & winter Townsend’s Warbler California Towhee American Goldfinch Oak & Willow Fairly common fall–spring Oak & scrub Fairly common year-round Willow, scrub, grassland Fairly common year-round Habitats Native Oak & Willow Dune, Scrub & Grasslands Planted Forest & Ornamental Water and Wetland Trail Changing Habitats Bird diversity at the Presidio has shifted over the years as its habitats have changed. When Europeans arrived in the 1770s, the area was mostly dune scrub with few trees. The army planted the Presidio’s forest in the 1890s and a much greater variety of forest dwelling birds moved in. During the same period, the marshes along the bay were filled throughout the Bay Area, leading to a decline in shorebirds and waterfowl. The recreated tidal lagoon and marsh at Crissy Field has attracted those birds back to the Presidio. Egrets, Herons, Kingfishers and other water birds are commonplace once again. (rev. 9/11) For more information, on Presidio birds visit: www.nps.gov/prsf/naturescience/presidio-birds.htm N A T I V E O A K & W I L L O W Barn Swallow Scrub Jay All terrestrial habitats Common spring–fall Scrub and willow Common year-round White-crowned Sparrow Song Sparrow House Finch Low dense scrub and willows Fairly common year-round All terrestrial habitats Common year-round Red-tailed Hawk Anna’s Hummingbird Dark-eyed Junco All terrestrial habitats Common year-round All terrestrial habitats Common year-round Willow, oak, scrub, grasslands Common year-round Common Raven Hooded Oriole American Robin All terrestrial habitats Common year-round Willow, palms. landscaped areas Fairly common spring–summer All terrestrial habitats Common year-round Western Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Surf Scoter Oak, willow, scrub, grassland Common year-round Open salt water Common fall–spring Scrub Common year-round Greater Scaup Caspian Tern Tidal & fresh water Common year-round Tidal & fresh water Fairly common fall–winter Salt, tidal & fresh water Fairly common spring–fall Western Gull Least Sandpiper Willet Salt & fresh water Common year-round Salt & tidal water Fairly common fall–spring Salt & tidal water Common fall–spring Killdeer Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Tidal & fresh water Fairly common spring–fall EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA Tidal & fresh water Fairly common year-round Black-crowned Night Heron (juvenile) Tidal & fresh water Fairly common year-round D U N E & S C R U B P L A N T E D A R E A S Open salt water Common fall -spring Mallard Fresh water, grasslands Fairly common year-round Printed on recycled paper. Salt & fresh water Fairly common year-round Northern Mockingbird Tidal & fresh water Fairly common year-round Brown Pelican Open salt water Common spring–fall www.nps.gov/prsf/ W A T E R H A B I T A T S