This road trip to Arizona is our first adventure since the pandemic struck. It may even be our only one for awhile. We came prepared with masks and sanitizers. Plus, we chose to spend our mini-vacation in the wilderness searching for birds far away from crowds. We all need some peaceful, restorative time in nature during these tumultuous days.
Elegant Trogon (Trogan elegans)
We have been to Madera Canyon, AZ only one other time. The number one bird I wanted to see then and now was the Elegant Trogon. What a beauty! It announces its presence with a "barking call". Once you hear it, you won't forget it.
Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynathus latirostris)
Hummingbirds in the southwest, especially southeast Arizona, are spectacular. How often do you see blue and green brilliantly shining from a bird?
Berylline Hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina)
While we were here, we added this rare migrant from Mexico onto our new bird list. It is amazing to see birders that travel from afar when a rare bird is discovered. Luckily for us, we found it before a crowd showed up. Remember, we were trying to practice social distancing which is hard when unusual birds arrive.
Hummingbird feeders aren't only popular with the hummingbirds...a resident coati makes his daily visit as the sun is setting.
The biggest surprise was to discover that there are nectar drinking bats that love these feeders! I do not know my bats so if you can help me with identification I appreciate your input. From my research, I did learn that there are 2 nectar-feeding bats in Arizona - Mexican long-tongued bat and Lesser long-nosed bat. They both play a critical role in pollinating columnar cacti like the saguaro and organ pipe cactus as well as agave. They follow a nectar corridor of blossoming cacti north from Mexico into Arizona each spring. I have provided some links below to learn more about these fascinating mammals.
Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi)
I had one chance at "capturing" the smallest owl in the world, the Elf Owl. From head to tail, they are less than six inches long which is about the same length as a chickadee. They have a much longer wingspan but still, that is a mighty small owl. We saw this one consume an insect and pass one onto its mate in a nest cavity. Lucky us!
Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus)
The beauty and wonder of nature can connect us all but we all need opportunities to experience it.
Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava)
Photos and content by Robin Roberts
Click to enlarge.
https://www.nwf.org/en/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2001/Journey-of-the-Nectar-Bats
Henry, S. G., F. R. Gehlbach, D. Molfetto, and P. Howard (2020). Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.elfowl.01
