Our Latest AZFO Programs

Green Kingfisher Field Expedition

A one day survey to better determine how many individuals and pairs are along a 6 mile section of the Santa Cruz River.

Field Expedition: Green Kingfisher Survey along Santa Cruz River 1 July 2023 Green Kingfisher is a rare, somewhat irregular, but possibly increasing visitor in Arizona. In recent years, it has been most consistently detected along sections of Sonoita Creek and the upper Santa Cruz River in Santa Cruz County. Confirmed nesting activity has been documented along both of these drainages as well. The goal of this one day survey is to better determine how many individuals and pairs are along an approximately 6 mile section of the Santa Cruz River. Participants will be divided into two teams, one starting at the Tubac Golf Resort and another at Palo Parado Road near Rio Rico, walking as much of the river as possible, while keeping an eye and ear out for Rose-throated Becards and their nests, along with other locally nesting species. Note: This survey will likely be cancelled if early monsoon activity has flooded the river. What to expect: Be prepared to walk through tall vegetation, over and around debris, water up to your knees, hot and humid temps, and mud. Limited to 10 people.

Gale Monson Grants

Each year, AZFO offers two $1,000 grants to individuals conducting field research on the birds of Arizona.

AZFO provides up to two $1,000 grants each year to qualified applicants. We named this grant program in honor of Gale Monson, naturalist and father of ornithology in Arizona. Grant recipients present reports on their research each year at our annual meetings. Details on how to apply TBA.

Workshops

Our upcoming workshop is planned for the last weekend in August. the topic? Shorebirds -- always a challenge in Arizona as they migrate through in nonbreeding plumage. Details TBA.

Sure, we all know a lot about bird identification and about how to bird. Here at AZFO, we do our part to improve that knowledge and refine observation techniques, so that birders who enjoy contributing to citizen science can enhance their contributions. Some of AZ's best birders led these workshops, sharing their tips and knowledge. Sometimes, workshops are via social media, sometimes in a classroom setting, often in the field. For example, one of our most popular workshops is a Zoom webinar about how to participate in the Christmas Bird Counts.

AZ Bird Gaps

Head on out today! Help us learn about under-birded regions of our state, the "Gaps".

Welcome to the AZFO eBird Gaps project! One of our main focuses has always been exploring areas of Arizona where we lack the full picture of the status and distribution birds. This project introduces a new way for birders to take part in this venture, by contributing their sightings to the global citizen science database, eBird.

Our Journal: "Arizona Birds"

An online magazine of recent peer-reviewed articles about Arizona's most remarkable birds.

Arizona Birds is an online-only journal, which offers peer-reviewed articles with an easy-to-read format that contribute significantly to the scientific literature on Arizona’s avifauna. The journal welcomes contributions from both professional and amateur ornithologists. Topics include distribution, status, identification, geographic variation, migration, population dynamics, and ecological needs of birds. To search the journal, go to : ArizonaBirds.org