House Finch, Pyrrhuloxia, and Northern Cardinal (left to right). Santa Cruz County, Arizona. Photo: Nate Chappell/Audubon Photography Awards

Birds

At the convergence of a dizzying array of habitat types, the American southwest is a region like no other. Between Arizona and New Mexico, the region boasts the continent’s four major deserts (the Chihuahuan, Sonoran, Mojave, and Great Basin), the southern extent of the Colorado Plateau and the Rocky Mountains, the northern tip of Mexico’s Sierra Madre Occidentalis, the northern reaches of the Colorado River delta, other valuable western rivers like the Gila, Rio Grande, San Pedro, and others, the far eastern edge of the Great Plains, and a diversity in elevation that allows for everything from low, sandy desert to montane forests and subalpine tundra.

With this diversity in habitat comes a diversity of birds – nearly 600 species have been documented between the two states, roughly 200 of which are considered rarities or vagrants. However, it also comes with a diversity of threats. Climate change, aridification, wildfire, human development, introduced species, poor land and resource management, and more are all putting strain on southwestern habitats and the birds (and people) that call them home.

Check out the links below to learn more about the Southwest’s birds: specialty and priority species, tips and resources to help guide your birding adventures, and opportunities to get involved in region-wide conservation efforts.

A Curve-billed Thrasher, a brownish-gray bird with a long tail, long, curved bill, and orange eye perches against a tree trunk.

Curve-billed Thrasher. Photo: Greg Rogers/Audubon Photography Awards.

A packed dirt trail stretches evenly through a lush desert landscape on a clear, sunny day.

Photo: Corey Lycopolus/Audubon

A Lesser Goldfinch, a small, black and yellow bird, perches on a bare branch against a snowy backdrop.

Lesser Goldfinch Photo: Layne Naylor/Audubon Photography Awards.

An adult Sandhill Crane, a large, long-legged and long-necked bird with rusty gray plumage and a red cap, soars over shallow water.

Sandhill Crane. Photo: Ann Kramer/Audubon Photography Awards.

A Spotted Towhee, a Black, white, and rufous-orange bird with a sparrow-like shape, perches with tail fanned.

Spotted Towhee Photo: Evan Barrientos.

How to Help Birds

Community Science
Get Involved

Community Science

Engage in community science by joining a bird count, survey, or other opportunity.

Read more

Plants for Birds
Bird-Friendly Communities

Plants for Birds

Transform your landscape into valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Read more

Audubon Chapters
Get Involved

Audubon Chapters

The Grassroots Strength of the Audubon Network

Read more

Audubon Southwest's Bird Conservation Efforts

Birds in the News

Collaborating to Protect the Colorado River Basin
News

Collaborating to Protect the Colorado River Basin

Arizona WRAN News - January 2017

Birdies for Charity - an easy way to help Audubon Arizona
Support Our Work

Birdies for Charity - an easy way to help Audubon Arizona

Pledge now for a chance to win two tickets to the Phoenix Open

WRAN Advocate Survey
News

WRAN Advocate Survey

Helping you meet your New Year's conservation resolutions

Thank you! ¡Mil Gracias!
Conservation

Thank You! ¡Mil Gracias!

Audubon New Mexico would like to express our deepest gratitude for our conservation family.

WRAN's lunchtime webinars are back!
News

WRAN's lunchtime webinars are back!

AZ WRAN Conservation Update | November 2016

Storymap: Giving wildlife a voice in water planning discussions
News

Storymap: Giving wildlife a voice in water planning discussions

WRAN News - Arizona | November 2016

Camp Verde is for the Birds!
News

Camp Verde is for the Birds!

Working Toward an Important Bird Area (IBA) Designation Along the Verde River in Central Arizona

Keeping Beer and Rivers Flowing
News

Keeping Beer and Rivers Flowing

Arizona WRAN News - October 2016

Training the Network to Face an Uncertain Water Future
News

Training the Network to Face an Uncertain Water Future

September 2016 AZ-WRAN Newsletter

Help us replace stolen equipment
News

Help us replace stolen equipment

Please join a community-wide effort to restore what was stolen recently from Audubon Arizona. This is an ongoing, short-term fund raising effort and we need your help!

How you can help, right now