Texas is one of the best birdwatching states in the United States because it has Gulf Coast beaches, wetlands, deserts, grasslands, pine forests, hill country, rivers, lakes, cities, and borderland habitats. This huge mix gives birders a chance to see backyard birds, hummingbirds, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, shorebirds, ducks, herons, egrets, roadrunners, sparrows, warblers, and many colorful southern species.
Birds in Texas change by region and season. The Gulf Coast is excellent for shorebirds, gulls, terns, pelicans, herons, and ducks. West Texas has desert birds such as roadrunners, thrashers, quail, and raptors. The Rio Grande Valley is famous for birds that are hard to find in most other parts of the country, while forests and neighborhoods attract cardinals, wrens, jays, woodpeckers, and chickadees.
This guide covers common and interesting birds in Texas, with simple identification tips based on color, size, habitat, season, and behavior. You can also explore our main Birds in the United States guide to find bird identification pages for all 50 states.
Quick Look at Birds in Texas
| Bird | Main ID Clue | Common Habitat |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Mockingbird | Gray body, white wing patches | Yards, parks, open areas |
| Northern Cardinal | Bright red male, crest | Backyards, shrubs, woodland edges |
| Great-tailed Grackle | Glossy black male, very long tail | Cities, parking lots, fields |
| Scissor-tailed Flycatcher | Very long forked tail | Open fields, roadsides, fences |
| Greater Roadrunner | Long tail, streaked body | Deserts, scrub, open country |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Green back, red throat male | Gardens, woods, feeders |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Dark throat with purple band male | Gardens, canyons, feeders |
| Red-tailed Hawk | Broad wings, reddish tail | Roadsides, fields, open country |
| Great Blue Heron | Tall gray-blue wading bird | Lakes, rivers, wetlands |
| Brown Pelican | Large coastal bird, long bill pouch | Gulf Coast, bays, beaches |
