BIRDING TEXAS
& B E Y O N D
South Texas Specialties & Rarities
November 12-18, 2025
with Cameron Cox & Oscar Carmona
Rio Grande River from Santa Margarita Ranch Bluffs © Oscar Carmona
The South Texas Specialties and Rarities Tour was designed to showcase the unique avian diversity of the Rio Grande Valley. The tour focused on observing the nearly two dozen specialties found exclusively in this region as well as any rare species that might be present during the trip. Despite the weather being unseasonably warmer than typical for this time of year, the participants embraced the conditions, documenting an impressive total of 204 bird species. This remarkable tally underscores the exceptional biodiversity of the Rio Grande Valley, reaffirming its reputation as a premier birding destination.
Common Pauraque © Oscar Carmona
Day 1: After meeting everybody at the airport, we headed to Hugh Ramsey Nature Park where we immediately spotted several notable South Texas birds, including Black-crested Titmouse, Great Kiskadee, and Green Jay. Another notable sighting was a well-camouflaged Common Pauraque, a South Texas specialty, observed in close scope views. This attractive nightjar, while common, can be difficult to see in the daytime and the views obtained through the scope were exceptional, allowing everyone to appreciate the intricate details and beauty of the Pauraque up close. The sighting was a highlight for participants, offering a rare and memorable look at this elusive nocturnal bird. Other highlights included Solitary Sandpiper, White-tailed Hawk, Crested Caracara, Plain Chachalacas, Ovenbird, and over 125 Long-billed Curlews at a sod farm. The day ended in McAllen with a welcome dinner, marking a successful start to the birding trip!
Altamira Oriole © Oscar Carmona
Day 2: We explored the upper Rio Grande Valley in Starr County, starting at Salineño by the Rio Grande River where South Texas brushlands transition into the Chihuahuan Desert. Here we were thrilled to hear a Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl calling from the opposite side of the Rio Grande River – a rare and exciting find as this species had not been recorded in the area for many years. The morning also featured sightings of all three kingfisher species, along with other notable birds like Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-billed Pigeon, White-tipped Dove, Pyrrhuloxia, and Altamira and Audubon’s Orioles. At Falcon County and State Parks, we observed Northern Bobwhite, Greater Roadrunner, American Herring Gull, and Wood Storks. In McAllen, at Quinta Mazatlán, we saw several Clay-colored Thrushes – once rare in the Valley but now more common – along with a scarce Black-throated Gray Warbler, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Pyrrhuloxia, and Red-bordered Pixies – a rare and colorful species of butterfly.
Mottled Owl © Cameron Cox
Day 3: We began day three with a pre-dawn visit to Santa Margarita Ranch to see a female Mottled Owl called “Margarita the Magnificent,” an experience we found to be unique and unforgettable. At the ranch’s bluffs, we had a rare opportunity to observe all three kingfisher species perched in the same scope view lined up from smallest to largest! Other notable species included the rare Morelet’s Seedeater, Audubon's Oriole, Scaled Quail, Wild Turkey, a variety of fruit-eating birds – Altamira Oriole, Green Jay, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Plain Chachalaca, Olive Sparrow – and Javelinas. Other highlights included Black-throated Sparrow, Rock Wren, Lark Bunting, Red-billed Pigeon, Gray Hawk, a bathing Black-throated Gray Warbler, and a distant call from a Rose-throated Becard. The day ended with an encounter with a family of Cactus Wrens and dinner at a festive Mexican restaurant.
Red-lored Amazons © Jeff Lewis
Day 4: On day four we visited Bentsen State Park, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Estero Llano Grande State Park, and various locations around Harlingen. We observed a variety of birds, including Ringed Kingfisher, Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, Plain Chachalacas, Green Jays, Altamira Orioles, Merlin, several hawks (Gray, Harris’s and White-tailed), Clay-colored Sparrow, Vermilion Flycatcher, and many dabbling ducks. The ducks, however, took a backseat to the many Least Grebes, with incredible views of a family group of grebes feeding their stripy-face offspring dragonfly larva - tough day to be a dragonfly! Other highlights included a roosting Common Pauraque, American White Pelican, Roseate Spoonbill, White-tailed Kite, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Burrowing Owl, Groove-billed Ani, Green Parakeets, and various shorebirds. Our last birding destination in the evening produced a spectacular gathering of parrots including Red-crowned, Red-lored, and Yellow-headed Amazons. We watched these highly charismatic birds until the light faded, then concluded the evening with dinner before heading back to the hotel.
