Here, I share my identification guide for the birds that visit backyard feeders in the State of Arizona. I have prepared custom identification pictures and gathered information about the 26 species most frequently reported at feeders by folks that feed backyard birds in the Grand Canyon State. In addition to the ID images, I have also included the songs and calls of each bird. Let’s see what I have put together!
- Click the jump-links below to a species account, or scroll down and navigate this guide.
- Backyard Feeder Birds in Arizona
- Most backyard feeder birds have flexible diets and behavior
- Identification pictures of species that come to backyard bird feeders in the State of Arizona
- List of birds that visit backyard feeders in the State of Arizona
- SPARROWS, FINCHES, & ALLIES
- DOVES AND PIGEONS
- QUAILS
- MOCKINGBIRDS, THRASHERS, & CATBIRDS
- JAYS & CROWS
- THRUSHES & ROBINS
- WOODPECKERS
- WRENS
- WARBLERS
- VERDINS
- KINGLETS
- What type of bird feeder should I get to attract birds in the State of Arizona?
- How do I attract birds to my bird feeder in my state?
- What type of food do I need to attract birds in the State of Arizona?
Backyard birders will find the guide to backyard feeder birds of the State of Arizona useful as an identification and reference tool. This information can also be used to engage the local community in bird conservation efforts. Knowing the diversity and types of birds that visit feeders can inspire people to set up their own feeders and participate in citizen science projects.
Diversity of Species: The diversity of bird species visiting feeders in Arizona is high, with at least 11 different groups represented. Sparrows, finches, and their allies are the most common visitors, with 9 species in this group alone. This suggests that feeders might be particularly attractive to these types of birds, possibly due to the availability of seeds and other food sources they favor.
Some species like Verdins and Quails are unique to the region, indicating that Arizona’s bird feeders support both common and region-specific species.
Backyard Feeder Birds in Arizona
Most of the birds visiting backyard bird feeders in the State of Arizona are widespread and occur in more than one region. Some occur in most of the United States and Canada.
Feeder birds in Arizona are primarily sparrows, finches, and their allies. This group also includes siskins, goldfinches, grosbeaks, and juncos.
Other groups are represented by fewer species. For instance, woodpeckers and doves include three species each. The remaining groups include only one or two species.
Bird groups and the number of species per group visiting bird feeders in the State of Arizona.
- Sparrows, Finches, and their allies: 9 species.
- Woodpeckers: 3 species.
- Doves: 3 species.
- Mockingbird and Thrashers: 2 species.
- Wrens: 2 species.
- Jays and Crows: 1 species.
- Robins and Thrushes: 1 species.
- Quails: 1 species.
- Verdins: 1 species.
- Warblers: 1 species
- Kinglets: 1 species
Most backyard feeder birds have flexible diets and behavior
Birds that visit bird feeders are a small subset of the birds in the region. The State of Arizona is home to many birds that eat insects. One would expect that insect-eating birds would make the largest group of birds visiting bird feeders. However, grain and seed-eating birds compose the largest group.
Birds visiting backyard feeders are also a subset with flexible behaviors. Regardless of their diets, these birds have not only learned to live near humans but also to take advantage of the food provided by them. There are many bird species that have not been able to break through either barrier.
Identification pictures of species that come to backyard bird feeders in the State of Arizona
Identifying backyard birds gives many hours of enjoyment to thousands of people in the State of Arizona. This guide will help you recognize male, female, and juvenile plumages, as well as the little brown ones. The illustrations point to birds’ markings to pay attention to.
Each species account includes aspects of the bird’s natural history, enhancing the backyard bird feeding experience.
Knowing which birds come to your bird feeder can help you improve your feeding strategy! If you pay attention to the birds that visit your feeders and those that don’t, you can choose the right food and feeder type to attract and keep the desired birds coming back for more. So, it’s a win-win situation: you get to enjoy watching birds at home, and they get to enjoy a tasty meal.
House finches like hulled sunflower seeds, while American goldfinches prefer nyjer or thistle seed.
List of birds that visit backyard feeders in the State of Arizona
Birds visit backyard feeders at different rates and times of the year. This is because birds can be year-round residents or migratory.
Migratory species move from region to region in search of food, better breeding opportunities, or to avoid harsh weather conditions. This can explain why some birds visit your feeders for a few months or even weeks, and then disappear, while the resident species keep coming back year-round.
Reproductive stages also influence the rate of feeder visitations. Parents that are feeding young in the nest switch their diets to protein-rich foods such as insects. These birds visit feeders offering bird seeds less frequently.
SPARROWS, FINCHES, & ALLIES
In the State of Arizona, sparrows, finches, and their allies constitute the largest group of backyard feeder birds. Most are ground-feeder birds that feed on platforms, hoppers, and tube feeders.
Birds in this group have heavy, conical, seed-crushing bills. Backyard feeders generally offer seeds and grains that sparrows, finches, grosbeaks, and buntings like. Some birds in this group take more insects and other invertebrates during the breeding season and switch to a seed and grain diet during the rest of the year.
