A Field Guides Birding Tours Report
ARIZONA WINTER SPECIALTIES 2022
December 30, 2022-January 5, 2023 with Tom Johnson guiding
Although wind, rain, and chilly temperatures challenged us, we had a great run on this winter specialties tour from the Phoenix area to Tucson and beyond. We found some scarce residents like LeConte's and Bendire's thrashers, enjoyed skulky winterers like Gray Vireo and Sagebrush and Bell's Sparrows, took in a spectacle in the form of a big flock of Sandhill Cranes, and even turned up a Mexican rarity in Rufous-backed Robin. This year's tour was set against the interesting backdrop of a region-wide irruption of many frugivores and finches like American Robins, Mountain and Western bluebirds, Townsend's Solitaires, Cedar Waxwings, Cassin's Finches, and Red Crossbills.
Starting in the Phoenix area, we opened the tour with an evening visit to the Gilbert Water Ranch with highlights that included Abert's Towhee, Western Grebe, American White Pelicans, and a surprising Brown Pelican. West of Phoenix, we explored the mix of native desert and cultivated land, finding LeConte's and Bendire's thrashers, Bell's and Sagebrush sparrows, Long-billed Curlews, and more. A stakeout Red-headed Woodpecker shared its suburban neighborhood with Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay and Costa's Hummingbird, and we checked out the established urban population of Rosy-faced Lovebirds in Phoenix, too. Heading south toward Tucson, we squeezed in some great birding in the Santa Cruz Flats before a winter rainstorm caught up to us. Mountain Plovers, Lewis's Woodpecker, Ferruginous Hawk, and Prairie Falcon were exciting highlights before the weather set in. Based out of Tucson, we ventured out in a few different directions for the remaining days of the trip. Two Rufous-backed Robins from Mexico skulked in the thickets of La Posta Quemada Ranch; hundreds of Sandhill Cranes joined Snow and Ross's geese at Willcox; Violet-crowned Hummingbirds chipped near the well-stocked feeders in Patagonia; Lawrence's Goldfinches danced around a water hole at Canoa Ranch; and a rare winter Gray Vireo perched up for all to see at Montosa Canyon. Indeed, we managed to make some magical bird connections during our short week around wonderful southern Arizona. Thanks for joining me, and I'll see you in the field again soon!
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
SNOW GOOSE (Anser caerulescens)
A few dozen were at Benson and Willcox.
ROSS'S GOOSE (Anser rossii)
Two tiny adults were mixed in with the Snow Geese at Willcox.
CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis)
These familiar geese are fairly common in the Phoenix area.
CINNAMON TEAL (Spatula cyanoptera)
Singles and pairs seen at several lakes and ponds along the way.
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata)
Very common, with 200 at Benson and many elsewhere too.
GADWALL (Mareca strepera)
Most of ours came in the form of a flock of 30 along the Santa Cruz River near Rio Rico.
AMERICAN WIGEON (Mareca americana)
Very common on lakes and ponds, including about 400 at Willcox.
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos)
Plenty were scattered between the Phoenix area and ponds in SE AZ.
MEXICAN DUCK (Anas diazi)
Most of the pure-looking birds that we saw were at Benson, Willcox, and the Santa Cruz River overflow.
NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta)
Just a few sightings, including a flock of 22 at the Santa Cruz River overflow.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (AMERICAN) (Anas crecca carolinensis)
Common, especially at Gilbert Water Ranch.
CANVASBACK (Aythya valisineria)
High numbers - 90 at Benson and another 65 in the Santa Cruz River overflow. We also saw a really neat male Canvasback x Ring-necked Duck mixed in with pure members of both species at Benson.
REDHEAD (Aythya americana)
Small numbers were scattered in several locations.
RING-NECKED DUCK (Aythya collaris)
A common diver, seen regularly on deeper ponds and lakes.
GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila)
Three was a high count for this scarce-in-the-desert species. We studied two males and a female in the scope at the Santa Cruz River overflow.
LESSER SCAUP (Aythya affinis)
Seen regularly on lakes and ponds; much more common in this region than Greater Scaup.
BUFFLEHEAD (Bucephala albeola)
Most of ours were on the ponds at Benson.
HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus)
A drake swam around a golf course pond at Benson.
RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura jamaicensis)
These stiff-tails were quite common on lakes and ponds, with the largest numbers at Benson.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
SCALED QUAIL (Callipepla squamata)
Good looks at six of these "cotton tops" in that big brush pile near the golf course at Willcox.
GAMBEL'S QUAIL (Callipepla gambelii)
We heard one while looking at doves near Buckeye - otherwise, we managed to keep our Gambel's Quail blinders on!
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo)
Three were at the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
Small numbers were peppered around on small lakes and ponds.
EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis)
These small, skinny grebes were at Gilbert, Benson, and Willcox.
WESTERN GREBE (Aechmophorus occidentalis)
One was swimming with waterfowl at Gilbert Water Ranch.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
Common in Phoenix and Tucson.
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) [I]
Common in towns, cities, and in farm country.
INCA DOVE (Columbina inca)
Two dozen took shelter at that farmstead near Buckeye; one under the feeders at the Santa Rita Lodge was a bit out of habitat for the species.
COMMON GROUND DOVE (Columbina passerina)
One was cozy with the Inca Doves at Buckeye.
WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica)
Seen at Madera Canyon and at Patagonia.
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura)
Very common throughout.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GREATER ROADRUNNER (Geococcyx californianus)
One crossed the track at Robbins Butte.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes fulgens)
One attended the feeders at Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon.
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte anna)
Fairly common in desert habitats and in towns.
COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte costae)
Our best looks were of the scruffy singing male and female at Rancho Santa Fe.
VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD (Leucolia violiceps)
Two birds were conspicuous at Paton's in Patagonia.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata)
A few were at Gilbert and Willcox.
AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana)
Very common on ponds and lakes, especially at Benson.
Gruidae (Cranes)
SANDHILL CRANE (Antigone canadensis)
Over 600 of these noisy, beautiful birds came in to Lake Cochise at Willcox.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus)
About 20 were at the Gilbert Water Ranch.
AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana)
Seventeen were at Gilbert Water Ranch.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)
Small numbers were scattered around fields and ponds.
MOUNTAIN PLOVER (Charadrius montanus)
We counted 41 of these sand-colored plovers on the sod farms in the Santa Cruz Flats between Tucson and Phoenix.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
LONG-BILLED CURLEW (Numenius americanus)
A big flock of 74 fed in an irrigated field near Buckeye.
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)
The common peep here in winter, with around 200 at Gilbert Water Ranch alone.
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus scolopaceus)
Nice looks (and listens) at dozens of these rotund shorebirds at Gilbert and Willcox.
WILSON'S SNIPE (Gallinago delicata)
Four were bill-stitching at Willcox.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
Ours were at a few different sites along the Santa Cruz River.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
One was with the curlews near Buckeye.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Nannopterum brasilianum)
A dozen were at the Gilbert Water Ranch.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
A flock of 90 came in to roost at the Gilbert Water Ranch on our first evening.
BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis)
One flew in and landed with the big flock of American White Pelicans at Gilbert Water Ranch.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)
Regular sightings.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
Our max count was of 16 birds at Gilbert Water Ranch.
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
A few sightings in the greater Phoenix area.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
One flew over us at Buckeye.
GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens)
Singles were at Gilbert and Benson.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Roosting at Gilbert Water Ranch.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi)
About 200 were in the irrigated fields at Buckeye.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
A few sightings of these local vultures around Patagonia.
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
Just a handful.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos)
One soared over quite high in the middle of Patagonia.
NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus hudsonius)
Regular sightings in desert grasslands.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (Accipiter striatus)
Flyovers at La Posta Quemada and in Patagonia.
COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii)
Several sightings of singles; this species typically outnumbers Sharp-shinned Hawk in the lowlands, even in winter.
BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
One flew a lap around the Gilbert Water Ranch.
GRAY HAWK (Buteo plagiatus)
A rare one for the winter months. These adult birds were flying around Patagonia, calling.
RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis)
Very common along our route.
FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis)
Two sightings - one near Buckeye and another in the Santa Cruz Flats.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis)
Repeated sightings including several at Madera Canyon. A colorful hybrid Red-naped x Red-breasted sapsucker was in the tall cottonwoods along Sonoita Creek in Patagonia.
