Saguaro National Park (east unit) and adjacent sites (WH)

Location: Just west of Tucson, Arizona
Why Special: This part of Saguaro National Park is as good as any to explore, but nestled on one side is the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum in which wild birds are as tame and approachable as the captive ones. The combination of interpretive efforts of the national park and Desert Museum provide a thorough introduction not just to desert birds but the Sonoran Desert in general.
Habitat: Sonoran desert
When To Go: any time of year…just bird early in the day (high midday temps)
Birds to Look For: Black-chinned Sparrow (winter), Greater Roadrunner, Scott’s Oriole (summer), Costa’s Hummingbird, Gambel’s Quail

East side of Huachuca Mountains (WH)

Location: Southeast of Tucson, Arizona; Sierra Vista is the closest larger town
Why Special: There are several “sky islands” rising out of the desert of southeastern Arizona all of which hold several species of principally Mexican bird species, but the Huachuca Mountains are my favorite because there are several different areas to explore, all with a minimum of driving. You can go quickly from the San Pedro River (Green Kingfisher), through the riparian forest along mountain streams (Elegant Trogon) up to mountain coniferous forests (Hepatic Tanager) as the day heats up. This mountain range also holds the only regularly observable Buff-bellied Flycatchers in the United States.
Habitat: desert grassland, riparian forest, pine forest
When To Go: May, June, July
Birds to Look For: Zone-tailed Hawk, Buff-bellied Flycatcher, “Mexican” hummingbirds, Elegant Trogon, Painted Redstart

Mogollon Rim, Arizona (WH)

Location: South and east of Flagstaff
Why Special: The plateau that the Grand Canyon cuts through has an abrupt end with a sharp drop south of Flagstaff; this drop is the Mogollon Rim. The elevation of the plateau, and rapid elevation drop make for an interesting juxtaposition of birds. You can watch a “northern” Orange-crowned Warbler, right next to Virginia’s Warbler and Red-faced Warbler. Saw-whet and Flammulated owl can be sleeping a stone’s throw away from each other. Evening Grosbeaks and Lesser Goldfinch can be seen on the same day. Red-breasted, White-breasted, and Pygmy nuthatches are all present. The deep canyons that cut into the Rim hold Black Hawks (for example north of Sedona in Oak Creek Canyon).
Habitat: Pine, fir, and aspen forest; sycamore-lined riparian forest
When To Go: May, June
Birds to Look For: Black Hawk, Flammulated Owl, Red-faced Warbler, Virginia’s Warbler

Chiricahua Mountains/Cave Creek Canyon /Sky Islands region (MP) (JG) (BC)

Location: Southeastern Arizona around Portal
Why Special: Fantastic array of pink granite slopes and access to all of the SE Arizona specialties in a variety of habitats.
Habitat: Pine-oak woodlands, coniferous forests surrounded by semi-desert grasslands and scrub
When To Go: Summer
Birds to Look For: Red-faced Warbler, Painted Redstart and Olive warbler, Mexican Chickadee, hummingbirds. Easy views of Elegant Trogon, chance to see Eared Quetzal and other niceties like Mexican Jay and Sulfur-bellied Flycatcher

Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge (BC)

Location: Planet Ranch area, near Lake Havasu, AZ
Why Special: Amazing spot
Habitat: Beautiful stretch of cottonwood- and willow-lined river
When To Go: Early summer
Birds to Look For: breeding Black Phoebe, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher and California Black Rail, all in surprising abundance

Palm Canyon, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (BC)

Location: near Quartzite, AZ
Why Special: Beautiful desert views, migrant trap in spring, also amazing sunsets
Habitat: desert
When To Go: Spring
Birds to Look For: Scott's Orioles and Black-throated Sparrow

Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (MR)

Location: An hour or so south of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Why Special: Tens of thousands of overwintering Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese, closely approachable, as well as awesome mountainous scenery and sunrises/sunsets
Habitat: Man-made wetlands and farmland adjacent to the Rio Grande, surrounded by high, cold desert ("Chihuahuan desert") against a backdrop of mountains
When To Go: Best between Thanksgiving and early February. Time of day: get there before dawn to watch the Snow Geese lift off en masses. Get there late afternoon to watch the cranes and geese return to the roost pools.
Birds to Look For: Greater Sandhill Cranes (and a few Lesser Sandhill Cranes): 10,000 to 20,000 depending on year; Snow Geese: sometimes 40,000+ (a few Ross's Geese too); numerous ducks (Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, etc); many raptors e.g. Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, American Kestrel; closely approachable Greater Roadrunners; Gambel's Quail, Ring-necked Pheasant; many songbirds, good place for Say's Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, etc. (Visitor's Center feeds birds daily)

Gila National Forest - Black Range and Pinos Altos Mountains (AW)

Location: Near Silver City in southwestern New Mexico
Why Special: In summer, a gorgeous place to look for southwestern specialties.
Habitat: Ponderosa pine, oak-juniper, riparian.
When To Go: Summer, for the specialty breeders.
Birds to Look For: Olive Warbler, Red-faced Warbler, Painted Redstart, Virginia’s Warbler, Lucy’s Warbler, Greater Pewee