More Than a Hike: My Quest for the Elegant Trogon in Ramsey Canyon
Southeast Arizona is the only place in U.S. you can see this bird.
Ramsey Canyon was one of the first places my girlfriend Kelly and I hiked when we arrived in Arizona—for her in 2012, and for me in 2014. There’s a reason we were both drawn to it: there is simply nowhere else like it in southern Arizona.
Often called the “jewel” of the Huachuca Mountains, the canyon is a true biodiversity hotspot. Because it’s managed by The Nature Conservancy, the trails are quiet and well-maintained, allowing the unique plants and animals to thrive.
Over the years, I’ve photographed countless birds, mammals, and reptiles within its shaded walls. But this story is about the one bird that makes Ramsey Canyon famous, a creature found almost nowhere else in the country: the Elegant Trogon.
So, what makes the Elegant Trogon so special?
It comes down to three things: rarity, beauty, and family.
First, they are incredibly rare in the United States. The Trogon is a tropical bird whose habitat is primarily in Mexico and Central America. Its range barely crosses the border into the “sky island” mountains of Southeast Arizona. Finding one here is like a living postcard from the tropics, a messenger from a world of jungle canopies and ancient ruins.
Second, they are simply stunning. The male is unmistakable, with an iridescent green and blue head, a fiery red belly separated by a clean white band, and a unique, copper colored spade-like tail. Seeing that splash of tropical color against the green and brown foliage of Ramsey Canyon is a breathtaking experience.
Finally, they have a famous relative. Trogons belong to the same family as the Resplendent Quetzal, the legendary, long-tailed bird sacred to the Aztecs and Mayans. So, in a way, seeing a Trogon is like catching a glimpse of royalty.
The Hike into Ramsey Canyon
Whether you’re on a quest to see or photograph a specific bird or animal, or you just need some time out in nature, Ramsey Canyon is an ideal choice. After stopping in at the visitor center to sign the guest book (and pay if you’re not a member), you’re almost immediately greeted by scenes of butterflies, humming birds and lizards.
The walk into the canyon has just a minor elevation gain as you make your way towards the Bledsoe loop. But you are surrounded by maple, oak, ash, sycamore, and even willow trees the whole way. As you’re making your way through the preserve, you can stop to see the remains of the cabins built by the original settlers. There are also little ponds with dragon flies and endangered Chiricahua leopard frogs. And if you’re lucky you might even run into Coatimundi, another animal that you can’t really see anywhere else in the United States.
Then if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can take the steep stairs up and over the Hamburg trail. (I will definitely be writing a future post about that hike).
But on this day I was Searching for a Trogon
What makes trying to find the male elegant trogon different from many of the other birds I’ve photographed is that you’re not only using your eyes, you’re also very much using your ears. Male trogons call out to their potential mates with a very unique sounding almost dog-like bark. Listen to it here.
What’s great about this is that you know almost right away whether there are Elegant Trogons in the canyon or not. But that still doesn’t mean they’ll be easy to find and photograph. I didn’t even see one, let alone capture a picture until at least my 5th or 6th attempt.
The Trogon Sighting
But then when I did finally get a picture, I came around a corner and a colorful male was sitting on a branch almost right in front of me. In many ways, bird photography is kind of like fishing. You may spend hours with your line in the water with nothing to show for it, then just when you’re about to give up, you hook a trophy specimen.
In the birding world, that’s the Elegant Trogon!
Would you like to try to capture your own picture of an Elegant Trogon?
Plan Your Visit
Location: The Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve, located at 27 E Ramsey Canyon Rd, Hereford, AZ, just south of Sierra Vista.
Hours : Due to the canyon’s fragile ecosystem, the number of daily visitors is limited, especially during the busy spring and summer months. The preserve is typically open Thursday through Monday, (March 1-October 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., November 1- February 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) but always check their website for current hours and to make a reservation.
Fees: There is an entry fee per person. Members of The Nature Conservancy receive free entry.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. The main loop trail is approximately 1.5 miles and is very well-maintained, though it does have some incline and stone steps. It’s suitable for most fitness levels.
Best Time to Go:
For Elegant Trogons: Late April through August is your best bet.
For Hummingbirds: A stunning variety of hummingbirds are active from April through September.
For Fall Colors: The canyon is beautiful in late October and early November when the sycamores and maples turn yellow and red.
A picture Kelly took in Ramsey Canyon - late November
Pro Tips:
No Pets Allowed: To protect the wildlife, pets are not permitted in the preserve.
Bring Binoculars: They are essential for getting good views of the birds high up in the canopy.
Go Early & Go Quietly: Wildlife is most active in the morning. Walking quietly and stopping often to listen will dramatically increase your chances of spotting the trogon and other shy creatures.
Check the Bird Report: The visitor center often has a recent list of bird sightings, which can give you a clue as to what to look for and where.
Let me know when you’re coming.
Til next time,
Todd