Feeding backyard birds in Arizona
Arizona sits in the Southwest feeder region. Water matters more than food in the desert; a shallow bath or dripper outdraws any feeder. State bird: Cactus Wren.
Which birds visit feeders in Arizona?
| Bird | Best food | Feeder | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| House Finches | Black oil sunflower | Tube feeder | Year round; often the most numerous bird at suburban feeders |
| Mourning Doves | White proso millet | Platform or tray feeder | Year round across most of the US |
| Quail | White proso millet | Ground tray | Year round |
| Native Sparrows | White proso millet | Ground tray | Year round, with more species in winter |
| Towhees | White proso millet | Ground tray | Year round in much of the South and West |
| Hummingbirds | Nectar (sugar water) | Hummingbird feeder | Spring through early autumn in most of the US; year round on the Pacific coast and in parts of the Southwest |
| Orioles | Fruit (oranges, apples, berries) | Oriole feeder | Arrive in spring migration and feed heavily on fruit and jelly on arrival |
| Mockingbirds | Fruit (oranges, apples, berries) | Platform or tray feeder | Year round across the South |
| Grosbeaks | Black oil sunflower | Hopper feeder | Rose-breasted in spring migration in the East; black-headed in the West; evening grosbeaks irrupt some winters |
| Goldfinches | Nyjer (thistle) | Nyjer (finch) tube | Flocks in winter; bright yellow breeding plumage in spring and summer |
| Woodpeckers | Suet and suet dough | Tail-prop suet feeder | Year round; suet use peaks in cold weather |
| Cardinals | Safflower | Hopper feeder | Most active at dawn and dusk, often the first and last birds at the feeder |
Feeders that suit Arizona
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
What seed should you buy in Arizona?
- Black oil sunflower: the one seed to buy if you buy one. High oil content and a thin shell make it the widest-appeal seed there is. Most feeder birds in most of North America eat it.
- White proso millet: for ground-feeding birds. The best of the small grains, but also a favourite of non-native house sparrows and cowbirds. Offer it on a tray, not in a hanging feeder.
- Nectar (sugar water): 1 part sugar, 4 parts water. Plain white table sugar and water at 1:4. No red dye, honey, brown sugar or sweeteners. Change it on the temperature schedule.
- Fruit (oranges, apples, berries): for orioles, tanagers and catbirds. Orange halves on a spike are the standard oriole offer. Replace fruit before it ferments.
- Nyjer (thistle): finch food for small-port feeders. Not related to thistle despite the name. Imported nyjer is heat-treated so it does not sprout. Needs a feeder with tiny ports or mesh or it pours out.
What about hummingbirds and nest boxes?
Hummingbirds: Black-chinned, Anna's and Costa's Hummingbirds.
Nest boxes worth putting up: Western Bluebird, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bewick's Wren, American Kestrel, House Wren.
Neighbouring Southwest states: Nevada, New Mexico, Texas.
Bird feeding in other states
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Get the Arizona feeding calendar
What to put out through the year and when to clean, on one printable page.
Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
What birds come to feeders in Arizona?
Common feeder birds across the Southwest include house finches, mourning doves, quail, sparrows, towhees, hummingbirds and orioles. Exact species vary with habitat and elevation, and winter brings visitors that do not breed locally. Project FeederWatch counts are the best guide to what a feeder in your part of Arizona will actually see.
What is the state bird of Arizona?
The official state bird of Arizona is the Cactus Wren. It is a regular backyard bird, and the feeder setup on this page will attract it.
When should I put out hummingbird feeders in Arizona?
Black-chinned, Anna's and Costa's Hummingbirds Put feeders out about two weeks before the usual first arrivals in spring and leave them up until two weeks after the last visitor in autumn; keeping a feeder up late does not stop migration. Mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts water and change it on the temperature schedule.
How do I feed birds in Arizona in winter?
Water matters more than food in the desert; a shallow bath or dripper outdraws any feeder. Keep feeders clean, since crowded winter feeders spread disease, and stock high-energy foods such as black oil sunflower and suet.
Are there bird feeding restrictions in Arizona?
Some towns, HOAs and wildlife agencies restrict feeding where bears, deer or rodents are a problem. Check your local rules and take feeders down during disease outbreak advisories.