The Arizona Important Bird Area (IBA) program was founded by BirdLife International in the 1980's, the IBA partner for the United States is the National Audubon Society. The Arizona IBA Program was established in 2001 and is co-administered by Audubon Southwest and the Tucson Audubon Society. To date, we have identified 48 sites across Arizona as being critically important to the ongoing survival of wild bird populations. These sites are incredibly diverse in location, habitat, and importance to birds.

Some IBAs are riparian corridors along rivers and streams, while some are within the Sky Islands of Southeastern Arizona. Others are in the coniferous forests above the Mogollon Rim, while others are in Arizona's low deserts.  Sites can be identified for a number of reasons - they could be important to resident birds, wintering birds, or migrants and often support species of special conservation status.

Do you want to learn more about Arizona's IBAs?  Take a virtual tour here!