AZFO
Arizona Field Ornithologists
Red-faced Warbler. Photo: Scott Olmstead.
Upcoming Events and
AZFO News!
The 2026 AZFO
Annual Meeting
To be held in Flagstaff
September 18 - 20
We are thrilled to announce Jeff Foster, Professor of Biology at Northern Arizona University, as our Keynote speaker for the 2026 AZFO Annual Meeting!
Jeff is a highly engaging speaker whose research spans wildlife ecology, evolution, and disease biology. Most recently, he has been using DNA metabarcoding of bird feces to transform our understanding of diet composition and food-web relationships.
He will be presenting: "Scatological Adventures in Avian Diets: Molecular Dissections of Poop."
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Preliminary Presentation Lineup
Modeling Avian Hotspots of Potential West Nile Virus Outbreaks – A Case Study in Arizona, Gracie Ann Fischer (2024 Monson Grant recipient)
Bird Community Response to Mesquite Encroachment and Removal in Santa RitaExperimental Range, Cameron Tescher (Monson Grant recipient)
“Arizona Birds” Update, Doug Jenness
Pre-Monsoon Birding, Arhanth Kurli
New World Screwworm – A Challenge for Wildlife on
the Horizon in Arizona, CourtneyDuchardt
MORE TO COME SOON!
New Expedition!
Help AZFO look for Purple Martins, Cassins’s Sparrows, and Crested Caracaras in the Cactus Forest area (Pinal County)!
Saturday, August 22, 2026
This is one of our eBirds Gaps underbirded areas that includes a lush saguaro forest and an upland grasslands. Located near Coolidge and Florence, there are three species that we particularly want to learn more about: Desert Purple Martin, Crested Caracara, and Cassin’s Sparrow.
The area along the Florence-Kelvin Highway, including side roads, has an extensive saguaro forest where they may be nesting. Caracaras have been reported along northern Barkerville Rd, Florence-Kelvin Highway, and Price Rd. Cassin’s Sparrows have been reported during the monsoon season skylarking in grassland habitat along Barkerville Rd. south of the saguaro forest.
Participants will meet Saturday morning, 6:00 am, at The Boulders along the Florence-Kelvin Hwy (16 mi. east of AZ 79). Most of the birding will be along roads and at earthen cattle tanks and will not involve long walking. Camping is optional Friday night. We’ll likely regroup to share results and experiences mid-afternoon at a restaurant in Florence.
If you would like to participate contact Doug Jenness.
Check the AZFO website for information and a map of the Cactus Forest Area.
We are now accepting applications for our
Youth Scholarship Program!
Thanks to the generous support from Maricopa Bird Alliance, Desert Rivers Audubon Society, and Prescott Audubon Society!
These scholarships provide young, aspiring ornithologists with the opportunity to attend the AZFO Annual Meeting!
Deadline is August 15th!
Arizona Birds "Species of the Month"
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Photo Credit: Henry Detwiler
New Articles!
Photo by Richard Glinski
