Texas is a great place to live and explore the natural world. There are many different habitats and places in Texas where one can watch birds, some of these include parks, woodlands, marshes, fields, ponds and lakes.
If you’re interested in birds, but don’t have the time or patience to go out and find them, this article will help you identify them right in your own backyard.
What are some of the most common Texas backyard birds?
1. Red-winged Blackbird
Red-winged blackbirds are a type of passerine bird and are one of the most common medium-sized songbirds native to North America and found year-round in Texas. They have a wide range of habitats, living in meadows, swamps, marshes and wetlands but are typically found near water sources and often around agricultural fields.
The males are striking birds that are completely black with red shoulder patches, and white wing bars. The females are brown-black with faintly marked wings.
Red-winged blackbirds migrate in flocks of up to 2,000 birds. They breed in the boreal and temperate forests, mostly in North America, and spend their winters in the southern United States and Central America. Their population has been steadily declining, possibly owing to the loss of wetland habitats and the pesticides used in agricultural fields.
2. Eastern Bluebird
Eastern bluebirds are small songbirds of the thrush family, native to North America, and found all year around in Texas. They have compact bodies, short strong legs and long pointed bills. They prefer areas with trees and shrubs such as open fields, parks, orchards, and cemeteries. They have a wide food spectrum which ranges from insects to fruit, but they prefer to eat insects, berries, and caterpillars.
The males are a vibrant royal blue on the back and head, and warm red brown on the breast. The females have blue tinges on their wings and tail, but the colors are not as vibrant as the males.
Eastern bluebirds are in the almost-threatened category on the IUCN Red List. The population has been declining since the 1970s, primarily due to loss of habitat.
3. Painted Bunting
The painted bunting is a small passerine songbird in the cardinal family that breeds from the eastern Great Plains and the Gulf Coast of Texas to southern Quebec and New Brunswick. Even though they are fairly common birds in much of Texas during the summer, they are rarely seen, as they prefer to inhabit deep brush, except when the males perch on top of a bush to sing early in the mornings. Although they are primarily seed eaters, painted buntings rarely come to backyard feeders because they dislike being so far from cover. They also feed on insects.
The male is reminiscent of a rainbow, covered in splashes of red, green, blue and yellow. The females and juveniles are bright yellow-green.
In the fall they migrate south to Mexico, Panama and a number of Caribbean islands.
4. Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal is the most common bird found in Texas and can be seen all year around. It is a medium-sized songbird, about the size of a robin and is native to North America.
They are known for their reddish color and the pointed crest on their head, which they can raise to show aggression. They have a solid red color on their chest and head. The male has a black mask that covers the upper half of his face, while the female has a brown mask.
These birds are able to migrate long distances in order to find new food sources.
5. Carolina Chickadee
The Carolina Chickadee is a common sight all year around. This small songbird is found in North Carolina and various other states such as Texas, Florida, and Tennessee among others. These birds are active during the day and live in the forested areas of these states. They have a very distinctive call that you can hear from miles away.
The Carolina Chickadee is only about five inches long. They have a black cap and bib separated by stark white cheeks.
They are known to migrate to Central America, Mexico, and the northern regions of South America during the winter months. Male and female chickadees take different migration routes, with females flying further south than males. These migrations are due to seeking out food sources.
6. Brown-headed Cowbird
The brown-headed cowbird is a common bird of southern Canada and the United States. They are usually seen in small flocks during the summer, often with other blackbirds, like the red-winged blackbird or common grackle. This bird is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other passerine birds, including those of other cowbirds. They can be found in open woods, farmlands, and stockyards.
The brown-headed cowbird has a stout bill, short tail and stocky body. Males are glossy black with chocolate brown heads. Females are gray-brown overall, without bold streaks, but slightly paler throats. The males will chase other males away from the female, then establish a territory before mating with the female.
They are insectivores that forage by walking on the ground.
