Among the workshops and presentations at the Sedona Hummingbird Festival, a number of hummingbird photography workshops are being offered (Broad-billed Hummingbird photo by Stephen Vaughan).

During one of the busiest months for outdoor activities of many kinds, birding festivals take a bit of a backseat during July; however, there are 2 top quality birding fests, including the Sedona Hummingbird Festival, which is hosted by the International Hummingbird Society. Located in picturesque Sedona, Arizona, this cooler high elevation region provides the chance to see 5 to 7 different species of hummingbirds and many other birds among a variety of habitats July 25 to 27. This popular birding festival offers 14 exciting presentations on hummingbird topics, along with birding field trips, banding demonstrations, a photo contest, hummingbird garden tours, a plant sale, a hummingbird marketplace, a Kid’s Day filled with special activities, a fun festival dinner, and pre-festival workshops that instruct participants on hummingbird photography and how to paint hummingbirds. For more information, see Sedona Hummingbird Festival - July 25-27, 2025 - Come Join Us! And to learn more about the International Hummingbird Society, refer to https://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/

At the end of July, many birders travel to the “sky islands” of southern Arizona to attend the Southwest Wings Birding & Nature Festival, centered in Sierra Vista, Arizona from July 30 to August 2 – but registration closes July 15, so act now if you are interested in attending. The Sierra Vista area offers the chance to find birds that are special to that unique, very southern area of the United States. Search for Montezuma Quail, an Elegant Trogon, Elf Owl, Gray Hawk, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Painted Redstart, Five-striped Sparrow, and many more exciting birds to add to your life list. There are exciting guided field trips, workshops, free programs, vendors, and a keynote buffet, all in southeast Arizona – see Southwest Wings | Main Festival | Field Trips (swwings.org)

Why Arizona during the hottest period of the year? The festival locations are at high elevation sites where birds from desert areas and warmer regions to the south make altitudinal migrations to beat the heat. Expect to see a variety of interesting hummingbirds, songbirds, flycatchers, and other species while they make their appearance in the mountainous areas near Sierra Vista and Sedona.