Palm Desert

Ecosystem Overview

The Palm Desert ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 97 taxonomic genera. Located in Riverside 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. This location ranks #7 for species diversity among 50 Riverside County County natural areas, placing it in the 86th 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 50 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#7 of 50 locations

86th percentile for diversity

vs. Riverside County

0% 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.

Calypte costae

Costa's Hummingbird

Very Common17 obs.

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbird

Very Common8 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common8 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Very Common8 obs.

Geococcyx californianus

Greater Roadrunner

Very Common8 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Common7 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Common7 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common7 obs.

Danaus gilippus

Queen

Common6 obs.

Condea emoryi

desert-lavender

Common6 obs.

Dipsosaurus dorsalis

Desert iguana

Common6 obs.

Auriparus flaviceps

Verdin

Occasional6 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Occasional6 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Occasional6 obs.

Larrea tridentata

Occasional5 obs.

Abronia villosa

desert sand-verbena

Occasional5 obs.

Salpinctes obsoletus

Rock Wren

Occasional5 obs.

Palafoxia arida

Rare5 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Rare5 obs.

Phainopepla nitens

Phainopepla

Rare5 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 Palm Desert. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+22%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Riverside County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Riverside County

Importance: 0.50

100 species

0% vs. current

Palm Springs

Importance: 0.50

100 species

0% vs. current

Murrieta

Importance: 0.45

100 species

0% vs. current

Murrieta

Importance: 0.45

14 species

+614% vs. current

Indio

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

Indian Wells

Importance: 0.41

100 species

0% vs. current

Rancho Mirage

Importance: 0.41

100 species

0% vs. current

Coachella

Importance: 0.41

39 species

+156% 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 Riverside 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

+22%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Riverside County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Riverside County

Importance: 0.50

100 species

0% vs. current

Palm Springs

Importance: 0.50

100 species

0% vs. current

Murrieta

Importance: 0.45

100 species

0% vs. current

Murrieta

Importance: 0.45

14 species

+614% vs. current

Indio

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

Indian Wells

Importance: 0.41

100 species

0% vs. current

Rancho Mirage

Importance: 0.41

100 species

0% vs. current

Coachella

Importance: 0.41

39 species

+156% 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 50 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#7 of 50 locations

86th percentile for diversity

vs. Riverside County

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Calypte costae

Costa's Hummingbird

Very Common17 obs.

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbird

Very Common8 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common8 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Very Common8 obs.

Geococcyx californianus

Greater Roadrunner

Very Common8 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Common7 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Common7 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common7 obs.

Danaus gilippus

Queen

Common6 obs.

Condea emoryi

desert-lavender

Common6 obs.

Dipsosaurus dorsalis

Desert iguana

Common6 obs.

Auriparus flaviceps

Verdin

Occasional6 obs.

Fulica americana

American Coot

Occasional6 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Occasional6 obs.

Larrea tridentata

Occasional5 obs.

Abronia villosa

desert sand-verbena

Occasional5 obs.

Salpinctes obsoletus

Rock Wren

Occasional5 obs.

Palafoxia arida

Rare5 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Rare5 obs.

Phainopepla nitens

Phainopepla

Rare5 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.