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At Estero Llano Grande celebrating the amazing sighting of a Rose-throated Becard moments earlier. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
This year’s Spring in South Texas tour got off to a bit of a rocky start due to some cold, windy weather for the first couple of days. Despite that, we had a great time on our boat trip with Tommy Moore to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge where we enjoyed our first Whooping Cranes and saw a handful of other marsh specialties. We spent part of the next morning birding at Lion/Shelly Park where the big highlight was a close look at Barred Owl and a female Green Kingfisher. We next ventured south to the Texas ranch county and paid a visit to the mighty King Ranch where Jim Sinclair took good care of us, showing us a couple of Tropical Parulas, Sprague’s Pipits, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Audubon’s Oriole, and a crowd-pleasing Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl. Not to mention a bunch of strange Nilgai. We were then off to the lower valley where we spent the next few days taking in a number of sites and their specialties. Highlights included a couple of spectacular parrot roosts, Aplomado Falcon, an amazing view of the stakeout Rose-throated Becard, and so much more. Further upriver in Salineno, we were able to track down our first White-collared Seedeaters and some Red-billed Pigeons, but it was the appearance of a male Muscovy Duck right as we arrived that was the real thrill for me, being my first sighting of this species in Texas in several years. We were able to sneak fairly close to it before it caught on to our presence. That left some time to look for some desert birds and pay one last visit to Laredo before heading back to Corpus Christi to say our goodbyes. This was a really fun trip with some great folks. Thanks to all of you for making this trip so much fun to guide. I hope to see you all again on another trip soon. Good Birding! — Chris
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
A pair of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks going sailing past us at Santa Ana. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna bicolor)
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata)
GADWALL (Anas strepera)
AMERICAN WIGEON (Anas americana)
MALLARD (MEXICAN) (Anas platyrhynchos diazi)
MOTTLED DUCK (Anas fulvigula)
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors)
The star of the show at Estero Llano Grande, this male Rose-throated Becard. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera)
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata)
NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta)
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (AMERICAN) (Anas crecca carolinensis)
REDHEAD (Aythya americana)
LESSER SCAUP (Aythya affinis)
BUFFLEHEAD (Bucephala albeola)
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (Mergus serrator)
Another star, this spectacular Muscovy Duck showed off at Salineno. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura jamaicensis)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
PLAIN CHACHALACA (Ortalis vetula)
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo)
Gaviidae (Loons)
COMMON LOON (Gavia immer)
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Two adult Whooping Cranes hanging out at Goose Island. Still one of the rarest birds in North America. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
LEAST BITTERN (Ixobrychus exilis)
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
A striking Tricolored Heron. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)
TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor)
REDDISH EGRET (Egretta rufescens)
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 IBIS (Eudocimus albus)
A handsome male Tropical Parula seen at the King Ranch. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi)
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus)
HOOK-BILLED KITE (HOOK-BILLED) (Chondrohierax uncinatus uncinatus)
NORTHERN HARRIER (AMERICAN) (Circus cyaneus hudsonius)
One of the several great looks we had of White-collared Seedeater. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (Accipiter striatus)
COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii)
HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus)
WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
GRAY HAWK (Buteo plagiatus)
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (Buteo lineatus)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus)
SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni)
An obliging Sprague's Pipit at the King Ranch. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
CLAPPER RAIL (GULF COAST) (Rallus crepitans saturatus)
SORA (Porzana carolina)
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata)
AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana)
Gruidae (Cranes)
SANDHILL CRANE (Antigone canadensis)
WHOOPING CRANE (Grus americana)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus)
The cryptic Common Pauraque put on quite a show for us. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana)
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus palliatus)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica)
SNOWY PLOVER (Charadrius nivosus)
WILSON'S PLOVER (Charadrius wilsonia)
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus)
PIPING PLOVER (Charadrius melodus)
One of the several Red-billed Pigeons seen so well at Salineno. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
LONG-BILLED CURLEW (Numenius americanus)
MARBLED GODWIT (Limosa fedoa)
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)
STILT SANDPIPER (Calidris himantopus)
SANDERLING (Calidris alba)
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)
PECTORAL SANDPIPER (Calidris melanotos)
One of the Green Parakeets in the impressive McAllen roost. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri)
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus scolopaceus)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
WILLET (Tringa semipalmata)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla)
RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis)
A Ringed Kingfisher showing off nicely in Laredo. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
HERRING GULL (AMERICAN) (Larus argentatus smithsonianus)
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus)
LEAST TERN (Sternula antillarum)
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica)
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia)
FORSTER'S TERN (Sterna forsteri)
ROYAL TERN (Thalasseus maximus)
SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
A male Green Kingfisher at the mouth of Zacate Creek in Laredo. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
BLACK SKIMMER (Rynchops niger)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
RED-BILLED PIGEON (Patagioenas flavirostris)
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) [I]
INCA DOVE (Columbina inca)
COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica)
The gaudy colored Green Jay, so much more than just green. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GREATER ROADRUNNER (Geococcyx californianus)
Strigidae (Owls)
EASTERN SCREECH-OWL (MCCALL'S) (Megascops asio mccallii)
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus)
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum)
