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
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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
Thick-billed Kingbird
Tyrannus crassirostris
Curve-billed Thrasher (curvirostre Group)
Toxostoma curvirostre
Lucifer Hummingbird
Calothorax lucifer
White-eared Hummingbird
Basilinna leucotis
Flame-colored Tanager
Piranga bidentata
Bendire's Thrasher
Toxostoma bendirei
Calliope Hummingbird
Selasphorus calliope
Townsend's Solitaire
Myadestes townsendi
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Inca Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Blue-throated Mountain-gem
Broad-billed Hummingbird
House Finch
Northern Yellow Warbler
Mexican Whip-poor-will
White-throated Swift
Acorn Woodpecker
Brown-crested Flycatcher
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher
Mexican Jay
Bushtit
Hermit Thrush
Spotted Towhee
Grace's Warbler
Juniper Titmouse
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
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 →