AVIAN JEWELS OF ARIZONA
JULY 15–23, 2019
Montezuma Quail, Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, July 22, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
LEADERS: BARRY ZIMMER & BRENNAN MULROONEY LIST COMPILED BY: BARRY ZIMMER
VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM AVIAN JEWELS OF ARIZONA JULY 15–23, 2019
By Barry Zimmer
We arrived in Box Canyon shortly after lunch on our first full day. It was a hot day, and the early afternoon arrival did not bode well for great bird activity. Our target here was the extremely localized and highly-sought Five-striped Sparrow, a pair or two of which had been discovered in this canyon just over a year ago. Typically, one would have to venture to remote California Gulch to have a chance of finding this special bird. Surprisingly, within seconds of exiting our vehicles, Brennan heard the Five-striped singing down the steep canyon below us. We walked a short distance up the road toward the sound (encountering a brilliant Scott’s Oriole en route). In short order, the singing Five-striped was located on an ocotillo stalk quite close.
We were enjoying epic views of the Five-striped Sparrow, when a Black-capped Gnatcatcher started calling nearby. This species is every bit as rare and localized as the sparrow. Amazingly, it flew across the road and landed in plain view. As we were watching it, a female Lucifer Hummingbird came zinging in and dive- bombed the gnatcatcher. We knew that there had been a Lucifer sighted in this area recently but weren’t exactly sure where. Just then Marguerite spotted a Golden Eagle flying towards us from behind. We literally didn’t know where to look first. We had four great birds in view at once without moving one step. Within moments, a plum-colored male Varied Bunting, a responsive Rock Wren, and a female Costa’s Hummingbird joined the avian parade. All of this incredible action in one fifteen-minute period of our tour!
While this episode stood out among all others, it was just one of many great moments on our tour. We began our trip with a brief afternoon outing to Sweetwater Wetlands in northwest Tucson. Despite some intense afternoon heat, we managed to see several nice birds including Cooper’s Hawk, Gambel’s Quail, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Tropical Kingbird, Vermilion Flycatcher, Verdin, Bell’s Vireo, Lucy’s Warbler, and Abert’s Towhee.
The next morning found us in residential Green Valley, where we tallied our two primary targets, the declining Gilded Flicker and the localized Rufous-winged Sparrow. Additionally, we added Gila Woodpecker, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, and Black-throated Sparrow among others. A lone Javelina was an added bonus.
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Five-striped Sparrow, Box Canyon, Arizona, July 16, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
As we headed up into nearby Madera Canyon, we paused in the grasslands below to see a singing Botteri’s Sparrow. This species breeds in the monsoon season and is most readily found at this time. Arriving at Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon, we were greeted by a whole host of new species. Hummingbird feeders were buzzing with Broad-billed, Black-chinned, and Rivoli’s hummingbirds. Nearby seed and suet feeders yielded Wild Turkey, Arizona and Acorn woodpeckers, Mexican Jay, Bridled Titmouse, Black-headed Grosbeak, Varied Bunting, and Rufous-crowned Sparrow. Two Gray Hawks soared overhead. A short walk along the creek produced our first Elegant Trogon (a female sitting quietly in the shade of an Arizona Cypress), Dusky-capped Flycatcher, a Painted Redstart, and a cherry-red Summer Tanager.
A late afternoon break at the hotel followed our visit to Box Canyon, but we were back in the field after dinner for some owling. Late summer can be tough for night birds, but we had fantastic luck with superb views of Western and Whiskered screech-owls, Lesser Nighthawk, and Common Poorwill.
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Whiskered Screech-Owl, Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona, July 16, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
On our second day, we returned to Madera in hopes of locating a male trogon. A wonderful Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher posing on a bare snag was memorable, as were Zone-tailed Hawk, Hutton’s Vireo, multiple Painted Redstarts, a Black- throated Gray Warbler, and a Scott’s Oriole. After about an hour of searching, we finally heard a male trogon calling down canyon. It took over half an hour, but we finally obtained superb studies of a brilliant green and red male near the Whitehouse Picnic Area. It is always a great relief to find the most iconic of Arizona birds early on in the trip!
