Crissy Field birding basics: Spot these birds in San Francisco

Western Snowy Plovers and Buffleheads are among the birds you can spot at Crissy Field as we celebrate 25 years since the transformation of Crissy Marsh.

Illustrations by Roxanne Meneses and Charles House / Parks Conservancy

In the late 1990s, most of Crissy Field was covered by concrete and asphalt. Thanks to the National Park Service, the Parks Conservancy, volunteers, and the vision and generosity of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, Crissy Field has been restored to a thriving coastal marshland that houses over 100 species of native birds.

Crissy Field is a wonderland for birdwatchers of all levels. Gale Steck, Parks Conservancy Community Science Manager, says "it’s kind of crazy the number of species you can see in this one area, especially year-round!"  

Check out our Crissy Field birding guide below for a super-fun intro, then tell your people to "meet me at Crissy Field" to see how many you can spot!

Killdeer

This bird gets its name from its shrill call that sounds like "kill deer."  If they feel threatened during nesting season, one of the Killdeer parents will drop its wing, feigning injury, and lure the predator away from the nest.

Western Grebe

These birds are known for their wild mating dance that Gale said "seems to defy physics!" During the spring, they can be seen running across the water’s surface in this enchanting mating ritual.

Long Billed Curlew

These long-billed shorebirds use their notably long legs to stay out of the mud while they hunt for worms and small crustaceans. 

Great Blue Heron  

Despite being the largest species of heron in North America, these majestic birds only weigh 5 or 6 pounds due to their hollow bones!

Snowy Plover

This threatened species has a "Sand Angel" mating dance, where the males will fall on their back with their wings outstretched, leaving an "angel"-esque print in the sand.

Bufflehead

North America’s smallest diving ducks! Buffleheads are small but mighty, with the ability to fly nearly 50 miles per hour and take off directly from the water without a windup.

¡Buenas! What are all these colorful cards featuring the birds of Crissy Field? Find these cards and more in our interactive lotería game in our 2026 Report to the Community.  The website has an in-depth story and video on Bilingual Birding events in the parks, plus much more on how your support helps restore habitats and bring species back to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, just like we did together at Crissy Field.