Places › National Parks › Yosemite › Birds

Birds of Yosemite National Park

The birds most often spotted in Yosemite, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

17,427
recent observations
50
species listed
50
birds

Naturalists have logged 17,427 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Yosemite. The most frequently seen is the Steller's Jay, with 2,637 recorded sightings.

Rarer finds confirmed in Yosemite include Mountain Quail and Williamson's Sapsucker - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.

Mountain QuailWilliamson's Sapsucker

Most-observed birds in Yosemite

Steller's Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri
2,637 observations
Common Raven
Corvus corax
1,478 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
1,078 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
859 observations
Brewer's Blackbird
Euphagus cyanocephalus
732 observations
Sooty Grouse
Dendragapus fuliginosus
664 observations
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
640 observations
White-headed Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus albolarvatus
571 observations
Western Bluebird
Sialia mexicana
421 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
412 observations
Clark's Nutcracker
Nucifraga columbiana
343 observations
Mountain Chickadee
Poecile gambeli
338 observations
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus
336 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
331 observations
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
330 observations
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
330 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
326 observations
Common Merganser
Mergus merganser
319 observations
Black-headed Grosbeak
Pheucticus melanocephalus
292 observations
Hairy Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus villosus
266 observations
Western Tanager
Piranga ludoviciana
246 observations
Lesser Goldfinch
Spinus psaltria
246 observations
California Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma californica
243 observations
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
208 observations
Spotted Towhee
Pipilo maculatus
202 observations
Cassin's Finch
Haemorhous cassinii
197 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
195 observations
Oak Titmouse
Baeolophus inornatus
192 observations
Mountain Quail
Oreortyx pictus
191 observations
American Dipper
Cinclus mexicanus
187 observations
Fox Sparrow
Passerella iliaca
180 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
173 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
167 observations
Mountain Bluebird
Sialia currucoides
158 observations
Brown Creeper
Certhia americana
157 observations
Western Wood-Pewee
Contopus sordidulus
157 observations
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta canadensis
151 observations
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
Leucosticte tephrocotis
150 observations
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
139 observations
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
125 observations
Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans
121 observations
California Towhee
Melozone crissalis
118 observations
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus ruber
116 observations
Williamson's Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus thyroideus
106 observations
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius
106 observations
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
103 observations
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
103 observations
Green-tailed Towhee
Pipilo chlorurus
99 observations
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
98 observations
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
90 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

Birds in nearby places

Out spotting birds in Yosemite?

Take Huck with you. Identify any bird you find in seconds and build your collection.

Get Huck

Love birds? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.