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The subtropical habitats along the lower Rio Grande are like a part of Mexico north of the border. Biogeographically, this region represents the northernmost extension of the Tamaulipan Biotic Province. The bird life of South Texas is thus characteristic of northeastern Mexico; within the United States, many resident species and Mexican vagrants are known only from South Texas. For this reason, South Texas has become a "must" for every North American birder.

The first couple days of the tour will be dedicated to exploring the areas around Corpus Christi, with a highlight being a boat trip into the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in search of Whooping Cranes. These endangered cranes have bounced back from a population low of just 21 individuals back in the 1940s. The birds here belong to the Wood Buffalo flock, the only truly wild and self-sustaining population of Whooping Cranes left. Other birds we hope to see on this portion of the tour include Boat-tailed Grackle, Seaside Sparrow, Clapper Rail, Snowy and Wilson's Plovers, Sprague's Pipit, Burrowing Owl, Mountain Plovers, and even Aplomado Falcons. If we are lucky, we may also encounter Monk Parakeets, now established in the city. We will also of course chase after any rarities that might be in the area; in recent years this has included Cattle Tyrant, Red-footed Booby, and American Flamingo, amongst others.

We operate our South Texas Rarities tours in mid-winter, when conditions are most likely to produce the unpredictable vagrants that spice up an already extremely rich resident avifauna. Normal post-breeding dispersal and irregular movements driven by environmental stress (such as climatic extremes and food shortages) combine to make winter the most exciting season in South Texas. One can never be sure what species may turn up next. One season may bring a scattering of Masked Ducks and Northern Jacanas, as in 1993. Another may produce species never before recorded north of the Mexican border, as in 1990 when North America's first Masked Tityra, White-throated Thrush, and Yellow-faced Grassquit were found in the area.

During six days of birding along the lower Rio Grande, we'll look for all the specialties for which South Texas is famous, from such common birds as the striking Great Kiskadee to outstanding rarities like the Hook-billed Kite. About forty species of essentially Mexican birds occur regularly along the Rio Grande, with additional irregular vagrants appearing from time to time. Residents include Least Grebe, Neotropic Cormorant, White-tailed Kite, White-tailed and Harris's hawks, Crested Caracara, Plain Chachalaca, Ringed and Green kingfishers, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Green Jay, Clay-colored Thrush, Long-billed Thrasher, Tropical Parula, Olive Sparrow, Morelet's Seedeater (recently split from White-collared Seedeater), and Altamira and Audubon's orioles. In past years, rarities have included Roadside, Short-tailed, and Crane hawks, Green-breasted Mango, Green Violet-ear, Golden-crowned Warbler, Crimson-collared Grosbeak, and Blue Bunting, with notable recent highlights including Black-vented Oriole and Brown Jay (2012), Gray-crowned Yellowthroat (2015), Northern Jacana (2016), Bat Falcon and Social Flycatcher (2021), and an exceptional 2024 season featuring Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Roadside Hawk, Gray-collared Becard, Rose-throated Becard, Golden-crowned Warbler, and Crimson-collared Grosbeak!

During the last few decades, an average of one species per year new to the ABA Area list has been added from the region. Combined with large numbers of wintering waterfowl, sparrows, warblers, raptors, and coastal birds, this makes for a winter birding adventure of major proportions.

Special Note: Recent trends in South Texas bird populations include a decline in overwintering Tropical Parulas, though sightings have become more regular in recent years after a low point in 2013. Hook-billed Kite has also declined since major flooding in 2010, and while still possible, is far from guaranteed. Lastly, Muscovy Duck sightings along the Rio Grande have all but dried up, likely due to increased border patrol presence there, though occasional records still occur.

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Client comment
"This was our third tour with Alex Sundvall as guide. He is such a wonderful addition to the Field Guides staff. His planning, organization, and expertise make our tours extra special. We have the opportunity to see the most targets and areas of the tour possible. He is accommodating and flexible, but also is very good with time management of each place we are visiting. We appreciate him as a great guide and a kind person." C.B., SOUTH TEXAS RARITIES tour participant

"This was a superb tour experience. Guide Alex Sundvall pulled several rabbits out of the hat after people began to get pessimistic--Mangrove Yellow Warbler, for example, and Buff-bellied Hummingbird. He has all the skills of a great birder--sharp eyes, keen ear, deep knowledge--but he also pays close attention to the dreams and expectations of the group, spending extra time finding key species even when they are being uncooperative." D.M., SOUTH TEXAS RARITIES tour participant