How to identify migratory birds of Texas

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, there are 629 species of birds found in Texas, and of those birds, 53 percent are migratory species. Texas is a main corridor for the central migratory flyway, and many species of birds traveling on the Mississippi flyway use the Gulf Coast. There are 338 species of birds that migrate from South and Central America to North America, and of those species, 98.5 percent have been recorded in Texas. This makes Texas a prime spot for watching migratory birds.

Things You'll Need

  • Bird field guide book
  • Journal or notebook
  • Binoculars (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a bird field guide to use as reference in identifying the different species of birds you see. A Texas-only field guide is helpful for birds that make their summer or winter homes in Texas, but a more generic guide is also helpful for identifying the birds that are just passing through.

    • 2

      Familiarize yourself with the year-round bird residents in your area so you can spot different birds as they appear. Setting up a variety of feeders in your yard is a good way to get familiar with the local species that live in your area.

    • 3
      The Purple Martin is one of the first birds to arrive in Texas in mid-February.

      In the middle of February, start a journal to notate the species of birds and to make quick notes of the features of a new bird so you can look it up later. The middle of February marks the beginning of the spring migration in Texas, and it usually continues through the middle of May. The fall migration begins as early as July and lasts until late November, according to the Houston Audubon Society.

    • 4
      The ruby-throated hummingbird arrives in Texas in late March to mid-May.

      When you see a new bird, make note of its size, color and any distinguishing features in your journal. Characteristics such as tail, wing and bill shape are all good identifying characteristics. The more you can write down, the more chance you have a identifying the species when you are looking it up.

    • 5

      Note in your journal where the bird is when you see it. The habitat that the bird is living in another good indicator of what species of bird you are looking at. Each species of bird prefers a specific habitat.

    • 6

      Use your field guide with the characteristics that you have recorded to identify the species of bird. Make note of the final species in your journal so you will be able to identify that same species later.