Bryce Canyon National Park, known for its hoodoos, also supports a wide range of wildlife. Visitors may see mule deer grazing in the meadows, pronghorns darting across open plains and, in the backcountry, the elusive mountain lion. The park also has over 200 species of birds, including the peregrine falcon and the western tanager.
Smaller mammals such as the Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel and Uinta Chipmunk often dart across the hiking trails, and reptiles such as the Great Basin rattlesnake and various lizard species live in the rocky terrain. Keep reading to see featured photos of Bryce Canyon’s wildlife and to learn more about wildlife photography.
Featured Bryce Canyon National Park Wildlife Photographs
Have a National Park Wildlife photograph you’d like featured? Contact us today to learn more!
Wildlife Photography Tips
Wildlife photography in the US National Parks offers a unique and enriching experience, as these protected areas are havens for diverse species and pristine natural landscapes. Capturing wildlife in such settings requires preparation and respect for both the environment and its inhabitants. Photographers should familiarize themselves with the specific animals and ecosystems of the park they are visiting, as each park hosts different species and behaviors. Early mornings and late afternoons, known as the golden hours, provide the best light and increased wildlife activity. Different seasons also offer different wildlife viewing opportunities. Patience and stillness are key, as the best moments often come to those who wait quietly.
If wildlife does present itself, always make sure to maintain a safe distance. Using a telephoto lens allows for close-up shots without intruding on the animals’ space. If you already own or want to own a professional grade mirrored camera like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR, we recommend using a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens zoom lens for wildlife photography. If you have or are interested in a newer mirrorless model like the Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera, we recommend using a Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Black for long distance shots.
Not quite ready to invest in traditional professional-grade camera equipment but want to enhance the quality of your cell phone photographs? Consider using a Moment Tele 58mm Mobile Lens II for improved reach, and use a Moment camera case with a lens mount to attach it to your phone. Since cell phones generally cannot provide the same reach as a dedicated telephoto camera lens, never compensate by moving dangerously close to wildlife. As with any visit to a national park, it’s important to follow park regulations, practice “Leave No Trace” principles, and prioritize safety while photographing wildlife.
Want to take your wildlife photos further? Featured photographer Vella Torvik shares her field-tested advice on gear, camera settings, light, composition and safely approaching wildlife in our Wildlife Photography 101: Insider Tips From the Field masterclass.
Bryce Canyon Wildlife Education and Resources
Want to learn more about Bryce Canyon National Park and the wildlife that inhabits it? Check out these guides & books:
- Lonely Planet Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks (National Parks Guide)
- Grand Canyon Zion & Bryce (Wildlife Watcher’s Guide)
- Peterson Field Guide To Mammals Of North America: Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Western North America, Fifth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
- Peterson Field Guide To Western Reptiles & Amphibians, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Second Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Animal Tracks: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Familiar North American Species (Wildlife and Nature Identification)
Please note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.