Cassin’s Finch
Identification: The male cassin’s finch (Haemorhous cassinii) has a red-brown head, rosy throat and breast, and a bright raspberry red cap. Note the dark streaks on the upperparts and no marking on the underparts. The female is gray-brown, heavily streaked below with a patterned head.
Food: They are primarily seed-eaters, so providing a variety of seeds, such as s black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, nyjer, and millet are likely to attract them to your backyard.
Feeder: It favors platform feeders but can use large and small tube feeders.
Presence: The Cassin’s finch is a non-breeding visitor in the State of Arizona. It is more likely to visit feeder during the Fall and Winter months.
Behavior: It is not aggressive at feeders.
Backyard: Cassin’s Finches prefer backyards that have a mix of open spaces, shrubs, and trees, as well as a source of water.
Nest: As with other finches, the nest of the Cassin’s Finch is cup-shaped and made of twigs, grasses, and rootlets, lined with soft materials such as hair or feathers..
Breeding season: Cassin’s finches typically breed in the late spring and summer, from May to July.
Breeding period: The Cassin’s finches lays 3-6 greenish eggs with dusky specks. It takes approximately 26 days from egg-laying (incubation period 12 days, nestling period 14 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Cassin’s finches live at least 7 years.
House Finch
Identification: The male house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) has red on the head and breast, contrasting with the gray-brown of the rest of the body. A few males have yellow instead of red. Females are gray-brown streaked with black on the back, breast, and belly.
Food: Attract house finches with black oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, and nyjer.
Feeder: It favors large tube feed, small and large hopper, and platform feeders.
Presence: The house finch is a year-round resident and can be expected year-round in the State of Arizona.
Behavior: House finches are surprisingly submissive to even smaller birds. They generally interact well with other birds at feeders.
Backyard: Favors human-created habitats and are common in suburban settings.
Nest: House finches build an open cup surrounded by twigs in trees, cactus, and rock ledges. It also nests in light fixtures, house decorations, hanging planters, and building ledges.
Breeding season: The house finch breeds from late March through early August.
Breeding period: The house finch lays 2-6 bluish-white eggs dotted with brown. It takes about 29 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 16 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: House finches live at least 11 years and 7 months.
White-crowned Sparrow
Identification: The white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) has black and white stripes on the crown (adults). The head and breast areas are gray. It is a large and relatively long-tailed sparrow. Immature birds have tan and brown head stripes. The bill color varies from yellow-orange to pink.
Food: Attract white-crowned sparrows with black oil and hulled sunflower seeds, cracked corn, millet, and milo.
Feeder: White-crowned sparrows feed mainly on the ground but take platform feeders.
Presence: The white-crowned sparrow are non-breeding visitor in the State of Arizona and can be expected at feeder during the Fall and Winter months.
Behavior: Like other ground feeders, white-crowned sparrows interact peacefully with other ground feeders. They can be pushed aside from platform feeders by more aggressive birds.
Backyard: The white-crowned favors overgrown fields and brushy areas, particularly during migration. Yards that resemble this habitat type are likely to attract white-crowned sparrows.
Nest: White-crowned sparrows build a cup-shaped nest in shrubs or bushes at various heights (2-5 feet) from the ground. They can also nest on the ground where tall shrubs are not available.
Breeding season: The white-crowned sparrow’s breeding season varies regionally but is generally from May through mid-August.
Breeding period: The white-crowned sparrow lays 3-7 bluish to greenish eggs spotted with brown concentrated on the wide side of the egg. It takes about 22 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 9 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: White-crowned sparrows live at least 13 years and 4 months.
Abert’s Towhee
Identification: The Abert’s Towhee (Melozone aberti) is a rather nondescript grayish-brown bird. It has a long tail, a dark mask, and pale bill. The undertail area is rusty-brown.
Food: Attract Abert’s towhees with black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked corn, peanut hearts, millet, and milo.
Feeder: The Abert’s towhee is largely a ground feeder that takes seeds spilled below elevated feeders. It uses platform feeders and, less often, hopper feeders.
Presence: The Abert’s towhee’s is a year-round resident in roughly the southern half of where it can be expected at backyard bird feeders year-round.
Behavior: Abert’s towhees feed mostly on the ground along with other ground feeders, which are generally not aggressive to each other.
Backyard: This bird occurs in scrub vegetation and is generally reluctant to venture away from it. It is more likely to visit backyard feeders located adjacent to its preferred habitat.
Nest: The Abert’s towhee nest on branches of trees, thick forks of scrub vegetation generally within 6 feet from the ground on average.
Breeding season: The Abert’s towhee breeds from late February through mid August.
Breeding period: It lays 2-4 bluish eggs speckled with reddish brown spots. It takes approximately 25 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 12 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Abert’s towhees live at least 9 years.
