The Sonoran Desert is the most biologically diverse desert in North America. It is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, including a myriad of birds. Within this expansive habitat lies the Great Bend of the Gila, a natural river valley that has supported plants, people, and animals for generations.
The Great Bend of the Gila in the Sonoran Desert is home to an abundance of animals, namely over 200 species of resident and migratory birds. The birds rely on the river and the ecosystems it supports, highlighting the importance of the area and the need for further protections.
When to visit and what to see
Due to Southern Arizona’s punishing summer heat, most birdwatching takes place in the fall, winter, and spring months. That said, the birds of Arizona more than make up for lost time. The northern Sonoran Desert and the Great Bend of the Gila come alive with hawks, owls, roadrunners, cranes, and more.
Fall
Following Arizona’s monsoon season, migratory birds flock to join their resident neighbors at the Great Bend of the Gila. Some, like the iconic Roadrunner, can be seen year round.Others, like the Dunlin for example, have a staggering range that can take them from Alaska to Mexico.
For those interested in Arizona’s birds of prey, multiple species of hawk. Lucky bird watchers find themselves in the shade of the Ferruginous Hawk’s four and a half foot wingspan.
Winter
Cooling temperatures attract birds of all sizes. A variety of sparrows, such as the Golden-Crowned Sparrow, flitter through the unique vegetation of the Great Bend of the Gila. Additionally, a swath of owl species can be found: the imposing Great Horned Owl, the underfoot Burrowing Owl, and minute Elf Owl.
Spring
The wildflowers aren’t the only thing that begins to take on new color as ducks begin to develop colorful plumage in preparation for the mating season. From swallows to Warblers, the birds of the Great Bend of the Gila begin breeding; a perfect time for birdwatchers to explore this unique river valley and its inhabitants.
Help us protect the birds of the Great Bend of the Gila
Arizona Representative Raúl M. Grijalva, has introduced the “Great Bend of the Gila National Monument Establishment Act” into congress. Were it to pass, this bill would designate the Great Bend of the Gila as a national monument and ensure its health and conservation.
Without increased federal protections, the land and the ecosystems it supports are at risk of development and harmful human activities.
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Ellen runs campaigns to protect America’s beautiful places, from local beachfronts to remote mountain peaks. She sits on the Steering Committee of the Arctic Defense Campaign and co-coordinates the Climate Forests Campaign. Ellen previously worked as the organizing director for Environment America’s Climate Defenders campaign and managed grassroots campaign offices across the country. Ellen lives in Denver, where she likes to hike in Colorado’s mountains.
