Last updated: September 20, 2024
Thing to Do
Birdwatching on Alcatraz
NPS / Morgan Barnes
An Island Like No Other
Did you know that Alcatraz is an outstanding place to watch birds? The island is home to upwards of 20,000 birds, many of them waterbirds. You can start looking for birds on your ferry trip. In fact, as soon as the boat leaves the dock, you can start birdwatching! Keep an eye out for murres, grebes and ducks in the waters, and brown pelicans flying overhead! When you reach the island, listen for the sounds of Pigeon Guillemots and Western Gulls.
We recommend bringing a good pair of binoculars and/or a camera to keep your distance from the birds. Also, please keep away from closed areas. From February to September parts of the island are closed to the public, allowing breeding birds to nest. You can visit eBird to view the latest sightings, or if you’re on island, check out the Bird Board at the dock to see the latest official counts.
On most days during the nesting season, bird volunteers will be posted around the island with binoculars and scopes to point out our nesting birds, answer any questions you may have about the birds of Alcatraz, and share about the importance of Alcatraz as a seabird colony in an urban area. While you can see birds anywhere on Alcatraz, several locations offer the best chance to see the different nesting colonies on the island!
The Dock
As soon as you arrive on island, keep your eyes (and ears!) peeled for the raucous calls of Western Gulls, and the high-pitched whistles of Pigeon Guillemots. Alcatraz’s guillemots nest in natural and man-made cavities, so the best chance to see them is when they are on the water, or flying into their nest.
The Roads
While the resident Western Gulls are visible everywhere on the island, the best views of these large gulls incubating their eggs and caring for their chicks are alongside the switchbacks and roads! The gulls of Alcatraz have acclimated to visitors and we can often get a unique view of adorable baby gull chicks without upsetting these protective birds. That being said, please maintain at least 5 feet from any nests, and if the adult gulls squawk at you, please take a step back.
The Gardens
Beautifully maintained by volunteers, the Gardens of Alcatraz provide homes and food for many of our resident birds. In the Rose Garden, the towering Eucalyptus tree provides a safe nesting spot for our tallest bird residents, the Great Blue Herons. Anna’s Hummingbirds pollinate the many species of flowers in the gardens, and fiercely protect their individual flower bushes. In fall and spring, keep an eye out for migratory warblers in the gardens as they hunt for insects and rest up for their migrations.
The Parade Ground
As you make the turn around the Lighthouse, one of the largest nesting colonies on the island will unfold below you. Western Gulls nest on the flat areas of the Parade Ground, while Brandt’s Cormorants nest in the Rubble Piles that once housed prison guards and their families.
West Road
As you travel down the West Road, look to the west: you’ll see our heron and egret colony in the shrubbery. Snowy Egrets and Black-Crowned Night Herons nest in this densely vegetated location, sometimes nestled so deeply into the plants you can only hear their strange, cartoonish vocalizations. As you look over the Barker Beach overlook, you will be greeted by the sights, sounds, and yes, smells, of our largest Brandt’s Cormorant colony. Upwards of 10,000 cormorants can inhabit the flat areas and cliffs in this area in the height of the nesting season.
Don’t Forget to Look Up!
One of our most famous residents, Lawrencium (Larry) the banded Peregrine Falcon nests on Alcatraz too! Because peregrines nest in caves and cavities, the Alcatraz Peregrine nest is not visible from any island roadways (although you can peek into the nest through our Peregrine Falcon Nest Livestream). The island’s falcons are best seen perched in high places, such as the Lighthouse, the Watertower, and the Cellhouse. In May and June, keep an eye out for the aerial acrobatics of the adult peregrines and their chicks, who learn how to fly for nearly a month on Alcatraz before leaving for the city.
Here is a list of the most common birds on Alcatraz, where their nests are located, and when they are found on the island:
In trees/bushes
Anna’s Hummingbird: nests and winters on Alcatraz; September - March
Black-crowned Night Heron: nests on Alcatraz; March - September
Black Phoebe: nests on Alcatraz; visible year-round
Great Blue Heron: nests on Alcatraz; January - July
Snowy Egret: nests on Alcatraz; April – September
Song Sparrow: nests on Alcatraz; visible year-round
White-crowned Sparrow: winter resident
On the ground
Black Oystercatcher: nests on Alcatraz; visible year-round
Brandt’s Cormorant: nests on Alcatraz; February - September
Canada Goose: nests on Alcatraz; March - June
Western Gull: nests on Alcatraz; visible year-round
In caves/crevices
Peregrine Falcon: nests on Alcatraz; visible year-round
Pigeon Guillemot: nests on Alcatraz; April - August
Flying Overhead:
Brown Pelicans (flying past): rarely land on Alcatraz; common June - January
Details
Duration
30-90 Minutes
Activity
Birdwatching
See the map below to discover where birds often nest on the Island. We recommend bringing a good pair of binoculars and/or a camera to keep your distance from the birds. Also, please keep away from closed areas. From February to September parts of the island are closed to the public, allowing breeding birds to nest. You can visit eBird to view the latest sightings, or if you’re on island, check out the Bird Board at the dock to see the latest official counts
On most days during the nesting season, bird volunteers will be posted around the island with binoculars and scopes to point out our nesting birds, answer any questions you may have about the birds of Alcatraz, and share about the importance of Alcatraz as a seabird colony in an urban area.
