Birding Factoids

514 species
in 54 families

94 of the 246 species 
endemic to 
North America are 
represented here. 
No state endemics
1 USA endemic present

    Arizona
    Hotspots
Checklist of Arizona BirdsLocal EventsTours and GuidesBirder's B&BRare Bird AlertsSpeciality BirdsMap
......
Check out Monte Taylor's Arizona Bird Gallery
Robert Shantz's Arizona Bird Archive
and Bill Scholtz's Southeast Arizona Gallery
...
Arizona Specialities
(Pause your cursor on the photo to see the species name. Click on the birds for more info... )
Cactus Wren - state bird - Photo by D. A. Rintoul
Photo by David Rintoul
....
Elegant Trogon - Photo by David J. L'Hoste
Photo by David J. L'Hoste
....
Violet-crowned Hummingbird - Photo by Dan True
Photo by Dan True
....
Gilded Flicker - Photo copyright Douglas Herr
Photo copyright Douglas Herr
....
Black-bellied Whistling Duck - Photo by Dan Cowell
Photo by Dan Cowell
....
Blue-throated Hummingbird - Photo by Dan True
Photo by Dan True
....
Gambel's Quail - Photo by Bert Frenz
Photo by Bert Frenz
....
Anna's Hummingbird - Photo copyright William Zittrich
Photo copyright William Zittrich
....
Whiskered Screech-Owl - Photo copyright Steve Metz
Photo copyright Steve Metz
....
Inca Dove - Photo copyright Don DesJardin
Photo copyright Don DesJardin
....
Hooded Oriole - Photo copyright Monte Taylor
Photo copyright Monte Taylor
....
Dusky-capped Flycatcher - highest breeding density - Photo copyright by Don DesJardin
Photo copyright Don DesJardin
....
Pygmy Nuthatch - Photo copyright Kent Nickell
Photo copyright Kent Nickell
....
Montezuma Quail - Photo copyright Eric Breden
Photo copyright Eric Breden
....
Elf Owl - Photo copyright Bill Scholtz
Photo copyright Bill Scholtz
....
    ...
    ....Geographical Birding Guide - Use this page to access
      birding-location information organized by geographical region in Arizona.
    ...
    Key to Icons....Southeastern Arizona Birding Trail - 50 of the hottest birding sites
      in southeastern Arizona, highlighted on a gorgeous full-color map, with birding tips, site descriptions, and contact information.
    ...
    Key to Icons....Best Spots to See Birds in Southeastern Arizona - Links
      are provided (each site individually ranks in the top 100 - as an area it moves up to top ten!) to:
        Key to Icons    Madera Canyon
        Key to Icons    Ramsey Canyon
        Key to Icons    Portal  Peak Lodge
        Key to Icons    Patagonia/Sonoita Creek Preserve
        Key to Icons    San Pedro Riparian Conservation Area
    ...
    Key to Icons....Madera Canyon - Four major biotic zones converge ...
    Key to Icons....Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon - brief description and map from the
      Northern Arizona Audubon Society.
    ...
    Key to Icons....Rustler Park/Chiricahua Wilderness -  part of the ...
    ....Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory's Guide to Birding Hotspots -
      includes information on approximately 30 key sites in Arizona, including Cave CreekKey to Icons and many of the top 100 sites.
    ...
    ....Birding the Kaibab Plateau, Arizona
    ...
    ....Birding Upstate Arizona - from the Northern Arizona Audubon Society.
      Rolling mesquite-dotted grasslands, lush green strands of  cottonwood-dominated riparian riverbanks, plunging red cliffs and a ring of pine-clad slopes. Just ninety minutes north of Phoenix lies some of the 'Other Arizona'; the Verde Valley and rim country. 
    ...
    ....A Birder's Guide to Southeastern Arizona by Richard
      Cachor Taylor - although this is a commercial site reviewing this excellent birdfinding guide, the site includes a map of California GulchKey to Icons
    ...
