Southeast Arizona Bird Photography Tours: Explore a Premier Birding Destination
Southeast Arizona is a bird photographer’s paradise, offering something unique compared to other top birding locations in the U.S. While places like Florida are well-known for incredible birding, Arizona stands out with A+ opportunities for full-frame shots of colorful songbirds, rare woodpeckers, and an impressive range of hummingbirds. The diverse habitats here provide the perfect backdrop for photographing Western Screech, Elf, and Great Horned Owls, as well as Crested Caracaras nesting in towering saguaro cacti. In just a short trip, your bird photography portfolio will grow significantly, featuring everything from tanagers and grosbeaks in riparian woodlands to colorful orioles and the iconic roadrunner darting through desert scrub. The diversity is unmatched, offering endless chances to capture both familiar and rare birds in their natural settings.
Crested Caracara
At Slonina Nature Photography, we have designed our bird photography tours and workshops with one goal in mind: to maximize your opportunities. We take you to the best birding locations, monitor recent sightings, and stay up-to-date with social media reports to find the latest hotspots. Our team will lead you through a variety of environments, helping you capture a wide range of incredible species. Whether you’re new to bird photography or looking to expand your portfolio with unique species, our tours offer a seamless blend of guidance and exploration.
Southeast Arizona: A Bird Photographer's Paradise
Southeast Arizona is one of the premier birding destinations in the United States, drawing bird photographers from across the globe. Its diverse landscape—featuring desert, riparian areas, grasslands, and mountainous regions—supports an extraordinary variety of species, including some that are rarely seen elsewhere in the U.S. Birding opportunities are available year-round, but spring and fall migrations bring even more excitement, making this region a hotspot for bird photography.
Why Southeast Arizona is a Birding Hot Spot
Varied Habitats and Unique Geography: The landscape of Southeast Arizona ranges from the Sonoran Desert, known for its saguaro cacti, to high-elevation mountain ranges like the Santa Ritas, Chiricahuas, and Huachucas. This diverse terrain attracts a wide variety of birds, including both resident and migratory species.
Blend of Temperate and Tropical Species: The region’s proximity to the Mexican border allows for sightings of both temperate zone birds and tropical species that are rare elsewhere in the U.S.
Unmatched Hummingbird Diversity: Southeast Arizona boasts one of the highest concentrations of hummingbird species in the U.S., with over 15 different species, including the Rivoli’s, Costa’s, and Berylline Hummingbirds. The abundance of nectar-rich flowers and feeders in the area makes it a prime spot for hummingbird photography.
Great Horned Owl
Painted Redstart
Clockwise from top: Greater Roadrunner, Gambel’s Quail, Cactus Wren, Pyrrhuloxia.
Left: Acorn Woodpecker. Right: Ladder-backed Woodpecker.
Notable Bird Species in Southeast Arizona
A wide range of bird species can be found here, including many that are specialties of the region:
Greater Roadrunner: An iconic desert species, frequently seen darting across open spaces.
Gambel's Quail: Recognizable by their distinctive topknot, these birds are often seen in desert habitats.
Cactus Wren: The state bird of Arizona, commonly seen in the Sonoran Desert among cacti.
Pyrrhuloxia: Often called the "Desert Cardinal," this bird features a distinctive crest and red accents on its face and chest, commonly seen in desert areas with mesquite and thorn scrub.
Phainopepla: Known for its sleek black plumage and striking red eyes, this bird is often found in desert scrub and mistletoe.
Woodpeckers: A Diverse Group
Southeast Arizona is home to several woodpecker species, offering bird photographers a variety of opportunities to capture these unique birds:
Acorn Woodpecker: Recognizable by its black, white, and red markings, often found in oak woodlands and pine forests.
Gila Woodpecker: Known for its distinctive call and striking black-and-white plumage, commonly found in desert habitats.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker: Frequently seen in desert areas, easily recognizable by its bold striped back.
Arizona Woodpecker: Characterized by its brownish back, pale underparts, and a dark cap with a reddish wash on the nape. It’s found in oak and pine forests and is known for being a bit elusive.
Left: Northern Pygmy Owl. Right: Elegant Trogon.
Elusive and Specialty Species
Bird photographers come to Southeast Arizona hoping to capture images of some of its rarer residents:
Elegant Trogon: One of Arizona’s most sought-after birds, known for its vibrant green head, red belly, and white chest band. The Elegant Trogon is typically found perched quietly in sycamore trees, making its unique croaking call – a key way to locate it.
