VALLEY OAK WOODLAND

VEGETATION:

This habitat varies from savanna-like to forest-like stands with partially closed canopies, comprised mostly of winter-deciduous, broad-leaved species. Mature valley oaks with well-developed crowns range in height from 15 to 35 m (49 to 115 ft). Canopies of these woodlands are dominated almost exclusively by valley oaks (Conard et al. 1977). Tree associates in the Central Valley include California sycamore, Hinds black walnut, interior live oak, boxelder, and blue oak. The shrub understory consists of poison-oak, blue elder, California wild grape, toyon, California coffeeberry, and California blackberry.

COMMON BIRD SPECIES:

Year-round Residents: California Quail, Mourning Dove, Killdeer, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Acorn Woodpecker, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, American Kestrel, Black Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, California Scrub-Jay, Yellow-billed Magpie, Common Raven, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Wrentit, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick’s Wren, California Thrasher, European Starling, Northern Mockingbird, Western Bluebird, Phainopepla, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Lark Spar