7. American Crow
The American Crow is a large passerine, or perching bird, with all black plumage. They are one of the most intelligent birds in North America and can be found all over, but tend to prefer urban areas to rural areas. They’re omnivores, meaning that they eat plant and animal matter.
The American Crow is a comparatively large bird. It is about the size of the Common Raven, but with a larger bill. The bill will usually be yellow in color with a pinkish cast. The legs and feet are black, and the eyes are dark brown.
Crows are known for their intelligence and resourcefulness. They are considered to be the most intelligent of all birds, and even of all animals. As a result, they have been able to adapt to a wide variety of environments, including many urban centers. One behavior that has helped them survive in these areas is the ability for some members (usually males) of the group to migrate.
8. Mourning Dove
Mourning doves are small songbirds that live in North America. They are very sensitive to habitat changes and can be found in rural and suburban areas throughout the year. They are primarily granivores. They perch on telephone wires and forage for seeds on the ground; their flight is fast and bullet straight. Their soft, drawn-out calls sound like a lament, hence the name “Mourning Dove”.
A graceful, slender-tailed, small-headed dove, mourning doves are light gray and brown and generally muted in color. Males and females are similar in appearance. The species is generally monogamous.
9. White-winged Dove
Related to the Mourning Dove, the White-winged Dove is a larger bird and is mainly a summer resident in the southwestern states. In some desert areas, the White-winged dove often feeds on the fruits of cactus. They are an important pollinator of the giant saguaro cactus. They are an example of a bird species that have a varied diet.
They have a distinguished short, squared tail, a distinct white patch on the wing and bright orange-red eyes accented by a distinct blue orbital ring. White-winged doves’ white wing patch is unmistakable in flight, it contrasts against the dark outer wing feathers. When perched, the white wing patch is visible as a narrow stripe of white along the edge of the folded wing.
10. House Finch
House finches are small brown birds. Their diet consists of seeds, buds, fruits and insects.
Male House Finches have a red, orange, or yellow cap, breast and rump. The females are brown.
They migrate south in the winter although they are permanent residents of Texas throughout the year.
11. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Scissor-tailed flycatchers, also known as the “Texas bird-of-paradise” and “swallow-tailed flycatcher”, are medium-sized birds found in open country in North America and Mexico from Kansas to southern California. They are the only bird that can fly backwards, and their tail is their primary defense against predators. They are a long-tailed bird of the genus Tyrannus, whose members are collectively referred to as kingbirds. Kingbirds are one of the largest, insectivorous birds in the tyrant flycatcher family.
The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is 14 inches long (36 cm), of which more than half is a very long and deeply forked black and white tail. The adult has bright salmon-pink sides and belly with a head, upper back, and breast that is pale grayish white.
They migrate to warmer climates during winter, when there are less insects available for food.
12. American Goldfinch
American Goldfinches are spotted in Texas during winter, and some stay in the north of the state all year.
American Goldfinches are popular birds with the males’ bright yellow and black coloring in spring. The females are duller brown, as are males in winter.
They can be found in weedy fields and overgrown areas foraging for sunflower, thistle, and aster plants. They are also common in suburbs, parks, and backyards.
13. Lesser Goldfinch
The Lesser Goldfinch is another small bird found in Texas throughout the year. They can be found in large flocks in open habitats, including thickets, weedy fields, forest clearings, parks, and gardens. They forage for seeds, especially sunflower seeds, but also fruits from elderberry, coffeeberry, and buds from cottonwoods, willows, sycamores, and alders.
They are yellow-brown on their back and underbelly with a black streak going down the center of their face. Males and females are colored differently. Females have brown heads with tan upper parts, while males have deep brown heads with olive upper parts.
The Lesser Goldfinch is a migratory bird that spends the winter in warmer climate zones and then migrate back to its breeding grounds. On their way, the Lesser Goldfinches feed on a variety of plants and small insects.
