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Questions? Our friendly staff is available 7 days a week. Call or text us at 480.626.4072 or e-mail info@AZVacationHomeRentals.com

 

 

Why choose Arizona Vacation Home Rentals (AVHR)?

 

 

 

Why is a local property management company best?

 

 

 

What is the property management fee?

 

 

 

How do I get started with AVHR?

 

 

 

What are the steps to a seamless start?

 

 

 

What cities does AVHR cover?

 

We manage homes in the greater Phoenix area as well as in the mountains near Payson. The cities we cover include: 

 

 

Where do we advertise your home?

 

 

 

How do we advertise your home?

 

 

 

How do I get my home guest ready?

 

The goal is to create a home that make guests feel like they never want to leave.  As part of your action plan we provide:

 

For detailed information about getting your home guest ready read Creating the Ideal Short Term Rental Space.

 

 

Who manages the reservations at my home?

 

Once your home is guest ready and listed on 200+ websites, we take care of all aspects of guest booking. 

 

 

How do we protect your home?

 

 

 

What is the service period if you choose AVHR?

 

 

 

How often can you use your home?

 

 

 

How do we keep you informed?

 

You can stay up to date on your vacation home using our owner portal. It’s easy to use and you can access it from your phone or desktop. 
The portal allows you to:

 

 

 

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

 

  

 

 

1. The vacation rental market is a local business and is best run by a local team, not managed by calling Austin or another country. 

 

2. Teams of local people who live in the area have detailed knowledge of communities that are safe and HOAs that are friendly to owners and guests of short term rentals. 

 

3. Local teams understand the local market and will guide you with pricing and advertising to augment the profit on your home.

 

4. Local management teams provide 24/7 personalized support for owners and guests.

 

5. Local teams have personal knowledge and experience with community maintenance and service companies and can best advise owners in terms of quality and price for reparations and remodels.

 

 

6. Local teams provide wellness checks on homes.  

 

7. When alerted by security systems, local teams go to your home to handle emergencies or guest concerns.

 

8. Local teams are weather aware and advise guests on safety precautions or property care to prevent weather-related damage.

 

9. Local property management companies know regional laws and requirements.

 

10. Local teams have personal knowledge of nearby attractions, events and services to recommend when guests ask.

 

 

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

 

If you rent vacation homes you have possibly wondered about the advantages to owning one or even several. You can easily transition from renter to owner and there are many convincing reasons for doing this. There’s also important information to know in advance of making the decision to convert your property or invest in a second home for this purpose.

 

 

Why It’s a Good Idea

 

 

What You Need to Know Before Committing

 

Getting Started

  1. Choose a general location.
  2. Shop houses with a projected income in mind. Location and amenities such as pool, hot tub, etc. will impact your potential earnings. AVHR has knowledge of the greater Phoenix area and can help you shop wisely.
  3. Be smart about HOA covenants as well as state and local ordinances that could affect your rental opportunities. Contact AVHR for information. We know our local communities and regulations.
  4. After purchasing the home (if not before) we highly recommend you hire a manager or consultant to help you complete the start-up process.
  5. Arizona Vacation Home Rentals is a full service, Five Star, local property management company that brings years of expertise to all areas of the vacation rental management business.

 

How Arizona Vacation Home Rentals (AVHR) Can Help You

 

 

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals is a full spectrum property management company that specializes in vacation rental start-up projects, marketing and owner/guest liaison services for vacation rental properties in the greater Phoenix and Payson areas. We have more than 14 years of experience marketing all levels of vacation rental properties. We have helped over 200 owners transform their home into a vacation rental.

If you have questions or would like to discuss converting a home or purchasing a vacation rental property please contact us.

 

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

E-mail:  info@AZVacationHomeRentals.com

Today’s traveler expects vacation rental properties to have all the conveniences of home. Many travelers are looking for the ultimate escape and seek homes with resort amenities or features above and beyond their own living accommodations.

Homes stocked with quality items make guests feel pampered and contribute to a better overall experience. No surprise that great experiences lead to better reviews and yield more bookings. Amenities and the guest experience can turn the one time visitor into a repeat guest.

The goal is to create spaces that make guests feel like they never want to leave. Arizona Vacation Home Rentals (AVHR) provides owners with this spreadsheet New Home Inventory List to help you estimate your start up costs. What follows in this blog is essential information along with the rationale for our recommendations.