Northern Cardinal
Identification: The male northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is all red with a conspicuous crest and long tail. The female is a warm brown with red on the wings and tail. Juveniles resemble a female.
Food: Food: Attract cardinals with black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked corn, peanut hearts, millet, and milo.
Feeder: It favors large tube, large hopper, and platform feeders. It also feeds on the ground.
Presence: Northern cardinals are year-round residents in roughly the southern half of Arizona where they can be expected at feeders year-round.
Behavior: Northern cardinals can be aggressive to smaller birds but are displaced by jays, woodpeckers, grackles, and larger birds.
Backyard: Favors dense cover and tall shrubs and trees, but will visit just about any type of yard with enough vegetation in or near it.
Nest: Northern cardinals build a cup-shaped nest in a fork of small branches, shrubs, or vine tangle, 1-15 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: The northern cardinal breeds from March through mid-September.
Breeding period: Northern cardinals lay 2-5 grayish to buffy white eggs speckled with light brown. It takes approximately 22 days from egg-laying (incubation period 12 days, nestling period 10 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Northern cardinals live at least 15 years and nine months.
Dark-eyed Junco
Identification: The dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) involves three sub-species with their respective plumages portrayed in this image. All plumage variations have dark eyes, a pink bill, and white outer tail feathers. Females are a dull version of the males.
Food: Attract juncos with black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked corn, peanut hearts, millet, and milo.
Feeder: Juncos feeds mostly on the ground, eating birdseed spilled by elevated feeders. The readily uses platform and hopper feeders.
Presence: Some sub-species are breeders and stay year-round while others are noon-breeding Fall and Winter visitors.
Behavior: Not an aggressive bird that visits backyards often in flocks. Easily displaced by more aggressive birds.
Backyard: The dark-eyed junco forages in semi-open areas with some vegetation cover. Favors backyards that offer vegetation cover near the feeders.
Nest: The Dark-eyed junco builds a cup-shaped on sloping ground or similar structures, such as among the large roots of upturned trees.
Breeding season: The dark-eyed junco breeds from mid-April through late August.
Breeding period: Dark-eyed juncos lay 3-6 pale greenish spotted with brown eggs. It takes approximately 25 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 12 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Dark-eyed juncos live at least 11 years and four months.
Lesser Goldfinch
Identification: The back color of an adult male lesser goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) can be olive-green with dark wings and a black cap in most of its range. Birds of Texas and South America have solid black upperparts and top of the head. Females have olive upperparts and yellowish underparts.
Food: Attract lesser goldfinches to your yards with nyjer seeds, hulled sunflower, and black-oil sunflower seeds.
Feeder: It favors large and small tube feeders, large hopper and platform feeders.
Presence: Lesser goldfinches are year-round residents in most of Arizona and breeding visitors in the northeast corner of the State.
Behavior: Non-aggressive and easy-going at feeders. Submissive to most other feeder birds. Often clings to feeders horizontally.
Backyard: Shrubs, tall weeds, and seed-producing weeds attract lesser goldfinches.
Nest: Lesser goldfinches build a neat cup-shaped nest on twigs, dense shrubs, and dense foliage in overhanging branches of trees 4 to 15 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: The lesser goldfinch breeds breed in April through mid-August in the northern part of its range and mid-May through October in the southern part.
Breeding Period: The lesser goldfinch lays 3-6 bluish and unmarked eggs. It takes about 26 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 13 day) until fledging.
Lifespan: Lesser goldfinches live at least 7 years.
Pine Siskin
Identification: The pine siskin (Spinus spinus) is a small finch, all brown and streaked with black. It has a pointed bill and a notched tail. Males show a variable amount of yellow on the wing.
Food: Attract pine siskins with small seeds such as thistle or nyjer, millet, and hulled sunflower seeds. They can also take peanut hearts and suet.
Feeder: Pine siskins tend to cling to vertical stems and also do so on bird feeders. They favor large tube, large hopper, and platform feeders.
Presence: Pine siskins can be expected at backyard bird feeders year-round in most of State of Arizona.
Behavior: A nomadic bird, pine siskins can visit feeders one year and disappear the next. Non-aggressive and displaced by larger birds. Thistle feeders exclude most other birds.
Backyard: It is attracted to yards with shrubs and plenty of weeds with small seeds.
Nest: Pine siskins build a cup-shaped nest concealed in dense foliage on overhanging branches. Several pairs may nest in close proximity.
Breeding season: This siskin breeds between March through August.
Breeding period: Pine siskins lay 3-5 greenish with light brown specks eggs. It takes approximately 28 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 15 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: They live at least 9 years and 2 months.
House Sparrow
Identification: Males house sparrows (Passer domesticus) have rich-brown and patterned back, chestnut napes, and a black bib that varies with age. The forehead and underparts are gray. Females are brown with a patterned back. Immatures look like females.
Food: House sparrows like black oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower seed, cracked corn, peanut hearts, millet, and milo.
Feeder: They favor large tube, large hopper, and platform feeders. They also feed on the ground.
