This tour offers the ultimate Texas winter birding experience, combining an opportunity to see one of the world’s most endangered crane species with the incredible diversity of wintering waterfowl, raptors, and specialty birds of South Texas.  

As the winter home to the world’s only wild, self-sustaining population of Whooping Cranes, we take a boat excursion into the marshes of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to see these majestic birds. The pristine salt marshes also host a diverse array of wintering ducks, shorebirds, and waterfowl, including species such as Reddish Egret, Brown Pelican, and Roseate Spoonbill. We also dedicate a full day of the tour exploring the historic King Ranch, Norias Division. The ranch is located south of Kingsville and it is the best place in Texas to see the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl.

​

Winter is also an ideal time to observe Rio Grande Valley specialty birds along with any rarities that may be present in the region. Located at the southernmost tip of South Texas, the area supports a variety of bird species found nowhere else in the country such as Audubon’s Oriole, Ringed Kingfisher, Red-billed Pigeon, Brown Jay, Hook-billed Kite, and Green Jay. 

From the majestic Whooping Cranes wintering in the coastal marshes of the Central Texas Coast to brightly colored Altamira Orioles and Green Jays in the subtropical thornscrub of the Rio Grande Valley, this tour showcases why South Texas leads the nation in bird diversity and memorable birding experiences.