10 Common Birds in Arizona: Say’s Phoebe, Hairy Woodpecker, Bewick’s Wren (2024)

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Arizona is home to a diverse array of bird species that avid birdwatchers can spot throughout the state. For those new to birding in Arizona, familiarizing yourself with some of the more common birds can help build your identification skills.

From small songbirds to striking raptors, here are 10 frequently seen birds to look for in Arizona along with tips on their key identifying features.

The Say’s Phoebe is a medium-sized flycatcher with a grey-brown back and wings contrasted by a rusty orange belly. Look for them perched upright and wagging their tails. The acrobatic Hairy Woodpecker can be found year-round drilling on trees and utility poles.

They have black and white barred backs and reddish patches on their heads. Bewick’s Wrens are cute little songbirds with long tails that they hold upright.

In addition to focusing on field marks like plumage colors and patterns, also pay attention to behavior, flight patterns, songs and calls. Learning these nuances takes time but is key for confidently identifying species.

Say’s Phoebe

You’ll often spot the Say’s phoebe, with its distinctive tail-bobbing behavior, perched on fences and poles while you’re birding at Arizona state parks like Dead Horse Ranch. An early spring migrant, this large flycatcher species arrives in Arizona to breed in March and April before departing again in September.

Say’s phoebes prefer open habitats like grasslands, meadows, and agricultural areas where they can forage for insects from exposed perches. Listen for their raspy pit-eur calls while watching for their lean build and gray-brown plumage.

Though widespread, loss of habitat makes conservation measures for the Say’s phoebe an important consideration.

Hairy Woodpecker

When hiking the pine woods, keep an eye peeled overhead for the Hairy Woodpecker’s black and white striped back as it clings sideways to tree trunks chiseling away.

1. Primarily eats insects like beetle larvae but also enjoys fruits and nuts.
2. Cavity nesters that hammer holes into dead trees to raise young.
3. Found in open woodlands across most of North America.
4. Males have a small red patch on their heads.
5. Tap rapidly in short bursts while feeding, unlike Downy’s slower tapping.

The Hairy Woodpecker can be tough to spot amongst swaying branches. But learning its key field marks will help any Arizona birder add this forest carpenter to their life list. With patience and a good pair of binoculars, you’ll be rewarded with sightings of these striped bark borers.

Bewick’s Wren

Your ears perk up when that little wren’s bubbly melody fills the air, transporting you to a sunny day under the saguaros. The diminutive Bewick’s Wren is a year-round resident across the deserts and canyons of Arizona.

Seeking shelter in thickets and brush piles, its constant motion and loud song bring cheer.

Come spring, the male will build several nests for his mate to choose among. With his streaked back and long white eyebrow, this friendly sprite blends into the scrub while belting out one of Arizona’s classic tunes.

Though Bewick’s numbers have declined, there’re still many opportunities to enjoy this character of the chaparral.

With its perky attitude and energetic habits, the bewickii subspecies is a defining part of the avifauna in your home state. This charming little songster remains a favorite among Arizona’s birding community.

Juniper Titmouse

The bright and energetic Bewick’s Wren is always a delight to spot, with its bold white eyebrow stripe contrasting against warm brown plumage.

Moving on, the Juniper Titmouse is another characterful find in Arizona. A small gray bird marked by a wispy crest, this species favors pinyon-juniper woodlands year-round. Listen for its variable calls, described as raspy and cat-like. Although inconspicuous at first glance, a Juniper Titmouse advertises its presence with constant vocalizations.

It gleans insects, spiders and seeds from trees, probing crevices with its slim beak. You may glimpse a pair working together, staying in contact through high-pitched chirps. Come spring, they build a neat nest in a tree cavity to raise young. With patience, you can observe the intricate rituals of this hardy resident.

Let’s continue our tour of Arizona’s diverse avifauna and see what other birds await discovery.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

You’ll often see the Black-chinned Hummingbird darting around saguaro flowers during its breeding season in Arizona.

