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This gorgeous Aplomado Falcon at Lake Balmorhea was a real surprise! On a tour that has a number of rare and endemic species, we did not expect this one, but we were very happy to accept it as a bonus bird for the tour! Photo by guide Doug Gochfeld.
The 2017 Big Bend, Davis Mountains, and Hill Country tour was a big success. We covered a lot of territory in some of Texas’s wildest country. Del Rio was amazing. We had a really cooperative White-collared Seedeater, more Yellow-breasted Chats than you ever imagine, and a tremendous mix of species.
Our stay in Big Bend National Park was rewarding. Varied Buntings showed well in Blue Creek Canyon and the Lucifer Hummingbird nest there was a treat. Rio Grande Village had some nice surprises and we enjoyed the cooperative Common Black Hawks that have nested there for so many years. The hike to Boot Spring was the highlight of our stay in Big Bend, beginning with a cool morning there. We had to get nearly to the spring before encountering our first Colima Warbler, but it showed well with a bonus Dusky-capped Flycatcher.
Our travels north to Fort Davis got us our Eastern Meadowlark and Chihuahuan Ravens. Our evening in the Davis Mountains saw us enjoying some Elf Owls feeding young and examining Jupiter’s four larger moons. No sign of Poorwill, perhaps due in part to breezy conditions and a new waxing moon.
Our visit to Lake Balmorhea the following morning provided the biggest surprise of the tour when Bob noticed an Aplomado Falcon perched near the vans while the rest of us were admiring Clark’s Grebes on the lake.
The Hill Country was also wonderful, from the Tropical Parula hanging out at Neal’s, to the wonderful variety of birds at Lost Maples, including Golden-cheeked Warblers. Great views of Black-capped and Gray vireos added to the mix along with an unforgettable evening witnessing many thousands of Brazilian Free-tailed Bats emerging from the Frio Bat Cave on our final evening out. An Eastern Screech-Owl was icing on the cake.
Thanks to all of you for making the Big Bend trip such a treat for Doug and me. We wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you on another adventure — Chris & Doug.
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
Guide Doug Gochfeld created this compilation of short video clips. Included are some of the special birds of the tour, such as the White-collared Seedeater, Lucifer Hummingbird, Scott's Oriole, and a lovely male Painted Bunting.
WOOD DUCK (Aix sponsa)
GADWALL (Anas strepera)
AMERICAN WIGEON (Anas americana)
MALLARD (MEXICAN) (Anas platyrhynchos diazi)
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors)
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera)
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata)
RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura jamaicensis)
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
SCALED QUAIL (Callipepla squamata)
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo)
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis)
WESTERN GREBE (Aechmophorus occidentalis)
CLARK'S GREBE (Aechmophorus clarkii)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

One of the tour highlights is our visit to the Frio Bat Cave. Thousands of Brazilian Free-tailed Bats exit the cave each evening in spring and summer to hunt across the Texas Hill Country. Photo by participant Marc Ribaudo.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nyctanassa violacea)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)

We had an awesome view of a pair of Common Black Hawks near their nest at Rio Grand Village. Photo by participant Jay Gilliam.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus)
GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos)
MISSISSIPPI KITE (Ictinia mississippiensis)
NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus)
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (Accipiter striatus)
COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii)
COMMON BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus anthracinus) [N]
HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus)
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (Buteo lineatus)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus)
SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni) [N]
ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus)
RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis) [N]
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola)
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata)
AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus) [N]
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
MARBLED GODWIT (Limosa fedoa)

We saw both species of Aechmophorus grebe at Lake Balmorhea. This one is Clark's Grebe, differentiated by the whiter face and bright yellow bill. Photo by guide Doug Gochfeld.
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus scolopaceus)
WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) [*]
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
FRANKLIN'S GULL (Leucophaeus pipixcan)
RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis)
FORSTER'S TERN (Sterna forsteri)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) [I]
INCA DOVE (Columbina inca)
COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina)