    ....Birding Arizona - "Join Mary Scott for hummingbirds, trogans, and so
      much more; pictures and stories of birds and birding in Arizona, including Miller Canyon, Ramsey Canyon, Ft. Huachuca, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the Desert Botanical Garden, sites along the San Pedro River, Madera Canyon, and Patagonia."
    ...
    ....Birding and Hiking in Northern Arizona - by members of the Prescott 
      Audubon Society.
    ...
    ....Deciding when to come and where to go - by Stuart Healy
      The following information is not specifically arranged by season, habitat, or by species. Instead, the  topics are interwoven and discussed in the context of your birding style and objectives. 
    ...
    ....Green Ribbons through the Desert - Imperial National Wildlife 
      Refuge and Mittry Lake. Marshlands that extend for 30 miles along the Colorado River in Imperial National Wildlife Refuge are bordered by some of the hottest and driest desert lands in the nation. This contrast makes a visit to the refuge a rewarding one or birders, and most head for the refuge headquarters on the shore of Martinez Lake. Martinez Lake Road leads west off U.S. Highway 95 about 23 miles north of Yuma.
    ...
    ....Birds of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest - If seeing an osprey
      hover over a clear mountain lake or hearing a mountain chickadee's cheer song is your idea of a great outdoor experience, then this bird list is for you. The wide variety of birds found in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest can provide you many memorable moments. 
    ...
    ....Birding the White Mountains - by Steve Ganley - from the Maricopa
      Audubon Society©1996, 1997
    ...
    ....Birds of Prey in Arizona -  Looking for Bird of Prey photography? 
      Then this is the right place!  Includes a database of raptor photography from across America and favorite bird of prey locations in Southeastern Arizona, the raptor capitol of North America, where we hope to be able to help you find at least 20 of our beautiful raptor species!  Our mission is to promote conservation through awareness and enjoyment of raptor habitats. 
    ...
    ....Birding the Navajo and Hopi Reservations, Arizona - by Bud Johnson. 
      This article appeared in Cactus Wrendition, vol. 46, no. 3, May-June 1998, published by the Maricopa Audubon Society
    ...
    ....Birding around Yuma - from the Yuma Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
      The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, Kofa's Palm Canyon, Betty's Kitchen Wildlife and Interpretive Area, and Cibola National Wildlife Refuge offer diverse and picturesque terrain that attract over 380 species of birds. Habitats vary from aquatic river, lake and marsh environments to terrestrial uplands with broad sandy plains, rocky foothills and desert mountain peaks. 
    ...
    ....Yuma Area Birding Guide - This map of southwest Arizona displays
      twelve areas which are good for birding. Click on the site numbers* (or the brief descriptions below) to access web pages that provide detailed maps and information about each location. So far, detailed information is provided on:
      • Yuma (including information on the Yuma Territorial Prison Park) 
      • Gila River & Fortuna Pond
      • Betty's Kitchen and Mittry Lake
      Also see a number of Arizona and California Trip Reports from the main page of Southwest Birders.
    ...
    ....Birding the Lower Colorado River Valley - (Parker to
      Lake Havasu) by David Stejskal and Gary Rosenberg. Notice: This article originally appeared in the Cactus Wrendition, vol. 39, no. 1, Jan.-Feb. 1990, published by Maricopa Audubon Society. ©1990, Maricopa Audubon Society.
    ...
