Kings Canyon National Park is managed together with neighboring Sequoia National Park, and the two parks share one wildlife list. Their elevation range, from the low foothills to the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, gives animals a wide variety of homes, and Cedar Grove, the glaciated valley carved by the Kings River that gave the park its name, sits at about 4,600 feet. The parks are home to 72 species of mammals. Mule deer, yellow-bellied marmots, pikas and several kinds of squirrels are the ones visitors see most, while ringtails, spotted skunks and mountain lions are secretive and rarely seen. Black bears roam the forests, and the California grizzly that once lived here was wiped out of the state by the 1920s. Seventeen species of bats, one of every five mammal species in the parks, hunt insects from the lowest elevations to above 10,000 feet. In the high country, endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep are the focus of a recovery effort.
More than 200 species of birds nest in, migrate through or live year-round in the parks, which are recognized as Globally Important Bird Areas. In winter, look for California quail under foothill shrubs and acorn woodpeckers calling among the oaks. In summer, Clark’s nutcrackers harvest seeds from pine cones in the high country. Twenty-one species of reptiles live here, including the western rattlesnake, the western fence lizard and the western pond turtle. The parks’ amphibians include the Kings River slender salamander, the California newt and the endangered mountain yellow-legged frogs. These frogs once were the most numerous amphibians in the Sierra Nevada but have disappeared from 92% of their historic range because of trout stocked in high lakes and a fungal disease. Rainbow trout, golden trout and Sacramento suckers are among the fish in the parks’ rivers and lakes. Keep reading to see featured photos of Kings Canyon’s wildlife and to learn more about wildlife photography.
Featured Kings 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.
Kings Canyon Wildlife Education and Resources
Want to learn more about Kings Canyon National Park and the wildlife that inhabits it? Check out these guides & books:
- 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.
Kings Canyon National Park Species List
The wildlife at Kings 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 Kings Canyon National Park:
Species Spotlight
Photo posts of animals you’ll find in Kings Canyon.
American RobinBird · Abundant
American Black BearMammal · Common
Golden-mantled Ground SquirrelMammal · Common
Mule DeerMammal · Common
Steller’s JayBird · Common
BobcatMammal · Uncommon
CoyoteMammal · Uncommon
Mountain LionMammal · Uncommon
Common LoonBird · Occasional
American BadgerMammal · Rare
North American PorcupineMammal · Rare
Bald EagleBird · RareKings Canyon National Park Mammals
71 species
- Alpine Chipmunk(Tamias alpinus)
- American Badger Photo post(Taxidea taxus)
- American Beaver(Castor canadensis)
- American Black Bear Photo post(Ursus americanus)
- American Marten(Martes americana)
- American Pika(Ochotona princeps)
- Belding’s Ground Squirrel(Spermophilus beldingi)
- Big Brown Bat(Eptesicus fuscus)
- Big-eared Woodrat(Neotoma macrotis simplex)
- Bobcat Photo post(Lynx rufus)
- Botta’s Pocket Gopher(Thomomys bottae)
- Brazilian Free-tailed Bat(Tadarida brasiliensis)
- Broad-footed Mole(Scapanus latimanus)
- Brush Mouse(Peromyscus boylii)
- Brush Rabbit(Sylvilagus bachmani)
- Bushy-tailed Woodrat(Neotoma cinerea)
- California Deermouse(Peromyscus californicus)
- California Ground Squirrel(Spermophilus beecheyi)
