This is a list of birds of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. The following markings are used:
(A) Accidental - occurrence based on fewer than 10 records and unlikely to occur regularly (E) Extinct - a recent species that no longer exists (Ex) Extirpated - a species that no longer occurs in Yuma County, Arizona, but other populations exist elsewhere (I) Introduced - a population established solely as the result of direct or indirect human intervention; synonymous with “non-native” and “non-indigenous” (H) Hypothetical - birds that have had a credible sighting reported, but have not been documented with a specimen or suitable photograph (C) Casual - occasional visitor (SW) = found in the southwest of Arizona, Yuma County. sw–06 = observed in 2006. (* SW)—SW breeding species.Appendix, Birds of the Lower Colorado River Valley (–L–)–16 species are found local, in a specific locality. LCRV– Lower Colorado River Valley
Ducks, geese and swans Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. There are 131 species worldwide and 61 North American species.
Fulvous whistling duck, Dendrocygna bicolor Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Ross's goose, Chen rossii (–L–) Snow goose, Chen caerulescens (winters) Canada goose, Branta canadensis (winters) Brant, Branta bernicla, (brent goose), Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Wood duck, Aix sponsa (?Mountains, etc.) (* SW) Gadwall, Anas strepera (winters) (Eurasian wigeon, Anas penelope) Calif visitor? American wigeon, Anas americana (winters) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Perm ? Blue-winged teal, Anas discors (winters) (* SW) sw–06(Feb 23) Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera Perm ? Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata (winters) Northern pintail, Anas acuta ?(winters) Calif & Mex. Green-winged teal, Anas crecca (winters) Canvasback, Aythya valisineria (winters) (* SW) Redhead, Aythya americana (winters) sw–06 Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris (winters) Greater scaup, Aythya marila (winters) Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis (winters) Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata White-winged scoter, Melanitta fusca Black scoter, Melanitta nigra Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola (winters) Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula (winters) Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus (winters) Common merganser, Mergus merganser (winters) Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator (* SW) Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis Perm ?
Partridges, grouse, turkeys and Old World quail Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. They are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad, relatively short wings. Many species are game birds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. There are 16 species in North America and 180 species worldwide.
(–L–) (* SW) Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus, Colorado River–(Riparian) Env. (I)
New World quail Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds; although they are only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, they were given the same name because of their similar appearance and habits. There are 6 North American species and 32 species worldwide (all found only in the Americas).
(* SW) Gambel's quail, Callipepla gambelii, perm, non-migrating Montezuma quail, Cyrtonix montezumae (far-eastern and southeastern Arizona)
Loons Order: GaviiformesFamily: Gaviidae
Loons are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely gray or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but are almost hopeless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body. There are 5 species worldwide and 5 North American species.
(SW) Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata, (winter range)–Gulf of California (SW) Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica, (winter range)–Gulf of California (SW) Common loon, Gavia immer, (occasional wintering)
Grebes Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 7 North American species. Of the listed species, the horned, eared and western grebe are less commonly observed in summer.
(* SW) Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus (S. Mexico) (* SW) Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps Permanent and (winter range) (SW) Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus winters across coastal S US, S New Mex Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena (A) Jan; Mar (from W Canada, Alaska Coast) (SW) Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis (black-necked grebe), winters permanent at: 1-S. Nev, 2-Sierra Nevada mountains (Calif) and 3-NE Colo. (–L–) (* SW) Western grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis Permanent (+ winters west on Calif Coast) (–L–) (* SW) Clark's grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii Permanent and (winter range)
Albatross Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Diomedeidae
Laysan albatross, Phoebastria immutabilis (C)
Storm petrels Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae
Leach's storm petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa, (A) Permanent and summer range of Pacific Ocean at Baja California, (1977)–Other pelagic species were also observed. Black storm petrel, Oceanodroma melania, (C) Ranges: Gulf of Calif. and Pacific Ocean of Baja California (SW) Least storm petrel, Oceanodroma microsoma, (A) Ranges: Gulf of Calif. and Pacific Ocean of Baja California. In 1976 Tropical Storm Kathleen transported pelagic birds throughout the Southwest; 200 sightings of the storm-petrels were made at the Salton Sea.
