IN TEXAS, MORE SPECIES OF BIRDS HAVE BEEN FOUND THAN IN ANY OTHER U.S. STATE.

As many as 402 species of birds have cumulatively been seen during FONT tours in Texas and nearby New Mexico.

  
Link:

Part 2 of this List of Texas Birds, Flycatchers to Buntings
 

Codes:

c:  central - including areas of San Antonio & Austin, the Edwards Plateau (or "Hill Country") & Fort Clark Springs
e:   east - along the Gulf Coast, including the areas of Rockport & Aransas 
n:  north - including the Texan Panhandle
s:   south - the southern Rio Grande Valley, as far upriver as Laredo, and north to the King Ranch, the Welder Wildlife Refuge, and Choke Canyon
w:  west -  including Big Bend National Park, the Davis Mountains area, & lakes near I-10 

nm: in nearby New Mexico
mx: seen across the Rio Grande in Mexico

(mex):      a mostly "Mexican species" that occurs in Texas 
                (some of these birds are also common further south in the tropics)

(win)  - occurs mostly in the winter
(thru)  - occurs throughout the state

(USe):          endemic to the United States 
(USqe):        quasi (or nearly) endemic to the United States
(USeb):        endemic-breeder in the United States 
(USneb):      near-endemic breeder in the United States
(NAi):           species introduced into North America
(USri):          re-introduced species into the United States
(USr):           rare in the United States 
(TXr):           rare in Texas
(NMr):          rare in New Mexico

(t): a globally threatened or rare species, designated by Birdlife International
      (t1): critical   (t2): endangered   (t3): vulnerable
(nt): a near-threatened species globally

(ph);  species with a photograph in the FONT website 

Birds seen during FONT tours in Texas and/or New Mexico in:
March: mar     April: apr     May: may


Links to Bird Groupings in this List: 

Gallinaceous Birds    Waterfowl    Loons    Pelagic Birds    Grebes    Ibises & Spoonbill

Storks & Flamingo    Bitterns, Herons, Egrets    Tropicbird, Frigatebird, Pelicans, Boobies, Gannet

Cormorants & Anhinga     Raptors (inc. Vultures)     Rails & allies    Cranes    Shorebirds

Jaegers, Gulls, Terns, Skimmer    Pigeons & Doves    Parakeets & Parrots    Cuckoos & Allies    Owls 

Nighthawk & Nightjar    Swifts    Hummingbirds    Trogon & Kingfishers    Woodpeckers
     

Other Links:

Upcoming FONT Birding & Nature Tours in North America, including Texas

A Complete List & a Photo Gallery of North American Birds, north of Mexico, in 6 parts:
Part #1: Grouse to Anhinga    Part #2: Condor to Shorebirds    Part #3: Jaegers to Cuckoos
Part #4: Owls to Flycatchers    Part #5  Shrikes to Pipits    Part #6: Olive Warbler to Buntings  

Lists of Other Texas Wildlife (each with some photos):

Mammals    Butterflies    Dragonflies & Damselflies    Amphibians & Reptiles

Marine Life  (inc. Fish, Jellyfish, Mollusks (Shells), & Arthropods: Crustaceans & Echinoderms)

Plants of the Desert & Some Nearby Habitats  (with some photos)     

Notes regarding some Texas Plant-Life

Directory of Photos in this Website

Bird-List:

       GALLINACEOUS BIRDS

1. Scaled Quail  (*)  ______ c,w  nm   apr  may
   Callipepla squamata pallida
   
   The populations of the Scaled Quail, in much of its range, has declined rather dramatically in recent years.
   The reasons are not known for sure, but are probably due to changes in land-use practices and the loss of preferred habitat.    
   
   
2. Gambel's Quail  (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr  may
   Callipepla g. gambelii
   
   
3. Northern Bobwhite  (nt) (*)  ______ e,s   mar  apr  may
   Colinus virginianus
   
   
4. Montezuma Quail  (*)  ______ w  apr   
   Cyrtonyx montezumae mearnsi
   
   Cyrtonyx montezumae has historically been called the Harlequin Quail. The subspecies in Texas has been called the "Mearn's Quail".
   
   The plumage of the male Montezuma Quail is certainly one of the most strikingly patterned of Texas birds.
   The legs and feet of the species are strong and so well adapted to scratch and dig in the hard, rocky ground that is characteristic in the bird's preferred habitat.  
   
   
5. Plain Chachalaca  (ph) (*)  ______ s  (mex)   may
   Ortalis vetula
   
   
   
   Plain Chachalaca
   (photo by Dick Tipton)
   
   
6. "Attwater's" Greater Prairie Chicken (t1) (*)  ______  e
   Tympanuchus cupido attwateri 
   
   As of 2003, the population of the race of the Greater Prairie Chicken in the Coastal Prairies region of Texas, known as the "Attwater's Prairie Chicken", fell to less than 70 birds.
   Conservation initiatives have been underway, for hopefully the number to increase by the releasing of captive-raised birds into the wild.    
   
   
7. Lesser Prairie Chicken  (t3) (USe) (ph)  ______  n
   Tympanuchus pallidicinctus
   
   The Lesser Prairie Population population in Texas (and elsewhere) is declining, and the species seems to be imperiled. 
   It is well known that the males display in the spring at leks on their breeding grounds, but not as well known is that they also do, to a lesser extent, in October and November, due to a slightly elevated testosterone level that occurs in the fall.      
   
   
8. Wild Turkey  (ph) (*)  ______ e,c,w  nm  mar  apr  may
   Meleagris galloparo
   
   
9. Common Pheasant  (NAi) (*)  ______ nm
   Phasianus colchicus
   
   
   WATERFOWL
   
   
10. Black-bellied Whistling Duck  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c  (mex)   apr  may
    Dendrocygna autumnalis
    
    As recently as the 1960s, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were found in Texas only in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and north in Coastal prairies almost to Corpus Christi. The species is now found throughout much of the southern part of the state, and locally as far north as the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
    
    
    
    Black-bellied Whistling Duck
    (photo by Howard Eskin)
    
    
11. Fulvous Whistling Duck  ______
    Dendrocygna bicolor
    
    
12. Greater White-fronted Goose  (*)  ______ e
    Anser albifrons
    
    
13. Snow Goose  (ph) (*)  _______ e
    Chen (has been Anser) caerulescens
    
    
14. Ross's Goose  ______
    Chen (has been Anser) rossi
    
    
15. Canada Goose  (*)  ______ e
    Branta canadensis
    
    
16. Cackling Goose  (ph) (*)  ______ e
    Branta hutchunsii
    
    
17. Trumpeter Swan  (nt) (ph)  ______ 
    Cygnus buccinator
    
    The Trumpeter Swan was once a regular visitor to the eastern two-thirds of Texas until the late 1800s. Now, due to the reintroduction programs in the Midwest, the species has been reappearing in Texas.    
    
