Birds of California
The birds most often spotted in California, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
2,227,495
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds
Naturalists have logged 2,227,495 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in California. The most frequently seen is the Red-tailed Hawk, with 102,387 recorded sightings.
Most-observed birds in California
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
102,387 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
95,643 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
76,216 observations
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
74,318 observations
Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans
71,052 observations
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
67,208 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
65,572 observations
Western Gull
Larus occidentalis
64,176 observations
California Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma californica
63,451 observations
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
58,004 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
56,805 observations
California Towhee
Melozone crissalis
56,041 observations · iNaturalist
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
55,642 observations
Western Bluebird
Sialia mexicana
53,717 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
52,997 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
52,674 observations
Lesser Goldfinch
Spinus psaltria
52,662 observations · iNaturalist
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
51,239 observations
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
49,685 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
48,956 observations
American Coot
Fulica americana
48,334 observations
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
46,444 observations
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
45,179 observations
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
44,779 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
44,142 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
42,337 observations
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
40,764 observations
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
39,808 observations
Common Raven
Corvus corax
39,350 observations
Cooper's Hawk
Astur cooperii
38,095 observations · iNaturalist
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
35,563 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
32,344 observations
California Quail
Callipepla californica
30,053 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
29,308 observations
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
28,581 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
27,673 observations
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
27,070 observations
Bushtit
Psaltriparus minimus
26,923 observations
Spotted Towhee
Pipilo maculatus
26,707 observations
Brewer's Blackbird
Euphagus cyanocephalus
26,466 observations
Willet
Tringa semipalmata
25,559 observations
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
25,440 observations
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
24,555 observations
Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
24,074 observations
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
24,042 observations
Steller's Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri
23,904 observations · iNaturalist
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia atricapilla
23,847 observations · iNaturalist
Say's Phoebe
Sayornis saya
23,455 observations
Black-necked Stilt
Himantopus mexicanus
22,760 observations
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
21,494 observations
Birds in nearby places
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