Cave Creek Canyon
Arizona · Southwest
Moderate
April-September
$5 day-use fee per vehicle
Dawn to dusk daily
About This Location
Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahua Mountains is the premier spot in the US for Mexican mountain species, including the Elegant Trogon and rare vagrants. The dramatic canyon with its towering rhyolite cliffs hosts an incredible diversity of breeding birds from April through September.
Location
Loading map...
Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Setophaga caerulescens
Lucifer Hummingbird
Calothorax lucifer
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
Bendire's Thrasher
Toxostoma bendirei
Rufous-backed Robin
Turdus rufopalliatus
Curve-billed Thrasher (curvirostre Group)
Toxostoma curvirostre
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Mourning Dove
Hutton's Vireo
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Wild Turkey
White-winged Dove
Rivoli's Hummingbird
Blue-throated Mountain-gem
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Turkey Vulture
Gray Hawk
Acorn Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Dusky-capped Flycatcher
Brown-crested Flycatcher
Cassin's Kingbird
Mexican Jay
Common Raven
Birding Tips
- 1
Stay at the research station for immersive birding
- 2
South Fork is the most reliable area for Elegant Trogon
- 3
Visit during spring migration (April-May) for the greatest species diversity
- 4
Arrive at dawn for peak bird activity, especially during migration seasons
- 5
Listen for woodpecker drumming and warbler songs before scanning the canopy
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Chiricahua National Monument
More in Arizona
Madera Canyon
Santa Rita Mountains canyon famous for Elegant Trogons and diverse hummingbirds.
Ramsey Canyon Preserve
The Hummingbird Capital of the US with up to 15 species in the Huachuca Mountains.
Saguaro National Park
Iconic Sonoran Desert park with saguaro-nesting specialists and desert bird diversity.
Arizona Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Arizona →