Bird Species of Tonto National Monument

Cactus Wren

This list of the most frequently seen birds at Tonto National Monument is based on previous documentation of abundance (A). Birds are classified as common (C), meaning likely to be seen on a daily basis (in season); uncommon (U), meaning likely to be seen a few times a week; or rare (R), meaning likely to be seen a few times a month (in season and habitat).

Habitats (H) are separated into three categories. Riparian (R) habitats occur in or along the canyon bottom with deciduous riparian vegetation, such as sycamore, walnut, hackberry, and elderberry. Desert Scrub (D) habitats include dry uplands and washes with mesquite, saguaro, pricklypear, ocotillo, and paloverde. Chaparral (Ch) includes the park’s higher elevations, with Sonoran scrub oak and crucifi xion thorn.

The varied habitats of Tonto National Monument make it a vital site for many birds across the seasons (S). Birds that do not migrate are considered year-round residents (Y) and can be seen at any time of year. Summer (S) residents are breeders present during June–August, while winter (W) residents occur from November to February. Migrant (M) birds may be seen from March to May and September to October as they briefl y pass through the monument on their way to other habitats.

Key:

Abundance (A)
C—Common
U—Uncommon
R—Rare

Habitat (H)
Ri—Riparian
D—Desert Scrub
Ch—Chaparral

Season (S)
Y—Year-round
S—Summer
W—Winter
M—Migrant

 

Common name

A

H

S

Quail

Gambel's Quail

C

D, Ch

Y

Vultures

Turkey Vulture

C

D, Ch

S

Raptors

Sharp-Shinned Hawk	U	Ri,D,Ch	M
Cooper's Hawk	U	Ri,D	Y
Zone-Tailed Hawk	R	Ri,D,Ch	S
Red-Tailed Hawk	U	Ri,D,Ch	Y

Falcons

American Kestrel

U

D,Ch

Y

Pigeons and Doves

White-Winged Dove	C	Ri,D,Ch	S
Mourning Dove	C	Ri,D,Ch	Y

Roadrunners

Greater Roadrunner

U

D,Ch

Y

Owls

Western Screech-Owl	U	Ri,D	Y
Great Horned Owl	U	Ri,D,Ch	Y
Elf Owl	C	Ri,D	S

Goatsuckers

Lesser Nighthawk	U	D,Ch	S
Common Poorwill	C	D,Ch	S

Swifts

White-Throated Swift

C

D,Ch

Y

Hummingbirds

Black-Chinned Hummingbird	C	Ri,D,Ch	S
Anna's Hummingbird	C	Ri,D,Ch	Y
Costa's Hummingbird	C	D,Ch	Y
Broad-Tailed Hummingbird	U	Ri,D,Ch	M
Rufous Hummingbird	U	D,Ch	M

Woodpeckers

Gila Woodpecker	C	Ri,D	Y
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker	U	Ri,D	Y
Red-Naped Sapsucker	R	Ri	W
Northern Flicker	U	Ri,D,Ch	W,M
Gilded Flicker	U	D	Y

Flycatchers

Western Wood-Peewee	U	Ri,D,Ch	M
Hammond's Flycatcher	R	Ri,D	M
Gray Flycatcher	U	Ri,D,Ch	W,M
Pacific-Slope Flycatcher	U	Ri,D	M
Say's Phoebe	C	D	Y
Ash-Throated Flycatcher	C	Ri,D,Ch	S
Brown-Crested Flycatcher	C	Ri,D,Ch	S
Cassin's Kingbird	U	Ri	S
Western Kingbird	U	Ri,D,Ch	S

Shrikes

Loggerhead Shrike

R

D

Y

Vireos

Bell's Vireo	C	Ri,D	S
Gray Vireo	U	D,Ch	S
Plumbeous Vireo	U	Ri,D,Ch	M
Cassin's Vireo	R	Ri,D,Ch	M
Hutton's Vireo	R	Ri,D,Ch	W,M
Warbling Vireo	U	Ri,D	M

