Birds

This is a new area and will be under construction for some time.

The initial pages are only an outline and we are asking members to submit content with an item title, a short description, a photograph and a link to a more complete description of the item. Please include sources used. Please send content to newsletter@alamomasternaturalist.org.

---

There are a large number of bird species found in the Alamo Area Chapter area due to the number of ecoregions converging in the region.

There are a number of great places in the area to watch birds. See the San Antonio Audubon Society web site for a list of sites.

The San Antonio Audubon Society also maintains a seasonal check list for Bexar county.

These bird photos are arranged in the same order as in Peterson Field Guide to birds.

Some common birds in the area are (Click on the Photos to Enlarge Them–There are usually two levels of zoom):

 

---

Black Vulture

Common Texas resident. Carrion and garbage eater.

 

 

 

More information about Black Vultures

 

---

American Kestrel

These small falcons are widespread in Texas. Seen here perched in a tree scanning a field for prey such as grasshoppers, rodents and reptiles. May hover over prey before diving.

 

 

 

 

More information about American Kestrels

 

---

Inca Dove

Photographed in back yard searching for seeds that have fallen from the feeder. Common resident in the southern half of Texas.

 

 

 

More information about Inca Doves

 

---

White-winged Dove

Large red-eyed grayish bird with white on edges of wings. Seen here foraging under a bird feeder.

 

 

 

More information about White-winged Doves

 

---

The Greater Roadrunner is a ground dwelling cuckoo. Roadrunner species generally range in size from 18 inches (46 cm) to 24 inches (61 cm) from tail to beak. The roadrunner is a large, slender, black-brown and white streaked ground bird with a distinctive head crest. It has long legs, strong feet, and an oversized dark bill. The tail is broad with white tips on the three outer tail feathers. The bird has a bare patch of skin behind each eye; this patch is shaded blue anterior to red posterior.

Click here to see a short video of a roadrunner.

More information about Greater Roadrunners

 

---

Hummingbird sps.
.

 

 

More information about Black-chinned Hummingbirds

More informaton about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

 

---

Ladderback Woodpecker
.
.
.

<

 

 

 

---

Scissortail Flycatcher

Photographed sitting on a fence waiting for an insect to pass by. Long handsome tail divides as he flies resembling “scissors”, especially during courtship, Summer resident in Texas…..

 

 

 

More information about Scissor-tailed Flycatchers

---

 

Western Scrub Jay

 

 

 

More information about Western Scrub Jays

 

---

 

Carolina Chickadee

Small gray songbird with distinctive black cap and throat. Cavity nester, pictured here in a mesquite snag. Often visits back yard feeders.

 

 

 

More information about Carolina Chickadees

 

---

Black Crested Titmouse

Wonderful year round Texas resident. Frequents back yard feeders, also seems to enjoy shelled peanuts. Will nest in nest boxes. Small over-all gray bird, with white chest and light rusty patches under wings. Pointed black crest.

 

 

More information about the Black-crested Titmouse

 

 

---

Eastern Bluebird

 

Beautiful songster, this bird is a cavity nester. Will perch in a tree or on a fence and scan open area for insects.

 

More information about Eastern Bluebirds

 

---

Mockingbirds are a group of New World passerine birds. They are best known for the habit of some species mimicking the songs of other birds and the sounds of insects and amphibians, often loudly and in rapid succession. Common in Central Texas year-round. Eats mostly insects in summer and also berries in winter.

 

 

More information about Northern Mockingbirds

 

 

---

 

Spotted Towhee

Prefers dense undergrowth and seldom ventures into the open. Eats seeds, insects and fruit.

 

 

More information about Spotted Towhees

 

---

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Winter resident in Texas. Prefers insects but will also visit seed feeders.

 

 

 

 

 

---

Lark Sparrow

Distinctive facial pattern helps identify this sparrow. Eats seeds and insects. Can be found in a variety of habitats throughout Texas.

 

 

 

 

---

Northern Cardinal,

Common in Central Texas year-round. Territorial song birds. Learns its songs so they vary regionally.

These are robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. The sexes usually have distinctive appearances; the family is named for the red plumage of the males.

More information about Northern Cardinals

 

---

 

Painted Bunting

Multi-colored, stunning summer resident in Texas. Visits seed feeders. Female is an overall greenish color…

 

 

 

 

 

---

House Sparrow

Year round Texas resident. Often comes in small flocks to back yard feeders. Introduced to North American in the 1850’s from Europe.

 

 

 

 

 

---

Meadowlark spp.
This beautiful songster was seen as part of a large flock in a field foraging for food. There are two types of Meadowlarks in Texas, the Eastern and Western. They are very similar in appearance, but have different songs which assist the birder with identification. Both birds have yellow underparts with a black “V” on their breast. May be found in grassy meadows and pastures, where during breeding season they lay their eggs in depressions in the ground, concealed by grass……..

 

 

 

 

---

Brown Headed Cowbird

Parasitic nesting bird, lays its eggs in other bird’s nests, often to the detriment of the host bird’s young. Cowbirds feed on insects, and used to follow the bison herds, never stopping in one area long enough to build nests or raise young. Texas Parks and Wildlife sponsors a cowbird trapping and removal program.

 

 

 

 

---

House Finch

 Frequent visitor to back yard feeders. Male has reddish-orange face, chest and rump. Female lacks reddish coloring and is mostly brown with a heavily streaked white chest.

Year round Texas resident.

 

.

 

---

American Goldfinch

Irruptive winter visitor to Texas. Seen here enjoying nyger seed at a back yard feeder.

 

 

 

 

 

---

Lesser Goldfinch

Small bright yellow and black bird, visits feeders with nyger seed. Female’s color is duller overall. Year round resident in most of south/central Texas.

 

 

 

 

---

 

Click on the Photos to Enlarge Them–You may click on the enlargements for even larger pictures.