Welcome To Cottontop Birding

Coppery-tailed Trogon in the spotlight, dark forest all around, and you and I quietly watching. That is the feel of Cottontop Birding, small groups, big encounters, and decades of field experience guiding every step of your wildlife adventure across Arizona and beyond.

Southeastern Arizona Birding Tours

Chase trogons, hummingbirds, and desert specialties with a local guide.

Tropical Birding Adventures

Explore Costa Rica and Ecuador, rich forests, bright birds, relaxed pace.

East Africa Wildlife Safaris

Join me in Kenya and Tanzania for classic birds and big mammals.

Deep Experience

Guided by 45 years of birding and worldwide fieldwork.

Easygoing Teaching

Small groups, relaxed pace, clear explanations, and plenty of laughs.

Global Reach

Arizona day trips, tropical forests, and African safaris with one guide.

Wildlife Made Personal

My mission is to share wildlife in a way that feels personal, respectful, and fun, helping you learn, explore, and leave each trip with lasting stories and skills. Whether I am tracking elusive regional specialties in the desert habitats of Southeastern Arizona or leading you on a bucket-list safari across East Africa, my goal is to help you truly connect with the environment. I design every journey to help you learn wildlife behaviors, build your field and photography skills, and explore at a pace that suits you—ensuring you leave each trip with lasting stories, unforgettable memories, and a deeper appreciation for nature.

Over Three Decades of Professional Global Guiding

Cottontop Birding in Hereford is a bird guiding service built around my 45 years of birding and over 30 years of professional guiding. I have spent years living and guiding in Kenya and Costa Rica, and I keep trips friendly, humorous, well organized, and very wildlife focused.

How It Works

  • Free Chat: We discuss your dates, interests, and wish list.
  • Custom Plan: I design a tailored itinerary and answer your questions.
  • Book: Once you love the plan, we lock in the details.
  • Explore: We meet in the field for your wildlife adventure.
  • Post-Trip: I share trip notes and help identify your photos.