San Francisco

Ecosystem Overview

The San Francisco ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 91 taxonomic genera. Located in San Francisco City and County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Mallard Lake, San Francisco hosts 257% more species diversity. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 21 San Francisco City and County County natural areas, placing it in the 90th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 21 locations

90th percentile for diversity

vs. Mallard Lake

+257% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Zonotrichia leucophrys

white-crowned sparrow

Very Common435 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Very Common433 obs.

Calypte anna

Anna's Hummingbird

Very Common423 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Very Common395 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common292 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Common281 obs.

Canis latrans

Prairie Wolf

Common279 obs.

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Common243 obs.

Eschscholzia californica

California poppy

Common242 obs.

Corvus corax

common raven

Common240 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Common220 obs.

Buteo lineatus

Red-Shouldered/Broad-Winged Hawk

Occasional218 obs.

Junco hyemalis

dark-eyed junco

Occasional209 obs.

Tropaeolum majus

Nasturtium

Occasional206 obs.

Aphelocoma californica

California/Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Occasional204 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Occasional201 obs.

Setophaga townsendi

Townsend's Warbler

Occasional196 obs.

Euphagus cyanocephalus

Brewer's blackbird

Rare194 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Rare192 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Rare191 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in San Francisco. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+104%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Francisco City and County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Stow Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

North Lake

Importance: 0.35

75 species

+33% vs. current

Mountain Lake

Importance: 0.35

60 species

+67% vs. current

Elk Glen Lake

Importance: 0.35

54 species

+85% vs. current

Lily Pond

Importance: 0.35

30 species

+233% vs. current

Mallard Lake

Importance: 0.35

28 species

+257% vs. current

Pine Lake

Importance: 0.35

22 species

+355% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

21 species

+376% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within San Francisco City and County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+104%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Francisco City and County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Stow Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

North Lake

Importance: 0.35

75 species

+33% vs. current

Mountain Lake

Importance: 0.35

60 species

+67% vs. current

Elk Glen Lake

Importance: 0.35

54 species

+85% vs. current

Lily Pond

Importance: 0.35

30 species

+233% vs. current

Mallard Lake

Importance: 0.35

28 species

+257% vs. current

Pine Lake

Importance: 0.35

22 species

+355% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

21 species

+376% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 21 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 21 locations

90th percentile for diversity

vs. Mallard Lake

+257% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Zonotrichia leucophrys

white-crowned sparrow

Very Common435 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Very Common433 obs.

Calypte anna

Anna's Hummingbird

Very Common423 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Very Common395 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common292 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Common281 obs.

Canis latrans

Prairie Wolf

Common279 obs.

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Common243 obs.

Eschscholzia californica

California poppy

Common242 obs.

Corvus corax

common raven

Common240 obs.

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

Common220 obs.

Buteo lineatus

Red-Shouldered/Broad-Winged Hawk

Occasional218 obs.

Junco hyemalis

dark-eyed junco

Occasional209 obs.

Tropaeolum majus

Nasturtium

Occasional206 obs.

Aphelocoma californica

California/Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Occasional204 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Occasional201 obs.

Setophaga townsendi

Townsend's Warbler

Occasional196 obs.

Euphagus cyanocephalus

Brewer's blackbird

Rare194 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Rare192 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Rare191 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.