Santa Cruz River

Ecosystem Overview

The Santa Cruz River ecosystem supports 72 documented wildlife species across 67 taxonomic genera. Located in Pima County, Arizona, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 15 frequently observed species and 14 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Tucson nearby has 28% more documented species, Santa Cruz River offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #8 for species diversity among 48 Pima County County natural areas, placing it in the 83th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 48 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common15 species

Common22 species

Occasional21 species

Rare14 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 48 locations

83th percentile for diversity

vs. Tucson

-28% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

‌
‌
‌
‌

Biodiversity Highlights

‌

Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

‌

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 72 total documented species.

Canis latrans

Prairie Wolf

Very Common8 obs.

Pyrocephalus rubinus

Vermilion Flycatcher

Very Common7 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Very Common6 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Very Common5 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Very Common5 obs.

Auriparus flaviceps

Verdin

Common4 obs.

Sylvilagus audubonii

Desert Cottontail

Common3 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Common3 obs.

Melozone aberti

Abert's Towhee

Common3 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Common3 obs.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Common3 obs.

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

yellow-headed blackbird

Occasional3 obs.

Zenaida asiatica

White-winged Dove

Occasional2 obs.

Phainopepla nitens

Phainopepla

Occasional2 obs.

Veronica anagallis-aquatica

blue water-speedwell

Occasional2 obs.

Xanthium strumarium

rough cocklebur

Occasional2 obs.

Nicotiana glauca

Tree tobacco

Occasional2 obs.

Sorghum halepense

great millet, johnson grass

Rare2 obs.

Geococcyx californianus

Greater Roadrunner

Rare2 obs.

Perithemis intensa

Mexican Amberwing

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 72 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.

Most Common Species

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

Want the Complete Field Guide?

‌
‌

‌

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

$6.99

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

Email Address (for delivery)

Your field guide will be delivered to this email address. Please double-check for accuracy.

$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+31%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Pima County County, Arizona

Nearby Natural Areas

Tucson

Importance: 0.60

100 species

-28% vs. current

Pima County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-28% vs. current

Catalina State Park

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-28% vs. current

Sweetwater Preserve

Importance: 0.35

38 species

+89% vs. current

Sabino Lake

Importance: 0.35

33 species

+118% vs. current

Lakeside Park Lake

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+125% vs. current

Tortolita Preserve

Importance: 0.35

20 species

+260% vs. current

Arivaca Lake

Importance: 0.35

19 species

+279% 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 Pima County County.

Regional Comparison

‌

Regional Ranking

‌

Species Count

‌

vs. Regional Average

‌

Nearby Natural Areas

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

About This Comparison

‌
‌
‌

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+31%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Pima County County, Arizona

Nearby Natural Areas

Tucson

Importance: 0.60

100 species

-28% vs. current

Pima County

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-28% vs. current

Catalina State Park

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-28% vs. current

Sweetwater Preserve

Importance: 0.35

38 species

+89% vs. current

Sabino Lake

Importance: 0.35

33 species

+118% vs. current

Lakeside Park Lake

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+125% vs. current

Tortolita Preserve

Importance: 0.35

20 species

+260% vs. current

Arivaca Lake

Importance: 0.35

19 species

+279% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 48 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common15 species

Common22 species

Occasional21 species

Rare14 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#8 of 48 locations

83th percentile for diversity

vs. Tucson

-28% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 72 total documented species.

Canis latrans

Prairie Wolf

Very Common8 obs.

Pyrocephalus rubinus

Vermilion Flycatcher

Very Common7 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Very Common6 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Very Common5 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Very Common5 obs.

Auriparus flaviceps

Verdin

Common4 obs.

Sylvilagus audubonii

Desert Cottontail

Common3 obs.

Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-Winged Blackbird (Red-Winged)

Common3 obs.

Melozone aberti

Abert's Towhee

Common3 obs.

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrow

Common3 obs.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Common3 obs.

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

yellow-headed blackbird

Occasional3 obs.

Zenaida asiatica

White-winged Dove

Occasional2 obs.

Phainopepla nitens

Phainopepla

Occasional2 obs.

Veronica anagallis-aquatica

blue water-speedwell

Occasional2 obs.

Xanthium strumarium

rough cocklebur

Occasional2 obs.

Nicotiana glauca

Tree tobacco

Occasional2 obs.

Sorghum halepense

great millet, johnson grass

Rare2 obs.

Geococcyx californianus

Greater Roadrunner

Rare2 obs.

Perithemis intensa

Mexican Amberwing

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 72 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.