Aplomado Falcon © Oscar Carmona
Day 5: We journeyed to Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and coastal areas. We observed Sandhill Cranes, various ducks – Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, and Lesser Scaup. Other species found in this location included, Reddish Egret, Gull-billed Tern, Altamira Oriole, Snowy Plover, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Peregrine Falcon, and Northern Bobwhite. On the Laguna Vista Nature Trail, the group observed Hermit Thrush, Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Verdin, Curve-billed Thrasher, Long-billed Thrasher, Olive Sparrow, Altamira Oriole, and even an Indigo Snake drinking at a water drip. A roadside stop showcased hundreds of Redheads and Nilgai antelopes. During our picnic lunch along Highway 48, we spotted American Oystercatcher, Marbled Godwit, Wilson’s Plover, Western Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Long-billed Dowitcher, Short-billed Dowitcher, Gull-billed Tern, and Black Skimmer. Other highlights for the day included spotting an Aplomado Falcon, King Rail (heard only), and Marsh and Sedge Wrens. At South Padre Island, we saw Mangrove Yellow Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Clapper Rail (heard only), Black-throated Green Warbler, Western Palm Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Sandwich and Royal Terns, Northern Parula, and both Black-chinned and Buff-bellied Hummingbirds. The day ended with dinner at a popular local oyster bar in Port Isabel.
Tropical Parula © Jeff Lewis
Day 6: On day six the group enjoyed time at Los Fresnos Nature Park, where we successfully found the rare Tropical Parula and observed other birds such as White-eyed Vireo, Wilson’s Warbler, and Black-and-White Warbler. We returned to a previous location and had improved views of a pair of Aplomado Falcons, including witnessing one harassing a White-tailed Hawk. At Resaca de la Palma State Park, we saw Couch’s Kingbird, White-tailed Hawks, Swainson’s Hawk, and Cave Swallows. In Brownsville’s Buena Vista Cemetery, we encountered over 50 Orange-crowned Warblers, a Yellow-throated Warbler, Nashville Warbler, among others. At the UTRGV campus, we were able to compare Tropical and Couch’s Kingbirds, saw Anhinga, American Redstart, Lesser Goldfinches, and a Zone-tailed Hawk. The day concluded with a stop at a port connector rich in waterfowl including Cinnamon Teal, Gull-billed Tern, and a large Snowy Plover flock near the SpaceX launch site. Our final stop for the day was Palo Alto Battlefield Park. Here we had a fantastic time watching a particularly bloodthirsty Loggerhead Shrike that had several creatures impaled on a nearby yucca.
Vermilion Flycatcher © Oscar Carmona
Day 7: On the final day, the group enjoyed an impromptu flycatcher appreciation session at La Feria Nature Center – here we had Black and Eastern Phoebes, Tropical Kingbird, Great Kiskadee, and several male Vermilion Flycatchers. Returning to the sod farm we visited on day one, we observed fewer Long-billed Curlews, several Horned Larks, and close views of two Sprague’s Pipits. The trip concluded with a visit to a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher roost, where eleven of these striking birds were seen, marking a fitting end to a successful and diverse birding experience before everyone headed back home. A great finale to a great trip!
This South Texas Specialties and Rarities Tour was a remarkable journey through the rich and diverse habitats of the Rio Grande Valley. Over the course of a week, participants experienced unforgettable encounters with regional specialties, rare birds, and a vibrant array of wildlife, all while enjoying the camaraderie and enthusiasm of fellow birders. The success of this tour was made possible by the dedication of the group, the welcome atmosphere at all of the various birding locations we visited, and the spirit of adventure that each participant brought to the field. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the memorable experiences we shared. We look forward to welcoming you on our next tour, where new discoveries and more exceptional birding await!
Photo Gallery