BARRED OWL (Strix varia)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus alexandri)
A glowing Altamira Oriole at the headquarters at Bentsen. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia yucatanensis)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes aurifrons)
LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER (Picoides scalaris)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara cheriway)
This male American Kestrel was a bit of eye candy at Lion/Shelly Park in Refugio. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
MERLIN (Falco columbarius)
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
MONK PARAKEET (Myiopsitta monachus) [I]
RED-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona viridigenalis)
RED-LORED PARROT (YELLOW-CHEEKED) (Amazona autumnalis autumnalis) [I]
YELLOW-HEADED PARROT (Amazona oratrix) [I]
One of the two Peregrine Falcons hunting at Santa Ana NWR. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
WHITE-FRONTED PARROT (Amazona albifrons) [I]
GREEN PARAKEET (Psittacara holochlorus)
MITRED PARAKEET (Psittacara mitratus) [I]
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma imberbe)
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)
EASTERN PHOEBE (Sayornis phoebe)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
The trip favorite of several was this wonderful Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl seen at the King Ranch. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens)
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus crinitus) [*]
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
COUCH'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus couchii)
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus)
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Pachyramphus aglaiae)
Laniidae (Shrikes)
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (Lanius ludovicianus)
A Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet poses for us on the King Ranch. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
WHITE-EYED VIREO (Vireo griseus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
GREEN JAY (Cyanocorax yncas)
CHIHUAHUAN RAVEN (Corvus cryptoleucus)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
PURPLE MARTIN (Progne subis)
TREE SWALLOW (Tachycineta bicolor)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
CAVE SWALLOW (TEXAS) (Petrochelidon fulva pallida)
A couple of lookalikes. Here a Couch's Kingbird with a stouter bill and less deeply notched tail. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
CAROLINA CHICKADEE (Poecile carolinensis)
BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE (Baeolophus atricristatus)
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
VERDIN (Auriparus flaviceps)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
SEDGE WREN (Cistothorus platensis)
MARSH WREN (Cistothorus palustris) [*]
CAROLINA WREN (Thryothorus ludovicianus) [*]
BEWICK'S WREN (Thryomanes bewickii)
While this Tropical Kingbird is slightly longer billed and with a more deeply notched tail. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
CACTUS WREN (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)
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)
CLAY-COLORED THRUSH (Turdus grayi)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis)
A lingering Western Willet seen at Indian Point. While a potential split of Willets was discussed on the tour, early feedback suggest that the split will not happen. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
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)
SPRAGUE'S PIPIT (Anthus spragueii)
Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
CEDAR WAXWING (Bombycilla cedrorum)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia motacilla)
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia)
A couple of Chihuahuan Ravens interacting with one another. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Oreothlypis celata)
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas)
NORTHERN PARULA (Setophaga americana)
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (MYRTLE) (Setophaga coronata coronata)
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S) (Setophaga coronata auduboni)
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Setophaga dominica)
WILSON'S WARBLER (Cardellina pusilla)
A Rose-bellied Lizard, one of the common lizards in the Rio Grande Valley. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila torqueola)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CASSIN'S SPARROW (Peucaea cassinii)
SEASIDE SPARROW (Ammodramus maritimus)
OLIVE SPARROW (Arremonops rufivirgatus)
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW (Amphispiza bilineata)
LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus)
SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis)
LINCOLN'S SPARROW (Melospiza lincolnii)
One of the more common butterflies in the valley is the Empress Leilia. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
SWAMP SPARROW (Melospiza georgiana)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinalis cardinalis)
PYRRHULOXIA (Cardinalis sinuatus)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)
WESTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella neglecta)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella magna)
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
The strange Nilgai, introduced from India and Pakistan, and roaming free over a large area of south Texas. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus major)
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus)
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater)
HOODED ORIOLE (Icterus cucullatus)
ALTAMIRA ORIOLE (Icterus gularis)
AUDUBON'S ORIOLE (Icterus graduacauda)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
HOUSE FINCH (Haemorhous mexicanus)
LESSER GOLDFINCH (Spinus psaltria)
Another sight to see are the impressive Texas Longhorns. These were at the King Ranch. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (Spinus tristis)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
EASTERN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus floridanus)
MEXICAN GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus mexicanus)
FOX SQUIRREL (Sciurus niger)
NUTRIA (Myocastor coypus) [I]
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (Tursiops truncatus)
COYOTE (Canis latrans) [*]
COLLARED PECCARY (Tayassu tajacu)
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus)
NILGAI (Boselaphus tragocamelus) [I]
Other Critters:
Scimitar-horned Oryx (Oryx dammah) - Quite a few in Texas though not considered established.
Impala (Aepyceros melampus) - at the King Ranch. Not considered established elsewhere in Texas.
American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) - well seen at Estero Llano Grande.
Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Lithobates berlandieri) - some of these were at Blucher Park.
Pond Slider (Trachemys scripta) - lots at Estero Llano Grande.
Diamond-backed Watersnake (Nerodia rhombifer) - Another great Scott spot at Estero.
Blue Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus cyanogenys) - On the walls at the entrance to Bentsen.
Rose-bellied Lizard (Sceloporus variabilis) - scattered locations.
Common Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis gularis) - At Santa Ana NWR.
Totals for the tour: 209 bird taxa and 9 mammal taxa