PO Box 9021, Wilmington, DE 19809, USA
E-mail: font@focusonnature.com
Phone: Toll-free in USA 1-888-721-3555
 or 302/529-1876

 

Birds of TEXAS

and some in 
nearby New Mexico 

from Flycatchers to Buntings

Noting those during 
Focus On Nature Tours
with an (*) 

thru 2015

during the months of December, January, 
March, April, and May

PHOTO AT UPPER RIGHT: a female PAINTED BUNTING
(A photo of a male PAINTED BUNTING is in the list below.)   
  

Part 2 of a List of Texas Birds by Armas Hill, with some photos 

402 species of birds have been seen during Focus On Nature tours in Texas & nearby New Mexico

  

 Link:

Part 1 of this List of Texas Birds, Quails to Becard

Codes:

e:   east - along the Gulf Coast, including the areas of Rockport & Aransas 
s:   south - the southern Rio Grande Valley, as far upriver as San Ignacio
c:   central - including areas of Austin, the Edwards Plateau (or "Hill Country") & Fort Clark Springs
w:  west -  including Big Bend National Park, the Davis Mtns 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)


(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 photo 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:
Flycatchers    Shrikes    Vireos    Corvids    Waxwings & Allies    Chickadees & Titmice

Verdin    Martins & Swallows    Bushtit    Lark    Kinglets    Wrens    Gnatcatchers

Nuthatches & Creeper    Thrashers    Thrushes    Pipits    Olive Warbler    Finches

Warblers    Blackbirds, Orioles & Allies    Sparrows    Towhees   Tanagers

Seedeater, Grassquit, Olive Sparrow    Dickcissel, Cardinal, Grosbeaks, Buntings   


 Other Links: 

Upcoming FONT Birding & Nature Tours in 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

A Directory of Photos in this Website




Black-capped Vireo, a Texas bird specialty


Bird-List:


         FLYCATCHERS

  1. Northern Beardless Tyrannulet  ______
    Camptostoma imberbe

         The Northern Beardless Tyrannulet is the smallest flycatcher found in the United States. Its song. however, is surprisingly loud and quite different than that of any of the similar appearing Empidonax flycatchers.
     
  2. Greenish Elaenia  (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Mytopagis viridicata
  3. Northern Tufted Flycatcher  (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Mitrephanes phaeocercus

         The Northern Tufted Flycatcher has occurred a few times in Texas (and once in Arizona). Otherwise, this handsome flycatcher of Central & South America is found as far north as the Mexican highlands just south of the US-Mexico border.

    A Northern Tufted Flycatcher was in a Texas 2010/11 Christmas Bird Count, at Big Bend National Park. It was first found in late November 2010.  

  4. Olive-sided Flycatcher  (nt) (*)  ______  e   may
    Contopus cooperi
  5. Greater Pewee  (TXr)  ______
     Contopus [ertinax  

    A Greater Pewee was in a Texas 2010/11 Christmas Bird Count at Santa Ana Refuge in Hidalgo County.

  6. Western Wood Pewee  (*) ______ w   apr
    Contopus sordidulus 
  7. Eastern Wood Pewee  (ph) (*) ______ e,s,c   apr  may
    Contopus virens
  8. Acadian Flycatcher  (*) ______ s   may
    Empidonax virescens
  9. Alder Flycatcher  (*) ______ s   may
    Empidonax alnorum
  10. Willow Flycatcher  (*) ______ s   may
    Empidonax trailii
  11. Least Flycatcher  (*) ______  e   may 
    Empidonax minimus
  12. Gray Flycatcher  (*) ______ w   apr
    Empidonax wrightii
  13. Dusky Flycatcher  (ph) (*) ______ w
    Empidonax oberholseri
  14. Cordilleran Flycatcher  (*) ______ w  nm   apr  may
    Empidonax occidentalis

    The Cordilleran Flycatcher and the more-westerly Pacific-slope Flycatcher were formerly combined as the Western Flycatcher, Empidonax difficilis. That scientific name is now given to the Pacific-slope Flycatcher.  

  15. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher  ______
     Empidonax flaviventris

  16. Hammond's Flycatcher  ______
     Empidonax hammondii

  17. Buff-breasted Flycatcher  (TXr)  ______
     Empidonax fulvifrons

    During a study of birds in the upper elevations of the Davis Mountains in west Texas, that began in 1999, a breeding pair of Buff-breasted Flycatchers was discovered. That pair returned in subsequent summers.   
  18. Black Phoebe  (*) ______ c,w  nm,mx   apr  may
    Sayornis nigricans
  19. Eastern Phoebe  (ph) (*) ______ e,c   mar  may
    Sayornis phoebe



    An Eastern Phoebe photographed in Wimberley, Texas
     (photo by Rhett Poppe) 
  20. Say's Phoebe  (ph) (*) ______ w  nm,mx   apr  may
    Sayornis saya
  21. Vermilion Flycatcher  (ph) (*) ______ c,w  nm   mar  apr  may
    Pyrocephalus rubinus
  22. Ash-throated Flycatcher  (ph) (*) ______ c,w  nm   apr  may
    Myiarchus cinerascens



    Ash-throated Flycatcher
         (photo by Howard Eskin)

  23. Great Crested Flycatcher  (ph) (*) ______ e   apr  may
    Myiarchus crinitus



    Great Crested Flycatcher
    (photo by Kim Steininger)
  24. Brown-crested Flycatcher  (*) ______ e,s,w  (mex)   apr  may   
    Myiarchus tyrannulus

    The Brown-crested Flycatcher was, at one time, called the Wied's Crested Flycatcher.  

