Bird Watching at Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon National Park was once dubbed as “a rival to Yosemite” by John Muir for its deep valleys, tall trees, and unique rock outcroppings. The historic national park is located in the Fresno and Tulare Counties of southern Sierra Nevada, California. The park’s central feature and namesake, Kings Canyon, is a rough valley carved from glaciers that dives more than a mile deep. Other prominent natural features are multiple 14,000-foot peaks, tall mountain meadows, fast-flowing rivers, and some of the world’s largest giant sequoia trees. Kings Canyon lies north of contiguous with Sequoia National Park.

Major Attractions at Kings Canyon National Park

This park is divided into two sections: the Grant Grove and the Cedar Grove that lies in the heart of the park. Grant Grove, often called the Nation’s Christmas Tree, draws in visitors from far and wide with the sheer marvel of its gigantic size of the sequoia grove. The park also encompasses Redwood Canyon, one of the last biggest groves of sequoia trees in the world. Besides the celebrated sequoias, Kings Canyon also highlights its glaciated valley presenting several opportunities for hiking with its many mile-long trails, horseback riding, and camping.

Other marvels of Kings Canyon are the Grant Grove Stables, horseback riding, visiting tours, the marble cave of Boyden Caverns with its massive stalagmites, stalactites, and flowstone, and the stunning Zumwalt Meadows. While the General Grant Tree in the Grant Grove is the most popular site, Kings Canyon National Park offers much more to explore. Kings Canyon is one of the deepest Canyons of North America. The park holds sheer granite cliffs along the canyon while traveling roads follow Kings Rivers. There are beautiful vistas, hiking trails, scenic views, and natural landscapes all throughout the park, waiting for you to discover them.

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Bird Watching at Kings Canyon National Park

The diverse habitats found in Kings Canyon National Park are home to over 200 species, making it a birdwatching paradise. The environment ranges from gently-sloping foothill grasslands to conifer forests and the alpine tundra and peaks. Some birds soar inside the park boundaries all year long; others visit in specific seasons for breeding purposes or as a stopover during migration. Kings Canyon National Parks is nominated as Globally Important Bird Areas and Sequoia National Park.

Depending upon the park’s area and time of year, bird enthusiasts will observe different bird behaviors. For example, the California Quail rustles under shrubs or perches upon rocks near the foothills in winters. Groups of Band-tailed Pigeons may forage for an evening roost, or the calls of Acorn Woodpeckers can also be heard among the oaks.

In spring and fall, large concentrations of birds can be seen and heard searching for food and resting after their long migration. Flocks of Warblers, Vireos, Flycatchers, and Tanagers are easily identified in the spring season. Their bright-colored plumages and distinctive songs define their nesting territories which makes it easy for birdwatchers to find. Summers are the best time to spot different varieties of birds throughout the park territory without much difficulty.

10 Birds to See at Kings Canyon National Park

California Quail

California Quails are large and round with a gray body and a head plume. The plume looks like one big feather but is actually 6 feathers overlapping. You can find this Quail in California, as well as the rest of the northwest U.S. As building in coastal areas, has increased, the population of California Quail has declined. California Quail make their homes along woodland edges, in parks, and farms. They roam around looking for seeds and insects to eat. They lay 10 to 16 eggs and build their nests on the ground. These Quails do not migrate.

Acorn Woodpecker

Acorn Woodpeckers have a sleek black body with a white and red head. They live near oak trees in the southwest U.S. Their population is widespread and common in their range. They make their homes in oak woods and groves. These woodpeckers spend a lot of time gathering and storing acorns in holes they drill into trees. Acorn Woodpeckers make a loud, parrot-like noise. They eat a lot of acorns and different insects, in particular, they like ants. Acorn Woodpeckers lay 3 to 7 eggs in the cavity of a dead tree. They are permanent residents in their range but have been as far south as Colombia.

American Crow

American Crows are common birds that live throughout the United States. American Crows are all-black birds. They live on farms, fields, or near the shore. American Crows usually feed off of the ground, but will eat anything from insects to garbage! Their nests are a basket shape and they lay 4 to 6 eggs. American Crows are not migratory birds.

American Goldfinch

American Goldfinches are a bright yellow color with some shiny black and white on their wings. You can find these birds all over North America. Their population is steady but has seen a small decline recently. They build their homes along roadsides and in open woods. They are the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington. American Goldfinches eat a strict vegetarian diet and love sunflower and nyjer seeds. They love to visit backyard feeders if you have these seeds. They make nests out of plant fibers and spider webs. These birds lay 4 to 6 eggs. They make their nests so well they can hold water. They migrate during mid-fall and early spring.

Anna’s Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbirds have beautiful green feathers and pink throats. They live along the Pacific Coast of the United States. Their population is steady, and they are very common within their range. They make their homes in gardens and open wooded areas. Anna’s Hummingbirds are small birds and do not weigh more than a nickel! They have small legs and cannot hop or walk. These birds lay 2 small white eggs which hatch in 14 to 19 days. They migrate east to west in their range but are a permanent resident of the Pacific Coast.

Black Phoebe

Black Phoebes live in the western United States. They have a stable population and are not at risk of being endangered. Black Phoebes have a black body and white underbelly. They make their habitat near shady streams and towns near water. Black Phoebes eat mainly insects, but sometimes will grab a minnow from the surface of a nearby pond. They lay about 4 eggs and build their nests out of mud. Black Phoebes are mostly permanent residents, but do leave the high elevations in the fall.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Black-chinned Hummingbirds are small green-backed Hummingbirds with a thin strip of purple on their black chin. These birds live in the western U.S. Their population is stable. They make their homes in river groves and near the suburbs. Black-chinned Hummingbirds make a low-pitched sound with their wings and enjoy feeding on nectar and small insects. These birds lay 2 eggs in small cup shaped nests 4 to 8 feet off the ground. They are migratory birds; they spend winters in Mexico.

Black-headed Grosbeak

Black-headed Grosbeaks have an orange-red body with a black head and black and white wings. They live throughout the western U.S. Black-headed Grosbeaks are common birds and not at risk of being endangered. They live in deciduous forests. They have a large bill used to crack open sunflower seeds. These birds also eat insects and berries. They lay 3 to 4 eggs and build their nests in trees or shrubs. Black-headed Grosbeaks migrate in late spring and then again in early fall.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are blue-gray with a white-edged tail. They live throughout North America. Their population is stable and increasing. They make their homes in oaks, pines, and thickets. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are known by their soft call and have the nickname “Little Mockingbird”. They mostly feed on insects and sometimes spiders. They lay 4 to 5 eggs in nests made from plants, bark, grass, feathers, and animal hair. Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers migrate south by day.

California Scrub-Jay

California Scrub-Jays have a deep blue body with a white and gray underbelly. They live along the Pacific Coast of the United States. Their population has increased in recent years and are not at risk of being endangered. California Scrub-Jays make their homes in oak woodland, scrubs, and in riverside woods. They enjoy sunflower seeds and peanuts and can be seen at bird feeders. They lay 3 to 5 eggs and build their nests low to the ground. California Scrub-Jays have a raspy call. They are permanent residents, but will travel within their range.

Final Thoughts

While climate change may affect the future pattern of migratory and nesting birds often found in Kings Canyon National Park, it remains a haven for birding. Besides the magnificent views and uniquely carved canyons, the park provides a range of environments for various wildlife, including a long list of bird species.

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing birds at Kings Canyon National Park is the 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.