Birdwatching in Yosemite 2025

Yosemite National Park is a habitat for about 255 species of migrating, wintering, and breeding birds, as well as bird species of special concern.

Its diverse terrain including woodlands, cliffs, meadows, alpine peaks, forests, and numerous streams attract birds year-round. Resident birds that can be seen most often are Steller's jays, American robins, acorn woodpeckers, common ravens, and mountain chickadees.

During spring and fall, you can witness large numbers of migrating birds with brightly colored feathers, such as warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and tanagers.​

A good option is to join one of the birding tours organised by the Yosemite Conservancy, led by an expert birder who will show you some of the park's best birding hotspots. You can also join one of the free bird-watching walks led by park rangers, which are held every week in summer from the Visitors centre​ in Yosemite Valley or Tuolumne Meadows. And, of course, you can make your own observations: taking a long hike in the park you will be able to see an astonishing diversity of birds and can enjoy their beautiful and melodic songs.