Top 28 Backyard Birds In Texas

Sometimes it’s quite easy to forget just how many amazing creatures there are across the World, some of which you can see just outside of your backdoor!

If you can take the time to step outside into your backyard and stop and breathe the fresh outside air, then you might notice a few amazing things around you.

Listen out for birdsong, between the rustling of leaves, and keep your eyes open for the creatures that crawl across your lawn, or those that take to the skies just above it. 

If you live in the Texas area, you might not yet be aware of some of the amazing creatures that might regularly be visiting your backyard. An amazing array of birds of many colors and sizes, with plumages that can inspire absolute awe.

But how are you supposed to spot them? And how are you supposed to know exactly what to look or listen out for?

Fear not, for soon you will be an expert in the backyard birds of Texas, as we take you through 28 of the best birds in the area that might be visiting yours soon! 

Red-Winged Blackbird

Part of the larger Icteridae family of birds, which are distinguished by their small and medium sizes and colorful feathers, the Red-Winged Blackbird is a medium-sized bird with medium-sized beaks that are perfect for foraging. 

The males of the species are shining examples of how the species earned its name, featuring intense black bodies that are then complemented by a small bright red patch towards each shoulder.

These contrasting colors make these birds very easy to spot amongst the trees and cause them to look resplendent when taking to the skies.

The females of the Red-Winged Blackbird species feature a more subtle brown plumage which is accented by small white streaks, and a yellow patch close to the face. 

Both male and female Red-Winged Blackbirds create distinct songs to communicate with one another to make flocking easier. Males create a short call with a sharp trilling sound while showing off the red patches on their shoulders, by puffing out their wings. The females of the species will respond with short notes. 

If you want to spot these cute birds within your backyard, then you should check your bird feeders, to see if any are snacking on seeds, or check towards your lawn, to see if any are foraging for insects, both of which are included in their omnivorous diet.

Don’t forget to check your trees as well, as males of the species enjoy taking high perches and singing while showing off their beautiful plumages. Make sure to look at them from a distance, so as to avoid scaring them off.

Blue Jay

Shining with an indigo blue plumage, the Blue Jay is perhaps one of the most fascinating birds that you can come across in your backyard. Interestingly, the feathers of the Blue Jay are actually closer to a grey or brown color.

These feathers feature a unique structure that causes them to distort the light that reflects off of them, and create a hue that we perceive as the famous indigo blue color! 

The Blue Jay is a simply adorable creature, comparable in size to the average Robin, that features a beautiful mix of blue, white, and black feathers. The belly of the Blue Jay is commonly a snow-white color, upon which rest the blue feathers which span from the tufts atop the head, to the very ends of the tail. 

If you want to spot a Blue Jay for yourself, listen out for their distinct songs and calls to know when they are near your backyard. A Blue Jay lets out a jeering sound, a short and sweet call to attract its flock. When they are close to their flock, they often sing a hushed tune amongst themselves.

Much like other birds of the Texas area, the Blue Jay feeds on an omnivorous diet, so you may find them on your bird feeder, on the branch of a tree, or hopping around through your lawn, looking for insects. 

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

This glorious bird might be a little bit more difficult to identify, and this is mostly due to its name. Rather than sporting a red belly, this bird instead has a striking red streak across its head, which leads down to a sharp but short beak.

This bird could quite easily be mistaken for a Red-Headed Woodpecker, but just make sure to look out for the red streak across the head, as the Red-Headed Woodpecker features a fully red head of a darker color. 

You might be able to spot these birds around your trees, pecking away at small patches of bark, in search of food, to satiate its diet of seeds and insects. You may also occasionally see them taking to your lawn to find food that it can then store for later, or to give to its young.

You’ll be able to predict the arrival of this bird by listening out for its shrill call, which has a rolling sound, or for the sound of it drumming lightly on the sides of trees.

American Robin

A small and instantly recognizable bird, the American Robin, part of the Thrush family, is a small and red-bellied bird that you will commonly hear early in the morning.

American Robins famously feed on insects and seeds, with a particular love for worms, which they will tug straight out of the Earth. Look out for them foraging across your lawn, looking for their next snack.

This is a very common bird in Texas, so you may find yourself spotting them by just looking out of your window, but you can look out for them by keeping watch over your lawn or listening out for their iconic song, made up of whistling sounds that are pleasant to the ear, and evoke nostalgic images of springtime!

Western Kingbird

This Texas bird is adorable and features a stocky body perched atop short legs. In profile, the birds appear quite long, despite their stocky build, thanks to their long tails and wings.