Presence: The house sparrow is a year-round resident in the State of Arizona and can be expected at backyard bird feeders throughout the year.
Behavior: It can be aggressive to other birds at feeders. Dominant over same-sized and smaller birds.
Backyard: Favors open habitats, farmland, and urban areas. Visits all types of backyards.
Nest: House sparrows build large, bulky, and messy-looking nests with a side entrance. It uses cavities, light fixtures, tangled vines, and just about any structure to place a nest.
Breeding season: House sparrows breed in early March through late September.
Breeding Period: House sparrows lay 1-8 variable whitish, bluish, or greenish eggs spotted with gray. It takes about 26 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 13 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: House sparrows live at least 15 years and nine months.
DOVES AND PIGEONS
At backyard bird feeders in the State of Arizona, doves are represented by three species. Doves and pigeons are entirely vegetarian at all times of the year. They have a weak straight bill adapted to pick seeds and grains and swallow them whole. They are unable to crush seeds as finches and sparrows do. Some may take small berries.
Mourning Dove
Identification: The mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) is all brown with dark spots on the wing. Juveniles have pale edging on feathers.
Food: Attract mourning doves with hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked corn, peanut hearts, millet, oats, and milo.
Feeder: It feeds mostly on the ground, below elevated feeders. The mourning dove also uses platform and large hopper feeders.
Presence: Mourning doves are year-round residents in the State of Arizona.
Behavior: The mourning dove is non-aggressive at feeders but stands its ground against other birds. Submissive to blue jays, blackbirds, and crows.
Backyard: It favors relatively open yards where it usually feeds on spilled seeds on the ground below hanging feeders.
Nest: Mourning doves build a precarious platform of twigs placed in a fork, branch, or dense foliage, usually 10 to 15 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: Mourning doves breed in mid-February through early October.
Breeding period: The female lays 2 white eggs. It takes about 27 days from egg-laying (incubation period 14 days, nestling period 13 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Mourning doves live at least 30 years and four months.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Identification: The Eurasian collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is buffy-brown with a black incomplete collar on the neck. It has a relatively long tail with a pale terminal band. Both sexes look alike.
Food: Attract Eurasian collared-doves with hulled sunflower seeds, cracked corn, peanut hearts, millet, oats, and milo.
Feeder: It usually feeds on the ground but can use large hopper and platform feeders.
Presence: The Eurasian collared-dove has expanded to the State of Arizona and can be expected at feeders year-round.
Behavior: This dove is not aggressive to other birds at feeders. It may be submissive to other, even smaller birds.
Backyard: Favors semi-open woodlands, farmland, and urban areas. Visits open yards, usually in pairs feeding on spilled seeds on the ground, below hanging feeders.
Nest: The Eurasian collared-dove builds a simple platform of twigs, usually at about 10 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: They breed in late March through mid-September.
Breeding Period: The Eurasian collared-dove lays 1-2 white unmarked eggs. It takes about 30 days from egg-laying (incubation period 16 days, nestling period 14 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Eurasian collared doves live at least 13 years and 8 months.
White-winged Dove
Identification: The white-winged dove (Zenaida asiatica) is uniform gray-brown with white bars along the edges of the folded wing. Note the blue bare skin around the eye and light gray terminal band in the tail.
Food: Attract white-winged doves with hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, cracked corn, millet, oats, and milo.
Feeder: It feeds mostly on the ground but can use platform feeders.
Presence: The white-winged dove is a year-round resident in the State of Arizona. It can be expected at feeders throughout the year.
Behavior: Non-aggressive but stands its ground against smaller non-aggressive birds. Submissive to blue jays, blackbirds, and crows.
Backyard: Favors backyard with plenty of perches. It mostly takes the seeds spilled on the ground from hanging feeders.
Nest: It builds a precarious platform of twigs placed in a fork or dense foliage 4-30 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: White-winged doves breed in late March through mid-September.
Breeding Period: White-winged doves lay 2 white eggs. It takes about 35 days from egg-laying (incubation period 18 days, nestling period 17 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: White-winged doves live at least 21 years and nine months.
QUAILS
Gambel’s Quail is a staple bird of the Sonoran desert where they are often seen running and hiding in dense undergrowth. They form stable family groups and larger winter coveys. Their diet is predominantly plant-based, especially legumes.
Gambel’s Quail
Identification: The Gambel’s quail (Callipepla gambelii) is mostly gray with conspicuous teardrop plumes protruding from the forehead. Only the male has a black face and throat, and a chestnut cap. Seen in small flocks on the ground.
Food: Attract Gambel’s quails with cracked corn, millet, milo, black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, and safflower.
Feeder: The Gambel’s quail is a ground feeder. They take seeds spilled below elevated feeders. It readily uses platform feeders.
Presence: Gambel’s quails are year round residents in the State of Arizona, and can be expected at backyard bird feeders any time of the year.
Behavior: While not aggressive to other birds, Gambel’s quails are not bullied by other birds.
