The diversity of habitats found here, from upper Sonoran desert to alpine, ranging in elevation from 5,000 to 10,400 feet, accounts for a corresponding diversity in bird species. Each habitat has its own characteristic residents as well as many that are common across two or more habitat types. The least common habitats are those associated with water, such as marshes and lakes, which are rare on the Forest. Flocks of migrant species move through the forest during the appropriate season a few remain for the summer. House sparrows are summer breeders in Williams, but move to warmer climes during the winter when the rural junco flocks move to town.
Goldfinches are most common after the thistles go to seed.
Acorn and Lewis' woodpeckers are locally obvious in the fall during abundant acorn crops. If you do see migrating ducks, and other water-related birds on the forest, you'll more Likely see them during the spring than the fall, because spring snowmelt is much more reliable as a water source than summer and fall rains. Springtime on the south Kaibab is often a period of very limited access because of muddy conditions caused by snowmelt runoff. During the summer, most of the forest and grassland areas are accessible by vehicle, with the obvious exception of the Kendrick and Sycamore Wilderness Areas where vehicles are prohibited. Winter birdwatching is easiest in the pinyon juniper areas however, even these may be covered by a few inches of snow in January and February.