Verdin birds are small, colorful songbirds that live in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. They are easily identified by their bright yellow body, gray wings and tail, and reddish-pink forehead. Verdins build elaborate nests in thorny bushes and cacti and forage for insects on the ground. Read on to learn more about where you can find these unique little birds.
Verdin Bird Range and Habitat
Verdins live in the hot, dry regions of the American Southwest, primarily in the deserts of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and the Mexican state of Sonora. Their range stretches from southeastern California across southern Nevada and Utah, down through central and southern Arizona and New Mexico. It extends eastward across southwest Texas and into the northern Mexican states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and San Luis PotosÃ.
Within this range, verdins stick to arid habitats with scattered shrubs and cacti. This includes desert scrub, thorn forest, arroyos, dry washes, and desert grasslands. They are commonly found in habitats dominated by creosote bushes, acacia, mesquite, palo verde, yucca, cholla, and saguaro cactus. Verdins avoid higher elevation pine-oak woodlands and riparian areas along streams.
States and Regions Where Verdins Live
Here is a more detailed look at some of the key states and regions where verdin birds can be found:
California
In California, verdins occupy the southeastern deserts. They are common in arid scrub and desert wash habitats in the Mojave and Colorado deserts. Their range extends along the lower Colorado River valley and into the Sonoran Desert of Imperial County.
Arizona
Verdins can be found across most of Arizona except for the higher mountain ranges. They are abundant in cactus desert scrub throughout the Sonoran Desert region of southwestern Arizona. Their range extends eastward to the semi-desert grasslands and oak savannas of the Arizona Upland subdivision.
New Mexico
In New Mexico, verdins primarily occupy the southern desert and canyon regions. They are common in the Chihuahuan Desert scrub along the Rio Grande valley from Las Cruces south to El Paso. Their range also extends up the Rio Grande into central New Mexico.
Texas
Verdins live across southwest and south-central Texas. They thrive in the arid scrublands of the Trans-Pecos region west of the Pecos River. Their range covers much of the Chihuahuan Desert and Tamaulipan brushland ecoregions of southern Texas.
Sonora, Mexico
Verdins are widespread and common in the northern Mexican state of Sonora. They occupy desert scrub habitat along the coast and inland through desert regions like the Gran Desierto de Altar and the Sonoran Desert surrounding Hermosillo.
Map of Verdin Bird Range
This map shows the overall range of the verdin in the southwestern United States and Mexico:
Verdin Habitat and Ecosystems
Let’s take a closer look at some of the specific ecosystems and habitat types verdins rely on:
Desert Scrub
Desert scrub habitat dominated by thorny shrubs and cacti provides ideal nesting and foraging ground for verdins. This includes habitats like creosote bush scrub, mesquite scrub, and succulent scrub.
Desert Wash
Dry desert washes and arroyos lined with brush and small trees are another prime verdin habitat. Trees like acacia and mesquite provide nesting sites along gravelly and sandy desert washes.
Thorn Forest
Thorn forest characterized by catclaw acacia, mesquite, and cacti offers the dense thorny cover verdins favor. Examples include tesotal and mezquital habitat in Texas and Mexico.
Saguaro Cactus Stands
Stands of saguaro cactus dotted with other trees and shrubs support verdin populations in central and southern Arizona. The cacti provide nesting sites and flowers provide nectar.
Oak Savannas
In southeastern Arizona, verdins inhabit open oak woodlands transitional to desert grasslands. The scattered oaks provide important nesting opportunities.
Ideal Verdin Habitat
In general, ideal verdin habitat consists of desert scrub vegetation with a variety of microhabitats for nesting, foraging, and roosting. Specific features include:
- Dense stands of thorny shrubs and trees for nest placement
- Cacti and succulents for protective nesting cover
- Open patches of gravelly or sandy ground for foraging on insects and seeds
- Desert washes and arroyos lined with small trees
- Plenty of sunlight and few predators
Trees like acacia, mesquite, and palo verde and cacti like cholla and prickly pear provide ideal nesting habitat. Yuccas, agaves, and flowering plants give food sources. A mix of open ground and dense shrubs offers food while allowing verdins to detect approaching predators.
When and Where to See Verdins
The best times and places to spot verdin birds include:
Winter
Winter is an excellent time to search for verdins in desert scrub habitat across their core southwestern range. Cooler temperatures draw verdins out to feed on flowers and fruits.
Spring
In spring, verdins are active nest builders and easier to spot bringing material to nests in thorny shrubs and cacti. Listen for their musical twitters near nests.
Near Water Sources
Check for verdins in desert regions with reliable water sources like springs, livestock tanks, and riparian corridors. They come to drink and bathe.
Flowering Plants
Verdins feed heavily on nectar from flowers of agaves, ocotillos, palo verdes, and cacti. Look for them visiting blooms and defending flower patches.
Desert Parks and Preserves
Hike in protected desert scrub areas like Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Saguaro National Park, Big Bend National Park, and others to find verdins.
Conclusion
In summary, verdin birds occupy arid scrub and desert habitats across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. They thrive in desert ecosystems with a mix of dense thorny brush for nesting and open patches for foraging. Some ideal places to spot these colorful songsters include desert parks and preserves, near water sources, and flowering desert plants in spring. With their limited range, verdins provide a unique opportunity to observe a species exquisitely adapted to the extremes of North American deserts.