How Many Bird Species Are Found in Texas?
Texas has one of the highest bird species counts in the U.S. As of now, there are 677 documented species recorded in the state. That number comes from official counts by organizations like the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the American Birding Association. So if you’re wondering whether Texas has 500, 600, or 700 species, the closest correct number is just under 680.
That includes:
- Migratory birds that pass through during spring and fall
- Year-round resident species
- Rare visitors (some blown in by storms)
Some counties in South Texas, like Hidalgo and Cameron, have over 400 species just within county lines. So yeah, it’s a hotspot.
Is Texas the best state for birdwatching?
Texas is one of the top states for birdwatching in terms of total species diversity. It consistently ranks at or near the top, with only California offering similar numbers. Depending on how species are counted and which checklists are used, Texas might come in first or second.
Its size and range of ecosystems make it hard to beat. You’ve got deserts, coastlines, mountains, piney woods, and wetlands all in one place.
Why are there so many birds in Texas?
It comes down to geography and size. Texas sits at the meeting point of several major migratory flyways (including the Central and Mississippi Flyways), so birds from North, Central, and South America move through here every year.
Texas also covers a bunch of different habitats:
- Coastal marshes along the Gulf
- High plains in the Panhandle
- Pine forests in East Texas
- Hill Country oak savannah
- South Texas thornscrub
That means the state supports shorebirds, warblers, hummingbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and even tropical species like Green Jays and Altamira Orioles.
How many birds migrate through Texas each year?
Each spring and fall, millions of birds migrate through Texas. It’s estimated that up to two billion birds pass over the state during spring migration alone. That includes more than 400 species.
Most of them fly at night. If you look at radar maps during peak migration season, you can actually see the movement across the state.
How many native vs non-native bird species live in Texas?
The majority of birds in Texas are native. Out of the 677+ species, only about eight are considered non-native or introduced. These include species like European Starlings, House Sparrows, and Rock Pigeons (those city pigeons).
Most of the rest either evolved in the region or naturally expanded their ranges into Texas.
Are all those species found year-round?
No. While there’s no fixed number confirmed by researchers, only a portion of those 677 species are found in Texas year-round. The rest are:
- Summer breeders (like Scissor-tailed Flycatchers)
- Wintering birds (like Sandhill Cranes or American Wigeons)
- Migrants passing through (like many warblers and shorebirds)
So depending on the season, the bird population changes drastically.
What are some of the rarest birds in Texas?
Some birds that are either endangered, very range-limited, or extremely rare vagrants include:
- Whooping Crane (federally endangered, winters in coastal Texas)
- Colima Warbler (only breeds in one mountain range in Texas)
- Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (rare in South Texas)
- Blue Bunting (shows up rarely near the border)
Some of these birds are only reliably found in Texas within the U.S.
Are there any tropical birds in Texas?
Yes. The Lower Rio Grande Valley has several tropical species that don’t occur anywhere else in the continental U.S. These include:
- Green Jay
- Plain Chachalaca
- Altamira Oriole
- Great Kiskadee
- Buff-bellied Hummingbird
That area is one of the most unique birding regions in the country.
Can you see flamingos in Texas?
Not normally. Flamingos aren’t native to Texas. But there have been very rare sightings, mostly of escapees from zoos or private collections. There is one wild flamingo known as “Pink Floyd” that escaped from a zoo and has been spotted in Texas a few times over the years, but it’s not part of a natural population.
How many hummingbird species are in Texas?
Texas has more hummingbird species than any other state. There are 19 species of hummingbirds that have been documented here. Some are regular (like Ruby-throated or Black-chinned), and others are rare or seasonal visitors (like Lucifer or Anna’s Hummingbird).
How many hawk and eagle species are in Texas?
You can see around 30 species of hawks, eagles, falcons, and other raptors in Texas. That includes:
- Bald Eagles (winter visitors and nesters in some areas)
- Golden Eagles (mostly in the west)
- Several types of buteos and accipiters
- Crested Caracaras and Harris’s Hawks in the south
Hawk migration along the coast (like at Smith Point or Hazel Bazemore) can bring in thousands of raptors in a single day.
Where are the best places to see birds in Texas?
There are hundreds of hotspots, but a few stand out:
- South Padre Island during spring migration
- High Island on the upper coast (warbler fallouts)
- Laguna Atascosa NWR in the Valley
- Davis Mountains in West Texas
- Caddo Lake in East Texas
- Balcones Canyonlands near Austin
Plenty of city parks and suburban spots get high species counts too.
Advice if you’re trying to find birds in Texas
- Check eBird.org to see what species have been reported near you
- Go early in the morning when birds are most active
- Bring binoculars, water, and bug spray
- Try state parks, wildlife refuges, and nature centers
- Learn calls and songs to help find the harder ones
And always keep an eye up during migration seasons, even in your backyard. In Texas, you never know what might show up.
If you’re in the Houston area and dealing with problem birds on your property, Woodlands Wildlife Elimination LLC is the go-to for safe, humane bird removal and control. Whether it’s nests in vents, aggressive birds, or cleanup, we handle it professionally and with care for both people and wildlife.
