Arizona Sky Islands Birding Tour with Kim Score
A 9-day southeastern Arizona birding route through the Sky Islands, targeting hummingbirds, trogons, owls, desert specialties and Madrean birds.
About this tour
This Arizona Sky Islands itinerary explores one of North America's premier birding regions during the summer monsoon season, when hummingbird diversity peaks, migrants arrive and Mexican rarities may wander north.
The route moves from Tucson through the Santa Catalina, Santa Rita, Huachuca and Chiricahua mountain ranges, using riparian corridors, desert grasslands, pine-oak woodland and mixed conifer forest to search for regional specialties.
Published targets include Elegant Trogon, Montezuma Quail, Mexican Chickadee, Olive Warbler, Yellow-eyed Junco, Arizona Woodpecker, Painted Redstart, Mexican Spotted Owl, Elf Owl and a strong hummingbird list. This is a review listing prepared from approved public source material; current dates and availability should be confirmed by Kim.
Birds you can spot
Leuconotopicus arizonae
target
Cynanthus latirostris
target
Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
target
Trogon elegans
target
Micrathene whitneyi
target
Parabuteo unicinctus
target
Calothorax lucifer
target
Amazilia luciae
target
Strix nigrolineata
target
Antrostomus arizonae
target
Gymnomystax mexicanus
target
Cyrtonyx montezumae
target
Peucedramus taeniatus
target
Myioborus pictus
target
Callipepla squamata
target
Poecile sclateri
target
Megascops trichopsis
target
Junco phaeonotus
target
Guides
Itinerary ▼
Arrive at Tucson International Airport and meet the group for an evening orientation dinner.
Bird the Mount Lemmon elevation gradient for desert scrub, oak woodland, pine forest and mixed conifer species, then continue to Madera Canyon for hummingbird feeders and evening owling.
Continue in Madera Canyon for Elegant Trogon and Montezuma Quail, then bird lowland and riparian sites around Florida Wash, Tumacacori and the Santa Cruz River.
Visit Kino Springs, the Paton Center for Hummingbirds and Sonoita grasslands before reaching Sierra Vista for the Huachuca Mountains portion of the route.
Spend a flexible day in the Huachuca Mountains, using current sightings and access to search feeder sites and canyon habitats for hummingbirds, owls, trogons and regional rarities.
Travel through Bisbee to Whitewater Draw for wetlands, raptors and shorebirds, then continue into Chiricahua National Monument and Pinery Canyon.
Explore Portal, Cave Creek Canyon, Rustler Park and Barfoot Park habitats for Chihuahuan Desert birds, canyon specialties and montane species.
Use a final morning in the Chiricahuas for missed targets, then return toward Tucson with stops such as Lake Cochise and, if time allows, St. David.
Breakfast and departure flights from Tucson International Airport.
Locations & map
- Tucson - Arizona United States (Arrival city and access point for the Sky Islands loop.)
- Santa Catalina Mountains - Arizona United States (Mount Lemmon and elevation-gradient birding from desert scrub to mixed conifer forest.)
- Madera Canyon - Arizona United States (Santa Rita Mountains hotspot for trogons, hummingbirds and oak woodland birds.)
- Huachuca Mountains - Arizona United States (Canyon and feeder birding for hummingbirds, owls and Madrean specialties.)
- Chiricahua Mountains and Cave Creek Canyon - Arizona United States (Chihuahuan Desert and mountain canyon birding, including Portal and Cave Creek Canyon.)
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Summer monsoon season; exact departure dates and availability should be confirmed after inquiry.
Included
- Lodging - Included according to the source page.
- Meals and soft drinks - Included according to the source page.
- In-country transportation and guiding - Included according to the source page.
- Park entrance fees - Included according to the source page.
Not included
- International airfare and travel documents - Excluded according to the source page.
- Alcoholic beverages, personal items, tips and travel insurance - Excluded according to the source page.
Transport & stays
- Group road transport In-country transportation is included according to the source page. | Meet: Tucson International Airport (TUS) | Pickup: Arrival details confirmed after inquiry.
Accommodations
- Route lodging (days 1-9) Double occupancy unless single supplement is arranged
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
How are inquiries handled?
Use the BirdWatch inquiry form. BirdWatch will route the inquiry to Kim Score / Natural Selections Tours for current availability and booking details.
Are prices and availability final?
Published source pricing is included for review, but current availability, deposit terms and final inclusions should be confirmed after inquiry.
Are bird sightings guaranteed?
No. These itineraries visit productive habitats for the listed target birds, but sightings depend on season, weather and daily bird activity.