The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge protects wildlife habitat along of the lower Colorado River in Arizona and California, including the last un-channeled section before the river enters Mexico. The Imperial Refuge Wilderness, a federally designated, , wilderness area is protected within the refuge. It also surrounds the Picacho State Recreation Area. This section of the Colorado River is popular for boating, hiking, fishing, camping, exploring old mining camps and wildlife watching.
The river and its associated backwater lakes and wetlands are a green oasis, contrasting with the surrounding desert mountains. It is a refuge and breeding area for migratory birds and local desert wildlife.
Even though it is located in the Sonoran Desert, the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge is home to a mostly wetland environment. Wetland wildlife is most abundant in winter, when birds such as cinnamon teal and northern pintail use the refuge. During the summer months, permanent residents such as great egrets are abundant. The Colorado River plays a vital role in the lives of desert fauna. It is the only water source for many miles. Small animals such as the black-tailed jackrabbit and western whiptail lizard are plentiful. Desert bighorn sheep and mule deer also call the refuge home.
Common loon
Western grebe
Blue-footed booby
Brown booby
American white pelican
Brown pelican
Double-crested cormorant
Great blue heron
Great egret
Snowy egret
Wood stork
Canada goose
Wood duck
Mallard
Northern pintail
Cinnamon teal
Turkey vulture
Osprey
Bald eagle
Red-tailed hawk
American kestrel
Peregrine falcon
Gambel's quail
Sandhill crane
Killdeer
California gull
Common tern
Mourning dove
Common ground-dove
Yellow-billed cuckoo
Greater roadrunner
Barn owl
Great horned owl
Burrowing owl
White-throated swift
Hummingbird
Belted kingfisher
Gila woodpecker
Tree swallow
Barn swallow
Woodhouse's scrub jay
Common raven
Brown creeper
Cactus wren
Marsh wren
Northern mockingbird
House finch
A full list of birds found on the refuge can be found on the refuge website.
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