I definitely haven't noticed either. My little garden here in N Scottsdale is always teaming with them, and has for quite a few years. I hope there's not a general decline going on. One thing I HAVE noticed in the last 10 years or so is how many more adorable, loud, fun African lovebirds are all over the area--a fun development if you ask me. When I first moved here in 2000 it was pretty rare to see/hear them, and mostly in central Phoenix, now I see them most days, in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and so on, even in the outer areas. I'd find their "song", hah, annoying as a caged bird, but when they're flying around making it, I sort of like it. Happy gardening all! Grant

I think that grosbeak was injured. I found her this afternoon hanging around my [frozen] pond. I probably just about stepped on her when i was putting up the Christmas lights. :-/ Anyway, she couldn't seem to fly, though i thought i saw her flying yesterday. She was around for awhile, but i was busy (we were putting in a new kitchen window!), and later when i looked for her she was gone. I'm hoping that she got away somewhere and that the dog didn't get her.

White crowned sparrows have been plentiful during migration this spring. We've had many reports here in MN and I had one in my yard the other day ... something I'd been hoping for the last 5+ years!

Thanks Marilyn, I went to an Audubon Society meeting last night and even they seemed to gloss over the exact names of sparrows and finches because there are so many that look the same but have different names. :-) I've got to figure out what the one bird is that is dive-bombing off the top of the Cypress tree. I've spent hour and hours trying to research every bird and location we saw in SE Asia and I still have a ways to go before I'm done. Jodi-