Arizona's premier local guiding service for birders and bird photographers throughout the state!
(41)
A few days ago Arizona had its first Yellow Grosbeak of the year show up! This large, stunning bird is a Mexican species but is prone to vagrancy northward in spring and summer. Fantastic shot by our guide, of this male bird!
Book your guide today!
https://arizonabirdingguides.com
Photo credit: Michael Sadat
May is a fantastic time of year to experience all the breeding warblers Arizona has to offer! Species like this stunning Grace’s Warbler, and so many more!
Book your guides today!
https://arizonabirdingguides.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Buff-breasted Flycatchers are back!! These small flycatchers are inhabitants of sky island forest openings and are a true Arizona specialty!
Book your guide today!
https://arizonabirdingguides.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
One of our guides, and our owner Felipe Guerreo found and photographed a Tufted Flycatcher this morning in the Patagonia Mountains! This is an awesome cinnamon colored flycatcher species of highlands and foothills. Spring is in full swing and more Mexican rarities are sure to come!
Book your guide today!
https://arizonabirdingguides.com
Photo credit: Caleb Strand
Red-faced Warblers will be returning soon! These stunning warblers are among Arizona’s prettiest species, not only visually, but audibly too! Don’t miss your chance to see this awesome species!
Book your guide today!
https://arizonabirdingguides.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
The Arizona state bird, Cactus Wren. This species is a common inhabitant of much of Arizona, and as its name suggests is most often found in areas with various species of cacti. Boldly marked and intriguing to watch, these large wrens are another example of Arizona’s incredibly diverse avifauna.
Book a tour today!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Desert spring is just beginning, so now is a great time to book a tour as many species begin to set up territories! So many species make use of saguaros for nesting, and Great-horned Owl is one of them! These nests make for great photos and observation of this species (always from a respectful distance)!
Book a tour today!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Arizona still has plenty of cool species during the winter! Northern Pygmy-Owls are resident, and are a diminutive and charismatic species. While they’re often hard to spot, you can sometimes locate them by watching for groups of passerines that are acting agitated and “mobbing” an unseen owl.
Book a tour today!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Common, yet beautiful, Gambel’s Quail sport a top-knot or head plume that is made up of six individual feathers. Typical of many quail, the male’s facial pattern is striking. Not only do they have their looks going for them, their calls great too. Hearing the males call as they tee-up at dawn is mesmerizing.
Book a tour today!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Least Grebe is a rare visitor (and previous breeder) in Arizona. This Mexican species prefers bodies of water with emergent vegetation, and is often hard to spot as they dive and forage in and around it. Recently, a Least Grebe was found in Maricopa County (only the county’s 2nd record). The bird shown here was the first Maricopa County record in January of 2021.
Book a tour today!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Whiskered Screech-Owls can be difficult to find on their day roosts, but if you’re lucky you can observe them as they sleep/quietly observe their surroundings.
Book a tour for the chance to see stunning species like this one!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Greater Roadrunner is probably one of the most charismatic species that is found in Arizona. Their diverse diet includes many insects, lizards, small snakes, and the occasional small bird or rodent! This male roadrunner was about to present a lizard to his mate.
Book a tour to experience cool species like this one!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
While many of the breeding specialty species found in the state during spring and summer are absent, there are still many fantastic species to be found throughout Arizona in winter! Species like this Yellow-eyed Junco, or others including Rufous-backed Robins, Green Kingfishers, Spotted Owls, Whiskered Screech Owls, and more! Streak-backed Orioles have popped up more than once, with one pair becoming quite reliable.
Book a tour today!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
A declining species in Arizona, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks are a unique species of duck that inhabits riparian corridors with water throughout the southern half of the state. With a striking wing pattern, and head-turning whistled calls, this species is a must-add to anyone’s list!
Book a tour today!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
It’s awesome when Arizona gets this species… Fulvous Whistling-Duck! This individual has been hanging around since early June, and has moved around quite a bit!
Arizona has had some great species in the last few days, including Rufous-capped Warblers, Glaucous Gull, White Ibis, Streak-backed Oriole, and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron!
Book a tour for the opportunity to add stunning species like Streak-backed Oriole to your list or portfolio!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Spotted Owl (Mexican) is a secretive sought-after species that is declining through much of its range. Arizona is a great place to try to see this species!
Book a tour for a chance to observe them for yourself!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Bridled Titmouse looks like a strange combination between a Juniper Titmouse and a Mountain Chickadee. This unique little passerine is a common inhabitant of mixed oak forests throughout southeastern Arizona.
Book a tour today to experience this charming species!
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
It’s that time of year again!
Rufous-backed Robins are irrupting northward, and are being found throughout the southeast portion of the state, especially in riparian areas with good berry sources.
