Nearly 200 species of birds have been recorded at Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary. The iconic species is Lucifer Hummingbird, more commonly associated with the eastern “sky island” mountains of western Texas. Though rare in Arizona, Lucifer is a relatively common spring and summer resident at this location, arriving in March and returning to Mexico by early October. Fourteen other hummingbird species have been recorded here: . The peak months for viewing hummingbirds are during migration in April-May and August-September, though a handful of Anna’s and Rivoli’s remain all winter.
Many species visit the feeders year round, including White-winged Dove, Gambel’s Quail, Gould’s Wild Turkey, Acorn Woodpecker, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Mexican Jay, Bridled Titmouse, Bushtit, Bewick’s Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Canyon Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Finch. Summer residents include Scott’s Oriole, Bullock’s Oriole, Black-headed Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Summer Tanager, Lucy’s Warbler, Cassin’s Kingbird, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, and Brown-crested Flycatcher. Winter residents include Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s, Myrtle, and intergrades), White-crowned Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, Cassin’s Finch, and Dark-eyed Junco. Migration brings a variety of birds through the yard, including various warblers and vireos and flocks of Lazuli Buntings. A pair of Gray Hawks nests in the cienega and are often heard (though less often seen) between March and September. Montezuma Quail are irregular visitors.
To find out more about what birds can be expected at different times of the year, click the button below to view the eBird bar chart for Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary: