The world’s smallest avian species is the bee hummingbird, measuring a tad over 2 inches, but it’s not native to or found in California. However, the Calliope hummingbird breeds in the state, and it is the smallest bird in North America.
The smallest birds in California include finches, gnatcatchers, hummingbirds, kinglets, nuthatches, and sparrows. The other small birds in the state are bushtits, verdins, vireos, warblers, and wrens. Many of these birds are found throughout the year in California.
1. Buntings
The indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea) is among the smaller Passeriformes in California, with a maximum size of 5.1 inches and a wingspan of up to 8.7 inches.
The lazuli bunting (Passerina amoena) is slightly larger, measuring 5.1 to 5.9 inches, but it has a much greater presence here.
2. Bushtits
The bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) is a plump but tiny bird found in all seasons throughout most parts of California.
The sprightly songbird is usually around 4 to 4.5 inches in size.
You’re likely to spot this bird around your house, hunting for insects, but the species isn’t drawn to feeders.
3. Chickadees
The chestnut-backed chickadee (Poecile rufescens) is one of the tiniest Passeriformes here, up to 4.7 inches long, with a max wingspan of 7.5 inches.
The mountain chickadee in California is slightly larger, and so is the black-capped chickadee seen in some parts of the northwest.
4. Finches
California is home to many finches, including the following based on their sizes:
- Lesser goldfinch: 3.5 to 4.3 inches
- Lawrence’s goldfinch: 3.9 to 4.7 inches
- American goldfinch: 4.3 to 5.1 inches
- Pine siskin: 4.3 to 5.5 inches
- House finch: 5.1 to 5.5 inches
- Cassin’s finch: 6.3 inches
5. Gnatcatchers
California is home to 3 gnatcatcher subspecies, and all of them are among the smallest birds in the state:
- Blue-gray gnatcatcher: 3.9 to 4.3 inches
- California gnatcatcher: around 4.3 inches
- Black-tailed gnatcatcher: 4.3 to 5.1 inches
Despite its name, the California gnatcatcher has the smallest habitat among the 3 species in the state. This subspecies is mostly limited to Southern California.
6. Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in California. The Calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is the tiniest bird in the country.
Here are the sizes of the California hummingbirds:
- Calliope hummingbird: 3 to 3.5 inches
- Broad-tailed hummingbird: 3.1 to 3.5 inches
- Rufous hummingbird: up to 3.5 inches
- Allen’s hummingbird: 3.5 inches
- Black-chinned hummingbird: 3.5 inches
- Costa’s hummingbird: 3.5 to 3.9 inches
- Anna’s hummingbird: 3.9 inches
If you want to track hummingbirds in your backyard or garden, get a pair of binoculars like the Nikon Action 7×35 EX Extreme on Amazon.com.
This all-terrain bin, with a close focus distance of 16.4 feet, a field of view of 487 feet at 1,000 yards, a 5-millimeter exit pupil, and long eye relief, is ideal for hummingbirds.
7. Juncos
The dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) is a permanent resident of California, breeding in the north and wintering in the south.
The bird is 5.5 to 6.3 inches long with a wingspan of up to 9.8 inches. The similar-sized yellow-eyed junco doesn’t have a presence in the golden state.
8. Kinglets
The golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa) is 3.1 inches to 4.3 inches long, while the Ruby-crowned kinglets (Corthylio calendula) are slightly larger at 3.5 to 4.3 inches.
Both birds are perennial residents of California. They also have a similar wingspan of up to 7.1 inches.
9. Nuthatches
The 3 species of nuthatches with a perennial presence in the state are all small birds:
- Red-breasted nuthatch: 4.3 inches
- Pygmy nuthatch: 4.3 inches to 5.1 inches
- White-breasted nuthatch: 5.1 to 5.5 inches
The pygmy nuthatch has the most sporadic and limited range in California among these birds.
10. Phoebes
The black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) throughout the western half of California is around 6 to 7 inches long.
These sparrow-sized songbirds are a little larger than the American goldfinch due to their longish tails.
The Say’s phoebe found in California is much larger than the black cousin.
11. Sparrows
Nearly a dozen sparrows are seen in California, many of which have a year-round presence, and a few winter or live in limited ranges.
These sparrows are among the smallest birds in the state, including the following:
- Black-throated sparrow: 4.7 to 5.5 inches
- Song sparrow: 4.7 to 6.7 inches
- Brewer’s sparrow: 5.1 to 5.9 inches
- American tree sparrow: 5.5 inches
- Bell’s sparrow: 5.5 to 6 inches
- Black-chinned sparrow: 5.8 inches
- Chipping sparrow: 4.7 to 5.9 inches
- House sparrow: 5.9 to 6.7 inches
- Golden-crowned sparrow: 6.5 to 7.5 inches
12. Titmice
The oak titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus) has a perennial range in California among the species in the Paridae family, and it’s 5.1 to 6.3 inches long.
This species likes sunflower seeds in hanging feeders. You may also entice it with a nest box before its breeding season in spring.
13. Verdins
The verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) is a small bird with a year-round presence in the deserts of Southern California.
This non-migratory species, measuring around 4.5 inches to 5.5 inches, isn’t seen beyond its range, so you are unlikely to find it unless you are in eastern SoCal.
14. Vireos
Here are the smallest vireos found in California:
- Hutton’s vireo: 3.9 to 4.7 inches
- Plumbeous Vireo: 4.3 to 4.7 inches
- Bell’s vireo: 4.5 to 4.9 inches
- Cassin’s vireo: 4.3 to 5.3 inches
- Gray vireo: 5.1 to 5.9 inches
15. Warblers
You’ll find the following small warblers in California:
- Wilson’s warbler: 3.9 to 4.7 inches
- Black-throated gray warbler: 4.3 to 5.1 inches
- Nashville warbler: 4.3 to 5.1 inches
- Townsend’s warbler: 4.7 to 5 inches
- Yellow warbler: 4.7 to 5.1 inches
- Yellow-rumped warbler: 4.7 to 5.5 inches
The black and white warbler is about 4.3 to 5.1 inches long, but it’s predominantly a migratory species along the border with Baja California.
16. Wrens
California is home to several wrens that are among the smallest birds in California, measuring 3 to 6 inches. These species are:
- Bewick’s wren
- Cactus wren
- Canyon wren
- House wren
- Marsh wren
- Pacific wren
- Rock wren