    ....Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum - the American
      Southwest's oldest and most spectacularly situated botanical garden.Near Superior, Arizona, just outside the metropolitan Phoenix area
    ...
    ....Birding Paradise along Arizona's Colorado River -
      the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge and Mittry Lake. The refuge headquarters are located on the shore of Martinez Lake. Martinez Lake Road leads west off U.S. Highway 95 about 23 miles north of Yuma.
    ...
    ....San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area -
      A Birder's Paradise in a Rare Desert Wetland. 58,000 acres of public land in Cochise County, Arizona between the Mexican border and St. David, Arizona. See also San Pedro Riparian NCA Birding and
    ...
    ....Empire-Cienega Resource Conservation Area -
      Southeast Arizona. Located 46 miles SE of Tuscon
    ...
    ....Tucson Area Birding - from the Tucson Audubon Society
    ...
    ....Birding Site Updates - from the Tucson Audubon Society. The 
      second edition (1999) of Tucson Audubon's Finding Birds in Southeastern Arizona has descriptions of, and directions to, many birding sites. It is quite up-to-date. However, field conditions and access to sites can change rapidly. This page contains updates of directions, conditions, and access for these sites. It also contains information on new sites that have been discovered or developed.
    ...
    ....Arizona National Wildlife Refuges - this page contains
      links to information on 7 Arizona National Wildlife Refuges, including: the Bill Williams, Buenos Aires, Cabeza Prieta, Cibola, Havasu, Imperial, Kofa, and the San Bernadino/Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge
    ...
    ....Birding in Southeast Arizona: Habitats and their winged
      residents are richly varied. By Bob and Joan Tweit
    ...
    ....National Wildlife Refuges Index - Arizona. Includes links
      to information on:
      • Bill Williams River NWR
      • Buenos Aires NWR
      • Cabeza Prieta NWR
      • Cibola NWR
      • Havasu NWR
      • Imperial NWR
      • Kofa NWR
      • Lower Colorado River Refuge Complex
      • San Bernardino/Leslie Canyon NWR
    ...
    ....Nature Conservancy of Arizona - preserve profiles
      including:
      • Aravaipa Canyon Preserve
      • Canelo Hills Ciénaga Preserve
      • Hart Prairie Preserve
      • Hartwell Canyon Preserve
      • Hassayampa River Preserve
      • Patagonia/Sonoita Creek Preserve
      • Ramsey Canyon.
    ...
    ....Trip Report: Arizona 7/28-8/6 1995, by Jim Frazier. This is 
      a journal of a trip taken by Kate and Jim Frazier to Southeastern Arizona from 7/28/95 through 8/6/95. I have tried to make this a little more informative for birders who have never been there before. For those of you experienced in Arizona, feel free to skim.
    ...
    ....Nevada/Arizona Trip Report - May 18 - 26, 1998 - by Doug and
      Arlene Ripley. Covers Las Vegas (Desert National Wildlife Range), Valley of Fire State Park, Sedona, Tubac, Cave Creek, and the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. 
    ...
    ....South-east Arizona Trip Report - June 17 - June 20, 1999. By Andy
      Birch. "June in Arizona is hot" the guidebooks warned us. Summer birding in Arizona is generally best very early in the morning before the sun drives most birds for cover. Still, this didn't deter Cin Ty Lee and myself taking a long weekend birding in SE Arizona. This report can be found in the Trip Reports section of the site.
    ...
    ....Arizona Trip Reports - a number of Arizona trip reports are available
      from Blake Maybank's "Birding the Americas - Trip Report and Trip Planning Repository". 