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Elegant Trogon, Madera Canyon, Arizona, July 17, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
Heading down from Madera, we were stunned to find an adult Northern Goshawk sailing over the mesquite grassland below Proctor Road. A quick visit to nearby Florida Canyon produced the popular Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, as well as a Gray Hawk nest with young. In the afternoon, we targeted Rose-throated Becards along the Santa Cruz River near Tubac. This species has been quite rare in recent years in the United States, but a pair or two has nested along here for the past couple of years. A very cooperative Greater Roadrunner, a few Vermilion Flycatchers, Inca Dove, and Common Ground-Dove were all sighted before we began our hike upriver. Shortly after arriving at the nest area, the pair of becards was heard calling to the east. We quickly located the birds and had scope views of both. We arrived in Nogales in the late afternoon and found a few Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks at a nearby pond, just before the skies opened up. An epic monsoon storm ensued, giving everyone a taste of what this season is all about weather wise!
On Day Three, we started out on Ruby Road. Highlights here were many but included finding a pair of Thick-billed Kingbirds in a previously unknown spot, as well as perched Gray Hawk, a pair of Arizona Woodpeckers, Canyon Wren, Blue Grosbeak, more spectacular Varied Buntings, and Canyon Towhee. After eating the world’s greatest hot apple pie at Zula’s, we headed to Patagonia where we enjoyed Violet-crowned Hummingbirds among many other species. Grasslands near Sonoita yielded Horned Lark, Grasshopper Sparrow, and the Lillian’s
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 subspecies of Eastern Meadowlark. A late evening visit to Ash Canyon produced a male Lucifer Hummingbird after much waiting.
Thick-billed Kingbird, Ruby Road, Arizona, July 18, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
The next morning, we headed up Carr Canyon. Topping out above 7,000 feet in elevation, we added many new species in this great locale. Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Greater Pewee, Brown Creeper, Bushtit, Grace’s Warbler, Hepatic Tanager, Yellow-eyed Junco, and Red Crossbill were among the more noteworthy. An afternoon vigil at Beatty’s in Miller Canyon yielded six species of hummingbirds, including our first Broad-tailed.
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Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Carr Canyon, Arizona, July 19, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
We returned again to Miller Canyon the following morning and hiked up the trail above Beatty’s. A Northern Pygmy-Owl (Gary and Jan’s 600 th ABA bird!) topped the list, but a close Banded Rock Rattlesnake was nearly as memorable! Then it was onto the Chiricahua Mountains with stops in the Sulphur Springs Valley and near Rucker Canyon along the way. A super-responsive Bendire’s Thrasher and several Lazuli Buntings were at Whitewater Draw, singing Cassin’s Sparrows near Double Adobe, and at least five Burrowing Owls near Rucker Canyon. After settling into our Portal hotel, we went out owling once again. Prolonged scope studies of a perched Mexican Whip-poor-will were nearly unprecedented.
Our full day in the Chiricahua Mountains began with a pre-breakfast desert excursion down towards Rodeo. Scaled Quail, Crissal Thrasher, two more Bendire’s Thrashers, and Bullock’s Oriole were among the highlights. Following breakfast, we headed up to Pinery Canyon, where we spent the entire morning. Highlights were plentiful, including another Northern Pygmy-Owl, Spotted Owl, Mexican Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, a male Olive Warbler, Red-faced Warbler, and Western Tanager. In the afternoon, we added Blue-throated Mountain-Gem at the Southwest Research Station—our tenth and final hummingbird species! One more nighttime outing produced three Barn Owls, as well as some other interesting nocturnal critters.
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Northern Pygmy-Owl, Pinery Canyon, Arizona, July 21, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
On our last day, we returned to the upper elevations of the Chiricahuas. Early on, one van had nice views of a large American Black Bear. Some nice spotting by Brennan yielded a last-minute Montezuma Quail that was unusually cooperative once found. It was ultimately voted the favorite bird of the tour! Two more Red- faced Warblers (better views than our previous one), a responsive male Scott’s Oriole, and a dust bathing Hairy Woodpecker rounded out our list. Back down near Portal, we capped off our morning with another Blue-throated Mountain- Gem. This one was bathing in a small waterfall and allowed prolonged studies.
En route back to Tucson, we had time for one more stop. Cochise Lake is a waterbird oasis in Willcox. We added nearly 20 species to our list at this location, including the likes of White-faced Ibis, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet (323 seen!), Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwit, Baird’s and Western sandpipers, and Wilson’s Phalarope.
