Walks: The Mausoleum

Birds

(also see the bird list for the Arboretum, in general)

Among the century-old exotics look for: 

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Owls

..Barn Owl

Several pairs are resident on campus. Nests on artificial ledges and cavities on several buildings, and (probably) natural tree cavities and within the dense crowns of palms. Often seen day-roosting in palms near the mausoleum or seen (and heard) flying over the main campus at night.

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Flycatchers

..Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Uncommon migrant and summer resident in more heavily vegetated areas; most abundant during migration. Few pairs breed on campus, though one or two pairs can usually be found near the Mausoleum in summer.

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Thrushes

..Varied Thrush

Fairly rare to uncommon resident from fall through spring. Occurs in a number of areas on campus, usually in more heavily vegetated areas than those used by the similar American Robin, although it is often found in flocks of robins. A few can be found near the Mausoleum in winter.

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Waxwings

..Cedar Waxwing

Fairly common to common migrant and winter resident in various habitats throughout campus, feeding on fruits and seeds of a number of tree and shrub species. Often occurs in flocks. Some birds linger into early June each year, but no evidence of nesting has been observed on campus or in the vicinity.

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In the Eucalyptus stands look for:

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Warblers

..Townsend's Warbler

Uncommon migrant and winter resident in various habitat types throughout campus. A few can be found in oaks and eucalyptus trees near the Mausoleum in fall and winter.

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Tanagers

..Western Tanager

Uncommon migrant and rare winter resident in various habitat types throughout campus. Often present in oaks and eucalyptus near the Mausoleum, and occasional individuals overwinter here.

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Within the native species woodland look for:

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Vultures / Birds of Prey

..Cooper's Hawk

Fairly common throughout campus year-round, foraging on birds (often Western Scrub-Jays, Mourning Doves, and House Finches) in virtually any habitat type. A few pairs breed on campus; one pair has nested for several years in coast live oaks near the mausoleum, another near the Cabrillo-Mirada intersection.

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Vireos

..Hutton's Vireo

Uncommon resident in habitats dominated by coast live oaks. Few pairs breed on campus, although a pair or two can usually be found near the Mausoleum at any time of year.

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Warblers

..Townsend's Warbler

Uncommon migrant and winter resident in various habitat types throughout campus. A few can be found in oaks and eucalyptus trees near the Mausoleum in fall and winter.

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Tanagers

..Western Tanager

Uncommon migrant and rare winter resident in various habitat types throughout campus. Often present in oaks and eucalyptus near the Mausoleum, and occasional individuals overwinter here.

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Within the grassy areas look for:

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New World Quail

..California Quail

Uncommon and rapidly declining on campus, this species is now present primarily in southern portions of campus, where it forages in grassy habitats or under oaks and uses dense brush and ornamental plantings for cover. Historically common throughout but now extirpated from many areas, probably due to predation by cats. As recently as the early 1990s, coveys of quail could be found in the Arboretum and around the Oval, but these birds have mostly disappeared.

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Species commonly seen throughout the campus, and also seen here include:

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Vultures / Birds of Prey

.Sharp-shinned Hawk

Fairly common visitor throughout campus from fall through spring, preying on small birds in virtually any habitat type.

Pigeons / Doves

..Mourning Dove

Common to abundant resident throughout campus.

Jays / Crows / Ravens

..Western Scrub-Jay

Common to abundant resident throughout campus, especially in oak-dominated habitats, where it feeds on acorns. Also eats a variety of fruits (including those of the eucalyptus), preys upon insects and small vertebrates, and scavenges

Thrushes

..American Robin

Common resident throughout campus.

Starlings

..European Starling

Abundant resident which first bred at Stanford in 1963; found in a variety of habitat types throughout campus.

Towhees

..California Towhee

Common resident in a variety of habitat types virtually throughout campus.

Juncos

..Dark-eyed Junco

Uncommon and local summer resident, fairly common and more widespread during migration and in winter

Blackbirds

..Brewer's Blackbird

Common to abundant resident in a variety of habitats virtually throughout campus.

..Brown-headed Cowbird

Fairly common breeder in a variety of habitats virtually throughout campus, less common during the nonbreeding season.

Finches

..House Finch

Abundant resident in various habitats throughout campus.

..Lesser Goldfinch

Common resident in various habitats virtually throughout campus.

Old World Sparrows

..House Sparrow

Common resident around artificial structures throughout campus.

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Species not commonly seen throughout the campus, but may be seen here include:

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Warbler

..Orange-crowned Warbler

Uncommon migrant in various habitat types throughout campus.

Finches

..Purple Finch

Uncommon and irregular migrant and winter resident in various habitats throughout campus. Occasionally seen at feeders or foraging on fruits and seeds in the Arboretum.

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