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Birds in the Golden Gate National Parks

Learn more about birds and birding in the parks.

Northern Goshawk, GGRO
Park E-Ventures Article

GGRO Marks Key Moment in Conservation Biology

Fifty years ago, biologists gathered a convening with an unprecedented specific purpose—saving a species on the brink, the Peregrine Falcon. Learn about that pivotal event and how you can support the GGRO’s hosting of an important raptor conference this fall, which continues to draw inspiration from the ’65 meeting.
Students search for migrating raptors
Park E-Ventures Article

Will You Have the “Best Day” on Hawk Hill?

What’s the greatest number of raptor (bird of prey) species seen in one day on Hawk Hill? And what’s the highest volume of raptors spotted in a day? Read on to find out—and learn how you can witness a possible “best day” at the West Coast’s premier hawk migration monitoring...
Cormorants nest in a large colony on Alcatraz
Park E-Ventures Article

A Bird’s Eye View of Alcatraz

Join Chris Briggs, research director of our Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, for a tour of the nesting birds on Alcatraz. In this essay, he points out some rookeries on the Rock—and shares the sad history of the turn-of-the-century feather craze.
Hawk Hill birdwatching
Park E-Ventures Article

2014 Migration: Rise of the Rock Star Raptors

What do you call two smiling raptor banders? A pair o’grins! Beaming faces were abundant on Hawk Hill during the fall 2014 migration season, which featured plenty of “celebrity” raptors, a loopy Redtail, a bald eagle flyby, and 300 intrepid Golden Gate Raptor Observatory volunteers.
Osprey with fish
Park E-Ventures Article

Citizen Scientists Root for the 'Sea Hawks'

In the heart of 49er country, two GGRO volunteers are working to monitor the Bay Area’s population of osprey (aka “sea hawks”). Learn how these citizen scientists are harnessing the power of the people to protect these magnificent birds.
bird watching
Park E-Ventures Article

GGRO at 30: A Bird’s-Eye View of Its Successes

The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory turns 30 this fall. With the GGRO at a stage of maturity and reflection, Director Allen Fish tells the tale of the people who founded this pioneering citizen science program. Also, discover its many volunteer-driven accomplishments—and inventions!
Park E-Ventures Article

What Bird Personality Fits Your Bill?

In the film “Moonrise Kingdom,” Sam pointed to Suzy and asked: “What kind of bird are YOU?” Now you’ll never get caught without an answer, thanks to our new personality quiz, released just in time for International Migratory Bird Day. Find out your feathered phenotype!
Snowy Plover
Park E-Ventures Article

This Celebration’s For the Birds

On May 10, bring the whole family to Muir Beach and Muir Woods for International Migratory Bird Day! Learn the history of this unique event, now in its 14th year, and discover festivities in honor of our feathered friends across the Redwood Creek Watershed.
raven
Park E-Ventures Article

The Ravens of Hawk Hill: Intelligence, Play, and Social Behavior

Ravens are among the most fascinating birds to observe here in the Headlands. Their antics are unpredictable, and you never know what these ultra-intelligent “corvids” will be up to next.
A Ferruginous Hawk is captured flying past Hawk Hill in November of 2016.
Park E-Ventures Article

The Glamorous, Fabulous Ferruginous Hawk

Large and majestic, the Ferruginous Hawk is arguably one of the most beautiful raptors we see at the GGRO. And it’s spotted from Hawk Hill no more than 20 times in a given year—adding to its allure and mystique.