For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please VISIT OUR TOUR PAGE.
See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.
One of the highlights of our trip was seeing this male Montezuma Quail right at the edge of the road in the Chiricahua Mountains. Thanks to Cory Gregory and his group for helping us get on this special bird. Photo by participant Pete Fisher.
Our trip was great fun as we cruised through several habitat types and bounced up and down dirt roads in southeastern Arizona. It was great to be back birding again, especially in this species-rich area. Although we experienced very dry conditions in the Sonoran desert and song was much reduced, we ended up doing well with the specialty birds of the area. There were still a lot late migrants lingering, which gave us multiple views of several species we normally only see once or not at all. These would include Swainson's Thrush, Green-tailed Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, Hermit and Townsend's warblers. Cassin's Finches, Lazuli Bunting, Brewer's Sparrow, Dark-eyed (Gray-headed) Juncos, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and especially Pine Siskins, which were in big numbers in several areas.
Highlights of the trip were many, and included the two male Montezuma Quail right on the edge of the road, Common Poorwill and Mexican Whip-poor-will hovering above us, a prolonged look at a Lucifer Hummingbird, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, a perched Harris's Hawk, great views of soaring Zone-tailed Hawk and Gray Hawk, the two Elegant Trogons at the bridge, a female Rose-throated Becard tending to a nest, a Bendire's Thrasher singing from a power pole, an out-of-place Gray Catbird, nice views of Olive Warbler, our fabulous Five-striped Sparrow, colorful Red-faced Warbler and Painted Redstart, as well as several owls that showed well, Western and Whiskered Screech, Elf, Northern Pygmy, and Burrowing. Being entertained by the Greater Roadrunner that seemed to be intentionally aggravating the two friendly dogs at the 4 Bar Cottages by clacking its bill to entice them then running around the corner as the dogs sprung up only to repeat it again and again was another highlight.
Special mention should be made to two of the rarer birds of the trip, both Mexican wanderers. On our final morning we had nice looks at a Berylline Hummingbird at the feeders at Madera Canyon, and then we finished the day with a nice scope view of a very rare Northern Jacana that we had looked for on our very first afternoon without success.
It was great birding with all of you and thanks so much for getting back in the field. I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next time. Best, John
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
BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis) – We saw three of these unusual ducks at the pond at the golf course.
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata) – There were a couple of these at Willcox.
This Olive Warbler, a species that was recently placed in its own family, gave us a nice view in the upper elevations of the Chiricahua Mountains. Photo by participant Pete Fisher.
GADWALL (Mareca strepera)
AMERICAN WIGEON (Mareca americana) – There were a fair number at Willcox and we noticed several that were in quite raggedy plumage.
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos)
MEXICAN DUCK (Anas diazi) – This recent split from Mallard gave us a few good views.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (Anas crecca) – We saw one at Whitewater Draw.
CANVASBACK (Aythya valisineria) – We saw one at Willcox.
RING-NECKED DUCK (Aythya collaris) – We saw about five of these, which is unusual this late in the season,
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
GAMBEL'S QUAIL (Callipepla gambelii) – This perky species was seen several days of the trip.
MONTEZUMA QUAIL (Cyrtonyx montezumae) – After encountering Cory Gregory on the Onion Saddle road and getting the info, we backed up a hundred yards and found a male Montezuma Quail on each side of the road. We had great views of these skulkers for several minutes before one of them walked up the slope and give a few calls prompting the other to fly over and join it. This was certainly one of the trip highlights.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo) – We saw these amazing birds several times, with a surprising number at the feeders at Madera.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps) – We saw a few at Patagonia Lake.
WESTERN GREBE (Aechmophorus occidentalis) – There were four individuals on the lake at Willcox. They are usually gone by this time of the spring.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata) – Our only ones were flushed out of a tree on the way to Onion Saddle.
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) [I]
INCA DOVE (Columbina inca) – We saw a few in Portal.
WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica) – This is one of the birds we saw every day of the trip.
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura)
One of the more colorful, and larger, of the hummingbirds we encountered, Rivoli’s Hummingbird was seen several times at feeders and in the wild. Photo by participant Pete Fisher.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GREATER ROADRUNNER (Geococcyx californianus) – We saw a few of these iconic southwestern birds, but watching one of the two we saw at the Four Bar, seemingly intentionally, tormenting the two older dogs was greatly entertaining.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
LESSER NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles acutipennis) – We had a couple of birds flying in the waning light in the desert below Portal. We could have used better looks.