Choose another stateChoose another countryChoose another continentAdd or change a URL

Top of Page
 

Tours and Guides

See DISCLAIMER
>>>>

birdingpal.com...>> A Birding Pal is not a paid guide, but someone who likes to help out of town visitors. You can become a Birding Pal today! Help someone to enjoy your local birding spots and find a pal to help you when you travel. Click here for Arizona Birding Pals, or join to be a Birding Pal!
Magnificent Hummingbird - Photo by Bob O'Brien
Photo by Bob O'Brien
....
Broad-billed Hummingbird - Photo by Dan True
Photo by Dan True
....
Rufous-Winged Sparrow - Photo by Bob O'Brien
Photo by Bob O'Brien
....
Beryline Hummingbird - Photo by Dan True
Photo by Dan True
....
Grey Hawk - Photo copyright Manuel Grosselet
Photo copyright Manuel Grosselet

Buff-Breasted Flycatcher - Photo by Bob O'Brien

Photo by Bob O'Brien
....
Phainopepla - Photo by Jim Stasz
Photo by Jim Stasz
....
Inca Dove - Photo by Erik Toorman
Photo copyright Erik Toorman
    ....
    **..Southwest Birders - Custom Birding & Nature Tours in California
      & Arizona. Whether it's an easy stroll along the Colorado River, or a dawn-to-dusk marathon around the Salton Sea, we'll design a custom  tour exclusively for you and help you find the birds you're seeking. And if you'd like, we'll take you to bubbling mud pots, wildflowers, reptiles, and historical sites! Southwest Birders is a partnership of birdwatchers who love the sport and would like to introduce you to the joys of birding in the Imperial and Lower Colorado River Valleys, Orange County, Southern Arizona, and coastal Southern California.  We know the area well and want to assist you in finding any birds that reside here. 
    ...
    ....Stuart Healy - Western US Bird Guide - Specializing in Southeast
      Arizona
    ....
    **..Melody's Birding Adventures - Whether you are a birdwatcher or 
      a bird-a-holic (like your guide), come and join Melody and her local expertise. With 11 years of poking around Arizona (particularly Southern Arizona) and running Outdoor Adventures, she knows where the birds are!!  Each adventure is designed with a schedule and pace tailored to give a unique and personalized birding adventure.
    ....
    ....Cooperative Ecotourism Programs with the Southeastern
      Arizona Bird Observatory and Casa de San Pedro Bed & Breakfast, an elegant territorial-style inn on the San Pedro River, have joined together to offer a variety of tours and workshops for discriminating nature enthusiasts. 1999 tours include:
      • Hummingbird Mini-Workshop
      • Hummingbird Identification
      • Identifying Winter Raptors
      • Introduction to Sparrows 
      • Landscaping for Wildlife Mini-Workshop
      • Living Jewels: Hummingbirds, Butterflies & Wildflowers
      • Owls & More
      • Winter Birding
    ....
    **..California & Arizona with Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (VENT)
      From sunny southern California to the hot spots of southeastern Arizona, this tour features some of the finest winter birding in the United States, and is a pleasant getaway from the cold weather blanketing most of the country at this time. With an abundance of wintering birds, many southwestern specialties, and regular occurrences of rarities, this trip is ideal for beginning and experienced birders alike. 
      • California & Arizona  January 30 - February 11, 2002 (13.0 days - Limit 16) with leaders Barry Zimmer & Victor Emanuel. 
      VENT offers nearly 140 tours to over 100 land-based destinations each year and is the largest tour company in the world specializing in birding and natural history.
    ....
    ....Spring Grand Arizona with Victor Emmanuel Nature Tours - They have
      been called the Mexican Mountains and Sky Islands. The Santa Ritas, Huachucas, and especially the Chiricahuas, are islands of cool greenery rising from the deserts and grasslands of southeastern Arizona. Because of the diversity of habitats, this region has a greater variety of breeding land birds than any area of comparable size in the United States. Southeastern Arizona is one of our favorite areas. The scenic beauty, wealth of bird life, charming accommodations, and short drives between major destinations combine to make these tours a pure joy. 
      • Spring Grand Arizona  May 07 - May 17, 2002 (11.0 days - Limit 16) with leaders Barry Zimmer & Kevin Zimmer.
    ....
    ....Arizona Hummingbirds with Victor Emmanuel Nature Tours
      Within North America, no other area offers the variety of hummingbirds as those found in southeastern Arizona. From the dainty Calliope Hummingbird to the gigantic Blue-throated Hummingbird, Arizona is host to 15 regularly occurring species of hummingbirds. This trip is designed to see and study as many of these species as possible at some of the best hummingbird watching areas in North America.
      • Arizona Hummingbirds  July 21 - July 28, 2002 (8.0 days - Limit 16) with leaders Bob Sundstrom & Rob Day.
    ....
    ....Summer Grand Arizona and the White Mountains with Victor
      Emmanuel Nature Tours - One of the allures of southeastern Arizona, as if the 190 species of breeding birds were not enough, is the ever-present possibility of vagrants from Mexico. As the northernmost outliers of the Mexican Sierra Madre, these ranges and their well-watered canyons host many species of Mexican birds. These mountains are also the southernmost limits of the Rockies, and species of northern origin follow the spruce and fir forests south to their terminus on the crests of the Mexican mountains. Because of the diversity of habitats, this region has a greater variety of breeding land birds than any area of comparable size in the United States. 
      • Summer Grand Arizona  August 02 - August 11, 2002 (11.0 days - Limit 16) with leaders Barry Lyon & Victor Emanuel. See also the White Mountain Extension (to Summer Grand Arizona) August 11 - August 15, 2001  (5.0 days - Limit 16)
       