  25. Dusky-capped Flycatcher  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Myiarchus tuberculifer

  26. Great Kiskadee  (ph) (*) ______ s,c  (mex)   mar  may
    Pilangus sulphuratus

         The Great Kiskadee is a conspicuous and vocal component of the birdlife of South Texas.



    Great Kiskadee
     (photo by Marie Gardner)
  27. Social Flycatcher  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
    Myiozetetes similis

  28. Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher  (TXr)  ______
    Myiodynastes luteiventris

         The Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher only occurs casually in Texas, but it has been found as far east as the Upper Texas Coast. There was a resident pair in Starr County for several years in the 1970s.  

  29. Piratic Flycatcher  (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Legatus leucophaius
  30. Tropical Kingbird (NAr) (ph) (*) ______ w  (mex)   may  (uncommon in lower Rio Grande Valley)
    Tyrannus melancholicus
  31. Couch's Kingbird  (ph) (*) ______ s  (mex)  may   (common in lower Rio Grande Valley) 
    Tyrannus couchii

         The Couch's Kingbird can safely be told from the very similar Tropical Kingbird only by its voice. Most Couch's Kingbirds withdraw south from Texas during the winter, while Tropical Kingbirds are permanent residents. 

  32. Cassin's Kingbird  (*) ______ w   apr
    Tyrannus v. vociferans
  33. Western Kingbird  (ph) (*) ______ e,s,c,w  nm,mx   apr  may
    Tyrannus verticalis



    Western Kingbird
         (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
  34. Eastern Kingbird  (ph) (*) ______ e,s   apr  may
    Tyrannus tyrannus

  35. Thick-billed Kingbird  (TXr)  ______
     Tyrannus crassirostris

  36. Gray Kingbird  (ph) (TXr)  ______
     Tyrannus dominicensus  

  37. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher  (ph) (*) ______ e,s,c,w  apr  may  (uncommon in west TX)  nm  (rare in New Mexico)
    Tyrannus forficatus

         The elegant Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is a common summer resident in open areas through much of Texas. 



    Above: A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in flight
    (photo by Kim Steininger)
    Below: A perched Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
    (photo by Howard Eskin)




  38. Fork-tailed Flycatcher  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
    Tyrannus savana


         SHRIKES
  39. Loggerhead Shrike  (ph) (*) ______ e,c,w  nm   mar  may
    Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides



    Loggerhead Shrike
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
  40. Northern Shrike  (ph)  ______
    Lanius excubitor


         VIREOS

  41. White-eyed Vireo  (ph) (*) ______ e,s,c   mar  may
    Vireo griseus



    White-eyed Vireo
     (photo by Dick Tipton)
  42. Bell's Vireo  (nt) (*) ______ w  nm
    Vireo bellii
  43. Black-capped Vireo  (t3) (NAneb) (ph) (*) ______ c   may   
    Vireo atricapillus

    The small breeding range of the Black-capped Vireo is almost all in Texas. A small part of it extends into northern Mexico. 



    Black-capped Vireo
     (photo by Clair de Beuvior)
  44. Gray Vireo  (*) ______ w
    Vireo vicinior
  45. Plumbeous Vireo  (*) ______ w  
    Vireo plumbeus

    The Plumbeous Vireo was part of the former Solitary Vireo.

  46. Blue-headed Vireo  (ph) (*) ______ e,s,c   may
    Vireo solitarius

         The Blue-headed Vireo was part of the former Solitary Vireo.



    Blue-headed Vireo
         (photo by Howard Eskin)
  47. Hutton's Vireo  (*) ______ c,w   mar
    Vireo huttoni
  48. Warbling Vireo  (*) ______ c
    Vireo gilvus
  49. Philadelphia Vireo  (*) ______ e,s
    Vireo philadelphicus
  50. Red-eyed Vireo  (*) ______ s   may
    Vireo olivaceus

  51. Yellow-throated Vireo  ______
     Vireo flavifrons

  52. Cassin's Vireo  ______
     Vireo cassinii

  53. Yellow-green Vireo  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Vireo flavoviridis

         During recent years, a small population of summering or nesting Yellow-green Vireos has been present at the Sabal Palm Sanctuary, the Resaca de la Palma State Park, and occasionally at other places in Cameron County, and more rarely in Hidalgo County. 
    In 2012, there were none at Sabal Palm.
    The similar Red-eyed Vireo does not nest in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.  
  54. Black-whiskered Vireo  (TXr)  ______
     Vireo altiloquus

  55. Yucatan Vireo  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Vireo magister  


    CORVIDS 

  56. Blue Jay  (ph) (*)  ______  c   mar  may
    Cyanocitta cristata
  57. Steller's Jay  (ph)  ______
     Cyanocitta stelleri

  58. Green Jay  (ph) (*) ______ s  (mex)   mar
    Cyanocorax yncas

    What was the southern population of the Green Jay in South America is now called the Inca Jay.



