During a visit to Salineño, Texas we were lucky to get great looks at a Plain Chachalaca. A group of them were moving quietly through dense brush near the Rio Grande. This species, Ortalis vetula, belongs to the Cracidae family which also has Guans and Currasow’s. They thrive in thornscrub habitats of South Texas. Its…
We loved watching this Altamira Oriole at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Texas. The male showed bright orange plumage with a black throat and mask. It fed on a cut citrus fruit, which matches its diet of fruit, nectar, and insects. Altamira Orioles are common in the Rio Grande Valley during spring and summer. They often use feeders,…
There’s something almost magical about the first time you see a hummingbird up close. One second the air is still, and the next—a flash of iridescent color hovers effortlessly in front of you, wings beating faster than the eye can follow. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, but they deliver some of the…
A Common Pauraque sat quietly on the ground at Estero Llano Grande, Texas as we made our way through the trails. It blended so well with the leaf litter that we almost walked right past it. This is one of those birds that depends completely on staying still and trusting its camouflage. However, what made…
The Long-billed Thrasher we saw at Laguna Atascosa, stands out with its curved bill, bright orange eye, and bold spotted underparts. This species favors dense thornscrub, where it forages on the ground for insects and berries using its long bill. Its varied song often carries across South Texas brushlands, making it easier to detect than…
The Green Jay is one of the most iconic birds of the Rio Grande Valley. It is instantly recognized by its bold colors. This species shows a bright green back, yellow underparts, and a striking blue and black facial pattern. It thrives in thornscrub habitat, especially in protected areas like Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge….
The Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) glides through shallow water at South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. Its long pink legs and sharp bill create a striking coastal silhouette. This species prefers calm wetlands, where it feeds on small aquatic insects. The reflective water often doubles its elegant form, creating stunning viewing moments. Birders visiting…
A White Ibis moves across the tidal flats of South Padre Island’s Birding and Nature Center in the morning light. Its long, curved red bill probes through shallow water, expertly locating hidden crustaceans beneath the surface. The blue eye stands out against its white plumage, a striking feature at close range. Morning feeding is common,…
A rare Summer Tanager spotted in Qualicum Beach over Valentine’s weekend created rare winter excitement on Vancouver Island. This bright yellow individual, a female or immature, shows olive upperparts and a thick pale bill. Summer Tanagers breed in the southern United States and rarely are seen in British Columbia. This makes a Qualicum Beach sighting…
The Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) is one of the most striking wading birds along the Texas Gulf Coast. This individual was photographed at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center,a prime location for observing coastal species. Roseate Spoonbills are instantly recognizable by their vivid pink plumage and distinctive spoon-shaped bill. They use this adaptation…
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