The Dock
As soon as you arrive on island, keep your eyes (and ears!) peeled for the raucous calls of Western Gulls, and the high-pitched whistles of Pigeon Guillemots. Alcatraz’s guillemots nest in natural and man-made cavities, so the best chance to see them is when they are on the water, or flying into their nest.
The Roads
While the resident Western Gulls are visible everywhere on the island, the best views of these large gulls incubating their eggs and caring for their chicks are alongside the switchbacks and roads! The gulls of Alcatraz have acclimated to visitors and we can often get a unique view of adorable baby gull chicks without upsetting these protective birds. That being said, please maintain at least 5 feet from any nests, and if the adult gulls squawk at you, please take a step back.
The Gardens
Beautifully maintained by volunteers, the Gardens of Alcatraz provide homes and food for many of our resident birds. In the Rose Garden, the towering Eucalyptus tree provides a safe nesting spot for our tallest bird residents, the Great Blue Herons. Anna’s Hummingbirds pollinate the many species of flowers in the gardens, and fiercely protect their individual flower bushes. In fall and spring, keep an eye out for migratory warblers in the gardens as they hunt for insects and rest up for their migrations.
The Parade Ground
As you make the turn around the Lighthouse, one of the largest nesting colonies on the island will unfold below you. Western Gulls nest on the flat areas of the Parade Ground, while Brandt’s Cormorants nest in the Rubble Piles that once housed prison guards and their families.
The West Road
As you travel down the West Road, look to the west: you’ll see our heron and egret colony in the shrubbery. Snowy Egrets and Black-Crowned Night Herons nest in this densely vegetated location, sometimes nestled so deeply into the plants you can only hear their strange, cartoonish vocalizations.
As you look over the Barker Beach overlook, you will be greeted by the sights, sounds, and yes, smells, of our largest Brandt’s Cormorant colony. Upwards of 10,000 cormorants can inhabit the flat areas and cliffs in this area in the height of the nesting season.
Don’t Forget to Look Up!
One of our most famous residents, Lawrencium (Larry) the banded Peregrine Falcon nests on Alcatraz too! Because peregrines nest in caves and cavities, the Alcatraz Peregrine nest is not visible from any island roadways (although you can peek into the nest through our Peregrine Falcon Nest Livestream). The island’s falcons are best seen perched in high places, such as the Lighthouse, the Watertower, and the Cellhouse. In May and June, keep an eye out for the aerial acrobatics of the adult peregrines and their chicks, who learn how to fly for nearly a month on Alcatraz before leaving for the city.
Pets Allowed
No
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Reservations
No
Purchasing Tickets is highly recommend in advance. The sole concessionaire contracted with the National Park Service to sell tickets is Alcatraz City Cruises LLC. You can purchase your tickets through them online at Alcatraz City Cruises or call (415) 981-7625.
Season
Year Round
Birds are most active and breeding/fledging between February and September. Fall migration species are active August – November, and wintering species are presents September – March.
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility Information
The dock contains an accessible restroom facility. To your left you will find the accessible tram (S.E.A.T), which transports visitors with mobility impairments to the Cell House. The distance from the dock to the Cell House which is located at the top of the island is about 1/4 (0.4 km) of a mile and the elevation change is 130 feet (40 meters). This is roughly equivalent to climbing a 13 story building, but spread out over a 1/4 mile.
Please be advised that most of the roadways and walking routes throughout the island contain extreme slopes. There is an accessible ramp leading into the New Industries Building, the barracks (building 64). The route leading to the Check Station is very steep and there is an 8" step to get into the building. The route leading from the Cell House to the Recreation Yard contains approximately 45 stair steps.
Please be advised that most of the roadways and walking routes throughout the island contain extreme slopes. There is an accessible ramp leading into the New Industries Building, the barracks (building 64). The route leading to the Check Station is very steep and there is an 8" step to get into the building. The route leading from the Cell House to the Recreation Yard contains approximately 45 stair steps.