    
18. Tundra Swan  ______
    Cygnus columbianus
    
    
19. Muscovy Duck  (ph) (*)  ______ s (mex)
    Cairina moschata    
    
    The Muscovy Duck is widespread throughout the Neotropics. Prior to 1984, it was not found in Texas. A small population has since become established along the Rio Grande River in Starr and Zapata Counties. 
    
    
20. Wood Duck  (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr  may
    Aix sponsa
    
    
21. Gadwall  (ph) (*)  ______ e,w  mar  apr
    Anas strepera
    
    
22. American Wigeon  (ph) (*)  ______ e,c,w  mx  mar  apr
    Anas americana
    
    
23. Eurasian Wigeon  (ph)  ______
    Anas penelope
    
    The Eurasian Wigeon has occurred in Texas most frequently in the western part of the state. Most of the individuals found in Texas have been alternate-plumaged males.
    
    
24. American Black Duck  (TXr) (ph)  ______
    Anas rubripes
    
    
25. Mallard  (ph) (*)  ______  c   mar  may
    Anas platyrhynchos 
    
    
26. Mexican Duck  (*)   ______ w  mx   apr  may
    Anas platyrhynchos diazi
    
    The Mexican Duck has been considered conspecific with the Mallard. 
    
    
27. Mottled Duck  (*)  ______ e,s  mx   mar  apr  may
    Anas fulvigula 
    
    The Mottled Duck is a common resident in Texas along the Coastal Prairies and locally inland to the north-central and northeast portions of the state. 
    
    
28. Blue-winged Teal  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w  nm   mar  apr  may
    Anas discolors
    
    
    
    Blue-winged Teal
    (photo by Marie Gardner) 
    
    
29. Cinnamon Teal  (*)  ______ s
    Anas cyanoptera
    
    
30. Northern Shoveler  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w  nm,mx   mar  apr  may
    Anas clypeata
    
    
31. Northern Pintail  (ph) (*)  ______ e,w  mar  apr  may
    Anas acita
    
    
32. White-cheeked Pintail  (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Anas bahamensis
    
    
33. Garganey  (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Anas querquedula
    
    The Garganey has occurred in Texas just a few times (4). The records have been alternate-plumaged males found during spring migration.  
    
    
34. Green-winged Teal  (ph) (*)  ______ e,c,w   mar  may 
    Anas carolinensis
    
    The Green-winged Teal of North America has been considered conspecific with the Eurasian Teal, Anas crecca.  
    
    
    
    A male Green-winged Teal
    (photo by Howard Eskin)
    
    
35. Lesser Scaup  (ph) (*)  ______  c  mar
    Aythya affinis
    
    
36. Greater Scaup  ______
    Aythya marila 
    
    
37. Ring-necked Duck  (ph) (*)  ______ nm
    Aythya collaris  (monotypic)
    
    
38. Canvasback  (*)  ______
    Aythya valisineria
    
    
39. Redhead  (ph) (*)  ______ e,c,w  mar  apr
    Aythya americana
    
    
    
    A female Redhead
    (photo by Kim Steininger)
     
    
40. King Eider  (TXr) (ph)  ______
    Somateria spectabilis
    
    A subadult male King Eider, in worn plumage, was in Texas in Brazoria County, at Quintana, from April 30 to May 7, 1998. It was captured for rehabilitation. 
    
    
41. Harlequin Duck  (TXr) (ph)  ______
    Histrionicus histrionicus 
    
    
42. Surf Scoter  (ph)  ______
    Melanitta perspicillata
    
    
43. White-winged Scoter  (*)  ______  e  mar
    Melanitta fusca
    
    
44. Black Scoter  (ph)  ______   
    Melanitta americana
    
    The Black Scoter of North America & eastern Asia has been considered conspecific with the Common Scoter of Europe, Melanitta niger. 
    
    
45. Long-tailed Duck  (t3) (ph)  ______
    Clangula hyemalis
    
    
46. Bufflehead  (ph) (*)  ______ e,w   mar  apr
    Bucephala albeola
    
    
47. Common Goldeneye  (*)  ______
    Bucephala clangula
    
    
48. Barrow's Goldeneye  (TXr)  ______
    Bucephala islandica
    
    
49. Hooded Merganser  (ph) (*)  ______  s  mar
    Lophodytes cucullatus
    
    
50. Red-breasted Merganser  (ph) (*)  ______
    Mergus serrator 
    
    
51. Common Merganser  (ph) ______
    Mergus merganser
    
    
52. Masked Duck  (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Nomonyx dominicus 
    
    Coincidence or not, the occurrence of the Masked Duck in Texas over the years has been highly cyclical. 
    For whatever reason, if for a reason at all, there have been "invasions" about every 20 to 30 years since the 1890s, with only a few scattered records during the intervening periods. The most recent invasion was from 1992 to 1996.       
    
    
53. Ruddy Duck  (ph) (*)  ______ e,w   mar  apr  may
    Oxyura j. jamaicensis
    
    
    
    A female Ruddy Duck
    (photo by Kim Steininger)
    
    
    LOONS
     
    
54. Common Loon  (*)  ______
    Gavia immer
    
    
55. Red-throated Loon  (ph)  ______
    Gavia stellata
    
    
56. Pacific Loon  (ph)  ______
    Gavia pacifica
    
    
57. Yellow-billed Loon  (TXr)  ______
    Gavia adamsii
    
    There have only been a few records in Texas (5) of the Yellow-billed Loon. Two of them were at Balmorhea Lake in Reeves County in the western part of the state. . 
    
    
    PELAGIC BIRDS  
    
    
58. Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross  (t2) (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Thalassache chlororhynchos
    
    
59. Black-capped Petrel  (t2) (TXr) (ph)  ______
    Pterodroma hasitata 
    
    The Black-capped Petrel is common in the Gulf Stream off the southeast United States. It is rare in the Gulf of Mexico.
    A bird in July 1997 off Port O'Connor, in Calhoun County, was the second documented record in Texas waters. 
    
    
60. Stejneger's Petrel  (t3) (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Pterodroma longirostris
    
    
61. White-chinned Petrel  (t3) (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Procellaria longirostris
    
    The White-chinned Petrel is a bird of the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere. An individual that was found on the beach in Galveston County, Texas, on February 27, 1986, was the first record for the species in North America.   
    
