I HEART Arizona +6 Lifers

Holy crap, we made!! There and back in one piece. Lots seen, lots driven and not an hour to waste. It was a chance to bird some really special places with friends, add some specialties to my year list and hopefully add some much needed #LifeBirds. And guess what? I did just that, with +6 lifers,

This first blog is a recap of my Arizona hit list birds needed to add to my ABA area life list. The next entry will be more about places birded, FOY's, and a stop at Chipotle at the University of Arizona for take out.


Lifers seen: Arizona

• Rosy-faced Lovebird, code 2

ABA #580

It’s official. The iconic Rosy-faced Lovebird has been admitted to the ABA Checklist. The lovebird counts! You can put it on your ABA Checklist as of 2012. Several spots over Phoenix has lovebird colonies. We stopped at Encanto park and saw & heard several in this tree.

Blue morph

Rosy-faced Lovebird

Lovebirds sleep by sitting next to their mate with their faces turned in towards each other.

• Gila Woodpecker, code 1, common

ABA #581

 A conspicuous resident in the deserts of the Southwest and Mexico, the Gila Woodpecker is a characteristic bird of the saguaro cactus forests.
Back barred black-and-white. Male with red cap.
We saw several of these birds during the trip. Pretty common. This picture was at Sabino Canyon park in NE Tuscon.

• Mexican Whip-poorwill, code 1

ABA #582

The Mexican whip-poor-will, is a nightjar from the southwestern United States and Mexico. The whip-poor-will is more often heard within its range, but less often seen. It is named onomatopoeically after its song. This bird used to be lumped with the eastern whip-poor-will. Each type has a different range and vocalizaton, the eggs have different coloration, and DNA sequencing shows enough differentiation, so it was determined enough evidence was available to separate the two types into different species.

This picture is from when we heard the Whip-poor-will. It was 8-9pm in Madera Canyon, at the Mt. Wrightson Picnic Area. We also heard Northern Pgymy-owl calling up the canyon. Wow!! What a neat place, even at night.

• Cassin's Vireo, code 1, Madera Canyon and Mt. Lemmon

ABA# 583

A common bird of the far western forests, the Cassin's Vireo is conspicuous for its constant singing. Formerly lumped as a "Solitary Vireo" with the Plumbeous and Blue-headed vireos, it is now considered a separate species. Two whitish wingbars. Belly white, flanks yellowish.

• Gilded Flicker, code 2, ABA #584

 Saw this guy at Sabino Canyon Park on Sunday morning. I was having real camera problems by now. Sorry no pics.

• Red-faced Warbler, code 2, Mt. Lemmon park

ABA #585

The Red-faced Warbler is a colorful bird of the Mexican mountains. In the United States it is found only in the high elevation forests of Arizona and New Mexico. Face and upper breast bright red. Body gray. Black patch on top of head and down face. Ya, so we had to get high to see this bird . . . . like 8000 ft elevation high, then bam. Several singing up in large pines at Incinerator ridge rd.

Lifers missed:

• Bendire's Thrasher, code 2, got to the thrasher spot at 2pm Friday. Too windy and middle of the day. Did see a Crissal Thrasher, and big year Birder Christian
• LeConte's Thrasher, code 2,ditto
• Rufous-winged Sparrow , code 2, thought I saw some sparrows, turned out to be Brewer's.
• Black-capped Gnatcatcher, code 3, got to Florida lower canyon at 10am Saturday. Bird was on nest, but no one could find it.
• Sinola Wren, code 5, had to go on an Army base, what?? but no wren seen, still an adventure
• Whiskered Screech-Owl, code 2, Madera canyon, didn't hear any
• Western Screech-Owl, code 1, 
• Montezuma Quail, code 2, Sierra Vista Mtns., skipped Ramsey Canyon for Mt. Lemmon in Tuscon
• other rarities or common new ones + + +

Next up:  Birding in Southeastern Arizona . . . .  !!!