The Arizona Important Bird Area Science Committee approved five locations as meeting state criteria for identification as IBAs on June 24, 2008. The committee members include scientists from colleges, universities, and wildlife and land management agencies. The newest Arizona Important Bird Areas are the three Lower Colorado River National Wildlife Refuges and two Arizona Game and Fish Department Wildlife Areas:

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
Located in Mohave County, this U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge protects 30 river miles - 300 miles of shoreline - from Needles, California, to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. One of the last remaining natural stretches of the lower Colorado River flows through the 20-mile-long Topock Gorge that includes the 4,000-acre Topock Marsh. Western and Clark’s grebes raise their young in both Topock Marsh and Topock Gorge and herons and egrets nest in rookeries in the marsh. Topock Marsh is a very important breeding site for the federally endangered Yuma Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis), (Audubon/ABC Watch List 07- Yellow) The refuge shelters thousands of Canada and snow geese and ducks each winter.

Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
This refuge is in La Paz County and from late October through February, the farm fields are full of Canada, Snow, and Ross’ geese. Mid-late September is the best time to see white-fronted geese as they are passing through on migration-- occasionally several will winter on the refuge. The largest portion of the lower Colorado River population of Greater Sandhill Cranes, in excess of 2,000 cranes in some years winter on the refuge as well as thousands of ducks including mallard, northern pintail, American Widgeon,  Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, and Cinnamon Teal. Clark’s, Western, and Pied-billed grebes are also present. Other wintering birds include Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles, and occasional Peregrine Falcons. Northern Nevada is the primary nesting area for the 1800-2500 Greater Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis tabida) population that winters along the LCRV.

Imperial National Wildlife Refuge
Located in Yuma County, this U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge is a very important breeding site for the federally endangered Yuma Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis), (Audubon/ABC WatchList 07- Yellow) and the rare California Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) (Audubon/ABC WatchList 07- Red). Spring and Fall offer the greatest variety of birds and the best birding opportunities. 275 species have been observed on the refuge. Also, the refuge is important as a wintering area for Canada geese and many species of ducks. Canada & White-fronted Geese, Tundra Swan (rare, winter), Clark’s & Western Grebes (breed), Black and Clapper Rails (breed), Least Bittern (breeds), Sandhill Crane (rare, migration & winter), Bald Eagle (winter), Peregrine & Prairie Falcons (winter), Common Poorwill (breeds), Ladder-backed & Gila Woodpeckers (residents), Willow Flycatcher (migrant), Crissal Thrasher (breeds), Warblers (wintering, migrants), Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee (breeds), Sage Sparrow. Desert birds include Phainopepla, Verdin, and Lucy’s Warbler (early spring).

Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
This Arizona Game and Fish Department Wildlife Area is located in northern Yavapai County and includes the most recently protected segment of Granite Creek just above the confluence with the Verde River. The Upper Verde River property includes approximately 3.5 miles of the upper Verde River, draining easterly from the headwaters, past the confluence with Granite Creek to the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Prescott National Forest boundary downstream. Approximately 1.5 miles of Granite Creek upstream from its confluence at the Verde River is within the Wildlife Area. Within the Verde River section are some State Trust Lands (1056 ac.) under a Special Land Use Permit held by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The Verde River represents the most significant perennial waterway in the northern 1/3 of the state. Aside from supporting rare or priority riparian breeding species, it serves as an important stopover and/or wintering grounds for a host of migratory birds. The Upper Verde River Wildlife Area (the IBA) contains the headwaters of the Verde River. It provides breeding habitat for species of conservation concern (special status species) in Arizona, including the: Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow Warbler, and Lucy’s Warbler, all which occur in significant numbers within the IBA.

Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area
This Arizona Game and Fish Wildlife Area is located in southern Cochise County and is of state and regional significance as the primary wintering area for Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) in Arizona, and includes both the Lesser (most numerous) and Greater subspecies. Whitewater Draw is in the southern Sulphur Springs Valley and cranes are coming from both the Rocky Mountain population and Mid-Continental population. The area also supports wintering Snow Geese (80-200) and a few Ross’s Geese (occasional to 40). Counts of Sandhill Cranes in early January have steadily climbed from 4,000 in 1991 to over 22,000 in 2008. Two other species of conservation status occur in the winter and migration periods at Whitewater Draw: Mountain Plover, 0 to 40 individuals occasionally (IUCN: Vulnerable, Audubon/ABC  WatchList 07- Red) and Long-billed Curlew up to 40+ birds, (IUCN: Near Threatened, Audubon/ABC WatchList 07- Yellow). Many species of relatively small populations (in Arizona in the winter) also are known to occur regularly at the Wildlife Area in small numbers, they include Bald Eagle (1-2), Golden Eagle (1- 2), Ferruginous Hawk (1-5), Prairie Falcon (1-2), and occasionally Peregrine Falcon.