Arizona Important Bird Areas Program
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The purpose of the Important Bird Area (IBA) Program is to identify a network of sites that maintain the long-term viability of wild bird populations while engaging the public to conserve those areas of critical habitat. The Arizona IBA Program is an exciting, active, field-oriented, community-engaged, science-based and conservation-focused program to benefit Arizona’s bird populations of greatest conservation concern, and other native biodiversity, and their most critical habitats and sites.
07/17/2025
Elegant Trogon survey results.
A new record low count of 31 Elegant Trogons was documented in the May 2025 survey of five Southeast Arizona mountain ranges. The Atascosa Highlands had one male, the Patagonia Mountains had four males, and the Santa Ritas had five males and one female. Further east, in the Huachucas we counted 15 total Elegant Trogons and five in the Chiricahuas. For reference, the Huachucas typically have around 50, so 15 is quite a decline. We are planning summer follow-up surveys to see if more trogons arrive with the monsoon season. Stay tuned for what we find.
The detailed 2025 results are here: aziba.org/?page_id=4141
Learn more about trogon data trends over the years at tucsonbirdalliance.blogspot.com/2024/11/elegant-trogons-respond-to-rainfall-in.html
Photo by Elizabeth Weintraub
10/24/2023
Come help us celebrate the Las Cienegas Global Important Bird Area on Saturday Nov 4 @ 10am. We will be at the Cowboy Festival event at Las Cienegas NCA at the Empire Ranch Headquarters north of Sonoita, AZ. There will lots going on at Cowboy Days all weekend!
09/14/2023
The Chiricahua Mountains Global Important Bird Area (IBA) was dedicated September 10 as part of the Portal Heritage Days event. Program coordinator Jennie MacFarland gave a talk on owls of the Chiricahuas and the following morning led a bird walk that culminated in the IBA dedication event in South Fork, Cave Creek Canyon. This area was established as an IBA in 2003 and then formally designated a Global IBA in 2009 due to its abundance of Mexican Spotted Owl nesting pairs. These owls are listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act and the Chiricahua Mountains IBA meets the threshold criteria to be recognized as a site of global significance. There was a great turnout from the Portal community and we are so grateful to all who came out to help up celebrate this excellent habitat that supports over 300 bird species within one of the most beautiful Sky Islands in Southeast Arizona. Thank you!
Audubon Southwest
Chiricahua Regional Council
Friends of Cave Creek Canyon (FOCCC)
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
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Tucson, AZ
