Birdwatching in Texas 2025

Find some unique and magnificent bird species, and enjoy the diverse nature of Texas

Best time: April

In recent years birding has become the fastest growing activity in Texas. The lower Rio Grande Valley is the place to find nearly 30 unique bird species, found nowhere else but here. The Anahuac national wildlife refuge, located by the East Galveston Bay, is the place to check out a huge amount of birds. Here you can observe such species as snowy egrets, tri-colored herons, white ibises, and roseate spoonbills almost all year round. But with the spring migration the diversity is even more incredible. The Brazor Bend State Park with its woodlands, lakes, and prairies is a great place for birdwatching. Here you can meet legendary bold eagles and other resident birds like teal, egrets, herons, hawks, woodpeckers, and songbirds. Palo Duro Canyon State Park with its juniper, cottonwood, and hackberry trees is home for such nesting birds as ladder-backed woodpeckers, black-crested titmice, and Bullock's orioles. Here you can also find magnificent Mississippi kites and golden eagles.

Practical info

When is the best time to go birdwatching in Texas?

If you want to go birdwatching in Texas, the best time to do so is during April as this is when migratory birds pass through the state. Another good time to go birdwatching is in winter as various unique bird species flock to Texas. However, summer is not ideal as it is hot and dry.

Where can I find unique bird species in Texas?

To discover over 30 unique bird species in Texas, visit the lower Rio Grande Valley. Look for snowy egrets, tri-colored herons, white ibises, and roseate spoonbills at Anahuac national wildlife refuge situated near East Galveston Bay. Brazos Bend State Park is a great place to find eagles, herons, woodpeckers, and songbirds. Palo Duro Canyon State Park is where you can spot nesting birds such as ladder-backed woodpeckers and golden eagles.

What kind of birds can I observe in the Anahuac national wildlife refuge?

At Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, you can spot various birds almost year-round. See tri-colored herons, white ibises, snowy egrets, and roseate spoonbills. With diverse species, such as sandpipers and ducks, during the spring migration. Watch birds near the refuge's wetlands, ponds, or protected habitats on low-traffic roads ideal for birdwatching.

Who can I contact for birding tours in Texas?

Numerous organizations like the Audubon Society, Texas Ornithological Society, Houston Bird Watching Society, and Gulf Coast Bird Observatory offer birding tours in Texas. You can book on their website, social media, or contact local bird guides and naturalists for customized tours that cater to your preferences for seeing specific species or habitats.

What other activities can I do besides birdwatching in Brazos Bend State Park?

In Brazos Bend State Park, visitors have many options besides bird watching. Experience other activities such as hiking, camping, picnicking, biking, fishing, and horseback riding. Observe alligators at Elm Lake or enjoy the George Observatory tour. Sunset at Buckeye Creek offers the perfect view to unwind. Brazos Bend's woodlands, prairies, and wetlands allow visitors to see various wildlife and habitats.