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American Avocet & Black-necked Stilt, Cochise Lake, Arizona, July 22, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
In all, we tallied 186 species of birds for the tour, including 10 species of hummingbirds and 7 species of owls. Additionally, we had 19 species of mammals, 18 species of reptiles & amphibians, many butterflies and much more. It was certainly one of our most successful and enjoyable summer Arizona tours ever!
ITINERARY:
July 15 – afternoon visit to Sweetwater Wetlands (28 species)
July 16 – residential Green Valley, Santa Rita Experimental Range, Madera Canyon, Box Canyon, Madera Canyon again, evening owling (67 species; 85 total)
July 17 – Madera Canyon, Florida Canyon, Tubac Bridge (De Anza Trail), Pesqueira Pit (74 species; 105 total)
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 July 18 – Ruby Road to Sycamore Canyon, Pena Blanca Lake, Patagonia Lake State Park, Paton’s Hummingbird Center, Sonoita Grasslands, Ash Canyon (82 species; 123 total)
July 19 – Carr Canyon, Miller Canyon (Beatty’s); evening owling (64 species; 143 total)
July 20 –Ramsey Canyon Road, Miller Canyon, Sulphur Springs Valley (Double Adobe & Whitewater Draw), drive to Portal with stop at rucker Canyon turn-off, evening owling (79 species; 151 total)
July 21 –Portal Road, Rodeo, State Line Road, upper elevations of Chiricahuas including Pinery Canyon & road to Rustler Park, afternoon to Paradise (George Walker House) and Southwest Research Station; evening owling (82 species; 163 total)
July 22 –quail crusie in Cave Creek, road above Southwest Research Station, and road to Herb Martyr, upper elevations of Chiricahuas including Rustler Park; Cochise Lake & Twin Lakes Golf Course pond in Willcox (100 species; 186 total)
July 23 – departures for home (186 total species)
KEY:
T = areas in and around Tucson
S = Santa Rita Mountains, Santa Rita experimental range, Green Valley
P = Tubac, Nogales & Patagonia
H = Huachuca Mountains, Sierra Vista, Sonoita Grasslands
C = Sulphur Springs Valley, Chiricahua Mountains, Willcox
Underlined species indicate birds of very uncommon occurrence or species of such low density as to be easily missed
Bold-faced species indicate birds of rare, casual or accidental occurrence
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 BIRDS:
Waterfowl: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis ) P---this species has gotten much ahrder in recent years; we had five at the Pesqueira Pit
Blue-winged Teal ( Spatula discors )
Cinnamon Teal ( Spatula cyanopptera )
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata ) C---two at Twin Lakes; uncommon in summer
American Wigeon (Mareca americana ) C---lone bird at Twin Lakes; very uncommon in summer
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchus ) T,P,C---many appeared to be hybrids with of Mexican Duck, some were probably pure “northern” Mallards
Mexican Duck (Anas diazi) T,P,C---recently split by eBird from Mallard, but still a subspecies by the AOS
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis ) C---breeding-plumaged males at the Twin Lakes Golf Course pond
New World Quail:
Scaled Quail (Calllipepla squamata ) C---only two total this year, but one bird showed very well along Portal Road
Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii ) T,S,P,H,C---many great views, including babies; almost daily
Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae ) C----thanks to Brennan’s spotting we had incredible views of this nearly mythical species at almost the last minute; voted the favorite bird of the tour!
Pheasants, Grouse and Allies:
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) S,H---about ten of the “Gould’s” subspecies in Madera Canyon
Grebes:
Pied-billed Grebe ( Podilymbus podiceps ) P
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 Pigeons & Doves:
Rock Pigeon ( Columba livia ) urban areas throughout
Band-tailed Pigeon ( Patagioenas fasciata ) H,C---best in Miller Canyon & going up to Rustler Park; uncommon
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto ) almost daily; now widespread in this part of the state
Inca Dove (Columbina inca ) P,C---six at Tubac & three in Portal; has been declining seriously
Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina ) P---four total; generally uncommon
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica ) seen daily in numbers
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura ) seen daily
Cuckoos:
Greater Roadrunner ( Geococcyx californianus ) S,P,H,C---ten total with several great views
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus ) S,P---best at Patagonia Lake State Park
Nightjars:
Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis ) S,C---prolonged, superb views near Continental on owling excursion
Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii ) S---great views of three in Florida Canyon
Mexican Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus arizonae ) C---incredibly responsive birds (especially for late summer) in Cave Creek; we had lengthy, close scope views; always difficult in late summer
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Mexican Whip-poor-will, Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona, July 20, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
Swifts:
White-throated Swift ( Aeronautes saxatalis ) S,P,H---great views on Ruby Road
Hummingbirds:
Rivoli’s Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens ) S,H,C---always stunning; formerly called Magnificent Hummingbird
Blue-throated Mountain-Gem (Lampornis clemenciae ) C---only two total (this species continues to decline in the U.S.), but we had great views of a male bathing at Cave Creek Ranch and another briefly at the research station; voted the fifth favorite bird of the tour!
