Meet the Furry and Feathered Babies of Dove Mountain
As golden sun warms the soil and cactus flowers bloom, something magical happens across the Sonoran Desert — baby season! From quail chicks scurrying behind mom and dad to baby javelinas flanked by the herd, spring and summer bring an explosion of new life to our community.
Dove Mountain residents enjoy a front-row seat to this wondrous annual cycle. Whether you’re teeing off on the greens, out for a walk among the Saguaros or enjoying pristine views from your backyard, you’re sure to spot our newest — and cutest — residents as they first venture out into the world.
Join us for a field guide to one of the Sonoran Desert’s most spectacular seasons.
Seasonal Calendar: Baby Wildlife to Watch For
Timed with the sequential appearance of water flow from winter mountain rains, abundant food sources and nourishing monsoons, the Sonoran Desert welcomes its newest generations from late winter well into late summer. As you explore the community’s 50 miles of trails and hundreds of acres of protected natural lands, here’s what to watch for — and when.
Hummingbirds (December–July)
Darting like tiny jewels through the desert air, hummingbirds are among the first to nest in the Dove Mountain area. Anna’s hummingbird begins breeding as early as December, while Costa’s hummingbird extends its season into spring. Female hummers do the heavy lifting, building walnut-sized nests bound by spider silk to cradle eggs no bigger than jellybeans. Once hatchlings emerge after two weeks, she’ll nourish them with nectar, gnats and tiny spiders — sometimes still feeding older fledglings as she incubates new eggs in a second nest. Peak time for sightings comes with the monsoons, when migratory species like the Rufous, Black-chinned and Broad-tailed hummingbirds join our local populations.
Great Horned Owlets & Raptors (January–April)
Great horned owls — the Sonoran Desert’s largest — are another of our region’s early nesters, with activity beginning as early as January and owlets wobbling on Saguaro limbs to take their first flight by late February. Raptors like red-tailed hawks follow a similar timeline: Look to the skies to see them soaring above the open desert as fledglings learn to hunt on their own.
Bighorn Lambs (February–May)
Spring also brings the arrival of bighorn lambs to the nearby Catalina Mountains and Pusch Ridge Wilderness, ready to follow their sure-footed mothers up craggy mountain cliffs just days after birth. Though it’s unusual to encounter them up close, hikers with patience — and binoculars — can scan the peaks and rockfaces for glimpses. To protect this fragile population, reintroduced in 2013, visitors to Catalina State Park must follow off-trail restrictions during lambing season.
Gambel’s Quail Chicks (March–July)
Among the most charming sights in the community are families of ground-dwelling Gambel’s quail, whose chicks hatch as early as March with peak sightings in April and May. Gambel’s quail adults have a distinctive topknot and are monogamous, devoted parents. Watch the underbrush for scurrying baby quail following mom and dad in orderly lines like beads on a string — all just hours after hatching.
Bobcat Kittens (March–June)
The shy bobcat — an elusive feline slightly larger than a domestic cat — will typically establish multiple dens among rocky crevices and dense brush to birth, continually moving her litter between dens for safety. Lucky residents might spot a kitten at dawn or dusk on mountain trails, as they begin to hunt the season’s abundant birds and cottontails.
Desert Cottontail Bunnies (March–August)
Nestled in burrows abandoned by other animals or in grassy indentations, the adorable cottontail produces several litters throughout the season. You’ll spot flashes of white in the community as cottontails spring and bound in search of dinner, including mesquite pods, fallen fruit and juicy, fresh prickly pear. A favorite snack for native carnivores, you’re unlikely to spot a bunny on a blustery day: Cautious cottontails stay home when gusts hamper their ability to hear approaching predators.
Javelina “Reds” (June–August)
Javelinas are highly social animals that co-parent the herd’s young. While breeding can happen year-round, a notable boom takes place during the monsoons. Baby javelina, known as “reds,” are distinguished by their reddish-copper coats that fade as they mature. Spot them snuffling through washes and at golf course edges starting in late spring, moving as a tight group under the watchful gaze of herd adults.
Wild Horse Foals (March–June)
Spring is foaling season for the legendary wild horses of the Tortolitas, descendants of horses escaped or freed from nearby ranches long ago. Herd sightings in the range are infrequent, but unforgettable. A pair of binoculars is a must.
