The rugged fault-block range that makes up the Chiricahua Mountains in southeast Arizona is home to a wide variety of birds, partially because of the many different habitats that the mountains encompass.
From deep canyons to grasslands to the high-elevation sky-islands, Chiricahua has a variety of places for birds to make their homes. And there are numerous species that just stop by on their way to somewhere else.
The region is especially famous for the variety of hummingbirds that can be found here. Look for the Blue-throated Hummingbird, the Magnificent Hummingbird, and the Black-chinned Hummingbird when you visit. More hummingbird species are found in southeastern Arizona mountain canyons than in any other place in the United States.
Some people believe that nighttime is the best time to go birding in this area, because of the owls and nightjars that can be found. More than a dozen species of owls, including the Western Screech-Owl, the Whiskered Screech-Owl, the Great Horned Owl, the Flammulated Owl, and the Elf Owl, have been spotted at Chiricahua. Birders may also spot the rare Buff-collared Nightjar and the Common Poorwill.
Bird Habitats
Riparian Deciduous: This limited area in Siphon Canyon and Apache Spring enjoys the decoration of Arizona walnut, netleaf hackberry, velvet ash, mesquite, and desert willow. Although merely a trickle at times, Apache Spring is a reliable water source. Some breeding birds are White-winged Dove, Elf Owl, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, and Hooded Oriole.
Riparian Forest: Within Chiricahua National Monument are intermittent streams, such as Bonita and Rhyolite, lined with a mixed canopy of Arizona walnut, Fremont cottonwood, velvet ash, Arizona cypress, and several oaks including Emory, silverleaf, and netleaf. A few perennial springs are found within the boundary. Typical breeding birds in this area consist of Cooper's Hawk, Western Screech-Owl, Whip-poor-will, Blue-throated Hummingbird, Magnificent Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Dusky-capped and Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers, Cassin's Kingbird, Gray-breasted Jay, Bridled Titmouse, Bushtit, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Solitary Vireo, Black-throated Warbler, Painted Redstart, Hepatic Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bronzed and Brown-headed Cowbirds, and Northern Oriole.
Desert Grassland: A mix of grasslands and small shrubs occur in the surrounding areas of Fort Bowie and lower Bonita Canyon in the Chiricahua National Monument. Breeding birds include Red-tailed Hawk, Scaled Quail, Common Poorwill, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Northern Mockingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Lark and Black-throated Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlark, and Scott's Oriole.
Oak Woodland (Encinal): These grassy, low-elevation areas in Fort Bowie merge with pinyon, junipers, and several oaks to form an ecotone similar to a savanna. Typical breeding birds are Montezuma Quail, Strickland's Woodpecker, Gray-breasted Jay, Bridled Titmouse, Hutton's Vireo, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Rufous-crowned Sparrow.
Chaparral: The steep slopes of innumerable exposed cliff faces of Chiricahua National Monument are clothed with one-seed juniper, mountain mahogany, and pointleaf manzanita. Birds of the chaparral include Scrub Jay, Rock Wren, Rufous-sided Towhee, and Black-chinned Sparrow.
Madrean Woodland: Mid-elevation woodlands of Chiricahua National Monument are dominated by Mexican pinyon, Arizona oak, netleaf oak, silverleaf oak, Chihuahua and Apache pines, Arizona madrone, and alligator juniper. Breeding birds include Whiskered Screech-Owl, Acorn Woodpecker, Gray-breasted Jay, Bridled Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, and Virginia's and Black-throated Gray Warblers.
Coniferous Forest: The dominant trees in the upper elevations of Chiricahua National Monument include Arizona pine, southwestern white pine, Douglas fir, and Gambel oak. Typical breeding birds are Band-tailed Pigeon, Northern Flicker, Steller's Jay, Mexican Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, Solitary Vireo, Grace's Warbler, Redfaced Warbler, Olive Warbler, and Yellow-eyed Junco.
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