In general, the distribution and seasonal status of Arizona's avifauna are fairly well understood. The Birds of Arizona(Phillips et al. 1964) covers the entire state and provides a fairly complete account for all seasons.
However, large sections of the state have received relatively little ornithological attention. One such area is Apache County, in northeastern Arizona. Despite being of considerable ornithological interest, Apache County received little coverage prior to 1976, especially in comparison to the many popular birding “hot spots” elsewhere in the state.
It is possible to assemble a list of species that breed in Apache County using Phillips et al. (1964), the revision by Monson and Phillips (1981), and several detailed studies (e.g., Carothers et al. 1973, Franzreb 1975). However, substantial gaps remain in our knowledge of migrant, wintering, and even some nesting species found in Apache County.