Cottontop Birding
Find Your Next Feathered Adventure
Welcome To Cottontop Birding
Our goal is simple, give people great wildlife experiences. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned life-lister, we've got you covered. We offer customizable guided trips in Southeastern AZ, as well as several exciting overseas destinations. Our trips are well organized, fun, friendly and extremely nature oriented. Click below and lets get your next exciting adventure started...
Picture right - The beautiful Scaled Quail, known by many as "The Cottontop".
Southeast Arizona Adventures- How it Works
Free Chat: We discuss your dates, interests, and wish list.
Custom Plan: I design a tailored itinerary and answer your questions. I can also help you select the best lodging and restaurants for your needs. If you already have a plan, then no worries, we can make that work also.
Book: Once you love the plan, we lock in the details. Payment for guide services can be paid in advance or in person at the conclusion of your trip.
Explore: We set a meeting point for your birding or wildlife adventure. This can either be at your Hotel, a Restaurant, Birding Location or even at my Personal Residence. Note...my garage is cool and safe.
Post-Trip: I'll share a trip list of birds, mammals, reptiles & amphibians from your visit. I'm happy to answer any follow up questions or ID your photos.
Southeast AZ - Guide prices listed below: All tours include nocturnal owling sessions and/or nocturnal reptile/amphibian excursions if requested.
Southeast AZ - Vehicle Cost: Contact us for a price quote based on your itinerary and needs. Our vehicle prices are very fair and normally range between $75 USD to $100 USD per day. Gasoline and or Diesel is NOT included in the vehicle price.
Southeast AZ - Guiding fees are listed below: (These are strictly guiding fees and do NOT include Accommodations, Entrance Fees or Meals, etc)
$100 USD per day for a single.
$150 USD per day for a couple (That's $75 USD per person for 2 clients)
$200 USD per day for 3 or 4 persons (That's $67 USD per person for 3 clients and $50 USD per person for 4 clients)
Group Outings in Southeast AZ: For 5 or more clients (Please contact our office for a price quote)
Guide Accommodations: If away from the Sierra Vista area then a guide accommodation fee will be charged with no mark up on our end.
International Tours: Organized group tour dates & prices are fixed and posted on the Tours Page.
Customized Southeast Arizona Birding and Reptile Tours
Planning a trip to the Southeast AZ and need help finding those tougher target species? We can customize the perfect trip according to your needs. From Lake Patagonia to the majestic Chiricahua Mountains, we can make your adventure unforgettable.
Tropical Birding Adventures
Explore tropical Costa Rica and Ecuador with us. Organized tours to the several of the best destinations in the New World. Let us blow your mind with colorful birds.
East Africa Wildlife Safaris
Grab your gear and experience East Africa on our dazzling wildlife safaris. Witness unbelievable birds, legendary mammals and the breathtaking landscapes of Kenya and Tanzania. Check out our affordable tours and join us on a safari of a lifetime.
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
First off, I'd like to introduce you to my beautiful dog Holly. She is a great companion and loves nature as much as I do. Her favorite animals are jackrabbits, cottontails, quail and those shockingly fast whiptail lizards. She loves to go on night drives with me and spots many of the roadside creatures faster than I do.
My name is Steven Easley, and I live in the small, quiet community of Hereford, Arizona. Which is located at the base of the Huachuca Mountains near the larger city of Sierra Vista, Arizona. I'm blessed to be situated in the heart of some of the best birding in the USA.
I began birding at 6 months old, at least that's what I'm told. However, somehow I don't remember many of those sightings. Starting at a very early age set me up for a lifetime love affair with nature. Thanks to my wonderful parents and siblings who instilled in me a love for wildlife that has endured to this day and surely beyond.
I have spent much of the last 3 decades birding all over the world, racking up lifers and filling hard drives with images. My main focus was in Central & South America as well as much of East Africa.
I had the privilege to live in Kenya for 6 years in the late 1990's, working there as a safari guide and photographer. I have fond memories of Kenya and try and get back there as much as possible.
After that, I experienced living in Costa Rica for 15 years. Working with my brother Kevin Easley was a fantastic experience. He ran a birding business there and getting to travel every inch of Costa Rica and seeing such a wide array of species was just amazing!
Since returning to the USA, I've settled in Arizona and have enjoyed getting to know desert life and the wide variety of species that live here. The numerous insects, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians have certainly kept me busy. Everyday here is a new, fun and exciting experience.
If you are planning a visit to Southeast Arizona or would like to join one of my many overseas adventures, then don't hesitate to contact Cottontop Birding and get the proverbial ball rolling. If you are one of my past clients don't hesitate to say hi, I'd love to hear from you. It would be an honor to show you all the great trails and wildlife Arizona has to offer. And you may even get to meet Holly!
Steven Easley - Owner of Cottontop Birding