Desert birding habitat

Tanque Verde Wash - Tanque Verde Loop Road

Arizona · Southwest

Habitat
DesertChaparral
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-May

About This Location

Tanque Verde Wash - Tanque Verde Loop Road is a productive birding destination in Arizona, with 207 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Mallard, Eurasian Collared-Dove, and White-winged Dove 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

7/21/2026Michael Sadat's Yard1 observed

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher

Myiodynastes luteiventris

7/21/2026stakeout Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Bear Canyon pullout1 observed

Common Black Hawk (Common)

Buteogallus anthracinus

7/21/2026Mt. Lemmon--Rose Canyon and Lake1 observed

Gray Vireo

Vireo vicinior

7/21/2026Arizona National Scenic Trail, Tucson US-AZ 32.33813, -110.689301 observed

Mexican Duck

Anas diazi

7/21/2026Old Vail Road- Granit Construction Pit4 observed

Rufous Hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

7/21/2026Sweetwater Wetlands1 observed

Red Crossbill (Ponderosa Pine or type 2)

Loxia curvirostra

7/20/2026Mt. Lemmon--Mt Bigelow Rd20 observed

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

7/20/2026Mt. Lemmon--Mt Bigelow Rd1 observed

Hooded Warbler

Setophaga citrina

7/20/2026Mt. Lemmon--Sunset Trailhead (lower Bear Wallow)1 observed

Western Flycatcher

Empidonax difficilis

7/20/2026Placita De Suerte area1 observed

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

7/20/2026Gibbons Yard3 observed

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

7/19/2026Mt. Lemmon--Butterfly Trail1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Great Horned Owl

27/21/2026

Lesser Nighthawk

17/21/2026

Western Screech-Owl

17/21/2026

Brown-crested Flycatcher

17/21/2026

Gambel's Quail

27/21/2026

White-winged Dove

87/21/2026

Mourning Dove

27/21/2026

Greater Roadrunner

17/21/2026

Common Poorwill

17/21/2026

Gila Woodpecker

37/21/2026

Common Raven

47/21/2026

Verdin

37/21/2026

Purple Martin

17/21/2026

Cactus Wren

37/21/2026

Curve-billed Thrasher

27/21/2026

Black-throated Sparrow

37/21/2026

Rufous-crowned Sparrow

17/21/2026

Northern Cardinal

17/21/2026

Pyrrhuloxia

37/21/2026

Ash-throated Flycatcher

27/21/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Start birding at dawn when desert birds are most active before the heat.

  2. 2

    Check around water sources, which concentrate desert species.

  3. 3

    Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Tanque Verde Wash - Tanque Verde Loop Road for birding?
The best months to visit Tanque Verde Wash - Tanque Verde Loop Road for birding are October-May. The best seasons are Fall and Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Tanque Verde Wash - Tanque Verde Loop Road?
Notable species at Tanque Verde Wash - Tanque Verde Loop Road include Mallard, Eurasian Collared-Dove, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Sharp-shinned Hawk. The area supports desert, chaparral habitats.
How difficult is birding at Tanque Verde Wash - Tanque Verde Loop Road?
Birding at Tanque Verde Wash - Tanque Verde Loop Road is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Tanque Verde Wash - Tanque Verde Loop Road?
Tanque Verde Wash - Tanque Verde Loop Road offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.