Vertebrates
Browse our Q&A about birds, eggs, nests, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals of the Central Coast and Channel Islands.
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- Recently Asked
“Earlier this spring a Cliff Swallow built a nest under our eaves. Knowing that they are protected, I let them be and tried to just clean up the mess regularly.
I have two questions if som...”
Patrick, Santa Barbara - July 20, 2020
“We have been noticing a Hummingbird at our feeder that has markings that are different from the usual Hummingbirds ( Mostly Anna's and a Rufus). We think it is a Ruby Throated Hummi...”
John Boyd, Santa Barbara - July 10, 2020
“Hi Curator,
With binoculars I saw only the back of this lone bright bird sitting on the top branch of a euc in Mission Canyon near the cul de sac of Windsor Way. Orange head, black...”
Dwight Gregory, Mission Canyon - April 18, 2020
“Hello,
we have a small mammal digging tunnels and popping up in our back yard. We want to know more about it but don’t know it’s name. Can you help? ”
Julie, Montecito - April 8, 2020
“I recently bought this bone.
I bought another as well at the same time. I was told it was mammoth, but i knew better, i think its some type of bison sacrum, but i was hoping you could tel...”
Savanna, Quincy, IL - January 26, 2020
“I encountered this snake in my backyard on the Mesa. Could any of the naturalists at the SBMNH identify it, and more importantly, tell me whether or not it is venomous? We have wild rabbits in o...”
Anthony, Santa Barbara - June 3, 2019
“I have a nest that blew out of a tree in the recent storms. I’m pretty sure it is a squirrel’s nest Online I read that it is possible to get certain diseases from squirr...”
Susan Hopkins, Goleta - February 4, 2019
“Our kitchen window in the Shadow Hills development at the top end of Via Chaparral looks across about 325 yards to the opposite side of San Antonio Canyon in the vicinity of the dam. On a...”
Doug Caldow, Santa Barbara - January 31, 2019
“Just saw four of these birds high in a tree in Alice Keck Park’s park for the first time. Really loud squawking. Very small short pink wattle hanging down neck but no pink on head so I rul...”
Jane, Santa Barbara Alice Keck Park - January 22, 2019
“I found this dark heavy bone while walking on the beach after the storm on Friday night. What is it? Could it be part of a sea lion? Why is it black and super heavy? ”
Benjamin Van Heusden, Santa Barbara - January 14, 2019
