 The
Arizona
Breeding Bird Atlas includes
data collected over a decade with the help
of hundreds of volunteers across the state.
This monumental endeavor involved the cooperation
of private, state, federal and tribal entities
across Arizona. The reference guide covers
more than 300 breeding bird species and
was recently named to the Southwest
Books of the Year (2005)
Top 10 List. To purchase the Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas, click here.
The North
American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is
a cooperative effort between the U.S. Geological
Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and
the Canadian Wildlife Service's National Wildlife
Research Centre. The BBS was started in the 1960s
to assist in monitoring the status and trends
of North American bird populations.
For more
information about the survey in Arizona,
contact Arizona Game and Fish Department
Neotropical
Migratory Birds Coordinator Troy
Corman at (602)
789-3508.
International
Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) was created
by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center
and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
in 1993 as a way to focus attention on one
of
the most important and spectacular events in
the life of a migratory bird -- its journey
between its summer and winter homes. IMBD,
which is currently
directed by the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
is celebrated
in Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central
America. The event includes local bird festivals
and bird walks on the second Saturday in May
each year.
The
Cats Indoors! Campaign for Safer Birds and
Cats by the American Bird Conservancy
deals with conflicts involving pet cats and wildlife.
Cats are the most popular pets in the United
States, with an estimated 90 million pet cats
across the country. Of these, roughly half spend
some time outside. Free-roaming cats can be significant
predators of birds and other wildlife, including
small mammals. A new brochure, Keeping Cats Indoors -- Good for Cats, Good for Arizona's Wildlife [pdf, 2.75mb], is also available at all Arizona Game and Fish Department offices.
 Birding
Birding in recent years has become an increasingly
popular outdoor activity. In 2001 in the U.S.,
46 million birders spent $32 billion to observe,
photograph or feed wildlife. With more than
530 species of birds documented in the state,
of which 300+ species have nested, Arizona
is considered to be one of the premier states
for birding.
- Arizona
Audubon Chapters and other bird
conservation organizations maintain a wealth
of information
about excellent Arizona birding areas and birding
events. For example, several of the Audubon
chapters maintain interactive maps on their
Web sites
in which excellent birding spots are identified
and described.
- The new Southeastern Arizona Birding Trail Map and Guide, unveiled on International Migratory Bird Day in 2006, is also available through Tucson Audubon Society and other sources. It contains information on 52 exceptional birding locations across southeastern Arizona.
- The Southeastern
Arizona Bird Observatory provides a birding guide to southeastern
Arizona, including
an excellent array of tips for birding travelers.
- Wildlife
Areas administered by the Arizona Game
and Fish Department provide opportunities for
a wide array of outdoor activities, including
birding.
- Bird
Abstracts, Distribution Maps & Illustrations for many (65) Arizona birds are also compiled
and maintained by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Specific information may include: taxonomy,
biology, distribution, population trends, management
status, and illustrations.
- Other Arizona Game and Fish Department species-specific
information pages exist for the:
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