This petite hummingbird is a common sight in the Sonoran Desert, readily identified by its green back and cinnamon undertail. It prefers nectar from penstemons, ocotillos, and agaves, and migrates northward each spring.

The male performs aerial displays to attract a mate, then the female builds a tiny lichen-covered nest on a branch. Though diminutive, these hummingbirds fiercely defend nectar resources, chasing off all intruders.

Keep an eye out for their characteristic chattering call and looping flight as you explore Arizona’s bird habitats. With a little patience, you may be rewarded with a close encounter with this energetic feathered resident.

Common Ground Dove

Round AZ parks, y’all see the tiny ground dove peckin’ ‘long trails. This petite dove, smallest in the continental US, bobs ‘long the ground huntin’ seeds and grains.

1. Six inches tall with scaly plumage in browns and grays
2. Short legs and tail, almost tailless in flight
3. Spotted wings, black bill, reddish eyes
4. Coos and soft hoots
5. Quick evasive flight close to ground

Though urban sprawl threatens their scrub habitat, still plenty ground doves breed here. Watch for their aerial courtship displays. Offer millet and fine seeds to draw ’em near. With keen eyes and patience, you may glimpse the ground dove on a Sonoran stroll.

Phainopepla (tie)

Rollin’ through the desert you’ll spot the creepin’ Phainopepla, a sleek black bird with a fancy crest, perched high in a tree as it scopes out its next juicy berry snack. This songless flycatcher lives in arid woodlands across the Southwest, feastin’ on mistletoe berries and other fruits.

Look for them perched upright on top of trees, fanned tails fluttering. The male’s sharply contrasting white wing patches make this bird unmistakable in flight. Though they occasionally visit suet feeders, these solitary birds prefer natural food sources.

In winter, Phainopeplas wander south through Arizona following ripe berries. So peek up into desert trees to spot this snazzy berry eater! With their crested heads and bright wing patches, these birds add spice to every desert birding trip.

Canyon Towhee

Buddy, the Canyon Towhee’s a sparrow you’ll often spot rummaging in brush piles across Arizona’s rocky canyons and hillsides. This secretive bird blends into the scrub with its rusty brown plumage. It forages on the ground for seeds and insects, using a distinctive double-scratch technique.

Canyon Towhees thrive in arid habitats with plenty of cover like cholla and oak. They’re year-round residents across the Southwest. To find this towhee, explore desert canyons early morning when they’re most active.

Scan scrubby hillsides and check beneath shrubs. With some patience, you’ll be rewarded with sightings of this characteristic southwestern species.

Steller’s Jay

You’ll spot those noisy Steller’s jays all over the pines as you hike through Oak Creek Canyon. These intelligent, social birds favor coniferous forests and can be found year-round across the northern and central parts of our beautiful state.

Listen for their loud, harsh shack-shack calls as they fly between trees. Steller’s jays build large, cup-shaped nests and lay between 2-6 eggs each spring. Omnivorous, they’ll eat just about anything – seeds, nuts, fruits, insects, small animals.

Keep an eye out for these striking blue and black jays on your next walk in the pines. With patience, you’re sure to cross paths with one of these characterful Arizona natives.

Orange-crowned Warbler

The diminutive Orange-crowned Warbler flits actively among branches, seeking insects with nimble golden-olive movements. Look for this species in thickets and woodlands across Arizona as they migrate between their northern nesting and southern wintering grounds.

Orange crowns often go undetected until song reveals them. It’s a repetitive trill rising in pitch. Search for them scanning twigs in restless hovering flight or perched upright on slender branches.

Don’t confuse them with the similar Nashville Warbler. Note the Orange-crown’s complete eye ring and olive back hue compared to the Nashville’s partial eye ring and gray back.

Providing sanctuaries along migration routes allows this delightful species to continue brightening Arizona’s diverse habitats.