Bryce Canyon National Park Species List
The wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park is beautiful and diverse. There are a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish to view. Check out all the incredible species this park has to offer! Click on the links below to see the different animal species that inhabit Bryce Canyon National Park:
Bryce Canyon National Park Mammals
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| American Badger (Taxidea taxus) | Unknown |
| American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) | Unknown |
| Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) | Uncommon |
| Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) | Unknown |
| Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) | Uncommon |
| Bobcat (Lynx rufus) | Unknown |
| Brush Mouse (Peromyscus boylii) | Uncommon |
| Bushy-tailed Woodrat (Neotoma cinerea) | Uncommon |
| California Myotis (Myotis californicus) | Uncommon |
| Canyon Mouse (Peromyscus crinitus) | Uncommon |
| Cliff Chipmunk (Neotamias dorsalis) | Uncommon |
| Common Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) | Unknown |
| Coyote (Canis latrans) | Unknown |
| Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) | Common |
| Desert Woodrat (Neotoma lepida) | Unknown |
| Dwarf Shrew (Sorex nanus) | Uncommon |
| Elk (Cervus canadensis) | Unknown |
| Fringed Myotis (Myotis thysanodes) | Uncommon |
| Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis) | Common |
| Great Basin Pocket Mouse (Perognathus parvus) | Unknown |
| Hoary Bat (Aeorestes cinereus) | Unknown |
| Least Chipmunk (Neotamias minimus) | Common |
| Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) | Uncommon |
| Long-eared Myotis (Myotis evotis) | Uncommon |
| Long-legged Myotis (Myotis volans) | Uncommon |
| Long-tailed Vole (Microtus longicaudus) | Uncommon |
| Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata) | Unknown |
| Merriam’s Shrew (Sorex merriami) | Uncommon |
| Montane Shrew (Sorex monticolus) | Uncommon |
| Montane Vole (Microtus montanus) | Uncommon |
| Mountain Cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii) | Uncommon |
| Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus) | Unknown |
| Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) | Unknown |
| Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) | Unknown |
| Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) | Unknown |
| Northern Pocket Gopher (Thomomys talpoides) | Uncommon |
| Ord’s Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii) | Unknown |
| Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus) | Uncommon |
| Pinon Mouse (Peromyscus truei) | Uncommon |
| Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) | Unknown |
| Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) | Unknown |
| Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) | Uncommon |
| Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) | Unknown |
| Rock Squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus) | Uncommon |
| Sagebrush Vole (Lemmiscus curtatus) | Uncommon |
| Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) | Uncommon |
| Spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum) | Uncommon |
| Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) | Unknown |
| Uinta Chipmunk (Neotamias umbrinus) | Common |
| Utah Prairie Dog (Cynomys parvidens) | Common |
| Western Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis) | Uncommon |
| Western Small-footed Myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum) | Uncommon |
| Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis) | Unknown |
| White-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) | Unknown |
| Yellow-bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris) | Uncommon |
| Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis) | Unknown |
Bryce Canyon National Park Birds
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) | Unknown |
| American Coot (Fulica americana) | Common |
| American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) | Occasional |
| American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) | Occasional |
| American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) | Uncommon |
| American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) | Unknown |
| American Robin (Turdus migratorius) | Common |
| American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) | Unknown |
| American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) | Occasional |
| American Wigeon (Mareca americana) | Rare |
| Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) | Uncommon |
| Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) | Occasional |
| Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) | Rare |
| Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) | Uncommon |
| Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) | Occasional |
| Black Rosy-finch (Leucosticte atrata) | Occasional |
| Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) | Occasional |
| Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) | Uncommon |
| Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) | Common |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) | Common |
| Black-chinned Sparrow (Spizella atrogularis) | Unknown |
| Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) | Uncommon |
| Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens) | Uncommon |
| Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) | Rare |
| Blue Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) | Uncommon |
| Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) | Rare |
| Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) | Rare |
| Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) | Common |
| Brewer’s Sparrow (Spizella breweri) | Uncommon |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) | Common |
| Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) | Uncommon |
| Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) | Uncommon |
| Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii) | Rare |
| Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) | Rare |
| California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) | Occasional |
| Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) | Occasional |
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) | Common |
| Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) | Rare |
| Cassin’s Finch (Haemorhous cassinii) | Common |
| Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) | Occasional |
| Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) | Common |
| Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera) | Rare |
| Clark’s Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) | Common |
| Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) | Common |
| Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) | Rare |
| Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) | Uncommon |
| Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) | Rare |
| Common Raven (Corvus corax) | Common |
| Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) | Rare |
| Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) | Common |
| Cordilleran Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis occidentalis) | Uncommon |
| Dark-eyed Junco (Gray-headed) (Junco hyemalis caniceps) | Common |
| Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (Junco hyemalis oreganus) | Common |
| Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis) | Common |
| Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens leucurus) | Unknown |
| Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) | Uncommon |
| Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) | Rare |
| European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) | Uncommon |
| Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) | Rare |
| Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii) | Unknown |
| Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) | Uncommon |
| Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) | Rare |
| Grace’s Warbler (Setophaga graciae) | Uncommon |
| Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) | Occasional |
| Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii) | Uncommon |
| Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) | Uncommon |
| Gray Vireo (Vireo vicinior) | Rare |
| Gray-crowned Rosy-finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) | Occasional |
| Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) | Uncommon |
| Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) | Rare |
| Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) | Uncommon |
| Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) | Uncommon |
| Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) | Uncommon |
| Hammond’s Flycatcher (Empidonax hammondii) | Common |
| Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) | Rare |
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) | Common |
| House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) | Uncommon |
| House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) | Rare |
| House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) | Uncommon |
| Juniper Titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi) | Uncommon |
| Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) | Uncommon |
| Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) | Uncommon |
| Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) | Rare |
| Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) | Occasional |
| Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) | Rare |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) | Rare |
| Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) | Rare |
| Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) | Occasional |
| Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) | Rare |
| Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) | Occasional |
| MacGillivray’s Warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei) | Occasional |
| Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) | Common |
| Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) | Uncommon |
| Merlin (Falco columbarius) | Rare |
| Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) | Common |
| Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli) | Common |
| Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) | Uncommon |
| Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla) | Occasional |
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | Common |
| Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) | Uncommon |
| Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) | Uncommon |
| Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) | Rare |
| Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) | Uncommon |
| Northern Pygmy-owl (Glaucidium gnoma) | Rare |
| Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) | Uncommon |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) | Occasional |
| Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) | Rare |
| Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) | Rare |
| Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) | Uncommon |
| Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) | Uncommon |
| Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) | Occasional |
| Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) | Common |
| Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) | Uncommon |
| Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus) | Rare |
| Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) | Rare |
| Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea) | Uncommon |
| Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) | Uncommon |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) | Common |
| Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) | Rare |
| Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) | Common |
| Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) | Common |
| Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) | Occasional |
| Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) | Uncommon |
| Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) | Rare |
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) | Uncommon |
| Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) | Uncommon |
| Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) | Common |
| Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) | Rare |
| Sagebrush Sparrow (Artemisiospiza nevadensis) | Rare |
| Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya) | Uncommon |
| Scott’s Oriole (Icterus parisorum) | Unknown |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) | Uncommon |
| Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) | Uncommon |
| Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) | Uncommon |
| Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) | Uncommon |
| Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) | Common |
| Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) | Rare |
| Townsend’s Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) | Abundant |
| Townsend’s Warbler (Setophaga townsendi) | Occasional |
| Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) | Occasional |
| Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) | Uncommon |
| Veery (Catharus fuscescens) | Unknown |
| Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) | Uncommon |
| Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) | Common |
| Virginia’s Warbler (Leiothlypis virginiae) | Rare |
| Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) | Uncommon |
| Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) | Common |
| Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) | Uncommon |
| Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) | Uncommon |
| Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) | Uncommon |
| Western Wood-pewee (Contopus sordidulus) | Rare |
| White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) | Uncommon |
| White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | Uncommon |
| White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) | Abundant |
| Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) | Rare |
| Williamson’s Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) | Rare |
| Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) | Occasional |
| Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) | Rare |
| Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) | Rare |
| Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) | Rare |
| Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii) | Uncommon |
| Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) | Uncommon |
| Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) | Rare |
| Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) | Uncommon |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) | Common |
Bryce Canyon National Park Reptiles
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| Common Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus) | Abundant |
| Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer) | Uncommon |
| Greater Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi) | Common |
| Plateau Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) | Rare |
| Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) | Unknown |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans) | Uncommon |
| Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus) | Rare |
| Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus) | Uncommon |
Bryce Canyon National Park Amphibians
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana) | Unknown |
| Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) | Rare |
| Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) | Unknown |
Bryce Canyon National Park Fish
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) | Unknown |
Note: The wildlife species included in the lists above have been confirmed with the National Park Service to be present in Bryce Canyon National Park. Other species may exist in the park that are currently under review or not yet known.
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