August 30, 2020
The Eared Quetzal is one of the rarest birds in the US. Until 1977 it was unknown north of Mexico, when it was discovered in the Chiricahuas in south-east Arizona. Since then it has been seen in several spots and has nested. It is similar to, but not a close relative of the Elegant Trogon, a bird often seen in Madera Canyon.
These birds have been seen off-and-on in the east side of the Chiricahuas around Portal since late spring/early summer 2020. I made one trip to Portal but missed them. The area was crowded with birders hoping to get to see this glamorous bird. They showed up again recently in Rucker Canyon, on the west side of the mountains. This is closer, but the trip includes about 30 miles of good quality but very dusty dirt road. Most any auto or light truck can make this trip. The distance from Green Valley was 130 miles each way. On the trip were Barbara Carlson, Gary Rosenberg, and Caleb Gordon.
The hike up the creek, about 1 mile, to find the birds was easy and scenic. Boots are recommended, as you will be walking through some rock-strewn creek beds. There were a total of about ten birders. We first heard the birds calling before we saw them and then we followed them as they worked their way down the creek. Also seen were Grace’s Warbler, MacIllivray’s Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Brown Creeper, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Plumbeous Vireo, Painted Redstart, Hairy Woodpecker, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Mexican Jay, Acorn Woodpeckers, and Olive-sided Flycatcher.
We started up the trail at 6 a.m. and the light was poor. Most of my photos required an ISO of 20,000, although later the light improved to about ISO 10,000.
