Texas Birding Guides

13/10/2024

One of the more elusive species in North America; the Montezuma Quail spends most of their time foraging for root tubers, digging into the ground with its long clawed toes. This species can often best be found by listening for the male's eerie booming whistle.

Reserve a guide now and visit West Texas to see this species alongside Steller's Jay and Mountain Chickadee!

https://texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: David Tonnessen - Guide

23/08/2024

Only found in the US at the southern tip of Texas, Audubon's Oriole can be a tricky bird to get eyes on, preferring dense patches of thornscrub along the Rio Grande. While able to dodge the binoculars of birdwatchers, this species is one of the favored hosts of the nest parasitizing Bronzed Cowbird.

Book your guide now to have the best chances of finding this Texas specialty among many others!

https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo Credit: Frank Lehman

20/04/2024

Amazingly, a Southern Lapwing showed up in south Texas a few days ago, adding to the incredible run of rarities that the state has hosted this winter and spring! Fantastic photo by one of our clients, Tim Williams! This large South American species has been making a recent push north and more are certainly on the way.

Book your guide today!

https://texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Tim Williams

10/04/2024

A couple days ago, one of our guides, found a stunning Mexican Violetear on South Padre Island! This represents a 5th Cameron County record!

Book your guide today!

https://texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Nolan Walker

05/04/2024

Morelet’s Seedeater is tiny species of grassland and weedy clearings reaching the northern extent of their range in southern Texas. These diminutive little birds are a must-see!

Book your guide today!

https://texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: David Tønnessen

08/02/2024

With all the winter rarity action (insane species for both the ABA and Texas like Crane Hawk, Mottled Owl, Brown Jay, Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Gray-collared Becard, and Roadside Hawk around), it’s crazy to think that spring is just a couple months away! Blackburnian Warblers such as this one and many other species will be moving through Texas in good numbers. Plan ahead and book a tour today to catch the migrant action!
https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Bryan Calk

06/02/2024

Mourning Warbler is one of the many migrants that will be passing through Texas in the spring. Experiencing spring migration through South Texas is truly an awesome spectacle! Warblers, tanagers, and other passerines dripping off the trees as more arrive from long flights across parts of the Gulf of Mexico.

Book a tour for this spring today!

https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

30/01/2024

One of the most striking hummingbirds native to Texas, the Lucifer Hummingbird (part of the sheartail family) has an elongated, deep purple gorget, curved bill, and elegant split tail—a must-see!

Book a tour today!

https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Bryan Calk

20/01/2024

Zone-tailed Hawk is a unique raptor, looking eerily similar to a Turkey Vulture at a distance, these predators mimic the vultures flight style to get closer to an unsuspecting potential prey item. With two-tone wings, yellow feet and cere, and a striped tail, this is one sharp looking bird.

Book a tour today!

https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

16/01/2024

Colima Warbler reaches the extreme northern extent of its breeding range in southeastern Texas. Returning in numbers in April, and one the state’s specialty species, this is a bird that is a must have for anyone!

Book a tour today!

https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Bryan Calk

27/12/2023

Olive Sparrow, a south Texas specialty, are found throughout their range in dense brushy woodlands, and weedy fields. South Texas is the only place in the U.S. to find this subtly beautiful species.

Book a tour to get up close with this species today!

https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Bryan Calk

27/12/2023

20/12/2023

Blue-throated Mountaingem is a magnificent species that is found in a small section of southwest Texas. This species has a characteristic high-pitched “seep” call that helps track them down as they cover their little territories.

Book a tour today!
https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Bryan Calk

13/12/2023

Cave Swallow is a small, compact swallow whose core U.S. range is found in Texas. These swallows are intriguing to watch as the forage, squabble, and create mud nests on concrete structures and under overpasses.

Book a tour today!
https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Bryan Calk

08/12/2023

Another stunner from Texas! Scaled Quail are aptly named, and their intricately patterned plumage is eye-catching to say the least.

Book a tour to see this species for yourself!

https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Bryan Calk

01/12/2023

Among the many colorful species found throughout Texas, Pyrrhuloxia stands out. Their vibrant color, crested appearance, and unique bill structure make this species special.

Book a tour to see this species for yourself! This is an especially good time to schedule a tour with the amount of rarities being found in south Texas!

https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Bryan Calk

23/11/2023

The rarities showing up in South Texas currently are insane!! Within the last week the ABA’s 3rd Bare-throated Tiger-Heron was found, and most recently the ABA’s 2nd (and first live bird) was discovered! Our guide was able to see this stunning bird, and Ryan Rodriguez () came through with this awesome shot!!

Other rarities currently in south Texas include Cattle Tyrant, Blue Bunting, Roqdside Hawk, Brown Jay and American Flamingo.

Book a tour for the chance to these species and more!

https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Ryan Rodriguez

18/11/2023

Golden-fronted Woodpecker has a limited U.S. range, only found in central and southern Texas, and parts of Oklahoma.

Book a tour to see this striking species for yourself!

If that wasn’t enough, rarities continue to be found in south Texas, including a Cattle Tyrant (potential first U.S. record, and first record north of Panama), and the ABA area’s 3rd Bare-throated Tiger Heron!
Blue Buntings and a Roadside Hawk are still being seen, so now’s the time to schedule your tour!

Photo credit: Bryan Calk

08/11/2023

This Blue Bunting was found in the LRGV by our guide yesterday and photographed by one of our clients !
A Roadside Hawk was later found at the same location! With the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival going on right now, more rarities are sure to be found.

This is a great time to book a tour to get in on the winter rarity action!

https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Ben Schneider

07/11/2023

Whooping Crane is one of the largest birds in North America. This species’ population only numbers in the low hundreds, and some of these individuals winter in southeastern Texas! A truly stately bird, this species is a must-see!

Book a tour today for a chance to see this unique species!

https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Bryan Calk

02/11/2023

Winter rarities in Texas are heating up! This Nutting’s Flycatcher(second state record for Texas) found by our guide a week and a half ago. Other rarities seen recently in Texas include, Brown Jay, Bar-tailed Godwit, Golden-crowned Warbler, Blue Bunting, and American Flamingo.

Book a tour for the opportunity to add these species and more to your list or portfolio!

Photo credit: Bob Orr

30/10/2023

Varied Bunting can seem dull and dark in poor light, but when the light strikes them right, males are stunning!

Book a tour to see this colorful species for yourself!

https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Bryan Calk

25/10/2023

Tropical Parula is a warbler with an extremely limited U.S. range. Found only in mossy-oak forests of south Texas, this species is brilliant and sought-after.

Book a tour today to add this species to your list or photography portfolio!

https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Bryan Calk

20/10/2023

Green Kingfisher is found throughout south and some of central Texas. This attractive, diminutive species is exciting to watch as they hunt for small fish, water bugs, and dragonfly nymphs.

Book a tour today to experience this kingfisher and many other unique species of Texas!
https://www.texasbirdingguides.com

Photo credit: Levi Plummer

13/10/2023

Another south Texas specialty, Couch’s Kingbird. Extremely similar to Tropical Kingbird, this species is best distinguished by call.

Photo credit: Bryan Calk