Plan Your Spring Birding Adventure in Superior, Arizona
- Superior, Arizona
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
If you’re already dreaming of your spring birding trips, there’s no better place to begin than Superior, Arizona. While the rest of the country is still thawing out, the Sonoran Desert is waking up — full of color, song, and movement. Posting this in the Winter means one thing: now is the perfect time to plan your spring visit.
Located just an hour east of Phoenix, Superior and Boyce Thompson Arboretum offer one of the richest, most accessible birding experiences in Arizona. Whether you’re new to birding or working your way through an ambitious life list, this region delivers sightings that you can check off your list.
Why Superior & Boyce Thompson Arboretum Are Birding Gold
Boyce Thompson Arboretum is recognized as an Important Bird Area for good reason. Few places in the Southwest concentrate so much habitat diversity in one walkable, beautiful location. Here, three worlds meet:
Sonoran Desert habitat — saguaros, cholla, mesquite
Riparian corridors — cottonwoods, willows, Queen Creek
Canyon and foothill zones — rocky slopes, oak and juniper transitions
This combination supports remarkable species richness: over 250–275 bird species have been recorded here. In practical terms? You can see desert specialists, canyon birds, water-loving migrants, and spring arrivals all in a single morning.
Superior’s unique location places the Arboretum, Queen Creek, and the surrounding foothills squarely on the Arizona Birding Trail, making it a must-visit stop for anyone exploring birding sites throughout the state.
Explore more here: Arizona Birding Trail – Boyce Thompson Arboretum
The Arboretum is also featured by Audubon's Arizona Important Bird Areas program, highlighting both its ecological value and birding significance in conservation.
Meet the Birds You’ve Only Seen in Field Guides
Some sightings stay on the page. Superior brings them to life.
Spring migration and early summer breeding season bring a spectacular mix of hummingbirds, flycatchers, warblers, woodpeckers, raptors, and riparian migrants. From the shimmering blue of a Broad-billed Hummingbird to the fiery red flash of a Vermilion Flycatcher, the desert becomes a moving field guide.
Use this website as a digital tool to help guide your visit — Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s “Birds Near Me” filter updates expected species by season, region, and habitat, giving you a real-time sense of what you’re likely to spot.
Top 20 Birds to Look For at Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Costa’s Hummingbird
A true Sonoran Desert specialty
Males have a brilliant purple crown and gorget
Seen year-round in flowering areas near desert plants
Gilded Flicker
A highly sought-after woodpecker that nests in saguaros
Limited U.S. range; Superior area is prime habitat
Crissal Thrasher
Secretive desert thrasher with a long curved bill
Most easily heard at dawn; common in dense desert scrub
Abert’s Towhee
Near-endemic to the lower Colorado River & central Arizona
Reliable around thickets and the creek beds
Arizona Must-See Birds
Cactus Wren
Arizona’s state bird
Bold and charismatic; often seen on cholla and prickly pear
Verdin
Tiny yellow-faced desert songbird; great for photos
Common in mesquite and acacia
Phainopepla
Glossy black (males) or gray (females) with a crest
Loves mistletoe berries throughout the Arboretum
Black-throated Sparrow
One of the Southwest’s most striking sparrows
Frequently seen along open desert trails
Canyon & Riparian Favorites
Canyon Wren
Known for its cascading, flute-like song
Frequent near cliffs and rocky garden areas
Rock Wren
Bobs and sings on boulders; great in Queen Creek Canyon
Bridled Titmouse
A Southeast Arizona favorite; loves oak and riparian trees
Easy to photograph due to curious behavior
Arizona Woodpecker (occasional but exciting)
Dark woodpecker mainly found in higher elevations
A surprise visitor some years = great checklist booster
Raptors & Big-Wings Birds Birders Love
Harris’s Hawk
A social hawk often hunting in groups
Seen in Superior’s desert outskirts
Zone-tailed Hawk
Masters mimicry of turkey vultures — birders love the challenge
Frequently seen soaring over canyons
Red-tailed Hawk
Reliable year-round
Great for photography over desert trails
Turkey Vulture
Nearly guaranteed from spring–fall
Add to “easy wins” section for casual birders
Seasonal Migrants That Boost Birding Diversity
Lazuli Bunting
spring migration color show
Wilson’s Warbler
abundant in migration
Summer Tanager
brilliant red males in summer
Western Tanager
gem-colored spring migrant
Planning Tips & Birding Etiquette
Arrive early. The desert wakes up with the sun, and so do the birds.
Bring binoculars, apps, and sun protection. A hat and water are essential even in spring.
Stay on trails and respect nesting areas. Many species breed from March–June.
Log your sightings in apps like eBird — it helps conservation and gives future visitors better data.
Wear sturdy shoes. Even easy trails can have rocky or uneven terrain.
Take your time. The Arboretum rewards slow exploration.
So pack your binoculars. Charge your camera. Grab your field guide.
Superior is calling — and the birds are already on their way.
