If you’re a bird lover living in Texas or planning to visit the Lone Star State soon, you’re in for a treat!

Texas is home to diverse bird species, from majestic eagles and hawks to colorful songbirds and waterfowl. In fact, with over 600 bird species recorded in Texas, it’s a birdwatcher’s paradise!

Whether you’re strolling through a park, hiking a nature trail, or simply sitting in your backyard, you’re likely to spot some of these common birds in Texas. So, grab your binoculars and explore the fascinating world of Texas birds!

A Look Into Different Birds Species in Texas

Texas is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with its diverse ecosystem and varied habitats providing homes to over 600 species. From the Gulf Coast to the rolling hills of the Hill Country and from the deserts of West Texas to the piney woods of East Texas, every region of Texas offers a unique birdwatching experience. So, let’s jump into it!

(a) Texas Backyard Birds

1. Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is one of the most recognized type of birds in Texas, with its bright red plumage and distinctive crest. You can find these birds throughout the state, from urban parks to rural forests. Cardinals are known for their beautiful songs and are a favorite among backyard birdwatchers.

Northern Cardinal identifying characteristics:

• A medium-sized songbird, approximately 8-9 inches in length.
• Bright red plumage on males and reddish-brown plumage on females.
• Both males and females have a distinctive crest of feathers on the top of their heads.
• Thick, conical beak, perfect for cracking open seeds.
• A range of vocalizations, including a loud, clear whistle that sounds like “cheer-cheer-cheer” or “what-cheer-cheer.”
• A common sight at bird feeders with sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and other bird seeds.

2. Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is another common bird in Texas, known for its striking blue coloration and bold personality. These birds are often found in wooded areas and are known to be quite vocal, with loud calls and songs.

Blue Jay identifying characteristics:

• Bright blue plumage on the top of their bodies and white or grayish feathers on their underside.
• Crested heads and black collars around their necks.
• Size: approximately 9-12 inches in length, with a wingspan of 13-17 inches.
• A common sight in backyards and parks throughout the Eastern and Central United States.

3. American Robin

The American Robin is a familiar sight in Texas, with its distinctive orange-red breast and gray back. These birds are often seen foraging on lawns and gardens and are known for their melodic songs.

American Robin identifying characteristics:

• Bright orange-red breast, grayish-brown back, and a white belly.
• Size: approximately 9-11 inches in length, with a wingspan of 12-16 inches.
• They have a distinctive, melodious song often heard in suburban and rural areas throughout North America.

4. Mourning Dove

The Mourning Dove is common in Texas, with its soft cooing call heard throughout the state. These birds are often found in North American rural, urban, and suburban areas and can be seen perched on telephone wires or foraging on the ground.

Mourning Dove identifying characteristics:

• Soft, muted gray-brown plumage on their back and wings and a pale pinkish-beige color on their underside.
• Long, pointed tail feathers and a small head with a distinctive, curved beak.
• Size: approximately 9-12 inches in length, with a wingspan of 17-19 inches.

5. American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch is a small, bright yellow bird commonly found in Texas, often seen in fields and gardens. These birds are known for their distinctive and warbling songs.

American Goldfinch identifying characteristics:

• Bright yellow plumage on males and a duller yellow or olive-brown color on females.
• They feed primarily on seeds, mainly from plants like thistles, sunflowers, and milkweed, which make the most of their diet.

(b) Blackbirds in Texas

6. Red-Winged Blackbird

The Red-winged Blackbird is a common blackbird, often perched on cattails in wetlands and marshes. These birds are known for their distinctive red and yellow shoulder patches, and you can often hear them singing their songs during the breeding season.

Red-Winged Blackbird identifying characteristics:

• This is one of the black birds in texas with some significant patches of color. The male has a glossy black plumage with distinctive red and yellow shoulder patches, while the female has a more subdued brown coloring with streaks on the breast.
• They have a conical bill, relatively long legs, and a short tail.
• Typically inhabit wetlands and open fields, where you can hear them making a distinctive “konk-la-ree” call.
• Their diet consists of seeds, insects, and occasionally small vertebrates like frogs and small mammals.

7. Common Grackle

The Common Grackle is a large, iridescent blackbird commonly found in large flocks in urban areas. These birds are known for their raucous calls and can be a nuisance to homeowners due to their habit of raiding bird feeders.

Common Grackle identifying characteristics:

• A long tail, a thick, sturdy bill, and a glossy black plumage with a metallic blue or green sheen.
• The male is larger and has a longer tail than the female.
• Their diet includes insects, fruits, seeds, and small vertebrates like frogs and fish.

