Sequoia Birds

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks' 863,741 acres provide habitat for over 200 species of birds. Park biologists monitor birds to obtain more information about individual species and also because they are indicator species of local and regional change for the larger ecosystem. Documented effects of DDT on peregrine falcons and brown-headed cowbird nest parasitism on songbirds have alerted us to the dangers of pesticides and over-development. In the Sierra Nevada, these factors are implicated in the precipitous decline of the willow flycatcher. Several monitoring programs are currently underway. Park staff record peregrine falcon activity on an annual basis, the Sequoia National Forest conducts annual California spotted owl surveys both adjacent to and within park boundaries.

In 2000, they recorded two rare sightings, a gyrfalcon and a great gray owl.

The terrain, plant life and weather will determine where you will see specific birds. In the foothills, where summers are hot and dry and winters are mild, you will see California quail, scrub jay, lesser goldfinch, wrentit, and acorn woodpecker.

In the low to mid-montane elevations, where the winters bring snow, you will find a variety of migratory and resident birds such as western tanager, violet-green swallow, white-throated swift, Wilson's warbler, olive-sided flycatcher, hermit thrush, western bluebird, and pileated woodpecker.

In the high country where the winters are harsh and the summer’s cool, the birds include the Clark's nutcracker, mountain bluebird, and gray-crowned rosy finch.