LEWIS'S WOODPECKER (Melanerpes lewis)
One of these peculiar, dark woodpeckers was flying between pecan trees and perching up high in the Santa Cruz Flats.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
Wow! The continuing immature bird wintering in the oaks and palms of a neighborhood west of Phoenix was a truly rare bird for the desert southwest. As far as I know, we were the last ones to see it before it disappeared.
ACORN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Repeated sightings at Madera Canyon.
GILA WOODPECKER (Melanerpes uropygialis)
Commonly seen around Phoenix and the Tucson area, too. One at Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon was out of classic habitat.
LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER (Dryobates scalaris)
Small numbers of these small, squeaky-voiced woodpeckers were in desert habitats.
ARIZONA WOODPECKER (Dryobates arizonae)
Great views at the feeders in Madera Canyon.
NORTHERN FLICKER (RED-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus cafer)
A few sightings scattered between the desert, riparian corridors, and pinyon juniper woodlands above Tucson.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
Several sightings on roadside wires; fairly common here in winter.
MERLIN (Falco columbarius)
A Prairie Merlin perched up high at Benson where it was easy to compare to a Peregrine.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
A juvenile was at Benson.
PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus)
One perched for scope views on a utility crossbar on the Santa Cruz Flats.
Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)
ROSY-FACED LOVEBIRD (Agapornis roseicollis) [I]
We tracked down these established exotics at Encanto Park in Phoenix.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
GRAY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax wrightii)
One was tail-dipping at La Posta Quemada.
DUSKY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax oberholseri)
One called and gave us some quick views at Montosa Canyon.
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)
Fairly common at ponds, rivers, and irrigation canals.
SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya)
Regular sightings in desert grasslands and agricultural areas.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
We found small numbers of these attractive flycatchers at parks and near water.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
GRAY VIREO (Vireo vicinior)
Wow - a tough bird to see in Arizona in the winter! We were fortunate to have fantastic views of a single vocal bird (remember that sweet, nasal chatter?) in lower Montosa Canyon.
CASSIN'S VIREO (Vireo cassinii)
Interesting to scope this one in the same grove of trees that hosted the Red-headed Woodpecker west of Phoenix.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (Lanius ludovicianus)
A few sightings of scattered birds in desert and grasslands.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
WOODHOUSE'S SCRUB-JAY (WOODHOUSE'S) (Aphelocoma woodhouseii nevadae)
One was a surprise in the oaks that hosted the Red-headed Woodpecker near Phoenix; more were in the pinyon-juniper zone near Redington Pass above Tucson.
MEXICAN JAY (Aphelocoma wollweberi)
Common and confiding in Madera Canyon.
CHIHUAHUAN RAVEN (Corvus cryptoleucus)
Great studies of these small, cryptic ravens in the Sulphur Springs Valley, especially in the grasslands and agricultural fields south of Willcox.
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax)
Fairly common; we identified these easily to the north and west of the range of Chihuahuan Raven, and then with care in the overlap zone.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
BRIDLED TITMOUSE (Baeolophus wollweberi)
Just a few at Madera Canyon and Patagonia.
JUNIPER TITMOUSE (Baeolophus ridgwayi)
A pair were waiting for us in the junipers at Redington Pass.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
VERDIN (Auriparus flaviceps)
Scattered in lower, flat desert habitats.
Alaudidae (Larks)
HORNED LARK (Eremophila alpestris)
Most of ours were walking around the sod in the Santa Cruz Flats.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
Five circling at the Gilbert Water Ranch were the only swallows we saw.
Regulidae (Kinglets)
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (Corthylio calendula)
Quite common just about anywhere with trees.
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (INTERIOR WEST) (Sitta carolinensis nelsoni)
These nuthatches were at Madera Canyon and in Patagonia.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
ROCK WREN (Salpinctes obsoletus)
Two were vocal at Montosa Canyon and we managed to scope at least one.
CANYON WREN (Catherpes mexicanus)
We heard one buzzing repeatedly from the walls of Montosa Canyon, and then got it in the scope (along with a Rock Wren).
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
A few wintering birds were vocal but shy in mixed flocks of songbirds.
