The Ash-throated Flycatcher

Wild Turkeys. The recent warm temperatures have streams flowing fuller than they have in a while. The Proctor Trail provides streamside walking and viewing areas with benches. Visit in the early morning to see wildlife at its best. This and all areas in Madera have a use fee of five dollars, or buy a yearly pass for twenty.The west side of the Santa Ritas are less visited, but is worth checking out before the heat sets in. The road to Agua Caliente Canyon is rough, but does not require four-wheel drive. You will need high clearance, however. The Elephant Head Bike Trail head will take you through some lovely Mexican Blue Oaks, not found in Madera. View the list »
The oak-woodland and riparian stream beds of Madera Canyon are ideal breeding grounds for many bird and mammal species. A visit to Madera will almost certainly have you spotted the newly introduced wild turkey, and many different kinds of hummingbirds. There are two bed and breakfast facilities, and the Santa Rita Lodge has cabins for rent.

Outdoor Rec & Adventure newsletter

The Ash-throated Flycatcher is an Arizona resident, living in our mountain Sky Islands in oak woodlands on the desert edges. It will also take up residence in manmade structures, using these as alternatives to natural settings, especially in the cases of reduced habitat.

Related topics

Advertisement

This is a plain flycatcher species, medium in size. The overall coloring is on the gray brown side, with rusty colored highlights. The stomach is often pale yellow, which helps to identify it from another similar species in the Myiarchus category.
The legs, beak and feet are all black. The tail is gray brown with rust.

Over time this bird has learned to use holes for nests, but will still build a nest inside the hole. The eggs are streaked in color to help hide them from predators.

Apparently the sense of direction isn’t their forte, as occasionally an Eastern variety will make its way west.

Reference: The Nature of Madera Canyon by Douglas W. Moore, Friends of Madera, 1999; whatbird.com

View the list
  • The oak-woodland and riparian stream beds of Madera Canyon are ideal breeding grounds for many bird and mammal species. A visit to Madera will almost certainly have you spotted the newly introduced wild turkey, and many different kinds of hummingbirds. There are two bed and breakfast facilities, and the Santa Rita Lodge has cabins for rent.
  • The west side of the Santa Ritas are less visited, but is worth checking out before the heat sets in. The road to Agua Caliente Canyon is rough, but does not require four-wheel drive. You will need high clearance, however. The Elephant Head Bike Trail head will take you through some lovely Mexican Blue Oaks, not found in Madera. 
  • Wild Turkeys. The recent warm temperatures have streams flowing fuller than they have in a while. The Proctor Trail provides streamside walking and viewing areas with benches. Visit in the early morning to see wildlife at its best. This and all areas in Madera have a use fee of five dollars, or buy a yearly pass for twenty.
View the list

, Santa Rita Mountains Outdoor Recreation Examiner

Ms. Strader is 40-year resident of Southern Arizona. She began her Forest Service career as a fire fighter in the Santa Rita Mountains which was the beginning of her dedication to learning as much as she could about the mountains she used to protect. ...

Advertisement

Today's top buzz...