Cape Breton Highlands National Park

🇨🇦 Canada

🐋 Pilot Whales Off the Cabot Trail
🌍 #257 Global · 3.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #46 in North America #50 in Temperate Forest
Maritimes, Canada 399 spp. recorded

Cape Breton Highlands National Park sits on the north shore of Nova Scotia, part of the Maritimes. It blends rugged coastal cliffs with inland temperate forest, offering a mix of spruce‑fir stands and open meadows. The park’s signature elk roam the forested valleys and can be spotted grazing on the plateau in the early summer.

46.740° N   60.537° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Elk ★
LC

Elk

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces alces

50–60% · Likely
American Black Bear ★
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

30–40% · Possible
Bald Eagle ★
LC

Bald Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

20–30% · Possible
Long-finned Pilot Whale ★
LC

Long-finned Pilot Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Globicephala melas

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Dark-eyed Junco
LC

Dark-eyed Junco

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Junco hyemalis

60–70% · Likely
American Herring Gull
LC

American Herring Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Larus smithsonianus

60–70% · Likely
Common Garter Snake
LC Endemic

Common Garter Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Thamnophis sirtalis

60–70% · Likely
American Robin
LC Endemic

American Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus migratorius

60–70% · Likely
American Crow
LC

American Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus brachyrhynchos

50–60% · Likely
American Toad
LC Endemic

American Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Anaxyrus americanus

50–60% · Likely
Double-crested Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phalacrocorax auritus

50–60% · Likely
American Red Squirrel
LC Endemic

American Red Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

50–60% · Likely
Great Black-backed Gull
LC

Great Black-backed Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Larus marinus

50–60% · Likely
Black-capped Chickadee
LC

Black-capped Chickadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Poecile atricapillus

50–60% · Likely
Yellow-rumped Warbler
LC

Yellow-rumped Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga coronata

50–60% · Likely
White-throated Sparrow
LC

White-throated Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia albicollis

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Elk ★
LC

Elk

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces alces

50–60% · Likely
American Black Bear ★
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

30–40% · Possible
Long-finned Pilot Whale ★
LC

Long-finned Pilot Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Globicephala melas

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

American Red Squirrel
LC Endemic

American Red Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

50–60% · Likely
Eastern Chipmunk
LC

Eastern Chipmunk

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamias striatus

30–40% · Possible
Snowshoe Hare
LC

Snowshoe Hare

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Lepus americanus

30–40% · Possible
Gray Seal
LC

Gray Seal

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Halichoerus grypus

30–40% · Possible
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

Insufficient data
Moose

Moose

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces americanus

10–20% · With luck
White-tailed Deer
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

10–20% · With luck
American Beaver
LC

American Beaver

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Castor canadensis

10–20% · With luck
Bobcat
LC Endemic

Bobcat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Lynx rufus

10–20% · With luck
Coyote
LC Endemic

Coyote

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis latrans

10–20% · With luck
Minke Whale
LC

Minke Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Insufficient data
Northern Flying Squirrel
LC

Northern Flying Squirrel

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Glaucomys sabrinus

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Bald Eagle ★
LC

Bald Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Dark-eyed Junco
LC

Dark-eyed Junco

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Junco hyemalis

60–70% · Likely
American Herring Gull
LC

American Herring Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Larus smithsonianus

60–70% · Likely
American Robin
LC Endemic

American Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus migratorius

60–70% · Likely
American Crow
LC

American Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus brachyrhynchos

50–60% · Likely
Double-crested Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phalacrocorax auritus

50–60% · Likely
Great Black-backed Gull
LC

Great Black-backed Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Larus marinus

50–60% · Likely
Black-capped Chickadee
LC

Black-capped Chickadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Poecile atricapillus

50–60% · Likely
Yellow-rumped Warbler
LC

Yellow-rumped Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga coronata

50–60% · Likely
White-throated Sparrow
LC

White-throated Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia albicollis

50–60% · Likely
American Goldfinch
LC

American Goldfinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spinus tristis

40–50% · Likely
Song Sparrow
LC Endemic

Song Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melospiza melodia

40–50% · Likely
Red-eyed Vireo
LC

Red-eyed Vireo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vireo olivaceus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Garter Snake
LC Endemic

Common Garter Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Thamnophis sirtalis

60–70% · Likely
Smooth Greensnake
LC

Smooth Greensnake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Opheodrys vernalis

10–20% · With luck
Redbelly Snake
LC

Redbelly Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Storeria occipitomaculata

10–20% · With luck
Ringneck Snake
LC Endemic

Ringneck Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Diadophis punctatus

10–20% · With luck
Painted Turtle
LC

Painted Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chrysemys picta

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

American Toad
LC Endemic

American Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Anaxyrus americanus

50–60% · Likely
Green Frog

Green Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Lithobates clamitans

40–50% · Likely
Wood Frog
LC

Wood Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Lithobates sylvaticus

30–40% · Possible
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
LC

Eastern Red-backed Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Plethodon cinereus