 

 

Important Policies

 

Doing Our Share

 

 

Less Pricey Shopping with Quality in Mind

 

Home Smart Technology

It goes without saying that travelers expect the best home smart technology in their vacation homes whether they are traveling for pleasure or their destination is work-related:

 

 

Kitchens for Cooking and Eating

Well stocked kitchens are a perk to staying at a vacation home instead of a hotel. Guests may want to prepare home cooked meals and expect the usual staples to be supplied:

 

 

Good Night, Sleep Tight Bedrooms

Everyone deserves to sleep comfortably while on vacation or working away from home. Owners should consider furnishing each bedroom to function as a mini-hotel room:

 

 

Fresh and Clean: Bathrooms and Laundry Rooms

Bathrooms and bedrooms tend to be the rooms that leave lasting impressions on guests. Guests respond well to bathrooms that are updated so this may be money well spent:

 

 

The Outdoor Oasis

Many guests comment in home reviews how much they enjoy the outdoor spaces at their vacation home. Lay a foundation for memory making with an amenity rich outdoor setting that includes comfortable furnishings and activities for guests of all ages:

 

 

The Final Touch

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

 

 

Our guests’ safety and security is our number one priority. We also want our owners to feel comfortable with how we safeguard their investments and protect guests. While most short term renters treat our homes as they do their own, there is the occasional guest who violates our NO party, event or large group policy. A party can be devastating: neighbors are annoyed, the police are called and HOAs impose owner fines or pass covenants that restrict short term rentals within the community. Damage from a party can be extensive: insurance and other claims rarely cover all expenses.

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals is taking steps to improve the overall guest, neighbor and owner experience by increasing the smart technology at our homes. The installed devices add another layer of protection and ultimately reduce incidents which result in rental violations, unwarranted damage to property and annoyed neighbors.

 

Security Cameras

Guest privacy is critical and installing camera and surveillance devices inside of vacation homes is illegal. Exterior cameras are legal; however, disclosure of any cameras on a property is required by many online travel agencies such as Airbnb and VRBO.

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals has added cameras to the exteriors of many of our homes. The cameras face the street and provide a clear view of the entire driveway both day and night. The audio capability of the cameras is off: we do not record conversations or sounds. The cameras are monitored to ensure guests are not having parties or groups larger than authorized in the rental agreement. They enhance guest safety by catching break-ins and and identifying suspicious activities. In case of incidents, the cameras have playback capabilities which protect guests against unwarranted claims by an HOA and other conflicts of interest.

 

 

NoiseAware

To keep neighbors happy and prevent incidents we have added NoiseAware to our homes. Two or three of these small units have been placed both inside and out at all of our homes. NoiseAware does not detect or record any sounds or conversations. Instead, the units measure noise levels in decibels and, based on preset noise levels, alert guests when there is excessive noise at a home. If guests do not respond and reduce the noise Arizona Vacation Home Rentals is notified. NoiseAware is another use of technology to guard against unfair accusations by HOAs or neighbors.

 

Remote Locks

Remote locks have been added to improve security and facilitate both keyless and contactless entry into our vacation homes. The locks are integrated with our reservation system: guests will receive a unique code that allows entry for the duration of their reservation. Problems with lost keys, duplication of keys or guests being locked out are avoided. The codes are modified remotely between guests to give future guests peace of mind in knowing the home is secure.

 

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are familiar technology that protect guests and homes. In some houses the alarms are wired to the home’s electrical circuit and connected to the other detectors in the home. When any unit detects smoke or carbon monoxide, the alarm activates a sound simultaneously throughout the home. Should the home lose electricity they default to battery power.

Some homes utilize battery powered smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The units function individually, detecting dangerous smoke or carbon monoxide levels and emitting an alarm to notify the people in the home. Many of our vacation homes have both electrically wired and battery powered smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

 

 

 

The Bottom Line

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals wants to deliver an optimal experience for our guests and owners. We know travelers rely on technology to plan and book time away with the expectation that travel agencies stay current on best practices. With our new smart home tech solutions travelers can be reassured the vacation property they choose for relaxing or working is safe and secure. Owners’ confidence and peace of mind will grow knowing we have upped our tech game to protect their investments and guests.

