Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is home to a huge variety of bird species. As well, it provides a
stopover point for many migratory birds, such as Mute Swans.
Wood Duck Reflections by Mark Sogge.
In the water and wetlands Wood Ducks, Mallard Ducks, Goldeneye, Buffleheads, Mergansers, Grebes,
Cormorants, Gulls, Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Green Herons, Killdeer and Canada
Geese can be seen regularly.
The Take Off by Kathy Kayner
High above the park, the raptors rule. Hawks (Red-Tail, Red Shoulder, Cooper’s), Falcons (Kestrels,
Peregrine), Eagles (Bald and Golden), Ospreys, Owls (Great Horned, Screech), and Turkey Vultures can
be seen and heard throughout the park. With their keen eyesight, they can spot prey from a very long
distance. Or in the case of the vultures, their keen sense of smell leads them to carrion, which is their
main source of food.
Turkey in Display by Jim Cunningham.
Wild Turkey and California Quail can be seen scurrying along the trails or foraging under oak trees, grape
vines and blackberry bushes. Ringneck Pheasants can be heard making their distinctive call at certain
times of the year.
Perched in the trees or busy collecting bugs, seeds or acorns, Acorn and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, Crows
and Ravens, Scrub Jays, Finches, Sparrows and Wrens are virtually everywhere. Anna’s Hummingbirds
search for nectar in the blackberry bushes as well as small bugs on leaves and branches.