Backyard: This bird is a ground dweller that usually stays near vegetation that it utilizes as cover.
Nest: The Gambel’s quail builds a nest in secluded places under thick vegetation cover.
Breeding season: Gambel’s quails breed from April through August.
Breeding period: It lays 10-12 white eggs with irregular brown blotches. The incubation period is 23 to 25 days. After hatching, the chicks leave the nest a day later to follow their parents.
Lifespan: Gambel’s quails live at least 6 years and 11 months.
MOCKINGBIRDS, THRASHERS, & CATBIRDS
Mockingbirds and thrashers belong to the family Mimidae (Mimids). These birds delight Arizona backyard birders with not only their presence but also their songs. All are great songsters, and some are vocal mimics that incorporate parts of other local birds’ songs into their repertoire.
Mimids feed on insects and fruit. They use their bill to toss leaves and sticks or rake through leaf litter in search of food. They do something similar at bird feeders spilling over birdseed as they search for their favorite seed.
Northern Mockingbird
Identification: The northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is gray above and whitish gray below. In flight, it flashes white patches on the wings and white streaks on the long tail. Note its pale eyes.
Food: Attract northern mockingbirds with hulled sunflower seeds, suet, peanut hearts, fruit, and mealworms.
Feeder: It favors platform feeders and the ground.
Presence: The northern mockingbird can be expected at feeder any time of the year in the State of Arizona.
Behavior: Non-aggressive at feeders and submissive to most other birds.
Backyard: Northern mockingbirds do well in all vegetation types, including yards in urban areas with little vegetation.
Nest: The northern mockingbird builds an open cup-shaped nest in dense shrubs, usually 2-10 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: Northern mockingbirds breed in late February through mid-September.
Breeding period: Northern mockingbirds lay 2-6 bluish or greenish eggs blotched with brown. It takes about 25 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period: 12 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: The northern mockingbird lives at least 11 years and 7 months.
Curve-billed Thrasher
Identification: The curve-billed thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) is mostly gray with a spotted breast and belly. It has a curved bill, long tail, and yellow eyes.
Food: Attract curve-billed thrashers with hulled sunflower seeds, suet cage, cracked corn, and peanut hearts.
Feeder: It favors platform feeders and also feeds on the ground.
Presence: The curve-billed thrasher is a year-round resident in Arizona and visits feeders throughout the year.
Behavior: Rather shy but it stands its ground at feeders. Backyard: Favors dense vegetation and thickets it uses to approach feeders and hide.
Nest: It builds a relatively large cup-shaped nest in dense vegetation 2-7 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: Curve-billed thrashers breed in March through July.
Breeding period: Curve-billed thrashers lay 3-5 pale bluish or greenish eggs with reddish-brown speckles. It takes about 27 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 14 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Brown thrashers live at least 11 years.
JAYS & CROWS
Jays and crows belong to the avian family Corvidae (Corvids), which are among the most familiar birds to many. Surprisingly, this group of birds are represented in Arizona by only one species.
Corvids are diet generalists, including just about anything edible in their diets. They can eat seeds, fruits, insects, and even small mammals. They are bird nest robbers, and some feed on carrion. Corvids are opportunistic and visit all types of backyard feeders that offer any type of food.
Common Raven
Identification: The common raven (Corvus corax) is all black and nearly unmistakable. It is larger and has a longer and thicker bill than the similar American crow. Usually in pair rather than in flocks.
Food: Common ravens will take just about any type of food offered to smaller birds.
Feeder: The common raven favors platform feeders and the ground.
Presence: Common ravens can be expected at feeders in Arizona any time of the year.
Behavior: Aggressive and dominant over most other feeder birds. Takes over feeders when present.
Backyard: Favors open country, agricultural fields, and similar open habitats. Present in some suburban areas but not in others.
Nest: It builds a simple platform or accumulation of twigs in trees or tall shrubs 10 to 70 above the ground.
Breeding season: Common ravens breed in mid-February through mid-July.
Breeding period: The common raven lays 3-6 olive-green or bluish eggs blotched with brown concentrated on the wide side of the egg. It takes about 58-60 days from egg-laying (incubation period 23 days, nestling period 35 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Common ravens live at least 22 years and seven months.
THRUSHES & ROBINS
Bluebirds and Robins belong to the avian family Turdidae. In the State of Arizona, bird feeder visitors in this family include the American robin.
Robins feed mostly on insects and fruit during the breeding season. During the non-breeding season, their diet includes a greater proportion of fruit. They generally visit bird feeders that offer mealworms and suet.
American Robin
Identification: The American robin (Turdus migratorius) is gray above with a blackish head and yellow-orange bill. Reddish-brown below. Colors are more saturated during the breeding season.
Food: Attract American robins with hulled sunflower seeds, suet, peanut hearts, fruit, and mealworms.
Feeder: It favors platform feeders and the ground.
Presence: The American Robin is a year-round resident in most of the State of Arizona.
