The California Sister is a large, striking butterfly with black wings crossed by a broad white band and a vivid orange patch on the forewing tip. Its gliding, floating flight between oak canopy visits is distinctive. Males habitually hilltopp and return to the same perches. It glides on flat wings rather than flapping, resembling a miniature crow in flight.
Best time to see a California Sister
The best time to see a California Sister is April–July, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 14,648 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a California Sister? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent California Sister sightings near you
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