The Costa's Hummingbird is a rare site in Madera Canyon, but worth looking for

Hiking to Josephine Saddle may give you a glimpse or two of hummingbirds when wildflowers are in bloom. Also look for other birds that pass by and use the Santa Rita Mountains as a resting place during migration. There are at least two routes to Josephine Saddle; the first is the Old Baldy Trail, and then there is the easier (but longer) Super Trail.The Kent Springs Trail is steep hike to a sycamore lined canyon, and is popular among bird watchers. The Proctor Trail, however, is even better, as it is an easy walk with paved access to many birding spots and has benches along the path to rest and patiently watch for different species to appear.View the list »
Hummingbirds are found throughout the Santa Rita Mountains, but they prefer the wet canyons and often those with sycamores and cottonwood trees. Madera Canyon has a number of places where you can view hummingbirds, but if you want to avoid the crowds, taking a short hike will give you plenty of opportunity to see hummers and other birds unique to this area.

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The Costa’s Hummingbird is one of the many species of hummers that visit Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains. While most species of hummingbirds prefer where there is water, they are especially fond of canyons with sycamores and cottonwoods at about 5000 feet – which is why Madera Canyon is a hummer hot spot. However, what makes the Costa’s Hummingbird unique, is that it prefers Joshua trees and cholla cactus over what one normally associates as hummingbird’s favorite plants. This does not dissuade it from visiting Madera Canyon, however, but to see one there is a little on the rare side.

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The Costa’s hummingbird has green upperparts and is pale gray underneath. The head and throat are a brilliant and iridescent purple. The beak is straight and black, unlike many hummer beaks which are often curved. The shape of the beak is directly related to the type of flower and insects they eat.

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

View the list
  • Hummingbirds are found throughout the Santa Rita Mountains, but they prefer the wet canyons and often those with sycamores and cottonwood trees. Madera Canyon has a number of places where you can view hummingbirds, but if you want to avoid the crowds, taking a short hike will give you plenty of opportunity to see hummers and other birds unique to this area.
  • The Kent Springs Trail is steep hike to a sycamore lined canyon, and is popular among bird watchers. The Proctor Trail, however, is even better, as it is an easy walk with paved access to many birding spots and has benches along the path to rest and patiently watch for different species to appear.
  • Hiking to Josephine Saddle may give you a glimpse or two of hummingbirds when wildflowers are in bloom. Also look for other birds that pass by and use the Santa Rita Mountains as a resting place during migration. There are at least two routes to Josephine Saddle; the first is the Old Baldy Trail, and then there is the easier (but longer) Super Trail.
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. ...

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