Corvids

Western Scrub-Jay	U	D,Ch	W
Common Raven	C	Ri,D,Ch	Y

Swallows

Purple Marlin	U	D	S
Violet Green Swallow	U	D,Ch	M
Northern Roughed-Winged Swallow	U	D,Ch	M
Bank Swallow	R	D,Ch	M
Cliff Swallow	U	D,Ch	M
Barn Swallow	U	D,Ch	M

Titmice

Bridled Titmouse

R

Ri,D,Ch

W

Verdins and Bushtits

Verdin	C	Ri,D,Ch	Y
Bushtit	R	Ch	W

 

Common Name

A

H

S

Wrens

Rock Wren	C	D,Ch	Y
Canyon Wren	C	D,Ch	Y
House Wren	U	Ri,D,Ch	W,M
Bewick's Wren	U	Ri,D,Ch	Y
Cactus Wren	C	D,Ch	Y

Kinglets and Gnatcatchers

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher	C	Ri,D,Ch	S
Black-Tailed Gnatcatcher	C	D,Ch	Y
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet	C	Ri,D,Ch	W,M

Thrushes

American Robin	R	Ri,D,Ch	M
Hermit Thrush	U	Ri,D,Ch	W
Swainson's Thrush	R	Ri	M

Mimids and Thrashers

Northern Mockingbird	C	Ri,D,Ch	Y
Curve-Billed Thrasher	C	D,Ch	Y
Crissal Thrasher	R	Ri,D,Ch	Y

Silky Flycatchers

Phainopepla

C

Ri,D,Ch

Y

Warblers

Orange-Crowned Warbler	U	Ri,D,Ch	W,M
Lucy's Warbler	C	Ri, D	S
Nashville Warbler	U	Ri,D,Ch	M
Virginia's Warbler	R	Ri,D,Ch	M
Macgillivray's Warbler	U	Ri, D	M
Yellow Warbler	R	Ri, D	M
Yellow-Rumped Warbler	C	Ri,D,Ch	W,M
Black-Throated Gray Warbler	U	Ri,D,Ch	M
Townsend's Warbler	U	Ri,D,Ch	M
Wilson's Warbler	U	Ri,D,Ch	M

Embezerines

Green-Tailed Towhee	C	Ri,D,Ch	W,M
Spotted Towhee	U	Ri, Ch	W,M
Rufous-Crowned Sparrow	C	D,Ch	Y
Canyon Towhee	C	D,Ch	Y
Abert's Towhee	U	Ri, D	Y
Chipping Sparrow	R	Ri,D,Ch	W,M
Brewer's Sparrow	C	Ri,D,Ch	W,M
Black-Chinned Sparrow	U	D,Ch	Y
Tark Sparrow	R	D	W,M
Black-Throated Sparrow	C	D,Ch	Y
White-Crowned Sparrow	C	Ri,D,Ch	W,M
Dark-Eyed Junco	U	Ri, Ch	W,M

Tanagers

Summer Tanager	C	Ri	S
Western Tanager	U	Ri,D,Ch	M

Cardinals and Allies

Northern Cardinal	C	Ri, D	Y
Black-Headed Grosbeak	U	Ri,D,Ch	M
Blue Grosbeak	C	Ri,D,Ch	S
Lazuli Bunting	U	Ri,D,Ch	M
Indigo Bunting	U	Ri, D	S

Icterids

Bronzed Cowbird	U	Ri, D	S
Brown-Headed Cowbird	C	Ri,D,Ch	S
Hooded Oriole	C	Ri, D	S
Bullock's Oriole	R	Ri, D	M
Scott's Oriole	C	D,Ch	S

Cardueline Finches

House Finch	C	Ri,D,Ch	Y
Lesser Gold Finch	C	Ri,D,Ch	Y
Pine Siskin	R	Ri, Ch	W