Nowhere in North America comes anywhere close to southeastern Arizona
for hummingbird diversity, and this short tour is timed for the peak
season in late summer. An incredible 15 species of these gorgeous
winged gems are possible, and many of them can be found nowhere else in
the US. Anna's, Costa's, Broad-tailed, Black-chinned, Violet-crowned,
Broad-billed, Magnificent and Blue-throated are regular breeders while
Calliope, Rufous and the rare Allen's are late summer and early fall
migrants. There’s even good chances to find White-eared, Lucifer, and
Berylline as well as Plain-capped Starthroat; they are post breeding
vagrants, perhaps even nesting in a good season. The frenzied feeder
activity of dozens of birds of several species pinwheeling nonstop can
be overwhelming, but you can enjoy it while comfortably seated a few
feet away; it's an experience unmatched anywhere else on the continent.
Late summer can also have dramatic monsoon rains, and is prime time for
many southeastern Arizona specialty birds like Elegant Trogon and
Red-faced Warbler, possibly even Mexican rarities like Aztec Thrush or
Rufous-capped Warbler.
Day 1: Tucson.
Afternoon at the fantastic Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, probably the
easiest place to see the brilliant Costa's Hummingbird. Common desert
hummers like Black-chinned, Broad-billed, and Anna's also abound here.
Night in Tucson.
Day 2: Madera Canyon
to Patagonia. Boasting a diverse mix of gaudy species like Arizona
Woodpecker, Painted Redstart and Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, the canyon
is also great for mid-elevation hummers like Broad-tailed, Rufous and
the very large Magnificent and Blue-throated Hummingbirds. The famous
Paton's feeders on the Mexican border are reliable for the amazing
white-bodied Violet-crowned Hummingbird and scores of other common
hummers including the tiny migrant Calliope. Other border specialties
like Thick-billed Kingbird, Gray Hawk, and Lazuli Buntings are regular
in the yard. We'll spend the next two nights in Sierra Vista.
Days 3 - 4:
Huachuca Mountains. These lush mountain canyons are unsurpassed in
North America for their hummingbird diversity, and the huge numbers of
these shimmering birds zipping around the rows of feeders can be truly
mind-boggling. Miller, Ramsey, and Ash Canyons are the best spots to
enjoy the action and marvel at the spectacle, where resident species
are joined by visitors on their migration south.
The
very beautiful and rare White-eared, Berylline, and Lucifer Hummers,
and long-billed Plain-capped Starthroat are almost annual. The canyons
and the nearby San Pedro River also
teem with colorful warblers, flycatchers, vireos, tanagers, grosbeaks,
orioles, thrushes, owls and much more. Night in Portal.
Day 5:
Chiricahua Mountains. Spectacular Cave Creek Canyon and South Fork
support abundant bird life and dramatic scenery, with Elegant Trogons,
Spotted Owls and Montezuma Quail likely, and hummingbirds visiting
feeders right in town. Blue-throated and Violet-crowned are regular,
and the rare Berylline has nested in recent years. Night in Tucson.
Day 6: Departure. You’ll be shuttled to the airport this morning.