Book a tour today for the chance to add this species to your list or photography portfolio!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
It’s range barely extending into southeastern Arizona, the Five-striped Sparrow is a handsome species of scrubby desert canyons. There’s nothing better than seeing these birds teed up on an ocotillo during the green monsoon season.
Book a tour to experience this species today!
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
A bird of higher elevation pine-oak forests, Grace’s Warbler is often a difficult species to observe at eye-level because of their foraging habits. These warblers regularly glean insects from the ends of pine needles at the tops of trees.
Book a tour to see this species next spring!
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Western Screech-Owl is found throughout Arizona where it favors mid to low elevation riparian and deciduous areas. Their song has a unique, bouncing ball quality that is distinctive from Whiskered Screech-Owl.
Book a tour to get up close with this owl species today!
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
The Gray Hawk reaches the northern extent of its range in Arizona. A species of shrubby riparian woodland, these birds are often heard first and then seen, their diagnostic, descending calls carrying well through riparian areas.
Book a tour to experience this species for yourself!
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Rivoli’s Hummingbird (formerly Magnificent Hummingbird, but now split into Rivoli’s and Talamanca Hummingbird) is the one of the largest hummingbirds found in Arizona. Males exhibit a bright turquoise throat and purple crown.
Book a tour to see this gem in person!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Broad-billed Hummingbird is probably the most colorful hummingbird species found in southeastern Arizona. Males are a stunning mix of blues and greens, with a nearly all-red bill. Females are much drabber, but still sport a red-based bill.
Book a tour to get to see this brilliant species for yourself!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Rufous-capped Warbler is a richly colored and charismatic warbler species of brushy areas near streams in the foothills and highlands of southeastern AZ. A rare breeder in the state, this species is favorite of many.
Book a tour for this spring to experience this handsome species for yourself!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Whiskered Screech-Owl-
A resident of oak/juniper woodlands in a few mountain ranges of southeastern Arizona, these owls are generally found at slightly higher altitudes than the very similar Western Screech-Owl. The best way to separate these two species is by voice.
Photo: Levi Plummer
Berylline Hummingbird is a rare breeder in the mountain ranges of southeastern Arizona. Most commonly found in the Huachuca and Chiricahua ranges, this hummingbird is a stunning mix of purple and emerald.
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Elf Owl’s diminutive size and unique calls make them one of the coolest owls in Arizona. In the right habitat, at the right time of year, these birds can be recorded in double-digit numbers!
Peak Elf Owl season is April-June, book a tour for the opportunity to add this owl to your list or photography portfolio!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Elegant Trogon- the iconic, highly sought-after species of southeastern Arizona. These stunning birds return to breed in sycamore-oak canyons of the sky islands in April. Schedule your tour today!
https://www.arizonabirdingtours.com
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
Olive Warbler (not a true wood-warbler, and now placed in it’s own family) is special species of high elevation pine forests of central and southeastern Arizona. Often difficult to find, and this probably due to their habit of being at the upper canopy of trees, adult males of this species sport an eye-catching, rust-orange hood.
Photo credit: Levi Plummer
239 N Second Avenue
Patagonia, AZ
85624
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Arizona Birding Guides posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Common Black Hawk is surely one of the coolest raptors in Arizona. Like so many other specialties, I think of these birds as visitors from Mexico, making the trip and staying long enough to enjoy our most productive time of year and raise their young.
Black-chinned Sparrow songs never get old. Here's an up close look at how they produce that amazing bouncing-ball sound.
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) watching a hawk soaring overhead, Yavapai, Arizona
Yellow Grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysopeplus) near Alamos in Sonora, Mexico
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) flycatching and calling at Willow Creek Reservoir near Prescott this afternoon, Yavapai County, Arizona
Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus) along the Rio Cuchujaqui in Sonora, Mexico
Gray Vireo (Vireo vicinior) singing in Yavapai County, Arizona
Aztec Thrush (Ridgwayia pinicola) calling near Yecora in Sonora, Mexico
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) sub-singing in Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona
White-fronted Parrot (Amazona albifrons) in tropical deciduous forest a few hundred miles south of Arizona-Mexico border
Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) with freshly-drilled apple tree wells in Prescott, Arizona
Arizona Birding Tours specializes in designing custom birding experiences across Arizona. From Elegant Trogons and hummingbirds to Pinyon Jays and condors, we provide you the opportunity to see the best of Arizona birds north and south. Whether you’re looking to add to your life list or simply want to enjoy the beauty and diversity of Arizona, we are excited to create a truly memorable birding experience for you.
Visit The Sky Islands of Arizona
Mckeown Avenue
