When one thinks of the desert, one thinks “dry” and “dead”. However, one finds on closer inspection a variety of plants, insects, animals and birds inhabit this unique ecosystem.
In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the most common backyard birds in Arizona. We’ll give a brief description of their appearance, as well as what they eat and whether they migrate or not. So grab your binoculars and get ready to birdwatch!
Cactus Wren
The Cactus Wren is the State Bird of Arizona. It is the largest wren in the United States. It is a rare bird to find and builds a football nest with an entrance tunnel.
The males and females look alike. They are brown-speckled birds with white eyebrows that extend from their bills to above their eyes. Their sides are a pale cinnamon color and their chests are white-speckled. The tail has black and white bars.
Cactus Wrens are unique in that they seem fearless and do not hide in vegetation as other wrens do. They like to perch on top of cacti and others. They also do not cock their tails over their backs either, as other wrens do rather fan their tail feathers showing off the white tips.
Cactus Wrens live in areas where there are thorny shrubs and prickly pears.
Here are some of the Most Common Backyard Birds in Arizona
1. Red-winged Blackbird
Red-winged blackbirds are one of the most common medium-sized songbirds native to North America and found year-round in Arizona. They have one of the most distinctive sounds that you will hear in a Colorado marsh. They are typically found near water sources and also around agricultural fields.
The males are striking birds that are completely black with red shoulder patches, and white wing bars. The females are brown-black with faintly marked wings.
Red-winged blackbirds migrate in flocks of up to 2,000 birds. They breed in the boreal and temperate forests, mostly in North America, and spend their winters in the southern United States and Central America.
2. Western Bluebird
The Western Bluebird is a small thrush with blue upperparts and a rusty-orange breast, with a white belly and throat. The female looks like the male but is duller in color. Western Bluebirds are found in open woodlands, often near water sources such as ponds or streams.
These backyard birds are mostly found in the western United States, from British Columbia to Mexico. In Arizona, they are year-round residents adding some colour to the landscape. Western bluebirds typically form monogamous pairs and use nest boxes for breeding.
3. Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal is a common bird that is native to North America and found in Arizona all year around. It is a medium-sized songbird, about the size of a robin.
Northern Cardinals are known for their reddish color and the pointed crest on their head, which they can raise to show aggression. They have a solid red color on their chest and head. The male has a black mask that covers the upper half of his face, while the female has a brown mask.
These birds can migrate long distances to find new food sources.
4. Brown-headed Cowbird
The Brown-headed Cowbird is a common bird in southern Canada and the United States. They are usually seen in small flocks often with other blackbirds, like the red-winged blackbird or common grackle. They can be found all year round in Arizona. This bird is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other passerine birds, including those of other cowbirds. They can be found in open woods, farmlands, and stockyards.
The brown-headed cowbird has a stout bill, short tail, and stocky body. Males are glossy black with a chocolate brown heads. Females are gray-brown overall, without bold streaks, but slightly paler throats. The males will chase other males away from the female, and then establish a territory before mating with the female. They are insectivores that forage by walking on the ground.
5. American Crow
The American Crow is a large passerine, or perching bird, with all-black plumage. They are one of the most intelligent birds in North America and can be found all over but tend to prefer urban areas to rural areas. They’re omnivores, meaning that they eat plant and animal matter.
The American Crow is a comparatively large bird. It is about the size of the Common Raven, but with a larger bill. The bill will usually be yellow in color with a pinkish cast. The legs and feet are black, and the eyes are dark brown.
Crows are known for their intelligence and resourcefulness. They are considered to be the most intelligent of all birds, and even of all animals. As a result, they have been able to adapt to a wide variety of environments, including many urban centres. One behavior that has helped them survive in these areas is the ability of some members (usually males) of the group to migrate.
6. Eurasian Collared-Dove
The Eurasian Collared-Dove is not a migratory bird and is found all year round in Arizona. Over the last century, the Eurasian Collared-Dove has been one of the great colonisers of the bird world. They have a wide distribution in the USA. They feed close to human habitation and also visit bird tables. The largest populations are found on farms around grain stores. Flocks commonly number between 10 and 50.