 

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

*Photo credit: © Claire Arnot

 

Yes, we have bobcats in the greater Phoenix area. In fact, bobcats are common throughout Arizona and found in all contiguous states in the USA with possibly one or two exceptions.  In Arizona, and specifically the Sonoran Desert, they especially thrive in forested mountains, rocky canyons and dense brush areas. Sometimes referred to as wildcats, the development and occupation of their natural habitat has forced bobcats to adapt to living in more populated areas which include our suburbs and the outskirts of cities.

 

*Photo credit: © Cindy Beardsley

*Photo credit: © Cindy Beardsley

 

Identifying Bobcats

Bobcats, named for their bobbed tails, are bigger than house cats but smaller than mountain lions. They have flat faces, furry cheeks, long legs and big paws. Size-wise, they are 18 – 24 inches tall, 2 – 3 feet long, weigh 15 – 35 pounds and have tails that are 2 – 8 inches in length. Bobcats can jump heights of 10 plus feet and climb small trees. On the move, they are usually solitary unless it’s a female moving kittens between dens, siblings or mating pairs. In Arizona, breeding usually occurs December through April. The kittens are born April to early June and litters are mostly 2 – 3 in number. The kittens stay with their mother for most of their first year and start learning to hunt at 4 – 5 months. The average lifespan of a wild bobcat is 12 – 15 years.

*Photo credit: © Cindy Beardsley

 

Bobcat Behaviors

Pouncing on their prey like mountain lions, Arizona bobcats are opportunistic carnivores with a menu that includes rabbits, rodents, other small mammals, birds and occasionally lizards and snakes. Occasionally they are seen eating small deer and pronghorns. Unsupervised cats and small dogs also provide meals to hungry bobcats who are known to visit backyards in search of food and water.

 

These shy and often reclusive animals are nocturnal hunters but may be spotted sleeping or reclining during daylight hours. Some favorite roosts are dens, low tree branches, hollow logs, tree and bush thickets, and caves. In developed areas bobcats choose patios, under decks, empty lots, enclosed yards, rooftops or driveway culverts – any place where they feel secure for a daytime nap.

 

*Photo credit: © Foofoo Sullivan

 

*Photo credit: © Beth Tierney Jablonski

 

It’s important to note that bobcats almost never attack humans. The few documented cases involve bobcats with kittens or rabies; however, rabies in bobcats is very rare. 

 

In Arizona bobcats are considered a species of concern with populations relatively stable overall. You must have a license to hunt bobcats and keep in mind that most Arizona cities ban shooting firearms within city limits. Possession of live bobcats is illegal.

 

*Photo credit: © Beth Tierney Jablonski

 

What To Do If You See A Bobcat

 

*Photo credit: © Cindy Beardsley

 

Important Wildlife Safety

Wild animals are exactly that, WILD! Their response to human encounters is unpredictable at best. When wild animals injure people they are removed or euthanized because of people’s behaviors. Please act responsibly!

The following applies to all wildlife and within the greater Phoenix area especially relates to bobcats, peccaries and coyotes.

 

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals has a home, Bobcat Den, that has a neighborhood bobcat. The cat is sometimes spotted napping in the home’s front and back yards. It’s quite likely that you will view bobcats at some of our other homes and especially if there are green spaces that border the homes.

*Photo credit: © Cindy Beardsley

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

 

*Photo credit: © Ken Krahulec

 

* Special thanks to all the Sonoran Desert Wildlife group members who contributed bobcat photos for this blog!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Across the United States, local and state governments are exploring ways to micromanage the short term rental (STR) industry. The controls they seek come in the form of additional fees and taxes for STR properties, limiting the number of STRs in a given area or banning STRs altogether. Home Owner Associations (HOA) are also expressing their opinion of STRs by including covenants that prohibit STRs and harassing guests who stay at permitted STR properties.

Why? Media publications occasionally try to stir up trouble by incorrectly printing that STRs negatively affect housing availability and costs. But largely the opposition are a few people who are annoyed (justifiably or not) with STR guests in their neighborhood. These grumblers join HOA boards or get elected as local commissioners to oppose STRs and go so far as to embroil others to revise the STR statutes in their community. Some are unconscionable and reward homeowners for reporting or even fabricating problems with STR guests in an effort to promote their anti STR agenda. The NIMBY (not in my backyard) phenomenon comes to mind because most of the STR opposition admit to using STRs when they travel.