    
62. Cory's Shearwater  (ph)  ______
    Calonectris diomedea
    
    
63. Great Shearwater  (TXr) (ph)  ______
    Puffinus gravis
    
    
64. Sooty Shearwater  (TXr) (ph)  ______
    Puffinus griseus
    
    
65. Manx Shearwater  (TXr)  ______
    Puffinus puffinus
    
    
66. Audubon's Shearwater  (ph)  ______
    Puffinus iherminieri
    
    
67. Wilson's Storm Petrel  (TXr) (ph)  ______
    Oceanites oceanicus
    
    
68. Leach's Storm Petrel  (TXr)  ______
    Oceanodroma leucprhoa
    
    
69. Band-rumped Storm Petrel  ______  (has also been called Madeiran or Harcourt's Storm Petrel)
    Oceanodroma castro  
    
    
    GREBES
    
    
70. Least Grebe  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   mar  may
    Tachybaptus dominicus
    
    The Least Grebe is widespread throughout the Neotropics. The northern extent of its range is in Texas, where it prefers small ponds with abundant emergent vegetation.  
    
    
71. Pied-billed Grebe  (*)  ______ e,s,c,w   mar  apr  may
    Podilymbis p. podiceps
    
    
72. Eared Grebe  (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr  may
    Podiceps nigricollis californicus
    
    Another name for Podiceps nigricollis is the Black-necked Grebe. It is so called in the Old World. 
    
    
    
    The Eared, also known as the Black-necked, Grebe
    (photo by Howard Eskin)
    
    
73. Red-necked Grebe  (ph) (TXr)  ______
    Podiceps grisegena 
    
    
74. Western Grebe  (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr  may
    Aechmophorus occidentalis
    
    The Western Grebe and the Clark's Grebe (below) were conspecific.  
    
    
    
    Western Grebe
    
    
75. Clark's Grebe  (*)  ______ w   apr  may
    Aechmophorus clarkii
    
    
    IBISES & SPOONBILLS
    
    
76. American White Ibis  (ph) (*)  ______ e   mar  apr  may
    Eudocimus albus
    
    
77. White-faced Ibis  (ph) (*)  ______  e,s,w  nm   mar  apr  may
    Plegadis chihi
    
    
78. Glossy Ibis  (ph) (*)   ______  e   may
    Plegadis falcinellus
    
    
79. Roseate Spoonbill  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   mar  apr  may
    Ajaia ajaja
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Two photographs of Roseate Spoonbills,
    an adult (above), and a chick on the nest (below)
    
    
    STORKS & FLAMINGO
    
    
80. Wood Stork  (ph)   ______
    Mycteria americana
    
    Wood Storks occur in Texas as postbreeding wanderers from breeding populations in Florida and Mexico. The highest numbers in Texas are between late June and early November.   
    
    
81. Jabiru  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
    Jabiru mycteria
    
    The Jabiru has occurred in Texas on only a few occasions. It normally occurs in southern Mexico (rarely) and further south in Central & South America. 
    The vagrants in Texas have been postbreeding wanderers that reached the state between late July and late October.  
    
    
82. American Flamingo  (USr) (TXr) (ph) ______
    Phoenicopterus ruber
    
    
    BITTERNS, HERONS, EGRETS
    
    
83. American Bittern  (ph) (*)  ______  e
    Botaurus lentiginosus
    
    
84. Least Bittern  (ph) (*)  ______ e   apr
    Ixobrychus exilis
    
    
    
    Least Bittern
    (photo by Doris Potter)
    
    
85. Great Blue Heron  (*)  ______ e,s,c,w   mar  apr  may
    Ardea herodias 
    
    
86. Great Egret  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  mx   mar  apr  may
    Casmerodius (has been Ardea) alba egretta
    
    
87. Snowy Egret  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w  mx   mar  apr  may
    Egretta thula brewsteri
    
    
    
    A Snowy Egret in breeding plumage, with red lores
    (photo by Howard Eskin)  
    
    
88. Little Blue Heron  (ph) (*)  ______ e   mar  apr  may
    Egretta caerulea
    
    
89. Tricolored Heron  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   mar  apr  may
    Egretta tricolor
    
    A former common name for Egretta tricolor was the Louisiana Heron. 
    
    
    
    Tricolored Heron
    (photo by Kim Steininger)
      
    
90. Reddish Egret  (ph) (*)  ______ e   apr  may   
    Egretta rufescens 
    
    There are two morphs of the Reddish Egret: white and dark.
    
    
91. Western Cattle Egret  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w  mx    apr  may
    Bubulcus ibis
    
    The Eastern Cattle Egret, Bubulcus coromandus, occurs in southern & eastern Asia.    
    
    
92. Green Heron  (*)  ______ e,s,w  nm   mar  apr  may
    Butorides virescens anthonyi
    
    
93. Black-crowned Night Heron  (*)  ______ e,s,w  nm   mar  apr  may
    Nycticorax nycticorax hoactii
    
    
94. Yellow-crowned Night Heron  (ph) (*)  ______ s   may
    Nyctanassa violacea
    
    
    TROPICBIRD, FRIGATEBIRD, PELICANS, BOOBIES & GANNET
    
    
95. Red-billed Tropicbird  (ph) ______
    Phaethon aethereus
    
    
96. Magnificent Frigatebird  (ph)  ______  
    Fregata magnificens 
    
    The only breeding population of the Magnificent Frigatebird in the United States is in Florida. 
    The bird is an uncommon postbreeding wanderer to Texas. A few non-breeding birds can be found as early as April along the Gulf Coast, but most arrive in the late summer and early fall.   
    
    
97. American White Pelican  (ph) (*)  ______  e,s,w   mar  apr  may 
    Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
    
    
    
    American White Pelicans along the Texas Gulf Coast
    (photo by Marc Felber)
    
    
98. Brown Pelican  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w  (rare in west TX)   mar  apr  may
    Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis
    
    The Brown Pelican population in Texas dipped so low that there were less than 20 individuals in the state in 1970s. It rebounded, thankfully, due to conservation efforts and the banning of the pesticide DDT.  
    
    
99. Masked Booby  (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Sula dactylatra
    
    
100. Blue-footed Booby  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Sula nebouxii
     
     There was a famous occurrence of a Blue-footed Booby in Texas at Lake Lyndon B. Johnson in Burner/Llano Counties in 1993/94. The bird stayed there for more than a year, during which time it molted into adult plumage. It has been the only occurrence of the species in Texas. 
     The Blue-footed Booby is normally to the west of Texas in the area of the Gulf of California, and elsewhere in the Pacific from Mexico south to Ecuador.      
     
