Sweetwater Wetlands
Arizona · Southwest
Moderate
October-May
Free
Open daily, sunrise to sunset
About This Location
Sweetwater Wetlands is a productive birding destination in Arizona, with 330 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Mourning Dove, Gila Woodpecker, and Ladder-backed Woodpecker 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
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
Gilded Flicker
Colaptes chrysoides
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
Prothonotary Warbler
Protonotaria citrea
American Wigeon
Mareca americana
Brewer's Sparrow
Spizella breweri
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Mallard
Gambel's Quail
Eurasian Collared-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Costa's Hummingbird
Killdeer
Green Heron
Cooper's Hawk
Gila Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Vermilion Flycatcher
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Brown-crested Flycatcher
Bell's Vireo
Verdin
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
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
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Tucson Mountain Park
- Saguaro National Park West
More in Arizona
Arizona Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Arizona →