At the size of the average robin, this bird is not difficult to spot within your garden, thanks to its distinct color scheme, which is made up of yellow, pale blue, and brown feathers.

Look out for the Western Kingbird’s yellow belly, which leads up to a head made up of pale blue feathers, with wings of a brown color. Surrounding their deep black eyes is a small scattering of black feathers, which creates an ‘eyeshadow’ look. 

You might spot these little birds clinging to your bird feeder, or hopping across your lawn, looking for insects and seeds. However, you might also spot them flying low over your backyard, ready to swoop down and grab at airborne insects.

You can identify them further by the sound of their song, made up of sharp notes that crescendo into descending sounds. You might also hear this song in the early hours of the morning!

Downy Woodpecker

The smallest member of the woodpecker family in North America, the Downy Woodpecker is one of the most adorable little visitors that your backyard will ever host!

Look out for both the male and female variants of the species, which can be denoted by their distinct plumages. Both feature black and white color schemes, with predominantly white bodies accented by black patches.

The males of the species are distinguished by small red patches towards the back of the head.

The small and stocky build of the Downy Woodpecker does not prevent it from creating quite a din! You might hear the bird drumming on the sides of trees or its short and sharp chirps.

These birds often drum on the sides of trees in order to claim territory or to attract a mate, so you never know, there may be a significant flock looking to visit you soon!

American Crow

Much larger than many other birds on this list, the American Crow might come across as an overwhelming and daunting creature, but they are beautiful and well worth looking out for.

Despite its jet-black color, the feathers of the American Crow are semi-iridescent, which gives it a colorful shine when basking in the sunlight.

These birds may be the subject of folklore and scary stories, but they can be friendly, especially amongst their own flock, which can grow to accommodate massive numbers!

However, crows can also be relatively aggressive, and they will often chase competing birds away from their territory, so make sure that they aren’t scaring off too many other birds that might visit your backyard.

These birds feed off of an omnivorous diet which provides them with seeds, grains, insects, and various other sources of nutrients. You could expect to see them on your lawn, maybe even gathering with their flock, or perched atop trees waiting for insects or small creatures like mice to swoop down and grab.

Mourning Dove

The Mourning Dove, a medium-sized bird rather reminiscent of a pigeon, is best known for the sound of its call which has a sad tone, a soft cooing that is then accompanied by louder cooing.

This has been described as a rather haunting tone, though it is still very beautiful and pleasant to hear. This sound is most commonly made by males to attract potential mates. 

You can identify the Mourning Dove by its build, and the color of its feathers. The Mourning Dove commonly has a large and stocky, round body shape that is perched atop small pink legs. These birds also have long tails that point down when perched atop a branch.

Mourning Doves also have autumnal color schemes, made up of pale brown and white feathers, complemented by grey feathers and black spots across the wings, and towards the tip of the tail. 

Mourning Doves mostly feed on seeds, which is the main element of their diet. If they can, they tend to avoid eating insects, but if they are left with few options, they will consume them.

Thus, you may not spot Mourning Doves across your lawn, but you will likely see them hanging from your bird feeder, or perched atop branches or in nests, snacking on food that they have acquired.

Painted Bunting

This bird will be immediately distinguishable, should you find it arriving in your backyard.

Made up of a plumage of colors across the spectrum, the males of the species don blue heads, with red chests, and green feathers across the wingspan. These colors can vary in intensity and layout, with flecks of other colors, such as yellow, showing up amongst the green feathers. 

Females, and the young, amongst the species, are commonly of a pale green color across their entire bodies. Both male and female buntings are incredibly small, around the size of a sparrow, which can make them hard to spot at first, but once you see them, you won’t be able to peel your eyes away! 

These stocky and short-statured birds can commonly be found foraging across your lawn, looking for seeds to snack on, or insects to feed to the flock. You might also spot Painted Buntings on your bird feeders, pecking away at the contents inside.

House Sparrow

These incredibly common birds are simply adorable and are an absolute treat to spot in your backyard. Their colors and builds can vary depending on where they are in the World. Within America, House Sparrows are typically short and stout, with round bodies atop small clawed feet.

These birds also feature short tails and bills, which give them a cute and rounded appearance. 

The males of the species feature feathers of a white-brown color that are complemented by darker brown wings, flecked with black feathers and chestnut brown heads that are capped off with a gray patch, leading towards the beak.

The females of the species feature more muted brown tones, with darker brown feathers across their wingspan, and pale brown colors on their heads, and around their bodies.

You might spot these adorable birds perching on branches, or within nests, with their families or flocks. They will often fly down to snack on bird feeders, or grab at insects or seeds that may be littered across the ground. So make sure to look all over your backyard for these birds, you are very likely to spot them! 

