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Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)

Five of these flashy ducks were at the Amado Ponds.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Spatula discors)

CINNAMON TEAL (Spatula cyanoptera)

NORTHERN SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata)

GADWALL (Mareca strepera)

AMERICAN WIGEON (Mareca americana)

MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos)

MEXICAN DUCK (Anas diazi)

GREEN-WINGED TEAL (Anas crecca)

RING-NECKED DUCK (Aythya collaris)

RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura jamaicensis)

Odontophoridae (New World Quail)

SCALED QUAIL (Callipepla squamata)

We managed to track down a couple of these at the golf course in Willcox.

GAMBEL'S QUAIL (Callipepla gambelii)

MONTEZUMA QUAIL (Cyrtonyx montezumae)

After a lot of road cruising, we finally connected with a couple of birds in the Chiricahuas. Such a striking bird, yet one that blends in so well with its habitat.

Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)

WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo)

Turkey populations have really exploded in recent years in Arizona and we saw them in several places.

Podicipedidae (Grebes)

PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)

Our only one was at Pena Blanca Lake.

EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis)

One in breeding plumage in Willcox.

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)

ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]

BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata)

A couple of good studies with one in Portal and another visiting a feeder at the George Walker House in Paradise.

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) [I]

INCA DOVE (Columbina inca)

COMMON GROUND DOVE (Columbina passerina)

WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica)

MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura)

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

GREATER ROADRUNNER (Geococcyx californianus)

Only a couple seen early on in the trip. One at Del Lago was a great start to the tour.

Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)

LESSER NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles acutipennis)

Also at Del Lago was an impressive showing of this species as we were having dinner.

COMMON POORWILL (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii)

We eventually had great looks at one of these in Hunter Canyon.

MEXICAN WHIP-POOR-WILL (Antrostomus arizonae) [*]

We heard one on a couple of occasions.

Apodidae (Swifts)

WHITE-THROATED SWIFT (Aeronautes saxatalis)

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)

RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes fulgens)

This big species was perhaps best seen at Beatty's feeders in Miller Canyon.

BLUE-THROATED MOUNTAIN-GEM (Lampornis clemenciae)

Another impressively large hummingbird; most were seen in the Chiricahuas.

LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Calothorax lucifer)

After putting in some time at the Ash Canyon Sanctuary we did connect with a handsome male Lucifer.

BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus alexandri)

ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte anna)

COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte costae)

Some saw this species on our first afternoon, but for the rest of us, the male seen at Ash Canyon was a fabulous catch-up bird.

BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus)

BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Cynanthus latirostris)

WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Basilinna leucotis)

We a lot of patience, and we were rewarded with a nice male visiting a feeder at Beatty's.

VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD (Leucolia violiceps)

We managed to get nice views of two birds at the Patons in Patagonia. Sonoita Creek is a stronghold for this species.

BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Saucerottia beryllina)

We got lucky with this one. After building up considerable karma not seeing the bird in Ramsey Canyon, we had almost no wait before the Patagonia bird appeared in front of us!

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)

AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana)

Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)

BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus)

AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana)

Handsome birds in Willcox in their breeding plumage.

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus)

KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)

WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri)

WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor)

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (Phalaropus lobatus)

We managed to pick out a couple of these smaller phalaropes among the Wilson's in Willcox.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)

Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis)

CALIFORNIA GULL (Larus californicus)

Gulls are not very common in southeast Arizona, so getting two species in Willcox was a good effort.

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)

NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Nannopterum brasilianum)

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)

GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens)

Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)

WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi)

Cathartidae (New World Vultures)

BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)

TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)

MISSISSIPPI KITE (Ictinia mississippiensis)

After some searching, we spotted the pair of kites that are now nesting in Patagonia. We also got to chat with one of the locals.

COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii)

HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus)

This species can be tough to track down sometimes, so it was a treat to find a nest on our way through Tucson.

GRAY HAWK (Buteo plagiatus)

This species was plentiful, with more than a dozen sightings. It has really increased in population in recent decades.

SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni)

RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis)

Strigidae (Owls)

WHISKERED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops trichopsis)

This was the owl species we had the most luck with. Great looks in the Chiricahuas.

GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus)

It was quite a surprise to see an active, day-flying bird at Rose Canyon Lake. We also had a great view of one along the Santa Cruz River.

NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium gnoma)

After a long stakeout, searching the top of an Arizona sycamore produced a silent male bird watching over the nest area.

ELF OWL (Micrathene whitneyi)

We had good views of this species on our second attempt at seeing them.

SPOTTED OWL (Strix occidentalis)

A fabulous sighting of this threatened species in the Chiricahuas, sleeping away the morning.

Trogonidae (Trogons)

ELEGANT TROGON (Trogon elegans)

We were lucky with this species, connecting with a couple of birds in the Chiricahuas.

Picidae (Woodpeckers)

ACORN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes formicivorus)

GILA WOODPECKER (Melanerpes uropygialis)

LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER (Dryobates scalaris)

HAIRY WOODPECKER (Dryobates villosus)

ARIZONA WOODPECKER (Dryobates arizonae)

NORTHERN FLICKER (RED-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus cafer)

GILDED FLICKER (Colaptes chrysoides)

One of the last new birds of the trip. We eventually had great looks at several south of Tucson in the saguaros of the Sonoran Desert.

