Condors in California in January
Yes, January is a good month to see condors in California. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 478 of the 4,549 sightings logged across the year (10.5%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for condors in California
10.5%
of yearly sightings
478
records in January
#5
busiest month of 12
4,549
verified records a year
December 5.1%, January 10.5%, February 13.9%. Busiest month is February at 13.9%.
4,549 verified observations of condors in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When condors are recorded in California
Peak month
February
632 records (13.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 478 | 10.5% |
| Februarypeak | 632 | 13.9% |
| Marchpeak | 626 | 13.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 548 | 12% |
| May | 502 | 11% |
| June | 427 | 9.4% |
| July | 246 | 5.4% |
| August | 217 | 4.8% |
| September | 146 | 3.2% |
| October | 228 | 5% |
| November | 265 | 5.8% |
| December | 234 | 5.1% |
Condors you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| California Condor | 4,549 |
In California, January carries 10.5% of the year's condors sightings, about 2.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from December (5.1%) into January, and it heads toward February (13.9%) after. The busiest month is February (13.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The condors most often recorded in California are California Condor. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January itself.
Which condors you are most likely to see
- California Condor4,549 records
Plan your condor trip in California
Start with live tours near Alcatraz Island, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alcatraz Island
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main condor viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best condor viewing area in California.
Viator
Broader backupBook a condor tour in California
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see condors in California in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 478 of the 4,549 verified condors sightings logged in California across the year, which is 10.5% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see condors in California?+
January is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though February and March is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for condors in California?+
February is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through February, March and April, based on 4,549 verified observations.
Which condors are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are California Condor, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See condors in California in other months
More wildlife in California