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.

2,028,146

recent observations

30

species listed

20

birds

3

reptiles & amphibians

3

plants

Naturalists have logged 2,028,146 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in California. The most frequently seen is the Western Fence Lizard, with 182,238 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

182,238 observations

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

103,049 observations

Western Honey Bee

96,370 observations

Anas platyrhynchos

96,268 observations

Haemorhous mexicanus

76,632 observations

Odocoileus hemionus

76,216 observations

Anna's Hummingbird

74,685 observations

Sayornis nigricans

71,575 observations

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

67,380 observations

Great Blue Heron

66,133 observations

Larus occidentalis

64,721 observations

Danaus plexippus

64,366 observations

California Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma californica

63,926 observations

California poppy

Eschscholzia californica

60,603 observations

California Ground Squirrel

Otospermophilus beecheyi

59,919 observations

58,515 observations

57,281 observations

California Towhee

Melozone crissalis

56,375 observations

Dark-eyed Junco

56,052 observations

Common Side-blotched Lizard

Uta stansburiana

55,611 observations

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

54,444 observations · iNaturalist

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

54,095 observations

Branta canadensis

53,264 observations

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

52,940 observations

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata

52,787 observations

Pacific poison oak

Toxicodendron diversilobum

52,471 observations · iNaturalist

Zenaida macroura

51,639 observations

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

50,185 observations

49,391 observations

Pacific chorus frog

Pseudacris regilla

49,015 observations

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