- California Myotis(Myotis californicus)
- California Pocket Mouse(Chaetodipus californicus)
- California Vole(Microtus californicus)
- Coyote Photo post(Canis latrans)
- Deer Mouse(Peromyscus maniculatus)
- Domestic Cattle(Bos taurus)
- Domestic Pig(Sus scrofa)
- Douglas’s Squirrel(Tamiasciurus douglasii)
- Ermine(Mustela erminea)
- Fisher(Martes pennanti)
- Fringed Myotis(Myotis thysanodes)
- Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel Photo post(Spermophilus lateralis)
- Gray Fox(Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
- Hoary Bat(Lasiurus cinereus)
- Little Brown Myotis(Myotis lucifugus)
- Lodgepole Chipmunk(Tamias speciosus)
- Long-eared Myotis(Myotis evotis)
- Long-legged Myotis(Myotis volans)
- Long-tailed Vole(Microtus longicaudus)
- Long-tailed Weasel(Mustela frenata)
- Merriam’s Chipmunk(Tamias merriami)
- Montane Shrew(Sorex monticolus)
- Montane Vole(Microtus montanus)
- Mountain Beaver(Aplodontia rufa)
- Mountain Lion Photo post(Puma concolor)
- Mountain Pocket Gopher(Thomomys monticola)
- Mule Deer Photo post(Odocoileus hemionus)
- North American Porcupine Photo post(Erethizon dorsatum)
- Northern Flying Squirrel(Glaucomys sabrinus)
- Ornate Shrew(Sorex ornatus)
- Pallid Bat(Antrozous pallidus)
- Pinyon Mouse(Peromyscus truei)
- Raccoon(Procyon lotor)
- Ringtail(Bassariscus astutus)
- Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep(Ovis canadensis)
- Silver-haired Bat(Lasionycteris noctivagans)
- Spotted Bat(Euderma maculatum)
- Spotted Skunk(Spilogale putorius)
- Striped Skunk(Mephitis mephitis)
- Townsend’s Big-eared Bat(Plecotus townsendii)
- Trowbridge’s Shrew(Sorex trowbridgii)
- Virginia Opossum(Didelphis virginiana)
- Water Shrew(Sorex palustris)
- Western Gray Squirrel(Sciurus griseus)
- Western Harvest Mouse(Reithrodontomys megalotis)
- Western Jumping Mouse(Zapus princeps)
- Western Mastiff Bat(Eumops perotis)
- Western Pipistrelle(Pipistrellus hesperus)
- Western Red Bat(Lasiurus blossevillii)
- Western Small-footed Myotis(Myotis ciliolabrum)
- White-tailed Hare(Lepus townsendii)
- Yellow-bellied Marmot(Marmota flaviventris)
- Yuma Myotis(Myotis yumanensis)
No mammals match.
Kings Canyon National Park Birds
212 species
- Acorn Woodpecker(Melanerpes formicivorus)
- Allen’s Hummingbird(Selasphorus sasin)
- American Avocet(Recurvirostra americana)
- American Coot(Fulica americana)
- American Crow(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
- American Dipper(Cinclus mexicanus)
- American Goldfinch(Carduelis tristis)
- American Kestrel(Falco sparverius)
- American Pipit(Anthus rubescens)
- American Robin Photo post(Turdus migratorius)
- American White Pelican(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
- Anna’s Hummingbird(Calypte anna)
- Ash-throated Flycatcher(Myiarchus cinerascens)
- Bald Eagle Photo post(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
- Band-tailed Pigeon(Patagioenas fasciata)
- Barn Owl(Tyto alba)
- Barn Swallow(Hirundo rustica)
- Barred Owl(Strix varia)
- Belted Kingfisher(Megaceryle alcyon)
- Bewick’s Wren(Thryomanes bewickii)
- Black Phoebe(Sayornis nigricans)
- Black Storm Petrel(Oceanodroma melania)
- Black Swan(Cygnus atratus)
- Black Swift(Cypseloides niger)
- Black-backed Woodpecker(Picoides arcticus)
- Black-chinned Hummingbird(Archilochus alexandri)
- Black-chinned Sparrow(Spizella atrogularis)
- Black-headed Grosbeak(Pheucticus melanocephalus)
- Black-throated Gray Warbler(Dendroica nigrescens)
- Black-throated Sparrow(Amphispiza bilineata)
- Blue Grosbeak(Guiraca caerulea)
- Blue Grouse(Dendragapus obscurus)
- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea)