    Green Jay
     (photo by Marie Gardner)
  59. Brown Jay  (ph)  ______
    Psilorhinus     (formerly Cyanocorax) morio
  60. Western Scrub Jay  (ph) (*)  ______ c,w   mar  may
    Aphelocoma californica



    A Western Scrub Jay photographed in Wimberley, Texas
     (photo by Rhett Poppe) 
  61. Mexican Jay  (ph) (*)  ______ w  (mex)
    Aphelocoma wollweberi     (formerly ultramarina)
  62. Pinyon Jay  (t3) ______
    Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
  63. Clark's Nutcracker  (TXr)  ______
    Nucifraga columbiana
  64. Black-billed Magpie  (TXr) (ph)  ______
    Pica hudsonia
  65. American Crow  (*)  ______ c   mar  may
    Corvus brachyrhynchos
  66. Tamaulipas Crow  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Corvus imparatus 

         The Tamaulipas Crow was common in the winter in far-southern Texas at and in the area of the Brownsville Landfill, but recent changes in procedures at that dump with the more rapid covering of trash has resulted in the departure of the species. 
    It has, of late, been extirpated as a breeding species in Texas and in the US.
    A few nested in Brownsville until 2008 when there was the last successful nest, north of the airport. Other nest sites included the airport radar tower, and just east of the airport.
    In 2010, all sightings were at the Brownsville Airport in March - May. 
    From 2011, there have been no records in the Brownsville area.   
  67. Fish Crow  (USe)  ______
     Corvus ossifragus

  68. Chihuahuan Raven  (ph) (*) ______ s,c,w  nm   mar
    Corvus  cryptoleucus
  69. Northern Raven  (ph) (*) ______ c,w  mx   mar  may
    Corvus corax


         WAXWINGS & ALLIES

  70. Cedar Waxwing  (ph) (*) ______ e,w   mar
    Bombycilla garrulus



    Cedar Waxwing
    (photo by Howard Eskin)
  71. Bohemian Waxwing  (TXr)  ______
     Bombycilla garrulus

  72. Phainopepla  (ph) (*) ______ w  nm 
    Phainopepla nitens

  73. Gray Silky Flycatcher  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Ptilogonys cinereus


    CHICKADEES & TITMICE

  74. Carolina Chickadee  (USe) (ph) (*) ______ c   mar   may
    Poecile     (formerly Parus) carolinensis
  75. Mountain Chickadee  (*) ______w
    Poecile     (formerly Parus) g. gambeli
  76. Tufted Titmouse  (*) ______ e
    Baeolophus     (formerly Parus) bicolor
  77. Black-crested Titmouse  (ph) (*) ______  e,s,c,w   mar  may
    Baeolophus     (formerly Parus) atricristatus

         The Black-crested Titmouse has been considered conspecific with the Tufted Titmouse. 



    Black-crested Titmouse
     (photo by Rhett Poppe)
  78. Juniper Titmouse  ______  (very local in west Texas)
     Baeolophus ridgwayii


    VERDIN

  79. Verdin  (ph) (*) ______ s,w   mar
    Auriparus flaviceps ornatus


         MARTINS & SWALLOWS
  80. Purple Martin  (ph) (*) ______ e,s,c,w   mar   may
    Progne subis
  81. Gray-breasted Martin  (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Progne chalybea
  82. Tree Swallow  (ph) (*) ______ e,s 
    Tachycineta bicolor



    Tree Swallow
  83. Violet-green Swallow  (*) ______ w  nm
    Tachycineta thalassina
  84. Northern Rough-winged Swallow  (ph) (*) ______ e,s,c,w  mx   mar  may
    Stelgidopteryx s. serripennis



    Northern Rough-winged Swallow
         (photo by Howard Eskin)

  85. Bank Swallow  (*)  ______ s  
    Riparia r. riparia

    Another name for Riparia riparia, particularly in Old World, is the Sand Martin.

  86. American Cliff Swallow  (*)  ______ s,c,w  nm   may
    Petrochelidon pyrrhonota       (5 subspecies can occur in TX)
  87. Cave Swallow  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm   mar  may
    Petrochelidon fulva pallida  

         In recent decades, the Cave Swallow has greatly expanded its breeding range and population in Texas. It once nested only in limestone caves, but now it uses a variety of man-made structures, including bridges and highway overpasses..
    The species is a common to abundant summer resident in the southern half of Texas, north through the Edwards Plateau to the southern Rolling Plains and west through the Trans-Pecos. 
    Some stay in the southern third of the state in the winter, while others migrate away. 



