Arizona for the Birds (and bird-watchers)

 A real Roadrunner. Copyright AZGF.

Arizona is a great place to make feathered friends. Even Phoenix attracts an array of birds, some just visit for the season while others linger all year round as befits a mythical bird that never dies.

The Phoenix is a bird out of legend. Arizona's state bird, the Cactus Wren, is a very real bird. It can be found in both suburban and rural areas throughout the state as well as in New Mexico, Utah, and parts of California, Nevada, Texas and Mexico. Approximately eight inches long, the cactus wren has a white belly bearing brown spots and a speckled brown, black and white back. A stripe of white feathers above the eye give the impression of eyebrows. The cactus wren's long legs and long pointed beak are well adapted to a life lived on and around thorny cacti and desert thickets

Another real bird often associated with Arizona is the roadrunner. Like its cartoon counterpart, the real-life roadrunner has a very distinct look. Ranging in length from 20 to 24 inches, the roadrunner is a large ground bird whose head crest and long uplifted tail are easier to spot than their mottled black and white coloring. As the name implies, this bird prefers walking or running but unlike ostriches, the roadrunner can fly on its short rounded wings. Surprisingly stout legs end in a four-toed foot with two toes forward and two toes behind allowing the roadrunner to achieve speeds of up to 17 miles per hour. The roadrunner is a member of the cuckoo family and also called the Chaparral Cock. It is found throughout the Southwestern states and northern Mexico. Unlike the cartoon roadrunner, the real bird vocalizes in a series of 6 to 8 coos rather than the familiar double Beep!

In the Phoenix metro area, the Riparian Institute in Gilbert regularly offers bird walks. Two bird walks are scheduled in January, the first on Sunday the 11^th and the second on Saturday the 17^th. Both begin at 8 a.m. In addition to the bird walks, the Riparian Preserve at Water ranch provides excellent bird watching opportunities. Nearly 200 species of birds have been sighted at the Riparian Preserve which is located at 2752 E. Guadalupe Road (next to the Southeast Regional Library on Greenfield Rd.) in Gilbert.

Usery Mountain Regional Park is hosting a Backyard Birding event on January 7. Bring binoculars, water and meet at Campsite 21 at 10 a.m. to learn what feathered friends are most likely to be found in the backyards around Phoenix. Cost is $6.00 per vehicle. Usery Park will also host a Birding vs. Bird Watching seminar on January 16 at 9 a.m. This seminar will cover bird habitat, behavior and birds native to Arizona. Usery Mountain Regional Park is located at the Western end of the Goldfield Mountains next to the Tonto National Forest in the east Valley. The address is 3939 N. Usery Pass Road.

The Sonoran Audubon Society will be bringing live raptors to Estrella Mountain Regional Park on January 10 and 25, weather permitting. For 2 hours, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. visitors can experience eagles or peregrine falcons up close. Estrella Mountain Regional Park hosts more than 150 species of birds, allowing everyone to experience the excitement of birdwatching. Bring your binoculars and nature guide books. Estrella Mountain Regional Park is located at 14805 W. Vineyard Avenue in Goodyear. The 19,840 acre-park located near the intersection of Gila and Aqua Fria Rivers became the first regional park in Maricopa County Park System in 1954.

Kids can also learn about bird watching at Estrella Mountain Park. Kids are for the Birds! Will introduce families to the birds of Arizona beginning at 10 a.m. on January 23.

For those in mood for a bit of a road trip, the 16^th Annual Wings of Wilcox is being held January 14-16 (Martin Luther King Weekend). Tours and events are being held for every level of birdwatcher, from beginner to novice, as well as for photographers, geology and history buffs, gardeners and even astronomers!

Along with wild birds, Arizona is also home to many agricultural birds including chickens and ostriches.  Hickman's Family Farms have been providing fresh eggs to Arizonans since 1944. Today, Hickman's is Arizona's only egg producer with facilities in Buckeye and Maricopa. The company gained national attention when it was featured on the Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs with Mike Rove in November 2008.

The ostrich also plays a significant role in Arizona's past and present. At one time Maricopa County was the leading raiser of ostriches in the U.S. The ostrich lends its name to the annual Ostrich Festival held in Chandler each spring. The 2009 Ostrich Festival is scheduled to March 13-15 at Tumbleweed Park at 2250 S. McQueen Rd. (McQueen and Germann Rds.). The Ostrich Festival celebrates Chandler's heritage of ostrich farming as well as being a popular community event. Ostriches are still raised for agricultural purposes in Arizona. On the road between Phoenix and Tucson is Rooster Cogburn's Ostrich Ranch, the largest privately-owned ostrich ranch in the U.S. More than 1,100 South African Black hens were laying at the 600 acre ranch in 2000. The Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch is open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission to the feeding area is $5 for everyone older than 5 and includes feed and nectar. Additional feed and nectar can be purchased for $2. Monster Truck Tours of the Ranch are available on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Cost is $10 for everyone 6 and older and $5 for kids 5 years old and under. The Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch is located at the base of Pichaco Peak Mountain. Take Exit #219 from Interstate 10 and follow the sign taking the frontage road east 1 mile to the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch.

These are just a few of the opportunities available for exploring the bird life in Arizona. Each offers a unique experience and perspective. All are enjoyable.

If you have an Arizona bird story, I would love to hear it! Share them below!