8. Brewer’s Blackbird

Brewer’s Blackbird is a common blackbird found throughout Texas, often seen foraging on the ground in open areas such as fields and pastures. These birds are known for their glossy black plumage and yellow eyes.

Brewer’s Blackbird identifying characteristics:

• They have black plumage, a distinctive violet or blue sheen, a long tail, and a slender bill.
• The male has bright yellow eyes, while the female has brown eyes.
• They feed on insects, seeds, and fruit.

(c) Red-Breasted Birds in Texas

9. Cedar Waxwing

The Cedar Waxwing is a beautiful bird commonly found in Texas, known for its distinctive red crest and black mask. These birds are often seen perched in trees and are known for their soft, high-pitched calls.

Cedar Waxwing identifying characteristics:

• They have sleek, brownish-gray plumage with a distinctive black mask and a small crest on their head.
• They have a bright yellow or red tip on their tail feathers.
• They often travel in flocks and can be seen perched on trees and bushes, where they feast on berries and other fruit.
• Cedar Waxwings are also known for their unique behavior of passing berries from one bird to another, almost like a game of catch, before eventually eating them.

10. House Finch

The House Finch is a small, red-breasted bird commonly found in Texas, often seen at bird feeders and in urban areas. These birds are known for their distinctive songs and are a favorite among backyard birdwatchers.

House Finch identifying characteristics:

• House Finches have plump, rounded bodies with distinctive red or orange coloring on their head, breast, and rump.
• They feed on seeds, fruits, and sometimes insects.

(d) Sparrows in Texas

11. Song Sparrow

The Song Sparrow is often seen in brushy areas and along stream banks. These birds are known for their beautiful songs and can be pretty vocal during the breeding season.

Song Sparrow identifying characteristics:

• Song Sparrows have round bodies with brownish-gray plumage and dark streaks on their breast and sides. They also have distinctive dark spots on their chest.
• Their diet consists mainly of seeds and insects, and they are known to forage on the ground for food.

12. White-Crowned Sparrow

The White-crowned Sparrow is known for its distinctive white-and-black striped head and sweet, clear song. They are often seen in brushy areas and on the ground.

White-Crowned Sparrow identifying characteristics:

• They have a distinctive black and white striped head with a bright white crown and brownish-gray plumage on their back and wings.
• Their bill is short and pink or yellow, and they have long tails.
• They can be found in various habitats, including shrubby areas, fields, and woodlands, and are known for their sweet, whistling song.
• They feed on seeds and insects.

13. Chipping Sparrow

The Chipping Sparrow is a small, brown-and-white sparrow often seen in open woodlands and gardens. These birds are known for their distinctive trilling songs and may be one of your favorite backyard birds.

Chipping Sparrow identifying characteristics:

• They have a brownish-gray back and wings, a rusty-red cap on their head, and a white eyebrow stripe above their eye.
• Their bill is short and pointed, and they have a long tail.

14. Lark Sparrow 

The Lark Sparrows are known for their striking facial markings and melodic songs. You will see them in grasslands and fields.

Lark Sparrow identifying characteristics:

• Lark Sparrows are medium-sized, about 6.5-7 inches long, with a wingspan of about 10-11 inches.
• Plumage: They have a striking head pattern, a bold, black-and-white striped crown, a rusty brown nape, and a white eye line above a brown cheek patch.
• Their back and wings are brown with black and white streaks, and their breast and belly are white with a central spot.

(e) Grackles in Texas

15. Boat-Tailed Grackle

The Boat-tailed Grackle is found along the Gulf Coast of Texas, often seen in marshy areas and along beaches. These birds are known for their long, keel-shaped tails and are a favorite among birdwatchers in coastal regions.

Boat-Tailed Grackle identifying characteristics:

• Males have glossy, black feathers with iridescent purple and blue tones in a particular light, while females are more brownish-black with streaks and bars on their breasts and bellies.
• Both sexes have long, keel-shaped tails and yellow eyes.
• Their song is a loud, chattering series of whistles and clicks, often given from a high perch. Males also produce a distinctive “chur-r-r” call during courtship displays.

16. Great-Tailed Grackle

The Great-tailed Grackle is a large, iridescent blackbird often seen in large flocks in urban areas and is known for its raucous calls.

Great-Tailed Grackle identifying characteristics:

• The males reach up to 18 inches long and weigh up to 8 ounces, while females are slightly smaller.
• Plumage: Both sexes have glossy, black feathers with iridescent purple and green tones in a particular light, but males are larger with a longer tail and have bright yellow eyes, while females have brown eyes and a shorter tail.
• Their song is a series of harsh, nasal calls, sometimes described as “grating” or “croaking.” Males also produce a distinctive “rusty gate” call during courtship displays.