Behavior: Non-aggressive at feeders. Usually feeds on the ground and jumps to platform feeders.
Backyard: Favors relatively open habitats and yards with feeders in open spaces.
Nest: It builds a well-shaped cup on forks or horizontal branches 5-25 feet above the ground. They can also nest on the ground, light fixtures, house ledges, and bridges.
Breeding season: American robins breed in April through mid-August.
Breeding period: The American Robin lays 3-5 distinctively blue eggs with no markings. It takes about 26 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 14 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: American robins live at least 13 years and 11 months.
WOODPECKERS
Three woodpeckers are regular visitors to backyard bird feeders in the State of Arizona. Woodpeckers feed on insects, other arthropods, fruit, nectar, and seeds. Woodpeckers often take seeds from feeders to cash elsewhere for later consumption.
Ladder-backed woodpecker
Identification: The ladder-backed woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) has a back barred with black and white but the sides of the breast and belly are spotted. The head is patterned. Adult males have a red crown and nape.
Food: Attract ladder-backed woodpeckers with suet, black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, peanuts, peanut hearts, and mealworms.
Feeder: They favor suet cages, large and small hopper, and platform feeders.
Presence: The ladder-backed woodpecker is a year-round resident in the State of Arizona and visits backyard bird feeders any time of the year.
Behavior: Generally non-aggressive but dominant over smaller birds and submissive to larger ones.
Backyard: Ladder-backed woodpeckers favor semi-open woodlands and wooded urban areas. They are more likely to visit backyard feeders located in or near these habitat types.
Nest: Ladder-backed woodpeckers nest in cavities they excavate in dead branches at variable heights from the ground.
Breeding season: They breed from mid April through late-July.
Breeding period: Ladder-backed woodpeckers lay 2-7 pure white and round eggs.
Lifespan: The ladder-backed woodpecker lives at least 5 years.
Gila Woodpecker
Identification: The gila woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis) is buffy brown with black and white barring on the back. The adult male has a red cap and nape.
Food: Attract gila woodpeckers with suet, black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, peanuts, peanut hearts, and mealworms.
Feeder: They favor suet cages, large and small hoppers, and platform feeders.
Presence: The gila woodpecker is a year-round resident in the State of Arizona and visits backyard bird feeders any time of the year.
Behavior: Generally non-aggressive but dominant over smaller birds and submissive to larger ones.
Backyard: Gila woodpeckers are birds of the desert that favors semi-open woodlands and scrub. They are more likely to visit backyard feeders located in or near these habitat types.
Nest: Gila woodpeckers nest in cavities they excavate in dead branches or cactus columns at variable heights from the ground.
Breeding season: Gila woodpeckers breed from early April through August.
Breeding period: Gila woodpeckers lay 3-6 pure white and round eggs. The incubation period is 13 to 14 days.
Lifespan: Gila woodpeckers live at least 8 years.
Northern Flicker
Identification: The northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) is one of the largest woodpeckers in the State of Arizona. It is warm brown with black barring on the back and wings and large black spots on the belly. It has a conspicuous black crescent on the chest. Males have a black malar stripe, which is missing in the female.
Food: Attract Northern flickers with black oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower seeds, and suet.
Feeder: Northern flickers favors suet cages, large hopper, and platform feeders.
Presence: The northern flicker is a year-round resident in the State of Arizona and can be expected at feeders any time of the year.
Behavior: Northern flickers are not particularly aggressive to other birds at feeders but are dominant over smaller-sized birds.
Backyard: Favors semi-open habitats with plenty of open ground, including suburban areas.
Nest: The northern flicker nest in cavities it excavates in rotten wood.
Breeding season: The northern flicker breeds from May through early August.
Breeding period: The northern flicker lays 5-8 pure white and unmarked eggs. It takes about 37 days from egg-laying (incubation period 12 days, nestling period 25 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Northern flickers live at least 9 years and 2 months.
WRENS
Wrens, in general, are not known as regular bird feeder visitors anywhere. However, in the State of Arizona, the bewick’s wren and cactus wren visit backyard feeders. Wrens feed on insects and other small invertebrates they find in dense foliage on or close to the ground. They also supplement their diet with berries and seeds. Wren are great songster.
Bewick’s Wren
Identification: The Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) is brown on the back, wings, and cap. The tai and wings have black barring. It has a pale throat and breast that grades to grayish. Note the bold white eyebrow and slightly decurved bill. It is a great songster.
Food: Attract Bewick’s Wrens with mealworms, suet, hulled sunflower seeds, and peanuts.
Feeder: It favors large or small hopper feeders, tube feeders, suet cages, and the ground.
Presence: Bewick’s wrens are year-round residents in Coastal Arizona.
Behavior: It is often shy at feeders and does not stay out of dense vegetation for long periods of time. Submissive to most other birds.
Backyard: Bewick’s wrens favor dense vegetation, tangled understory, or brush piles that they use to approach bird feeders and return for cover.
