Santa Cruz County

Ecosystem Overview

The Santa Cruz County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 92 taxonomic genera. Located in Santa Cruz 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. Compared to nearby Nogales, Santa Cruz County hosts 257% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 10 Santa Cruz County County natural areas, placing it in the 90th 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 10 locations

90th percentile for diversity

vs. Nogales

+257% 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.

Cynanthus latirostris

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Very Common216 obs.

Eugenes fulgens

Magnificent Hummingbird

Very Common105 obs.

Spinus psaltria

lesser goldfinch

Very Common83 obs.

Calypte anna

Anna's Hummingbird

Very Common80 obs.

Sciurus arizonensis

Arizona Gray Squirrel

Very Common76 obs.

Aphelocoma wollweberi

Mexican Jay

Common75 obs.

Melanerpes formicivorus

Acorn Woodpecker

Common75 obs.

Cicindela sedecimpunctata

Common73 obs.

Meleagris gallopavo

Turkey

Common72 obs.

Fouquieria splendens

vine-cactus

Common65 obs.

Archilochus alexandri

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Common60 obs.

Baeolophus wollweberi

Bridled Titmouse

Occasional58 obs.

Pheucticus melanocephalus

Black-headed Grosbeak

Occasional56 obs.

Quercus hypoleucoides

Silverleaf Oak

Occasional53 obs.

Sitta carolinensis

White-Breasted Nuthatch (Interior West)

Occasional53 obs.

Sceloporus jarrovii

Mountain Spiny Lizard

Occasional52 obs.

Battus philenor

Pipevine Swallowtail

Occasional51 obs.

Platanus wrightii

Arizona Sycamore

Rare47 obs.

Melanerpes uropygialis

Gila Woodpecker

Rare47 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Rare46 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 Santa Cruz County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+144%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Santa Cruz County County, Arizona

Nearby Natural Areas

Nogales

Importance: 0.39

28 species

+257% vs. current

Patagonia Lake

Importance: 0.35

35 species

+186% vs. current

Peña Blanca Lake

Importance: 0.35

34 species

+194% vs. current

Summit Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+1329% vs. current

Ruby Lakes

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Tubac

Importance: 0.33

100 species

0% vs. current

Elgin

Importance: 0.23

20 species

+400% vs. current

Tumacacori-carmen

Importance: 0.15

100 species

0% 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 Santa Cruz 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

+144%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Santa Cruz County County, Arizona

Nearby Natural Areas

Nogales

Importance: 0.39

28 species

+257% vs. current

Patagonia Lake

Importance: 0.35

35 species

+186% vs. current

Peña Blanca Lake

Importance: 0.35

34 species

+194% vs. current

Summit Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+1329% vs. current

Ruby Lakes

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Tubac

Importance: 0.33

100 species

0% vs. current

Elgin

Importance: 0.23

20 species

+400% vs. current

Tumacacori-carmen

Importance: 0.15

100 species

0% 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 10 locations

90th percentile for diversity

vs. Nogales

+257% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Cynanthus latirostris

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Very Common216 obs.

Eugenes fulgens

Magnificent Hummingbird

Very Common105 obs.

Spinus psaltria

lesser goldfinch

Very Common83 obs.

Calypte anna

Anna's Hummingbird

Very Common80 obs.

Sciurus arizonensis

Arizona Gray Squirrel

Very Common76 obs.

Aphelocoma wollweberi

Mexican Jay

Common75 obs.

Melanerpes formicivorus

Acorn Woodpecker

Common75 obs.

Cicindela sedecimpunctata

Common73 obs.

Meleagris gallopavo

Turkey

Common72 obs.

Fouquieria splendens

vine-cactus

Common65 obs.

Archilochus alexandri

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Common60 obs.

Baeolophus wollweberi

Bridled Titmouse

Occasional58 obs.

Pheucticus melanocephalus

Black-headed Grosbeak

Occasional56 obs.

Quercus hypoleucoides

Silverleaf Oak

Occasional53 obs.

Sitta carolinensis

White-Breasted Nuthatch (Interior West)

Occasional53 obs.

Sceloporus jarrovii

Mountain Spiny Lizard

Occasional52 obs.

Battus philenor

Pipevine Swallowtail

Occasional51 obs.

Platanus wrightii

Arizona Sycamore

Rare47 obs.

Melanerpes uropygialis

Gila Woodpecker

Rare47 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Rare46 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.