Beginning Birding: Southwest Birdwatching

Let’s face it – birding gets a bad reputation. When I tell people I am an avid birder as a young woman, I am typically not the demographic they might have pictured throwing on a pair of binoculars in the early morning to hopefully catch a glimpse of a rare Buff-Breasted Flycatcher. To be honest, I never even imagined myself getting into birds.

I was once a teen who rolled my eyes at my poor mother every time she slowed the car down to ogle at a passing hawk (a fact that she delights in bringing up to me now as I point out birds on our hikes together), but this changed after I was forced to take an Ornithology class in order to complete my major.

After handling birds up close, learning the intricacies of countless species, the mating dances, the calls, the structural changes different birds possess to function (I mean, did you know that woodpeckers keep their tongues wrapped around their brains to prevent headaches? Now you do), I walked away with two big ideas – birds are amazing, and I want to see as many of them as I can.

Luckily, in my humble opinion, I live in the best place to do this: The American Southwest.  

Utah and Arizona each are home to over 450 bird species and are a migratory path for thousands more. In fact, during peak migration season (February-May) as many as 1 million birds will fly over Utah’s skies in one single evening! The diversity of ecosystems, temperate climates, and scenic landscapes make these two states a bird lover’s paradise.

In this article, I am going to break down the best seasons and places to find birds in Arizona and Utah, how to find them, and hopefully convince you that birdwatching is not just your grandmother’s sport (but if your grandmother needs a birding partner, I always welcome new friends).   

So – where does one begin? 

The thing that I find the coolest about birds is their unpredictability. Any area might host a different population of birds at any given time. Since they are so “flighty” (sorry), you first need to know which habitats to visit and the best time of year to see the most birds, or a particular bird, in that area. Utah and Arizona provide a unique opportunity of being able to see the three main habitats in each state, so let’s break these down: 

Habitat One: Wetlands 

Water-rich habitats such as marshes, swamps, or lakes, these will be home to your web footed, large billed, swimming or wading variety, such as ducks, pelicans, and cranes.  

Best time of year to visit

• Spring (Late March to May): Wetlands come alive during spring migration, attracting a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds. This is a fantastic time to observe birds in their breeding feathers, which are often more vibrant.  
• Fall (September to October): During fall migration, many bird species use wetlands as stopover points, making it an excellent time to see a mix of resident and migratory (sometimes rare) birds. 

Habitat Two: Mountains 

High elevation habitats with cooler temperatures and alpine forests, these contain large swaths of rotating song birds, birds of prey, and migratory explorers, depending on the time of year.  

Best time of year to visit:

• Spring (Late April to May): Spring is an excellent time to visit the mountainous regions as many migratory birds return to their breeding grounds after spending the winters in warmer climates, such as Mexico (sounds nice).  
• Summer (June to August): During the summer months, mountain birds are actively breeding, and you have a chance to observe various species raising their new babies.  

Habitat Three: Deserts 

Arid regions with limited rainfalls, this habitat creates a rough, but gorgeous habitat for our Wiley E. Coyote chasing, warm weathered friends and those that may enjoy the protection of a cactus dwelling.  

Best time of year to visit:  

• Spring (March to May): Spring is a prime time to explore desert habitats before it is too hot. Migratory birds pass through the region during their northward journey en route to the cooler forests.  
• Fall (September to October): As birds begin their southward migration back to their Mexico vacation homes, the fall is a great time to see species moving through the desert landscapes of the Southwest. 

Destination: Birding  

Now that you know the best time of year to visit each habitat, here are some of favorite areas in the Southwest for birding! I’ll also list some of the most common birds you’ll see here and the more rare or “exciting” bird you can find – if you’re competitive like me and looking for a little challenge.  

Wetlands:  

Utah 

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge - Located near Brigham City, this expansive wetland area is a haven for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and marsh birds. 

• Most Common: Canada Goose, Mallard  
• Most Rare/Exciting: Black-necked Stilt, Virginia Rail 

Arizona 

Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area - Famous for its wintering sandhill cranes (I’ve seen as many as 20,000 cranes here at once!), this wetland area is also frequented by waterfowl and shorebirds. 

• Most Common: American Coot, Northern Shoveler  
• Most Rare/Exciting: Sandhill Crane, Ross's Goose 

Mountains 

Utah 

Alta Ski Area- nestled in the Wasatch Mountains, this area hosts bird species typical of montane and subalpine habitats, such as mountain chickadees and red-breasted nuthatches. You can even join Tracy Aviary for ski and birding adventures in the early spring! 

• Most Common: Mountain Bluebird, Black-capped Chickadee  
• Most Rare/Exciting: Calliope Hummingbird, Townsend's Solitaire  

Arizona 

Chiricahua Mountains - These mountains offer diverse habitats and are known for rare bird sightings, including the Elegant trogon (a personal one on my “lifer list”) and Montezuma quail. 

• Most Common: Hermit Thrush, Western Bluebird  
• Most Rare/Exciting: Elegant Trogon, Grace's  

Desert 

Utah 

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve - This desert reserve near St. George hosts various desert birds, including Gambel's quail, roadrunners, and desert specialties. 

• Most Common: Gambel's Quail, Cactus Wren  
• Most Rare/Exciting: Elf Owl, Lucy’s Warbler 

Arizona 

Sonoran Desert National Monument - A vast desert landscape (and the one that I lovingly call home) with unique desert bird species like Gila woodpeckers, Cactus wrens, and Gilded flickers. 

• Most Common: Cactus Wren, Verdin  
• Most Rare/Exciting: Lucifer Hummingbird, Gilded Flicker 

Modern Birding Requires Modern Solutions 

While my Gen-Z sister might not agree, I’m always one for keeping up with the trends. Long gone are the days of listening to recordings of birdcalls and trying to memorize them before a hike – we now have apps for that!

I do think there is something truly special once you recognize a bird call on your own for the first time, or ID a bird just by the yellow of its belly and the curve of its bill, but these things take practice and there are some great resources to help you in this journey.  

One of the most widely known and used is E-Bird. Birders will report their sightings at any location so you know what is being seen there, any rare birds, and how many birds might be at a spot before going.

Merlin Bird App is another one of my favorites. This app has both Sound ID and Sight ID, which can listen to a bird call and tell you who is singing those beautiful arias or walk you through simple ID questions to help identify what feathered cutie you’re staring at.  

Additionally, you can check out local resources like your state’s Audobon chapter to find state bird species lists and birding trips.  

The best way to find birds is to just get out there! Put on your favorite outdoor clothes, fire up those binoculars, use the resources listed, and spend some time in nature with 400-500 of your closest feathered friends.