14. Great-tailed Grackle
Great-tailed Grackles live in Texas all year-round but are mainly spotted from March to July. Great-tailed Grackles’ diet consists of grains, seeds, and fruit, as well as insects and other animals such as worms, beetles, spiders, bees, slugs, and snails. They will also sometimes eat small mammals and lizards as well as eggs and nestlings.
They are long slender blackbirds. The males are iridescent black with piercing yellow eyes and have impressive long tapered tails. Females are also long-legged and slender but are dark brown on the back and lighter brown underneath, with a more slender tail.
Great-tailed Grackles can be found in the West and Midwest in agricultural and urban areas, generally where humans are.
15. Black-chinned Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbirds spend the breeding season in Texas. They eat nectar, small insects, and spiders. Their tongues can lick 13-17 times per second when feeding on nectar.
They are a dull metallic green on the back and grayish-white underneath. The males have a black throat with a thin iridescent purple base, and the females have a pale throat and white tips on the tail feathers.
Black-chinned Hummingbirds breed in Texas, and some may remain on the Gulf Coast all year.
16. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated hummingbirds can be found in the eastern United States, into Canada and all year around in Texas. One of their main food sources is the nectar from flowers.
They are the only hummingbird species with a red patch on their throat; males have a red throat, whereas females have a black throat. Their tail feathers are green with white stripes.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are some of the most migratory birds in North America, migrating to the southern United States and Mexico.
17. Blue Jay
The Blue Jay is a medium sized bird and is a member of the crow family. It is native to North America and is common across the continent. The species has adapted well to human developments, often nesting in and around residential areas.
Blue Jays have a long, pointed tail and a crest. The head, wings and back are blue while the chest is white. Both genders have similar features but the female is slightly smaller in size than the male.
Blue jays are known to be egg thieves, sometimes directly taking eggs from nests and other times following the special sounds made by parent birds.
18. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
The ruby-crowned kinglet is a small songbird that lives in North America and are most commonly seen in Texas during the winter months. They are found in forests, shrubs, and trees near water.
Ruby-crowned Kinglets can be identified by a yellow head with a black crown and the red feathers on the wing patch. Males are a bright green color with a black cap while females are duller with brown streaks and spots.
One of the most distinguishable features of this bird is the crown of feathers on its head, which can be seen from a distance.
19. Northern Mockingbird
Probably the most notorious of the Texas backyard birds, is the Mockingbird. This is because they are good at mimicking other animals, sirens and crickets, as well as their own species. Studies have shown that the Mockingbird can sing up to 200 songs, including the songs of other creatures like birds, frogs and other animals.
The Northern Mockingbird was adopted as the Texas state bird in 1927.
Their diet consists mainly of insects, fruits, and nectar. They migrate to the Southern United States to escape the colder winters.
20. Eastern Phoebe
Eastern phoebe is a grayish-brown bird with a dark cap, long dark tail, and white rump. It has a long, thin bill that curves up slightly at the end. They are found all year around in Texas.
The female can lay up to six eggs, which she incubates for 12 days. Males feed the females during the incubation period. After hatching, the young remain with their parents for up to two months before beginning their migration southward. Eastern phoebes eat flying insects.
21. American Robin
American robins are medium-sized, mostly slender birds with pointed bills. They have a long tail that is usually held drooped, which helps them to balance in trees.
Their plumage is predominantly brownish-gray on their upperparts and they have a white or cream throat, breast and belly. The male has a reddish-orange patch in the front of his otherwise brown head while the female’s coloring is less vibrant.
As with most migratory birds, the American robin flies south for the winter and can be found in Texas during this time.
22. Loggerhead Shrike
The loggerhead shrike is a small songbird, but behaves more like a raptor. They are common inhabitants in North America. Often spotted perching atop trees, utility poles, fence posts, or wires, this predatory bird watches for prey such as insects, birds, lizards and small mammals. Lacking the talons and strong feet of hawks and owls, the shrike must impale its prey on thorns or barbed wire. This behavior earned the shrike the nickname “butcher bird”. The typical habitat of the Loggerhead Shrike is in open country with scattered shrubs, trees, pastures, fields, and suburban parks.
