Wildlife near San Diego, California

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

259,080

recent observations

30

species listed

17

birds

8

plants

1

reptiles & amphibians

Naturalists have logged 259,080 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species near San Diego. The most frequently seen is the Western Fence Lizard, with 20,202 recorded sightings.

Birds account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (17 of the species listed here), followed by plants (8).

🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species near San Diego

Western Fence Lizard

Sceloporus occidentalis

20,202 observations

Larus occidentalis

14,629 observations

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

12,748 observations · iNaturalist

Western Honey Bee

11,072 observations

Rhus integrifolia

10,474 observations · iNaturalist

Pelecanus occidentalis

10,280 observations

Anas platyrhynchos

10,199 observations

10,182 observations

Anna's Hummingbird

10,103 observations

California Sea Lion

Zalophus californianus

10,051 observations

Haemorhous mexicanus

9,579 observations

California Towhee

Melozone crissalis

8,390 observations · iNaturalist

Sayornis nigricans

8,388 observations

California brittlebush

Encelia californica

8,388 observations · iNaturalist

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

7,788 observations

Melospiza melodia

7,244 observations

California Ground Squirrel

Otospermophilus beecheyi

7,146 observations

Malosma laurina

6,922 observations · iNaturalist

Zenaida macroura

6,749 observations

red bush monkeyflower

Diplacus puniceus

6,572 observations · iNaturalist

Danaus plexippus

6,545 observations

Great Blue Heron

6,499 observations

Marah macrocarpa

6,487 observations · iNaturalist

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

6,377 observations · iNaturalist

Pandion haliaetus

6,279 observations

Brandt's Cormorant

Urile penicillatus

6,080 observations · iNaturalist

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata

6,041 observations

Heteromeles arbutifolia

6,031 observations · iNaturalist

Fulica americana

5,843 observations

Salvia mellifera

5,792 observations · iNaturalist

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