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.
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-73Mc6BW/1/1deea4d7/1729x973/i-73Mc6BW-1729x973.jpg)
Elf Owl is actually quite common throughout much of s. Arizona, but seeing it is always a thrill! This bird checked us out in California Gulch on our first night as we tried to get a look at the rare Buff-collared Nightjar singing nearby. Photo by participant Duane Morse.
This short trip lived up to the promise of immersing ourselves in the many nightbird species of Southeast Arizona. With good to great views of eight species of owls (and another heard) and four species of nightjars, I'd have to call this one a success!
Weather at this time of year can be great, and ours was mostly great, but, as is often the case in spring in southern Arizona, we had to deal with a little heat and some wind. These were both issues in the daytime hours on this tour and affected us very little to not at all during the nighttime hours as we stalked our quarry. Fire is also always a potential threat at this season, and we did have to contend with road closures due to a new fire in the Chiricahuas after we had arrived at the lovely Southwestern Research Station near Portal. More than anything, the road closures here affected our birding, both during the daylight hours and at night. Still, we did remarkably well!
We hit the ground running on that first afternoon of the tour, making a run to the border to try our luck at Five-striped Sparrow, Buff-collared Nightjar, and anything else that we happened to find. Though the nightjar could have certainly performed better than he did for us, we came away with decent flight views of this rare goatsucker, as well as our Five-striped, and some bonus owls in the forms of Elf Owl and Western Screech-Owl! Close Lesser Nighthawks on our return to Tucson gave us some super views as well.
Our first full day of this short tour gave us a close and confiding family of Burrowing Owls in an urban setting in Tucson, and then it was off to the Huachucas and the Chiricahuas. Our hike up Miller Canyon in the Huachucas gave us our only looks at Northern Pygmy-Owl, but we whiffed on the hoped for Spotted Owl farther up the canyon. Luckily for us, a drive up Pinery Canyon on the west side of the Chiricahuas – before the fire had started and closed the road – gave us our fortuitous encounter with a day-roosting Spotted Owl. In fact, it was perched right across the road from where we parked our van! Jean quietly alerted us to its presence and we moved the van a more comfortable distance up the road before we got out to look at this beauty.
Once we settled into our rooms at the Research Station and ate our first meal there at the cafeteria, we were off again to look for more as the sun set west of the mountains. We came away that first night with both Whiskered Screech-Owl and Mexican Whip-poor-will, but that pesky Flammulated Owl was a 'heard only' bird this time.
Day 3 on the tour had us looking for a lot of the "& More" birds that call the Chiricahuas home. Our morning along the South Fork of Cave Creek Canyon was productive, as was our time in the afternoon at the feeders in the Portal area. Our only new nightbird this day was our flyby Common Poorwill after dinner along the road to Paradise.
Our final day, Day 4, had us birding the desert east of the Chiricahuas, battling the wind while doing so, and coming away with a couple of new 'nightbirds' – Great Horned Owl and Barn Owl, both just across the state line in New Mexico! We then searched the the pinyon pine/juniper hills near Paradise for a few scarce gems, and then visiting the watery habitats of Willcox before we made one more attempt for the Flammulated Owl in the Santa Catalina Mts. near Tucson. For us, the Flammulated remained in the 'heard only' category, but we had a lot of fun trying to chase him down!
Thanks to all of you for joining me on this short and quick-paced tour that ended up being chock-full of birds – as usual! I really enjoyed our adventure together and hope we can all do it again sometime soon! Dave
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
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-DPKW4pq/1/be1e28f4/1729x973/i-DPKW4pq-1729x973.jpg)
The feeders near Portal attracted a fine assortment of gorgeous birds, including this migrant male Western Tanager. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis) [b]
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Spatula discors) [b]
CINNAMON TEAL (Spatula cyanoptera)
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata) [b]
GADWALL (Mareca strepera) [b]
AMERICAN WIGEON (Mareca americana) [b]
MALLARD (MEXICAN) (Anas platyrhynchos diazi)
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (AMERICAN) (Anas crecca carolinensis) [b]
RING-NECKED DUCK (Aythya collaris) [b]
RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura jamaicensis)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-wvQ9Zzk/1/2cce2540/1729x973/i-wvQ9Zzk-1729x973.jpg)
This tiny Northern Pygmy-Owl was the prize for those who made the long hike up Miller Canyon in the Huachuca Mts. Photo by participant Duane Morse.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
SCALED QUAIL (Callipepla squamata)
GAMBEL'S QUAIL (Callipepla gambelii)
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo) [I]
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis) [b]
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi) [b]
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus hudsonius) [b]
COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii)
NORTHERN GOSHAWK (Accipiter gentilis) [N]
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-B59n744/1/149c4b14/O/i-B59n744.jpg)
The canyon lands along the Mexican border are home to the beautiful and distinctive Five-striped Sparrow, which we saw well on our first afternoon of birding together. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
GRAY HAWK (Buteo plagiatus)
SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni)
ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus)
RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana) [N]
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus) [N]
AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii) [b]
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla) [b]
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-98BPDxL/1/49a6b5cf/1731x973/i-98BPDxL-1731x973.jpg)
This Western Screech-Owl made the rounds in the dense woodland near the Buff-collared Nightjar territory on our first evening west of Nogales. Photo by participant Duane Morse.
WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri) [b]
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus scolopaceus) [b]
WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) [b]
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) [b]
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca) [b]
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) [b]
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata)
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) [I]
INCA DOVE (Columbina inca)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-J69QWQ5/1/9d19866f/1729x973/i-J69QWQ5-1729x973.jpg)
The race of the Northern Cardinal here in s. Arizona is the very appropriate C. c. superbus! Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica)
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GREATER ROADRUNNER (Geococcyx californianus)
Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)
BARN OWL (AMERICAN) (Tyto alba pratincola)
Strigidae (Owls)
FLAMMULATED OWL (Psiloscops flammeolus) [*]
WESTERN SCREECH-OWL (Megascops kennicottii)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-K5SqRFB/1/73301f58/1729x973/i-K5SqRFB-1729x973.jpg)
Very similar in plumage to the closely related Eastern Whip-poor-will, the voice is the best feature to distinguish this Mexican Whip-poor-will from the look-alike Eastern. This recently split form was cooperative for our group near the Southwestern Research Station in the Chiricahuas. Photo by participant Duane Morse.
WHISKERED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops trichopsis)
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus) [N]
NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL (MOUNTAIN) (Glaucidium gnoma gnoma)
ELF OWL (Micrathene whitneyi)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-fTKvT9p/1/d8749605/O/i-fTKvT9p.jpg)
Ladder-backed Woodpecker is the common small woodpecker throughout our route in the lowlands on this tour. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) [N]
SPOTTED OWL (MEXICAN) (Strix occidentalis lucida)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
LESSER NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles acutipennis)
COMMON POORWILL (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii)
BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR (Antrostomus ridgwayi)
MEXICAN WHIP-POOR-WILL (Antrostomus arizonae arizonae)
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT (Aeronautes saxatalis)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes fulgens)
BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Lampornis clemenciae)
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus alexandri)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-rxZn6nQ/1/1fd34078/1729x973/i-rxZn6nQ-1729x973.jpg)
One of the most misidentified species in s. Arizona is the Bendire's Thrasher. It's very similar to the Curve-billed Thrasher, but its plumage has warmer tones to it than the Curve-billed, and that small pale area at the base of the bill is a feature not shared by the Curve-billed. This Bendire's was hanging on for dear life in the gusty winds during our visit to State Line Road near Portal. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus)
BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Cynanthus latirostris)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
ACORN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes formicivorus)
LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER (Picoides scalaris)
HAIRY WOODPECKER (Picoides villosus) [*]
ARIZONA WOODPECKER (Picoides arizonae)
NORTHERN FLICKER (RED-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus cafer)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Contopus cooperi) [b]
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus sordidulus)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-WpPWw78/1/ce5b5dbd/O/i-WpPWw78.jpg)
The Burrowing Owl is hanging on in the Tucson area in small numbers, but it seems to be declining throughout most of its N. American range. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER (Empidonax hammondii) [b]
DUSKY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax oberholseri) [b]
CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax occidentalis)
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)
SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) [N]
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens)
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
CASSIN'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus vociferans)
WESTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus verticalis)
Laniidae (Shrikes)
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (Lanius ludovicianus) [N]
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
BELL'S VIREO (ARIZONA) (Vireo bellii arizonae) [*]
HUTTON'S VIREO (INTERIOR) (Vireo huttoni stephensi)
PLUMBEOUS VIREO (Vireo plumbeus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
WOODHOUSE'S SCRUB-JAY (Aphelocoma woodhouseii)
MEXICAN JAY (Aphelocoma wollweberi)
CHIHUAHUAN RAVEN (Corvus cryptoleucus)
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW (Tachycineta thalassina)
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) [b]
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-bc9szN4/1/0396ce20/1729x973/i-bc9szN4-1729x973.jpg)
Southeast Arizona boasts three breeding species of colorful orioles, including this vibrant male Bullock's near Portal. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
BRIDLED TITMOUSE (Baeolophus wollweberi)
JUNIPER TITMOUSE (Baeolophus ridgwayi)
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
VERDIN (Auriparus flaviceps)
Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)
