Birds

An Oriole and a Mockingbird on a Yucca

NPS Photo

Birds of a Feather

The abundance of wildlife makes the battlefield an attractive spot for nature lovers. Bird watching has become a particularly popular pastime at the park. Visitors have spotted birds of prey like the Harris Hawk, Aplomado Falcon as well as colorful species like the Roseate Spoonbill.

Historic Sightings

Many of the men who fought on this field in 1846 also had an interest in the birds of the area.

Captain John Porter McCown of the US Army is credited for discovering eight new species including the Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Green Kingfisher, Vermilion Flycatcher, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Pyrrhuloxia, Great-tailed Grackle, and Olive Sparrow.

Captain Jean Louis Berlandier of the Mexican Army was a noted naturalist who documented numerous birds of the Rio Grande Valley. As you visit the fields where these soldiers fought, you may see some of the birds they encountered that day.

Contact us if you would like a copy of our bird checklist emailed to you.

 

Groove-billed ani

NPS Photo/ Helen Dhue

White-eyed vireo

NPS Photo/ Helen Dhue

Plain Chachalaca

NPS Photo/ Helen Dhue

 

Bird populations have declined by about 3 billion breeding adults since 1970. That is about a 29% loss of population. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and invasive species are a few of the major contributors to the reduction in bird numbers. Palo Alto serves as a refuge for migrating birds and works to preserve the prairie and brushland that many different species of birds call home.

 

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