Birdwatching is not just for the senior set anymore. So many people of all ages enjoy birdwatching. It’s the perfect way to get out in nature and enjoy all of the natural beauty surrounding us. And luckily for us Angelenos, California is the best state in the entire country for birdwatching.
The lawn care service, Lawn Love, recently ranked 2025’s Best States for Birdwatching, and California came out on top of the flock. They compared all 50 U.S. states across 5 feather-focused categories to determine the best state for birding. The 5 categories included: Access, Bird Variety, Popularity, Conservation, and Climate. They also closely examined “the number of Audubon centers and sanctuaries, bird species, endemic bird species, and birdwatching groups.”
California ranked highest on all of these scores with an overall score of 57.08 out of 100. The Golden State also ranked highest in these categories:
- Number of Bird Species
- Number of Birdwatching Groups
- Audubon Offices and Chapters
- Number of National and State Parks
- Number of Hiking Trails
Of course, Californians already know that we rule the roost when it comes to birding. Our beloved Big Bear bald eagle babies, Sunny and Gizmo, are a world-wide phenomenon and certified internet celebrities. And we’re all eagerly watching as they develop their “bald heads” and get ready to leave the nest!
Birdwatching in Los Angeles is a hidden gem, with spots like Sepulveda Basin and Descanso Gardens offering glimpses of hawks, warblers, and coastal birds, and it’s all within city limits. And there are so many places around Southern California where you can witness a majestic bald eagle cruising the skies in real life. Grab your best pair of binoculars and turn your eyes to the sky because there’s a whole world of feathered friends waiting to be spotted.