COMMON POORWILL (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) – We had a great look at one as it flew right above our heads.
MEXICAN WHIP-POOR-WILL (Antrostomus arizonae) – This local species gave us a great view as it flew over and hovered above us and we managed to get a light on it.
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT (Aeronautes saxatalis)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes fulgens) – This large hummingbird of the mountains gave us nice views a few times.
BLUE-THROATED MOUNTAIN-GEM (Lampornis clemenciae) – We had good looks at a couple of individuals while on the bridge along South Fork in the Chiricahuas.
LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Calothorax lucifer) – A male put on a great show at the Ash Canyon Preserve soon after we arrived. We saw the purple gorget shining in the afternoon light.
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus alexandri)
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte anna) – A few were seen at the feeders at Beatty's Guest Ranch.
COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte costae) – A gorgeous male showed up, as a surprise, at the feeders at the Lee/Clark property near Paradise in the Chiricahuas.
BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) – We saw several and heard the whirring wings.
BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Cynanthus latirostris) – This was a quite common hummingbird at several of the feeders we visited.
BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia beryllina) – We were fortunate to hear of this Mexican rarity visiting the feeders at Madera Canyon while we were in the area. After a couple of brief views we saw it for a prolonged feeder visit.
WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Hylocharis leucotis) – Bill and Ellen had several good views of this rarity as the rest of us walked up the trail at Miller Canyon. After we returned and waited an hour or so, it was a no show.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) – At least one was calling in the reeds at Whitewater Draw. [*]
SORA (Porzana carolina) – This species was also only heard in the thick vegetation at Whitewater Draw. [*]
AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana)
Showing its small rufous wing patch and double whisker-mark, this Rufous-winged Sparrow, a specialty of the Sonoran Desert, was vocalizing in the mesquite desert on our way to Madera Canyon. Photo by participant Pete Fisher.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus) – A handful were seen at Willcox.
AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana) – There were a good number of these at the lake at Willcox. Some were in fine breeding colors.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
NORTHERN JACANA (Jacana spinosa) – This odd bird is a rarity anywhere in the US and after not seeing it our first afternoon in the Tucson area, we returned on our last day and had nice scope looks along the Santa Cruz River as it walked through the reeds. It was a nice way to finish our trip.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii) – A single bird was present at Lake Cochise at Willcox.
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla) – A good number were seen at Willcox.
WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri) – There were fewer of these than Least Sandpipers at Willcox, but we had nice looks.
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus scolopaceus) – A fair number were seen at Willcox.
WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) – About 35 individuals, many brightly colored females, were feeding and twirling at Willcox.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) – We flushed an individual from the shore at Whitewater Draw.
WILLET (Tringa semipalmata) – We saw one at Willcox.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis) – A group of 13 were at Willcox.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) – We saw about four individuals at Patagonia Lake.
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula) – One was hiding in the reeds at Whitewater Draw.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – We saw a couple at Willcox and another at Whitewater Draw.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus) – We only saw one, near Patagonia.
A very cooperative Western Screech-Owl was intent on something below its nest hole as we arrived at the 4 Bar. Photo by participant Pete Fisher.
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) – Pete spotted one on our last morning as it soared over the desert and was being harassed by a Gray Hawk.
COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii)
HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus) – We enjoyed great views of this handsome raptor near Willcox as it perched on a power pole.
GRAY HAWK (Buteo plagiatus) – We had a few, including some soaring nicely in good light. We also saw one harassing a Golden Eagle, and another perched individual.
SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni) – Driving out of the Chiricahuas, we saw a pair along the roadside that gave us nice looks.
ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) – We saw a couple of these southwest specialties, with a very nice view while watching the feeders at the Lee/Clark property near Paradise.
RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis)
Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)
BARN OWL (Tyto alba) – We flushed one from overhead at the 4 Bar and it flew into a large cottonwood where we could not relocate it.
Strigidae (Owls)
FLAMMULATED OWL (Psiloscops flammeolus) – A very distant bird called once or twice during our nightbirding foray when we joined forces with Cory's group. Unfortunately we could not get it to call again. [*]
WHISKERED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops trichopsis) – We enjoyed a very good view of this specialty in the Chiricahuas after dark.
