Wildlife in California

Here’s what naturalists are spotting in California right now - pulled live from recent research-grade observations. Browse by group, explore the map, and identify what you find with Huck.

2,013,808

recent observations

30

species listed

20

birds

2

reptiles & amphibians

4

plants

Naturalists have logged 2,013,808 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in California. The most frequently seen is the Western Fence Lizard, with 180,445 recorded sightings.

Birds account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (20 of the species listed here), followed by reptiles & amphibians (2).

🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species in California

Western Fence Lizard

Sceloporus occidentalis

180,445 observations

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

102,385 observations

Anas platyrhynchos

95,643 observations

Western Honey Bee

95,570 observations

Haemorhous mexicanus

76,216 observations

Odocoileus hemionus

75,409 observations

Anna's Hummingbird

74,317 observations

Sayornis nigricans

71,052 observations

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

67,208 observations

Great Blue Heron

65,572 observations

Larus occidentalis

64,173 observations

Danaus plexippus

63,747 observations

California Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma californica

63,451 observations

California poppy

Eschscholzia californica

60,427 observations

California Ground Squirrel

Otospermophilus beecheyi

59,381 observations

58,001 observations

56,805 observations

California Towhee

Melozone crissalis

56,041 observations · iNaturalist

Dark-eyed Junco

55,642 observations

Common Side-blotched Lizard

Uta stansburiana

55,302 observations

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

54,182 observations · iNaturalist

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

53,717 observations

Branta canadensis

52,997 observations

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata

52,674 observations

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

52,662 observations · iNaturalist

Pacific poison oak

Toxicodendron diversilobum

52,291 observations · iNaturalist

Zenaida macroura

51,238 observations

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

49,682 observations

48,955 observations

Heteromeles arbutifolia

48,623 observations · iNaturalist

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