Are you planning an Arizona birding adventure? Looking for the best Arizona birding tours? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Guided tours are great for birding in Arizona. They help you find rare birds and hidden spots you might miss on your own. Tour guides know the best times and places to see different species. They also handle logistics, so you can focus on enjoying the birds.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the top 8 Arizona birding tours. We’ll explore each tour company’s specialties, guides, and offerings. So, let’s jump in and discover the exciting world of Arizona birding tours!
Table of Contents
- Birding Northern Arizona (BNAZ)
- Arizona Birding Guides
- Fun Birding Tours
- East West Birding Tours
- Melody’s Birding Adventures
- The Patagonia Birding & Butterfly Co.
- AZ-Birding
- Adventure Birding Company
- Final thoughts on Arizona birding tours
Birding Northern Arizona (BNAZ)
Birding Northern Arizona (BNAZ) is a top choice for Arizona birding tours in the northern part of the state. The company has been in business since 1996. They operate their tours throughout the entire year, without seasonal breaks. They have permits to explore Coconino National Forest in Sedona and Flagstaff, as well as Grand Canyon National Park.
Tim Weber, the guide at BNAZ, brings a wealth of experience to his tours. His deep love for birds started when he worked at the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory. Tim has a Master’s degree in Wildlife Management and has worked as a bird biologist for many years. He knows the best birding spots in Arizona and loves sharing his knowledge with others.
BNAZ offers several types of tours to suit different needs and skill levels. You can choose between group tours or private tours. Tour lengths vary from 3 hours to full-day trips. The 3-hour tour is great for beginners and covers 1 to 4 miles. Half-day tours last 4-5 hours and explore more diverse habitats. Full-day tours are perfect for seeing a wide range of birds across different areas.
Tours are available in Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon. Each tour includes water, snacks, and all the gear you need for birdwatching. BNAZ can customize tours to fit your interests and abilities. Whether you’re new to birding or an expert, BNAZ aims to give you a great birding experience in the beautiful landscapes of Northern Arizona.
Arizona Birding Guides
Arizona Birding Guides is a professional company offering Arizona birding tours throughout the state. They offer custom birding experiences for everyone, from beginners to experienced birders. Their goal is to share their love for Arizona’s birds and beautiful landscapes with their clients.
Felipe Guerrero, the owner and lead guide, started the company in 2018. He has been birding in Arizona for over 16 years. He is deeply knowledgeable about the state’s diverse habitats and bird species. Felipe is active in the birding community and serves on the Arizona Bird Committee. He is also an eBird reviewer for several counties.
Arizona Birding Guides offers a variety of exciting Arizona birding tours. They have birding tours that last either a full day (8 to 10 hours) or a half day (4 to 6 hours). These tours allow you to experience Arizona’s unique birds and add to your life list.
For those interested in night birds, they have owling tours. These tours take you out for 1 to 3 hours to see and hear owls and nightjars. If you love photography, they have bird photography tours. These tours help you capture the best shots of birds. They also offer private tours that can last several days, tailored to your interests.
The company offers Arizona birding tours in every region of the state. This includes the famous southeastern “Sky Islands” as well as the Grand Canyon in the north. When you choose them as your guide, you’ll get pre-trip consultations, professional guidance, eBird checklists, and optics if you need them. They have a team of experienced guides who specialize in different areas of the state.
Fun Birding Tours
Fun Birding Tours provides Arizona birding tours in the southeastern part of the state. The company offers personalized birding trips for all levels of birders, from beginners to experts.
Richard Fray, the owner of Fun Birding Tours, is an experienced birder. He moved from England to Arizona in 2002. He started his company in 2010 and has been guiding full-time ever since. Richard lives in Rio Rico, Santa Cruz County, which puts him close to many great birding spots. He’s active in the local birding community and volunteers for various organizations. He has also found several rare birds in Arizona.
Fun Birding Tours has different options to fit your needs. If you prefer shorter outings, they offer half-day tours around the Rio Rico area. For a longer adventure, you can choose full-day tours that explore more spots. Multi-day tours are perfect for those who want to see even more. And if you have specific interests, you can create a custom Arizona birding tour just for you.
Richard can guide anywhere in southeast Arizona. This includes popular spots like Madera Canyon and Patagonia Lake. He tailors each tour to the client’s interests, whether they want to see certain birds, improve their birding skills, or simply enjoy nature.
The tours can be as relaxed or intense as the client wants. Richard welcomes all types of birders, including those with mobility limitations. He’s flexible with start times and activity levels. He ensures that each tour is comfortable and enjoyable for his clients.
Besides birds, Richard is knowledgeable about other wildlife. This includes butterflies, dragonflies, mammals, and reptiles. His goal is to make birding fun and educational for everyone.
East West Birding Tours
East West Birding Tours offers Arizona birding tours in the southeast part of the state. Their goal is to help you see your target birds, grow your life list, or simply enjoy nature.
Ken Blankenship, the owner and lead guide, has over 15 years of birding experience. He knows southeast Arizona’s birds and habitats very well. Ken is great at identifying birds by their sounds. He has published many articles about birds. He used to be a teacher and led student trips to Europe, so he’s also good at managing group travel.
East West Birding Tours offers both group tours and private daily guiding. Group sizes are small, usually 4-12 people, with an average of 8. They have one guide for every four participants.