MARSH WREN (Cistothorus palustris)
We heard a few from the cattails at Willcox.
BEWICK'S WREN (Thryomanes bewickii)
One was investigating the feeders and brush piles at the Paton's Yard in Patagonia.
CACTUS WREN (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)
A few sightings at Willcox, Tubac, and Montosa Canyon.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]
Mostly around Phoenix and Benson, with a few on the Santa Cruz Flats.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CURVE-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma curvirostre)
Small numbers were seen throughout the route.
BENDIRE'S THRASHER (Toxostoma bendirei)
One of these uncommon, straight-billed thrashers showed nicely near Buckeye.
LECONTE'S THRASHER (Toxostoma lecontei)
A pair of these pale sand-striders paused long enough for us to admire them in the desert flats near Buckeye.
CRISSAL THRASHER (Toxostoma crissale)
One played cat and mouse with us at Robbins Butte.
SAGE THRASHER (Oreoscoptes montanus)
One popped up on a rock and allowed some nice looks before it melted back into the pinyon-juniper zone at Redington Pass.
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos)
Common in the desert.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
WESTERN BLUEBIRD (Sialia mexicana)
These thrushes were on the move this winter. We saw them at several locations including a few spots where they don't commonly occur (like lower Montosa Canyon).
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (Sialia currucoides)
Repeated sightings of these open-land bluebirds, including great views on ranch land near Willcox and Sonoita.
TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE (Myadestes townsendi)
These slender thrushes made a real push into the region this winter. We saw them at La Posta Quemada, Patagonia, and Montosa Canyon, but then we tallied 13 birds (!) during our perusal of Redington Pass.
HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus)
Small numbers were wintering in thickets and riparian areas.
AMERICAN ROBIN (Turdus migratorius)
Remarkably common during this irruption year. About 70 flew over us heading south-southeast at La Posta Quemada Ranch. We also saw 20+ feeding on palm fruit near Buckeye, 20+ at Montosa Canyon, 10 at Patagonia, and many additional singles.
RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN (Turdus rufopalliatus)
It took patience and stealth, but we eventually caught up with two wintering birds in the riparian area at La Posta Quemada Ranch outside of Tucson. These Mexican thrushes regularly move north into the US in small numbers in winter, but they can be quite challenging to see since they are more secretive than American Robins.
Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
CEDAR WAXWING (Bombycilla cedrorum)
A few scattered birds were associated with American Robins at Buckeye, La Posta Quemada, and Redington Pass.
Ptiliogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers)
PHAINOPEPLA (Phainopepla nitens)
These slim, crested songbirds were hanging out near mistletoe patches at several locations.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
Common around people.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
AMERICAN PIPIT (Anthus rubescens)
Small numbers, mainly detected as flyovers and strutting along the edges of ponds and agricultural fields.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
HOUSE FINCH (Haemorhous mexicanus)
Very common and widespread.
CASSIN'S FINCH (Haemorhous cassinii)
After hearing a few calling in flight at Montosa Canyon, we tracked down a group of three perched in trees near Redington Pass including a pink adult male.
RED CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra)
One "Type 2" bird flew over calling at La Posta Quemada Ranch. These nomadic finches irrupted into the desert this winter along with many other mountain species.
PINE SISKIN (Spinus pinus)
Just a few at Madera Canyon and heard flying over at Montosa Canyon.
LESSER GOLDFINCH (Spinus psaltria)
Common; seen at many locations.
LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH (Spinus lawrencei)
These small, quiet finches are found wintering in varying numbers in Arizona. We were fortunate to track down a small flock of these nomads at a water hole at Canoa Ranch.
Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)
RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW (Peucaea carpalis)
Three of these localized specialties showed off in the desert below Montosa Canyon.
CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina)
Just a few at Patagonia and Redington Pass.
BREWER'S SPARROW (Spizella breweri)
Small numbers west of Buckeye and also in the desert below Montosa Canyon.
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW (Amphispiza bilineata)
Good views in the desert flats below Montosa Canyon.
LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus)
A flock of ten flushed up from the side of the road in Patagonia and lingered near a group of Western Bluebirds.