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)

AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)

PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)

We had two sightings on the trip. First, was one in Sierra Vista and the second flew past us at Pena Blanca Lake.

Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)

ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Pachyramphus aglaiae)

Great views of a male and female along the Santa Cruz River, where this species has been breeding in recent years. There were two nests close together and it looked as though material was perhaps being removed from one to fortify the other.

Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)

NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma imberbe)

Nice views of this species in Harshaw Canyon and heard elsewhere.

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Contopus cooperi)

GREATER PEWEE (Contopus pertinax)

WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus sordidulus)

HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER (Empidonax hammondii)

DUSKY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax oberholseri)

CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax occidentalis)

As of July 2023, this species has been re-lumped with Pacific-slope Flycatcher with the two now being known as Western Flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis.

BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Empidonax fulvifrons)

We had one briefly at Rose Canyon Lake and then another pair in Pinery Canyon.

BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)

SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya)

VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)

Nice nice views of this eye-popping species.

DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)

ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens)

BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus)

SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes luteiventris)

The first arrivals of this species take place in mid-May so it was nice to see birds in Cave Creek Canyon and Miller Canyon.

TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)

The last of the four kingbird species we recorded. We had a pair at Clark's Crossing and another in Tubac that perched near a Cassin's briefly for a nice comparison.

CASSIN'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus vociferans)

THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD (Tyrannus crassirostris)

This distinctive kingbird was well seen in Portal and then again at several spots near Patagonia and along the Santa Cruz River.

WESTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus verticalis)

Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)

BELL'S VIREO (Vireo bellii)

HUTTON'S VIREO (Vireo huttoni)

PLUMBEOUS VIREO (Vireo plumbeus)

WARBLING VIREO (Vireo gilvus)

We remarked on how the song of the Western Warbling Vireos differs from those in the East.

Laniidae (Shrikes)

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (Lanius ludovicianus)

Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)

STELLER'S JAY (Cyanocitta stelleri)

WOODHOUSE'S SCRUB-JAY (WOODHOUSE'S) (Aphelocoma woodhouseii woodhouseii)

MEXICAN JAY (Aphelocoma wollweberi)

CHIHUAHUAN RAVEN (Corvus cryptoleucus)

COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax)

Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)

MEXICAN CHICKADEE (Poecile sclateri)

A bit tricky this year, but we did connect with one in Pinery Canyon. The Chiricahuas are the only accessible site for this species in the United States.

BRIDLED TITMOUSE (Baeolophus wollweberi)

JUNIPER TITMOUSE (Baeolophus ridgwayi)

One came to the feeders at the George Walker House.

Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)

VERDIN (Auriparus flaviceps)

Alaudidae (Larks)

HORNED LARK (Eremophila alpestris)

A few seen in Willcox.

Hirundinidae (Swallows)

NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)

PURPLE MARTIN (Progne subis)

The last new bird of the trip was a pair of Purple Martins roosting on a powerline in the desert south of Tucson. The Sonoran desert population breeds in saguaros.

VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW (Tachycineta thalassina)

BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)

CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)

BUSHTIT (Psaltriparus minimus)

Great looks at some coming to the water feature at Ash Canyon.

Sittidae (Nuthatches)

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis)

PYGMY NUTHATCH (Sitta pygmaea)

Certhiidae (Treecreepers)

BROWN CREEPER (Certhia americana)

Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)

BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila melanura)

One at the Botteri's Sparrow spot on Foothills Road.

Troglodytidae (Wrens)

ROCK WREN (Salpinctes obsoletus)

Good looks at some in Box Canyon on our first afternoon. Also heard/seen at the Roadside Rest.

CANYON WREN (Catherpes mexicanus)

HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)

BEWICK'S WREN (Thryomanes bewickii)

CACTUS WREN (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)

Sturnidae (Starlings)

EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]

Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)

CURVE-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma curvirostre)

BENDIRE'S THRASHER (Toxostoma bendirei)

Birds bringing food to a nest at the golf course in Willcox ended up being the only ones seen.

CRISSAL THRASHER (Toxostoma crissale)

Brief but excellent views of one coming in to Bob Rodrigues's feeders near Portal.

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos)

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

WESTERN BLUEBIRD (Sialia mexicana)

A couple of these were at Rose Canyon Lake.

HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus)

AMERICAN ROBIN (Turdus migratorius)

Bombycillidae (Waxwings)

CEDAR WAXWING (Bombycilla cedrorum)

A few still hanging around from the big numbers the past winter.

Ptiliogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers)

PHAINOPEPLA (Phainopepla nitens)

Peucedramidae (Olive Warbler)

OLIVE WARBLER (Peucedramus taeniatus)

A couple at Rose Canyon and another couple in Pinery Canyon.

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)

HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]

Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)

EVENING GROSBEAK (Coccothraustes vespertinus)

A female coming to feeders at the Santa Rita Lodge was notable. This species is a scarce visitor to southern Arizona.