Coati Kits (June–August)
The white-nosed coati is a relative of the racoon distinguished by its highly social behavior, living in bands of up to 30 female coatis and their young. Kits are born with the monsoons and will begin foraging with their mothers by late summer, both on the ground and in trees at higher elevations. Look for their banded red-orange, cat-like tails sticking straight up from the underbrush at Catalina State Park and Sabino Canyon as well as the higher elevations of Mount Lemmon and the Huachuca Mountains.
Desert Tortoise Hatchlings (August–September)
Spending up to 95% of their lives in underground burrows, the long-lived desert tortoise makes infrequent but delightful appearances at Dove Mountain. Most active during spring and after monsoon rains, Desert tortoises lay eggs in June and July with hatchlings emerging from August through September. Slow-moving and vulnerable, golf-ball-sized baby tortoises are often spotted crossing paths as they search for grasses, wildflowers and cactus pads to feed on.
Mountain Lion Cubs (Year-Round)
The reclusive mountain lion inhabits the most remote, rocky reaches of the Tortolita and Catalina ranges. While births take place year-round, they peak between May and October in simple dens that protect young from predators including coyotes, golden eagles and other mountain lions. Litters typically include two to three cubs, each weighing less than a pound. After two to three months of nursing, the young join their mother on hunts, eventually leaving to establish their own territories at around 12 to 16 months of age. Though sightings are extremely rare, this apex predator plays a key role in maintaining a healthy desert ecosystem.
Where to Find Dove Mountain’s Newest Residents
Take an early morning hike on the Wild Burro Trail or through the Tortolita Preserve, where wildlife activity is highest during dawn and dusk. These protected areas serve as a vital corridor for species movement, especially during baby season.
With so many backyards backing up to natural desert, it’s not uncommon for residents to enjoy surprise sightings over their morning coffee or evening refreshments. Javelinas, quail and cottontails are also frequent guests on the golf courses and lush natural spaces integrated into our community.
For even more variety, head to nearby regional favorites like Saguaro National Park and Catalina State Park, where diverse topography and mature desert flora create ideal environments for nesting, grazing and nurturing young.
How to Protect Our Wildlife
Observing baby wildlife is a joy, but it also calls for awareness and responsibility. Every species plays a vital role in our desert ecosystem — and protecting them ensures these seasonal marvels endure for generations.
Maintain respectful distances by using binoculars or zoom lenses to avoid stress or disruption to animals. Saguaros, mesquite trees and desert underbrush often harbor nests; be sure to proceed with caution to avoid inadvertently trampling life underfoot. Most of all, avoid feeding wildlife, even unintentionally. Be sure to secure trash bins and don’t leave pet food outdoors.
Get Involved
Thankfully, Dove Mountain residents and the greater community are passionate about preserving the wildlife that makes our desert home so special.
The Tucson Wildlife Center rehabilitates sick, injured and orphaned animals and returns them to the wild, from the smallest Sonoran mud turtles and antelope squirrels to, on occasion, a lost pelican blown off its migratory course. They welcome devoted volunteers and philanthropic support to sustain their compassionate mission.
Closer to home at Dove Mountain, the Tortolita Alliance advocates for the protection and upkeep of the Tortolita Preserve and trail network that connects to our neighborhoods. Meanwhile, the Marana El Rio Preserve Project safeguards critical riparian and bird habitats.
On a larger scale, regional initiatives ensure wildlife corridors remain intact for long-term species survival. Indeed, our Tortolita Mountains play a key role by connecting the Tucson and Santa Catalina Mountains, ensuring safe passage for our region’s incredibly diverse wildlife.
A Life That Embraces Nature
With hundreds of acres of preserved open space, miles of walking and biking trails and access to some of Arizona’s most pristine natural areas, Dove Mountain offers a premiere natural living experience in Southern Arizona.
Our distinguished builders’ new Tucson luxury home offerings seamlessly integrate indoor and outdoor living, featuring generous patios, striking desert and mountain views and native landscaping that naturally attracts desert wildlife.
Live where nature comes to you. Discover custom foothills homes with sweeping canyon and mountain views, quick move-in homes and golf course homes located on or steps from three of the best golf courses in Arizona. Contact Dove Mountain Properties at 888-603-7600 or connect with us via our online inquiry form today.