Nest: The Bewick’s Wren builds a bulky oven-shaped nest with a side entrance. The nest is placed in broken-off stumps and limbs 3-6 feet above the ground. It also nests in hanging planters and hanging decorations on porches.
Breeding season: Bewick’s wrens breed in late Mid-April through Mid-August.
Breeding period: Bewick’s Wrens lay 3-7 creamy-white eggs with brown to reddish-brown spots. It takes about 30 days from egg-laying (incubation period 15 days, nestling period 15 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Bewick’s wrens live at least 8 years.
Cactus Wren
Identification: The cactus wren (Campylorhynchus bruneicapillus) is heavily spotted and streaked. It has a densely spotted breast and a bold and pale eyebrow.
Food :Attract cactus wrens with mealworms, suet, hulled sunflower seeds, and peanut hearts.
Feeder: It favors large or small hopper feeders, platform feeders, and the ground.
Presence: Cactus wrens are year-round residents in the State of Arizona and can be expected at feeders throughout the year.
Behavior: Cactus wrens are territorial and can be aggressive to other birds at the feeders.
Backyard: Cactus wrens favor scrub and cactus often with tangled understory that it uses to approach feeders.
Nest: The cactus wren builds a bulky oven-shaped nest with a side entrance. The nest is typically placed in cactus.
Breeding season: Cactus wrens breed in Mid-March through Mid-August.
Breeding period: Cactus wrens lay 2-7 yellowish eggs with brown spots. It takes about 36 days from egg-laying (incubation period 16 days), nestling period 20 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Cactus wrens live at least 9 years.
WARBLERS
Warblers generally do not visit bird feeders. Most warblers in North America feed on insects and other small invertebrates, but some include fruit, nectar, and small seeds during the winter or non-breeding season. The yellow-rump warbler is mostly a non-breeding visitor but also has breeding populations in parts of Arizona.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Identification: The yellow-rumped warbler (Setophaga coronata) in winter plumage is grayish-brown with blackish streaks. The throat is whitish. The rump and sides of the breast and belly are yellow. It has two distinctive white wing bars.
Food: Attract yellow-rumped warbler with hulled sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts, peanut hearts, nectar, fruit, and mealworms.
Feeder: It favors large and small tube feeders, suet cages, large and small hopper feeders, fruit and nectar feeders.
Presence: Yellow-rumped warblers are present throughout the year in Arizona. They can be expected at backyard bird feeders any time.
Behavior: A non-aggressive visitor to feeders. It is submissive to most other birds at feeders.
Backyard: Yellow-rumped warblers favor semi-open woodland and yards where it moves about in flocks.
Nest: It builds an open cup on horizontal branches in coniferous forests 4-50 feet above the ground.
Breeding season: The yellow-rumped warbler breeds in mid-May through late August.
Breeding period: Yellow-rumped warblers lay 1-6 whitish eggs speckled with reddish-brown. It takes about 25 days from egg-laying (incubation period 12 days, nestling period 12 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Yellow-rumped warblers live at least 10 years.
VERDINS
Verdins are some of the tiniest songbirds in North America. They are highly active foragers, constantly searching live foliage and flowers for spiders and small insects in the desert areas of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Verdins are notable for their loud, persistent calls.
Verdin
Identification: The adult Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) is all gray with a chestnut shoulder patch, bright yellow face and a pointed bill. Juvenile birds are all gray-brown.
Food: Attract verdins with nectar, fruit, jelly, and suet.
Feeder: This hyperactive bird can take nectar from hummingbird feeders, eat fruit in a bowl or impaled. They can also use suet cages.
Presence: Verdins are year-round residents in Arizona and can be expected at backyard bird feeders any time of the year.
Behavior: Verdins are restless birds that often hang upside down to investigate hard-to-reach tips of branches and leaves. At feeders it is not aggressive to each other.
Backyard: Verdins are arboreal and are more likely to visit feeders in yards with plenty of trees and bushes.
Nest: Verdins build a spherical and bulky nest with an entrance near the button of the nest.
Breeding season: Verdins breed from mid March through July.
Breeding period: It lays 3-6 greenish eggs with brown spots. The incubation period lasts 14-18 days.
Lifespan: Verdins live at least 6 years.
KINGLETS
Kinglets are tiny, relatively drab, hyperactive birds. They flit nervously, flick their wings while foraging, and often hover at the tips of branches to glean insects. The yellow-rump warbler is mostly a non-breeding visitor but also has breeding populations in parts of Arizona.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Identification: The ruby-crowned kinglet (Corthylio calendula) is tiny and hyperactive. It is plain yellow-olive and has an eye-ring. The ruby color in the crown is present in males only, and it is usually concealed except for occasions when the bird gets excited. Except for the ruby crown, males and females look alike.
Food: Attract ruby-crowned kinglets with suet, hulled sunflower seeds, peanuts, and mealworms.
Feeder: It favors suet cages, large hopper, and platform feeders.