The Eurasian Collared-Dove is a medium-sized dove, distinctly smaller than the wood pigeon, but a similar length to a rock pigeon, although slimmer and with a longer tail. There is no difference between males and females. They are grey-buff to pinkish-gray, and darker on top, with a blue-grey underwing patch. The tail feathers are grey-buff above, and dark grey and tipped white below; the outer tail feathers are also tipped whitish above. It has a black half-collar edged with white on its nape from which it gets its name. The short legs are red and the bill is black. The eye is surrounded by a small area of bare skin, which is either white or yellow.
The Eurasian collared dove makes a harsh loud screeching call lasting about two seconds, particularly in flight just before landing.
7. Mourning Dove
Mourning doves are small songbirds that live in North America. They are very sensitive to habitat changes and can be found in rural and suburban areas throughout the year. They are primarily granivores. They perch on telephone wires and forage for seeds on the ground; their flight is fast and bullet straight. Their soft, drawn-out calls sound like a lament, hence the name “Mourning Dove”.
A graceful, slender-tailed, small-headed dove, mourning doves are light gray and brown and generally muted in color. Males and females are similar in appearance. The species is generally monogamous.
8. White-winged Dove
White-winged Doves are mainly summer residents of Arizona and can be seen there from March to September. However, some individuals will there for the whole year.
White-winged Doves have a grayish-brown faces with black stripes on the cheeks and a black strip at the edges of the closed wings. The underparts of the wings are white, hence the name White-winged Dove. Males and females look are similar.
They eat seeds and berries.
9. House Finch
House finches are small brown birds. Their diet consists of seeds, buds, fruits and insects.
Male House Finches have a red, orange, or yellow cap, breast and rump. The females are brown.
House finches are permanent residents of Arizona throughout the year.
10. Northern Flicker
Northern flickers are medium-sized woodpeckers and are the only member of their family to commonly perch on trees rather than clinging to them. They can be identified by their characteristic red breast and black belly band. The males have a red moustache mark which distinguishes them from the females. Both sexes have a brown back with black bars. Their wings show yellow underparts when they fly.
Flickers are ground-feeding woodpeckers and eat ants and beetles, which they find by probing beneath the ground with their long tongues. Most woodpeckers have tongues that are adapted to spear and extract insects from wood, but the flicker’s tongue is a bit different and helps it lap up large numbers of ants. In winter, they also eat fruits and nuts. Suet feeders and platform feeders with whole nuts on it can attract Northern Flickers to your garden.
Northern Flickers are not migratory birds in Arizona and are found there all year round, but they may move around to find food or mates.
10. Lesser Goldfinch
Lesser Goldfinches are small songbirds that are common backyard birds, found all year round in Arizona, although small populations can be found throughout the USA. They are known for their cheerful song.
Male Lesser Goldfinches are yellow-brown on their back and underbelly with a black streak going down the center of their face. Females have brown heads with tan upper parts, while males have deep brown heads with olive upper parts.
They can be found in large flocks in open habitats, including thickets, weedy fields, forest clearings, parks, and gardens. Lesser goldfinches eat a variety of seeds, fruits, and insects. They often feed on thistle seeds and sunflower seeds.
11. Great-tailed Grackle
Great-tailed Grackles live in Arizona all year round. Great-tailed Grackles’ diet consists of grains, seeds, and fruit, as well as insects and other animals such as worms, beetles, spiders, bees, slugs, and snails. They will also sometimes eat small mammals and lizards as well as eggs and nestlings.
They are long slender blackbirds. The males are iridescent black with piercing yellow eyes and have impressive long tapered tails. Females are also long-legged and slender but are dark brown on the back and lighter brown underneath, with a more slender tail.
Great-tailed Grackles can be found in the West and Midwest in agricultural and urban areas, generally where there are humans.
