The Grand Canyon State is a fascinating place. Beside the incredible geography, there are lots of opportunity to see a wide range of birds. In this post, we look at some of the best Arizona birds.
The State of Arizona
In the northwest of Arizona is the Colorado Plateau and the Grand Canyon which is, of course, a natural wonder of the world with the Rio Grande running through the bottom. In the northeast is the Painted Desert which is covered in beautiful fossils and geographical markings. The rest of the state is the Basin and Range Province which holds part of the Sonoran Desert.
Birds in Arizona
Arizona is a large state, the 6th biggest in the United States but you might think that as it is largely desert, there may not be many birds there. Think again. Arizona ranks third on the eBird league table of states, just behind Texas and California. It boasts a reported 653 species which don’t even include exotics and escapees like the Common Magpie and Northern Bobwhite. There certainly are lots to choose from when looking at the birds of Arizona.
And to start with, let’s look at the state bird, the Cactus Wren.
Best Bird
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)
Identification
The Cactus Wren is a large wren with tan coloring on the body and dark spots on the breast. The head is dark with a raggedy white brow. The bill is long and tail also long and spotted. It is arguably the most stunning bird of Arizona.
Size
- Length: 71-7.5 in (18-19 cm)
- Weight: 1.2-1.7 oz (33-47 g)
Range
The Cactus Wren is an all year resident in Arizona and as seen in the Range Map below it can be seen in the south west of the state. It lives in desert scrub or coastal sagebrush scrub and doesn’t stray from there.
What you might not know
These fascinating birds are unlike other wrens as they are uniquely adapted to desert living. The do not need a source of water, build nests in cacti and eat a lot of grasshoppers!
Birds of Open Country
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)
Identification
An unmistakable bird with white, gray and black patterns including a distinctive black eye mask.
Size
- Length: 7.9-9.1 in (20-23 cm)
- Weight: 1.2-1.8 oz (35-50 g)
- Wingspan: 11.0-12.6 in (28-32 cm)
Range
The Loggerhead Shrike is resident in Arizona and can be seen regularly across the state in open grasslands.
What you might not know
The Loggerhead Shrike uses that hooked bill to good effect, crushing the spine of its prey. It is pretty vicious and will take mammals as big as itself.
Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii)
Identification
Looking a lot like the California Quail, this species is also incredibly attractive. The female grayer than the California and the male (photo on the right) has a brighter, redder crest.
Size
- Length: 9.8 in (25 cm)
- Weight: 5.6-7.0 oz (160-200 g)
- Wingspan: 13.4-14.2 in (34-36 cm)
Range
The Gambel’s Quail is restricted to the desert areas of the south west. It gathers in small groups and inhabits the edge of Arizona’s scrub and brush, darting frequently out into the open.
What you might not know
This gorgeous game bird can also be found on the islands of Hawaii where it was introduced in the 1950’s as a game bird.
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Identification
The Swainson’s Hawk can be seen in a dark, all brown morph or a pale morph as below, with a pale belly and dark bib.
Size
- Length: 17-22 in (43-56 cm)
- Weight: 17-59 oz (500-1700 g)
- Wingspan: 46-54 in (117-137 cm)
Range
Seen outside of winter, the Swainson’s Hawk is a regular but uncommon sight across open country Arizona.
What you might not know
The best time to see the Swainson’s Hawk is during their migration to and from Central America. They may be seen in large groups called kettles.
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)
Identification
The females Great-tailed Grackle (on the left) is brown all over with a pale throat and a large tail. The male bird is a glossy blue and purple. Both birds have bright yellow eyes.
Size
- Length: 15.0-18.1 in (38-46 cm)
- Weight: 3.7-6.7 oz (105-190 g)
- Wingspan: 18.9-22.8 in (48-58 cm)
Range
The Great-tailed Grackle is a resident of Arizona and can be seen all year round. It inhabits a range of environments from agricultural areas to urban and rural regions.
What you might not know
The Great-tailed Grackle has extended its range dramatically over the last hundred years following the agricultural growth westwards.
Common Backyard Birds
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)
Identification
This is a relatively small hummingbird with plain gray and green plumage. The male (on the right) has a black/purple throat.
Size
- Length: 3.5 in (9 cm)
- Weight: 0.1-0.2 oz (2.3-4.9 g)
- Wingspan: 4.3 in (11 cm)
Range
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a great tick for your summer checklists. It breeds in woodlands but is also a common backyard visitor to bird feeders.
What you might not know
When out in Arizona, head for rivers and streams. The Black-throated Hummingbird are common nesters along waterways.
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)
Identification
The female House Finch (image on the right) is a plain bird, almost looking like a House Sparrow. The male has slightly darker streaks and a variable amount of pink and red on the head, face and breast.
Size
- Length: 5.1-5.5 in (13-14 cm)
- Weight: 0.6-0.9 oz (16-27 g)
- Wingspan: 7.9-9.8 in (20-25 cm)
Range
The House Finch is a common all year round visitor and can be seen in a variety of environments and is one of the most regular backyard birds, loving bird baths and bird feeders.
What you might not know
The color of the male House Finch is dictated by the food it eats. At times it may be yellow or orange.
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Identification
The Mourning Dove is a mid-brown color with dark spots on the back. This Arizona bird frequents the ground underneath backyard feeders.