These are "Mexican" Mallards, caught in flight by guide Doug Gochfeld. We saw these near Del Rio, Texas.
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (WHITE-TIPPED) (Leptotila verreauxi angelica)
WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica)
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GREATER ROADRUNNER (Geococcyx californianus)
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus americanus)
Strigidae (Owls)
EASTERN SCREECH-OWL (Megascops asio)
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus)
ELF OWL (Micrathene whitneyi) [N]
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) [N]
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
LESSER NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles acutipennis)
COMMON POORWILL (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii)
CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW (Antrostomus carolinensis)
Apodidae (Swifts)
CHIMNEY SWIFT (Chaetura pelagica)
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT (Aeronautes saxatalis)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Lampornis clemenciae)
LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Calothorax lucifer) [N]

Many of the Red-tailed Hawks in Texas belong to the pale "fuertesi" subspecies. Photo by guide Doug Gochfeld.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus colubris)
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus alexandri)
BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
ACORN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes formicivorus) [N]
GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes aurifrons) [N]
LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER (Picoides scalaris)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara cheriway)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis septentrionalis)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)

Scaled Quail were abundant this year, and we had some excellent looks at them. Photo by guide Doug Gochfeld.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Contopus cooperi)
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus sordidulus)
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus virens)
ACADIAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax virescens)
GRAY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax wrightii)
DUSKY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax oberholseri)
CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax occidentalis)
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)
EASTERN PHOEBE (Sayornis phoebe)
SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) [N]
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) [N]

Here is a lovely Yellow-throated Vireo, one of 9 species of vireo that we saw! Photo by guide Doug Gochfeld.
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens)
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus) [N]
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
COUCH'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus couchii)
CASSIN'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus vociferans)
WESTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus verticalis)
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus)
Laniidae (Shrikes)
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (Lanius ludovicianus)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
BLACK-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo atricapilla)
WHITE-EYED VIREO (Vireo griseus)

A female Black-capped Vireo, photographed carrying some unknown material by guide Doug Gochfeld.
BELL'S VIREO (Vireo bellii)
GRAY VIREO (Vireo vicinior)
HUTTON'S VIREO (Vireo huttoni)
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Vireo flavifrons)
PLUMBEOUS VIREO (Vireo plumbeus)
WARBLING VIREO (Vireo gilvus)
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
GREEN JAY (Cyanocorax yncas)
WOODHOUSE'S SCRUB-JAY (Aphelocoma woodhouseii)
MEXICAN JAY (Aphelocoma wollweberi)
CHIHUAHUAN RAVEN (Corvus cryptoleucus)
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax)

The Marbled Godwit that we saw at Lake Balmorhea. Photo by guide Doug Gochfeld.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
PURPLE MARTIN (Progne subis)
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW (Tachycineta thalassina)
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) [N]
CAVE SWALLOW (Petrochelidon fulva) [N]
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
CAROLINA CHICKADEE (Poecile carolinensis)
BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE (Baeolophus atricristatus)
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
VERDIN (Auriparus flaviceps)
Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)
BUSHTIT (Psaltriparus minimus) [N]
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis)

We had to work to find the Colima Warbler, but it was worth the hike in the wind! We had great views of several singing males. Photo by participant Jay Gilliam.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
ROCK WREN (Salpinctes obsoletus)
CANYON WREN (Catherpes mexicanus)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
CAROLINA WREN (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
BEWICK'S WREN (Thryomanes bewickii)
CACTUS WREN (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) [N]
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (Polioptila caerulea)
BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila melanura)
Regulidae (Kinglets)
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus calendula)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
EASTERN BLUEBIRD (Sialia sialis)
HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CURVE-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma curvirostre)
LONG-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma longirostre)
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos)
Sturnidae (Starlings)
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
AMERICAN PIPIT (Anthus rubescens)
Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
CEDAR WAXWING (Bombycilla cedrorum)
Ptiliogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers)
PHAINOPEPLA (Phainopepla nitens)

We had some awesome views of Yellow-throated Warbler at Lost Maples in the Hill Country. What a lovely bird! Photo by guide Doug Gochfeld.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia motacilla)
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia)
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Oreothlypis celata)
COLIMA WARBLER (Oreothlypis crissalis)
LUCY'S WARBLER (Oreothlypis luciae) [N]
NASHVILLE WARBLER (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)
MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER (Geothlypis tolmiei)
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas)
NORTHERN PARULA (Setophaga americana)
TROPICAL PARULA (NORTHEAST MEXICO) (Setophaga pitiayumi nigrilora)
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S) (Setophaga coronata auduboni)
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Setophaga dominica) [N]
TOWNSEND'S WARBLER (Setophaga townsendi)