17. Bronzed Cowbird

The Bronzed Cowbird is a small, black bird known for its habit of laying its eggs in the nests of other birds, leaving the host birds to raise their young. They are often seen in open grasslands and agricultural areas. 

Bronzed Cowbird identifying characteristics:

• Bronzed Cowbirds are small birds, about 7.5 inches long, with a wingspan of about 12 inches.
• Plumage: Both sexes have glossy, black feathers with a metallic bronze sheen in a certain light, but females are slightly duller in color.
• Their song is a series of high-pitched, warbling notes, often given from a low perch. Males also produce a series of clucks and whistles during courtship displays.

(f) Waterbirds in Texas

18. Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron is a large wading bird commonly found in Texas, often seen standing motionless in shallow waters. These birds are known for their distinctive gray-blue plumage and can be found in various wetland habitats.

Great Blue Heron identifying characteristics:

• Great Blue Herons are large birds, about 4-5 feet tall, with a wingspan of 6-7 feet.
• Plumage: They have bluish-gray feathers on their body, with a white head and neck and black streaks on their face.
• They have a long, sharp bill that’s yellowish and long, thin, black legs.
• They are patient hunters, standing still or slowly wading through shallow water to catch fish, amphibians, and other prey. They may also hunt on land or in trees.

19. Black-Necked Stilt

The Black-necked Stilt is a striking wading bird often seen in shallow water or foraging on mudflats. These birds are known for their long, thin legs and distinctive black-and-white plumage.

Black-Necked Stilt identifying characteristics:

• Plumage: Black-necked stilts have striking black and white plumage, with a long, thin, black bill and long, pink legs. Their back and wings are black with white edges, and their belly and breast are white.
• Habitat: They are found in shallow wetlands, including salt.

(g) Raptors in Texas

20. Red-Tailed Hawk

You will find Red-Tailed Hawk soaring high above open fields and woodlands. These birds are known for their distinctive red tails and can be found throughout the state.

Red-Tailed Hawk identifying characteristics:

• They have a wingspan of up to 56 inches.
• It has a striking reddish-brown coloration on its tail feathers, which gives it its name.
• Red-tailed hawks also have a distinctive white throat patch, and their eyes are a bright yellow.

21. American Kestrel

The American Kestrel is a small falcon with striking colors. The males have blue-gray wings and reddish-brown backs. They are commonly seen perched on telephone wires or hovering over open fields.

American Kestrel identifying characteristics:

• It’s the smallest falcon species in North America, measuring only 8-12 inches long.
• They have a distinctive facial pattern: a rust-colored cap and a black “mustache” mark below their eyes.
• They also have long, pointed wings and a rusty-colored back with black spots. The males have blue-gray wings, while the females have reddish-brown wings.

22. Cooper’s Hawk

The Cooper’s Hawk is a medium-sized raptor known for their distinctive reddish-brown backs and barred underparts. These birds are seen perched in trees or soaring through wooded areas.

Cooper’s Hawk identifying characteristics:

• They have a slate gray back, wings, rusty-red barred breasts, and bellies.
• Their distinctive rounded tails and red eyes stand out against their dark facial feathers.

(h) Other Common Birds in Texas

23. Killdeer

The Killdeer is a small, brown-and-white bird commonly found in Texas, often seen running along the ground in open areas such as fields and pastures. These birds are known for their distinctive “kill-deer” call and can be found throughout the state.

Killdeer identifying characteristics:

• They have brown upper parts, white underparts, and two black bands on their chest.
• They have a distinctive call that sounds like “kill-deer” and often make a broken-wing display to distract predators from their nest.

24. Turkey Vulture

The Turkey Vulture is a large, dark bird known for its scavenging habits and can often be seen circling over roadkill and other carrion.

Turkey Vulture identifying characteristics:

• They have a large wingspan of up to 6 feet and are predominantly black.
• They have a featherless red head and a hooked beak for tearing apart carrion, which they primarily feed on.

Related Article: 16 Common Birds in Maryland

15 Common Birds in Northern California

FAQs

Conclusion

As you can see, Texas is filled with various bird species. You can even notice some birds roaming around your backyard.

If you’re looking for birdwatching, Texas has many great opportunities, and some of the best places to explore include Big Bend National Park, the Gulf Coast, and the Lower Rio Grande Valley. So, grab your bird-watching gear and enjoy the common birds in Texas!

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