 

Direct and Indirect Contributions

I’m here to say, watch what you wish for! I live in an east coast city that was once home to a lucrative film industry. In the last 40 or so years, more than 400 movies and several TV series as well as individual episodes, were produced here. Less than a decade ago, sketchy local and state politics that included initiatives to shrink film industry incentives and ban short term rentals (preferred housing of actors and crews during filming) sent full time agents and producers in search of more user friendly settings. Quickly and quietly the agencies and their crews vanished to other states taking with them scores of people who made their living providing services they needed: hair styling, make-up, costume design, set design and special effects to name a few.

No big deal you might think but keep reading! The people who left had contributed both directly and indirectly to our local economy. They bought coffee at Starbucks, dined in our restaurants, shopped at our stores, rented or bought properties and participated in local events. In other words, they spent their time and money here. The celebrities and shows made us famous which attracted tourists from all over the world who came and spent their time and money here. We were the winners: we saw increased tax revenue and job growth, especially in tourist and service factions. Unfortunately and not surprising, when the major and minor players in the film industry relocated to greener pastures their spending power and influences moved with them.

 

Connecting the Dots

How you wonder are filming and STR companies like Arizona Vacation Home Rentals similar? For starters, they are both environmentally clean industries as opposed to corporations that pollute water, soil and air and spend our tax dollars to clean up their mess. If you aren’t a tree hugger and this doesn’t matter to you perhaps I can hook you by explaining how the STR industry, similar to the film industry, positively impacts the local economies in Arizona.

Rounds Consulting Group (RCG) conducted an economic impact analysis and published the results in The Economic Impact of Short-Term Rentals in Arizona, February 2022. The results are impressive! Guests who stayed at STR properties generated $538.4 million dollars in Arizona county and city tax revenues in 2021. These included taxes levied on rental fees, sales taxes from guests’ spending and tax revenues from the 75,500 jobs created by the short term rental industry.

RCG used a common economist model that measures the effects of activities related to the industry and converts the activities into estimated tax revenues. They included direct effects such as taxes generated by guests as they spend money in the locale where they are staying e.g., dining at restaurants, playing golf, buying food and visiting attractions. They also counted what they labeled as secondary impacts that result from increased demands on companies that supply goods and services to the STR industry. Examples of this include the tax increase in revenue and jobs or payroll hours affiliated with the suppliers of goods and services to STR companies e.g., housekeeping and maintenance crews, cleaning supplies and fuel. And as RCG points out, the rippling effect continues as employees of the suppliers spend their earnings on goods and services and so on and so forth.

Before you support or vote in favor of limiting or banning STRs think long and hard about $538.4 million dollars in tax revenues and 75,500 new jobs. Those are BIG numbers! Everyone benefits, everyone is a winner because more people are working and tax revenues pay for schools, roads, first responder salaries and equipment, and so much more, without raising everyone’s taxes.

 

The Blame Game: Get It Right!

You should also contemplate this: long term renters have a greater negative impact on communities and house prices than STR guests and homes. If you doubt me, talk to a landlord. Their top 3 challenges include evicting tenants who stop paying rent (good luck with this!), periods of vacancy between tenants and property damage. Next, talk to a realtor who will confirm that these behaviors directly contribute to the decline of neighborhoods and falling home prices. STRs are not problem free but evictions, property damage and in most cases vacancy are rarely the challenges. The very nature of STR income motivates homeowners to keep their properties occupied and in excellent condition, stay on top of problem guests and resolve damages quickly in preparation for incoming guests. These desirable behaviors contribute to maintaining everyone’s property and community values and promoting neighborhood civility.

 

Support Clean Industries

Hands down, the benefits of STRs far exceed the few nuisances, but that’s another blog (to be written soon). For now, don’t make the mistake my urban area did and allow an environmentally friendly and lucrative industry to decline or disappear. My home city is currently scrambling to right their mistakes and encourage the return of full time filming productions. Be smarter! At the very least, elect representatives and vote in favor of ordinances that support STRs in your community. If possible, get involved to help ensure STR regulations make good neighborly sense without limiting their ability to contribute generously to Arizona’s economy and job market.