DARK-EYED JUNCO (Junco hyemalis)
Most of the Dark-eyed Juncos we saw at Madera Canyon were "Gray-headed," but we also saw single "Pink-sided" and "Oregon" in addition to some oddballs that defied subspecies ID.
YELLOW-EYED JUNCO (Junco phaeonotus)
Up to 4 were at the feeders at Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (ORIANTHA) (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha)
One dark-lored adult at Canoa Ranch appeared to belong to this subspecies group.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (GAMBEL'S) (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii)
These pale-lored, orange-billed White-crowns were commonly seen in flocks at many locations.
SAGEBRUSH SPARROW (Artemisiospiza nevadensis)
We spent time tracking down "Sage Sparrows" near Buckeye, using the degree of back streaking and low contrast "moustache" to help separate these from Bell's Sparrow.
BELL'S SPARROW (CANESCENS) (Artemisiospiza belli canescens)
The smooth-backed bird with thick, boldly contrasting malar stripes that we saw near Buckeye fit nicely for this species. ID of Bell's and Sagebrush sparrows is quite challenging but we used what is currently known about these groups to sort out the birds we saw well.
VESPER SPARROW (Pooecetes gramineus)
One was in the desert below Montosa Canyon.
SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis)
A few at the Santa Cruz Flats and Willcox, but most of ours were in the Sonoita Grasslands during our sparrow search.
SONG SPARROW (Melospiza melodia)
Singles made themselves known at Gilbert Water Ranch and Willcox.
CANYON TOWHEE (Melozone fusca)
Two were in the desert flats below Montosa Canyon.
ABERT'S TOWHEE (Melozone aberti)
These big, dark-faced sparrows gave us quite a few good views, including at Gilbert Water Ranch on our first afternoon together.
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (Pipilo chlorurus)
We found two each at La Posta Quemada and the Paton's yard at Patagonia.
SPOTTED TOWHEE (Pipilo maculatus)
These big, flashy sparrows skulked in thickets at several locations including La Posta Quemada, Madera Canyon, and Redington Pass.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
WESTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella neglecta)
Quite common in agricultural fields and disturbed, open areas.
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (CHIHUAHUAN) (Sturnella magna lilianae)
Now split as a full species: Chihuahuan Meadowlark. We had a few nice looks at these denizens of desert grasslands at Willcox and the Sonoita area.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Common around ponds, fields, and marshes.
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater)
Most were in a single flock near the livestock at Patagonia.
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
About 100 were mixed with cowbirds at Patagonia.
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
Common in agricultural areas and near towns, especially in the Phoenix area.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Leiothlypis celata)
Small numbers were scattered around forested areas, usually near water.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas)
One showed briefly at Canoa Ranch.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S) (Setophaga coronata auduboni)
All of the Yellow-rumps we encountered appeared to be of the western "Audubon's" group.
TOWNSEND'S WARBLER (Setophaga townsendi)
One visited feeders at the Santa Rita Lodge on both of our visits.
PAINTED REDSTART (Myioborus pictus)
The one that visited the hummingbird feeder at Santa Rita Lodge was a real treat!
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (Piranga flava)
A male and female visited feeders at the Santa Rita Lodge.
NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinalis cardinalis)
A few sightings at La Posta Quemada, Patagonia, and Montosa Canyon.
PYRRHULOXIA (Cardinalis sinuatus)
One of these "desert cardinals" was near the feeders at Paton's in Patagonia.
MAMMALS
DESERT COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus audubonii)
The common bunny of our route.
ROCK SQUIRREL (Spermophilus variegatus)
A few of these grizzled two-toned ground squirrels were between Patagonia and Madera Canyon.
ARIZONA GRAY SQUIRREL (Sciurus arizonensis)
These big gray squirrels with the fluffy tails were at Paton's and the Santa Rita Lodge.
COYOTE (Canis latrans)
We saw one in a field on our first full day west of Phoenix.
WHITE-NOSED COATI (Nasua narica)
This odd raccoon relative was strolling around Madera Canyon on our final day together.
MULE DEER (Odocoileus hemionus)
Just a few sightings of these large-eared deer.
PRONGHORN (Antilocapra americana)
We found these locally rare animals in a few groups in the Sonoita Grasslands.
Totals for the tour: 162 bird taxa and 7 mammal taxa