Choose another stateChoose another countryChoose another continentAdd or change a URL

Top of Page

Birder's Bed and Breakfast

See DISCLAIMER
>>>>
Bridled Titmouse - Photo copyright George Walker House
Photo copyright George Walker House
Ruddy Ground-Dove - Photo copyright Harold Stiver
Photo copyright Harold Stiver
    ....The George Walker House - The George Walker House is in the 
      Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona. The location allows guests to bird the South Fork of Cave Creek, lunch at the Portal Store and Cafe, and shop for locally-made quilts and jewelry one day, explore Chiricahua National Monument the next, and still have time to enjoy the ever-changing view of Silver Peak from their own front door. Guaranteed - some wonderful close-up looks at the thirteen-plus species of hummingbirds who pass through Paradise each year.
    ....
    ....Sedona Retreat - Rainbow Hummingbird House has a unique location
      on Oak Creek at the base of Cathedral Rock in the Red Rock Country of Sedona. Although Arizona is a state usually known for its dry desert areas, wildlife is plentiful in the riparian area of Oak Creek. Four species of hummingbirds come to the flowers and feeders: the  year-round resident, the Anna's; and in the warmest season the rufous, broad-tailed, and black-chinned. One can experience other adventures with orioles, tanagers, and woodpeckers in season. Kingfishers and great blue herons fish along the creek, where Mrs. Merganser has been seen with her babies on her back. The delightful sight and sounds of the Gambel's Quail are a special treat. As a desert oasis, this precious spot is a bird watcher's paradise.

 

Choose another stateChoose another countryChoose another continentAdd or change a URL

Top of Page

Local Events

Lesser Nighthawk - Photo copyright Don DesJardin
Photo copyright Don DesJardin

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl - Photo copyright Peter Weber

Photo copyright Peter Weber
    ....Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory - Birding & Natural History
      Programs Calandar of Events - SABO offers a variety of activities year-round for birders and other nature enthusiasts. Each season has its own special appeal and unique opportunities.
    ....Maricopa Audubon Society - Field Trips
    ....Prescott Audubon Society - Field Trips and Meetings
    ....Tucson Audubon Society -  Field Trips. This site also includes
      references to current trips in key NWR's and parks around Tuscon.


    ....Wings Over Willcox - Willcox, Arizona -

      The fifth annual Wings Over Willcox Sandhill Crane Celebration will be held January 19-21, 2001. Each year, this festival draws nature enthusiasts from across the country to witness the spectacle of thousands of sandhill cranes in their winter habitat.
    ....Southwest Wings Birding Festival - Sierra Vista, Arizona.
      August 16 - 19. 2000. This annual event - held in Sierra Vista, the Hummingbird Capital of the U.S. - is the birder/nature-lover's dream come true. Opportunities offered: field trips to San Pedro Riparian area, Patagonia/Sonoita Natural Conservancy, trips to our local canyons, outstanding lectures by nationally recognized Audubon authorities, Bird Banding, Bat Stalks, Owl Prowls, live animal/insect displays, arts/crafts and more. Information: 800-946-4777.
    ....Yuma Birding and Wildlife Festival - This event is scheduled for April
      19th - 22nd, 2001 at the Shilo Inn, Yuma.

Choose another stateChoose another countryChoose another continentAdd or change a URL

Top of Page


Rare Bird Alert

Mexican Jay - Photo copyright George Walker House
Photo copyright George Walker House
        Phoenix (Maricopa Audubon Society) Hotline: (602) 832-8745
        Southeast Arizona (Tucson Audubon Society) Hotline: (520) 798-1005
        Check also Arizona RBA Archives

Choose another stateChoose another countryChoose another continentAdd or change a URL

Top of Page


....