WESTERN SCREECH-OWL (Megascops kennicottii) – We saw one poking its head out of its nest hole in the desert below Portal, then another in what was likely a roost in a broken branch at the San Pedro House.
NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium gnoma) – This took quite a bit of looking and then a chase, but we ended up with a nice scope view of a perched individual in a tall pine in the Chiricahua Mountains.
ELF OWL (Micrathene whitneyi) – This tiny owl showed pretty well in the light in the desert outside of Portal.
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) – We found a single bird perched on a cement wall not far off the highway on the drive to Douglas.
SPOTTED OWL (Strix occidentalis) – We certainly gave this species a real effort. But the closest we got was hearing one give a brief call in the day time just as we were starting our picnic lunch in the Chiricahuas. A thorough search of the area could still not locate this bird. [*]
Trogonidae (Trogons)
ELEGANT TROGON (Trogon elegans) – We were very fortunate to be passing the bridge at South Fork just after some other birders had seen one along the stream. We ended up hanging around there and seeing a female and an immature individual a few times as they moved through the trees. These birds had been very spotty in the Chiricahuas this year so we were quite fortunate.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) – It was a real surprise to see a male along the road to Rustler Park in the Chiricahua Mountains. This is a species that occasionally winters here but they are almost always gone by May.
Typically a bird that vocalizes from dense vegetation, this bold Yellow-breasted Chat was quite conspicuous at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds. Photo by participant Pete Fisher.
ACORN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes formicivorus) – There were lots of these.
GILA WOODPECKER (Melanerpes uropygialis) – This species was quite common, especially in the lower desert.
LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER (Dryobates scalaris) – We saw a good number of this small desert species.
HAIRY WOODPECKER (Dryobates villosus) – A couple were seen at the higher elevations.
ARIZONA WOODPECKER (Dryobates arizonae) – This southwest specialty showed well a few times.
NORTHERN FLICKER (RED-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus cafer)
GILDED FLICKER (Colaptes chrysoides) – On our first afternoon, we ventured into the Sonoran Desert and ended up seeing about five individuals where they were seen sitting atop iconic Saguaro cactus.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius) – We had a nice view of a male.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Pachyramphus aglaiae) – A quite rare species in the US. We had repeated views of a female carrying material to a nest in a large tree along the Santa Cruz River near Tubac. As far as we know there has not been a male seen yet.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma imberbe) – This tiny flycatcher gave us very good looks in Felipe's yard in Patagonia. We saw another near the becard nest along the Santa Cruz River.
GREATER PEWEE (Contopus pertinax) – After hearing one singing its distinctive song, we walked up the steep slope at the top of Carr Canyon only to have it move downslope. We eventually scoped it from the road where we started.
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus sordidulus) – We saw several but, surprisingly, we heard very few. This was certainly a factor of the dry conditions.
HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER (Empidonax hammondii) – We had nice views of about three, including one that continually came to drink at the bridge.
DUSKY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax oberholseri) – We had a brief individual, a migrant, at Montosa Canyon.
PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER (Empidonax difficilis) – We had a couple of these migrants the last two days.
CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax occidentalis) – This breeder of the higher elevations showed a few times and even for a scope view, but they were very quiet.
BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Empidonax fulvifrons) – We had very nice views of this bird in Miller Canyon then we found another for Bill and Ellen the next day.
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)
A migrant we found a few of in the mountains, this male Townsend’s Warbler was working about in the same tree as the Hermit Warbler we saw. Photo by participant Pete Fisher.
SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – This beauty showed well a handful of times.
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer) – Its mournful call was heard several times and we had some nice views.
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens) – Our first in the desert outside of Tucson showed well.
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus) – We had a nice study of this large flycatcher in the saguaro-laden desert in Tucson Mountain Park.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus) – There were two individuals of this quite local species in the tree right above where we parked along the Santa Cruz River.
CASSIN'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus vociferans) – We saw more of these at the end of the trip.
THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD (Tyrannus crassirostris) – A pair were showing well at a possible nest site near Portal. This is another species that just barely gets into the US from Mexico here.
WESTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus verticalis) – We saw many.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
BELL'S VIREO (Vireo bellii) – Our first good view was at the famous Patagonia Roadside Rest, then we had a few more at Patagonia Lake. This is the bird that essentially does not have any field marks.