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Blue-throated Mountain-Gem, Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, July 22, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer ) S,H---great scope views of female in Box Canyon, and quick, but good, views of a male in Ash Canyon; very uncommon to rare & irregular
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri ) seen daily
Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna ) S,H---nine total
Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae ) S---female in Box Canyon seen very close and almost side-by-side with a Five-striped Sparrow!; uncommon this late
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus ) H,C---much scarcer than usual; only about four total
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus ) S,H,C---four total, including one spectacular adult male in Miller Canyon
Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cyanthus latirostris ) S,P,H,C---up to 35 in a day; stunning
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Broad-billed Hummingbird, Madera Canyon, Arizona, July 16, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps ) P,H---two in Patagonia, plus surprisingly, one more at Miller Canyon
Rails, Gallinules and Coots:
Common Gallinule ( Gallinula galeaa ) T---three at Sweetwater
American Coot (Fulica americana ) T,P,C
Stilts and Avocets:
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicana ) P,C---an impressive 74 at Cochise Lake
American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana ) C---323 seen at Willcox
Plovers:
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus ) P,C
Sandpipers and Allies:
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Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus ) C---a very impressive 41 at Cochise Lake!
Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa ) C---one at Cochise Lake was a rarity
Baird’s Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) C---nice studies of about 9 at Cochise Lake; uncommon
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla ) C---at least 69 seen
Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri ) C---about 17 at Cochise Lake
Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus ) C---two adults at Cochise Lake
Wilson’s Phalarope ( Phalaropus tricolor ) C---over 100 total
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitius macularius ) C
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca ) C---seven at Cochise Lake
Lesser Yellowlegs ( Tringa flavipes ) C---one at Cochise Lake
Cormorants:
Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus ) P---somewhat unusual in summer, we had nine at Patagonia Lake
Double-crested Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax auritus ) P---one in with the Neotropics
Herons and Egrets:
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias ) P,C
Snowy Egret ( Egretta thula ) P,C---three total
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax ) C--- five at Cochise Lake/Twin Lakes Golf Course
Ibises:
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi ) C---lone bird at Willcox
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 New World Vultures:
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus ) P---eight along I-19 near Tubac, plus one more at Patagonia
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura ) seen daily
Hawks and Eagles:
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos ) S,C---our first was a close flyover in Box Canyon spotted by Marguerite; we also had another high over Pinery Canyon; very uncommon in summer
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii ) T---unusually scarce with three at Sweetwater being our only ones; it was our first bird of the tour!
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis ) S---an adult soaring over the mesquite grassland below Proctor Road was particularly surprising given the habitat; generally very uncommon to rare
Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus ) S,P---twelve total; great views
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni ) P,H,C---some excellent views, including fledglings near Rucker Canyon
Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonatus ) S---we saw one individual on two occasions in Madera Canyon; oddly, no others were seen the entire trip
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis ) seen daily
Barn Owls:
Barn Owl ( Tyto alba ) C---pair in Rodeo allowed repeated views; uncommon
Owls:
Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii ) S---fantastic views in the Santa Ritas
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Western Screech-Owl, Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona, July 16, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
Whiskered Screech-Owl (Megascops trichopsis ) S,H,C---fantastic views of this species as well
Great Horned Owl ( Bubo virginianus ) C----last minute find in Portal; our seventh owl species!
Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma ) H,C-- great studies of this very uncommon & easily missed species in Miller Canyon & Pinery Canyon
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia ) C---five near Rucker Canyon were a nice bonus; the face-off with the roadrunner was memorable for Brennan’s car
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis) C----incredible scope studies of roosting bird in Pinery thanks to Brennan!; voted the third favorite bird of the tour
Spotted Owl, Pinery Canyon, Arizona, July 21, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
Trogons:
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 Elegant Trogon (Trogon elegans ) S---wonderful views of a male after considerable effort in Madera Canyon; also one female seen the day before; the premier bird of southeastern Arizona; voted the second favorite bird of the tour!