North American Specialities in Arizona

Information derived from Sibley & Monroe checklists in Thayer's Birder's Diary - Version 2.5.
These counts will differ in minor ways from counts based on the ABA classification,
but an international checklist system was required to enable world-wide
country to country comparisons.These speciality birds may be uncommon, or extremely rare
at this location, or may only be present in migration. However, documented sightings of each species
noted below have been made in Arizona. Species highlighted in bold italic print have
ONLY been found in this state of the US.  Consult the Breeding Bird Survey or
Christmas Bird Count data on the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center website
to determine the "best" place to see each bird. Species printed in blue are endangered.


USA Endemics in Arizona

___ California Condor
North American Endemic Specialities in Arizona

___ Abert's Towhee
___ Allen's Hummingbird
___ Anna's Hummingbird
___ Aztec Thrush
___ Baird's Sparrow
___ Bendire's Thrasher
___ Bewick's Wren
___ Black-capped Gnatcatcher
___ Black-capped Vireo
___ Black-chinned Hummingbird
___ Black-chinned Sparrow
___ Black-headed Grosbeak
___ Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
___ Black-throated Sparrow
___ Blue Grouse
___ Blue Mockingbird
___ Blue-throated Hummingbird
___ Bridled Titmouse
___ Brewer's Sparrow
___ Broad-billed Hummingbird
___ Bullock's Oriole
___ Bumblebee Hummingbird
___ Cactus Wren
___ California Gull
___ Calliope Hummingbird
___ Canyon Towhee
___ Canyon Wren
___ Cassin's Finch
___ Cassin's Sparrow
___ Chestnut-collared Longspur
___ Chihuahuan Raven
___ Clark's Grebe
___ Clark's Nutcracker
___ Common Poorwill
___ Cordilleran Flycatcher
___ Costa's Hummingbird
___ Crissal Thrasher
___ Curve-billed Thrasher
___ Eared Trogon
___ Elf Owl
___ Ferruginous Hawk
___ Five-striped Sparrow
___ Gambel's Quail
___ Gila Woodpecker
___ Gilded Flicker
___ Greater Roadrunner
___ Grey Flycatcher
___ Grey Vireo
___ Grey-crowned Rosy-Finch
___ Harris's Sparrow
___ House Finch
___ Lawrence's Goldfinch
___ Le Conte's Sparrow
___ Lewis's Woodpecker
___ Lucifer Hummingbird
___ Lucy's Warbler
___ McCown's Longspur
___ Mexican Chickadee
___ Mexican Jay
___ Montezuma Quail
___ Mountain Bluebird
___ Mountain Chickadee
___ Mountain Plover
___ Phainopepla
___ Pinyon Jay
___ Plain Titmouse
___ Prairie Falcon
___ Pygmy Nuthatch
___ Pyrrhuloxia
___ Red-breasted Sapsucker
___ Red-naped Sapsucker
___ Red-shouldered Hawk
___ Rufous-backed Thrush
___ Rufous-crowned Sparrow
___ Rufous-winged Sparrow
___ Sage Sparrow
___ Sage Thrasher
___ Say's Phoebe
___ Scaled Quail
___ Scott's Oriole
___ Smith's Longspur
___ Spotted Owl
___ Spotted Towhee
___ Strickland's Woodpecker
___ Thick-billed Parrot
___ Townsend's Solitaire
___ Verdin
___ Violet-crowned Hummingbird
___ Western Bluebird
___ Western Grebe
___ Western Gull
___ Western Screech-Owl
___ Western Scrub-Jay
___ Williamson's Sapsucker
Other Speciality Birds in Arizona

___ Black-capped Gnatcatcher
___ Bridled Titmouse
___ Dusky-capped Flycatcher ___ Mexican Jay
___ Yellow-eyed Junco

Choose another stateChoose another countryChoose another continentAdd or change a URL

Top of Page

Links checked April 21, 2002