Arizona Bird Call

On November 1, 2023 the American Ornithological Society, the scientific authority on the naming of bird species in the Americas, announced it will no longer allow birds to be named for people, and that it will begin a process to replace English bird names that have been named for people in the past. We will have the official announcement. Bird of the week: Horned Lark. Birding hotspot: San Carlos...

U.S. Supreme Court hands down ruling that limits EPA's authority to regulate commercial development of wetlands. Rio Rico residents and a consortium of environmentalists and wildlife conservation organizations challenge effort to bring commercial development to riparian corridors within the Rio Rico watershed. The proposal was withdrawn. Bird of the week: House Finch. Birding hotspot: Horsesh...

A report titled 'Residential Neighborhood Diversity Study' by the The Central Arizona–Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAP LTER) program. Bird of the episode: Greater Roadrunner. Birding hotspot: Roosevelt Lake at the headwaters of the Salt River. Friend of wildlife organization: VIDA Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Yuma. Calendar of bird-friendly events coming up in Arizona.

Greater Phoenix has more than 1,400 artificial lakes. A report on a study conducted by faculty and students affiliated with The Central Arizona–Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAP LTER) program. A description of the Zen Curtain device for preventing bird collisions with windows and other reflective surfaces. Bird of the Episode: the Great Egret. Birding Hotspot: Granite Reef Diversion Dam o...

An introduction to Birdcast from Cornell Lab of Ornithology, an app that tracks and visualizes birds in migration in real time across North America. A discussion of trees that attract birds to Western lands and forests. How Icelanders are saving Puffins from possible extinction by capturing newly fledged pufflings and throwing them into the sea. Bird of the episode: Common Loon. Birding hotspot: C...

Rare bird sightings in Maricopa County in late September. Includes a Great Crested Flycatcher and Sabine's Gull. A commentary on migration habits of White Winged Doves by Charles J. Babbitt, author of Birds of Arizona, What to Know and Where to Go. Bird of the week: Grace's Warbler. Birding Hotspot: Mormon Lake in Coconino County. Friend of Wildlife organization: White Mountain Nature Ce...

The movement to replace the names of people attached to bird names with names that specifically describe the species is gaining momentum, and not just among birders. Bird of the week: Great Horned Owl. Birding hotspot: Harcuvar Mountains Wilderness in LaPaz County. Friend of Wildlife: Hassayampa River Preserve near Wickenburg. Calendar of bird-friendly events coming up in October.

A report on the Arizona Field Ornithologist's recent successful field expedition to Arizona's Santa Cruz riparian region in search of the Green Kingfisher. Bird of the episode: the Gray Hawk. Birding hotspot: Riggs Lake, Mt. Graham's 'crown jewel.' Friend-of-wildlife initiative, Arizona Game and Fish Department's Focus Wild Arizona. Calendar of bird-friendly events co...

A look at 8 'spark birds' that draw youngsters (and the young at heart) into birding. An introduction to the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher by Matt Griffiths at Tucson Audubon. Bird of the week: Golden Eagle. Birding Hotspot: Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area. Friend of wildlofe organization: Arizona Natural History Association. Calendar of bird-friendly events coming up in Arizona.

For some blind and visually impaired persons birding by ear has become a lifelong passion. Their ranks are swelling, and birding trails in Arizona and elsewhere are undergoing changes to become more accessible to visually impaired and otherwise disabled birders. Bird of the week: Hepatic Tanager. Birding hotspot: Gillespie Wash in Graham County. Friend of wildlife organization: Arizona Association...

A Hurricane Hilary follow-up... a look at research that investigates where birds go during a hurricane and other major weather events. A report on a wildlife overpass planned for Interstate 40 near Flagstaff that will allow Elk, Deer, Pronghorn and other large mammals to cross the highway unimpeded by vehicular traffic. Bird of the episode: Glossy Ibis. Birding hotspot: Tempe Town Lake. Friend-of-...

A report on recent research that shows hummingbirds actively prey on an invasive insect that has been devastating blueberry, raspberry, blackberry and other fruit crops. Growers are installing hummingbird feeders in berry patches to attract them. Bird of the week: Eared Grebe. Birding hotspot: Riggs and Price Road ponds in Maricopa County. Friend of wildlife organization: biological sciences progr...

