This list of birds of Arizona includes every wild bird species seen in Arizona, as recorded by the Arizona Bird Committee (ABC) through January 2023.Arizona Bird Committee Checklist of the Birds of Arizona. retrieved June 25, 2022.
This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 63rd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.
The following tags have been used to identify categories of occurrence:
(n) – Nesting: Per the ABC, this denotes "[a] species that has hatched young at least once, however, this does not include hybrid offspring" (Int) – Introduced: Birds that have been introduced to North America by the actions of humans, either directly or indirectly (Ex) – Extirpated: Birds that have formerly bred in Arizona but no longer do; reintroduction attempts may have been made but the species remains unestablished (A) – Accidental: Birds that have been seen only a few times, or only once; the ABC requires a formal report for sightings of them to be included in the official record (H) – Hypothetical: Birds that have had a credible sighting reported, but have not been documented with physical evidence such as a specimen or photograph
The ABC list contains 569 species, including one "slash" entry for a record which could not be identified at the species level. Of them, 153 taxa are considered accidental, eight as introduced by humans, four as extirpated, and two as hypothetical. As of July, 2024, two additional species have been added from outstanding sources since the most recent update. Hypothetical species have also been added from another source. Nesting has been recorded for 309 taxa. The list also includes eight forms or groups of subspecies which have been recorded in the state, all requiring committee review. This list has been prepared with the Arizona Bird Committee (Jan. 2024).
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl 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.
Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis (n) Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (A) Snow goose, Anser caerulescens Ross's goose, Anser rossii Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Brant, Branta bernicla (A) Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii Canada goose, Branta canadensis (n) Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator (A) Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Wood duck, Aix sponsa (n) Baikal teal, Sibirionetta formosa (A) Garganey, Spatula querquedula (A) Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (n) Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera (n) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (n) Gadwall, Mareca strepera (n) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope American wigeon, Mareca americana (n) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos (n) Mexican duck, Anas diazi (n) Northern pintail, Anas acuta (n) Green-winged teal, Anas crecca (n) Eurasian (crecca) form (A) Canvasback, Aythya valisineria (n) Redhead, Aythya americana (n) Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris (n) Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A) Greater scaup, Aythya marila Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus (A) Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi Black scoter, Melanitta americana Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus Common merganser, Mergus merganser (n) Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator Masked duck, Nomonyx dominicus (H)Arizona Bird Committee Report, 1974-1996: Part 1 (non Passerines) Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis (n)
New World quail Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits.
Masked bobwhite, Colinus virginianus ridgwayi (n) (Ex) Scaled quail, Callipepla squamata (n) California quail, Callipepla californica (n) (Int) Gambel's quail, Callipepla gambelii (n) Montezuma quail, Cyrtonyx montezumae (n)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans.
Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (n) White-tailed ptarmigan, Lagopus leucurus (H) Dusky grouse, Dendragapus obscurus (n) Greater sage-grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus (H)Arizona Bird Committee Report, 1996-1999 Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (n) (Int) Chukar, Alectoris chukar (n) (Int)
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.
Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus (n) Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps (n) Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis (n) Western grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis (n) Clark's grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii (n)
Pigeons and doves Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (n) (Int) Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (n) Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (n) (Int) Inca dove, Columbina inca (n) Common ground dove, Columbina passerina (n) Ruddy ground dove, Columbina talpacoti (n) White-tipped dove, Leptotila verreauxi (A) White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica (n) Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura (n)
Cuckoos Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs.
Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris Greater roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus (n) Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (n) Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (A)
Nightjars and allies Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves.
Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis (n) Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (n) Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii (n) Buff-collared nightjar, Antrostomus ridgwayi (n) Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus (A) Mexican whip-poor-will, Antrostomus arizonae (n)
Swifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae
The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
Black swift, Cypseloides niger (A) Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (A) Vaux's swift, Chaetura vauxi White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis (n)
Hummingbirds Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards.
Rivoli's hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens (n) Plain-capped starthroat, Heliomaster constantii Blue-throated mountain-gem, Lampornis clemenciae (n) Lucifer hummingbird, Calothorax lucifer (n) Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (A) Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri (n) Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (n) Costa's hummingbird, Calypte costae (n) Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin Broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus (n) Bumblebee hummingbird, Atthis heloisa (A) Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (n) White-eared hummingbird, Basilinna leucotis (n) Violet-crowned hummingbird, Leucolia violiceps (n) Berylline hummingbird, Saucerottia beryllina (n) Cinnamon hummingbird, Amazilia rutila (A)
Rails, gallinules, and coots Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
Ridgway's rail, Rallus obsoletus (n) Virginia rail, Rallus limicola (n) Sora, Porzana carolina (n) Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata (n) American coot, Fulica americana (n) Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (A) Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (n)
Cranes Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".
Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis (n) Common crane, Grus grus (A) Whooping crane, Grus americana (H)
Thick-knees Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of waders found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes, and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
Double-striped thick-knee, Burhinus bistriatus (H)
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.
Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus (n) American avocet, Recurvirostra americana (n)
Plovers and lapwings Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.
Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (A) Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus (n) Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus (A) Mountain plover, Charadrius montanus (n) Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (n)
Jacanas Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a family of waders found worldwide within the tropical zone. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.
Northern jacana, Jacana spinosa (A)
Sandpipers and allies Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae