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Desert Rivers - Amargosa Desert:
Amargosa River
Bird Watching
The Amargosa River Natural Area is a classic "vagrant bird trap". This area attracts birds which have wandered
from their usual migrational flight paths. Here they find all three critical habitat requirements: water, food,
and shelter. Surface water here supports abundant life, creating an ecological "island" in the midst of the
Mojave Desert. The landscape is dotted with natural springs and areas of dense vegetation, which provide a variety
of food for
wildlife.
Due to the wide variety of available
habitat,
the canyon has an enormous number of bird species. This is the
highest riparian species richness of any site in the Mojave Desert in California. You will find birds that are
either permanent residents or seasonal visitors. There are common, uncommon, rare, and "vagrant" species found
here. Approximately 250 different bird species have been observed in the area.
Some important bird species include: Least Bell's Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow Warbler, Willow Flycatcher,
Brown-crested Flycatcher, Vermillion Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak,
Summer Tanager,
Western Tanager,
Sage Thrasher, Virginia's Warbler, Northern Harrier,
Loggerhead Shrike,
Crissale Thrasher, Long-eared Owl,
Prairie Falcon,
Raven,
Turkey Vulture, and
Great-horned Owl.
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