12. Anna’s Hummingbird
These beautiful creatures are small and can often be seen darting around gardens and backyard feeders. Anna’s Hummingbirds are found in a variety of habitats across Arizona all year round.
The males have iridescent emerald feathers and rose-pink throats that sparkle. They are no bigger than a ping-pong ball. The females are metallic emerald green on the back with grayish feathers in front and a tinge of pink on the throat.
They primarily feed on nectar from flowers but will also eat insects for protein.
13. Black-chinned Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbirds spend the summer in Arizona. They eat nectar, small insects, and spiders. Their tongues can lick 13-17 times per second when feeding on nectar.
They are dull metallic green on the back and grayish-white underneath. The males have a black throat with a thin iridescent purple base, and the females have a pale throat and white tips on the tail feathers.
14. Dark-eyed Junco
The Dark-eyed Junco is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, brushy areas, and at backyard bird feeders. They are a migratory bird, spending the winter in Arizona and migrating further north in the summer months. They often form flocks outside of breeding season.
The Dark-eyed Junco is a medium-sized sparrow with a rounded head, short bill, and long tail. The upper parts are grayish brown, and the underparts are whitish with dark streaks on the sides. The juncos breeding in California mountains have darker gray upper parts and more distinct streaking than those of other regions. The female is usually duller than the male. Both sexes have pinkish brown legs and feet.
Diet consists mostly of insects and seeds. In winter, when insects are scarce, they will eat more berries and fruits.
15. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a tiny songbird that is found in woodlands throughout North America. They typically migrate to the south in winter and are found in Arizona during this season. They build their nests in coniferous trees, often high up in the branches.
The male has a striking ruby-red crown, while the female’s crown is more subdued. These little birds are constantly on the move as they forage for insects among the branches and leaves. In winter, they often form large flocks and can be seen in backyard bird feeders.
As backyard birds, they are not particularly shy and will often approach humans if they think there is food available. Ruby-crowned Kinglets eat a diet of insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. In winter, they will also consume small fruits and berries. To attract these birds to your garden, put out a mix of sunflower seeds and insects.
16. Northern Mockingbird
The Mockingbird is good at mimicking other animals, sirens and crickets, as well as their own species. Studies have shown that the Mockingbird can sing up to 200 songs, including the songs of other creatures like birds, frogs and other animals. They are found all year round in Arizona.
Their diet consists mainly of insects, fruits, and nectar. They migrate to the Southern United States to escape the colder winters.
17. White-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatches are common visitors to backyard bird feeders in Arizona, where they are found all year round. The name “nuthatch” is believed to have been derived from the old English word “nut-hack”. It describes how the birds wedge their food, whether it be nuts, seeds or insects, into crevices on the bark of trees. They then hack at the food to tear it apart with their beaks.
Both sexes look the same, except the males have a black cap on the top of their heads, whereas the females display more of a gray crown. White-breasted Nuthatches are gray-blue on the back, with a white face and underparts. The black or gray cap and neck frame the “face, “ making it appear as if the bird is wearing a hood. The lower belly and under the tail are often chestnut in color.
They are often found flocking with other small birds such as Golden-crowned Kinglets and Carolina Wrens. They clamber up and down tree trunks when foraging by going head-first and also sidling along larger branches, constantly probing in the gaps and holes in bark for food.
18. Black Phoebe
The Black Phoebe is a small passerine bird in the flycatcher family. This bird is typically found nesting in colonies near streams, rivers, ponds, or lakes. Its nest is a mud cup attached to a vertical surface such as a cliff, building, or bridge support. It is a permanent resident in much of its range, but some may migrate more south in winter. The Black Phoebe is a fairly common backyard bird year-round in Arizona.
Both sexes have similar plumage. They are about six inches long with a black body and wings, a white belly, and a long tail that is often cocked. The bill and legs are black.
Black Phoebes have a slow wing beat and often hover above water before dipping down to catch prey. They often perch on low branches or wires and make quick sallies to snatch insects in mid-air.
