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.

2,058,403

recent observations

30

species listed

20

birds

3

reptiles & amphibians

3

plants

Naturalists have logged 2,058,403 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in California. The most frequently seen is the Western Fence Lizard, with 186,356 recorded sightings.

Birds account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (20 of the species listed here), followed by reptiles & amphibians (3).

🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species in California

Western Fence Lizard

Sceloporus occidentalis

186,356 observations

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

104,478 observations

Western Honey Bee

97,966 observations

Anas platyrhynchos

97,275 observations

Odocoileus hemionus

77,770 observations

Haemorhous mexicanus

77,363 observations

Anna's Hummingbird

75,566 observations

Sayornis nigricans

72,626 observations

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

67,876 observations

Great Blue Heron

67,269 observations

Larus occidentalis

65,868 observations

Danaus plexippus

65,715 observations

California Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma californica

64,894 observations

California poppy

Eschscholzia californica

61,051 observations

California Ground Squirrel

Otospermophilus beecheyi

60,778 observations

59,368 observations

58,319 observations

California Towhee

Melozone crissalis

57,080 observations

Dark-eyed Junco

56,854 observations

Common Side-blotched Lizard

Uta stansburiana

56,786 observations

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

55,034 observations · iNaturalist

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

54,750 observations

Pacific poison oak

Toxicodendron diversilobum

54,286 observations

Branta canadensis

53,745 observations

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

53,498 observations

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata

53,027 observations

Zenaida macroura

52,234 observations

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

50,747 observations

50,294 observations

Pacific chorus frog

Pseudacris regilla

49,530 observations

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