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

 

A recent and popular trend with business travelers as well as families on the go is to stay in a vacation rental home instead of a hotel. If you haven’t explored renting a home in place of reserving a hotel room, keep reading…

 

Four Advantages to Vacation Rental Homes

 

1. Space and Well-being

It’s about space (lots more) and convenience:

 

 

2. Cost Effective

Hotels cost more than rental homes:

 

 

3. Comfort and Flexibility

Vacation rentals offer more flexibility and benefits:

 

4. Safety

Vacation homes are safer:

 

Vacation rental homes are literally everywhere. Once you’ve determined your destination you can find the ideal home by locating a local Online Travel Agency (OTA) such as Arizona Vacation Home Rentals, searching the homes on their websites and contacting the property managers. Booking directly with OTAs and avoiding the large vacation rental markets is a HUGE money saver!

 

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals offers a wide variety of rental properties in the Greater Phoenix Area. Our local team will personalize your experience and make you glad you decided to rent one of our homes!

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text:  480.626.4072

AVHR Winter Newsletter 2021

Second edition

Welcome! This quarterly newsletter will give you the scoop on Arizona Vacation Home Rental’s newest homes and winter activities in the greater Phoenix area. In addition, look for the following:

We encourage you to browse and find what you need to customize and plan the perfect Arizona vacation.

 

Discounts if You Book at Azvacationhomerentals.com

When you’re ready to book ask us about the following discounts:

 

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The following homes are discounted 10% if you reserve days in December, January or February and 15% if you are a returning guest. Other discounts at these homes include free pool heat and free highchair and Pack ‘N Play rentals during the same months. Just ask us!

Adobe Ranch in East Mesa
Golden View in Gold Canyon

 

What’s New & Different at Arizona Vacation Home Rentals  

We have two new properties we’re excited to showcase. All that’s missing from these dream come true vacation homes is YOU! For more information or to book, visit Arizona Vacation Home Rentals. Booking directly at Arizona Vacation Home Rentals saves you money and supports local business.

Our first, newly acquired home is Golden View, a 5 BR, 3.5 BA, single story, Gold Canyon home. Love our Superstition Mountains? They are the golden view from the backyard and many of the interior windows. The resort amenities at this gem include a heated pool, hot tub, covered patios for dining or watching TV and a gas fireplace. The interior of this home is luxurious throughout with a theater room featuring a gas fireplace and TVs in 4 of 5 bedrooms. To spend time at our dream come true vacation home book now at Arizona Vacation Home Rentals and then start packing!

 

♦♦♦♦♦

The second of our new homes, but not second best in any way, is Adobe Ranch, a secluded 4 BR, 3 BA, single story home on a large lot in East Mesa. The appealing amenities include a heated pool, covered patio and gas fire pit to warm your toes and heart. The charming southwestern decor in well appointed rooms is both attractive and comfortable. The property’s location is ideal for guests who enjoy golfing, hiking, biking, kayaking, Chicago Cubs spring training, shopping or dining out. Visit Arizona Vacation Home Rentals to see all the wonderful details and book your exciting vacation! Booking directly at Arizona Vacation Home Rentals saves you money and supports local business.

 

♦♦♦♦♦

 

Winter Travel to the Greater Phoenix Area

 

Weather
The fall can be the perfect time to visit the greater Phoenix area. Most days are warm, sunny and ideal for outdoor adventures of which there are many. The chart below features average day and night temps during the fall months.

Month Average Day Temp Average Night Temp
December 67° F 46° F
January 69° F 46° F
February 72° F 49° F

 

Packing for Our Winter Months

As you can see our temps are cooler in the winter months. That being said, 300+ of our days are sunny and temps can climb during the daylight hours. Be prepared for the temp changes which can sometimes be dramatic and pack the following:

 

Why Heat the Pool at Your Vacation Home

Guests often ask us if heating the pool at their rental home is necessary. If you read our guest reviews you will learn that pool heat makes swimming in our winter months more enjoyable.

Additional information about pool heat that you need to know:

 

Health & Safety

Vacation rental homes are safer than hotels. Our homes are self-contained meaning you have everything you need at the home with the exception of consumable items such as food and your personal effects. We offer no-contact check-in and check-out and adhere to all CDC recommended cleaning practices and employee policies. You’re not sharing amenities such as pools, hallways or dining areas and have absolute control over how you social distance from those not in your bubble.

Currently Arizona has no state implemented restrictions for US travelers from other states. According to CDC guidelines, visitors are encouraged to stay home when sick, avoid close contact with others and wash hands frequently.

