3 colorful birds to see in Marin

There are numerous birds that are with us only for the spring and summer months, including the swallows and several warblers that I’ve recently discussed. Today, I’d like to talk about three more birds that you can see at this time of year: grosbeaks, tanagers and buntings.

All three of these species are what are known as neotropical migrants, songbirds that spend their winters in Mexico and Central America before heading north for the breeding season. As with other tropical birds, these three species are more colorful than many permanent northerners: Male black-headed grosbeaks are black and dark orange; male western tanagers are a striking assemblage of black, yellow and vivid red on the face; and male lazuli buntings are a brilliant blue with an orange chest and white belly. Together, these three birds make up our main local representatives of the Cardinalidae family, a family most well known in the United States in the form of the famous northern cardinal of the eastern states.

We don’t have cardinals, but we do have these three “cardinalids,” beautiful birds that add color and song to our summers. Both grosbeaks and tanagers have songs that are highly reminiscent of the up-and-down, lilting song of the more common American robin, with some unique variations. I have heard the grosbeak described as sounding like a “robin who’s taken voice lessons,” with smoother and more dramatic swings in pitch. The western tanager, in contrast, has been described as a “robin with a sore throat,” with a song that is quite similar in pattern to that of the more common bird, but hoarser in tone. The lazuli bunting song, in contrast, is completely different: a quick, high-pitched combination of a few different notes, many of them repeated two or three times.

So, where and how can you see these beautiful summer singers? First, do keep an eye on your yard for passing migrants. In Marin, you could see any of the three pass through your yard in spring (most commonly in May, but possible in early June) or in fall (August and September) on their way to and from their breeding grounds. Grosbeaks are the most likely to stop at sunflower seed feeders. Buntings occasionally sample the goldfinch’s favorite called Nyjer or thistle. Fruit- and insect-eating tanagers are more likely to be seen sampling berries and other fruit from gardens.

But to truly see them in their breeding habitats, most people will need to go beyond their yards. Black-headed grosbeaks can be found in some mature oak woodlands, but are most common near streams bordered by willows, alders and maples. The Cross Marin Trail along Lagunitas Creek or Point Reyes’ Bear Valley Creek are good places to search for them. Look in the treetops for the males with their namesake black heads and chunky, seed-cracking bills, combined with orangish bodies and black and white wings. Females have a less distinct brown-and-buffy plumage, but can be recognized by a strong white eyebrow line and similarly large bill.

Western tanagers are more foresty birds, preferring coniferous forests of Douglas firs with some intermixture of broadleaf trees (as found on Mount Tamalpais), or mixed evergreens to the north or in the mountains, where they are much more abundant. Males are unmistakable with their bright yellow bodies, red heads and black wings, while females are a duller yellow over most of their body.

Lazuli buntings are found in yet a third habitat, favoring brushy areas near grasslands or weedy fields. This can involve a range of different border habitats: coastal scrub, interior chaparral or brushy areas of oak savanna. The Loma Alta Open Space Preserve or Mount Burdell are good places to look for these birds, which in their bold blueness can only really be compared to the more common western bluebirds. Male buntings are a lighter and more brilliant blue, however, and also have bold white wingbars (bluebirds have none) and chunky bills. Females are much browner, with only faint traces of blue in their wings and tail.

Grosbeaks, tanagers and buntings have brought Mexico to Marin. If you’ve gotten used to the familiar birds of home, then head out to the creeks, forests and scrublands for this three new arrivals: Color and song are here for the summer.

Jack Gedney’s On the Wing runs every other Monday. He is a co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Novato and author of “The Private Lives of Public Birds.” You can reach him at jack@natureinnovato.com.