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
Townsend's Warbler
Setophaga townsendi
Tricolored Heron
Egretta tricolor
Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
Prothonotary Warbler
Protonotaria citrea
Brewer's Sparrow
Spizella breweri
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
American Wigeon
Mareca americana
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Mallard
Ruddy Duck
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
American Coot
Killdeer
Turkey Vulture
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Western Wood-Pewee
Say's Phoebe
Vermilion Flycatcher
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Western Kingbird
Verdin
Purple Martin
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Curve-billed Thrasher
House Sparrow
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 →