Ramsey Canyon Preserve

Arizona · Southwest

ModerateOfficial Site

Habitat

ForestMountain

Best Seasons

Summer

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

July-August

Entrance Fee

$8 per person; TNC members free

Hours

Thursday – Monday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (March – October)

About This Location

Ramsey Canyon Preserve in the Huachuca Mountains is known as the Hummingbird Capital of the United States, with up to 15 species recorded. This Nature Conservancy preserve offers a lush riparian corridor where birders can watch hummingbirds at close range from the visitor center porch.

Location

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Notable Species

Berylline Hummingbird White-eared Hummingbird Rivoli's Hummingbird Painted Redstart Tufted Flycatcher

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Zone-tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

3/4/2026Salt River--Blue Point Recreation Area1 observed

Inca Dove

Columbina inca

3/4/2026Madera Canyon--Santa Rita Lodge1 observed

Northern Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

3/4/2026Anza Trail--Tubac1 observed

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus ruber

3/4/2026NAU Campus1 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/4/2026Arthur Pack Regional Park3 observed

Wilson's Warbler

Cardellina pusilla

3/4/2026Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Ajo US-AZ 31.92990, -112.976881 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/4/2026Ron Morriss Park1 observed

Mallard x Mexican Duck (hybrid)

Anas platyrhynchos x diazi

3/4/2026Walnut Canyon Lakes1 observed

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma woodhouseii

3/4/2026Catalina Regional Park1 observed

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus ruber

3/4/2026NAU Campus1 observed

Steller's Jay

Cyanocitta stelleri

3/4/2026Isabella Lee Natural Preserve1 observed

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma woodhouseii

3/4/2026Isabella Lee Natural Preserve4 observed

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

3/4/2026My Home1 observed

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

3/4/2026Cottonwood gallery restoration site1 observed

Plumbeous Vireo

Vireo plumbeus

3/4/2026Cottonwood gallery restoration site2 observed

Lewis's Woodpecker

Melanerpes lewis

3/4/2026Pantano River Park--Glenn St/Sahuara Ave (opened 2018)1 observed

Western Warbling Vireo

Vireo swainsoni

3/4/2026Patagonia Lake SP--Birding Trail1 observed

Scott's Oriole

Icterus parisorum

3/4/2026Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary (closed Thursday morning)1 observed

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

3/4/2026Ron Morriss Park1 observed

Lawrence's Goldfinch

Spinus lawrencei

3/4/2026West Clear Creek--Bull Pen Rd26 observed

Recent Observations

Black-throated Sparrow

Las Cienegas NCA--Cottonwood Tanks

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mexican Jay

Ramsey Canyon Cabins & Bird Sanctuary (opened 2022)

3/4/2026

3 birds

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Ramsey Canyon Cabins & Bird Sanctuary (opened 2022)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Say's Phoebe

Santa Cruz River--Sunset Rd.

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mourning Dove

Santa Cruz River--Sunset Rd.

3/4/2026

2 birds

Rock Pigeon

Santa Cruz River--Sunset Rd.

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Coot

The Lakes at Castle Rock

3/4/2026

3 birds

Vermilion Flycatcher

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Gila Woodpecker

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

2 birds

Orange-crowned Warbler

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Ruddy Duck

The Lakes at Castle Rock

3/4/2026

2 birds

Verdin

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bewick's Wren

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

7 birds

Lesser Goldfinch

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

4 birds

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Greater Roadrunner

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

1 birds

Abert's Towhee

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

4 birds

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Patagonia Lake--Sonoita Creek

3/4/2026

4 birds

Ring-necked Duck

The Lakes at Castle Rock

3/4/2026

4 birds

Birding Tips

1
Late summer monsoon season brings the rarest hummingbird species
2
The preserve has limited parking; arrive early

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Visitor Center

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Coronado National Memorial

More in Arizona

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Iconic Sonoran Desert park with saguaro-nesting specialists and desert bird diversity.

Birding Guides

How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

Best Birding Apps for 2026

7 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Ramsey Canyon Preserve for birding?▼

The best months to visit Ramsey Canyon Preserve for birding are July-August. The best seasons are Summer.

What birds can I see at Ramsey Canyon Preserve?▼

Notable species at Ramsey Canyon Preserve include Berylline Hummingbird, White-eared Hummingbird, Rivoli's Hummingbird, Painted Redstart, Tufted Flycatcher. The area supports forest, mountain habitats.

How difficult is birding at Ramsey Canyon Preserve?▼

Birding at Ramsey Canyon Preserve is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

Is there an entrance fee at Ramsey Canyon Preserve?▼

The entrance fee at Ramsey Canyon Preserve is $8 per person; TNC members free. Hours: Thursday – Monday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (March – October).

What amenities are available at Ramsey Canyon Preserve?▼

Ramsey Canyon Preserve offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Trails.