texas

This is a fairly common spring migrant in Eastern Texas, less common in the Fall. This species may be separated into two groups, Olive-backed Thrush in the north and east and Russet-backed Thrush in the far west, This is an example of the Olive-backed Thrush. Note the buffy eyering forming...

Cassin’s Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans vociferans)

This species is a common winter visitor to East Texas usually departing by April. They are famous for negative assortative mating between the two color morphs. White-striped morphs prefer to mate with tan-striped morphs and vice versa. This appears to be a white-striped morph although it still...

Grounded by a cold front, this is an adult male of the smaller, brighter, more migratory eastern race (P. r. rubra). Note the bright red color and smaller bill. Western populations average duller and paler. Genetics have found that the North American tanagers in the genus "Piranga" are actually...

This is an adult male. Eastern populations have yellow median coverts as seen here. The red lesser coverts are partially covered by black scapulars. When the lesser coverts (epaulets) are exposed by raised scapulars during display, the red color is more obvious. Males on territory raise the...

This species breeds in Boreal regions of North America and winters south to Middle America. They winter fairly commonly in Texas where they prefer wet weedy fields. However its shy habits make it more elusive compared to the similar and more familiar Song Sparrow. Lincoln's Sparrow is more...

A cold front had passed through grounding many migrants especially swallows which seemed to be feeding on insects that had fallen to the ground. This Barn Swallow landed on the ground in front of me before flying off. North American populations are the race "H. r. erythrogaster" (American Barn...

Easy to overlook in flocks of other more well-marked swallows, this species likes to sweep low over water catching insect one after another. The name "rough-winged" refers to tiny hooks on the leading edge of their outermost primary (wing) feather formed by stiff barb tips. These tips are hooked...

Formerly known as the "Desert Sparrow," only adults such as this have a black throat. Males and females look alike, but this one was singing and thus a male. This species ranges throughout much of western Texas. This is presumably the nominate race characterized by smaller size, darker and...

Two species of Cottontails occur in this area, Eastern Cottontail and Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii). This one can be identified as an Eastern Cottontail by a combination of its shorter ears (shorter than its hindfoot), and its heavily grizzled fur with gray flanks contrasting with a...

Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina: Mantidae) They range in size from 4.7-6.0 cm (1.9-2.4 in) long. We are scheduled to leave for Alpine and Fort Davis in the morning if all goes as planned. I will be online tonight and then, not until Monday week. I wish everyone great birding and...

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) We are scheduled to leave for Alpine and Fort Davis in the morning if all goes as planned. I will be online tonight and then, not until Monday week. I wish everyone great birding and photography. Stay safe! Cheers! Stanley

Clemen’s Grass Tubeworm Moth (Acrolephus popeanella: Tineidae) 1.1-1.5 cm (0.43-0.59 in) long with a wingspan of 2.4-3.3 cm (0.94-1.3 in).

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) fly by.

Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus chapmani: Leporidae)

Dictyopharid Planthopper (Rhynchomitra recurva: Dictyopharidae) It is ca. 9 mm (0.35 in) long.

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 1st yr female.

These are females or young. Note the dark face and white eye-rings which help distinguish this species from the similar Mule (Black-tailed) Deer of the American West. White-tailed are also browner (less gray) on the body. This is the native deer in Texas which reportedly has more White-tailed...

Planthopper (Prokelisia crocea: Delphacidae) This planthopper has no common name. It is ca. 5 mm (0.2 in) long.

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens pubescens) female.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea caerulea).

This is a shy species, usually hiding in dense vegetation over water as seen here. A close relative of the more familiar Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow is a migrant and winter visitor in Texas usually departing by mid April. Their ventral streaking is much fainter and the legs decidedly longer than...

Gray Treefrog/Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Dryophytes versicolor/Dryophytes chrysoscelis: Hylidae) Phylogenetically they are sister species and cannot be separated morphologically, even in hand. They also occupy the same habitat and range. Vocalization will separate them but when I normally find one...

Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda)

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos) juvenile. This youngster always makes a small hollow and nestles into it while the others meander about but when they fly it flies with them.