No, not from that Alfred Hitchcock movie -- but the ones we see in our yards, common areas and ponds.

The chatter of birds ushering in the day is something each of you has heard at one time or another. Many of us are not from around here and some of our favorite birdies can't survive here in our Sonoran Desert. However, Maricopa has its own rich variety of species and types of birds.

Many of us feed Anna's and Costa's hummingbirds (remember to change sugar water often in the summer -- the water gets hot, and the birds don't like hot tea). Burrowing owls sit on curbs and live on the golf courses. Little house finches and sparrows hop along our fences and perch in our trees. Did you know that the state bird, the cactus wren, lives here in Maricopa?

We are home to the Gambel's quail, with their little knots on top of their heads. Some neighborhoods are home to many varieties of ducks and Canada Geese (look for signs warning of geese or duck crossings).

As you drive through open areas, you just might see some raptors like Cooper's, Harris's or red-tailed hawks; American kestrel, peregrine falcons and even bald eagles.

You don't have to be a birder to enjoy them -- and to be fair, they are not always enjoyable. Many of us must contend with the influx of mourning doves, pigeons, great-tailed grackles and brown-headed cowbirds. Quite often, they are considered pests, especially when they lay their eggs in your favorite planter or hatch their little darlings over your front door.

We have a few areas for prime birdwatching near us: Desert Breeze Park (Chandler), the Sonoran Desert National Monument (Mobile), the Maricopa trail at Tres Rios Overbank Wetlands (Phoenix) and the Painted Rock Petroglyph Site (Theba). Each offers unique bird species for your enjoyment. Other good viewing can be found at the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo. All you need is a decent set of binoculars, a notepad and keen eyes. You can purchase an illustrated bird guidebook (make sure it concentrates on Central Arizona) like Birds of Phoenix and Maricopa County.

Wherever you go, don't forget your hat and water. We don't want you to become food for a vulture.