 

Things to Do in the Greater Phoenix Area

Winter months are our peak season. Those who long to avoid freezing winter temps and shoveling snow should escape to the greater Phoenix area. Hikers, bikers and golfers often appreciate our sunny winter days with low humidity and cooler but not brutal temps. Check out our golf blog, Calling All Golfers!, and trail blog, Let’s Hit the Trails, for details on local fairways and trails plus links to the particulars.

Family activities you may find worthwhile are listed below and include links to help you find whatever information you need for an enjoyable experience.

Other activities that may coax you to our area include car shows, concerts, theater and sporting events. For example, upcoming events at The Orpheum Theater in Phoenix include A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker (Phoenix Ballet), Waitress and An Officer and A Gentleman.

Additional fine art venues to check out:

For our sports loving guests there are year round events to keep you entertained. Below are links to professional teams in the immediate area.

Professional Sport Teams
Football: Arizona Cardinals
Baseball: Arizona Diamondbacks
Basketball: Phoenix Suns
Hockey: Arizona Coyotes

 

Thank you in advance for reading our newsletter. We hope you will pass on to friends and family who are interested in a vacation rental in the greater Phoenix area. Our spring newsletter will be published in February.

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through
Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

 

By providing links to other sites, AVHR does not guarantee, approve, or endorse information or products available on these sites.

The smallest bird you’ll observe zipping around or hovering within gardens and parks in the Sonoran Desert is the hummingbird. Southeastern Arizona hosts more than a dozen species of hummers as year round residents, seasonal visitors or accidental tourists during migration. Their wing speed of 80 beats or more per second is remarkable which, along with their flapping tail feathers, accounts for the buzzing noise you may hear as they flit between nectar supplies. Nests are crafted of lichens intertwined with spider webs and well camouflaged. Broods are usually 2 eggs, occasionally 3.

Don’t be fooled by the size of these tiny, fairy like birds sporting iridescent colors and pointed bills. At feeders and darting among tube shaped flowers they are territorial and warrior-like, defending food sources, nests and potential mates with their dagger like beaks. Scrappy and relentless, they are capable of flying up, down, backward and sideways. Many species are also proficient at flying thousands of miles along migration routes between Alaska and Mexico or Central America.

 

Hummingbirds You’ll See in the Greater Phoenix Area

There are 7 hummingbird species commonly viewed in the greater Phoenix area:

I will tempt you with interesting and fun trivia about each of these plus suggest local habitats where you are likely to find the species. For more detailed descriptions, photos of both male and females and additional fascinating facts, consult a bird guide or websites that feature hummingbirds and their characteristics.

 

Allen’s Hummingbird

Allen’s Hummingbird breeds along the Pacific coast and is typically viewed in our area only when migrating between western California and Mexico in the spring and fall. They are small, chunky birds measuring about 3.5 inches or 9 cm long and sport shades of copper, orange and green. Males have a distinct red-orange throat and emit a bee-like buzz with their wings. In addition to drinking flower nectar, these hummers flycatch or pluck insects from plants with their straight bills.

 

 

*Anna’s Hummingbird

Once common to the Phoenix area in winter only, Anna’s Hummingbird has increased both visiting and breeding numbers in Arizona in early spring and late fall, making it one of the hummingbird species you are most likely to see in the Phoenix area. Partial to desert scrub and riparian woodlands, this hummer is also a frequent guest in residential gardens and especially those with exotic plants. Whereas many hummingbirds are vocally silent, these males are unique in their ability to make sounds that are musical in nature. Highly territorial, the males also do elaborate aerial dives ending in tail-produced popping sounds to deter intruders such as other birds and people. Anna’s Hummingbird is one of the larger hummers in the Phoenix area yet is considered a medium-sized, slightly stocky hummer. Grey-green in color, males are distinguished by an iridescent red-pink head and throat.

 

 

*Female Black-chinned Hummingbird

*Male Black-chinned Hummingbird

The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a summer native to Arizona, arriving in March or April and departing in October to spend winter in Mexico. They are highly adaptable and common in middle and lower elevations choosing habitats of deciduous woodlands, canyons, meadows, orchards or cities with flowering trees and shrubs. Similar to the Allen’s Hummingbird in length, they are more slender with an almost straight black bill. Males have a dark throat edged in purple; female throats are pale. Both males and females have muted green back feathers and dull grey chests. They are often spotted on high tree snags when they aren’t zipping erratically between nectar sources. They are frequent visitors to feeding stations throughout the greater Phoenix area. Males use aerial display flights which include 70-100 feet pendular dives to attract females or defend their territories.

