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: ​

Acorn Woodpecker

photo by Charlie Morey

Description : Medium sized black and white clown faced bird with a red crown, glossy black and white head.

Diet: Consists of insects, sap, oak, catkins, fruit and flower nectar. Sometimes grass seeds, lizards and bird eggs.

Habitat: Pine-Oak woodlands where oak trees are plentiful. Also found in riparian corridors and in Douglas firs, redwood and tropical hardwood forests as long as oaks are available and near by.

California Scrub-Jay

photo by Brad Moon

Description : They have a blue forehead streaked with white eyebrows and a mixture of gray and black around their eyes. Breast, sides and bellies are gray or white and their mantle is brown or black.

Diet: Omnivorous, diet consists of a range of animal and plant material. Fruits such as cherries and Insects such as beetles are some of their main diet.

Habitat: Very dry, open, and hot coastal habitats where human populations are dense. Lower elevations in thick grass, brush, and low shrubs. Often found to be in woodlands with a dense environment.

Bushtit

photo by Kevin Krebs

Description : Tiny and kinglet-sized birds. They are plump with large heads and long tails but short with stubby bills. Colors range from brown, gray and black.

Diet: Small insects and spiders, including the smallest ones that are living on leaves and twigs. They do eat plant material but its less common for them to do so.

Habitat: Open woods or scrubby areas, particularly pine-oak woodlands and chaparral. They also live in scrubs, sagebrush and streamside woods.

White Sage

photo by Carol Aronson

Scientific Name: Salvia apiana

Description: Native to the southern coast ranges and inner mountains of California, this plant was used by Native American for food, medicinal, and spiritual purposes.

California Fuchisa

photo by Sandy Masuo

Scientific Name: Epilobium canum

Description: Found throughout the Southwest, this plant is an important nectar source for hummingbirds due to its late-season blooms.

Toyon

photo by Bob Wickham

Scientific Name: Heteromeles arbutifolia

Description: Toyon occurs in chaparral communities throughout much of California. In 2012 Toyon was named the official native plant of the City of Los Angeles.