A sampling of July 2023 postings to the American Birding Association Arizona-New Mexico listserv by seasoned birders in Yuma County and southeastern Arizona. Bird of the episode: Dark-eyed Junco. Birding Hotspot: Rousseau Sod Farm complex at Scottsdale. Friend of Wildlife organization: Friends of the Ironwood Forest. Calendar of bird-friendly events coming up in Arizona.

A report on new scientific evidence that changes in atmospheric pressure affect bird behavior in migration. More specifically, studies have found that departure times during migration can be predicted with weather data.  Another report on bi-partisan support for continuation of the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Bird of the epis...

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has restored protection for the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl based on accumulating evidence it is struggling to maintain its nesting range in the Tucson area. Once listed as endangered that status was set aside in the face of pressure from developers. Bird of the episode: the Downy Woodpecker. Birding hotspot: the remote Vekol Wash in the south-central Arizona border...

A report on the devastating Diamond wildfire west of Scottsdale earlier this summer posted by the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy.  An assessment of its impact on the McDowell Conservancy Preserve and surrounding desert landscape is underway. A report from the BBC on how Magpies in Europe have turned the tables on human efforts to discourage their presence where it is not wanted by using anti-bird sp...

A report on how the uniquely southwestern Lucy's Warbler got its name, and the controversy over whether to replace it. Lucy Baird was an extraordinarily successful ornithologist who helped establish the Smithsonian Institution as the premier scientific repository for bird identification and categorization. Bird of the episode: the Kingbird. Birding hotspot: St. John's Sewage Treatment Po...

Caring for birdwatching equipment in the wild including binoculars, photography gear, video cameras. An introduction to the Greater Roadrunner, fearless predator of the Sonoran desert. Bird-of-the-episode: Crissal Thrasher. Birding Hotspot: Jacques Marsh atop the Mogollon Rim near Show Low, AZ. Friend-of-wildlife organization: Friends of Tonto National Forest. Calendar of bird-friendly events comi...

Maricopa Audubon Society bird list update including new recent sightings. Results of the Global Big Day bird survey, the most data ever gathered by eBird. Bird of the episode: Cooper's Hawk. Birding hotspot: Chiricahua Mountains region of southeastern Arizona. Friend-of-wildlife organization: Rocky Mountain Research Station based in Colorado that has a field office with staff at Flagstaff. Ca...

A report on how birds and other wildlife keep cool during the heat of the Arizona summer. Bird of the episode: Crested Caracara. Birding Hotspot: Big Horn Mountains Wilderness. Friend of wildlife: Arizona Ecological Services Field Office. Calendar of bird-friendly events coming up in Arizona.

A description of 'Arizona warblers,' six warbler species endemic to Arizona according to noted Arizona birder Charles J. Babbitt, author of Birding Arizona: What to Know, Where to Go. Bird of the episode: Costa's Hummingbird. Birding hotspot: Fool Hollow Lake State Park. Friend of wildlife organization: American Bird Conservancy. Calendar of bird friendly events coming up in Arizona...

A report on research that demonstrates birds are becoming smaller. A team of scientists recently compared data collected over many decades that documents how birds have shrunk, especially small birds. Bird of the episode, the Common Yellowthroat. Birding hotspot: the Baboquivari Peak Wilderness.  Friend of Wildlife organization: Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center. Calendar of bird friend...

An overview of numerous studies on the impact of tracking technology including the installation of physical tracking devices on migrating birds. These include acoustic (audio) tracking, leg bands, collars, wing tags and full-body harnesses.  Bird-of-the-week: Cordilleran Flycatcher. Birding hotspot: Confluence of the Little Colorado River and Silver Creek in northeast Arizona. Friend of Wildlife:...

A report by Tucson Audubon Society on how to attract night birds to your yard. Information about scholarships and other opportunities for youth and college students interested in nature studies. Bird of the week: Dusky Flycatcher. Birding Hotspot: Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness. Friend of wildlife organization: Wildlife for Tomorrow. Calendar of bird-friendly events coming up in Arizona.

A report by the Arizona Republic on how the municipality of Queen Creek in Maricopa County is working to acquire water rights to support expected growth in that community. The plan proposes construction of wastewater recharge ponds that have proven to be magnets for waterfowl and other wild birds. Bird of the episode: Meadowlark. Birding Hotspot: Rock Art Ranch in northeastern Arizona. Friend of w...