Lake Charles

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake Charles ecosystem supports 11 documented wildlife species across 11 taxonomic genera. Located in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 3 frequently observed species and 2 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Lake Charles nearby has 89% more documented species, Lake Charles offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #5 for species diversity among 8 Calcasieu Parish County natural areas, placing it in the 38th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 8 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common3 species

Common3 species

Occasional3 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 8 locations

38th percentile for diversity

vs. Lake Charles

-89% 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 11 total documented species.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common4 obs.

Micropogonias undulatus

Atlantic croaker

Very Common1 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Very Common1 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Very Common1 obs.

Progne subis

Purple/Southern Martin

Very Common1 obs.

Oenothera speciosa

white evening-primrose

Common1 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Common1 obs.

Salvinia molesta

Kariba weed

Common1 obs.

Thalasseus maximus

Royal Tern

Common1 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Common1 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

$6.99

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

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-67%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Calcasieu Parish County, Louisiana

Nearby Natural Areas

Lake Charles

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-89% vs. current

Calcasieu Parish

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-89% vs. current

Sulphur

Importance: 0.39

12 species

-8% vs. current

Moss Bluff

Importance: 0.37

14 species

-21% vs. current

Dequincy

Importance: 0.29

2 species

+450% vs. current

Vinton

Importance: 0.28

2 species

+450% vs. current

Prien

Importance: 0.25

4 species

+175% 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 Calcasieu Parish 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

Species Count

-67%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Calcasieu Parish County, Louisiana

Nearby Natural Areas

Lake Charles

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-89% vs. current

Calcasieu Parish

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-89% vs. current

Sulphur

Importance: 0.39

12 species

-8% vs. current

Moss Bluff

Importance: 0.37

14 species

-21% vs. current

Dequincy

Importance: 0.29

2 species

+450% vs. current

Vinton

Importance: 0.28

2 species

+450% vs. current

Prien

Importance: 0.25

4 species

+175% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 8 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common3 species

Common3 species

Occasional3 species

Rare2 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 8 locations

38th percentile for diversity

vs. Lake Charles

-89% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 11 total documented species.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common4 obs.

Micropogonias undulatus

Atlantic croaker

Very Common1 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Very Common1 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Very Common1 obs.

Progne subis

Purple/Southern Martin

Very Common1 obs.

Oenothera speciosa

white evening-primrose

Common1 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Common1 obs.

Salvinia molesta

Kariba weed

Common1 obs.

Thalasseus maximus

Royal Tern

Common1 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Common1 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 11 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.