Maricopa County

Ecosystem Overview

The Maricopa County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 93 taxonomic genera. Located in Maricopa County, Arizona, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. This location ranks #5 for species diversity among 24 Maricopa County County natural areas, placing it in the 79th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 24 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 24 locations

79th percentile for diversity

vs. Scottsdale

0% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Carnegiea gigantea

Saguaro

Very Common1,393 obs.

Larrea tridentata

Very Common710 obs.

Fouquieria splendens

vine-cactus

Very Common206 obs.

Ferocactus cylindraceus

compass cactus

Very Common178 obs.

Quiscalus mexicanus

Great-tailed Grackle

Very Common163 obs.

Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa

buckhorn cholla

Common159 obs.

Encelia farinosa

brittlebush

Common158 obs.

Parkinsonia microphylla

yellow paloverde

Common151 obs.

Oncosiphon pilulifer

Common146 obs.

Callipepla gambelii

Gambel's Quail

Common139 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common131 obs.

Sylvilagus audubonii

Desert Cottontail

Occasional123 obs.

Melanerpes uropygialis

Gila Woodpecker

Occasional117 obs.

Calypte anna

Anna's Hummingbird

Occasional117 obs.

Olneya tesota

Green Ironwood Comítin

Occasional113 obs.

Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

Cactus Wren

Occasional109 obs.

Toxostoma curvirostre

curve-billed thrasher

Occasional107 obs.

Cochemiea grahamii

Rare97 obs.

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbird

Rare86 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare86 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Maricopa County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+41%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Maricopa County County, Arizona

Nearby Natural Areas

Scottsdale

Importance: 0.51

100 species

0% vs. current

Paradise Valley

Importance: 0.36

34 species

+194% vs. current

Phoenix

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Glendale

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Tempe

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Goodyear

Importance: 0.35

69 species

+45% vs. current

Bartlett Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+213% vs. current

Avondale

Importance: 0.35

31 species

+223% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Maricopa County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+41%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Maricopa County County, Arizona

Nearby Natural Areas

Scottsdale

Importance: 0.51

100 species

0% vs. current

Paradise Valley

Importance: 0.36

34 species

+194% vs. current

Phoenix

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Glendale

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Tempe

Importance: 0.35

100 species

0% vs. current

Goodyear

Importance: 0.35

69 species

+45% vs. current

Bartlett Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+213% vs. current

Avondale

Importance: 0.35

31 species

+223% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 24 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 24 locations

79th percentile for diversity

vs. Scottsdale

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Carnegiea gigantea

Saguaro

Very Common1,393 obs.

Larrea tridentata

Very Common710 obs.

Fouquieria splendens

vine-cactus

Very Common206 obs.

Ferocactus cylindraceus

compass cactus

Very Common178 obs.

Quiscalus mexicanus

Great-tailed Grackle

Very Common163 obs.

Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa

buckhorn cholla

Common159 obs.

Encelia farinosa

brittlebush

Common158 obs.

Parkinsonia microphylla

yellow paloverde

Common151 obs.

Oncosiphon pilulifer

Common146 obs.

Callipepla gambelii

Gambel's Quail

Common139 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common131 obs.

Sylvilagus audubonii

Desert Cottontail

Occasional123 obs.

Melanerpes uropygialis

Gila Woodpecker

Occasional117 obs.

Calypte anna

Anna's Hummingbird

Occasional117 obs.

Olneya tesota

Green Ironwood Comítin

Occasional113 obs.

Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

Cactus Wren

Occasional109 obs.

Toxostoma curvirostre

curve-billed thrasher

Occasional107 obs.

Cochemiea grahamii

Rare97 obs.

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbird

Rare86 obs.

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Rare86 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.