Description of the recently released Best Cities for Birdwatching list, a ranking of the largest 200 U.S. cities. Where does Sacramento rank? Plus, see Sacramento specific birding resources below.
Lawn Love, a yard care service provider, recently released its 2023 ranking of the Best Cities for Birdwatching. Taking the #1 spot is New York City with an overall rank of 65.91. Kansas City took last place with an overall score of 4.35. Sacramento made the list at #33, with an overall score of 28.83.
All of California’s 43 largest cities were ranked 64 and above. San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco ranked in the top 10.
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
Ranking Metrics
To rank the 200 largest cities, Lawn Love compared a number of factors to develop the overall ranking as follows:
Access
Number of Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries, Wildlife Refuges, National and State Parks, Outdoor Gear Stores and Share of Land Used for Parks and Recreation
Bird Variety
Number of Bird Species and Nests Found in 2023
Popularity
Number of Birdwatching Groups, Birdwatchers, Checklists and Bird Festivals
Conservation
Number of Birding Organizations, Audubon Offices & Chapters and if there is a Urban Bird Treaty Program
Best Cities for Birdwatching – New York v. Sacramento Ranking
Access
- New York – 1/Sacramento – 19
Bird Variety
- New York – 5/Sacramento – 9
Popularity
- New York – 3/Sacramento – 38
Conservation
- New York – 1/Sacramento – 52
Overall Ranking of California Cities
- #2 San Diego (49.41)
- #5 Los Angeles (43.33)
- #6 San Francisco (41.65)
- #13 Irvine (32.99)
- #14 Long Beach (31.97)
- #15 Pasadena (31.70)
- #17 Escondido (31.62)
- #19 Lancaster (31.45)
- #20 Oceanside (31.41)
- #21 Fremont (31.36)
- #23 Glendale (30.87)
- #24 Chula Vista (30.26)
- #25 Santa Clarita (30.10)
- #27 Torrance (29.88)
- #28 Palmdale (29.81)
- #29 Bakersfield (29.66)
- #30 Pomona (29.43)
- #31 Anaheim (29.24)
- #32 San Jose (29.09)
- #33 Sacramento (28.83)
- #34 Hayward (27.73)
- #35 Stockton (27.64)
- #36 Huntington Beach (27.36)
- #37 Santa Rosa (27.36)
- #38 Salinas (27.16)
- #41 Santa Ana (26.96)
- #42 Riverside (26.93)
- #43 Orange (26.79)
- #44 Fullerton (26.66)
- #45 San Bernardo (26.58)
- #46 Sunnyvale (26.46)
- #47 Garden Grove (26.42)
- #49 Fresno (26.20)
- #50 Elk Grove (26.13)
- #51 Oakland (26.12)
- #54 Modesto (25.75)
- #57 Corona (25.47)
- #58 Roseville (25.31)
- #59 Oxnard (24.89)
- #60 Moreno Valley (24.89)
- #62 Ontario (24.73)
- #63 Rancho Cucamonga (24.64)
- #64 Fontana (24.61)
See related blog post: Where Does Sacramento Rank?
Birding in the Sacramento Region
Sacramento sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers, and the region contains a variety of diverse habitats (wetlands, rivers, riparian forest, grasslands, oak woodlands, chaparral). These varied habitats provide food and shelter for over 350 species of birds; resident, seasonal and migratory. On the Pacific Flyway, the Sacramento region hosts millions of migratory birds each fall and winter – a sight to behold!
The Sacramento Audubon Society has an excellent webpage that provides extensive information on birding in the region. Areas covered are:
- American River Parkway
- City of Sacramento
- Sacramento County
- Yolo County
- Folsom Lake Area
- North of Sacramento
- San Joaquin & Solano Counties
- Foothills & Sierra Nevada
The CA Department of Fish & Wildlife also has a webpage on the wider category of “wildlife” viewing that includes many bird species. Check out Sacramento Regional Wildlife Viewing.
Another great resource is the AllTrails Best Bird Watching Trails in Sacramento webpage.
Comments on the 2023 Best Cities for Birdwatching ranking?
Were you surprised that Sacramento did not rank higher? What is your favorite birdwatching location?
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