On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Albatrossity
Another week done gone! And if you need a tune to go with that meme, try this one, from a vastly underrated Jorma Kaukonen album entitled Quah. Timely, it is.
Week 4 of images from our March trip to southeastern AZ is dedicated to the desert rather than the mountain/streamside biome featured in previous posts. Portal AZ is on the edge of both, and there are great birding opportunities in both. One local birder has set up a feeding station near his home in the desert east of Portal, with a bunch of seed feeders, hummingbird feeders, and a water feature. Donations are accepted, and you can sit in the shade and watch some great desert critters as long as you desire. I spent a nice morning there.
The star attraction there this year was a Crissal Thrasher (Toxostoma crissale). Normally a shy and retiring bird, and an elusive target species for many a visitor to this region, this one was a frequent presence at the water feature and the seed feeders. It showed up several times that morning, and I got better looks at it than ever before. Yeah, it’s not colorful or flashy at all, but ask any birder if they would like to get good looks at a Crissal Thrasher, and you should get an enthusiastic Yes! Click here for larger image.
Another species that is a goal for many birders who visit SE AZ, the Abert’s Towhee (Melozone aberti), also has a reputation as a skulker. Actually, it is just a stay-at-home species that lives in places where humans are rare. If you have one who considers your yard part of his territory, like this guy, you will see him rather often. Click here for larger image.
The most abundant bird of the high desert areas in this region, the Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata), is a very spiffy and handsome sparrow. But it is so common that the residents here usually overlook them, just like I take Blue Jays and Cardinals for granted here in Kansas. It takes a visitor oohing and aahing at a Blue Jay to remind me that yeah, they are pretty good-looking birds. So consider this a reminder to appreciate the beauty all around you, and don’t take it for granted. Click here for larger image.
Another sparrow that was abundant when we visited, but is now well north of the desert, is the White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii). These chunky passerines were fattening up at the seed feeders, getting fueled for their migratory journey. Click here for larger image.
Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) are familiar to most North American birders (and lots of non-birders), since they are very vocal, even singing in the middle of the night at some times of year. A little-known fact is that both male and female mockingbirds sing, but it is the unmated males who keep you awake at night. Sorta like Elon’s incels, thoughtlessly disturbing the sleep of normal folks. Click here for larger image.
Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii) are found in both the desert and upland biomes in Arizona, and at this time of year were mostly found in pairs. This female was finding her way to the feeder. Click here for larger image.
And she was followed by this male, who looks a bit tipsy, almost as if he was on his way to a Hegseth/Vance Signal chat party. Click here for larger image.
Birds are not the only beneficiaries of the food and water provided by the hosts. This Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audobonii)) was a regular visitor as well. Click here for larger image.
When it got warm around mid-day, I scuttled back to the cool riparian habitat of the Cave Creek Ranch for the afternoon. So here are a couple of images from there, both species that would be highly unusual in the desert. Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus) are familiar winter visitors in much of the US, but their appearance in any given location in any given winter is quite sporadic. Here they are year-round residents, although they do move upslope for the summer months. Click here for larger image.
A final image is of a species that is endemic to the mountains of AZ and Mexico, the Mexican Jay (Aphelocoma wollweberi). Many jay species are highly social, and this one is extremely so. It does not migrate, or even disperse from its natal patch, spending all of its life in the company of its parents, siblings, offspring, and other more distant relatives. Some of its relatives helped feed it as a hatchling, and some will help feed its chicks if it has any. It truly takes a village. Much of the research on this fascinating species has been done in the Chiricahuas, by scientists working at the American Museum of Natural History’s Southwest Research Station near Portal. Click here for larger image.
Betty Cracker
Words to live by!
Fantastic photos and commentary as always — thanks! I love the head plumes on the quails. They always remind me of an old-timey high school marching band hat.
eclare
The Mexican Jays are so pretty.
They Call Me Noni
Very lovely birds.
AM in NC
As always, LOVE your photos and information. Also, go Jorma! My husband was in Asheville for work when Hot Tuna was playing there one time, and he saw Jorma at the little complimentary breakfast at the hotel he stayed at. He told Jorma how much he enjoyed his music, and they ended up having breakfast together. Said he was just the nicest guy, and so unassuming.
SteveinPHX
Last time I was down that way, I was fortunate enough to see two Montezuma Quail families crossing roads in that area. Thank you for the photos!
HinTN
For years I saw only the fact that the Jays were competing with the Goldfinches for the seed I put out. (I didn’t have this complaint about the Cardinals.) Then I really looked at them and they are pretty birds. Now I just put out more seed and enjoy them all, even the Cowbirds and occasional flocks of Starlings.
Albatrossity
@Betty Cracker: Yeah, quail head plumes are just plain bizarre. I like the comparison to high school band uniform hats!
@SteveinPHX: We missed Montezuma Quail on this trip, but have seen them down there before. My very first sighting of that species, way back in the 1980’s, was quite memorable. I was with a group of students taking an intersession class on the ecology and wildlife of SE AZ, and we were camping near Sycamore Canyon in the Nogales area. One of the other professors flushed a family of Montezuma Quail, who were huddled in the grass in the spot where he decided to spread out the tarp for his tent. We had been at this campsite for an hour or more, and they had hunkered down for all that time, but the tarp on top of their heads finally sent them into the open!
MCat
Thanks so much for these great photos. And for reminding us to appreciate the beauty around us.
SteveinPHX
@Albatrossity: Neat story. I was just in my truck, idling along. They cross the road & immediately disappear in the brush!
TheOtherHank
The Black-throated Sparrow looks like character in a video game that’s about to send me on a side quest
EmbraceYourInnerCrone
Thank you for the gorgeous photos and the reminder to appreciate the beauty around me and to seek it out.
wenchacha
I’m with my sister tonight. She is going in for cataract surgery tomorrow. Last month, she broke her elbow, and she still can’t drive. But we are enjoying each other’s company.
I was so happy to show her some cool birdies.
Albatrossity
@wenchacha: Glad she could see some cool birdies! After the surgery she should see them even better. Wish her good luck from me, and thanks!