Discover Birding ⋆ Tucson Bird Alliance Skip to content

Discover Birding

The birds of our region will continue to surprise and delight you, and the more you get to know them, the more amazing they'll become.

From backyard favorites like Gila Woodpeckers and Cactus Wrens to the more exotic species of Southeast Arizona, like the Elegant Trogon or Lucifer Hummingbird, experiencing birds offers exciting learning opportunities no matter how long you’ve been doing it!

FOUR tips to discover birding:

1

Start with the basics

Learn the common birds first. The House Finches and Lesser Goldfinches that come to your home feeders, the Phainopeplas in your neighborhood, and the unmistakable Mourning Dove you hear singing at the park are great birds to know first. Once you know your “everyday” birds and their habits, colors, and songs, you can start to learn the less common ones at new locations.

Meet Your Birds on Tucson Bird Alliance’s online guide to the birds of Southeast Arizona.

 

2

Spend time outdoors

The best way to see birds is to be where they are! Almost anywhere you go in and around Tucson will have birds to enjoy. Find your favorite outdoor spot and get to know the local birds. The more you learn the common birds of your “home patch”, the sooner you’ll be able to spot an uncommon visitor.

Tucson Bird Alliance’s Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona is the essential guide to birding locations across the region. Don’t leave home without it!

3

Get a good field guide

An expertly written and illustrated field guide can be invaluable in learning to identify birds. Some of our favorite guides are:

Kaufman Field Guide to the Birds of North America  and  Sibley Guide to Birds. The Tucson Bird Alliance Nature Shop has these and other options for you. 

Additionally, online resources, such as the Merlin App and allaboutbirds.org are free and can identify birds for you with just a few clicks.

4

Engage with other birders

One of the best ways to learn about birds is by going out and birding with other people. Tucson Bird Alliance offers all sorts of ways to do this, from field trips and lectures to more in-depth classes and courses. Our weekly walk at Sweetwater Wetlands is the perfect way to start engaging with birds and other birders! Then stay updated on the latest events by signing up for Tucson Bird Alliance’s weekly e-news.

If you’re looking for a bird guide to lead you around Southeast Arizona for a morning, day, or a week, see our Bird Guide list.

LOOKING FOR A PARTICULAR SPECIES?

Discover the birds
of Southeast Arizona

Meet Your Birds

Broad-billed Hummingbird photo by Vaughn Morrison

Paton Center for Hummingbirds- test embed form

Donate a Vehicle

Cars- Moving Forward Together

Tucson Bird Allaince is able to accept donated vehicles. We use teh proceeds from donated cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, boats, motercycels and even airplanes to help fund our mission. Tucson Bird Allaince partners with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) to help run our vehicle donation program. CARS is a nonprofit that has been processing vehicle donations for nonprofits since 2003. 

 

Donate your Vehicle

Donate Stocks or Give Through your IRA

Gifts of appreciated stocks, bonds, and mutual funds

If you would like to donate stocks to Tucson Bird Alliance, please use our Stock Donation Form. 

After completing and signing the form, please: 

  • Send one copy to your broker (only your broker can initiate the stock transfer)
  • Email a copy to efreese@tucsonbirds.org or mail to
    Tucson Bird Alliance
    Attn: Erica Freese
    PO Box 91770
    Tucson, AZ, 85752

Gifts through your IRA

If you are 73 years of age or older, your gift may count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year in which the check is issued and is excluded from your taxable income.

Please provide your broker or financial institution with the following information:  

Legal Name:  Tucson Audubon Society (DBA Tucson Bird Alliance)

Mailing Address: 
Tucson Bird Alliance 
PO Box 91770
Tucson, AZ, 85752

Phone: (520) 629-0510

Tax ID#: 86-6053779

Give Through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)

Ways to give through a donor-advised fund (DAF)

  • Make an outright gift now by recommending a grant to Tucson Bird Alliance.
  • Make recurring gifts with ease so that your contributions can make an immediate difference when needed most. 
  • Create a succession plan to recommend that Tucson Bird Alliance receives all or a portion of your DAF’s value upon it’s termination. 

You can select the option that best suits your philanthropic and financial goals. Contact your DAF administrator to recommend a grant to Tucson Bird Alliance and use the following information: 

Legal Name: Tucson Audubon Society (DBA Tucson Bird Alliance)  

Mailing Address: 
Tucson Bird Alliance 
PO Box 91770
Tucson, AZ, 85752

Phone: (520) 629-0510

Tax ID#: 86-6053779

If you make a contribution to Tucson Bird Alliance from your DAF, please let us know at efreese@tucsonbirds.org along with the date the request was sent, grant or reference number, name of the issuing institution, and gift amount. We value the opportunity to thank you. 

Workplace Giving & Corporate Matching

Workplace Giving

Contact your HR department to see if your company’s giving program includes Tucson Bird Alliance (formerly Tucson Audubon Society).  With this option, you can have your contributions automatically deducted from your paycheck. You choose how much and how often you’d like to give. 

Corporate Matching

If your company has a matching program, you can make your donation go twice as far! Use the information below to fill out your company’s matching gift form. 

Organization: Tucson Bird Alliance (formerly Tucson Audubon Society) 

Mailing Address: 
Tucson Bird Alliance 
PO Box 91770
Tucson, AZ, 85752

Phone: (520) 629-0510

Tax ID#: 86-6053779

Tucson Bird Alliance Vermilion Legacy Society

There are many types of Planned Gifts to Explore: Gifts left by bequest in a will or trust, charitable gift annuities, and beneficiary designations for your IRA or 401k.

Please consult with an experienced estate planning attorney and financial advisor to determine the right legacy choice for you. 

If you include Tucson Bird Alliance in your estate plans, we hope you will let us know. Please fill out the form below and send it back to us at efreese@tucsonbirds,org.

Planned Giving Form

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