Madera Canyon
Arizona · Southwest
Moderate
April-August
$5 day-use fee per vehicle
Dawn to dusk daily
About This Location
Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson is one of Arizona's most beloved birding destinations. The canyon's riparian corridor attracts a stunning variety of Mexican species at their northern range limits, including Elegant Trogon and numerous hummingbird species.
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
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
Broad-billed x Berylline Hummingbird (hybrid)
Cynanthus latirostris x Saucerottia beryllina
Violet-green Swallow
Tachycineta thalassina
Abert's Towhee
Melozone aberti
Western Flycatcher
Empidonax difficilis
Gadwall
Mareca strepera
Five-striped Sparrow
Amphispizopsis quinquestriata
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
Black-chinned Sparrow
Spizella atrogularis
Dusky-capped Flycatcher
Myiarchus tuberculifer
Virginia's Warbler
Leiothlypis virginiae
Black-chinned x Anna's Hummingbird (hybrid)
Archilochus alexandri x Calypte anna
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Scaled Quail
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Turkey Vulture
Swainson's Hawk
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Cassin's Kingbird
Bell's Vireo
Loggerhead Shrike
Common Raven
Bridled Titmouse
Verdin
Cactus Wren
Curve-billed Thrasher
Rufous-winged Sparrow
Botteri's Sparrow
Black-throated Sparrow
Canyon Towhee
Western Tanager
Birding Tips
- 1
Visit the Santa Rita Lodge feeders for hummingbirds
- 2
Hike the Super Trail for Elegant Trogon and Painted Redstart
- 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
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
More in Arizona
Cave Creek Canyon
Chiricahua Mountains canyon and top US site for rare Mexican mountain species.
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 →