- Bohemian Waxwing(Bombycilla garrulus)
- Brewer’s Blackbird(Euphagus cyanocephalus)
- Brewer’s Sparrow(Spizella breweri)
- Broad-winged Hawk(Buteo platypterus)
- Brown Creeper(Certhia americana)
- Brown-headed Cowbird(Molothrus ater)
- Bufflehead(Bucephala albeola)
- Bullock’s Oriole(Icterus bullockii)
- Bushtit(Psaltriparus minimus)
- California Gull(Larus californicus)
- California Quail(Callipepla californica)
- California Thrasher(Toxostoma redivivum)
- California Towhee(Pipilo crissalis)
- Calliope Hummingbird(Stellula calliope)
- Canada Goose(Branta canadensis)
- Canyon Wren(Catherpes mexicanus)
- Caspian Tern(Sterna caspia)
- Cassin’s Finch(Carpodacus cassinii)
- Cassin’s Vireo(Vireo cassinii)
- Cedar Waxwing(Bombycilla cedrorum)
- Chestnut-sided Warbler(Dendroica pensylvanica)
- Chipping Sparrow(Spizella passerina)
- Chukar(Alectoris chukar)
- Clark’s Nutcracker(Nucifraga columbiana)
- Cliff Swallow(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
- Common Loon Photo post(Gavia immer)
- Common Merganser(Mergus merganser)
- Common Nighthawk(Chordeiles minor)
- Common Peafowl(Pavo cristatus)
- Common Poorwill(Phalaenoptilus nuttallii)
- Common Raven(Corvus corax)
- Common Snipe(Gallinago gallinago)
- Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas)
- Cooper’s Hawk(Accipiter cooperii)
- Dark-eyed Junco(Junco hyemalis)
- Double-crested Cormorant(Phalacrocorax auritus)
- Downy Woodpecker(Picoides pubescens)
- Dusky Flycatcher(Empidonax oberholseri)
- Eared Grebe(Podiceps nigricollis)
- Eastern Kingbird(Tyrannus tyrannus)
- European Starling(Sturnus vulgaris)
- Evening Grosbeak(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
- Flammulated Owl(Otus flammeolus)
- Fox Sparrow(Passerella iliaca)
- Gadwall(Anas strepera)
- Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos)
- Golden-crowned Kinglet(Regulus satrapa)
- Golden-crowned Sparrow(Zonotrichia atricapilla)
- Gray Catbird(Dumetella carolinensis)
- Gray Flycatcher(Empidonax wrightii)
- Gray-crowned Rosy Finch(Leucosticte tephrocotis)
- Great Blue Heron(Ardea herodias)
- Great Gray Owl(Strix nebulosa)
- Great Horned Owl(Bubo virginianus)
- Great-tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus)
- Greater Roadrunner(Geococcyx californianus)
- Green-tailed Towhee(Pipilo chlorurus)
- Green-winged Teal(Anas crecca)
- Gyrfalcon(Falco rusticolus)
- Hairy Woodpecker(Picoides villosus)
- Hammond’s Flycatcher(Empidonax hammondii)
- Harlequin Duck Photo post(Histrionicus histrionicus)
- Hermit Thrush(Catharus guttatus)
- Hermit Warbler(Dendroica occidentalis)
- Hooded Oriole(Icterus cucullatus)
- Horned Grebe(Podiceps auritus)
- Horned Lark(Eremophila alpestris)
- House Finch(Carpodacus mexicanus)
- House Sparrow(Passer domesticus)
- House Wren(Troglodytes aedon)
- Hutton’s Vireo(Vireo huttoni)
- Killdeer(Charadrius vociferus)
- Ladder-backed Woodpecker(Picoides scalaris)
- Lark Sparrow(Chondestes grammacus)
- Lawrence’s Goldfinch(Carduelis lawrencei)
- Lazuli Bunting(Passerina amoena)
- Lesser Goldfinch(Carduelis psaltria)
- Lesser Scaup(Aythya affinis)
- Lewis’s Woodpecker(Melanerpes lewis)
- Lincoln’s Sparrow(Melospiza lincolnii)
- Loggerhead Shrike(Lanius ludovicianus)
- Long-eared Owl(Asio otus)
- Lucy’s Warbler(Vermivora luciae)
- MacGillivray’s Warbler(Oporornis tolmiei)
- Mallard(Anas platyrhynchos)
- Merlin(Falco columbarius)
- Mountain Bluebird(Sialia currucoides)
- Mountain Chickadee(Poecile gambeli)
- Mountain Quail(Oreortyx pictus)
- Mourning Dove(Zenaida macroura)
- Nashville Warbler(Vermivora ruficapilla)
- Northern Flicker(Colaptes auratus)
- Northern Goshawk(Accipiter gentilis)
- Northern Harrier(Circus cyaneus)