Presence: The ruby-crowned kinglet is present in Arizona throughout the year, as a breeding, in part of the State, and non-breeder in others.
Behavior: Ruby-crowned kinglets are infrequent visitors to backyard bird feeders. Their tiny size makes them vulnerable to larger and more aggressive birds at feeders.
Backyard: The ruby-crowned kinglet favors wooded areas. It is more likely to visit feeders located in its favorite habitat.
Nest: Ruby-crowned kinglets build large nests with a central cup. The exterior of the nest is lined with moss and lichen. The interior is lined with fine fibers and hair.
Breeding season: Ruby-crowned kinglets breed in mid-May through early August.
Breeding period: The ruby-crowned kinglet lays 5-12 whitish eggs spotted with brown concentrated on the wide side of the egg. It takes about 30 days from egg-laying (incubation period 13 days, nestling period 17 days) until fledging.
Lifespan: Ruby-crowned kinglets live at least 8 years and 8 months.
What type of bird feeder should I get to attract birds in the State of Arizona?
The type of bird feeder to get in the State of Arizona is a platform feeder or hopper feeder, particularly if one is starting to feed backyard birds.
I analyzed the type of feeder most used by backyard feeder birds. The results apply to the State of Arizona and other states as these birds have wide ranges in North America.
According to the data analyzed, most (92.5%) birds use platform feeders, followed by large hopper feeders (64.8%). Many birds (32%) are comfortable feeding on the ground.
The analysis consisted of tallying bird species by bird feeder type used. The data comes from reports from folks that feed backyard birds in the region reported to the FeederWatch Project of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.
The table below shows the bird feeder types most frequently used by backyard birds in the State of Arizona.
| Feeder Type | Number of Species that use it | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | 50 | 92.5 |
| Large Hopper | 35 | 64.8 |
| Ground | 32 | 59.2 |
| Large Tube | 20 | 37.0 |
| Suet Cage | 20 | 37.0 |
| Small Tube | 15 | 27.7 |
| Small Hopper | 9 | 16.6 |
How do I attract birds to my bird feeder in my state?
Attracting birds to your bird feeders in Arizona is as simple as putting up a feeder with food or simply spraying birdseed on the ground. Once one or two birds find the food source, other birds see them coming and going from your yard to the feeder and follow them.
It is very important to be consistent. Once you put birdseed out for the birds, they will make visiting your backyard a part of their daily routine. If food is unavailable for several days, they will drop your backyard as a reliable source of food and visit it only sporadically.
The time it takes for the birds to discover your feeders depends on the vegetation in your yard and around it. Bushes and trees attract birds, and more birds around are more likely to notice your feeders.
The bird feeder should be located in a place visible to the birds. As indicated above, I recommend spraying food on the ground and putting food on a platform feeder. If you have grass in your yard and food is unlikely to be seen by the birds, you can simply use a piece of plywood to place birdseed.
Once you have a few birds visiting your yard, you can implement a hopper or tube feeder. You can gradually move the bird feeder to a location in your yard where you can enjoy them from your home, for instance, outside the kitchen window.
What type of food do I need to attract birds in the State of Arizona?
My preferred food for beginners is birdseed mixes available in stores. Bird seed mixes include several seeds and grains that appeal to a wider variety of birds.
Once you get birds coming to your feeders, you can begin to offer the type of food that is more likely to attract the birds you want to see in your feeders.
Photo Credits:
The photographic material used in this guide was made available on various websites. Many thanks to Andrew Morffew, Mark Mochell, Elizabeth Milson, Duzan Brinkhuizen, Matt Weller, Troy Anderson, Dennis Church, Wendy Miller, Rick From Alabama, Carlos Sanchez, John Benson, Mick Thompson, Steve Guttman, Victor Espinoza, Kelly Colgan-Azar, Andy Reago, Chrissy McLaren, Garry C., Michael Janke, Cuatro77, Linda Fortuna, Vicky DeLoach, Paul Hurtado, Tom Murray, Tom Wilberding, Patricia Pierce, Kenneth Cole-Schneider, Doug Greenberg, Brian Garrett, David White, Victoria Pickering, Becky Matsubara, Dan Mooney, and Julio Mulero.
Voices:
Most recordings were made by Paul Marvin (Xeno-canto https://xeno-canto.org/contributor/RFTXRYBVBX)
References and Sources:
- eBird. (https://ebird.org/)
- Project Feederwatch (https://feederwatch.org/)
- Sibley, David, 2000, The Sibley Guide to Birds.
- Species Longevity Data: United States Geological Survey (https://www.usgs.gov/)
- Allaboutbirds. (https://www.wikipedia.org/)
Final thoughts:
The guide to backyard feeder birds of the State of Arizona is meant to be used as an identification and reference tool. The Guide is largely based on the concept of citizen science. Most of the information in this article comes from citizen reports.
This identification guide covers common birds that visit backyard feeders in the State of Arizona.