The male has a black head, black wings, and white under parts. The female is brownish-black all over. Loggerhead shrikes are monogamous.
The Loggerhead Shrike is a member of the songbird family, but it behaves more like a raptor.
23. Chipping Sparrow
The chipping sparrow is a small, ground-dwelling bird that has a fairly large range in North America. They are common and widespread throughout most of North America. Usually found in open woodlands, scrubby areas, or even in suburban settings. They often gather in flocks in fall and winter. They are backyard feeder visitors. Frequently heard singing a fairly dry trill.
The Chipping Sparrow is small and slender, with a grayish breast, rusty cap, and black eyeline in breeding season. In winter the coloring is not as bright in winter, but it still shows a brown cap and dark eyeline. Juveniles are extensively streaky. The male and female are similar in appearance, but the male is slightly more colorful.
They migrate south in winter and can be found in Texas backyards.
24. House Sparrow
House sparrows are the most common bird in North America. Though they are not a songbird, they do have a chirp sound that is often used to signal warnings or disagreements with other birds. The house sparrow has brownish-gray body feathers and black speckles on their white breast feathers.
25. European Starling
Starlings are migratory birds that have adapted to the agricultural landscapes of Europe. They have developed an incubation period from the natural 18-21 days, to a shorter 11-12 days in order to ensure that their eggs hatch prior to migration. This is done so they can provide their young with ample food upon arrival at their destination. They are found all year around in Texas.
The European Starling is a stocky blackbird with a short tail and long, slender beak. In flight their wings are short and pointed, giving them a star-like appearance, and hence the name “starling”. At a distance, starlings appear black. In summer they turn an iridescent purplish-green with yellow beaks; in winter their plumage is brown, covered in brilliant white spots.
Individuals breeding in Texas probably do not migrate, but migrants from further north increase the winter populations.
26. Barn Swallow
Barn Swallows are small birds with a deep-blue back, wings and tail, and reddish-brown underneath and across the face. Their tail has long outer feathers that give a deep fork. The dark color of their back can make them look black-and-white.
Barn swallows migrate to the warmer climates in summer and are a common sight in Texas during this season.
They feed on a wide variety of flying insects, especially flies (including house flies and horse flies), beetles, wasps, wild bees, winged ants, and true bugs. They also eat certain moths, damselflies, grasshoppers, and other insects, and a few spiders and snails.
27. Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmouses are residents of Texas all year and are mostly spotted in the east of the state. They can be found in woodlands, parks, and backyard feeders. They are very assertive over smaller birds, pushing in to get to the food first. They mostly eat insects in summer, such as caterpillars, beetles, ants, and wasps, as well as spiders and snails. They will also eat seeds, nuts, and berries and will hoard shelled seeds.
Tufted Titmouses are gray on the back and white underneath with a gray crest and large eyes. They often flock with chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers.
28. Orange-crowned Warbler
Orange-crowned Warblers are mainly spotted in Texas from September until mid-May. You can find Orange-crowned Warblers in shrubs and low vegetation, and they breed in open woodland. They mainly eat insects, spiders, caterpillars, and flies. However, they will also eat fruit, berries, and seeds and regularly visit backyard feeders.
Orange-crowned Warblers are not as brightly colored as other warblers with their yellow-olive coloring. They are more yellow on the Pacific Coast, and the orange crown is rarely seen.
They breed in Canada and western US states before migrating to the Pacific, East Coast, Gulf Coast, and Mexico. However, Orange-crowned Warblers can also be seen during migration across all states.
29. Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warblers are winter birds in Texas that are mainly spotted from September to May. They can be found in coniferous forests, especially during the breeding season.
