El Rio Preserve
Arizona · Southwest
Moderate
October-May
Free
Open daily, sunrise to sunset
About This Location
El Rio Preserve is a productive birding destination in Arizona, with 267 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, and Gadwall among many others. The unique desert and riparian habitats support specialty species alongside wintering and migrating birds.
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
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
Western Warbling Vireo
Vireo swainsoni
Western Flycatcher
Empidonax difficilis
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
Least Bittern
Botaurus exilis
Anna's x Costa's Hummingbird (hybrid)
Calypte anna x costae
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
Common Ground Dove
Columbina passerina
American Wigeon
Mareca americana
Summer Tanager
Piranga rubra
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Mallard
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
American Coot
Killdeer
Neotropic Cormorant
Green Heron
Great Blue Heron
Cooper's Hawk
Black Phoebe
Brown-crested Flycatcher
Verdin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Song Sparrow
Abert's Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Common Yellowthroat
Birding Tips
- 1
Start birding at dawn when desert birds are most active before the heat.
- 2
Check around water sources, which concentrate desert species.
- 3
Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.
- 4
Check eBird hotspot data before visiting to see recent sightings and what species are being reported.
- 5
Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Sweetwater Wetlands Park
- Tucson Mountain Park
- Santa Cruz River Park
More in Arizona
Arizona Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Arizona →