- Northern Mockingbird(Mimus polyglottos)
- Northern Pintail(Anas acuta)
- Northern Pygmy-Owl(Glaucidium gnoma)
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow(Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
- Northern Saw-whet Owl(Aegolius acadicus)
- Northern Shrike(Lanius excubitor)
- Nuttall’s Woodpecker(Picoides nuttallii)
- Oak Titmouse(Baeolophus inornatus)
- Olive-sided Flycatcher(Contopus cooperi)
- Orange-crowned Warbler(Vermivora celata)
- Osprey(Pandion haliaetus)
- Pacific Slope Flycatcher(Empidonax difficilis)
- Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus)
- Phainopepla(Phainopepla nitens)
- Pied-billed Grebe(Podilymbus podiceps)
- Pileated Woodpecker(Dryocopus pileatus)
- Pine Grosbeak(Pinicola enucleator)
- Pine Siskin(Carduelis pinus)
- Pinyon Jay(Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus)
- Prairie Falcon(Falco mexicanus)
- Purple Finch(Carpodacus purpureus)
- Purple Martin(Progne subis)
- Pygmy Nuthatch(Sitta pygmaea)
- Red Crossbill(Loxia curvirostra)
- Red-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta canadensis)
- Red-breasted Sapsucker(Sphyrapicus ruber)
- Red-naped Sapsucker(Sphyrapicus nuchalis)
- Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus)
- Red-shouldered Hawk(Buteo lineatus)
- Red-tailed Hawk(Buteo jamaicensis)
- Red-winged Blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus)
- Rock Pigeon(Columba livia)
- Rock Wren(Salpinctes obsoletus)
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak(Pheucticus ludovicianus)
- Rough-legged Hawk(Buteo lagopus)
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula)
- Ruddy Duck(Oxyura jamaicensis)
- Rufous Hummingbird(Selasphorus rufus)
- Rufous-crowned Sparrow(Aimophila ruficeps)
- Sage Sparrow(Amphispiza belli)
- Savannah Sparrow(Passerculus sandwichensis)
- Say’s Phoebe(Sayornis saya)
- Sharp-shinned Hawk(Accipiter striatus)
- Short-eared Owl(Asio flammeus)
- Song Sparrow(Melospiza melodia)
- Spotted Owl(Strix occidentalis)
- Spotted Sandpiper(Actitis macularia)
- Spotted Towhee(Pipilo maculatus)
- Steller’s Jay Photo post(Cyanocitta stelleri)
- Summer Tanager(Piranga rubra)
- Surf Scoter(Melanitta perspicillata)
- Swainson’s Hawk(Buteo swainsoni)
- Swainson’s Thrush(Catharus ustulatus)
- Townsend’s Solitaire(Myadestes townsendi)
- Townsend’s Warbler(Dendroica townsendi)
- Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor)
- Tundra Swan(Cygnus columbianus)
- Turkey Vulture(Cathartes aura)
- Varied Thrush(Ixoreus naevius)
- Vaux’s Swift(Chaetura vauxi)
- Vesper Sparrow(Pooecetes gramineus)
- Violet-green Swallow(Tachycineta thalassina)
- Warbling Vireo(Vireo gilvus)
- Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana)
- Western Kingbird(Tyrannus verticalis)
- Western Meadowlark(Sturnella neglecta)
- Western Screech-owl(Megascops kennicottii)
- Western Scrub-jay(Aphelocoma californica)
- Western Tanager(Piranga ludoviciana)
- Western Wood Pewee(Contopus sordidulus)
- White-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis)
- White-crowned Sparrow(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
- White-headed Woodpecker(Picoides albolarvatus)
- White-tailed Kite(Elanus leucurus)
- White-tailed Ptarmigan(Lagopus leucura)
- White-throated Swift(Aeronautes saxatalis)
- Wild Turkey(Meleagris gallopavo)
- Williamson’s Sapsucker(Sphyrapicus thyroideus)
- Willow Flycatcher(Empidonax traillii)
- Wilson’s Warbler(Wilsonia pusilla)
- Winter Wren(Troglodytes troglodytes)
- Wood Duck(Aix sponsa)
- Wrentit(Chamaea fasciata)
- Yellow Warbler(Dendroica petechia)
- Yellow-rumped Warbler(Dendroica coronata)
No birds match.
