Bird (Aves): a warm-blooded vertebrate, having a body covered with feathers and forelimbs modified into wings.  It has a two-part scientific name in Latin.  This name usually describes a characteristic pertinent to that bird.  It is accepted and understood by scientists and amateur bird enthusiasts throughout the world, regardless of their spoken language.  Of the 28 orders of birds, 21 orders representing some 645 species are found in North America, north of Mexico. This is less than 8% of the world's birds on 17% of the world's land.  Since Tumacacori is so close to the international border with Mexico, bird visitors from south of the border are often seen here.

Bird Habitat: Tumacacori National Historical Park is uniquely situated 3260 feet above sea level in the Sonoran Desert and on the banks of the flowing Santa Cruz River.  Annual rainfall measures 15.20 inches.  Summer rains come in heavy thunder showers during the July-August monsoon season.  Winter rains generally come slow and steady, and penetrate deeply into the soil.  Temperatures in the summer are warm to hot, and mild in the winter.  These are optimum growing conditions for a variety of desert plants - grasses, trees and shrubs, and succulent plants.  This plant life provides food, water, lodging and shade for birds that permanently live in the area or stop briefly on their migratory flight.

                    Legend:
                             Sp - Spring     Su - Summer     Fa - Fall        Wi - Winter
                              X  - Common         *   - Sighted