19. Say’s Phoebe
Say’s Phoebes are slender-tailed flycatchers. They can be found all year round in Arizona. The head often appears to be flat on top, but the feathers form a small peak at the back of the head when they raise their feathers.
Male and female Say’s Phoebes look similar. They are pale brownish gray on the upper parts, with a cinnamon-colored belly and a gray breast. The tail is blackish. tail, and a gray breast and they have a wingbar.
Say’s Phoebe in similar fashion to other phoebes often wags its tail when perching.
When foraging, they mostly perch low down on twigs, snatching a flying insect and returning to the same perch. They can be found in open country which it is mostly dry and almost barren. They are often found in sagebrush, Badlands, and canyons. They are found near buildings and are not as commonly found around water as other phoebes are.
20. Common Raven
The Common Raven is the largest member of the crow family. It can be found in woodlands, mountains, and deserts across North America.
They are all black with a glossy sheen.
Ravens are scavengers and will eat about anything, from rodents to other birds. They are also known to cache food for later. Ravens are not migratory but will move to new areas if food becomes scarce. Common Ravens are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
21. American Robin
American robins are medium-sized, mostly slender birds with pointed bills. They have a long tail that is usually drooped, which helps them to balance in trees.
Their plumage is predominately brownish-gray on their upper parts and they have a white or cream throat, breast and belly. The male has a reddish-orange patch in the front of his otherwise brown head while the female’s coloring is less vibrant.
The American Robin can be found in Arizona year-round.
22. Chipping Sparrow
The chipping sparrow is a small, ground-dwelling bird that has a fairly large range in North America. They are widespread throughout most of North America and are found year-round in Arizona. Usually found in open woodlands, scrubby areas, or even suburban settings. They often gather in flocks in fall and winter. Visits feeders. Frequently heard singing a fairly dry trill.
The Chipping Sparrow is small and slender, with a grayish breast, rusty cap, and black eyeline in the breeding season. In winter the coloring is not as bright in winter, but it still shows a brown cap and dark eyeline. Juveniles are extensively streaky. The male and female are similar in appearance, but the male is slightly more colorful.
23. House Sparrow
House sparrows are the most common bird in North America. Though they are not a songbird, they do have a chirping sound that is often used to signal warnings or disagreements with other birds. The house sparrow has brownish-gray body feathers and black speckles on their white breast feathers.
They are found year-round in Arizona.
24. Song Sparrow
The Song Sparrow is another backyard bird commonly found in Arizona all year round. As their name suggests, these sparrows are known for their beautiful song, which they use to attract mates and ward off predators.
They typically nest in trees and bushes but prefer open areas with some bushes or trees nearby. This provides them with places to hide from predators and build their nests.
The Song Sparrow is a medium-sized bird with streaked brown upper parts and whitish underparts. The male has a gray breast and a head, while the female has duller colors. Both sexes have a reddish-brown mark on their throats called a “throat patch.” This patch is larger in males and is used to attract mates. Male Song Sparrows also have a dark brown streak on their heads that is not present in females. This streak is used to intimidate other males during the breeding season. Male Song Sparrows also tend to be larger than females.
The two sexes sing different songs, with male songs being longer and more complex. Male song sparrows also sing more often than females, which is how they attract mates. Females usually only sing when they are defending their territory or attracting a mate.
The diet of the Song Sparrow consists of insects, spiders, and seeds.
25. White Crowned Sparrow (Nuttalli)
The White Crowned Sparrow (nuttalli) is found in Arizona during the winter months. They move in flocks.
It has a black-and-white head, pale beak, and crisp gray breast.
The diet of the White Crowned Sparrow consists of insects, seeds, and berries.
26. European Starling
Starlings are migratory birds that have adapted to the agricultural landscapes of Europe. They have developed an incubation period from the natural 18-21 days, to a shorter 11-12 days in order to ensure that their eggs hatch before migration. This is done so they can provide their young with ample food upon arrival at their destination. They are found all year round in Arizona.
