Arizona is perhaps identified for its scorching deserts, nevertheless it’s additionally a paradise for birdwatchers. From lush riparian zones to excessive mountain forests, the state’s numerous landscapes entice an unimaginable number of hen species, together with some uncommon and unique guests from Mexico.
With over 500 species recorded, narrowing it down to only 10 was no simple activity. However we’ve rounded up a number of the most fascinating birds you’ll be able to spot in Arizona, from dazzling hummingbirds to raptors.
State of Arizona
The Grand Canyon State has the Cactus Wren because the state hen, which we expect very applicable. It’s most well-known for the Grand Canyon, an unimaginable visible picture of what nature can do, with the Colorado river carving out this unimaginable channel, which at its deepest is 6,000 ft down. The remainder of the state is roofed by the Basin and Vary Province which additionally contains the Sonoran Desert. This space can also be characterised by large canyons, cliffs, and bluffs.
Birds of Arizona
Sitting at 4th of 51 states on the eBird rating listing, Arizona is an unimaginable place to hen with a recorded 561 species. The various and excessive environments of Arizona imply there are appropriate environments for lots of of hen species. It is usually house to visiting birds from Mexico and migrating birds transferring south. Distinctive flora on the larger elevations encourages species normally discovered a lot additional south. Right here is our choose of 10 birds of Arizona.
10 Birds of Arizona
Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca)
Identification and Measurement
That is really a big sparrow with an extended tail and brown physique. It’s a reddy colour beneath the tail and has tough streaking on the breast.
Size: 8.3 – 9.8 inches Wingspan: 11.5 inches Weight: 1.3 – 1.9 ounces
Distribution
As seen within the eBird vary map above and distribution chart under, the Canyon Towhee could be seen throughout southern components of Arizona and is resident all 12 months spherical.
Name
Food plan
The Canyon Towhee eats seeds virtually solely. It can take bugs solely sometimes.
Fascinating Truth
At first, the Canyon Towhee might look like it has a boring, repetitive name nevertheless it varies dramatically culminating in a delighful melody by the male throughout breeding time.
Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae)
Identification and Measurement
The feminine Montezuma Quail is a patterned brown quail with darker streaks on the again. The male is a exceptional wanting hen with a blue invoice, black and white head and buffy crest. Beneath and black and white spots and the again is a multi-patterned brown and cream association.
Size: 7.9 – 9.1 inches Wingspan: 16.1 – 16.9 inches Weight: 4.3 – 8.1 ounces
Distribution
This quail is present in dry grassy areas and open woodland however is tough to identify. Resident and current all 12 months spherical, it may be present in central and southern components of the state.
Name
Food plan
As a quail, the Montezuma feeds on the bottom and takes acorns, tubers and sedges.
Fascinating Truth
The Montezuma Quail has lengthy, curved claws that it makes use of for digging up meals.
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)
Identification and Measurement
A big and big-bodied crane, the Sandhill is a slate grey colour with brown patches on the again. The birds have a darkish crimson crown and shiny orange eye.
Size: 47.2 inches Wingspan: 78.7 inches Weight: 119.9 – 172.8 ounces
Distribution
Present in marshes and open fields, the Sandhill Crane could be seen in applicable habitat alongside the Nevada border and within the south and south japanese components of Arizona.
Name
Food plan
Surpisingly, the Sandhill Crane is omnivorous. It probes the bottom for meals and forages for various plant materials in addition to vertebrates and invertebrates.
Fascinating Truth
The age at which the Sandhill Crane begins to breed varies enormously. Some start at 2 years previous however some received’t start mating till they’re 7.
Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis)
Identification and Measurement
The Gila Woodpecker is a buffy colour on the entrance, deepening in the direction of the top the place it has a shiny crimson crown. The again is a black and white sample.
Size: 8.7 – 9.4 inches Wingspan: 15.8 – 16.5 inches Weight: 1.8 – 2.8 ounces
Distribution
Seen in desert areas, the Gila Woodpecker is current all 12 months spherical within the south and south west of Arizona.
Name
Food plan
The Gila Woodpecker has a variety in its food plan. From bugs, beetles and moths to saguaro fruits and mistletoe berries, this woodpecker could be very adaptable.
Fascinating Truth
The Gila Woodpecker nests straight into cacti. It digs out the flesh after which waits for a number of months for it to dry out and seal earlier than it lays eggs in it.
Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus)
Identification and Measurement
The non-breeding Chestnut-collared Longspur appears like a big sparrow or pipit with mid brown coloring. In breeding, the top develops into black and white stripes on the crown, a buffy orange facial patch and darkish brown nape.