     
101. Brown Booby  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Sula leucogaster
     
     
102. Red-footed Booby  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Sula sula
     
     
103. Northern Gannet  (ph)  ______
     Morus bassanus  
     
     
     CORMORANTS & ANHINGA
     
     
104. Neotropic Cormorant  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  (mex)   mar  apr  may
     Phalacrocorax brasilianus mexicanus
     
     
105. Double-crested Cormorant  (*)  ______ e,s,w   mar  apr  may
     Phalacocorax a. auritus
     
     
106. Anhinga  (ph) (*)  ______ e   apr
     Anhinga anhinga leucogaster
     
     
     RAPTORS (including VULTURES)
     
     
107. Black Vulture  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  mx   mar  apr  may
     Coragyps atratus
     
     
108. Turkey Vulture  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm,mx   mar  apr  may
     Cathartes aura
     
     
109. Northern Crested Caracara  (ph) (*)  ______ s,c  (mex)   mar  may
     Caracara cheriwayi
     
     
     
     Northern Crested Caracara
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
     
     
110. American Kestrel  (ph) (*)  ______  e,c,w  mar  apr  may
     Falco s. sparverius
     
     
     
     American Kestrel
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
111. Merlin  (ph) (*)  ______ e,c  mar  apr
     Falco c. columbarius
     
     
     
     A Merlin in flight
     
     
112. Aplomado Falcon (NAri) (NAr) (ph) (*)  ______ s,e  (mex)   mar  may
     Falco femoralis
     
     Prior to about 1920, the Aplomado Falcon was a summer resident across the brush country of the Trans-Pecos and South Texas.
     
     A reintroduction project, that began in 1989, has returned this falcon of the grasslands to some of its former haunts. Birds released at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, in Cameron County, were part of the program. 
     
     
113. Peregrine Falcon  (ph) (*)  ______ e   apr
     Falco peregrinus
     
     
     
     A Peregrine Falcon in flight, photographed in Texas
     (photo by Rhett Poppe) 
     
     
114. Prairie Falcon  (ph) (*)  ______ w
     Falco mexicanus
     
     
115. Gyrfalcon  (TXr)  ______
     Falco rusticollis
     
     A Gyrfalcon, that faithfully roosted on a water tower in Lubbock from January 22 to April 7, 2002, was the first to be documented in Texas. That record is apparently the southernmost in North America.    
     
     
116. Collared Forest Falcon  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Micrastur semitorquatus
     
     
117. Osprey  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w   mar  apr  may
     Pandion haliaetus carolinensis
     
     
118. Hook-billed Kite  (TXr) (*)  ______ s
     Chondrohierax uncinatus
     
     The northern edge of the range of the Hook-billed Kite just reaches Texas in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. 
     This raptor feeds primarily on land snails, using the extended hook on the tip of their bill to extract the snail from its shell.   
     
     
119. Swallow-tailed Kite  (ph)  ______
     Elanoides forticatus
     
     The Swallow-tailed Kite was a common nesting species in eastern Texas until the early 1900s. By 1915, that breeding population had all but disappeared, but during recent decades the species has been found with increasing frequency during the summer in the southeastern quadrant of the state and as migrants elsewhere,    
     
     
120. White-tailed Kite  (ph) (*)  ______ s   may
     Elanus leucurus
     
     
121. Mississippi Kite  (*)  ______ s   may
     Ictinia mississippiensis
     
     
122. Snail Kite  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Rostrhamus sociabilis
     
     
123. Bald Eagle  (ph) (*)  ______ e   may
     Haliaeetus leucocephalus 
     
     
124. Northern Harrier  (ph) (*)  ______  e,s,c,w    mar  apr  may   
     Circus hudsonius
     
     The Northern Harrier has been considered conspecific with the Hen Harrier of Eurasia, Circus cyaneus.
     
     
     
     A female Northern Harrier
     (photo by Kim Steininger)
     
     
125. Sharp-shinned Hawk  (ph) (*)  ______ 
     Accipiter striatus
     
     
126. Cooper's Hawk  (ph) (*)  ______ e,c,w   mar  apr  may
     Accipiter cooperi
     
     
127. Northern Goshawk  (TXr)  ______
     Accipiter gentilis
     
     
128. Crane Hawk  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Geranospiza caerulescens 
     
     There has only been one record of the Crane Hawk in the United States. It was an adult that spent almost 4 months at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Hidalgo County, during the winter of 1987-88.  
     
     
129. Gray Hawk  (ph) (*)  ______ w   may
     Buteo plagiatus
     
     The Gray Hawk was merged with the Gray-lined Hawk, Buteo nitida, of southern Central America and South America. 
     
     
130. Common Black Hawk  (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr
     Buteogallus a. anthracinus
     
     
131. Harris's Hawk  (ph) (*)  ______ s,c,w   apr  may
     Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi
     
     Another common name for Parabuteo unicinctus is the Bay-winged Hawk. 
     
     
132. Broad-winged Hawk  (NMr) (*)  ______ nm
     Buteo p. platypterus
     
     
133. Red-shouldered Hawk  (*)  ______ s,c  mar  may
     Buteo lineatus
     
     
     
     A Red-shouldered Hawk photographed in Wimberley, Texas
     (photo by Rhett Poppe) 
     
     
134. Swainson's Hawk  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm   apr  may
     Buteo swainsoni  (monotypic, but with light & dark morphs)
     
     
135. White-tailed Hawk  (*)  ______ e,s  mar  apr  may
     Buteo albicaudatus
     
     The White-tailed Hawk is widespread throughout the American tropics. Within the United States, it is only found in Texas. 
     
     The species is well known for preying on small animals fleeing grassland fires, and it responds to smoke indicating the presence of a fire from more than 10 miles away.   
     
     
136. Zone-tailed Hawk  (ph) (*)  ______ w
     Buteo albonotatus
     
     
137. Red-tailed Hawk  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm  mar  apr  may
     Buteo jamaicensis calurus
     
     
138. Short-tailed Hawk  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Buteo brachyurus
     
     
139. Ferruginous Hawk  (nt) (ph)  ______
     Buteo regalis
     
     
140. Rough-legged Hawk  (ph)  ______
     Buteo lagopus
     
     
141. Roadside Hawk  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Buteo magnirostris 
     
     
142. Golden Eagle  (*)  ______ w  nm   apr
     Aquila chrysaetos canadensis
     
     
     RAILS & ALLIES
     
     
143. Yellow Rail  ______
     Coturnicops noveboracensis
     
     
144. Black Rail  (*)   ______ e  may
     Laterallus jamaicensis
     
     
145. Clapper Rail  (ph) (*)  ______ e  apr  may
     Rallus crepitans  (was R. longirostris)
     
     
146. King Rail  (*)  ______ s   may
     Rallus elegans
     
     
147. Virginia Rail  (ph)  ______
     Rallus limicola
     
     
148. Sora  (*)  ______ e,w   mar  apr  may
     Porzana carolina
     
     
149. Paint-billed Crake  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Neocrex erythrops
     
     
150. Spotted Rail  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Pardirallus maculatus
     
     
151. Purple Gallinule  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   mar  may
     Porphyrio martinicus
     
     
     
     A Purple Gallinule photographed during a FONT tour
     (photo by Marie Gardner)
     
     
152. Common Gallinule  (ph) (*) ______ e,s   mar  apr  may
     Gallinula galeata  
     
     
153. American Coot  (*)  ______ e,s,w  nm   mar  apr  may
     Fulica a. americana
     
     
     CRANES
     
     
154. Sandhill Crane  (ph) (*)  ______ e   mar
     Grus canadensis
     
     
155. Whooping Crane (t2) (*)   ______ e   mar
     Grus americana  
     
     Whooping Cranes were once widespread along the Texas Gulf Coast. Now, the entire natural population winters in a small section of the central Texas coast, in and near the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. 
     It has been that way for decades, but now the number of birds is greater that it was in the mid-20th Century. During the winter of 1941-42, after a century of shooting, egg-collecting, and habitat destruction (including the drainage of Gulf Coast marshes to create rice fields) there were only 15 Whooping Cranes spending the winter at Aransas. At that time, that was the entire population of the species in the wild.   
     