BUSHTIT (INTERIOR) (Psaltriparus minimus plumbeus)
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (INTERIOR WEST) (Sitta carolinensis nelsoni)
Certhiidae (Treecreepers)
BROWN CREEPER (ALBESCENS/ALTICOLA) (Certhia americana albescens)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
CANYON WREN (Catherpes mexicanus)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
BEWICK'S WREN (MEXICANUS GROUP) (Thryomanes bewickii eremophilus)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-sWhNwhK/0/a9732acc/X3/i-sWhNwhK-X3.jpg)
A welcome splash of color in the desert was this male Lazuli Bunting, frequenting the feeders near Portal. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
CACTUS WREN (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (Polioptila caerulea)
BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila melanura)
Regulidae (Kinglets)
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus calendula) [b*]
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus)
AMERICAN ROBIN (Turdus migratorius)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CURVE-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma curvirostre)
BENDIRE'S THRASHER (Toxostoma bendirei)
CRISSAL THRASHER (Toxostoma crissale) [*]
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos)
Sturnidae (Starlings)
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]
Ptiliogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers)
PHAINOPEPLA (Phainopepla nitens)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Oreothlypis celata) [b]
LUCY'S WARBLER (Oreothlypis luciae) [*]
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S) (Setophaga coronata auduboni)
GRACE'S WARBLER (Setophaga graciae)
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER (Setophaga nigrescens)
TOWNSEND'S WARBLER (Setophaga townsendi) [b]
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-VjnBzXj/1/90de2a87/1729x973/i-VjnBzXj-1729x973.jpg)
After 'dipping' on the coveted Spotted Owl in the Huachucas this year, we found another bird on a day roost on our way to the Southwestern Research Station near Portal later that same day. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
WILSON'S WARBLER (Cardellina pusilla) [b]
RED-FACED WARBLER (Cardellina rubrifrons)
PAINTED REDSTART (Myioborus pictus)
Passerellidae (New World Buntings and Sparrows)
RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW (Peucaea carpalis)
CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina)
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW (Amphispiza bilineata)
FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW (Amphispiza quinquestriata)
LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus)
YELLOW-EYED JUNCO (Junco phaeonotus)
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (ORIANTHA) (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha) [b]
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-5DPqSqd/1/cd3c6782/O/i-5DPqSqd.jpg)
Don't call this one a chipmunk! The lack of striping on the face identifies this little guy as a Harris's Antelope Squirrel. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
CANYON TOWHEE (Melozone fusca)
RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW (Aimophila ruficeps)
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (Pipilo chlorurus) [b]
SPOTTED TOWHEE (Pipilo maculatus)
Icteriidae (Yellow-breasted Chat)
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (Piranga flava)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra) [*]
WESTERN TANAGER (Piranga ludoviciana)
NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinalis cardinalis)
PYRRHULOXIA (Cardinalis sinuatus)
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus)
LAZULI BUNTING (Passerina amoena) [b]
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (LILIAN'S) (Sturnella magna lilianae)
HOODED ORIOLE (Icterus cucullatus)
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii)
SCOTT'S ORIOLE (Icterus parisorum)
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)
BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus)
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater)
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
HOUSE FINCH (Haemorhous mexicanus)
CASSIN'S FINCH (Haemorhous cassinii) [b]
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-GSF8HxZ/1/170f666d/1729x973/i-GSF8HxZ-1729x973.jpg)
Lingering longer than usual in the area was this male Cassin's Finch at the feeders in Portal. Note that the crown is the brightest patch of plumage on this one, unlike the similar and ubiquitous House Finches. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
PINE SISKIN (Spinus pinus) [b]
LESSER GOLDFINCH (Spinus psaltria)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
EASTERN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus floridanus)
DESERT COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus audubonii)
BLACK-TAILED JACKRABBIT (Lepus californicus)
CLIFF CHIPMUNK (Tamias dorsalis)
HARRIS'S ANTELOPE SQUIRREL (Ammospermophilus harrisii)
ROCK SQUIRREL (Spermophilus variegatus)
MEXICAN FOX SQUIRREL (Sciurus nayaritensis)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Triplist-Media/Triplist-Images-2018/n-GQVMXj/i-MRR95fB/1/87f5125c/1729x973/i-MRR95fB-1729x973.jpg)
Another lingering migrant during our visit to the Portal feeders was this colorful Green-tailed Towhee. Photo by guide Dave Stejskal.
BOTTAE'S POCKET GOPHER (Thomomys bottae)
MULE DEER (Odocoileus hemionus)
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus)
Herps
GOPHERSNAKE (Pituophis catenifer)
COACHWHIP (Masticophis flagellum)
YARROW'S SPINY LIZARD (Sceloporus jarrovii)
DESERT GRASSLAND WHIPTAIL (Aspidoscelis uniparens)
Totals for the tour: 156 bird taxa and 10 mammal taxa