White-tipped Doves are moving northward, and we found a few at Lost Maples. Photo by participant Jay Gilliam.
GOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLER (Setophaga chrysoparia) [N]
WILSON'S WARBLER (Cardellina pusilla)
PAINTED REDSTART (Myioborus pictus)
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER (WHITE-COLLARED) (Sporophila torqueola sharpei)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CASSIN'S SPARROW (Peucaea cassinii)
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW (Ammodramus savannarum)
OLIVE SPARROW (Arremonops rufivirgatus)
CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina)
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Spizella pallida)
BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW (Spizella atrogularis)

Is it any wonder why this is called the Boot Spring Trail? The iconic landmark was photographed by participant Marc Ribaudo.
FIELD SPARROW (Spizella pusilla)
BREWER'S SPARROW (Spizella breweri)
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW (Amphispiza bilineata)
LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus)
LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys)
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (LEUCOPHRYS) (Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys)
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (GAMBEL'S) (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii)
VESPER SPARROW (Pooecetes gramineus)
SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis)
LINCOLN'S SPARROW (Melospiza lincolnii)
CANYON TOWHEE (Melozone fusca) [N]
RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW (Aimophila ruficeps)
SPOTTED TOWHEE (Pipilo maculatus)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (Piranga flava)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)
NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinalis cardinalis)
PYRRHULOXIA (Cardinalis sinuatus)

The Golden-cheeked Warbler is a true Texan, breeding only in the Hill Country. We had a great experience listening to and watching these beautiful birds. Photo by participant Jay Gilliam.
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus)
BLUE GROSBEAK (Passerina caerulea)
INDIGO BUNTING (Passerina cyanea)
VARIED BUNTING (Passerina versicolor)
PAINTED BUNTING (Passerina ciris)
DICKCISSEL (Spiza americana)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (LILIAN'S) (Sturnella magna lilianae)
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
COMMON GRACKLE (Quiscalus quiscula)
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus)
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater)
ORCHARD ORIOLE (Icterus spurius)
HOODED ORIOLE (CUCULLATUS/SENNETTI) (Icterus cucullatus cucullatus)
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii)
SCOTT'S ORIOLE (Icterus parisorum)

Our group at the Frio Bat Cave. Photo by participant Jay Gilliam.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
HOUSE FINCH (Haemorhous mexicanus)
PINE SISKIN (Spinus pinus)
LESSER GOLDFINCH (Spinus psaltria)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
BRAZILIAN FREE-TAILED BAT (Tadarida brasiliensis)
NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO (Dasypus novemcinctus)
EASTERN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus floridanus)
DESERT COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus audubonii)
BLACK-TAILED JACKRABBIT (Lepus californicus)
MEXICAN GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus mexicanus)
Participant Jay Gilliam captured this video of the bats leaving the Frio Bat Cave.
ROCK SQUIRREL (Spermophilus variegatus)
FOX SQUIRREL (Sciurus niger)
BEAVER (Castor canadensis)
GRAY FOX (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
COYOTE (Canis latrans)
COLLARED PECCARY (Tayassu tajacu)
SPOTTED DEER (Axis axis) [I]
MULE DEER (Odocoileus hemionus)
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus)
PRONGHORN (Antilocapra americana)
SCIMITAR ORYX (Oryx dammah)
BLACKBUCK (Antilope cervicapra) [I]
BARBARY SHEEP (Ammotragus lervia) [I]
Herps
GREEN ANOLE (CAROLINA ANOLE) (Anolis carolinensis)
COACHWHIP (Masticophis flagellum)
DIAMONDBACK WATER SNAKE (Nerodia rhombifer)
WESTERN DIAMOND-BACKED RATTLESNAKE (Crotalus atrox)
Totals for the tour: 214 bird taxa and 19 mammal taxa