For private tours, they can drive up to 3 people. Larger groups need to use their own vehicle or rent one. Tours are rated from Level 1 (easy) to Level 4 (challenging). The ratings are based on how much walking is involved and how difficult the terrain is.
Melody’s Birding Adventures
Melody’s Birding Adventures offers Arizona birding tours in the southern part of the state. Melody Kehl, the guide, has been leading tours since 1991. She knows the area like her own backyard. She is licensed to guide in the Coronado National Forest.
Melody herself is a passionate birder who guides over 200 days a year. She has a music education degree, which helps her identify birds by their sounds. Melody prefers a quiet approach to birding, so she rarely uses recordings or makes noises to attract birds. She believes this method leads to more satisfying bird sightings.
Melody is also knowledgeable about local plants and animals. She keeps learning about birds by taking ornithology courses. She stays active in the birding community by volunteering for groups like the Tucson Audubon Society.
Melody’s tours are flexible. You can book a single day to find a specific bird or spend several days exploring the area. She tailors each trip to fit her clients’ needs and interests. Her goal is to share her love of birds with everyone she guides.
The Patagonia Birding & Butterfly Co.
The Patagonia Birding & Butterfly Co. is a small, local tour company in Patagonia, Arizona. They offer Arizona birding tours in the southern part of the state. The company aims to help people find specific birds or just enjoy nature in beautiful settings.
Matt Brown owns and runs the company. He has lived in Patagonia since 1998 and has been a nature lover all his life. Matt started birdwatching when he was five years old. He has led tours for many groups, including The Nature Conservancy and Tucson Audubon Society. Matt also works with Road Scholar, leading week-long birding trips in Arizona.
The company offers different types of tours. They have predesigned tours near Patagonia that are easy to walk to or a short drive away. These tours visit places like town parks, nature preserves, and state parks. Clients can also ask for custom tours. These are charged by the hour and can be as long as the client wants. The tours can be done singly or in small groups.
During tours, Matt shares his knowledge about birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. He explains how the local environment affects which animals and plants live there. Matt brings a spotting scope, field guides, water, and snacks on all tours. He can also provide binoculars if needed. Clients can use the company car with a mileage fee or their own car to save money.
The Patagonia Birding & Butterfly Co. welcomes all levels of birdwatchers, from beginners to experts. They aim to give everyone a safe, fun, and educational outdoor experience in southern Arizona.
AZ-Birding
AZ-Birding is a service by WINGS Birding Tours Worldwide, offering Arizona birding tours. This company has been organizing birding tours globally since 1973. The AZ-Birding service connects birders with professional guides in Arizona. It focuses on birding opportunities in the state’s southeastern region.
The guides at AZ-Birding are experienced professionals. They have a deep understanding of Arizona’s landscapes and birds. Each guide brings unique expertise to the team. This enhances the birding experience for all clients.
Ken Blankenship is an expert in southeastern Arizona’s birds and habitats. He is known for his remarkable ability to identify birds by ear. Felipe Guerrero specializes in guiding throughout the entire state. He covers areas from the southeastern regions to the northern canyons.
Gordon Karre focuses on Phoenix and Maricopa County. He uses his extensive local birding experience to provide insights about the area. Melody Kehl is known for her quiet and non-aggressive birding style. Finally, Scott Wilbor offers birding adventures in southeastern Arizona.
In AZ-Birding, clients work directly with guides to create itineraries. These can range from leisurely car-based birding to vigorous hikes in remote areas. Your guide could also help you find Arizona’s special species.
Adventure Birding Company
Adventure Birding Company was established in 2006. It offers Arizona birding tours in the southeastern part of the state. They also offer tours in select global destinations. The company focuses on discovery and enjoyment for all levels of birders.
Adventure Birding Company is run by three seasoned guides. Jake Mohlmann, a Penn State graduate, brings a wealth of field experience to the team. He even discovered North America’s first Brown Hawk-Owl in Alaska, a major highlight in his career.
John Yerger has been birding for nearly three decades. He holds a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. He has been involved with local birding organizations. He has also served on the board of the Friends of Cave Creek Canyon.
Keith Kamper has over 35 years of birding experience. This has made him a go-to resource for bird enthusiasts in the area. He has been involved with local birding organizations. He is one of the founding members of the Arizona Field Ornithologists.
Adventure Birding Company offers a variety of tour options to suit different interests. They provide day trips in Southeastern Arizona that can be customized to meet clients’ preferences. For those wanting a complete experience, they offer all-inclusive private tours that include lodging, meals, and transportation.
They also organize group tours for five or more people. Additionally, they have nocturnal birding tours focused on spotting owls and nightjars. These tours are perfect for night-time adventures.
Final thoughts on Arizona birding tours
We’ve explored 8 great Arizona birding tours. They cover different parts of Arizona. Every tour offers a unique experience.
When choosing an Arizona birding tour, consider the location and the guide’s experience. Also, think about the group size and tour length. Some tours also focus on special interests, like photography or night birds.
Remember, guided tours can greatly enhance your birding experience. They provide expert knowledge, access to prime locations, and help with logistics.
For more Arizona birding info, check out our article on the top Arizona birding hotspots. It goes well with this guide on Arizona birding tours.