30–40% · Possible
Spotted Salamander
LC

Spotted Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Ambystoma maculatum

20–30% · With luck
Spring Peeper
LC

Spring Peeper

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Pseudacris crucifer

10–20% · With luck
Eastern Newt
LC

Eastern Newt

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Notophthalmus viridescens

10–20% · With luck
Northern Leopard Frog
LC

Northern Leopard Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Lithobates pipiens

10–20% · With luck
Pickerel Frog
LC

Pickerel Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Lithobates palustris

10–20% · With luck
Four-toed Salamander
LC

Four-toed Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hemidactylium scutatum

Insufficient data
Mink Frog

Mink Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Lithobates septentrionalis

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🫎

Moose Viewing Peaks

MayOct

Moose are most visible feeding in roadside bogs and fresh growth during spring green-up, and again during the autumn rut when bulls move in the open highlands.

Elk
LC

Elk

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces alces

50–60% · Likely
🐋

Pilot Whale Season

JulAugSep

minke and fin whales feed in the same waters.

Minke Whale
LC

Minke Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Insufficient data
Fin Whale
VU

Fin Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Balaenoptera physalus

Insufficient data
Long-finned Pilot Whale
LC

Long-finned Pilot Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Globicephala melas

10–20% · With luck
🐦

Boreal Warbler Breeding Season

MayJunJul

Migratory wood-warblers return to the park's boreal forest to breed in late spring; the park records 230+ bird species and is a noted warbler destination.

Yellow-rumped Warbler
LC

Yellow-rumped Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga coronata

50–60% · Likely
Magnolia Warbler
LC

Magnolia Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga magnolia

30–40% · Possible
American Redstart
LC

American Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga ruticilla

30–40% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
Elk
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
20–30
70–80
American Black Bear
20–30
10–20
10–20
30–40
30–40
20–30
30–40
30–40
30–40
50–60
40–50
10–20
Bald Eagle
40–50
30–40
30–40
20–30
10–20
10–20
20–30
30–40
20–30
30–40
20–30
30–40
Long-finned Pilot Whale
5–10
5–10
5–10
<5
<5
<5
10–20
20–30
20–30
<5
<5
<5
Dark-eyed Junco
30–40
40–50
20–30
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
30–40
20–30
American Herring Gull
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
Common Garter Snake
40–50
30–40
20–30
40–50
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
20–30
20–30
American Robin
20–30
20–30
20–30
50–60
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
40–50
40–50
30–40
20–30
American Crow
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
American Toad
30–40
20–30
20–30
10–20
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
30–40
60–70
20–30
Double-crested Cormorant
40–50
20–30
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
50–60
70–80
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
American Red Squirrel
60–70
20–30
20–30
30–40
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
20–30
Great Black-backed Gull
50–60
40–50
70–80
60–70
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
Black-capped Chickadee
40–50
30–40
30–40
50–60
60–70
30–40
40–50
60–70
60–70
80–90
40–50
70–80
Yellow-rumped Warbler
10–20
20–30
10–20
20–30
80–90
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
20–30
20–30
10–20
White-throated Sparrow
10–20
20–30
10–20
20–30
40–50
60–70
70–80
40–50
50–60
50–60
20–30
10–20
Animal Events
🐋 Pilot Whale Season
🫎 Moose Viewing Peaks
🐦 Boreal Warbler Breeding Season

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🐋 Pilot Whales Off the Cabot Trail

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
300
🐒 Mammals
74
🦎 Reptiles
8
🐸 Amphibians
17
399 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
28 Threatened 39 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
2.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
59%
📊
Coverage (128 species at ≥5% of 399 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
32%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 2 mammal, 1 reptile, 1 amphibian)
46% Global avg
69%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
83
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
7
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
17

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Cape Breton Highlands National Park?

The most likely sightings are Dark-eyed Junco (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), American Herring Gull (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Common Garter Snake (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), American Robin (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Elk (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers) — among 399 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Cape Breton Highlands National Park for wildlife?

August has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Elk in Cape Breton Highlands National Park?

Yes — about 59% of wildlife watchers report a Elk sighting in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, based on 86 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see American Black Bear in Cape Breton Highlands National Park?

Yes — about 36% of wildlife watchers report a American Black Bear sighting in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, based on 31 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Bald Eagle in Cape Breton Highlands National Park?

Yes — about 26% of wildlife watchers report a Bald Eagle sighting in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, based on 152 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Long-finned Pilot Whale in Cape Breton Highlands National Park?

It's possible but not guaranteed: about 13% of wildlife watchers report a Long-finned Pilot Whale sighting in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, based on 6 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data. Sightings take luck and time in the field.

⚖️

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