 

 

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Another native to Arizona is the Broad-tailed Hummingbird which typically arrives in late spring and returns to Mexico at the end of September. Breeding habitats include higher elevations on the fringe of pinyon-juniper, oak, pine and evergreen  forests. Males make audible metallic chirps with their wings as they dart between blossoms and perform rapid aerial dives. Adorned with noticeable iridescent green on dorsal parts and white chests, their tails flash white tips when in flight. Females and young hummers have green spots on their throats; males sport a magenta-red throat patch. Considered to be a medium size hummer, they have slender bodies and big heads (relative to other hummingbird species).

 

 

Calliope Hummingbird

The smallest of the hummingbirds in our area and in the United States is the Calliope Hummingbird with its relatively short tails, wings and bills. Displaying metallic green on their heads and upper parts, both males and females have white or buff breasts. Males are easy to distinguish because they have long streaks of purple-magenta feathers down their necks and perform impressive 100 foot, U shaped aerial dives during courtship. These birds may be tiny but are fierce during the breeding season and have been observed pursuing much larger birds in defense of their nests and mates. They spend winters in Mexico but travel through Arizona in the spring enroute to their breeding grounds along the Pacific coast. Similar to the Allen Hummingbird, the Calliope sips nectar from plants and is a flycatcher of insects.

 

 

*Male Costa’s Hummingbird

*Female Costa’s Hummingbird

The Costa’s Hummingbird chooses desert and sage scrub or chaparral as a preferred habitat and drinks nectar from different desert plants such as ocotillo and chuparosa. Their breeding season falls mainly between late winter and spring and to avoid Arizona’s hot summers they then migrate to the coast of California. The female is the nest builder and chooses shrubs, small trees and occasionally a cactus or yucca for the nest site. These are small, compact hummers with a short tail and stooped presentation when perched. Males feature a remarkable purple-amethyst gorget atop their heads and along their necks that conveys a mustached appearance. Both males and females have green backs and white underparts. Known to be more reticent than other hummers, they are likely to visit your feeding stations if you have more than one nectar source available.

 

 

Rufous Hummingbird

Last but never least is the bold and territorial Rufous Hummingbird, a common visitor to Arizona hummingbird feeders during their long migrations between Alaska and Mexico. In areas where there are nectar rich flowers and feeders they may stay for a week or two to rest and bulk up for their arduous travels. Unfortunately, Rufous Hummingbirds may discourage other hummers from visiting your feeders as they are naturally greedy and will chase competitors away. Males are orange-brown in color; females are green-orange. They choose desert scrubs, mountain meadows and other locations with flowers and feeders for their migratory habitats.

 

Feeding Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds require a significant amount of nectar to maintain their high metabolic rates. You can attract resident and transient hummers to sip in your presence by hanging specialized feeders filled with nectar and planting native tubular flowers in yards and parks. Red seems to be a favorite flower color although my hummers also frequent pink, yellow and purple blossoms. Native Arizona plants such as trumpet creeper, lupine, salvias, penstemon, Columbine and bee balms are a source of rich and natural food for hummers. Hummers also consume and feed insects to their young so avoid using insecticides in your yard. Nearby branches or perches for resting between drinks add an inviting touch.

Safe and appealing nectar is easily made by stirring 1 cup of white (not raw) sugar into 4 cups of water and boiling for a minute or two. Please do not add food coloring or dyes which are harmful to hummingbirds and not necessary. Leftover nectar should be stored in your refrigerator. Change the nectar before it gets cloudy and toxic to hummers. Feeders will get moldy relative to the humidity and ambient temps and should be cleaned with mild soapy water, rinsed thoroughly and refilled as needed.

*Uncommon to the Phoenix area is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird

 

Places to See Hummingbirds in the Phoenix Area

 

 

See Hummingbirds at Arizona Vacation Home Rentals’ Properties

Diamond Spirit Ranch

 

Gold Canyon Retreat

 

Gold Canyon Trails

 

Red Bird Nest

 

The Castle Resort

 

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

 

*Photo credits: © Gilbert S Grant

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