Birds of Avondale


Red-Tailed Hawk North America's most common & widespread hawk species.


Crystal Gardens Wetlands The Best-Kept Secret for Lazy Day Exploring


Don’t let the word “wetlands” fool you. This is Avondale, not the Everglades. Crystal Gardens is a water reclamation project with a series of lakes and walking paths that attract ducks, egrets, turtles, and a surprising number of joggers who actually look like they enjoy it. It’s peaceful, family-friendly, and ridiculously photogenic during golden hour. Bring a thermos of ice water and a friend you don’t mind walking in silence with. Bonus points if you pack trail mix that doesn’t include raisins. No one likes those.


Tres Rios The Birdwatcher’s Playground


Now let’s get nerdy (in the most terrific way). Tres Rios is where the Salt, Gila, and Agua Fria Rivers meet. It’s a haven for nature lovers, especially the ones who get a little


giddy spotting herons or hawks. This place is teeming with wildlife. And we stand behind that promise. You’ve got river otters frolicking about, turtles sunbathing like they’ve got nowhere to be, and birds. So many birds. More than 200 birds and wildlife species call this place home, and honestly? Most of them are 100% fabulous. It’s the spot where you’ll start out saying, “I’m just here to stretch my legs,” and end up whisper-yelling an hour later, “Did you see that egret?!”


Ditch the Phone (Except for Pics) and Go Outside


Avondale’s natural side doesn’t need neon signs or rollercoasters to get your attention. It’s soft desert wind, birdsong, the crunch of trail underfoot, and that moment where everything gets quiet and you suddenly feel...ahhhh...better. So go ahead and lace up your sneakers, fill your water bottle, and let nature work its magic. The emails can wait.


8 | Uniquely Avondale • 2025 – 2026


Great Blue Heron


The largest heron species in North America.


Turkey Vulture


Turkey vultures average 2 1/2 feet tall with a 6 foot wingspan.


Burrowing Owl


The only North American owl that nest underground.


Bonus:


Just east of Avondale, you’ll find the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center (aka birdwatching heaven, but with air conditioning). This place is a full-on nature escape in the middle of the city, where you can stroll shady trails, spot over 200 species of birds, and check out free exhibits that make science feel less like homework and more like a “did you see that?!” moment. Admission is free!


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