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Photo by HelenB
The Rio Grande River, during a drought period, looking towards the Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park in April, 2003

United States, Texas

[edit] Overview

Big Bend National Park is located in remote West Texas, USA. It is 800,000 acres in size, consisting of desert, mountains and river environments. The southern edge of the park is bordered by the Rio Grande River and the international border with Mexico. More than 450 species of birds have been recorded in the Park.

Big Bend National Park is on the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail, site nos. FWTX 39-44

[edit] Birds

Photo by HelenB
Santa Elena Canyon with the Rio Grande during drought conditions, April 2003

[edit] Notable Species

Gray Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Common Black Hawk, Scaled Quail, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Elf Owl, Lesser Nighthawk, Lucifer Hummingbird, Blue-throated Hummingbird, Magnificent Hummingbird, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Vermillion Flycatcher, Mexican Jay, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Black-capped Vireo, Curve-billed Thrasher, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla, Gray Vireo, Colima Warbler, Pyrrhuloxia, Varied Bunting, Canyon Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Cassin's Sparrow, Black-chinned Sparrow, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Scott's Oriole, Hepatic Tanager.

[edit] Rarities

Golden Eagle, Flammulated Owl, Green Kingfisher, Couch's Kingbird, Slate-throated Redstart (2006, 2011)

Photo by HelenB
Cliff Swallows really do build their nests on cliffs when bridges are not available! Photo taken at Hot Springs by the Rio Grande

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

To do

[edit] Other Wildlife

• 75 species of mammals, including Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Coyote and Javelina.
• 56 species of reptiles, which includes 31 species of snake, 22 species of lizards and 7 species of turtle.
• 11 species of amphibians
• 40 species of fish
• 3,600 species of invertebrates (insects, spiders, mites, etc)

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

When Big Bend NP was established in 1944, it was the 27th National Park in the USA.

[edit] Areas of Interest

• Rio Grande Village
• Chisos Mountains
• Cottonwood Campground area
• Santa Elena Canyon
• Dugout Wells
• Sam Nail Ranch
• Blue Creek
• Hot Springs
• Terlingua Abajo
• Information on birding in BBNP

[edit] Access and Facilities

• Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, all year
• Entrance and camping fees
• There are 5 Visitor Centers throughout the Park, with varying hours of operation
• Chisos Mountains Lodge - rooms, cottages, gift shop and dining room, open all year
• Interactive map of park, which can be printed
• Directions

[edit] Contact Details

Write to:
Big Bend National Park
PO Box 129
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834

Visitor Information
Tel: 432-477-2251

[edit] External Links

• Information on birds in Big Bend
• Official National Park website
• The Big Bend Loop on the Far West Texas Wildlife Trails
• Visit Big Bend website