HOUSE FINCH (Haemorhous mexicanus)

CASSIN'S FINCH (Haemorhous cassinii)

Good views of one hanging around Jasper's feeders near Portal.

RED CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra)

Great looks at a female visiting the feeders at the Portal Peak Lodge. Part of a big winter influx of Type 2 birds this past winter.

PINE SISKIN (Spinus pinus)

LESSER GOLDFINCH (Spinus psaltria)

Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)

RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW (Peucaea carpalis)

We did finally connect with this species at Clark Crossing near the Santa Cruz River.

BOTTERI'S SPARROW (Peucaea botterii)

Great views of a pair of birds right outside Portal.

FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW (Amphispizopsis quinquestriata)

It took a while to locate, but we eventually had terrific views of a bird in Box Canyon on our first afternoon.

BLACK-THROATED SPARROW (Amphispiza bilineata)

This striking species was showing well at various spots including Bob Rodrigues's Feeders.

YELLOW-EYED JUNCO (Junco phaeonotus)

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (ORIANTHA) (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha)

SONG SPARROW (Melospiza melodia)

This species was plentiful along the Santa Cruz River and Sonoita Creek. Birds here are small and rusty colored.

CANYON TOWHEE (Melozone fusca)

One was at Jasper's feeders and another was seen at Pena Blanca Lake.

ABERT'S TOWHEE (Melozone aberti)

RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW (Aimophila ruficeps)

SPOTTED TOWHEE (Pipilo maculatus)

Icteriidae (Yellow-breasted Chat)

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens)

Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)

CHIHUAHUAN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella lilianae lilianae)

This recently split species was seen in Willcox and then again along Stateline Road.

HOODED ORIOLE (Icterus cucullatus)

BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii)

SCOTT'S ORIOLE (Icterus parisorum)

It was a really good trip for orioles, with multiple sightings of each species.

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)

BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus)

BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater)

GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)

Parulidae (New World Warblers)

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis)

A migrant was seen along the San Pedro River near the Hereford Bridge crossing.

LUCY'S WARBLER (Leiothlypis luciae)

COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas)

YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S) (Setophaga coronata auduboni)

GRACE'S WARBLER (Setophaga graciae)

BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER (Setophaga nigrescens)

WILSON'S WARBLER (Cardellina pusilla)

RED-FACED WARBLER (Cardellina rubrifrons)

Nice views of this beautiful species at Rose Canyon Lake and again in Pinery Canyon.

PAINTED REDSTART (Myioborus pictus)

Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)

HEPATIC TANAGER (Piranga flava)

SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)

WESTERN TANAGER (Piranga ludoviciana)

FLAME-COLORED TANAGER (Piranga bidentata)

One of the more exciting and heart-breaking moments of the tour was locating a pair of Flame-colored Tanagers in Miller Canyon, and then the horror or watching a Mexican Jay raid the nest and consume the contents of the eggs.

NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinalis cardinalis)

PYRRHULOXIA (Cardinalis sinuatus)

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus ludovicianus)

A beautiful male was hanging out at Jasper's feeders near Portal.

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus)

BLUE GROSBEAK (Passerina caerulea)

VARIED BUNTING (Passerina versicolor)

One of the most desired species. After several teases, we really got fantastic views on the Ruby Road.

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MAMMALS

EASTERN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus floridanus)

DESERT COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus audubonii)

BLACK-TAILED JACKRABBIT (Lepus californicus)

CLIFF CHIPMUNK (Tamias dorsalis)

HARRIS'S ANTELOPE SQUIRREL (Ammospermophilus harrisii)

SPOTTED GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus spilosoma)

ROCK SQUIRREL (Spermophilus variegatus)

MEXICAN FOX SQUIRREL (Sciurus nayaritensis)

This colorful squirrel was seen several times in the Chiricahuas, the only range of mountains where it occurs in the United States.

ARIZONA GRAY SQUIRREL (Sciurus arizonensis)

YELLOW-NOSED COTTON RAT (Sigmodon ochrognathus)

GRAY FOX (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)

A couple seen in the Chiricahuas.

WHITE-NOSED COATI (Nasua narica)

A fantastic encounter with one at Rose Canyon Lake in the Santa Catalinas.

MULE DEER (Odocoileus hemionus)

WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus)

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HERPS

GREEN RATSNAKE (Senticolis triaspis)

We happened to drive by at just the right moment as some local herpers had just located one in Box Canyon.

AMERICAN BULLFROG (Lithobates catesbeianus) [I]

CHIRICAHUA LEOPARD FROG (Lithobates chiricahuensis)

ELEGANT EARLESS LIZARD (Holbrookia elegans)

ORNATE TREE LIZARD (Urosaurus ornatus)

SOUTHWESTERN FENCE LIZARD (Sceloporus cowlesi)

DESERT SPINY LIZARD (Sceloporus magister)

CLARK'S SPINY LIZARD (Sceloporus clarkii)

SONORAN SPOTTED WHIPTAIL (Aspidoscelis sonorae)

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Totals for the tour: 189 bird taxa and 14 mammal taxa