    Cave Swallow
     (photo by Devich Fabotnik)

  88. Barn Swallow  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w nm,mx   mar  may
    Hirundo rustica erythrogaster


         BUSHTIT

  89. American Bushtit  (ph) (*)  ______ w 
     Psaltriparus minimus plumbeus     (this subspecies: the "Lead-colored Bushtit")
    (Another subspecies occurs in TX: P. m. dimorphicus)


         LARK
  90. Horned Lark  (ph) (*)  ______ s,w   may
    Eremophila alpestris   



    Horned Lark
         (photo by Howard Eskin)


    KINGLETS

  91. Golden-crowned Kinglet  (ph) (*)  ______  c
    Regulus satrapa
  92. Ruby-crowned Kinglet  (ph) (*)  ______ w   mar
    Regulus c. calendula

    A Ruby-crowned Kinglet photographed in Wimberley, Texas.
    with, in this photo, the ruby crown easily seen.
    (photo by Rhett Poppe) 


         WRENS
  93. Cactus Wren  (ph) (*)  ______ s,c,w  nm
    Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus guttatus
  94. Rock Wren  (ph) (*)  ______ w  nm
    Salpinctes o. obsoletus
  95. Canyon Wren  (*)  ______ c,w  nm,mx   mar   may
    Catherpes mexicanus
  96. Carolina Wren  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c   mar  may
    Thryothorus indovicianus



    A Carolina Wren photographed in Wimberley, Texas
     (photo by Rhett Poppe)
  97. Bewick's Wren  (*)  ______ s,c,w  nm   mar  may
    Thryomanes bewickii eremophilus      (subspecies in west Texas & New Mexico)
    Thryomanes bewickii sadai     (subspecies in south Texas)
  98. House Wren  (ph) (*)  ______ w
    Troglodytes aedon

  99. Winter Wren  (ph)  ______
     Troglodytes hiemalis

  100. Sedge Wren  (ph) (*)  ______ e
    Cistothorus platensis
  101. Marsh Wren  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w   mar  may
    Cistothorus palustris


         GNATCATCHERS

  102. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  (ph) (*)  ______ c,w  nm   mar  may
    Polioptila caerulea obscura



    A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher photographed in Wimberley, Texas
     (photo by Rhett Poppe)
  103. Black-tailed Gnatcatcher  (*)  ______ w 
    Polioptila m. melanura


         NUTHATCHES & CREEPER
  104. White-breasted Nuthatch  (ph) (*)  ______ w 
    Sitta carolinensis nelsoni
  105. Brown-headed Nuthatch  (ph) (*)  ______e
    Sitta pusilla
  106. Red-breasted Nuthatch  (ph)  ______
     Sitta canadensis      
  107. Pgymy Nuthatch  (ph)  ______
     Sitta pygmaea

  108. Brown Creeper  (ph)  ______
     Certhia americana


    THRASHERS
  109. Gray Catbird  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c   may
    Dumetella carolinensis
  110. Northern Mockingbird  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm,mx   mar  may  
    Mimus polyglottos

     The Northern Mockingbird is the "state bird" of Texas. 



    Northern Mockingbird
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
  111. Blue Mockingbird  (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Melanotis caerulescens
  112. Brown Thrasher  (ph) (*)  ______ e
    Toxostoma rufum
  113. Long-billed Thrasher  (*)  ______ s,c
    Toxostoma longirostre
  114. Curve-billed Thrasher  (*)  ______ s,c,w  nm
    Toxostoma curvirostre
  115. Crissal Thrasher  (*)  ______ w 
    Toxostoma crissale

  116. Sage Thrasher  (ph)  ______
     Oreoscoptes montanus


    STARLING

  117. European Starling (NAi) (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm   mar  may
    Sturnus vulgaris


         OLD WORLD CHAT 
  118. Northern Wheatear  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Oenanthe oenanthe


    THRUSHES

  119. Eastern Bluebird  (ph) (*)  ______ s,c   mar  may
    Sialia sialis



    Eastern Bluebird
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
  120. Western Bluebird  (ph) (*)  ______ w 
    Sialia mexicana jacoti
  121. Mountain Bluebird  (ph) (*)  ______ w  
    Sialia currucoides



    A Mountain Bluebird photographed during a FONT tour
  122. Townsend's Solitaire  (*)  ______ w
    Myadestes t. townsendi
  123. Veery  (*)  ______ s,c
    Catharus fuscescens
  124. Gray-cheeked Thrush  (*)  ______ e
    Catharus minimus
  125. Swainson's Thrush  (*)  ______ e,s
    Catharus ustulatus
  126. Hermit Thrush  (ph) (*)  ______ w
    Catharus guttatus

  127. Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Catharus aurantiirostris

  128. Wood Thrush  (*)  ______ s 
    Hylocichia mustelina
  129. Clay-colored Thrush (NAr) (*)  ______ s  (mex)  
    Turdus grayi

    Turdus grayi     has been called the Clay-colored Robin.

  130. American Robin  (*)   ______  c   mar  may
    Turdus migratorius
  131. Rufous-backed Robin  (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Turdus rufopalliatus

     A Rufous-backed Robin was in a Texas 2010/11 Christmas Bird Count, at Laguna Atacosa.   
  132. White-throated Thrush  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Turdus assimilis

     A White-throated Thrush was in a Texas 2010/11 Christmas Bird Count, at Welaco.  
  133. Varied Thrush  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Ixoreus naevius
  134. Aztec Thrush  (USr) (TXr) ______
     Ridgwayii pinicola 


    DIPPER

  135. American Dipper  (TXr)  ______
    Cinclus mexicanus


         OLD WORLD SPARROW
  136. House Sparrow  (NAi) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm,mx   mar  may
    Passer domesticus


         PIPITS

  137. American Pipit  (ph) (*)  ______  e,w  mar  
    Anthus rubescens

    Another name for Anthus rubescens is the Buff-bellied Pipit.