     
     
     A family of Whooping Cranes at the Aransas Refuge along the Texas Gulf Coast,
     with the young bird flanked by its two parents  (photo by Marc Felber) 
       
     
     
     SHOREBIRDS
     
     
156. Double-striped Thick-knee  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Burhinus bistriatus
     
     
157. Black-bellied (or Grey) Plover  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
     Pluvialis squatarola cynosurae
     
     
     
     Black-bellied Plover
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
158. American Golden Plover  (ph) (*)  ______  e  mar
     Pluvialis dominica
     
     
159. Snowy Plover  (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr
     Charadrius nivosus
     
     The Snowy Plover was conspecific with the Kentish Plover of Eurasia, Charadrius alexandrinus.
     
     
160. Wilson's Plover  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
     Charadrius wilsonia
     
     Although the Wilson's Plover is often thought of as a strictly coastal breeder in Texas, it has also been found nesting well inland. It has been documented as breeding on saline ponds as far inland as eastern Brooks County in south Texas.   
     
     
161. Semipalmated Plover  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w   apr  may
     Charadrius semipalmatus
     
     
     
     Semipalmated Plover
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
      
     
162. Piping Plover  (t3) (ph) (*)  ______ s   may
     Charadrius melodus
     
     
     
     Piping Plover
     (photo by Kim Steininger)
     
     
163. Killdeer  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm,mx   mar  apr  may
     Charadrius v. vociferus
     
     
164. Mountain Plover  (t3) (USneb) (ph)   ______
     Charadrius montanus
     
     The Mountain Plover population has seriously declined across the species' range. It is now classified as "vulnerable" by Birdlife International. Unlike other species in the Charadrius genus, it is a grassland species, virtually never in wetlands.    
     
     
165. Collared Plover  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Charadrius collaris
     
     The first Collared Plover in the United States was found in Uvalde, Texas, about 90 miles west of San Antonio. It was at a fish hatchery there in May 1992. 
     The 2nd Collared Plover in the US was also found in Texas, near Hargill, on August 2, 2014.
     The range of the species is throughout Central and South America.
     
     
166. American Oystercatcher  (ph) (*)  ______ s   may
     Haematopus palliatus
     
     
     
     American Oystercatcher
     (photo by Howard Eskin) 
     
     
167. Black-necked Stilt  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w   mar  apr  may
     Himantopus mexicanus 
     
     The Black-necked Stilt has been considered by some to be conspecific with the nearly-cosmopolitan Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus.
     
     
     
     Black-necked Stilt
     (photo by Kim Steininger)
     
     
168. American Avocet  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w   apr  may
     Recurvirostra americana
     
     
     
     American Avocet
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
169. Northern Jacana  (ph) (*)  ______  s
     Jacana spinosa
     
     Ornithological literature from the late 1800s suggest that the Northern Jacana was a rare resident in Texas in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. 
     During the 1970s, there was a small population in Brazoria County, at Maner Lake. Since then, the species has been a very rare visitor in Texas.      
     
     
170. Greater Yellowlegs  (ph) (*)  ______  e,s,w   mar  apr  may
     Tringa melanoleuca
     
     
     
     Greater Yellowlegs
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
171. Lesser Yellowlegs  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w   mar  apr  may
     Tringa flavipes
     
     
172. Solitary Sandpiper  (*)  ______ e,s   mar  may
     Tringa solitaria cinnamomea
      
     
173. Willet  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w   mar  apr  may
     Tringa (formerly Catoptrophorus) s. semipalmatus 
     
     
174. Spotted Redshank  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Tringa erythropus
     
     
175. Wandering Tattler  (TXr)  ______
     Heteroscelus incanus 
     
     The Wandering Tattler has been known to occur in Texas once. In the spring of 1992, there was one in Galveston.
     
     
176. Spotted Sandpiper  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w  nm   mar  apr  may
     Actitis macularia
     
     
177. Upland Sandpiper  (*)  ______
     Bartramia longicauda
     
     
178. Whimbrel  (*)   ______ e   mar  may
     Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus
     
     
179. Long-billed Curlew  (nt) (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr  may
     Numenius americanus parvus
     
     
180. Eskimo Curlew  ______  (now assumed to be extinct)
     Numenius borealis

     The last documented record of the Eskimo Curlew in Texas was in 1962, in the Galveston area. There were about 20 accepted records in that area from 1959 to 1962. 
     Eskimo Curlews were formerly regular migrants in Texas in the spring, with records occurring from March 8 to April 23.  
     
     

181. Marbled Godwit  (ph) (*)  ______ e   apr
     Limosa fedoa
     
     
182. Hudsonian Godwit  (ph) (*)  ______ s
     Limosa haemastica
     
     The Hudsonian Godwit has an elliptical migration route that brings it through Texas during its journey northward, and along the Atlantic seaboard (or even offshore) in the fall.
     As a result, late summer and fall records of the species in Texas are very rare.    
     
     
183. Surfbird  (TXr)  ______
     Aphriza virgata
      
     
184. Ruddy Turnstone  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   mar  apr  may
     Arenaria interpres morinella
     
     
     
     Ruddy Turnstone
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
185. Red Knot  (ph) (*)  ______ s   may
     Calidris canutus rufa
     
