With over 200 species of birds, it’s no surprise that bird lovers flock to the Texas Gulf Coast every year to witness a unique birding experience. Whether you call Texas home or are planning a trip from across the world, we’ll be your guide on the coastal birds of Texas.
10 Coastal Birds of Texas
The National Audubon Society named Corpus Christi the “birdiest city in America.” The city has various habitats, including coastal grasslands, saltwater lagoons, and marshes. Throughout the year, you can find some of Texas’s most famous birds feeding, wading, and flying along the coast.
1. Green Jay
The green jay is a bright yellow, green, and blue bird that lives in the tropics and southern Texas. These birds tend to travel in large family flocks, preferring brushlands where they can easily hunt insects and small vertebrates. While their bright green coloring may be challenging to spot in the trees, they are evident in the open.
2. Groove-Billed Ani
The groove-billed ani has disheveled black feathers and giant bills, looking little like other birds in the cuckoo family. Of all the coastal birds of Texas, the groove-bill is one of the most entertaining to watch. They have exaggerated movements meant to flush prey from their hiding places. Typically, they prefer lowland shrubby habitats.
3. Black-Crowned Night Heron
The black-crowned night heron is a small heron with thick proportions, heavy bills, thick necks, and flat heads. As adults, they have light gray feathers and a defined black back and crown. Typically, black-crowned night herons spend their days on tree limbs and forage in the evenings on the water and mudflats.
4. White Pelicans
White pelicans are among the most familiar pelicans. These giant, snow-white waterbirds have long necks, bright orange bills, and easily identifiable broad wingspans. Generally, you can find white pelicans in shallow wetlands or coastal waters in bays and estuaries.
5. American Oystercatcher
American oystercatchers are large birds with black and white feathers and long red-orange bills used to forage oysters, mussels, starfish, and crabs. You can find the American oystercatcher on shore throughout the year.
6. Black Skimmer
You will spot black skimmers starting in mid-March and continuing until early September. These birds have black and white plumage and a black-tipped beak. They feed by skimming along the top of the water, catching fish beneath the surface.
7. Great Egret
The great egret is a unique, beautiful bird with snow-white feathers and a yellow bill. These birds have long, S-curved necks and bills shaped like daggers. They typically wade in shallow waters to hunt fish, frogs, and other small animals.
8. Marbled Godwit
Look for the marbled godwit in the sand and mud, sticking its long bill into the sand in search of aquatic invertebrates. These long-legged shorebirds have an upturned bill, a small head, and a thin neck. Generally, they have white, brown, and cinnamon coloring.
9. Laughing Gull
Laughing gulls may be among some of the loudest coastal birds of Texas, and they have a call sound similar to a high-pitched laugh. Distinguish laughing gulls by their white stomachs, gray backs and black heads. Laughing gulls are prevalent on the coast and eat anything they can catch or steal.
10. Red-Shouldered Hawk
To spot red-shouldered hawks, look for them near the water, perched in trees, or soaring over the water. While hawks live in the trees, they prefer to live near water to access prey easily. Red-shouldered hawks are medium-sized, with broad wings, medium tails, and distinct dark and white checkered wings with red banding around the breast.
Birding Season in Corpus Christi, Texas
Many coastal birds of Texas remain year-round, whereas others may migrate to and from with the seasons. Since Corpus Christi has a mild tropical climate, the birds thrive throughout the year.
Winter
Corpus Christi is the ideal climate for birdwatching year-round, including in winter. You’ll still catch songbirds singing, geese swimming, and cranes feeding. December to February is still a mild season, with January being the coldest. In January, the average daytime temperatures are about 58 degrees, so pack a jacket.
Spring
In Spring, the coastal birds become more prominent. Additionally, if you visit in April, you can attend the Birdiest Festival in America at the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. Expect warm days and cool nights without extreme temperatures.
Summer
As the weather heats up, new birds begin to settle on the coast. Some of the more tropical birds, like the green jay and groove-billed ani, spend their summers in Corpus Christi. You can also catch herons, egrets, and spoonbills.
Fall
As the cooler months begin, the fall shorebird migration begins. Autumn birds may include warblers, orioles, ducks, and whooping cranes. While wind is typical for fall, the weather remains in the 70s and 60s.
Birding Locations in Corpus Christi
While you’re likely to see birds throughout your adventures on the Texas coast, a few locations may provide a better view of various species.
- South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center: The Botanical Gardens & Nature Center feature 180 acres of native habitat, floral exhibits, and wetlands.
- Padre Island National Seashore and Bird Island Basin: Located in the National Seashore, the Bird Island Basin sits along Laguna Madre and has access to birdwatching, fishing, and kayaking.
- Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve & Nature Center: This 162-acre nature preserve includes two miles of walking trails and plenty of access to seabirds.
For guided tours, consider visiting Lake Corpus Christi State Park. On guided tours, you follow the experts on your choice of stationary or walking birding. Bring your birding equipment, including binoculars, cameras, and comfortable shoes for bird tours.
Park Your RV and Enjoy the Coastal Birds of Texas
At Sunset Ridge RV Resort, we want to make your trip memorable. We offer roomy RV spaces and an expansive list of amenities, including a clubhouse, saltwater pool, and stocked fishing ponds. After your birding adventure with the coastal birds of Texas, kick up your feet and relax. Contact us today for information on availability and reservations.