  138. Sprague's Pipit  (t3) (*)  ______  e
    Anthus spragueii


         OLIVE WARBLER
  139. Olive Warbler  (TXr) (*)  ______ w
    Peucedramus taeniatus


         FINCHES

  140. Pine Grosbeak  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Pinicola enucleator
  141. House Finch  (ph) (*)  ______ s,c,w  nm,mx   mar  apr  may
    Haemorhous     (formerly Carpodacus) mexicanus
  142. Purple Finch  (ph)  ______
    Haemorhous     (formerly Carpodacus) purpureus
  143. Cassin's Finch  (ph)  ______
    Haemorhous     (formerly Carpodacus) cassinii
  144. Red Crossbill  (ph)  ______
     Loxia curvirostra

  145. White-winged Crossbill  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Loxia leucoptera

  146. Common Redpoll  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Acanthis     (or Carduelis) flammea
  147. Pine Siskin  (ph) (*)  ______ c,w  apr  may
    Spinus     (or Carduelis) pinus
  148. Lesser Goldfinch  (ph) (*)  ______ s,c,w  mx   mar  apr  may
    Spinus     (or Carduelis) psaltria



    A Lesser Goldfinch photographed in Wimberley, Texas
    (photo by Rhett Poppe) 
  149. American Goldfinch  (ph) (*)  ______ c,w   mar  apr  may
    Spinus     (or Carduelis) tristis
  150. Lawrence's Goldfinch  (TXr)  ______
     Spinus     (or Carduelis) lawrencei

         The Lawrence's Goldfinch is known to be a regular wanderer east into the southwestern US states, but their invasions rarely include Texas. However, such invasions did reach Texas in the 1950s and mid 1990s. 
    Documented records in Texas go back to 1934. 
  151. Evening Grosbeak  (ph)  ______
     Coccothraustes vespertinus


    WARBLERS

  152. Blue-winged Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______ s   may
    Vermivora pinus
  153. Golden-winged Warbler  (nt) (*)  ______ s   may 
    Vermivora chrysoptera
  154. Tennessee Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
    Oreothlypis     (formerly Vermivora) peregrina



    Tennessee Warbler
  155. Orange-crowned Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______ s,w  nm   mar  apr
    Oreothlypis     (formerly Vermivora) celata orestera



    Orange-crowned Warbler
         (photo by Howard Eskin)
  156. Nashville Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w   apr  may
     Oreothlypis     (formerly Vermivora) ruficapilla



    Nashville Warbler
         (photo by Clair de Beauvior)

  157. Colima Warbler  (nt) (NAr) (*)  ______ w  (mex)   apr  may
    Oreothlypis     (formerly Vermivora) crissalis

         The only breeding location of the Colima Warbler in the US is in the highlands of west Texas, in the Chisos Mountains. Otherwise, the species occurs exclusively in Mexico.  
  158. Virginia's Warbler  ______
     Oreothlypis     (formerly Vermivora) virginiae
  159. Lucy's Warbler  ______
     Oreothlypis     (formerly Vermivora) luciae
  160. Crescent-chested Warbler  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Oreothlypis     (formerly Parula) superciliosa

  161. Northern Parula  (ph) (*)  ______ e   mar  apr  may
    Setophaga     (formerly Parula) americana
  162. Tropical Parula  (NAr) (*)  ______ s  (mex)   may
    Setophaga     (formerly Parula) pitiayumi
  163. Yellow Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w  nm   apr  may
    Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) petechia
  164. Mangrove Warbler  (USr) (TXr) (ph)  ______
    Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) erithachorides
  165. Chestnut-sided Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
    Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) pensylvanica
  166. Magnolia Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
    Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) magnolia
  167. "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler  (*)  ______w  nm,mx   apr  may
    Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) coronata auduboni

    "Myrtle" Yellow-crowned Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______  e,s,c   mar
     Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) c. coronata     
  168. Golden-cheeked Warbler  (t2) (USeb) (*)  ______ c   mar  may
    Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) chrysoparia

         The Golden-cheeked Warbler is not only an endemic breeder in the US; it is an endemic breeder in Texas.
  169. Black-throated Green Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c   apr  may
    Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) virens



    Black-throated Green Warbler
         (photo by Clair de Beauvior)

  170. Townsend's Warbler  (*)  ______ w   apr
    Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) townsendi
  171. Blackburnian Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
    Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) fusca



    Blackburnian Warbler
    (photo by Clair de Beauvior)

  172. Yellow-throated Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______ e  apr
    Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) dominca



    Yellow-throated Warbler
         (photo by Clair de Beauvior)

  173. Pine Warbler  (ph) (*)   ______ c   may
    Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) palmarum
  174. Bay-breasted Warbler  (*)  ______ s   may
    Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) castanea
  175. Blackpoll Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______  e   may
    Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) striata
  176. Black-throated Blue Warbler  ______
     Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) caerulescens
  177. Hermit Warbler  ______
     Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) occidentalis
  178. Grace's Warbler  ______
     Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) graciae
  179. Prairie Warbler  (ph)  ______
     Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) discolor
  180. Palm Warbler  ______
     Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) palmarum
  181. Cerulean Warbler  (t3)  ______
     Setophaga     (formerly Dendroica) cerulea
  182. Black-and-white Warbler  (*)  ______ e,s,c   mar  apr  may
    Mniotilta varia