     
186. Sanderling  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   mar  apr  may
     Calidris alba rubida
     
     
187. Semipalmated Sandpiper  (*)   ______ e,c   mar   may
     Calidris pusilla
     
     
188. Western Sandpiper  (ph) (*)  ______ e,w   apr  may
     Calidris mauri
     
     
189. Least Sandpiper  (ph) (*)  ______ e,c,w  mar  apr  may
     Calidris minutilla
     
     
190. White-rumped Sandpiper  (ph) (*)   ______ c  may
     Calidris fuscicollis
     
     
191. Baird's Sandpiper  (ph) (*)  ______ s,w   apr  may
     Calidris bairdii
     
     
192. Pectoral Sandpiper  (ph) (*)  ______ e   may
     Calidris melanotos 
     
     
193. Purple Sandpiper  (ph) (*)  ______ e
     Calidris maritima
     
     
194. Dunlin  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
     Calidris alpina
     
     
195. Stilt Sandpiper  (ph) (*)  _______ e,s,w   apr  may
     Calidris (was Micropalama) himantopus
     
     
196. Red-necked Stint  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Calidris ruficollis
     
     
197. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Calidris acuminata
     
     
198. Curlew Sandpiper  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Calidris ferruginea
     
     
199. Buff-breasted Sandpiper  (nt) (ph) ______ 
     Tryngites subruficollis
     
     
200. Ruff / Reeve  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Philomachus pugnax 
     
     
201. Short-billed Dowitcher  (ph) (*)   ______ e   mar  may
     Limnodromus scolopaceus
     
     
202. Long-billed Dowitcher  (*)  ______ e,s,w   apr  may
     Limnodromus scolopaceus
     
     
203. Wilson's Snipe  (ph) (*)  ______  e  mar
     Gallinago delicata
     
     
204. American Woodcock  (ph)  ______
     Scolopax minor
     
     
205. Wilson's Phalarope  (*)  ______ e,s,w   apr  may
     Phalaropus tricolor
     
     
206. Red-necked Phalarope  (ph)  ______
     Phalaropus lobatus
     
     
207. Red Phalarope  (ph)  ______
     Phalaropus fulicarius
     
     
     JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS, SKIMMER
     
     
208. Pomarine Jaeger  (ph)  ______
     Stercorarius pomarinus
     
     
209. Parasitic Jaeger  (ph)  ______
     Stercorarius parasiticus
     
     
210. Long-tailed Jaeger  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Stercorarius longicaudus
     
     
211. Laughing Gull  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   mar  apr  may
     Leucophaeus (formerly Larus) atricilla
     
     
212. Franklin's Gull  (ph) (*)  ______ w   may
     Leucophaeus (formerly Larus) pipixcan
     
     
213. Little Gull  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Hydrocoloeus (formerly Larus) minutus
     
     
214. Bonaparte's Gull  (ph) (*) ______ e   mar
     Chroicocephalus (formerly Larus) philadelphia
     
     
215. Black-headed Gull  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Chroicocephalus (formerly Larus) ridibundus
     
     
216. Heermann's Gull  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Larus heermanni
     
     
217. Ring-billed Gull  (ph) (*)  ______ e,c,w   mar  apr  may
     Larus delawarensis
     
     
218. California Gull  (ph) (*)  ______ w   may
     Larus californicus
     
     
219. "American" Herring Gull  (*)  ______ e   mar  apr
     Larus argentatus smithsonianus
     
     
220. Glaucous Gull  (ph) (*)  ______ s   may
     Larus hyperboreus
     
     
221. Black-tailed Gull  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Larus crassirostris
     
     The Black-tailed Gull is an Asian species that has been found in North America with increasing frequency since the early 1990s. An individual was at Brownsville, in Cameron County, intermittently from mid-February to mid-March in 1999.  
     
     
222. Mew Gull  (TXr)  ______
     Larus canus
     
     
223. Thayer's Gull  (TXr)  ______
     Larus thayeri
     
     
224. Iceland Gull  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Larus glaucoides
     
     
225. Lesser Black-backed Gull  (ph) (*)  ______  e   mar
     Larus fuscus
     
     The Lesser Black-backed Gull was once considered a very rare visitor in Texas, but that is no longer so. It is now found annually in the state, with most sightings along the coast.  
     
     
226. Slaty-backed Gull  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Larus schistisagus
     
     Although some predicted that the normally-Asiatic Slaty-backed Gull would eventually be found in Texas, it was surprisingly first found in the state at its southernmost tip - a subadult in Brownsville, in Cameron County, in February 1992. 
     
     
227. Yellow-footed Gull  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Larus livens
     
     
228. Western Gull  (TXr)  ______
     Larus occidentalis
     
     
229. Great Black-backed Gull  (TXr)  (ph)  ______
     Larus marinus
     
     
230. Kelp Gull  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______   
     Larus dominicanus
     
     The Kelp Gull is normally found in the Southern Hemisphere. But since the 1990s, it has occurred several times along the Gulf of Mexico, as well as in the Caribbean and elsewhere in North America.
     One at South Padre Island, in Kleberg County, in May 1996 was the 3rd accepted record for Texas.    
     
     
231. Sabine's Gull  (ph)  ______    
     Xema sabini
     
     
232. Black-legged Kittiwake  (ph)  ______
     Rissa tridactyla
     
     
233. Gull-billed Tern  (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
     Gelochelidon (formerly Sterna) nilotica
     
     
234. Caspian Tern  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
     Hydroprogne (formerly Sterna) caspia
     
     
235. Royal Tern  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   mar  apr  may
     Thalasseus (formerly Sterna) m. maxima
     
     
236. Sandwich Tern  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
     Thalasseus (formerly Sterna) sandvicensis acuflavida
     
     
237. Elegant Tern  (TXr)  ______
     Thalasseus (formerly Sterna) elegans
     
     
238. Common Tern  (*)  ______ e,s   mar  may
     Sterna h. hirundo
     
     
239. Forster's Tern  (ph) (*)  ______ e,w   mar  apr  may
     Sterna forsteri
     
     
240. Roseate Tern  (nt) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Sterna dougallii
     
     
241. Arctic Tern  (TXr)  ______
     Sterna paradisaea
     
     
242. Least Tern  (*)  ______ e,s,w   apr  may
     Sternula (formerly Sterna) antillarum
     
     
243. Bridled Tern  (ph)  ______
     Onychopion (formerly Sterna) anaethetus
     
     The Bridled Tern was found in the 1990s to be of regular occurrence in Texas, often found well offshore in the Gulf of Mexico with Sooty Terns. They often found foraging along floating lines of sargassum or feeding with other pelagic species over schools of tuna and other fish near the surface of the water. 
     One of the first Bridled Terns documented in Texas was offshore from Port Aransas in September 1988.   
     
     
244. Sooty Tern  (ph)  ______
     Onychopion (formerly Sterna) fuscata 
     
     
245. Black Tern  (ph)  ______
     Chlidonias niger
     
     
246. Brown Noddy  (TXr)  ______
     Anous stolidus  
     
     The Brown Noddy is a bird of tropical waters. It is extremely rare in Texas. 
     
