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
Anna's x Costa's Hummingbird (hybrid)
Calypte anna x costae
Mexican Duck
Anas diazi
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
Western Warbling Vireo
Vireo swainsoni
Western Flycatcher
Empidonax difficilis
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
Horned Lark
Eremophila alpestris
Least Bittern
Botaurus exilis
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Mourning Dove
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Black Phoebe
Vermilion Flycatcher
Bell's Vireo
Verdin
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Yellow Warbler
Mallard
Mexican Duck
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
White-winged Dove
Common Gallinule
American Coot
Pied-billed Grebe
Green Heron
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 →