Invisible Birds of Malibu

Malibu Lagoon

People come to the Santa Monica Mountains to be with nature, to get away from the concrete jungle that is Los Angeles. They know wildlife lives here, too, that squirrels will be their neighbors, and that coyote & owls will call out in the night.  But there are many critters that are rarely seen, even by old-timers. Sometimes it’s because they are nocturnal.  Other times it’s because of dwindling population from loss of habitat or poisonous rodenticides. Some animals avoid humans altogether by living in the less populated parts of the mountains. Then, there are critters we can’t see because they are camouflaged. You can be looking right at them and not even know it. So it is with Invisible Birds.

Invisible birds, are so rarely seen, so how do you know they are there? Why, by their calls.

Virginia Rail, (Rallus limicola) Photo Credit: Dave Menke USFWS

Listen to Call of theVirginia Rail, from Cornell Macauly Library

The Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) and the Sora Rail (Porzana carolina) are marsh birds found at the Malibu Lagoon. “Thin as a rail,” the Virginia Rail has a compressed body, an interesting survival adaptation by this elusive wetland bird, that makes it difficult to see them as they slip through the marsh tule reeds (Scripus acutus Tule).

The Virginia Rail prefers to evade intruders by running through marsh vegetation where it is safe rather than flying away. When it does fly, it only flies a few yards before disappearing again, once more invisible in the marsh.

The Virginia Rail’s Latin species name, “limicola,” means “mud dweller.” True to their name, Virginia Rails usually nest in muddy areas in shallow fresh water marshes with new growth, rather than salt water marshes.

Sora Rail, (Porzana carolina), Photo Credit: Dave Menke, USFWS

Listen to Call of the Sora Rail, from CornellMacaulay Library

The Sora Rail (Porzana carolina), also found in the Malibu Lagoon, is a small, secretive bird. It’s wonderful, musical “whinny call” can be easily heard from deep within the tule reeds, but trying to see the little bird is a different matter as it is well camouflaged in the reeds. “sor-AH” “sor-AH”

Common Poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii, Photo by Allan Sander, CA GBBC

Listen to Call of Common Poorwill, from Cornell Macaulay Library

Another Invisible Bird is the Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii).  The Common Poorwill is not a rail and is not a marsh bird. They are nightjars of the arid West, the smallest members of their family. They prefer the dry grassy Malibu canyons like Zuma and Trancas Canyons. Their cry of “poorwill” is familiar to residents there.

It requires keen perception to see the Common Poorwill, as they look just like “Dirt and Twigs”. Great camouflage! They won’t run from humans if you happen to approach; they assume you can’t see them!  

Along with the sounds of Hawks, Owls and Coyote, the calls of these birds join in the magical symphony of the Santa Monica Mountains. Whether seen or unseen, bird calls give us an unmistakable sense of place.  You don’t have to see the Invisible Birds of Malibu to know where you are.. It is all in their song~

There’s a symphony going on where you live, too.  Take a moment to stop to listen and enjoy each member of the orchestra. We’d love to hear ‘what’s playing’ in your back yard.

Toyon, Hollywood's Native Christmas Berry Bush

Toyon Bush, Heteromeles arbutifolia,
Santa Monica Mtns, Photo by Kathy Vilim

Ever wonder how Hollywood got its name?  

The Toyon bush, Heteromeles arbutifolia, is a drought tolerant perennial shrub native to chaparral regions of California (such as the Santa Monica Mountains). Toyon has long been beloved by Californians, especially during the month of December when it produces glossy red berries in profuse clusters.  

The shrub resembles another winter evergreen found back East, European Holly, Ilex aquifolium, which is frequently used in Yuletide decorations for its red berries.

It has been said that the Hollywood Hills were once covered in Toyon bushes. Even before Hollywood’s development back in the 1920's, women would collect Toyon holly branches and pick the berries to decorate for Christmas. 

After so much berry picking, the State of California passed a law against “collecting plants on public land or land not owned by the person picking the plant without the landowner’s written permission” lest the plants get picked out.

Some say this is how Hollywood got its name.  Others say this is not true, that the story is just a romantic notion, and that the name Hollywood was simply chosen by a woman friend of the developers who named it after an Ohio town. Originally, the development was called Hollywood Land.

Romantic notion or not, the Hollywood hills could still be covered in Toyon bushes with their red berries in winter, and their red berries can still be used in decorating, especially pretty contrasting with green pine needles in wreaths.  

The name "Toyon" is in fact the Native American name for the bush, given by the Ohlone people, and is still the name used today. The native people, including the Chumash and Tongva, used the wild, edible berries (tomes) for food, despite their containing glycosides, which would be largely removed by cooking. The berries would be made into jelly, or they would be dried and stored for later use in porridge or pancakes. Toyon leaves were used as a tea for upset stomachs. 

On April 17, 2012 Los Angeles chose the Toyon bush as the City’s official native plant. The Toyon earned this distinctive status by having such a long and colorful history in Hollywood going back to the City’s founding. 

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) is a native plant that is drought tolerant once established. It will accept some garden water if drainage is good, tolerates adobe soil, but also lives in beach sand. Toyon likes full sun, but tolerates full shade and is fire-resistant if irrigated in summer. It grows easily to 8ft, but can be pruned as desired or to 15ft when left in the wild.

These native plants have wildlife value: The fruit provides food for our local birds, including mockingbirds, robins, and cedar waxwings.  Bears and coyotes eat the berries and spread them, and in the spring Toyon’s white flowers are beloved by bees and butterflies.

So, if you are looking to add new native bushes to your yard, Toyon is a wonderful choice for humans and wildlife alike. And a great Holiday Gift to the birds!