Five-striped Sparrow in Box Canyon
The Five-striped Sparrow is a rare treasure for birders in Box Canyon, Arizona. Its bold black-and-white face and sweet song make it unforgettable. This sparrow breeds mostly in northwestern Mexico. It’s only found in a few canyons in southern Arizona. It prefers steep, brushy desert slopes, often perching in dense mesquite or ocotillo. Birders are thrilled to spot this species since it is considered one of the rarest sparrows in the United States. Its warbling song echoes across rocky canyons where it nests. The five Striped Sparrow has a habit of building nests tucked low in thorny shrubs for protection. Box Canyon also offers sightings of Thick-billed Kingbird and the dazzling Lucifer Hummingbird. Together, these specialties make the canyon a premier Arizona birding hotspot.
