UC Davis has its own wealth of waterbirds associated most notably with the Arboretum waterway. Nearby City of Davis Wetlands and Vic Fazio Wildlife Area (co-managed by Yolo Basin Foundation & California Fish and Game) provide huge areas that draw thousands of wintering waterfowl. photo request: waterbirds

Waterfowl Index

  • Grebes
    • Pied-billed Grebe
  • Ducks
    • Wood Duck
    • Mallard
    • "puddle ducks" (hybrid Mallards and domestic ducks) are ones that swim toward visitors!
      • a 'crest' or head-tuft (in wild or domestic Mallard) is caused by a genetic mutation which does not breed true
      • "Cayuga" = dark-colored domestic Mallard variety; bred for size, color, and taste
  • Geese
    • Canada Goose
    • Snow Goose
    • White-Fronted Goose
    • domesticated hybrids
  • Cormorants
    • Double-crested Cormorant
  • Coots
    • American Coot
    • Moorhen

Pied-billed Grebe at the North Area Drainage Pond (aka North Davis Pond). Canada Geese and a couple uglies (domestic geese) at Lake Solano. any Mallard can be 'crested' (here are wild-hybrid and 'Cayuga Mallard' drakes at UCD Arboretum).

Davis is also home to many birds not found in water, as well as other urban animals.