Males are gray with flashes of yellow on the face, sides, and rump and white in the wings. Females may be slightly brown, and winter birds are paler brown with bright yellow rumps and sides turning bright yellow and gray again in spring.
30. Cedar Waxwing
The Cedar Waxwing is a plump, smooth-plumaged bird with a distinctive thin, high-pitched call. Widespread and fairly common in open woodlands, orchards, and shrubby areas throughout most of North America. Winter range is variable and somewhat dependent on fruit crops; sometimes ventures as far south as Panama. Often gathers in large flocks, especially around fruiting trees.
Adults have a sleek crest, black mask, pale yellow wash on the belly, and yellow-tipped tail. Juveniles are drabber than adults, with coarse streaking on the breast and a reduced mask.
31. Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpeckers are found all year in Texas, mainly in the north and east of the state. They are small birds that are common at backyard feeders. They are often mixed in with other birds, such as chickadees and nuthatches.
They have black and white coloring with a red patch at the back of their heads. They look similar to the Hairy Woodpecker but smaller.
Downy Woodpeckers do not migrate and can be spotted in most states.
32. Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpeckers can be found in northern and eastern Texas year-round. They can be mistaken for Red-headed Woodpeckers as they have red caps, but they are much smaller than the Red-headed Woodpecker. They eat insects, spiders, seeds from grasses, fruit, and nuts. They will also sometimes eat nestlings. They nest in dead trees and may use the same nest year after year.
Female Red-bellied Woodpeckers lack the red cap and only have red at the back of their heads.
They also have a very pale red belly that can be hard to spot, but they do have the typical woodpecker black and white markings over their backs. The tongue of the Red-bellied Woodpecker sticks out 2 inches past the beak and is barbed at the tip, along with sticky spit. This helps catch prey from deep crevices.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers do not migrate.
33. Carolina Wren
Carolina Wrens are shy birds that are dark brown on top and light brown underneath. They have a white eyebrow stripe and upright tail, and a loud ‘teakettle‘ song. They can be found in woods or thickly vegetated areas, and they will visit backyard feeders.
Carolina Wrens do not migrate and are frequently spotted in Texas.
Conclusion
Birdwatching is a popular hobby worldwide. The North America region has the most bird species out of any other continent. Each year, nearly a billion people participate in this hobby worldwide, and for many birdwatching enthusiasts, backyard birding has become the best way to experience all that nature has to offer.
Texas backyard birds bring nature to your doorstep.
FAQ
What can I do to encourage wild birds in my yard?
In order to encourage wild birds in your backyard, you must provide a source of water and food. This can be done with bird baths and bird feeders. For a more natural experience, try adding some flowers or plants around your yard to attract different species of birds.
How do I identify the birds around my backyard in Texas?
The best way to identify the birds in your backyard is by looking at their feathers. Their beaks tell you what they like to eat. Their feet tell you if they perch, hop or wade.
What birds are most common in Texas?
There are over 450 different species of birds that live in Texas. The red-shouldered hawk, the American white pelican, and the northern cardinal are some of the most common types of birds in the state.
Are woodpeckers endangered?
Woodpeckers are classified as being at-risk. The number of red, black, and white woodpeckers have been declining over the last seventy years. The main reason for this decrease is the loss of nesting sites due to deforestation, development and expanding agriculture.
Why might there be lots of small birds flying and diving?
It is possible that the birds are looking for food such as flying insects or there could be a predator nearby. Without further observations it is impossible to know what is driving their behavior.
What kind of blackbirds seem to congregate on power lines?
Blackbirds are a common sight at power lines, but why? Scientists believe that the blackbirds congregate at these power lines because this is an excellent place to find food. The electricity can kill bugs, which the blackbirds can easily feed on.
What does “passerine” mean?
Passerines are a group of birds that include more than half of all the bird species like songbirds. They prey primarily on insects and are also known as perching birds.