European Starling

The small but sharp yellow beak jutting out from this black-feathered bird helps to make it easy to distinguish, and a joy to behold. This bird’s jet-black wings also have iridescent properties, which causes the bird to shine in the sunlight, reflecting numerous colors. Despite its dark appearance, this bird is full of color and life.

With a size comparable to the average Robin, this bird is relatively small, but they will be easy to pick out from your backyard, thanks to their iridescent black feathers.

As well as this, European Starlings also tend to flock together in massive groups, which you may see flying across the sky. These flocks may group together on your lawn to forage for insects and seeds or they may send out a few of their own to find seeds to bring back to the larger flock, who may be perched atop a tree, or on telephone wires. 

These birds have a loud and sharp call, which makes them easy to hear upon arrival. When they are flocked together, their sound may be even more impressive, so you’ll know when to look out for them!

White-Winged Dove

The White-Winged Dove boasts a unique stature and build that is reminiscent of the common pigeon, and that makes it obvious why they belong in the Dove family. These birds feature plump bodies which are sat atop pink feet. In contrast to their large bodies, White-winged Doves have small heads, with sharp protruding beaks. 

You might see these birds grouped together with their flock, often grouped together in massive groups. They migrate to warmer conditions during the winter, so this is a bird for your summer checklists.

A flock of 1 million of these birds has even been recorded in Texas! Surely, when these birds come to visit, you’ll know it’s happening, as a large flock may arrive and forage through your lawn or on your bird feeder. Make sure to observe from a distance, as scaring one of these doves will cause the whole flock to flee as well! 

You’ll recognize the White-Winged Dove by its songs and calls, made up of scratchy cooing sounds.

Carolina Chickadee

Absolutely tiny, and incomparably adorable, the Carolina Chickadee is definitely a bird you don’t want to miss when it pays you a visit.

The Chickadee has a rounded and plump body, carried by thin legs. Its wings are predominantly made up of black, grey, and white colors. Their rounded bellies feature a soft white color, which is complemented by black streaks on both the top and bottom of the bird’s head.

The wing-span is made up of a soft gray color that completes the wonderful plumage of this bird when its wings are spread, or it is mid-flight. 

Look for flocks of these birds visiting your backyard, often foraging together for seeds and insects, across your lawn, or atop your bird feeders. You may even find a few straying from the larger flock, as Carolina Chickadees are adaptable creatures willing to forage for themselves. Approach them carefully, as they can be rather bashful.

Carolina Chickadees stay in good contact with their flock by utilizing their unique calls and songs. Listen out for their four-note songs made up of incredibly high-pitched whistles which only serve to complement their adorable appearance. Carolina Chickadees may warn their flock of larger predator birds such as Hawks, by letting out sharp calls. 

House Finch

These small and slender birds can be distinguished by looking out for the distinct plumages of the males and females of the species. In Texas, it is one of the more common birds.

When looking out for the House Finch, look for small birds made up of a predominantly brown plumage. These brown feathers are contrasted by small red feathers that spread out from the face, which create a blush-like appearance that is stunning to behold, and absolutely iconic to this species. These red-faced birds are the males of the species. 

When looking for the females of the species, look for smaller birds with similar brown feathers, but without the red blush of the face. These birds feature a mixture of dark brown, and almost white feathers to create a subtle brown color across their entire body.

These birds also feature small and stout beaks that are perfect for foraging amongst the lawn or any bird feeders in your backyard. You may spot them perched atop high branches, surveying the area to find areas with a high concentration of feed. They will often stop to shred nuts down with their beaks, to make them easier to feed on.

The House Finch has a song and a call made up of multiple sharp and sweet notes.

Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal is best distinguished by looking out for its unique plumages. Towards the top of a Northern Cardinal’s head is a patch of feathers that point straight upwards in a spiky tuft that gives their heads a larger appearance. 

Despite their crazy and distinctive heads, these birds are rather small, only slightly larger than the average sparrow.

Males of the species feature a fire red color scheme, with this color spreading all across their body which makes them really pop amongst the various green shades of your backyard. Towards the face of the male is a smattering of black feathers, which circle the bright orange beak. 

Females lack the resplendent red feathers, but still have the bright orange beak, which stands in stark contrast to the light brown and gray feathers that make up their bodies. Females are very similar in stature and build to the male, and also sport the unique tuft feathers atop the head. 

These birds will often forage together, close to the ground to search for seeds and insects. You may also spot them on your birdfeeder so make sure to check around. The call of the Northern Cardinal is sharp and distinct and comes out in a string of rapid notes.