The European Starling is a stocky blackbird with a short tail and long, slender beak. In flight their wings are short and pointed, giving them a star-like appearance, and hence the name “starling”. At a distance, starlings appear black. In summer they turn an iridescent purplish-green with yellow beaks; in winter their plumage is brown, covered in brilliant white spots.
29. Abert’s Towhee
Abert’s Towhee is a large sparrow. They are found year-round in Arizona.
Males and females look similar. The bill is short and cone-shaped. The body is long for a sparrow and the tail is also longer. The shape of the bird resemble the Northern Cardinal although the bill is smaller and it does not have a crest. Abert’s Towhees are a gray-brown on the upper parts and pink-brown underneath. They have a rust-coloured undertail and black forming a border around the gray bill.
They are foragers, spending most of their time on the ground beneath dense undergrowth. They seldom fly or perch on high trees. They prefer the dense coverage along streams and riverbeds with cottonwoods, willows, or mesquite.
30. Verdin
The Verdin is a cheerful all-year resident in Arizona, with its yellow head and chestnut-colored shoulder patches. They are found living among desert grass and around acacias, junipers and hackberry oaks.
These tiny birds with small heads are gray with yellow heads and chestnut-colored shoulder patches.
They constantly flit foraging for insects and spiders and often hang upside down while investigating a hard-to-reach area. They also eat fruits and nectar.
Verdins’ nests are unusually spherical. Although they look similar to chickadees, they are in an entirely different family. They build nests for breeding and then smaller nests for roosting during the winter.
31. Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warblers are summer visitors to Arizona.
Yellow Warblers are egg-yolk yellow birds with patches that flash yellow in the tail. Males have reddish streaks on the underparts. Both sexes flash yellow patches in the tail.
The Yellow Warbler primarily eats insects and will not visit backyard feeders, but can be seen picking insects from foliage of trees and bushes.
32. Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warblers are winter birds in Arizona that are mainly spotted from September to May.
Males are gray with flashes of yellow on the face, sides, and rump and white in the wings. Females may be slightly brown, and winter birds are paler brown with bright yellow rumps and sides turning bright yellow and gray again in spring.
33. Gila Woodpecker
The Gila Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker. It lives in the desert regions of the Southwestern US. They are found all year round in Arizona.
The males are gray-brown with black and white bars on their wings, backs and tails. When in flight, their outwings are black with a white crescent-shaped patch. The males have a red patch on the crown. Females look similar but without the red crown.
Gila Woodpeckers spend most of the day foraging in trees and saguaro cacti. Their diet consists of insects.
They are territorial and will perch and call, then make short flights and drive out any other woodpeckers or songbirds that would try to trespass. The best place to find them is in stands of saguaro cacti, although they are also commonly found around small towns and thus making them a common backyard bird in Arizona.
FAQ
What can I do to encourage wild birds in my yard?
To encourage wild birds in your backyard, you must provide a source of water and food. This can be done with bird baths and bird feeders. For a more natural experience, try adding some flowers or plants around your yard to attract different species of birds.
How do I identify the birds around my backyard in Arizona?
The best way to identify the birds in your backyard is by looking at their feathers. Their beaks tell you what they like to eat. Their feet tell you if they perch, hop or wade (although the latter are rare finds in the desert).
What birds are most common in Arizona?
33 of the Most Common Backyard Birds in Arizona will give you a small preview of what you can find in the State.
Are woodpeckers endangered?
Woodpeckers are classified as being at risk. The number of red, black, and white woodpeckers have been declining over the last seventy years. The main reason for this decrease is the loss of nesting sites due to deforestation, development and expanding agriculture.
Why might there be lots of small birds flying and diving?
It is possible that the birds are looking for food such as flying insects or there could be a predator nearby. Without further observations, it is impossible to know what is driving their behavior.
What kind of blackbirds seem to congregate on power lines?
Blackbirds are a common sight at power lines, but why? Scientists believe that the blackbirds congregate at these power lines because this is an excellent place to find food. The electricity can kill bugs, which the blackbirds can easily feed on.