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RANGE AND TERRITORY IN BIRDS All birds occupy territories within certain geographic ranges. Some folks use the words "territory" and "range" interchangeably, and this is not correct. Territory refers to individuals within the species. Range is more closely associated with the species as whole population. When birders speak of the bird's distribution, they are speaking of its range. Territory, often fought for and highly protected, is the area that is "staked out" and defended against rivals where abundant food and/or nesting sites are found. Birds understand the well-defined limits of their territory, even without the aid of visual markers. When...

BIRD SENSES Birds are fascinating aren't they? Many of us wonder what it would be like to be in the form of these feathered flying creatures. How well would we see, hear, taste and smell? How sensitive would we be to touch? Since it is imperative for flight, birds rely heavily on sight for survival. In birds, the eyes are the largest organs in size relative to their bodies of all animals. Our eyes take up about 1% of the total weight of our heads. Most of the avian eye lies hidden by their skull and eyelids. Ostriches have eyes...

Ina Road Bridge at Santa Cruz River & Crossroads Park By Matt Norris This location is one of the lesser known urban birding “hot spots” but it can be as productive as any other given site. Quite often, these lesser known sites become favorites for individual birders as they remember them as the location for observing a rare or casual species for the first time. This site can produce results worth remembering. Taking Ina Road west of I-10, you will quickly approach the Ina Road Bridge. Crossing this bridge over the Santa Cruz River you will pull off on the...

BIRDING DESTINATION: SABINO CANYON Photo by Richard at SearchNetMedia Nestled into the foothills 12 miles northeast of downtown Tucson is the crown jewel of native habitat in the Santa Catalina Mountains, Sabino Canyon. The Sabino Canyon Recreation area, administered by the Coronado National Forest, is the most visited site in the lower Catalina's, both by local year-round residents and visitors alike. In fact, it is the most visited mountain canyon in the Sonoran Desert. But, don't let that fact slow you down in terms of making plans to bird that area. It is one of the most ideal locations in...

BIRDING DESTINATION: Tanque Verde Wash at Wentworth Road Area (Including the 49er’s Golf course) One of our absolute favorite birding areas in the Tucson basin is the bird-rich Tanque Verde Wash, especially where it crosses Wentworth Road. The larger local area includes Agua Caliente Park to the north, Redington Road to the east, Tanque Verde Wash to the south, and North Conestoga Avenue to the west. This article will focus just on the Tanque Verde Wash area and the 49er’s golf course. Getting there is easy. Travel east on Tanque Verde Road until you pass Soldier’s Trail on the left...