It's amazing just how many different birds think Big Bend National Park is
a great place to be. In the middle of their long migrations each year between summers
up north and winters down south nearly one hundred ninety species of birds land
here each spring and fall to rest up, to hydrate, and to feed.
From chilly places way up north about one hundred species of birds fly south to
here in the fall to take advantage of the Big Bend's mild winters from
the steamy tropics way down south another one hundred sixteen species of birds flying
north to here in the spring to nest and to raise their families.
Additionally there's some fifty-six species of birds that apparently think the
big-band is such a great place.
How they live here all year-round.
In the Big Bend country far from any coastline there can be classically eastern birds at the western edge
of their ranges in the same way there can be classically western birds
at the eastern edge of their ranges.
Plus one can find some eighty two species of south of the border birds
set the northern edge of their ranges surprise is a common experience of
bird enthusiasts to come here to the big-Bend. Its immediate proximity to Mexico
has a pronounced effect on the chance for the appearance of unusual or even extremely
rare species for the United States. Spring is the time of the most numerous
reports of rare and accidental migrants as well as the time of greatest
diversity of species yet while unusual sightings are thrilling the
part features many locally common species that are often
new to visitors
Big Bend is known for its specialty birds. These species that occur in the united
states only in southwest texas and other areas along their border with mexico.
In fact there is one species that comes here to
ness that can't be found anywhere else in the united states.
All together over four hundred fifty species of birds have been documented
within the borders of Big Bend national park. That's nearly two-thirds of all the
bird species found in the continental united states. What makes Big
Bend national park such a great place for birds.
For one thing the big been region is on a major migratory route
the central fly way of north america. But why do so
many birds land here? Why do some of them go no further
south or north? Why do some not bother to migrate away at all? The answer to
all these questions lies in the park's diversity of habitats. The
ideas the park has a wide selection of places where various kinds of birds
can find shelter water food and places to nest.
Big Bend national park has a well deserved reputation among
its human visitors as three parks in one.
The Chisos mountains which lie entirely within the park.
The Chihuahuan Desert the majority of which lies in mexico, and the Rio Grande
which borders Big bend national park on two sides and defines its name.
The same three parks within a park idea can be used to categorize to parks and
varied bird habitats. With a little planning
in luck visitors to the park can see a great variety
of birds within a single vacation to
guide visitors to the most rewarding opportunities
Big been natural history association publishes the parks
very own bird checklist which is updated every few years.
checklist is available for purchase at any of the parks visitor centers not only does it
No only does it cover which species are likely to be present in which seasons
the checklist indicates the most likely habitats where each species can be found
in which locations in the park have those habitats.
The following places in the
park provide good opportunities to observe a variety of birds let's go.
The Rio Grande village area on the east side of the park produces the greatest variety of
sightings year-round.
You may wish to start your search for birds with an
early morning hike along the rio grande village nature trail.
Trail crosses a beaver pond by way of a series of bridges on floating platforms.
The platforms offer a number of benches to sit on while scanning the shoreline
and snags.
For your own the trail passes a warm water spring fed pond.
Back in the camp ground walk the road through the no-generator zone
generators on your nature trail and walk around the perimeters of the rio
grande village campground around the single-family and group areas.
Peer into the mosquito tickets at the edges of the flood
or gated grassy areas that were once farm fields and up into the
many shade trees especially the call cotton woods.
At the far west stand of rio grande village road is the daniel's ranch picnic
area it features a shady grove of tall cutting wood trees with lush green
lawns underneath from there it's only a short walk to the bank of the
rio grande at the mouth of hot springs canyon. The rio
grande although now much diminished by human demands from both countries it borders
irrigates a double ribbon of lush vegetation.
Between rio grande village and Daniel's ranch is an extra-special place. The common black
hawk nesting area.
Despite its name the common black hawk is a species whose numbers
are in decline primarily due to habitat loss.
Marvelously this grove of tall cotton woods has been host to a pair of black
hawks for several decades. Their annual nest building and young rearing
often takes place within sight of the road. To help increase the black hawks odds
for successful breeding and their continued future use of the area
please remain well outside the sign perimeter and limit your time there.
Another great place for birds along the rio grande is on the west side of the park between the
Castolon historic district and Santa Elena canyon. Although the riparian areas and
habitat here are somewhat similar to those around rio grande village
it's not uncommon to find different species. Check out
the tall trees and surrounding shrubbery in cotton wood campground. Walk the edges of the
mesquite thickets along the river banks near Santa Elena Canyon.
The Chisos mountains and foothills attract many species of birds
that otherwise would not be in Big Bend national park.
The Chisos mountains can be thought of as a moist forested sky island
surrounded by a dry desert sea who's sheltering canyons serve
as wooded bays and estuaries. Up in the Chisos Basin you'll find many of the
parks human accommodations great places to find food rest
enjoy family activities but the basin also offers great places for
birds to find food rest and enjoy family activities.
look in the grass is shrubs and trees around the visitor center large
campground and trail head the window trail waited several
trail heads from the resort complex in campgrounds offers a smorgasbord
of bird species as it leads through a variety of habitats.
It takes some time and effort but here in the high
Chisos Mountains is where you'll need to be to see the Colima
warbler. Big bend's premier specialty bird species.
Although the Colima Warbler comes here each spring to nest and raise
its young it has never been documented anywhere else in the united
states.
Most Colima warblers live in mexico year-round.
The chihuahua desert is studied with trickling springs and still active windmills from the
pre park ranching era. These create oases of moisture and greenery that are
a powerful magnet for birds.
While most of the springs require a fair amount of hiking to get
to there are two historic places within a short walk from the paved
or well graded roadway.
Half dozen miles from park headquarters the cotton would grove at dugout
wells survives in the middle of open desert watered by an old yet still
functional windmill. In addition to its resident desert birds dugout wells
as a secluded stopover spot for migratory birds passing through
it's picnic table is accessible by wheelchair is a great place to sit
while listening for bird songs and calls.
Another excellent place to look for birds and
other wild creatures in search of moisture and shade in the desert is the remains of the
Sam Nail ranch just a few miles from the Chisos Mountains and
its basin window, a well functioning windmill and large shade trees make sam
nail ranch a true desert oasis. A wooden bench under huge
pecans that were part of the ranch house garden provides
a comfortable place to sit while you watch the ever-changing pageant of wildlife.
One last thing park visitors like you are often our best eyes and
ears for sightings of rare are unique birds as well as the earliest
and latest sightings of some migratory and seasonal birds.
So, if you see a bird that's listed as hypothetical
rare sporadic out of season or otherwise different from the park
check list please stop in at a visitor center as soon as possible and fill out
an observation report. Be sure to included a detailed description of the bird what it
was doing and when but most importantly its exact location
because we want to try to see it too if you can get a clear photograph of your
sighting, you may make park history!