Yosemite Birding Tips

You don’t have to be an ornithologist or a devoted birdwatcher to appreciate our feathered friends in Yosemite National Park. On our private luxury tour in the nearly 1,200 square miles of peaks, valleys, meadows, forests, streams and waterfalls, you’ll likely see and hear many of the 262 bird species in the stunning park, including warblers, finches, falcons, hawks, nuthatches and woodpeckers.

The diversity of the bird population is directly related to the variation in elevation in Yosemite, with habitats ranging from 2,000 feet to in excess of 13,000 feet. The newest birds in the park, discovered in 2011, are the white-faced ibis, found in Yosemite Valley, and the Scott’s oriole, located in Poopenaunt Valley.

Have you ever truly paid attention to birds? They’re fascinating and integral to the earth’s environment and ecosystem. Birds disperse seeds, provide pest control by eating insects that destroy crops and act as a cleanup crew, consuming roadkill and other dead animals. And, because of their variety and bright colors, they attract tourists, another way they affect the economy. And let’s not forget carrier pigeons and canaries used to detect poisonous gas in mines. During World War I, squawking pheasants warned the Allies of incoming hostile aircraft from quite a distance away.

Recognized as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy, Yosemite National Park is a bird-lover’s paradise. Their presence contributes to the sights and sounds and overall ambiance that brings millions of people from all over the world to this incredible protected wilderness.

Okay, now you love birds as much as we do and are prepared to appreciate them on your private luxury tour of Yosemite. It’s amazing as we walk the trails how we become more attuned to the smallest sounds—a leaf falling to the ground, a stream rushing over rocks, a sparrow tweeting. If you let them, these sounds will reach your soul.