Kings Canyon National Park Reptiles
21 species
- California Mountain Kingsnake(Lampropeltis zonata)
- Common Kingsnake(Lampropeltis getula)
- Common Sharp-tailed Snake(Contia tenuis)
- Gilbert’s Skink(Eumeces gilberti)
- Gophersnake(Pituophis catenifer)
- Long-nosed Snake(Rhinocheilus lecontei)
- Nightsnake(Hypsiglena torquata)
- North American Racer(Coluber constrictor)
- Northern Alligator Lizard(Elgaria coerulea)
- Northern Pacific Pond Turtle(Actinemys marmorata)
- Northern Rubber Boa(Charina bottae)
- Ring-necked Snake(Diadophis punctatus)
- Sagebrush Lizard(Sceloporus graciosus)
- Smith’s Black-headed Snake(Tantilla hobartsmithi)
- Southern Alligator Lizard(Elgaria multicarinata)
- Striped Racer(Masticophis lateralis)
- Terrestrial Garter Snake(Thamnophis elegans)
- Western Aquatic Garter Snake(Thamnophis couchii)
- Western Fence Lizard(Sceloporus occidentalis)
- Western Rattlesnake(Crotalus oreganus)
- Western Whiptail(Cnemidophorus tigris)
No reptiles match.
Kings Canyon National Park Amphibians
12 species
- American Bullfrog(Rana catesbeiana)
- California Newt(Taricha torosa)
- Ensatina(Ensatina eschscholtzii)
- Gregarious Slender Salamander(Batrachoseps gregarius)
- Kings River Slender Salamander(Batrachoseps regius)
- Mount Lyell Salamander(Hydromantes platycephalus)
- Northern Pacific Treefrog(Pseudacris regilla)
- Sequoia Slender Salamander(Batrachoseps kawia)
- Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog(Rana sierrae)
- Southern Mountain Yellow-legged Frog(Rana muscosa)
- Western Toad(Bufo boreas)
- Yosemite Toad(Bufo canorus)
No amphibians match.
Kings Canyon National Park Fish
11 species
- Black Bullhead(Ameiurus melas)
- Brook Trout(Salvelinus fontinalis)
- Brown Trout(Salmo trutta)
- California Golden Trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita)
- California Roach(Hesperoleucus symmetricus)
- Golden Shiner(Notemigonus crysoleucas)
- Green Sunfish(Lepomis cyanellus)
- Kern River Rainbow Trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss gilberti)
- Little Kern Golden Trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss whitei)
- Rainbow Trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- Sacramento Sucker(Catostomus occidentalis)
No fish match.
Note: The wildlife species included in the lists above have been confirmed with the National Park Service to be present in Kings Canyon National Park. Other species may exist in the park that are currently under review or not yet known.
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References:
- National Park Species List
- NPS: Animals, Sequoia & Kings Canyon
- NPS: Mammals, Sequoia & Kings Canyon
- NPS: Birds, Sequoia & Kings Canyon
- NPS: Reptiles, Sequoia & Kings Canyon
- NPS: Amphibians and Fish, Sequoia & Kings Canyon
- NPS: Mountain Yellow-legged Frogs
- NPS: Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery
- NPS: Cedar Grove, Kings Canyon
