A Sit Spot in LA Zoo

LA Zoo Bird Gardens

If you are new to finding a sit spot and nature journaling, the LA Zoo Bird Gardens are a perfect place to start. The bird gardens were established to support local and migratory birds and the North American Songbird SAFE program. This is a conservation program within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums working to help songbirds across North America. The birds you may find in the LA Zoo Bird Gardens are similar to the ones you might notice near your homes or other spaces within your communities. Keep a look out for the birds and plants you see below! Have your nature journal ready and share your nature stories with us!

Birds/Plants found in this Garden: ​

Mourning Dove

photo by Nick Lantz

Description : Smaller than a pigeon with plump-bodies and unique long-tails. Their legs are short and they have small bill with a small head compared to the body.

Diet: Seeds make up most of their diets, which include grains and sometimes snails

Habitat: Commonly found to be in open country, scattered trees, and woodland edges. During the winter they head to woodlots

Black-Chinned Hummingbird

photo by Nick Lantz

Description : Small and slender with a straight bill. They usually have a dull metallic green above and a dull and grayish-white below.

Diet: They have a simple diet that includes nectar from flower, small insects, spiders and sugar water.

Habitat: Found in the Southwest where there are canyons near rivers. During winter they can be found to be in the shade of oaks along the Gulf.

White Crowned Sparrow

photo by Nick Lantz

Description: A larger type of sparrow with a small bill and a long tail. The head can look to be both peaked and be flat, depending of the point of view. They tend to be pale-gray with very bold black-and-white stripes on the head with a pink or yellow beak.

Diet: Seeds of weeds and grasses plus a number of small insects such as caterpillars are their main diets. They also favor grains such as oats and wheat.

Habitat: Breeds in open or shrubby habitats, including tundra, high alpine meadows, and forest edges. Patches of bare ground and grasses are important characteristics. During winter and on migration these birds frequent thickets, weedy fields, agricultural fields, roadsides, and backyards.

Bottle Palm

photo by Nick Lantz

Scientific Name: Beaucarnia recurvate

Description: This large succulent is native to the semi-desert areas of central to southeastern Mexico. It provides shelter and nesting sites for birds.

Elephant Bush

photo by Nick Lantz

Scientific Name: Pachycormus discolor

Description: This member of the cashew family is endemic to the Baja California, Mexico peninsula. It offers perching and food for small birds.

Elephant Tree

photo by Nick Lantz

Scientific Name: Bursera microphylla

Description: Related to frankincense, this aromatic shrub is found in arid regions of the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico. It provides perching and food for birds.