The Wickenburg KFC/Car Dealership Overlook

Fast Flight Facts

Target Species: Red-shouldered Hawk

Elevation: 2000'

Habitat: Riparian and open farm habitat viewed from an overlook

Overall Birding Rating: 2

Difficulty: 1 (Easy)

Birding Type: Simple Walking

Facilities: Parking, nearby restaurants

Fees/Ownership: None/Wickenburg

Closest Town or City/How far from Phoenix: Wickenburg/ 51.7 miles northwest of Phoenix

Getting there: Reached by parking at the KFC/Car Dealership lot in Wickenburg

Overview: Wickenburg has several good birding spots right in town, with one of them being behind the towns's Kentucky Fried Chicken and Car Dealership. Obviously, the Hassayampa River Preserve is the area's main attraction, but if a birder wants to bird before or after the preserve's hours, this is often a good stop.

Behind the KFC and car dealership, lies a farmland with the Hassayampa River bordering it to the west. A huge line of cottonwoods is viewable, and if one decides to walk in the direction of the dealership and behind the dealership, it puts the birder closer to the cottonwoods where it's much easier to observe things. It's a great place to observe Western and Cassin's Kingbirds, as well as Brown-crested Flycatchers up close. Lucy's Warblers love the hillsides overlooking the farmland. Down in farmland is a green field which is also good to keep an eye out for birds. Vermilion Flycatchers and Hooded Orioles are also regularly seen. Perhaps this area is best known for viewing Red-shouldered Hawks, which are regularly seen here, and have nested in these cottonwoods in the past. Listen for their harsh and distinct screams in the area.

Birding tip: This place is easy stop and go birding. Park behind the KFC and walk over in the direction south toward the car dealership. Continue walking behind the car dealership to get closer to the cottonwood habitat. This is a good place to wait and see what shows up.

Directions: These two places (KFC and car dealership) are located in the town of Wickenburg on the west side of the road, just south of where Highway 60 and Highway 93 intersect.

Pages:

The Wickenburg KFC/Car Dealership Overlook Map

Scenes and Sights of The Wickenburg KFC/Car Dealership Overlook: