Mottled Duck
Texas Birds: mottled duck ( Anas fulvigula) is a dabbling duck that is closely resembling a mallard but does not have a distinctive curly tail and is a bit smaller in the head. Its bill color is bright yellow, with a black spot in the back corner while its speculum is purple. Mottled ducks can be found all year all along the coasts of the Texas coast, and during the summer, they may be more prevalent throughout the eastern part of Texas.
Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck
The black-bellied whistling duck ( Dendrocygna autumnalis) is an aquatic duck that is found in southern Texas throughout the year, and in the central part of Texas when it’s breeding time. It is distinguished by its pink bills, as well as its long, pale legs as well as the light eye rings along with the darker belly offer useful clues to identification. Within the same area, birders should be on the lookout for the darker-colored large whistling duck.
Neotropic Cormorant
At first glance, the nootropic cormorant ( Phalacrocorax Brazilians) could be mistaken for the double-crested cormorant. It can be found in southern and central Texas typically perched on pipes, dikes, or culverts. The nootropic cormorant is a bit smaller in size, but its bill is grayer. In the breeding season, there is a white border at the bottom of the bill is what sets the cormorant apart from others.
Least Tern
The most known tern ( Sterna antillarum) is found in the coast across the entire coast from New Hampshire to California The Texas Gulf is a great place to spot this tiny tern, and to get an excellent comparison to its larger counterparts, like those of Forster’s, Caspian, royal sandwich, and gull-billed species of terns. The yellow and white faces provide good clues to identify the smallest tern and its small size.
Harris’s Hawk
Harris’s Hawk ( Parabuteo unicinctus) is an elusive subtropical hawk that can be identified due to its warm plumage hues and distinctive markings, like the dark tail and white tips. They prefer desert habitats that have scattered brush and can be seen throughout the southwestern region of Texas throughout the year. They are found in open areas and often on poles which makes them easy to recognize.
Crested Caracara
How can a falcon behave as the characteristics of a Vulture? If it’s a crested caracara ( Caracara cheriway). The tropical falcons are large scavengers, frequently sharing bodies and carcasses with Vultures. They are residents all year long in central and southern Texas and within the southern part of Arizona as well as central Florida. They are often seen either on the ground or on low perches, looking for their next meal.
Burrowing Owl
Owls are usually difficult to locate however the Burrowing Owl ( Athene cunicularia) is an exception since this owl can be seen throughout the daytime. They are common throughout western and central Texas frequently taking over burrows of prairie dog colonies as well as other burrows found in dry, rocky habitats. Families can remain together for a period offering birders the chance to view a lot of these Owls together.
Lesser Prairie-Chicken
The panhandle in the southwestern and eastern parts of Texas is among the most beautiful areas in the world to observe the smaller prairie chicken ( Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). These bird-like games birds are most at home in dry, short grass plains, or in scrub oak habitats that are dry and dry. Leks is a fantastic chance for birders to observe the stunning mating dances of smaller prairie chickens.
Whooping Crane
The Whooping Crane ( Grus americana) is among the most sought-after birds in Texas as it is among the two states in the United States in which endangered birds can be observed. The whooping cranes are found within areas like the Rockport as well as the Port Aransas area along with the Gulf wading through marshes and estuaries. With less than 600 birds remaining each birder must try to spot a whooping crane.
White-tipped Dove
