Arizona Sky Islands
SPRINGTIME BIRDING IN ARIZONA’S SKY ISLANDS
With habitats more reminiscent of Mexican mountain ranges than anywhere else in the United States, the Sky Islands of southeastern Arizona host some of the most sought-after bird species in the country. As migrant birds arrive in springtime, they are eager to attract a mate and establish territories. That means lots of singing, calling, foraging, and nest building–making these target species easier to find than at any other time of the year! As we explore the unique Sky Islands and surrounding habitats, we will listen for the distinctive barks of Elegant Trogon, melodious songs of warblers, melancholy wails of Gray Hawk, and the calls of newly returned Elf Owls among so much more. The incredible diversity of hummingbirds in this region is also on full display during this time of year, with the possibility of seeing over a dozen species during our tour!
Join us for our springtime exploration of one of the most unique habitats in the United States in search of range-restricted and highly desirable birds. This is one of the best times of the year to visit this region, so you won’t want to miss this opportunity!
Highlight and Target Birds
- Desert species, including Elf Owl, Lesser Nighthawk, Gila Woodpecker, Chihuahuan Raven, Cactus Wren, Verdin, and Scott’s Oriole
- Uncommon resident species of desert scrub, such as Scaled Quail, Botteri’s Sparrow, Cassin’s Sparrow, and Varied Bunting
- Unique specialties of Arizona’s riparian zones, including Gray Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, and Thick-billed Kingbird.
- Denizens of wooded canyons deep in the Sky Islands such as Whiskered Screech-Owl, Elegant Trogon, Arizona Woodpecker, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Mexican Jay, Bridled Titmouse, and Painted Redstart
- The highest hummingbird species richness of anywhere in the US, including the possibility of Blue-throated Mountain-gem, Lucifer Hummingbird, White-eared Hummingbird, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Berylline Hummingbird, and many more
- High-elevation specialties of the Sky Islands such as Montezuma Quail, Zone-tailed Hawk, Greater Pewee, Mexican Chickadee, Yellow-eyed Junco, and Red-faced Warbler
KEY LOCATIONS
Chiricahua Mountains, Ramsey Canyon Preserve, Huachuca Mountains, Santa Rita Mountains, Saguaro National Park, Santa Catalina Mountains
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
- Exploring the immense diversity of habitats found in SE Arizona, full of unique birds, butterflies, and other wildlife found nowhere else in the country
- Visiting incredible feeder setups, allowing up-close views of many target and specialty species, often including rare or uncommon hummingbirds
More Details
Accommodations
Portal Peak Lodge (1 night), Ramsey Canyon Inn (3 nights), Santa Rita Lodge (1 night), La Quinta Tucson (2 nights)
Weather and climate
Expect warm weather on this tour, with high temperatures above 90°F/32°C. At higher elevations, temperatures will be cooler, possibly dropping below 40°F/4°C at night.
Pacing/accessibility
Moderate: There will be a fair amount of walking with frequent breaks to observe birds or occasionally sit at feeder sites. Some minor elevation gain and uneven or rocky terrain is likely. Spending 1-3 hours on your feet and away from the vehicle are expected.
Tour Details
Price: $2,729.00 per-person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: $320
Included: Accommodations, ground transportation, meals from dinner on first day to breakfast on last day, tour leader/guide and entrance fees.
Not Included: Airfare, personal items such as alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, gift shop, laundry, tips, etc. are not included.
From: Tucson (TUS)
Minimum Participants: 6
Participant Limit: 10
Activity Level: Moderate
Deposit: 30% per-person deposit is required to hold your spot on this tour (with your registration form).
Tour Leader: Ken Blankenship
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Natural Selections Tours thanks Zeiss Optics in partnering with us to advance birding, ecotourism, and conservation. Zeiss Optics is a world leader in quality optics products and service, and we are proud to work together making our world a better place by seeing beyond, together!