Arizona Bird Call

A report on new research that describes how the Nightingale, an Old World flycatcher that got a mention in Homer's Iliad, William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and countless other poetic and dramatic works over many centuries on its way to literary stardom, has a new claim to fame. It develops a capacity for mimicking the territorial songs of competing males in perfect pitch. Ornithologists are investigating whether other birds have similar abilities. Bird of the episode: the Mallard. Birding hotspot: Las Legunas de Anza Wetlands. Friends of wildlife organization: Natural Restorations based in Gilbert, AZ. Calendar of bird friendly events coming up in Arizona

A report on research indicating Southwestern Flycatchers are adapting to climate change genetically by interbreeding with individuals from diverse population clusters in the Northwest and interior western US. A profile of the colorful Northern Shoveler, often spotted in Arizona during winter months. Introduction to Tucson Audubon's Mason Center. Bird of the episode: Lesser Goldfinch: Birding hotspot: Homolovi State Park. Friends of wildlife organization: Maricopa Trail & Park Foundation. Calendar of bird friendly events coming up in Arizona.

A report on the Arizona Field Ornithologist's field expedition to Lake Havasu on the Colorado River January 27, 2024. A 'save the date' for another field expedition, this to Springerville AZ in search of breeding Mountain Plovers.  White Mountain Audubon board member Rob Betasso report on a successful winter birding trip in search of Rosy Finches on Sandia Mountain near Albuquerque New Mexico.  Bird of the episode: Marbled Godwit. Birding hotspot: Slide Rock State Park near Sedona. Friend of Wildlife: Santa Fe Ranch Foundation.

A report on a novel approach to increasing the stock of seeds from plants preferred by the threatened Montezuma Quail. Quail hunters are donating sublingual pouches of harvested birds from which undigested seeds are collected and stored, then planted in quail-friendly natural areas.  A report on sightings of Spotted Towhee in Maine - in winter - the first ever. Bird of the week: LeConte's Thrasher. Birding hotspot: Lynx Lake in Prescott National Forest. Friend-of-wildlife organization: Gila Watershed Partnership of Arizona. Calendar of bird-friendly events coming up in Arizona.

A report on efforts by the Cocopah Indian community to restore portions of the lower Colorado River riparian zone including critical delta bird habitat. These efforts are being supported by recently awarded federal grants and corporate philanthropy. Bird of the week: Least Sandpiper. Birding hotspot: Thunderbird Conservation Park and Arrowhead Lakes in Maricopa County. Friend of Wildlife organization: Water Education Foundation. Calendar of bird friendly events coming up in Arizona.

A report on a recently awarded multimillion dollar grant from the U.S. Highway Administration to Arizona Game and Fish Department and Arizona Department of Transportation for construction of wildlife overpasses/underpasses along Arizona portions of  Interstates 17 and 40. These structures are designed to allow large mammals and other wildlife to safely cross thoroughfares during seasonal migrations and to cut down on vehicle collisions with wildlife. Bird of the week: Lawrence's Goldfinch. Birding hotspot: Mingus Mountain in Yavapai County. Friend of wildlife organization: the Salton Sea Coalition. Calendar of bird friendly events coming up in Arizona.

An introduction to winter waterfowl birding across North America. Millions of waterfowl overwinter in Arizona, can be observed along riparian corridors and on lakes and reservoirs statewide.  An update on actions taken by several Audubon Society chapters in the Midwest that are stepping away from the Audubon name and forming a new organization. Bird of the episode: Long-billed Curlew. Birding hotspot: the Arboretum at Flagstaff. Friend of Wildlife organization: Gila River Indian Community of Arizona. Calendar of bird-friendly events coming up in Arizona.

A report on scientific research being done by the Sala Lab at Arizona State University with support from the Drylands Institute. The Sala Lab is working to document environmental changes that are leading some scientists to conclude the decades long drought plaguing the Southwest is not temporary and that the region faces permanent aridification. An overview of research on Caledonian Crows and Jays and how they protect food sources and caches from conspecific competitors. Bird of the episode: Ladder-backed Woodpecker. Birding hotspot: P.A. Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon in northern Maricopa County. Friend of wildlife: American Ornithological Society.

Update on research into effects of wildfires on birds, their migratory and breeding habitats here in the Southwest. A species overview of the Ferruginous Hawk, North America's largest hawk, a regular in southern Arizona. Bird of the episode: House Sparrow. Birding hotspot: ASU Research Park, Tempe. Friend of wildlife organization: Central Arizona Project. A brief calendar of bird-friendly events coming up in Arizona.

An article on the Short-eared Owl, one of a very few owl species readily spotted during daylight hours on perches above open spaces and along forest edges throughout Arizona. And, an article that describes how birds survive extreme cold. Bird of the week: Greater Yellowlegs. Birding hotspot: Kartchner Caverns State Park. Friend of wildlife organization: Global Drylands Center at Arizona State University. Calendar of bird-friendly events in days ahead here it Arizona.