What are Some of the Most Common Birds in Arizona?

Introduction

Arizona is a great place to view a variety of birds. Birding enthusiasts can find everything from the common cactus wren to the exotic painted bunting. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most commonly seen birds in Arizona. The cactus wren, for example, can be found in the Sonoran Desert and the Gamble’s quail is a common sight in the grasslands and scrublands of the state. Some of the other most common birds in Arizona include the black-chinned hummingbird, the northern cardinal, the American goldfinch, etc.

Most Common Arizona Birds

Cactus Wren

The cactus wren is a unique bird that can be found in a variety of habitats in Arizona, including deserts, washes, and cactus forests. This wren is a permanent resident in the state and can be seen year-round. The cactus wren is a medium-sized bird with a long tail and a stout body. It has a brown back, a white belly, and a rusty-colored head. The cactus wren is well-adapted to life in the desert and can be found foraging for food among the cacti.

American Goldfinch

The American goldfinch is a small songbird with a bright yellow body and black wings. It is a common sight in open fields, woodland edges, and gardens. It is a popular bird to watch because it is very active and likes to feed on the seeds of plants. The American goldfinch is a migratory species that flies south in the winter months.

Baltimore Oriole

The Baltimore oriole is a colorful bird with a black head, orange chest, and yellow belly. It can be found in woodlands, orchards, and other areas with a lot of trees. The Baltimore oriole nests near humans, often building its nest in tree branches close to houses. It is a very colorful bird and is a popular subject for bird watching enthusiasts.

Black Phoebe

The black phoebe is a common bird in Arizona. The black phoebe is a small to medium-sized bird with a black body, a white throat, and a gray head that can be found in a variety of habitats, like deserts, grasslands, and riparian areas. Black phoebes build a mud dome around their nests, a unique feature among birds. It is a very active bird that likes to perch on high places and fly catch for its food.

Black-Chinned Hummingbird

The black-chinned hummingbird is a small hummingbird with a green body, black head, and a green back. It can be found near feeders and gardens in a variety of habitats. The black-chinned hummingbird is a territorial species and can be seen chasing away other birds from a food source. It is a very active bird that can be seen hovering near flowers while feeding on nectar.

Northern Cardinal

The northern cardinal is a common bird in Arizona. This bird can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, open fields, and residential areas. The northern cardinal is a medium-sized bird with a red body, a black head, and a yellow crest. It is a very colorful bird that is often seen perched on trees or fence posts.

Blue Grosbeak

The blue grosbeak is a medium-sized bird with a bright blue head and upper parts and a white undersides. It can be found in open woodlands, grasslands, foothills, and deserts. The blue grosbeak has a beautiful song that consists of a variety of whistles and trills. The blue grosbeak is a migratory bird that can be seen in Arizona from the spring to the fall months.

Brown Pelican

The brown pelican is a large seabird that can be found in a variety of habitats, including coastal wetlands, estuaries, and open ocean. The brown pelican is a resident species in Arizona and can be seen year-round. This pelican has a large body, a long neck, and a large head. It has a brown body, a white neck and breast, and a yellow bill. The brown pelican is a very large bird and is the only species of pelican found in North America and has a large wingspan of up to eight feet.

Cassin’s Auklet

The Cassin’s auklet is a small seabird that can be found in rocky areas along the coast of Arizona. The Cassin’s auklet is a resident species in Arizona and can be seen year-round. This auklet has a small body, a short tail, and a slender bill. It has a gray body, a white belly, and a black head. Cassin’s auklet is a nocturnal forager that can be seen swimming and diving for its food and can often be seen flying around at night searching for food.

Cedar Waxwing

The cedar waxwing is a small bird with a brown body, a cream-colored belly, red crest and a bright yellow tail. It can be found in open woodlands and shrub areas. The cedar waxwing is a sociable bird that lives in flocks of up to a hundred individuals. The cedar waxwing is a migratory bird that can be seen in Arizona from the spring to the fall months. This bird is known for its beautiful song, which consists of a variety of whistles and trills.

Channel Migrant Warbler

The channel migrant warbler is a small, brown bird with a white wing bar that can be found in grassy areas near bodies of water. The channel migrant warbler is a long-distance migrator and one of the first birds to arrive in Arizona each spring. 

Common Raven

The common raven is a large, all-black bird with a sound that can be heard from afar. It is a scavenger and can often be seen searching for food in a variety of habitats. The common raven is a resident species in Arizona and can be seen year-round. This bird has a large body, a long neck, and a large head. The common raven is a very intelligent bird and is known for its ability to solve complex problems.

Cooper’s Hawk

The Cooper’s hawk is a small to medium-sized raptor with a grey back and a reddish bar on its chest. It prefers wooded areas but can also be seen in meadows and open grasslands. The Cooper’s hawk is a fierce predator that will often prey on a variety of animals, including rodents, birds, and reptiles. This hawk is a resident species in Arizona and can be seen year-round. The Cooper’s hawk is a very agile bird and is known for its ability to pursue prey through the trees.

Double Crested Cormorant

The double-crested cormorant is a large water bird that can be found near a variety of aquatic habitats, including lakes, rivers, and estuaries. This cormorant has a large body, a long neck, and a large head. It has a black body, a white neck and breast, and a yellow bill. The double crested cormorant is a great fisher, often diving deep into the water in search of a meal.

Downy Woodpecker

This woodpecker has a black body, a white head and back, and a black stripe down the middle of its back. The downy woodpecker is a frequent visitor to bird feeders and can be seen year-round in a variety of habitats. This bird is known for its quick movements and for being able to extract insects from trees by pecking at the bark.

Painted Bunting

Finally, the painted bunting is a brightly-colored songbird that can be found in a variety of habitats throughout Arizona. The male’s bright blue, red, and yellow plumage make it a stunning sight! And the painted bunting is a popular backyard bird that will visit a feeder if offered a variety of foods. The Painted Bunting is a migratory bird and can be seen in Arizona from the spring to the fall months.

Where can you find these birds in Arizona?

No matter where you live in Arizona, a variety of colorful and interesting birds can be found in a multitude of habitats throughout Arizona including forests, meadows, wetlands, and near bodies of water. Each bird has a unique appearance including the common raven, Cooper’s hawk, double-crested cormorant, downy woodpecker, painted bunting, and a variety of other bird species that can be easily recognized with a little bit of practice. From coastal shorelines to open woodlands, there are many amazing Arizona birds that will bring a bit of joy into your life!