Woodpeckers:
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus ) S,P,H,C
Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis ) T,S,P,H
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris ) T,S,P,H,C
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus ) C---one dust bathing in the road near the research station was our only one
Arizona Woodpecker (Picoides arizonae ) S,P,H,C---our best luck ever with this generally uncommon species with thirteen total seen!
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus ) H,C---red-shafted variety
Gilded Flicker (Colpates chrysoides ) S---pair in Green valley; declining
Falcons:
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius ) S,H---only three
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus ) P,H---scope views along Ruby Road; uncommon
Flycatchers:
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet (Camptostoma imberbe ) S,P,C---superb, close views in Florida Canyon; four total; uncommon
Greater Pewee (Contopus pertinax ) H---nice scope views; uncommon by late summer
Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus ) S,P,H,C---common in some canyons; nest with adorable babies near Rustler Park
Cordilleran Flycatcher (Empidonax occidentalis ) H,C
Buff-breasted Flycatcher (Empidonax fulvifrons ) H---about 10 in Carr Canyon; nice studies of this easy to identify empidonax
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans ) T,C---two total
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Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya ) P,H,C---six total
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus ) T,S,P,H,C---twelve total
Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer) S,P,H,C
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens ) S,P---best along Ruby Road
Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus ) S,P,H,C
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynastes lutiventris ) S,H,C---great studies in Madera & Miller Canyons; much easier at this time of year than in May
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus ) T,P---good scope views; very uncommon & localized
Tropical Kingbird, Tucson, Arizona, July 15, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
Cassin’s Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferus ) S,P,H,C
Thick-billed Kingbird (Tyrannus crassirostris ) P---wonderful studies of a pair in a totally new & unexpected location along Ruby Road
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Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis ) common in all lower elevation sites
Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae ) P---after a hot hike up the Santa Cruz River bed, we had good views of a pair overhead in the cottonwoods near Tubac; only the third time on this tour in the past fifteen years or so
Shrikes:
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus ) C---12 total (a good count for this declining species)
Vireos:
Bell‘s Vireo (Vireo bellii ) T,S,P,C
Hutton’s Vireo ( Vireo huttoni ) S,H,C
Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus ) H,C
Warbling vireo ( Vireo gilvus ) C---one early migant
Corvids:
Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri ) C---subspecies macrolopha
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii ) H,C---recently split off from Western Scrub-Jay; seven total; best in Carr Canyon
Mexican Jay (Aphelocoma wollweberi ) S,P,H,C---common
Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus ) C---about 14 total between Sulphur Springs valley and the Willcox area
Common Raven (Corvus corax ) seen daily
Larks:
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris ) H---three total
Swallows:
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor ) C--- 87 at Whitewater Draw; early
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina ) H---four over Ash Canyon
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia ) C---one at Whitewater Draw
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica ) T,P,H,C
Cliff Swallow ( Petrochelidon pyrrhonota ) T,P,H---nice nesting colony at our Nogales hotel which was largely composed of the rarely seen swainsoni subspecies
Cliff Swallow, Nogales, Arizona, July 17, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
Chickadees and Titmice:
Mexican Chickadee (Poecile sclateri ) C---this Chiricahua endemic was seen well on several occasions with about ten total; another species that has been harder to find since the fires
Bridled Titmouse (Baeolopus wollweberi ) S,P,H,C---very cute!
