Birdwatching at Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park is at the Mexican border, though its proper location is in West Texas. The park is significant nationally because it hosts the United States’ largest protected ecology and topography, the Chihuahuan Desert area.

The park itself was named after the big bend found between the Rio Grande and Rio Bravo, which is why the area is overall called the Big Bend. This park hosts activities by park rangers and people go on scenic drives and enjoy stargazing here. But, of course, the main and huge activity people engage in Big Bend National Park is birdwatching.

Major Attractions at Big Bend National Park

Other than birdwatching, Big Bend National Park has countless activities for its tourists. One can go hiking on the Santa Elena Canyon Trail, where your walk starts from the Rio Grande River’s edge and ends in Santa Elena Canyon.

In Rio Grande Village, there are natural hot springs for you to soak in. If you feel hot, the cool river is close for a swim. On the Fossil Discovery Exhibit, you can learn about the rich history of the area. Of course, we can’t forget the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive or explore the Boquillas Mexican Village.

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Bird Watching at Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park is a host to at least 450 bird species. Texas itself sees migrants and local birds counting to 675, and Big Bend has over half of them. So how did a desert park such as Big Bend become a reliable place for bird species to prosper?

The dry landscape has rivers, seeps, and springs. Therefore, 75 percent of the birds sighted in the area can be found close to the Rio Grande. Of course, some species are more comfortable in habitats of the dry kind, but the majority prefer surviving on water and greenery.

For birders, visiting Rio Grande Village is a given when you visit the Big Bend. The primary location you want to search on this riparian land is the Nature Trail at the campground’s southeast corner. There are mesquite thickets to the north roadway and the main campground.

With its river access and cottonwood groves, the Daniel Ranch district also attracts various kinds of bird species like the Green Heron, Sora, and Green Kingfisher. This area alone has attracted 305 species.

There’s the Chison Mountains with its juniper, pine, and oak mixed forests, attracting bird species that would never have come to the Big Bend otherwise. Hiking up to Boulder Meadow and Laguna Meadow should show you some highland species. If you reach the Big Bend in the last part of spring and summer, you might see Colima Warbler.

Then, Cottonwood Campground gives birders the chance to see Vermilion Flycatcher and Black Phoebe. Next, on Dugout Wells, you might see Ash-throated Flycatcher and Summer Tanager. Finally, there’s Sam Nail Ranch and Blue Creek with Painted Bunting and Lucifer Hummingbird, respectively.

10 Birds to See at Big Bend National Park

Vermilion Flycatcher

Vermilion Flycatchers have an orange-red body with a brown mask and wings. They also have an orange-red cap on their head. Vermilion Flycatchers can be found in southwest North America and also in Central and South America. Their population has slightly declined, especially in Texas. They make their homes in the savanna, on ranches, and along streams. Vermilion Flycatchers like to perch around water and eat flying insects. Vermilion Flycatchers migrate from higher elevations in the winter.

Green Kingfisher

Green Kingfishers are a brilliant green color with white and orange on their underside and a large bill. They can be found in the southwest, close to the border of Mexico. Their population has decreased in Texas, but has increased in Arizona and Mexico. They make their homes near rivers and streams. Green Kingfishers usually eat small fish like minnows and some insects. They lay 3 to 6 eggs in their nests that are a burrow near a river bank. Green Kingfishers are not migratory birds.

Black Phoebe

Black Phoebes are found in the western United States. They have a stable population and are not at risk of being endangered. Black Phoebes have a black body and white underbelly. They make their habitat near shady streams and towns near water. Black Phoebes eat mainly insects, but sometimes will grab a minnow from the surface of a nearby pond. They lay about 4 eggs and build their nests out of mud. Black Phoebes are mostly permanent residents, but do leave the high elevations in the fall.

Summer Tanager

Summer Tanagers are the only all red birds in North America. They can be found in the southern region of North America. These birds are quite common and widespread and not at risk of being endangered. They enjoy making their home at the top canopy of eastern forests. Summer Tanagers like to catch bees and wasps in flight to eat. They will also eat berries and spiders. Summer Tanagers are hard to find songbirds because they hide and move slowly. They lay 3 to 5 eggs in a loosely made cup shaped nest above ground. They migrate south into Mexico and Brazil.

Painted Bunting

Painted Buntings are named for their bright colors of blue, green, yellow, and red. They are common along the southeast coast of the United States. Their population is decreasing as their nests are getting destroyed. They make their homes along roadsides, in towns, and gardens. Painted Buntings hang out in thick vegetation so they may be hard to find. They eat mostly insects and seeds. They lay 3 to 4 eggs and build their nests lower to the ground. Painted Buntings winter south in either Florida or Mexico.

Acorn Woodpecker

Acorn Woodpeckers have a sleek black body with a white and red head. They live near oak trees in the southwest U.S. Their population is widespread and common in their range. They make their homes in oak woods and groves. These woodpeckers spend a lot of time gathering and storing acorns in holes they drill into trees. Acorn Woodpeckers make a loud, parrot-like noise. They eat a lot of acorns and different insects in particular, they like ants. Acorn Woodpeckers lay 3 to 7 eggs in the cavity of a dead tree. They are permanent residents in their range, but have been seen as far south as Colombia.

Mourning Dove

Mourning Doves are a graceful brownish pink bird with a small head and tail. They can be found throughout North America. Their population is steady with some slight increases recently. They live in open woods, farms, and towns. They perch on telephone wires or other high locations. Their flight is fast and straight. They eat mainly seeds and other plants. Mourning Doves lay 2 eggs at a time, but will do this 5 or 6 times a year. They do this more than any other bird. Mourning Doves migrate south in the winter, usually in flocks.

Northern Flicker

Northern Flickers are large with a brown and white body. They also have spots on their underparts. They live throughout North America. Their population has declined, but they are still abundant and not at risk of being endangered. They make their homes in open forests, groves, and woodlots. Northern Flickers eat mainly ants and beetles. They nest in small holes in trees much like other Woodpeckers. They lay 5 to 8 eggs. Most Northern Flickers migrate south for the winter.

Black Vulture

Black Vultures are an all-black bird with little white stars under their wingtips. They reside in eastern North and South America. Black Vultures in the southeast have declined in population, but are not endangered. Their habitat is in open country and they avoid the mountains. They do not have a great sense of smell, so they follow Turkey Vultures to an animal carcass to eat. Black Vultures do not have a voice box. They lay 2 eggs and build their nests in a hollow log, tree, or cave. They migrate in small numbers in the winter.

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owls are brown and white and have two pointy tufts that look like ears. They live throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Their population is widespread, common, and not at risk of being endangered. They make their homes near forests, streams, and in open country. Great Horned Owls are the most recognized owl because they make a deep hooting sound. They have great night vision to hunt in the dark. Great Horned Owls like to eat frogs, mice, birds, and sometimes mammals bigger than itself! They lay 2 to 3 eggs and will use old nests from other large birds. Sometimes they add feathers to their nests. Great Horned Owls do not have a regular migratory route; however, some move south for the winter.

Final Thoughts

Birders are definitely aware of Big Bend National Park for birdwatching. If you live in Texas, this is one of the major national parks to go for birdwatching. This is also one of the few places where birds are visible and out and about in the wild.

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing birds at Big Bend National Park is the 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.