Size: 5.1 – 6.5 inches Weight: 0.6 – 0.8 ounces
Distribution
The Chestnut-collared Longspur is an unusual customer to Arizona and its presence is scattered throughout the state. Seen primarily in winter and spring.
Name
Food plan
The Chestnut-collared Longspur forages for grownup and larvae bugs and grass seeds.
Fascinating Truth
The title longspur refers back to the lengthy claw on the hind toe.
Whiskered Screech-Owl (Megascops trichopsis)
Identification and Measurement
The Whiskered Screech-Owl is a small hen with brown plumage which blends to a pale stomach. Vibrant yellow orange eyes with black rims full the image.
Size: 5.9 – 7.5 inches Weight: 2.5 – 4.2 ounces
Distribution
The Whiskered Screech-Owl is just seen occasionally in south japanese components of Arizona in oak woodlands.
Name
Food plan
The Whiskered Screech-Owl virtually solely feeds on arthropods.
Fascinating Truth
Whereas different owls in Arizona select woodpecker made nesting holes, the Whiskered Screech-Owl prefers naturally created ones.
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)
Identification
The state hen of Arizona is beautiful with black spots on a buff stomach. The again is gray with white streaks. It’s a massive hen, for a wren and has an extended tail. The throat is black and it has a black and white streak on the top.
Size: 7 – 8.6 inches Weight: 1.1 – 1.6 ounces
Distribution
The Cactus Wren is a resident of Arizona and as seen within the map above, could be seen within the south and western dry areas of Arizona.
Name
Food plan
The Cactus Wren is predominately insectivorous, taking beetles, grasshoppers and moths. It can additionally eat fruit when obtainable.
Fascinating Truth
The Cactus Wren is aggressive and can assault and destroy the nests of different desert dwelling birds to provide its chicks the very best probability of survival.
Elegant Trogon (Trogon elegans)
Identification
With an look that’s extra suited to the Amazon rainforest, the Elegant Trogon is a surprising, thickset hen with an extended tail. The male plumage is a shiny crimson stomach with a white band and inexperienced/black throat and face. Silver wings transfer right into a darkish inexperienced again. The feminine is analogous however extra muted coloured.
Size: 11.4 inches Weight: 2.4 ounces
Distribution
The Elegant Trogon is constantly discovered all year long in south western areas of Arizona. It has a combined habitat from canyons to mountains and forests, normally at decrease elevations.
Name
Food plan
The Elegant Trogon searches for bugs amongst tree leaves. It can additionally eat fruits.
Fascinating Truth
The phrase ‘trogon’ comes from the Greek language. It means to gnaw and is suited to this hen because it digs for bugs with its hooked invoice.
Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris)
Identification and Measurement
An iridescent hummingbird with a mixture of blues and greens on the again. A thick crimson invoice is tipped with black and the breast and stomach are a deep blue. The feminine has a grey inexperienced entrance as an alternative.
Weight: 0.1 – 0.14 ounces
Distribution
This hummingbird could be present in a mixture of environments like riparian woodlands, canyons and forests. It’s current all 12 months spherical within the south east of the state.
Name
Food plan
Like different hummingbirds, the Broad-billed hovers to take nectar and typically bugs.
Fascinating Truth
As we all know, the Broad-billed Hummingbird is a specialist in hovering. The truth is, it has such weak and small legs and ft that it’s virtually incapable of strolling.
Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus)
Identification and Measurement
The Painted Redstart is a hanging warbler with a shiny crimson breast and stomach and black again. Sturdy white patches on the wing and a partial white eye ring make this hen unmistakable.
Size: 5.1 – 5.9 inches Wingspan: 8.3 inches Weight: 0.3 – 0.4 ounces
Distribution
Current all 12 months spherical within the middle and south east of the state, the Painted Redstart is a reasonably frequent resident.
Name
Food plan
The Painted Redstart will complement its food plan in the summertime with sugar water and suet at feeders, nevertheless it primarily eats bugs.
Fascinating Truth
The Painted Redstart followers its tail and it means various things at completely different instances. Throughout courting it’s a sign to the feminine and when there are children round, it helps them know the place the adults are.
FAQs
Quail, hummingbirds, and raptors are all residents of desert areas of Arizona.
Quail are undoubtedly properly tailored for the desert surroundings with the Montezuma Quail being essentially the most uncommon wanting.
Sure, in any oasis there could also be rails, galinules, ibis and others.
Effectively, that’s my choose of Arizona birds. I notably just like the Montezuma Quail for its look and the Cactus Wren for its nesting bravery. Tell us which is your favourite.