     Its flight is strong and swift, resembling that of a Common Nighthawk, and its call is somewhat similar to that of a crow. 
     The species is long-lived, and recaptured birds from banding have been found to be 23 to 25 years of age,
     
     
247. Black Noddy  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Anous minitus   
     
     
248. Black Skimmer  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   mar  may
     Rynchops niger
     
     
     
     Black Skimmer
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
     PIGEONS & DOVES
     
     
249. Common (or Feral) Pigeon (NAi) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm   mar  apr  may
     Columba livia
     
     
250. Band-tailed Pigeon  (ph) (*)  ______ w
     Patagioenas (formerly Columba) fasciata 
     
     
251. Red-billed Pigeon  (USr)  ______
     Patagioenas (formerly Columba) flavirostris
     
     The Red-billed Pigeon is widespread in Central America and common in northeastern Mexico. The species barely enters the United States along the Rio Grande in South Texas. Its presence in Texas is continually under threat due to changes in their preferred riparian habitats.  
     
     
252. White-crowned Pigeon  (TXr)  ______
     Patagioenas (formerly Columba) leucocephala
     
     
253. Eurasian Collared Dove (NAi) (*)  ______ e,s,w  nm   mar  apr  may
     Streptopelia decaocto
     
     
254. White-winged Dove  (ph) (*)  ______  e,s,c,w  nm,mx   mar  apr  may
     Zenaida asiatica
     
     
     
     A White-winged Dove photographed in Wimberley, Texas
     (photo by Rhett Poppe)
     
     
255. Mourning Dove  (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm   mar  apr  may
     Zenaida macroura
     
     
256. Inca Dove  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w   apr  may
     Columbina (or said by some to be Scardafella) inca  (monotypic)
     
     
257. Common Ground Dove  (ph) (*)  ______ s,c  (mex)   apr  may
     Columbina passerina pallescens
     
     
258. Ruddy Ground Dove  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Columbina talpacoti
     
     The Ruddy Ground Dove has appeared in Texas in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and in the Trans-Pecos.  
     
     
259. White-tipped Dove  (*)  ______ s  (mex)   may
     Leptotila verreauxi
     
     
260. Ruddy Quail Dove  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Geotrygon montana
     
     A Ruddy Quail Dove was at the Bentsen-Rio Grande Park, in Hidalgo County, from March 2 to 6, 1996. 
     
     
     PARAKEETS & PARROTS
     
     
261. Monk Parakeet  (NAi) (*)  ______  c   may
     Myiopsitta monachus
     
     
262. Green Parakeet  (NAr) (*)  ______ s  (mex)   may
     Psittacara (formerly Aratinga) holochlora
     
     
263. Red-crowned Amazon (or Parrot) (t2) (NAr) (*)  ______ s  (mex)   may
     Amazona viridigenalis
     
     
     CUCKOOS & ALLIES
     
     
264. Yellow-billed Cuckoo  (ph)  (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
     Coccyzus americanus
     
     
     
     A Yellow-billed Cuckoo photographed in Wimberley, Texas
     (photo by Rhett Poppe)
     
     
265. Black-billed Cuckoo  ______
     Coccyzus erythropthalmus
     
     
266. Mangrove Cuckoo  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Coccycus minor
     
     
267. Dark-billed Cuckoo  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Coccycus melacoryphus  
     
     
268. Greater Roadrunner  (ph) (*)  ______ s,w   mar  apr  may
     Geococcyx californianus  (monotypic)
     
     
     
     A Greater Roadrunner photographed in Wimberley, Texas
     (photo by Rhett Poppe)
     
     
269. Groove-billed Ani  (ph) (*)  ______ s  (mex)   may
     Crotophaga suicirostris
     
     
     OWLS
     
     
270. American Barn Owl  (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr
     Tyto furcata pratincola
     
     The American Barn Owl has been part of the Barn Owl of Eurasia and Africa, Tyto alba.
     But Tyto furcata is a heavier bird, with a larger and stouter head and body, and with much more powerful talons.
     
     
     
     An American Barn Owl photographed during a FONT tour 
     (photo by Andy Smith)
     
     
271. Flammulated Owl  ______
     Philoscops (formerly Otus) flammeolus
     
     
272. Western Screech Owl  (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr
     Megascops (formerly Otus) kennicottii suttoni
     
     
273. Eastern Screech Owl  (ph) (*)  ______ c  mar  may
     Megascops (formerly Otus) asio
     
     
274. Great Horned Owl  (ph) (*)  ______ e,c,w  nm   mar  apr  may   
     Bubo virginanus pallescens
     
     
275. Snowy Owl  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Bubo scandiacus
     
     
276. Northern Pygmy Owl  ______
     Glaucidium gnoma
     
     
277. Ferruginous Pygmy Owl  (USr) (ph)  ______
     Glaucidium brasilianum ridgwayi  ("Ridgway's Pygmy Owl")   
     
     In Texas, the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl is a resident of areas with oaks in the Coastal Sand Plain. It was formerly more widespread in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, but the conversion of native woodlands to agriculture has nearly eliminated the species.   
     
     
278. Elf Owl  (*)  ______ w   apr
     Micrathene w. whitneyi
     
     
279. Burrowing Owl  (ph)  ______
     Athene cunicularia
     
     
280. Mexican Wood Owl  (USr) (TXr)  ______  
     Ciccaba squamulata 
     
     The Mexican Wood Owl was part of the Mottled Owl, now a South American bird. 
     
     
281. Barred Owl  (ph) (*)  _____ e
     Strix  varia
     
     
282. Spotted Owl  (ph)  ______
     Strix occidentalis lucida  ("Mexican Spotted Owl")
     
     
283. Northern Long-eared Owl  (ph)  ______
     Asio otus
     
     
284. Stygian Owl  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Asio stygius
     
     One of the most unexpected bird to be documented in Texas has been the Stygian Owl. With both of the Texas records, observers were fortunate to see the birds at their day roosts.
     The second bird in Texas was at the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Hidalgo County, in late December 1996.  
     
     
285. Short-eared Owl  (ph) (*)  _____ e
     Asio flammens
     
     
286. Northern Saw-whet Owl  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Aegolius acadicus
     
     
     NIGHTHAWKS & NIGHTJARS
     
     
287. Lesser Nighthawk  (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm,mx   apr  may
     Chordeiles acutipennis
     
     
288. Common Nighthawk  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c   apr  may
     Chordeiles minor
     
     
     
     A Common Nighthawk photographed in Wimberley, Texas
     (photo by Rhett Poppe)
     
     
289. Pauraque  (ph) (*)  ______ e   apr  may
     Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli
     
     
     
     Pauraque
     (photo by Marie Gardner)
     
