Owls. The Sonoran Desert at night is a very lively place. Especially in summer, there are probably more creatures abroad at midnight than at noon. Of course, most birds shun this night shift, but several species of owl are notable exceptions. Owls are superbly equipped to hunt at night.

The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) is the largest owl in the Sonoran Desert reaching a height of 2 feet. It is gray/brown in color with a barred feather pattern on its underside, a white throat resembling a collar, and prominent ear tufts.

Owls will dive at cats, dogs and even people if they have a nest in the area, sometimes misconstrued as a hunting attempt. Fun Facts! Generalist raptor that captures a very wide range of prey, including reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and …

In the Sonoran Desert region, elf owls are found mainly in riparian habitats (places where there is water), or in areas where saguaro cactus are plentiful. Range Elf Owls are found from the southwest USA to Central Mexico and Baja California. Northern populations winter in Central Mexico and on the Pacific slope north to Sinaloa, Mexico. Wild ...

Jan 14, 2025 · The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) is the largest owl in the Sonoran Desert reaching a height of 2 feet. It is gray/brown in color with a barred feather pattern on its underside, a white throat resembling a collar, and prominent ear tufts.

Jun 13, 2024 · Owls. The Sonoran Desert at night is a very lively place. Especially in summer, there are probably more creatures abroad at midnight than at noon. Of course, most birds shun this night shift, but several species of owl are notable exceptions. Owls …

Exhibits: Birds of the Sonoran Desert. Over 10 other species of native birds live together in the museum's walk-in aviary. Gambel's Quail. Traveling naturalists, accustomed to the secretive nature of quail in other habitats, are often startled to see how conspicuous Gambel’s Quail can be in the Sonoran Desert.

In the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, Common Ravens range from sea level (along the Gulf of California) to the mountaintops. They can even be seen flying over desert cities, their croaking calls floating down from the sky as the big birds flap overhead.

Unlike other desert mammals, humans have come up with many cultural and technological adaptations to the desert heat and aridity. Picture yourself on a typical summer day in the Sonoran Desert. What techniques and devices are you using to keep cool and hydrated?

Traveling naturalists, accustomed to the secretive nature of quail in other habitats, are often startled to see how conspicuous Gambel’s Quail can be in the Sonoran Desert.