American Pika (Ochotona princeps) is in the Pikas family (Ochotonidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 11,206 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph American Pika: observations by month (U.S.)
About American Pika
The American pika (Ochotona princeps), a diurnal species of pika, is found in the mountains of western North America, usually in boulder fields at or above the tree line. They are herbivorous, smaller relatives of rabbits and hares.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
American Pika by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 3,522 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Washington | 2,480 | August | Jul–Oct |
| California | 1,531 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Wyoming | 1,110 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Oregon | 956 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Utah | 771 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Montana | 319 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Idaho | 240 | August | Jun–Sep |
| New Mexico | 214 | July | Jul–Sep |
| Nevada | 63 | August | Jun–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph American Pika?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from July to September.
Where is American Pika most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Washington, California.