HUTTON'S VIREO (Vireo huttoni) – We saw a few on the walk up Miller Canyon.
PLUMBEOUS VIREO (Vireo plumbeus) – This species is part of the old Solitary Vireo complex.
WARBLING VIREO (Vireo gilvus) – We encountered a few migrants during the week.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (Lanius ludovicianus) – Our first was on the fence near the golf course at Willcox.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
STELLER'S JAY (Cyanocitta stelleri) – This pine-mountain species was seen at the higher elevations of the Chiricahuas.
WOODHOUSE'S SCRUB-JAY (WOODHOUSE'S) (Aphelocoma woodhouseii woodhouseii) – Janet saw one as we climbed up the Carr Canyon Road.
MEXICAN JAY (Aphelocoma wollweberi) – These were rather conspicuous anywhere we were near oak trees.
CHIHUAHUAN RAVEN (Corvus cryptoleucus) – We saw a few of these crow-sized ravens in the open country below the Chiricahuas.
Perhaps the most iconic bird of the southwest! We enjoyed watching this Greater Roadrunner toying with a couple of senior dogs at the 4 Bar, where it would peek around the corner, do its bill clacking to wake the canines, then run off as the dogs leaped to their feet to chase it. This went on about five times much to our amusement. Photo by participant Pete Fisher.
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax)
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
MEXICAN CHICKADEE (Poecile sclateri) – It took some looking but we found two individuals and the second gave us better views. This is a specialty of the Chiricahua Mountains.
BRIDLED TITMOUSE (Baeolophus wollweberi) – A few of these sharply-marked little guys were seen in Miller Canyon.
JUNIPER TITMOUSE (Baeolophus ridgwayi) – Pete found one as I went back for the vehicle but it quickly gave us the slip.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
VERDIN (Auriparus flaviceps) – A true denizen of the desert; we saw a few.
Alaudidae (Larks)
HORNED LARK (Eremophila alpestris) – There were several picking about the shoreline at Cochise Lake at Willcox.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) – We saw a few around the Santa Cruz River on our first afternoon.
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW (Tachycineta thalassina) – This was the swallow we encountered in the mountains.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) – We saw these several times, with nice looks at those nesting on the side of the motel in Nogales.
Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)
BUSHTIT (Psaltriparus minimus) – This acrobatic bird showed well a few times. It is quite plain.
Regulidae (Kinglets)
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus calendula) – We saw a few and heard them in full song.
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta canadensis) [*]
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis)
PYGMY NUTHATCH (Sitta pygmaea) – We had very nice views of this tiny nuthatch in the Chiricahua Mountains.
Certhiidae (Treecreepers)
BROWN CREEPER (Certhia americana)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (Polioptila caerulea)
BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila melanura) – We had great views on our first afternoon in the desert outside of Tucson.
Minutes after we arrived at the Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary a male Lucifer Hummingbird made a lengthy appearance at one of the feeders. Photo by participant Pete Fisher.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
CANYON WREN (Catherpes mexicanus) – Pete saw one at our picnic breakfast in Portal and we heard one in Miller Canyon but it was amazing we didn't encounter more. Many folks were commenting on the dearth of these birds this year.
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
BEWICK'S WREN (Thryomanes bewickii)
CACTUS WREN (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) – This large wren showed very well on several occasions.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis) – A rare but rather regular visitor to parts of Arizona; we had a nice look at one coming to the water at the 4 Bar.
CURVE-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma curvirostre) – We heard or saw this bird on most days of the trip.
BENDIRE'S THRASHER (Toxostoma bendirei) – We had a great view of one singing from a powerpole in the desert below Portal.
CRISSAL THRASHER (Toxostoma crissale) – A pair were moving about in the mesquites in front of us and peeking out of one of the bushes. They never sat up for a lengthy view.
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
WESTERN BLUEBIRD (Sialia mexicana) – We saw about six individuals in the Rustler Park area in the upper elevations of the Chiricahua Mountains.
SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus) – This is a rather uncommon species in SE Arizona and especially getting into mid-May. We had a nice look of one at the 4 Bar.
HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus) – We saw several but only heard one or two singing,
AMERICAN ROBIN (Turdus migratorius)
Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
CEDAR WAXWING (Bombycilla cedrorum) – A small group were in the trees above us at breakfast one morning in Portal.
Ptiliogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers)
PHAINOPEPLA (Phainopepla nitens) – These became quite common when we got to the Patagonia and the Nogales areas.
Peucedramidae (Olive Warbler)
OLIVE WARBLER (Peucedramus taeniatus) – We had nice views of two individuals in the Chiricahuas. One was an immature male and the other was a male that was a bit brighter in plumage.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
Many migrants were still passing through southeast Arizona on their way north. This male Hermit Warbler was just one of a few that we encountered during our time here. Photo by participant Pete Fisher.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
CASSIN'S FINCH (Haemorhous cassinii) – There were a few lingering winter birds in our area this spring. We saw a nicely plumaged male and a female.
PINE SISKIN (Spinus pinus) – Wow! There were a lot of these at the feeding stations we visited. In fact they seemed to be keeping the Lesser Goldfinches away by their more aggressive behavior.
LESSER GOLDFINCH (Spinus psaltria) – We only saw a fraction of the normal numbers due to the large number of Pine Siskins this year.
Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)
RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW (Peucaea carpalis) – A pair of these wonderful Sonoran Desert sparrows were seen quite well on our last morning on the way to Madera Canyon.
CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina)
BREWER'S SPARROW (Spizella breweri) – We saw a fair number around Willcox.
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW (Amphispiza bilineata) – This handsomely marked sparrow was one of the first birds we saw in the desert on our first afternoon.
FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW (Amphispiza quinquestriata) – We had great views of this quite uncommon and very local species. It sat up very nicely along the side road at Montosa Canyon.
LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus) – One of the prettiest of the sparrows with its striped crown; we saw these on several days of the trip.
DARK-EYED JUNCO (GRAY-HEADED) (Junco hyemalis caniceps) – After our first at the I-10 rest area, it was surprising to encounter a few more during the week. These are wintering birds that were still hanging around.
YELLOW-EYED JUNCO (Junco phaeonotus) – We saw several of these in the mountains we visited.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (ORIANTHA) (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha) – Another species that is often gone by the time we get to southern Arizona; we saw several at various places.
SONG SPARROW (Melospiza melodia)
LINCOLN'S SPARROW (Melospiza lincolnii) – We had some good views of the one coming to drink at the creek while we watched from the bridge.
CANYON TOWHEE (Melozone fusca)
ABERT'S TOWHEE (Melozone aberti) – Our best view was the one that was picking about on the ground and in the brush pile at the Paton Hummingbird Preserve.
RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW (Aimophila ruficeps) – It was a bit of a surprise to see this species on a platform feeder in Portal.
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (Pipilo chlorurus) – Another lingering migrant that we saw well at the Lee/Clark property in the brush pile.
We enjoyed great views of this Five-striped Sparrow, a local rarity, in Montosa Canyon. This species likes steep rocky desert slopes and we were fortunate to find it so close. Photo by participant Pete Fisher.
SPOTTED TOWHEE (Pipilo maculatus) – These were quite common in some places.
Icteriidae (Yellow-breasted Chat)
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens) – This odd but familiar species that was only recently placed in its own family showed extremely well at the Paton's feeders where it came to feed on the oranges. We had previously heard a couple in the thick vegetation without laying eyes on them.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) – A single bird was at a seed feeder on the road into Rodeo.
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (LILIAN'S) (Sturnella magna lilianae)
HOODED ORIOLE (Icterus cucullatus) – We had a good view of one at the rest area along I-10 as we headed to Portal.
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii)
SCOTT'S ORIOLE (Icterus parisorum) – We enjoyed good views of several, with nice looks at the 4 Bar and from the bridge at South Fork in Cave Creek Canyon.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)
BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus) – Two individuals were hanging around the feeders at Madera Canyon.
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater)
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Leiothlypis celata)
LUCY'S WARBLER (Leiothlypis luciae) – A desert and riparian species; we had a few nice looks. We also saw several of the nest boxes that are being installed for this species, and I have learned they are fairly successful.
VIRGINIA'S WARBLER (Leiothlypis virginiae) – It took a bit of effort to get looks at this rather uncommon species at the top of Carr Canyon.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas)
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia) – Mostly a riparian species; we saw a few.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S) (Setophaga coronata auduboni) – There were tons of these lingering from earlier in the spring, the most I have seen on a spring trip to this area.
