Although most vernal pool animals are small, their complex food webs sustain many larger species of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Most of the critters in vernal pools are native to California and many survive only in vernal pools. We know little about them and less than half have been named.

Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron is a wading bird.  It has a blue-gray back, black patches on its sides and a gray and white-striped belly.  The...

Mallard

Mallards are medium-sized ducks.  The male and female have different color patterns.  The male has a shiny green head, a narrow white band

Red-tailed Hawk

The Red-tailed Hawk has a dark brown back.  In adults, the chest and the underside of the wings are lighter-colored.  They usually have a

Great Horned Owl

The Great Horned Owl is a bulky bird, with a dark brown body and a white throat.  The brown body is marked with darker spots...

Burrowing Owl

The Burrowing Owl is a small owl with very long legs and a short tail.  The throat is white, while the body is grayish-brown and...

Red-winged Blackbird

The male Red-winged Blackbird is very handsome, with a solid black body and bright red patches on his wings.  The female is streaky brown. 

Western Meadowlark

The Western Meadowlark is brown with a short brown and white tail.  The sides and the lower part of the breast are whitish with flecks...

Killdeer

The Killdeer has a short neck and a chubby, brown body, with a white underside and a brown face.  Two black bands cross the neck...