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Bridled Titmouse, Paradise, Arizona, July 21, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
Penduline Tits:
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps ) T,S,P,C---mostly juveniles
Long-tailed Tits:
Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus ) H,C
Nuthatches:
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis ) C---only one seen
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis ) S,P,H,C---subspecies nelsoni , a possible future split
Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea ) C---the cutest bird in North America
Creepers:
Brown Creeper (Certhia americanus ) H,C---nice views; the Mexican subspecies albescens
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Wrens:
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus ) S,P---best views in Box Canyon and along Ruby Road; eight total
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus ) S,P,H---seen well at Pena Blanca Lake and in Portal (family group); heard elsewhere
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon ) H,C---the “Brown-throated” variety
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii ) S,P,H,C
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus ) S,P,H,C
Gnatcatchers:
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea ) H,C
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura ) S---two total; easily missed
Black-capped Gnatcatcher (Polioptila nigriceps ) P---wonderful views of one in Box Canyon being attacked by a Lucifer Hummingbird!; still considered very uncommon to rare
Thrushes and Allies:
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis ) H—Carr canyon, including a fledgling
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus ) H,C---one of the best songs in North America
American Robin (Turdus migratorius ) H,C
Thrashers:
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre ) S,P,H,C
Bendire’s Thrasher (Toxostoma bendirei ) C---great views of one at Whitewater Draw & a pair near Rodeo; tough in late summer
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Bendire’s Thrasher, Whitewater Draw, Arizona, July 20, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
Crissal Thrasher (Toxostoma crissale ) C---somewhat distant scope views near Rodeo; often missed at this season
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus poilyglottus ) almost daily
Starlings:
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris ) T---only three the entire trip, all near the Payless Shoe Store!
Silky-Flycatchers:
Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens ) S,P,H
Olive Warblers:
Olive Warbler (aka the Masked Pine Runner ) (Peucedramus taeniatus ) C---nice adult male that hung around for several minutes in Pinery Canyon; very tough on this tour in general and easily missed
Finches and Allies:
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 26 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 House Finch ( Haemorhous mexicanus ) seen daily
Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra ) H,C---very good views in Carr, possibly the Sierra Madre subspecies
Lesser Goldfinch (( Spinus psaltria ) seen daily in numbers; this species has increased since the fires
New World Sparrows:
Rufous-winged Sparrow ( Peucaea carpalis ) S,P---fantastic views of this localized species
Botteri’s Sparrow ( Peucaea botterii ) S,P,H---great studies of a few
Cassin’s Sparrow ( Peucaea cassinii ) C---very responsive individual; a monsoon season breeder
Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum ) H--excellent views of a generally skulky bird
Chipping Sparrow ( Spizella passerina ) C---four early migrants in the Chiricahuas
Black-throated Sparrow ( Amphispiza bilineata ) S,P,C---the most handsome sparrow?
Five-striped Sparrow (Amphispiza quinquestriata ) S---superb studies of one in Box Canyon (a new site for this species)
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grtammacus) H---not seen by all
Yellow-eyed Junco ( Junco phaeonotus ) H,C---up to 12 in one day; the original angry bird
Song Sparrow ( Melospiza melodius ) T,P,C----the southwestern subspecies saltonis
Canyon Towhee ( Melazona fusca ) P,H,C
Abert’s Towhee ( Melazona alberti ) T,P---Sweetwater, Tubac, & Patagonia Lake
Rufous-crowned Sparrow ( Aimophila ruficeps ) S,P,H
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 27 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 Spotted Towhee ( Pipilo maculatus ) H,C
Icteriidae:
Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens ) S,P---eating from a suet feeder!
Icterids:
Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus ) C---one male at Twin Lakes Golf Course; early migrant
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna ) H,C---southwestern subspecies lilianae, a possible future split
Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus ) T,S,P,C---twelve total
Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii ) C---one bright male near Rodeo was our only one of the trip!
Scott’s Oriole (Icterus parisorum ) S,C---three total; stunning male along road to Rustler Park the last morning
Red-winged Blackbird ( Agelaius phoeniceus ) T,C
Bronzed Cowbird ( Molothrus aeneus ) S,P---six total
Brown-headed Cowbird ( Molothrus ater ) almost daily
Great-tailed Grackle ( Quiscalus mexicanus ) T,P,H,C
New World Warblers:
Lucy’s Warbler (Oreothlypis luciae ) T,S,P---best at Sweetwater and at Paton’s (eating suet); four total; scarce in late summer
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas ) T,P,C---heard more often than seen
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga ptechia ) T,P,C---ditto
Grace’s Warbler (Setophaga graciae ) H,C---ten total
Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens ) S,H,C---eight total
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 28 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 Red-faced Warbler (Cardellina rubifrons ) C---only three seen, but nice views of a pair at Rustler Park the last morning; like many of the warblers, can be very hard in late summer
Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus ) H,C---always stunning; 22 total; more numerous than usual with many superb views
Painted Redstart, Carr Canyon, Arizona, July 19, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
Cardinals and Allies:
Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava ) S,H,C---several good views
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra ) S,P,C---one very close male in Madera spotted by Jan
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana ) S,P,H,C---eight total
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardianlis ) S,P,C---the brighter red, longer crested subspecies superbus
Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus ) H,C---great views, but scarcer than usual
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 29 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus ) seen every day but the first afternoon
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea ) almost daily with up to 10 in one day!