  183. Prothonotary Warbler  (ph)  ______
     Protonotaria citrea

  184. American Redstart  (ph) (*)  ______ s   may
    Setophaga ruticilla



    A female American Redstart 
         (photo by Clair de Beauvior)

  185. Worm-eating Warbler  (*)  ______ s   may
    Helmitheros vermivorus

  186. Swainson's Warbler  ______
     Limnothlypis swainsonii

  187. Ovenbird  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
    Seiurus aurocapillus
  188. Northern Waterthrush  (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
    Parkesia     (formerly Seiurus) noveboracensis
  189. Louisiana Waterthrush  ______
     Parkesia     (formerly Seiurus) motacilla 

  190. Kentucky Warbler  (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
    Geothylpis     (formerly Oporornis) formosus
  191. Mourning Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______ s   may
    Geothylpis     (formerly Oporornis) philadelphia
  192. MacGillivray's Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______ nm
    Geothylpis     (formerly Oporornis) tolmiei monticola
  193. Common Yellowthroat  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm   mar  apr  may
    Geothylpis trichas
  194. Gray-crowned Yellowthroat  (NAr) (TXr) (*)  ______ s  (mex)   may
    Geothlypis poliocephala

  195. Connecticut Warbler  (TXr)  ______
     Oporornis agilis

  196. Hooded Warbler  (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
    Setophaga     (formerly Wilsonia) citrina
  197. Wilson's Warbler  (*)  ______ s,w  nm,mx   apr  may
    Cardellina     (formerly Wilsonia) pusilla
  198. Canada Warbler  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
    Cardellina     (formerly Wilsonia) canadensis



    Canada Warbler

  199. Red-faced Warbler  (TXr)  ______
    Cardellina rubrifrons
  200. Painted Whitestart  (TXr) (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr
    Myioborus p. pictus

    Myioborus pictus     has been called the Painted Redstart.

  201. Slate-throated Whitestart  (NAr) (TXr)  ______
     Myioborus miniatus

  202. Rufous-capped Warbler  (USr) (TXr) (ph) (*)  ______
     Basileuterus rufifrons

  203. Stripe-crowned Warbler  (USr) (TXr)  ______  
     Basileuterus culicivorus  

    Basileuterus culicivorus     has been called the Golden-crowned Warbler. 

  204. Yellow-breasted Chat  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm   apr  may
    Icteria virens



    Yellow-breasted Chat
         (photo by Clair de Beauvior)


         BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES & ALLIES
  205. Bobolink  (ph)  ______
    Dolichonyx oryzivorus

  206. Red-winged Blackbird  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm,mx   mar  apr  may
    Agelaius phoeniceus
  207. Eastern Meadowlark  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w   mar  apr
    Sturnella magna
  208. Western Meadowlark  (*)  ______ c,w  nm   mar  apr  may
    Sturnella neglecta
  209. Yellow-headed Blackbird  (ph) (*)  ______ w  nm   apr
    Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus



    Yellow-headed Blackbirds can be quite common
    in west Texas and nearby New Mexico in the winter
     (photo by Marie Gardner)
  210. Brewer's Blackbird  (ph) (*)  ______ e,w nm   mar  apr
    Euphagus cyanocephalus

  211. Rusty Blackbird  (ph)  ______
     Euphagus carolinus

  212. Common Grackle  (*)  ______ e,w  nm   apr  may
    Quiscalus quiscula
  213. Great-tailed Grackle  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm,mx   mar  apr  may
    Quiscalus mexicanus
  214. Boat-tailed Grackle  (USe) (ph) (*)  ______ e   mar  may
    Quiscalus major



    A female Boat-tailed Grackle
         (photo by Howard Eskin)
  215. Bronzed Cowbird  (*)  ______ e,s,w   apr  may
    Molothrus aeneus
  216. Brown-headed Cowbird  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm,mx   mar  apr  may
    Molothrus ater

  217. Shiny Cowbird  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Molothrus bonariensis

    When Shiny Cowbirds came north into to Caribbean islands, some thought that they would become common in the southeastern United States. It did appear there, but not in any significant number. 
    Occurrences in the US have been as far west as Texas, where the first one found was captured in a cowbird trap at Fort Hood, in Bell County. 
      
  218. Orchard Oriole  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,w  nm   apr  may
    Icterus spurius
  219. Hooded Oriole  (*)  ______ s,c,w  mx   apr  may
    Icterus cucullatus

         In Texas, Hooded Orioles have a rather patchy distribution. They are most common in the Coastal Sand Plain.
    Individuals of this species in Texas have a much brighter plumage than those occurring further west in the United States.   

  220. Bullock's Oriole  (ph) (*)  ______ w   may
    Icterus bullockii 

    The Bullock's Oriole was at one time considered conspecific with the Baltimore Oriole (below), and was then called the Northern Oriole.  



    Above: an immature Bullock's Oriole, a male
    Below: an adult Bullock's Oriole, again a male
    (photos by Howard Eskin)
  221. Baltimore Oriole  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
    Icterus galbula



    An adult Baltimore Oriole
  222. Altamira Oriole  (*)  ______ s  (mex)   may 
    Icterus gularis

    Icterus gularis     was, at one time, called the Lichtenstein's Oriole.  