GRACE'S WARBLER (Setophaga graciae) – We had several nice looks at this specialist in the pine forests in the southwest.
Our group is enjoying the Five-striped Sparrow as it sings from the top of shrub in Montosa Canyon. Photo by guide John Coons.
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER (Setophaga nigrescens) – Several were encountered during our time.
TOWNSEND'S WARBLER (Setophaga townsendi) – A few individuals were seen in the mountains with one of our best views being the one right next to a Hermit Warbler at the top of Carr Canyon. These were all migrants still heading a good ways north.
HERMIT WARBLER (Setophaga occidentalis) – We saw a couple in the Chiricahuas, but the best view was the one with the Townsend's Warbler.
WILSON'S WARBLER (Cardellina pusilla) – We saw these daily.
RED-FACED WARBLER (Cardellina rubrifrons) – We saw about 3-4 individuals, with our first being somewhat of a surprise in South Fork of Cave Creek Canyon. A great looking warbler.
PAINTED REDSTART (Myioborus pictus) – This red-bellied species showed well on a few occasions.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (Piranga flava) – A brick-red colored male was at the bridge on our first morning in the Chiricahuas and we had a few more after that. This is a specialty of the pine-oak woodland.
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra) – These became somewhat common when we got to the lower elevation riparian areas near Sonoita Creek and the Santa Cruz River.
WESTERN TANAGER (Piranga ludoviciana) – Good numbers were encountered of those on the breeding grounds, as well as birds still migrating through the lowlands.
NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinalis cardinalis)
PYRRHULOXIA (Cardinalis sinuatus) – We had nice looks on our first afternoon outside of Tucson.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus ludovicianus) – A regular but still quite uncommonly seen bird in Arizona, we saw a nice male at the feeders at the Lee/Clark property near Paradise.
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) – There were sure a lot of these.
LAZULI BUNTING (Passerina amoena) – Good numbers were seen at some of the feeding stations.
MAMMALS
EASTERN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus floridanus) – We saw one in Miler Canyon, this is the upper elevation rabbit species in southern Arizona.
DESERT COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus audubonii) – Quite common.
BLACK-TAILED JACKRABBIT (Lepus californicus) – This large rabbit was seem a few times.
CLIFF CHIPMUNK (Tamias dorsalis)
HARRIS'S ANTELOPE SQUIRREL (Ammospermophilus harrisii)
ROCK SQUIRREL (Spermophilus variegatus)
MEXICAN FOX SQUIRREL (Sciurus nayaritensis) – This was the orangish large tree squirrel we saw a few times in the Chiricahua Mountains, and is essentially only seen there.
ARIZONA GRAY SQUIRREL (Sciurus arizonensis) – This species is essentially endemic to Arizona and its riparian habitats.
We had a few nice looks at Gray Hawk, a beautiful raptor that has been expanding its range in Arizona in recent years. Photo by participant Pete Fisher.
GRAY FOX (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) – Coming back from our first evening of night birding, we saw one running down the road ahead of us in Cave Creek Canyon.
COYOTE (Canis latrans) – A rather skinny individual jogged across the road in front of us as we were leaving Montosa Canyon.
WHITE-NOSED COATI (Nasua narica) – A few folks saw one run up the slope as we were driving at night in Cave Creek Canyon.
STRIPED SKUNK (Mephitis mephitis) – We had a couple of sightings after dark of this rascal.
COLLARED PECCARY (Tayassu tajacu) – There were a couple of individuals that were out early around the parking lot of our rooms in Portal.
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus) – We saw these each day we were in the mountains. This is a small race of the well-known species.
Herps
AMERICAN BULLFROG (Lithobates catesbeianus) – Bill pointed out a couple of good-sized individuals in the little pond along the Santa Cruz River. [I]
RED-EARED SLIDER (Trachemys scripta elegans) – We saw a few of these at some of the ponds we visited. These are all descendants of released pets. [I]
ORNATE TREE LIZARD (Urosaurus ornatus) – This is the lizard that we saw on the tree at the Beatty's feeders.
YARROW'S SPINY LIZARD (Sceloporus jarrovii) – A few were seen in the mountains.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 196 bird taxa and 14 mammal taxa