The Southwest has no shortage of places to go birding and, for many, the hard part is deciding what birds to search for and where to start.
Perhaps you want to take an easy stroll throgh a city park to find a Vermillion Flycatcher or a Ladder-backed Woodpecker.
Or, perhaps you want to go the extra mile and head into the mountains in search of a Spotted Owl or Gray-crowned Rosy Finch.
Maybe you're birding will take you to southeastern Arizona's Sky Islands for Mexican specialties like Elegant Trogon and Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, or perhaps it will take you to eastern New Mexico to nab one of those eastern favorites that are hard to find in the southwest, birds like the Blue Jay and Western Wood-Pewee. Better yet, maybe you want to put your birding to good use for conservation by joining our growing community of volunteer scientists.
The Southwest offers birding opportunities for people of every skill level and physical ability. Check out the resources below to learn more and start planning your next birding adventure, and, as always, don't forget to peruse the hotspots on eBird!
Resources for Finding Birds:
Arizona
- Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center
- eBird Hotspots: Arizona
- Arizona Field Ornithologists
- Watchable Wildlife from the Arizona Game and Fish Department
- Birding in Arizona from the National Audubon Society
- Arizona Birding Hotspots form the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory
- Maricopa Audubon's Geographical Birding Guide
- Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona from Tucson Audubon
- Birding in the Flagstaff Area from Northern Arizona Audubon
- Prescott Birding Site Guide from Prescott Audubon
- White Mountain Birding Hotspots from White Mountain Audubon
- Birding Yuma County from Southwest Birders
New Mexico
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Birding New Mexico from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
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Birding New Mexico from the National Audubon Society
- Birding New Mexico from New Mexico True
- Must-Visit Bird-Watching Destinations from New Mexico Magazine
- New Mexico birdwatching from Bird Informer
- Birding the Sandia Crest and Sandia Mountains from the Rosy Finch Project
Birdability Map
The Birdability Map is a crowdsourced map that describes in detail the accessibility features of birding locations all over the world. It is a work-in-progress, and anyone can contribute to it. The Map is an ongoing collaboration between Audubon and Birdability, a nonprofit whose mission is to share the joys of birding with people who have disabilities and other health concerns. Explore the map to find accessible birding locations near you.
How you can help, right now
Join the Western Rivers Action Network
Join WRAN to receive action alerts about water issues, as well as issues that are affecting birds across the arid West.
Donate
Help secure the future for birds at risk from climate change, habitat loss, and other threats. Your support will power our science, education, advocacy and on-the-ground conservation efforts.
Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center
Visit the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
