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    Saguaro

    National Park Arizona

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  • Bottled water no longer for sale in Saguaro National Park

    Water bottle filling stations have been installed at both visitor centers and the Rincon Mountain District bike ramada for visitors to refill their reusable water bottles. A variety of BPA-free waterbottles are available inside the visitor centers. More »

  • Tucson Mountain District (west) road re-opened

    The Golden Gate Road has been re-opened north of Sendero-Esperanza and is is now rated for high clearance vehicles due to the rough nature of the terrain. More »

Verdin

Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps)

The tiny verdin is not a close relative of any other bird in the Western Hemisphere. Instead, it is believed to belong to a group of small, inconspicuous birds from Eurasia and Africa.

The male verdin may build several spherical nests of bulky twigs before the female chooses one in which to lay her eggs. Young verdins are ready to fledge about three weeks after hatching but still return to the nest at night.

Length: 4.5 in. Wingspan: 6.5 in.

Diet: Insects and nectar

Did You Know?

Gila Monster

Gila monsters are one of two venomous lizards in the world.  The other is the similar Mexican beaded lizard. Gila monster venom evolved as a defensive rather than offensive weapon.