Sky Island Tours PHONE: 1-520-488-8551     ContactUs@SkyIslandTours.com   My BLOG   -- Home -- -- AboutUs -- -- Tours -- -- Programs -- -- Rates -- -- Schedule --

Sky Island Tours offers many interesting science programs for all ages and audiences. We teach in a fun and interactive style that is enjoyable and educational. We have a passion and fascination for nature and love to share our knowledge and experiences with our students. Class sizes from 5 to 25 seem to work best and we really appreciate two weeks advanced notice. Take a look at our standard programs below. If you cannot find one to fit your needs, please contact us and we will develop a custom presentation just for you! Field trips can be incorporated into any of the programs for an additional cost and discounts are given when multiple programs are booked together (See rates for details).

Quick Link to Program Descriptions Hummingbirds Local Tucson Birds Mexican speciality Birds Owls Raptors Bats Mammals Beetles Butterflies and Moths Spiders, Scorpions, and Insects

Programs run 2 hours.

Hummingbirds
	Hummingbirds are incredible birds. Their astonishing colors and unbelievable flight abilities make them hugely popular in Tucson. Hummingbirds are one of the main attractions for birding in southeastern Arizona. During this class, you will learn how to identify hummingbirds, the biology of these birds, and some of their unique behaviors.   Do you want to attract these wonderful birds to your yard? You will find out how to create your own back-yard hummingbird garden!

Southern Arizona’s Familiar Feathered Friends
	What is the name of the bird that sounds like an engine trying to start? Which bird hammers on my house at 5am? Who made a hole in my garage?   We answer all these questions and more in "Southern Arizona's Familiar Feathered Friends". We will explore some of the more common birds that can be found in Tucson and southern Arizona like the Cactus Wren, Gila Woodpecker, Verdin, and Costa's Hummingbird. This class is ideal for beginning birders, people who are new to the area, and people who want to learn a little more about the birds they see every day.

A Taste of the Tropics
	One of our most popular programs, "A Taste of the Tropics", highlights many of the birds that have made southern Arizona a mecca for birders from around the world. According to a survey done by Birder's World magazine, southern Arizona is the number one birding destination in the United States.   Trogons, hummingbirds, warblers, flycatchers, raptors, and tanagers are the focus of this class. Some of these birds are among the most colorful species found in North America.

Arizona's Owls
	One of the most recognizable groups of birds in the world, owls rule the nightime sky. Because they are nocturnal, many aspects of their lives are largely unknown. What do they eat? Where do they live? What are the details of their breeding? Arizona's Owls explores our owls in depth, highlighting the sights and sounds of these remarkable birds.

Raptors
Ranging in size from sparrow-sized falconets to huge condors, raptors have attracted the attention of mankind for millennia. Hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures are easily recognized and are found in nearly every terrestrial habitat on the planet. "Raptors" will explore the diversity, identification, conservation, and natural history of these avian predators.

Bats, Bats, Bats

Do all bats carry rabies? The answer may surprise you. "Bats Bats Bats" will debunk many of the myths surrounding bats and highlight their diversity and amazing adaptations, like echolocation. In this class, we will also learn about the classification and biology of bats, and explore bat-human interactions. Bats do suffer from an image problem, but have you ever seen the bats fly from under many of Tucson's bridges at dusk? It's a wonderful sight!

Mammal Overview
	This class is an introduction to mammals, with special attention on those species found in southern Arizona. Humans are mammals, so learn about our furry cousins! "Mammal Overview" will focus on the diversity and natural history of mammals including shrews, bats, rodents, rabbits, wild cats, wild dogs, bears, and hoofed mammals.

Bounteous Beetles
	Beetles are the largest single group of animals on the planet. They are also full of contradictions. Beetles can be both pests and highly beneficial predators of pests. They can be brightly colored or fairly dull. They range in size from that of the head of a pin to half a foot. They can live both underwater and in the driest deserts. "Bounteous Beetles" will explore the diversity and natural history of these fantastic insects.

Leapin’ Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)

Butterflies and moths are among the most well-known and popular groups of insects (although some cause tremendous economic damage). This is a fun class where we take a look at the beautiful (and some not so beautiful) butterflies and moths found in Tucson and surrounding areas. We learn about plant-animal interactions, mimicry, metemorphosis, and conservation. Do you want more butterflies in your yard? You will learn simple steps to attract these stunning creatures.

Dragonflies
	Did you know that dragonflies were already ancient when dinosaurs roamed the Earth? Or that some fossil dragonflies had wingspans of two feet!?! Visit nearly any pond, lake, swamp, stream, or river and you will almost certainly find the descendents of these impressive insects. Dragonflies are large, often brightly-colored, insects that are becoming increasingly popular with naturalists. "Dragonflies" will examine the classification, identification and natural history of dragonflies and their smaller, more secretive, cousins, the damselflies.

Arachnids & Insects
	Insects and their relatives, the arachnids, dominate the Earth in terms of numbers of species and individuals. This presentation highlights the diversity of these groups in southern Arizona. No other group, with the possible exception of snakes, is more feared than spiders. Most of this phobia is undeserved, as only a tiny fraction of the approximately 35,000 species pose any threat to humans. Spiders are actually highly beneficial to people by preying on insect pests. Other arachnid groups that we will talk about include scorpions, vinegaroons, daddy-long-legs, and sun spiders.

Please book educational programs at least two weeks prior to desired date.

Phone: 1-520-488-8551