     
290. Chuck-will's-widow  (*)   ______ c   may
     Antrostomus (formerly Caprimulgus) carolinensis
     
     
291. Eastern Whip-poor-will  ______  e  
     Antrostomus (formerly Caprimulgus) vociferus  
     
     
292. Mexican Whip-poor-will  ______  w
     Antrostomus (formerly Caprimulgus) arizonae
     
     
293. Common Poorwill  (*)  ______ w  nm   apr  may
     Phanaenoptilus n. nuttallii
     
     
     SWIFTS
     
     
294. White-collared Swift  (USr)  (TXr)  ______
     Streptprocne zonaris
     
     
295. Black Swift  (TXr)  ______
     Cypseloides niger
     
     
296. Chimney Swift  (*)  ______ s,c   may
     Chaetura pelagica
     
     
297. White-throated Swift  (*) ______ w  nm,mx   apr  may
     Aeronautes saxatalis
     
     
     HUMMINGBIRDS
     
     
298. Green Violetear  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Colibri thalassimus 
     
     
299. Green-breasted Mango  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Anthracothorax prevostii
     
     
300. Broad-billed Hummingbird  (ph)  ______
     Cynanthus latirostris
     
     
301. White-eared Hummingbird  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Hylocharis leucotis
     
     
302. Berylline Hummingbird  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Amazilia beryllina
     
     
303. Buff-bellied Hummingbird  (*)  ______ s  (mex)   may
     Amazilia yucatanensis
     
     
304. Violet-crowned Hummingbird  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Amazilia violiceps  
     
     A Violet-crowned Hummingbird was in a Texas 2010/11 Christmas Bird Count, at the Davis Mountains.
     
     
305. Blue-throated Hummingbird (or Mountain-gem) (ph) (*) _____ w (mex)
     Lampornis clemenciae
     
     
306. Magnificent Hummingbird  (ph)  ______
     Eugenes fulgens
      
     
307. Lucifer Hummingbird (or Sheartail)  (ph) (*) _____ w  (mex)   apr  may
     Calothorax lucifer  (monotypic)
     
     
308. Ruby-throated Hummingbird  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c   apr  may
     Archilochus colubris
     
     
309. Black-chinned Hummingbird  (ph) (*)  ______ s,c,w  nm   mar  apr  may
     Archilochus alexandri 
     
     
     
     A male Black-chinned Hummingbird
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
      
     
310. Anna's Hummingbird  (ph)  ______
     Calypte anna
     
     
311. Costa's Hummingbird  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Calypte costae
     
     
312. Calliope Hummingbird  (ph)  ______
     Selasphorus (formerly Stellula) calliope
     
     
313. Broad-tailed Hummingbird  (ph) (*)  ______ w  nm   apr  may
     Selasphorus platycercus
     
     
314. Rufous Hummingbird  (ph)  ______
     Selaphorus rufus
     
     
315. Allen's Hummingbird  (ph)  ______
     Selasphorus sasin
     
     
     TROGON & KINGFISHERS
     
     
316. Elegant Trogon  (TXr)  ______
     Trogon elegans 
     
     
317. Ringed Kingfisher  (ph) (*)  _____ s
     Megaceryle (formerly Ceryle) torquata
     
     
318. Belted Kingfisher  (ph) (*)  ______ e,c,w  nm   mar  apr
     Megaceryle (formerly  Ceryle) alcyon
     
     
319. Green Kingfisher  (ph) (*)  ______ s,c  (mex)   may
     Chloroceryle americana septentrionalis
     
     
     
     A Green Kingfisher photographed during a FONT tour
     
     
320. Amazon Kingfisher  (USr) (TXr)  _____  
     Chloroceryle amazona
     
     The first Amazon Kingfisher seen in the United States was in Texas in 2010. It was in Webb County that year from Jan 24 to Feb 3.
     The range of the Amazon Kingfisher is from Mexico south through much of South America to Argentina.
     
     
     WOODPECKERS
     
     
321. Red-headed Woodpecker  (ph) (*)  _____ e
     Melanerpes erythrocephalus
     
     
322. Acorn Woodpecker  (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr  may
     Melanerpes f. formicivorus
     
     
323. Golden-fronted Woodpecker  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w   mar  apr  may
     Melanerpes a. aurifrons
     
     
     
     A Golden-fronted Woodpecker photographed in Wimberley, Texas
     (photo by Rhett Poppe)
     
     
324. Red-bellied Woodpecker  (ph) (*)   ______ c   mar  may
     Melanerpes carolinus
     
     
325. Lewis' Woodpecker  ______
     Melanerpes lewis
     
     
326. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  (ph) (*)  ______ 
     Sphyrapicus varius
     
     
327. Red-naped Sapsucker  (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr
     Sphyrapicus nuchalis
     
     
328. Williamson's Sapsucker  ______
     Sphyrapicus rhyroideus
     
     
329. Red-breasted Sapsucker  (TXr)  ______
     Sphyrapicus ruber 
     
     
330. Ladder-backed Woodpecker  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm   mar  apr  may
     Picoides scalaris
     
     
     
     Ladder-backed Woodpecker
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
331. Downy Woodpecker  (ph) (*)  ______ c   may
     Picoides pubescens
     
     
332. Hairy Woodpecker  (ph) (*)  ______
     Picoides villosus
     
     
333. Red-cockaded Woodpecker  ( )  ______
     Picoides borealis
     
     The endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker is a habitat specialist that requires large tracts of open pine forest with a grassy understory. 
     The species seems to have continued its slow population decline even with careful habitat management.
     The place in Texas with the most is the Sam Houston National Forest in the eastern part of the state.   
     
     
334. Northern Flicker  ______ 
     "Yellow-shafted" Flicker  (*) ______ e
     Colaptes auratus 
     "Red-shafted" Flicker  (*)  ______ w   may
     Colaptes auratus collaris 
     
     
335. Pileated Woodpecker  (ph) (*)  ______  e
     Dryocopus pileatus
     
     
336. Ivory-billed Woodpecker  ______  (species now presumed to be extinct)
     Campephilus principalis
     
     The Ivory-billed Woodpecker was formerly a resident in the eastern part of Texas, west to the bottomlands of the Trinity River, and along the Gulf Coast west to the Brazos River.
     The three only well-documented records in Texas were in 1885, 1900, and 1904, although there have been 45 other published reports for the state. 
     
     
     TITYRA & BECARD
     
     
337. Masked Tityra  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Tityra semifasciata 
     
     
338. Rose-throated Becard  (USr) (TXr) (*)  ______ s
     Pachyrmphus aglaiae
     
     Rose-throated Becards have had a history of sporadic occurrence in Texas in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. They were more regular breeders in the 1970s. Since then, there has not been any successful nesting of the bird in Texas, but there have been attempts that were unsuccessful as well as instances when unmated birds even built the distinctive nest characteristic of the species.     
     
     
     A source for much of the information in this list was the "Handbook of Texas Birds", a publication of the Texas Ornithological Society, by Mark W. Lockwood & Brush Freeman, published in 2004. 
     Subsequent information has generally been from internet sources.
     
     Another source of information here is the book "Rare Birds of North America" by Steve Howell, Ian Lewington, & Will Russell, published in 2014.     
     
     
     

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