Spotted Owl: Typically found in dense, mature forests in the Huachuca and Chiricahua Mountains.
Montezuma Quail: Known for their striking appearance, but notoriously hard to find due to their secretive behavior.
Northern Pygmy Owl: A tiny but fierce predator, often seen in higher elevation pine forests.
Top left: Costa’s Hummingbird. Bottom left: Rivoli’s Hummingbird. Right: Berylline Hummingbird.
Left: Blue-throated Mountain Gem. Right: Broad-billed Hummingbird
Hummingbirds of Southeast Arizona
Hummingbirds are a major highlight for bird photographers in Southeast Arizona. The region has an impressive array of species, both resident and migratory, making it a prime location for hummingbird enthusiasts. From the vibrant Broad-billed to the elusive Violet-crowned, Southeast Arizona offers the chance to photograph an extraordinary variety of hummingbirds, some of which are rarely seen elsewhere in the United States.
Resident Species:
Anna’s Hummingbird: Common year-round, frequently seen at feeders and blooming flowers.
Broad-billed Hummingbird: Known for its vibrant blue and green plumage, often found in riparian areas.
Costa’s Hummingbird: With its striking purple crown and gorget, this desert specialist can be seen year-round in lower elevations around Tucson.
Rivoli’s Hummingbird (Magnificent Hummingbird): One of the largest hummingbirds in the U.S., easily recognized by its iridescent green throat and purple crown. Often found in high-elevation canyons like those in the Santa Rita and Chiricahua Mountains.
Migratory Species:
Black-chinned Hummingbird: A common migrant, often seen at feeders during spring and fall.
Rufous Hummingbird: Known for its aggressive behavior, it passes through Arizona during its long migration journey.
Berylline Hummingbird: A less common visitor, usually spotted in canyons like Madera during the summer months.
Lucifer Hummingbird: Rarely seen but occasionally found in desert habitats during migration.
Specialties and Rarities:
Violet-crowned Hummingbird: Notable for its distinctive white underparts and violet crown, often seen in riparian areas.
Blue-throated Mountain-gem: One of the larger species, typically found in higher elevations in the Santa Rita Mountains.
Plain-Capped Starthroat: The Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii) is a rare but exciting visitor in Southeast Arizona. It’s considered a vagrant species, primarily found in Mexico and Central America, but occasionally seen in Arizona during the summer months.
Clockwise from top: Lazuli Bunting, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat.
Migration: A Dynamic Birding Season
The spring and fall migrations bring a variety of transient bird species to Southeast Arizona, creating an exciting time for bird photographers:
Warblers: Look for Townsend’s, Wilson’s, Black-throated Gray, and Lucy's Warblers during migration.
Tanagers: Western, Hepatic, and Summer Tanagers add a splash of color during migration.
Grosbeaks: Look for Black-headed Grosbeaks and Blue Grosbeaks, often spotted in riparian areas and desert scrub during migration.
Buntings: Indigo Buntings, Painted Buntings, and Lazuli Buntings migrate through, often seen in riparian habitats.
Orioles: Scott’s, Bullock’s, and Hooded Orioles brighten the landscape with their vivid orange and yellow colors.
Top Birding Hot Spots Around Tucson
Tucson is home to many excellent birding locations, each offering unique photography opportunities. Bird photographers travel from around the world to experience the incredible diversity here. Here are some of the top spots to get you started:
Madera Canyon: Famous for hummingbirds, including the Rivoli’s and Broad-billed, as well as species like warblers and the Elegant Trogon. The diverse habitats attract a wide range of birds.
Sweetwater Wetlands: An urban birding oasis ideal for photographing waterfowl, herons, and raptors. It’s a great location during migration seasons.
Mount Lemmon: Known for its cooler climate and high-elevation species such as Red-faced Warblers and various woodpeckers.
Catalina State Park: Offers a mix of desert and riparian habitats, making it a prime spot for finding owls, flycatchers, and other species.
Patagonia Lake State Park: Known for sightings of rarities like the Violet-crowned Hummingbird and Thick-billed Kingbird.
Huachuca Mountains: A favorite spot for finding specialty species like the Spotted Owl and Buff-breasted Flycatcher. The canyons here are a must-visit for birders.
Vermilion Flycatcher