Size
- Length: 9.1-13.4 in (23-34 cm)
- Weight: 3.4-6.0 oz (96-170 g)
- Wingspan: 17.7 in (45 cm)
Range
The Mourning Dove is one of the most common birds in Arizona and can be seen year round.
What you might not know
The Mourning Dove thrives in desert and dry areas as it is able to drink brackish water.
Other Common Birds
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)
Identification
The Yellow-rumped Warbler is an attractive mix of black, white and gray. The auduboni subspecies found in Arizona has a white throat and flanks along with a yellow rump.
Size
- Length: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
- Weight: 0.4-0.5 oz (12-13 g)
- Wingspan: 7.5-9.1 in (19-23 cm)
Range
The Yellow-rumped Warbler can be seen and heard outside of the summer months. It can be found in a range of habitats across Arizona.
What you might not know
The Yellow-rumped Warbler is very adaptable and can eat a wide range of foods including insects and berries. It is able to catch insect from webs, in the air, skimming over water and directly from animal dung.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris)
Identification
The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is a black and white bird with a red crest. It looks similar to the Hairy and Downy Woodpecker but is totally restricted to arid areas.
Size
- Length: 6.3-7.1 in (16-18 cm)
- Weight: 0.7-1.7 oz (21-48 g)
- Wingspan: 13.0 in (33 cm)
Range
Seen throughout the year, the Ladder-backed Woodpecker inhabits dry areas including woodlands and mesquite scrub.
What you might not know
The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is a great find for your winter checklists. Between January and March, it can be found more easily as they forge pair bonds and are very vocal.
Forest Birds
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
Identification
The Great Horned Owl is a large bird with plumage varying from grays to reds but always well camouflaged. It is named for the large tufts above the ears that look like horns from a distance.
Size
- Length: 18.1-24.8 in (46-63 cm)
- Weight: 32.1-88.2 oz (910-2500 g)
- Wingspan: 39.8-57.1 in (101-145 cm)
Range
Sightings of the Great Horned Owl vary as it is nocturnal. It is a resident of Arizona in any wooded area.
What you might not know
The Great Horned Owl is a fearsome creature. It will hunt and crush the spine of large animals and birds. It is capable of taking something as large as an Osprey.
Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus)
Identification
This is a very elegant oriole with a long tail. The plumage is bright yellow and black with white wing bars.
Size
- Length: 7.1-7.9 in (18-20 cm)
- Weight: 0.8 oz (24 g)
- Wingspan: 9.1-11.0 in (23-28 cm)
Range
The Hooded Oriole is a summer visitor to the wooded areas of Arizona. It particularly like palm trees.
What you might not know
Hooded Orioles are migratory but some will stay in Arizona taking advantage of winter hummingbird feeders.
Grey Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii)
Identification
The Gray Flycatcher is a rather indistinct bird with uniform gray color and white wing bars. When identifying it, look for the thin tail and relatively long bill.
Size
- Length: 5.5-5.9 in (14-15 cm)
- Weight: 0.4-0.5 oz (11-14 g)
- Wingspan: 8.7 in (22 cm)
Range
Present all year round but less reported in the summer months, the Gray Flycatcher prefers open juniper forests.
What you might not know
The Gray Flycatcher is so similar to the related Dusky and Hammond’s Flycatchers that even the experts often can distinguish between them.
Rare Arizona Birds
Flame-coloured Tanager (Piranga bidentata)
Identification
The stunning male tanager certainly lives up to its name with bright crimson plumage and darker wings with white bars.
Size
- Length: 7.1-7.5 in (18-19 cm)
- Weight: 1.1-1.4 oz (32-39 g)
Range
The Flame-colored Tanager is a Central American bird that very occasionally strays across the border into Arizona.
What you might not know
While the male is a startling red color, the female and young juvenile birds are a more muted yellow version.
Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda)
Identification
The Upland Sandpiper is relatively large with a distinctive long bill and plain belly.
Size
- Length: 11.0-12.6 in (28-32 cm)
- Weight: 3.4-8.0 oz (97-226 g)
- Wingspan: 18.5 in (47 cm
Range
While the Upland Sandpiper is commonly found in grasslands, it is usually found further east of the United States in prairie lands. It sometimes strays west during the summer months, possibly off course while on migration.
What you might not know
The Uplands Sandpiper has made several airports its home in mid west states because they are a close substitute to native prairie land.
Conclusion
The birds of Arizona are fantastic. With a variety of dry environments, it attracts some real specialists that are not common elsewhere. Another exciting aspect about watching birds in Arizona is that you never know what might slip across the border. Definitely one for the birding bucket list!
Related Questions
What is the bird with the long tail that runs about?
That would be the Greater Roadrunner. It is a wonderful moment when you first see one running through the scrub.
It is reasonably common in scrubby areas but you have to be looking out for it.
Where can I see birds in a state park?
There are 3 state parks in Arizona – Lost Dutchman, Oracle and Tonto Natural Bridge Parks. Oracle State Park has the most reported species at 175. Check out all of them at local information centers, birding groups or look at the Explore section of eBird for more information about species.
How do you attract birds in the desert?
If you are in Phoenix or Flagstaff or any urban area in the very hot and dry areas, you can still attract birds to your backyard. They will come for a platform feeder with sunflower seeds on. Hummingbirds will come for specialist nectar feeders and all the birds will love a bird bath!