The common local Hummingbirds, the Allen's and Anna's, in April are joined by the distinctive Black-chinned Hummingbirds, who come to canyon woodlands to breed. The males heads are dark with a purple necklace above a whitish throat. The females contrast that with a pale gray body and white tips on the tail. O attract these occasional visitors, be sure to have their feeders full of nectar.

Left: A male Black-Chinned Hummingbird shows off his gorgeous purple throat

It may seem late, but there still is time to watch the birds in you backyard and report the results to Project FeederWatch. Though this large and important citizen-science project ends this month, every observation and report is valuable. Go to the Project FeederWatch web site for more information. 

The colorful Bullocks and Hooded Orioles are here and looking for good places to build their nests. If you want them to nest in your yard, add one of our orange-colored nectar feeders out in the open and offer Bird Berry Jelly along with the nectar. They are likely to decide that your garden is a great place to raise kids. By the way, orioles nectar can be more watered down than the hummingbird variety: one part sugar to six parts water.

                    Right: A Bullock's Oriole enjoys an orange half

House Finches' cheerful warble becomes the background music of spring, as they start nesting en masse. They earn their name at nesting time, as they prefer a slightly covered overhang on a building, such as the edge of a porch or an eave, to build their nests. The males' heads, necks and breasts are washed in a tomato red, while the females are pale gray-brown, heavily streaked on the breast.

The theme of Earth Day 2026, "Our Power, Our Planet," will be celebrated throughout the Westside and the rest of Los Angeles at many locations. Will Rogers State Historical Park, is recovering from the devastating Pacific Palisades fire with a family day on April 26, devoted to the park's many natural gifts, from its wide variety of birds to fields full of flowering plants. There will be a polo demonstration on the park's beautiful polo field, which survived the fire unscathed, and participants can join a hike to Inspiration Point for a view over Santa Monica Bay.

Left: Delicate Bluebird eggs almost ready to hatch. 

Will Rogers Park also is the home of a  large breeding population of Western Bluebirds, who thrive among its big trees and wide lawns. They swoop low over the lawn and scoop up bugs that fly up from the grass. Even any dead trees in the area are good for bluebirds, who need hollowed tree trunks to build their nests.

The numbers of American and Lesser Goldfinches started to dip in April and May, as both begin to migrate to the mountains in search of both cooler temperatures and their favorite will food, thistle seed.