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena ) C---about eight total at Whitewater Draw, mostly stunning males; uncommon this early
Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor ) S,P---stunning, plum colored males in Florida Canyon & Ruby Road; much easier to find in July than in May; fifteen total
Varied Bunting, Ruby Road, Arizona, July 18, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer
Old World Sparrows:
House Sparrow ( Passer domesticus ) seen daily
Total species – 186
LEADER ONLY BIRDS:
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 30 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 Western Bluebird
MAMALS:
Harris’s Antelope Squirrel Arizona Gray Squirrel Apache (Mexican) Fox Squirrel---very cool squirrel; endemic to the Chiricahuas; spotted by John Cliff Chipmunk---a herd responding to the gathering call Round-tailed Ground Squirrel Spotted Ground Squirrel---adorable babies at Whitewater Draw Rock Squirrel Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat---only seen by a few White-throated Woodrat Eastern Cottontail Desert Cottontail---one precious baby along Portal Road Antelope Jackrabbit----a unique animal to say the least Black-tailed Jackrabbit Western Red Bat---seen by many at Beatty’s unidentified bat species---various sizes American Black Bear ---large specimen in lower Cave Creek; rare sighting Collared Peccary (Javelina)-----one injured animal in Green Valley White-tailed Deer---abundant; the Coues’ subspecies Mule Deer---two near Rodeo Pronghorn----1 buck in grasslands north of Douglas
Total species – 20+
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS:
Couch’s Spadefoot---in hand inspection Great Plains Toad---also in hand views Bullfrog---scope view at Tubac Desert Spiny Lizard Clark’s Spiny Lizard Yarrow’s (Mountain) Spiny Lizard Striped Plateau Lizard---Brennan only in the Chiricahuas Desert Grassland Whiptail Little Striped Whiptail---one possibly this species at Whitewater Draw Sonoran Spotted Whiptail Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail Tiger Whiptail Ringneck Snake ---only by Gary and me; very uncommonly seen Coachwhip----bright pink individual crossing the road north of Douglas Gopher Snake---large one in Madera being harassed by Mexican Jays Common (Desert) Kingsnake---wounded one (nearly dead) along Portal Road
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 31 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 Black-tailed Rattlesnake---great views near Herb Martyr Campground Banded Rock Rattlesnake ---very close in Miller Canyon; uncommon
Total species – 18
BUTTERFLIES:
Two-tailed Swallowtail---largest butterfly in North America! Pipevine Swallowtail Cabbage White Cloudless Sulphur Southern Dogface Sleepy Orange Mexican Yellow Marine Blue Echo Azure Fatal Metalmark Tiny Checkerspot Mourning Cloak Red Satyr Nabokov’s Satyr Common Buckeye Tropical Buckeye Painted Lady Arizona Sister---one of my favorites! Monarch Viceroy Queen Golden-headed Scallopwing Nyssa Roadside Skipper Taxiles Skipper Mournful/ Funereal Duskywing Drusius Cloudywing Atrytonopsis species
Total species – 27
*using the nomenclature of Butterflies of North America, Kaufman Focus Guide
DRAGONFLIES:
Common Green Darner Black Saddlebags
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 32 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019 Blue Dasher Flame Skimmer
Total species - 4
SIGNIFICANT OTHERS:
Western Poplar Sphinx Moth Ptychoglene phrada Tarantula Hawk (Wasp) Velvet Ant Shield-backed Katydid Short-horned Walking Stick Beyer’s Scarab Bettle Lycus beetles (net-winged beetle) Pleasing (Blue) Fungus Beetle Giant Velvet Mite Red Bone Coon Hounds Bo Jangles The gathering call Brennan’s stealth SUV Hot apple pie a la mode with cinnamon sauce at Zula’s
THE FIVE FAVORITE BIRDS OF THE TRIP:
1. Montezuma Quail 2. Elegant Trogon 3. Spotted Owl 4. Varied Bunting 5. Blue-throated Mountain-Gem
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 33 Avian Jewels of Arizona, 2019