Birding Guide for California
Coasts, deserts, mountains, forests, and rich biodiversity
Birding highlights, common sightings, and the best places to look for birds in California. Use the highlight list to start quickly, then work through the full guide for a broader local view.
Sightings
911
Species
38
Active Months
12
Category Overview
Birds across California
This guide focuses on birdlife within California's wider region guide, helping families explore common sightings, shoreline birds, forest species, and the places where birding is easier to begin.
Latest Sightings
Recent bird sightings in California
A recent look at bird sightings across California.
Sightings Map
See where bird sightings cluster
Start wide, then zoom in to see where bird sightings cluster across California.
Top Highlights
Top 5 birds to see in California
These birds are snapped the most across this region.
149 snaps
124 snaps
100 snaps
78 snaps
72 snaps
Places to Start
Best places for birding in California
These place guides connect well with the birds covered in this region.
California, US
Heatherlark Park
You might spot Great Egret, Mallard, and Great Blue Heron.
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California, US
Meadows Park
You might spot Bold Jumping Spider and Marbled Cellar Spider.
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California, US
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
You might spot Roxburgh Fig, Roses, and Swan-Neck Agave.
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California, US
Kolb Park
You might spot Mallard, Great Egret, and Hooded Merganser.
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California, US
Cabrillo Heights Park
You might spot American Crow and Yellow-Rumped Warbler.
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California, US
Mission Bay Park
You might spot Western Gull, Snowy Egret, and Black Skimmer.
View place guide →
Full Guide
Full California birds list
The complete ranked list for this guide, ordered by sightings count.
Red-tailed Hawk
Duck
Dark-eyed Junco
Great Blue Heron
American Crow
Vulture
Canada Goose
American Robin
House Finch
Double-crested Cormorant
Brent Goose
Northern Mockingbird
Common Raven
Cooper's Hawk
Great Horned Owl
Mourning Dove
Song Sparrow
European Starling
Turkey
Brown Pelican
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Kestrel
Red-winged Blackbird
Wood Duck
Bald Eagle
Killdeer
Belted Kingfisher
Goose
Northern Flicker
Osprey
Pigeon
Ring-billed Gull
Greater Roadrunner
Green Heron
Northern Harrier
Pekin Duck
Purple Finch
Other Guides
Keep exploring California
Switch from birding to flowers and bugs for a broader view of California's wildlife and nature.