    The pendant nest of the Altamira Oriole is often more than 2 feet long and is reminiscent of the nests of oropendolas that occur in Central and South America,

    The Altamira Oriole is a rather recent addition to the Texas avifauna. More recently, the species has seemed to be declining in the state.       

  223. Audubon's Oriole  (*)  ______ s   mar
    Icterus graduacauda 

         The Audubon's Oriole is a shy and secretive bird of dense woodlands and thickets, its slow, whistled song is unlike that of any other oriole found in the United States. 
  224. Scott's Oriole  (ph) (*)  ______ c,w  nm   apr  may
    Icterus parisorum



    Scott's Oriole
         (photo by Howard Eskin)

  225. Black-vented Oriole  (USr) (TXr)  ______
    Icterus wagleri

         The Black-vented Oriole has only been documented in Texas on a very few occasions. The first individual that was found in the state returned each summer for several years. The species has occurred at Kingsville, in Kleberg County, 

         A Black-vented Oriole was in a Texas 2010/11 Christmas Bird Count, at Anzalduas-Bentsen.  


    SPARROWS
  226. Cassin's Sparrow  (*)  ______ w   apr  may
    Peucaea cassinii      (formerly Aimophila cassinii)
  227. Bachman's Sparrow  (nt) (USe)  ______
    Peucaea aestivalis      (formerly Aimophila aestivalis) 

  228. Botteri's Sparrow  (TXr) (*)  ______ s   may
    Peucaea botterii      (formerly Aimophila botterii)
  229. Rufous-crowned Sparrow  (ph) (*)  ______ c,w  nm   mar  apr  may
    Aimophila ruficeps
  230. Chipping Sparrow  (ph) (*)  ______ c,w  nm   mar  apr  may
    Spizella passerina



    Chipping Sparrow
     (photo by Doris Potter)

  231. Clay-colored Sparrow  (ph) (*)  ______ c,w   apr  may
    Spizella pallida



    Clay-colored Sparrow
         (photo by Howard Eskin)
  232. Brewer's Sparrow  (ph) (*)  ______ w  nm   apr   
    Spizella breweri



    Brewer's Sparrow
         (photo by Rick Greenspun)

  233. Field Sparrow  (ph) (*)   ______  e,c   mar
    Spizella pusilla



    A Field Sparrow photographed in Wimberley, Texas
         (photo by Rhett Poppe)
  234. Black-chinned Sparrow  (*)  ______ w   apr
    Spizella atrogularis

  235. American Tree Sparrow  ______
     Spizelloides  arborea      (formerly Spizella arborea)

  236. Vesper Sparrow  (*)  ______ c,w   mar  apr
    Pooecetes gramineus
  237. Lark Sparrow  (ph) (*)  ______ e,c,w  nm   mar  apr  may
    Chondestes grammacus



    Lark Sparrow
         (photo by Howard Eskin)

  238. Black-throated Sparrow  (ph) (*) ______ c,w  nm   apr  may
    Amphispiza bilineata

    Another name for Amphispiza bilineata has been the "Desert Sparrow".

  239. Sagebrush Sparrow  (ph)  ______
    Artemisiospiza     (formerly Amphispiza) nevadensis

  240. Lark Bunting  (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr
    Calamospiz melanocorys
  241. Savannah Sparrow  (ph) (*)  ______ s,c  nm   mar  may
    Passerculus sandwichensis
  242. Grasshopper Sparrow  (ph) (*)   ______ c   may
    Ammodramus savannarum
  243. Baird's Sparrow  (*)  ______ w   apr
    Ammodramus bairdii
  244. Henslow's Sparrow  (nt) (ph) (*)  ______
    Ammodramus henslowi
  245. LeConte's Sparrow  (ph) (*)  ______  w   apr  (rare in west Texas)
    Ammodramus leconteii



    LeConte's Sparrow
    (photo by Howard Eskin)

  246. Nelson's Sparrow  ______
    Ammodramus nelsoni
  247. Seaside Sparrow  ______
    Ammodramus maritimus 
  248. Fox Sparrow  (*)  ______
    Passerella iliaca
  249. Song Sparrow  (ph) (*)  ______ e,c,w   mar  apr 
    Melospiza melodia
  250. Lincoln's Sparrow  (*)  ______ c,w   mar  apr
    Melospiza lincolnii
  251. Swamp Sparrow  (ph) (*)  ______ s   may
    Melospiza georgiana



    Swamp Sparrow
     (photo by Howard Eskin)

  252. Harris' Sparrow  (ph) (*)  ______  c   mar  
    Zonotrichia querula



    Above & below: Harris' Sparrows
    Above: an adult,  below: a fist-winter bird
         (upper photo by Marie Gardner, lower photo by Howard Eskin)




  253. White-crowned Sparrow  (ph) (*)  ______ c,w  nm   mar  apr
    Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii

  254. White-throated Sparrow  ______
     Zonotrichia albicollis

  255. Golden-crowned Sparrow  (TXr)  ______
     Zonotrichia atricapilla 

  256. "Gray-headed" Dark-eyed Junco  (*)  ______ w   apr
    Junco hyemalis caniceps

