Gilded Flickers are most regularly found along the Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert Loop Trail; Northern Flickers are found throughout the gardens. Carefully study any thrasher that you come across. Curve-billed Thrashers breed throughout the year here and juveniles can look very similar to Bendire's Thrashers. If you think you have a Bendire's Trasher, it is important to get photo documentation. They are much more likely to be found in less populated and more natural areas on the outskirts of Phoenix. 

A number of southwestern specialties including Gambel's Quail, Cactus Wren, western hummingbirds, hawks, Verdin, flickers (including Gilded), roadrunners, Gila Woodpeckers, Lesser Nighthawks, owls, thrashers, towhees, gnatcatchers and more.

This is a wonderful place to spend part or all of a day. There is ample parking and plenty to explore. Trails run throughout the gardens (do not go off the trails) and are generally unpaved, fine gravel. A few areas are paved with bricks. Bring sunscreen and plenty of water. Just past the ticketing station is a restaurant and gift shop. There is a cafe at the Ullman Terrace that has a covered outdoor eating area. Check the calendar for any special events that may be occurring. As of January 2023, advanced reservation of admission tickets is still required. 

The Desert Wildflower Loop Trail, Desert Discovery Loop Trail, Center for Desert Living Trail, and Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Loop Trail offer excellent birding. 

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at the Desert Botanical Garden.