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Common Urban Area Birds in the Sonoran Desert

The birds listed here are those that are likely to be seen in residential neighborhoods and along city streets in the heavily urbanized cities of Tucson, Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe and Mesa, Arizona. Some are birds typical of the desert areas as well that happen to find what they need in the city. Others are birds that have been introduced from the Eastern Hemisphere and have long lived near human habitations. Some city birds are not found at all in the pristine deserts; they are entirely dependent on man-made habitats. During migrations or extreme drought many other kinds of birds will be found in the Sonoran Desert cities. Birds more likely to be seen in and near water or riparian zones are shown on Riparian and Wetland Birds and those in the desert itself on Sonoran Desert Birds.

Great-tailed Grackle ♂ Quiscalus mexicanus Very common glossy black birds with huge tail. Males iridescent black; female brown. Almost always near water. Also in cities. Year-round resident. More info	Great-tailed Grackle ♀ Quiscalus mexicanus Very common black or brown birds with large tail. Males iridescent black; female brown. Almost always near water. Also in cities. Year-round resident. More info	White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica Larger. White patch in wing. Tail squared off. Spring and summer, rare rest of year. More info	Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Common year-round esp. near agric. and cities. Long, tapering tail. Blue skin around eyes. More info	Inca Dove Columbina inca Very small doves restricted to town/farm areas - forages on ground. Rufous patch in wing. Long tail. Calls incessantly with soft coo. More info
House Sparrow ♂ Passer domesticus Abundant birds in yards, around garbage cans, and outdoor dining areas. Males richer brown and dark bib. More info	Anna's Hummingbird ♂ Calypte anna When sunshine is behind the observer, head and throat appear magenta. Common in cites, desert washes and riparian habitats. More info	Anna's Hummingbird ♀ Calypte anna A few speckles of magenta possible on throat. Females of Costa's, Anna's and Black-chinned v. similar. More info	Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Grayish dove with black ring behind neck and rounded tail. Common near farm fields and urban yards; abundance increasing. More info	European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Common to abundant black birds with a yellow beak and speckles or iridescence on feathers. More info
Rock Pigeon Columba livia The common pigeon of cities everywhere, including the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. More info	Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Musical singer and common in many habitats. Largely gray color with bold black and white in long tail and wings. More info	House Finch ♂ Carpodacus mexicanus Males have red on upper chest and head. Brown streaking lower belly. Common to abundant along washes, in cities and at feeders. More info	House Finch ♀ Carpodacus mexicanus Females are brown with a white belly. Heavy streaking on chest and belly. Common to abundant along washes, in cities and at feeders. More info	Abert's Towhee Pipilo aberti Large, brown overall with thick seed-eating bill. Common near edges of irrigated yards and golf courses. Kicks leaves from soil to feed More info
Gila Woodpecker ♀ Melanerpes uropygialis These woodpeckers normally associated with Saguaros are also happy with palm trees. Adobe brown head; black & white banded back. Female w/o red on head. More info	Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Common along the canals that pass through the Phoenix Metro area. Also around ponds and wastewater recovery. Silky black except for a lily white lower belly. Year round resident. More info	White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Sharply contrasting black and white crown. Seed-eating bill orange-pink. Fairly common in-town during the winter months. More info	Peach-faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis Colorful parrots often heard flying noisily overheard. Native to sw Africa! Nesting in palms. More info	Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Very common soaring bird with pale tail reddish on *top*. Black feathers on wrists. Most common in winter and near agric. fields. More info
Verdin Auriparus flaviceps Common in cities as well as the desert. Yellow head and small maroon patch on shoulder. Overall light gray. More info	Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre Likes fruit trees. Almost uniformly gray-brown bird with very faint speckles on chest. Long curved bill, long tail, yellow-orange eyes. Fantastic singer! More info	Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis Crepuscular and nocturnal. Acrobatic flights chasing insects in sky. White bands near wing tips. Cryptic plumage for daytime resting. More info	Brown-headed Cowbird ♂ Molothrus ater Glossy black with brown head. Strange gurgling call. Females all brown. Common near agriculture but also riparian and city areas. More info	Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya Upright posture. Sits in open 1 to 2 meters above ground. Pale salmon color on chest/belly. Open areas as near athletic fields and large yards. More info

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