  257. "Slate-colored" Dark-eyed Junco  (ph)  ______
     Junco hyemalis
  258. "White-winged" Dark-eyed Junco  ______
     Junco hyemalis

  259. "Oregon"  Dark-eyed Junco  ______
     Junco hyemalis

  260. Yellow-eyed Junco  (TXr)  ______
     Junco phaeonotus

  261. McCown's Longspur  (ph)  ______
     Rhynchophanes     (formerly Calcarius) mccownii
  262. Lapland Longspur  (ph)  ______
     Calcarius lapponicus

  263. Smith's Longspur  (ph)  ______
     Calcarius pictus

  264. Chestnut-collared Longspur  (ph)  ______
     Calcarius ornatus   

  265. Snow Bunting  (TXr) (ph)  ______
     Calcarius     (formerly Plectrophenax) nivalis


         TOWHEES

  266. Green-tailed Towhee  (ph) (*)  ______ w  nm   apr
    Pipilo chlorurus



    A Green-tailed Towhee photographed during a FONT tour
         (photo by Rick Greenspun)
  267. Spotted Towhee  (ph) (*)  ______ c,w   mar  apr  may
    Pipilo maculatus montanus



    A Spotted Towhee photographed in Wimberley, Texas
    (photo by Rhett Poppe)
  268. Eastern Towhee  (ph) (*)  ______
     Pipilo erythrophthalmus   

  269. Canyon Towhee  (ph) (*)  ______ c,w  nm   apr  may
    Pipilo fuscus texanus 

         The Canyon Towhee was formerly with the California Towhee combined as the Brown Towhee.


         SEEDEATER, GRASSQUIT, OLIVE SPARROW
  270. White-collared Seedeater  (USr) (TXr) (ph) (*)  ______
     Sporophila torqueola

  271. Yellow-faced Grassquit  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Tiaris olivacea

  272. Olive Sparrow  (*)  ______ s  (mex)   may
    Arremonops rufivirgatus


         TANAGERS

  273. Hepatic Tanager  (*)  ______ w   apr
    Piranga hepatica
  274. Summer Tanager  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm   apr  may
    Piranga rubra



    Above & below: Summer Tanagers photographed in Wimberley, Texas
    Above: a male; below: a female
     (both photos by Rhett Poppe)



    A female Summer Tanager photographed in Wimberley, Texas
     (photo by Rhett Poppe)
  275. Scarlet Tanager  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
     Piranga olivacea



    In a tree, a male Scarlet Tanager is like a bright red ornament
    (photo by Doris Potter)

         (photo by Doris Potter)
  276. Western Tanager  (ph) (*)  ______ w   apr  may
    Piranga ludoviciana



    Western Tanager
         (photo by Howard Eskin)

  277. Flame-colored Tanager  (USr) (TXr) (ph) ______
    Piranga bidentata


     DICKCISSEL, CARDINAL, GROSBEAKS, BUNTINGS
  278. Dickcissel  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
    Spiza americana

  279. Crimson-collared Grosbeak  (USr) (TXr)  ______
     Rhodothraupis celaeno

    The Crimson-collared Grosbeak is normally a bird endemic to northeastern Mexico. It has rarely occurred in Texas. During the winter of 1987-88 there was a notable number in the state, particularly in Cameron County.  
    Crimson-collared Grosbeaks were in Texas 2010/11 Christmas Bird Counts, at Corpus Christi & Weslaco.

  280. Northern Cardinal  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  nm,mx   mar  apr  may
    Cardinalis cardinalis



    A male Northern Cardinal photographed in Wimberley, Texas
     (photo by Rhett Poppe)
  281. Pyrrhuloxia  (ph) (*)  ______ s,w  nm   mar  apr  may
    Cardinalis sinnatus

  282. Rose-breasted Grosbeak  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s   apr  may
    Pheucticus indoviciannus
  283. Black-headed Grosbeak  (*)  ______ w   apr
    Pheucticus m. melanocephalus
  284. Blue Grosbeak  (ph) (*)  ______ c,w  nm   apr  may
    Passerina caerulea interfusa
  285. Indigo Bunting  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w   apr  may
    Passerina cyanea



    Indigo Bunting
  286. Varied Bunting  (*)  ______ w  nm   apr  may
    Passerina v. versicolor  

    The Varied Bunting is closely related to the Painted Bunting and has a very similar song. Another characteristic both specie share is that males do not attain their bright plumage until their second summer. First-summer males look like adult females, but they sing and defend territories.    

  287. Painted Bunting  (ph) (*)  ______ e,s,c,w  mx   apr  may
    Passerina ciris pallidior



    A male Painted Bunting photographed in Wimberley, Texas
         (photo by Rhett Poppe)
  288. Lazuli Bunting  (ph)  ______  
    Passerina amoena
  289. Blue Bunting (USr) (TXr) (ph) (*)  ______ s  (mex)   may
    Cyanocompsa parellina

    The Blue Bunting was first documented in Texas in the early 1980s. The species was an annual visitor in the Lower Rio Grande Valley between 1995 and 2002, and it has been since. Most years, only one or two individuals have been found. 

    A Blue Bunting was in a Texas 2010/11 Christmas Bird Count, at Anzalduas-Bentsen. 

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