Tropicbirds Order: PhaethontiformesFamily: Phaethontidae
Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus (C)
Boobies Order: SuliformesFamily: Sulidae
Blue-footed booby, Sula nebousii Brown booby, Sula leucogaster
Cormorants Order: SuliformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae
Cormorants are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of colored skin on the face. The bill is long, thin and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed, a distinguishing feature among the order Pelecaniformes. There are 36 species worldwide and 6 North American species.
Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus Permanent in Gulf of California Neotropic cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus (C)? from Coastal and Central Mexico (* SW) Double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus Permanent (SW)Olivaceous cormorant (Mexican cormorant), Phalacrocorax olivaceous (C) (Any month) More common in Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean–(more recently observed at Salton Sea and Lake Mead) Pelagic cormorant, Phalacrocorax pelagicus (from Calif. coast)
Darters Order: SuliformesFamily: Anhingidae
Darters are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beaks. They are fish eaters which often swim with only their neck above the water. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 North American species.
Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga, (old sight records, 1900, 1913-etc.)
Frigatebirds Order: SuliformesFamily: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black, or black-and-white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. There are 5 species worldwide and 3 North American species.
(SW) Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (C) Occasional, often seen yearly, possibly on flyway to Salton Sea–sightings may also be of great frigatebird(in-flight)
Pelicans Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 2 North American species.
(SW) American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, (summer range); observed in flocks. (SW) Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis (Common seasonal vagrant in SW Arizona), Permanent in Gulf of California and Pacific Ocean of Baja; (Common post-breeding.)
Pelecaniformes: bitterns, herons and egrets Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secretive. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills. There are 61 species worldwide and 17 North American species.
(* SW) American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus (winters?) (* SW) Least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis (* SW) Great blue heron, Ardea herodias (* SW) Great egret, Ardea alba (* SW) Snowy egret, Egretta thula (?) (SW) Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis (* SW) Green heron, Butorides virescens, (green-backed heron) (* SW) Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
Pelecaniformes: ibises and spoonbills Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Threskiornithidae
The family Threskiornithidae includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings. Their bodies tend to be elongated, the neck more so, with rather long legs. The bill is also long, decurved in the case of the ibises, and straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills. There are 36 species worldwide and 5 North American species.
American white ibis, Eudocimus albus (?) (winters in northern Gulf of California) White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi (?) (winters in northern Gulf of California) Roseate spoonbill, Ajaia ajaja
Ciconiiformes: storks Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They lack the powder down that other wading birds such as herons, spoonbills and ibises use to clean off fish slime. Storks lack a pharynx and are mute. There are 19 species worldwide and 2 North American species.
Wood stork, Mycteria americana (only population in S. FL)
Cathartiformes: New World vultures Order: CathartiformesFamily: Cathartidae The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but resemble them because of convergent evolution and the forces of function, ("form follows function"). Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers, and their major trait besides the bare/feather-less neck, would be their trait of, "searching by soaring". However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they also locate carcasses. There are 7 species worldwide, all found only in the Americas, and 3 North American species.
Black vulture, Coragyps atratus (far E. Arizona?/–S. Central Arizona, south on western continental coast of Mex., E. Gulf of California) (* SW) Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura, Note: gathers and migrates in updrafts, up to hundreds of individuals, up to 4000 ft(?) heights California condor, Gymnogyps californianus: emplaced in far northern Arizona (NW Arizona/Grand Canyon–Lake Mead region).
Osprey Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Pandionidae
(SW) Osprey, Pandion haliaetus. all Riverine environments: Colorado River, Gila, Lakes, etc.
Hawks, kites and eagles Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing the flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.