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

The Yellow-Rumped Warbler is a small and stout species with a distinct gray and yellow color. The majority of this bird is covered by grey and white feathers, with black flecks that create a distinguished look. This look is then complemented by beautiful yellow patches on the head, and just under the shoulders, towards the chest. 

You’ll notice that these birds are visiting your backyard by listening out for their calls and songs. The song is a soft warble at a high pitch that gains speed as it goes. These birds will further call out and communicate with one another through short and sharp ‘check’ sounds.

When they are visiting your backyard, look out for them perched atop trees, or on branches, as these are areas that they commonly visit in order to forage.

You might also spot them flying low towards your lawn in order to catch insects mid-flight! This is a wonderful display that is a treat in real-time, and can look even more incredible if you can capture it in slow-motion footage!

Barn Swallow

The Barn Swallow, despite being classed amongst the smallest of birds, swallows, features a unique and distinct body shape. Perhaps more slender than most birds of its size, this bird features a more thin frame that juts out sharply.

The head of the bird has a rather flat appearance, that suits its small but long beak that is purpose-built to forage for buried seeds or insects. This bird has no distinct neck shape, instead, its head leads downwards towards large shoulders upon which its wings rest.

When in mid-flight, you will notice the unique shape of this bird’s tail, with a fork-like appearance that splays outwards and creates a glorious silhouette. 

The Barn Swallow is completed by a beautiful display of colors across its feathers, with a mix of autumnal browns, deep blues, and cinnamon reds, that color its face. 

When visiting your backyard, you should expect to see them taking to the air to feed, by grabbing at insects in the air or just above the ground. They occasionally forage together with their flock, and they may also occasionally visit your bird feeder! 

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Small enough to fit within the palm of your hand, the tiny Ruby-Crowned Kinglet is an adorable bird with short and stout stature, with round bellies that connect, without a neck, to long and slender heads. The head of the Ruby-Crowned Kinglet is also completed by a small and slender beak for foraging.

Amongst males of this species, there is a very unique and interesting feature that is worth looking out for if the situation presents itself. When the male Ruby-Crowned Kinglet becomes excited, a small tuft of red feathers at the back of its head rises up. Hence the very special name!

The small stature of these birds makes them perfect at foraging, by quickly hopping around on their little legs through your lawn to find insects and seeds, as well as spiders. These birds are also incredibly acrobatic and can move very quickly at the slightest hint of danger, so make sure to observe from a good distance so as not to scare one away!

The song of the Rub-Crowned Knight is loud enough to contrast with the meek appearance of the bird, reaching a sharp and sweet crescendo. The call is also similarly loud and is used to communicate with others in their flock. 

Tufted Titmouse

This is one of the most stylish birds that could appear in your backyard. Featuring a small but slender body joined to a small and adorable head, this bird is colored with shades of grey atop a body of crisp white feathers. Hidden just beneath the wings is a small orange blush patch that shines when the wings are spread.

Despite its small size, this bird has a larger-than-life appearance, thanks to the small tuft of feathers at the top of its head, which creates a small and stylish spike that points to the skies.

These birds love to visit bird feeders and snack on small amounts of seed or suet by picking at it with their small but tactile beaks. These birds love to hang from the sides of bird feeders thanks to their acrobatic and energetic personalities.

You’ll often spot these birds perched along small tree branches or flocking with other birds, such as Chickadees or Woodpeckers! This means, if the conditions are right, that you can expect to meet a whole host of birds whenever the Tufted Titmouse is around!

You can make out the Tufted Titmouse by ear, by listening for the quick and repetitive whistle that sounds rather like “Peter Peter”.

Eastern Phoebe

The Eastern Phoebe is special for its unique appearance, being almost entirely round, with a small head that is practically indistinguishable from the rest of its body!

Its round belly is covered with soft white feathers, which rest beneath the wings, which are colored with light brown feathers. Its head features darker brown feathers towards the crown and the top of the beak.

The feet of the Eastern Phoebe are almost comical in relation to the shape of the body. The legs are small and slender, with a stick-like black appearance that stands in wonderful contrast to the soft colors of the Phoebe’s belly. 

The Eastern Phoebe will often capture its prey mid-flight by capturing flying insects or dropping just short of touching the ground. They will often return straight to their original perch to partake in their fresh catch. 

The Eastern Phoebe gained its unusual name as a direct result of its song, which is made up of two notes that create a sound rather like “Fee-bee”. They will often vary the period between these two notes to communicate specific emotions. They also make small chirping noises to communicate with others in the flock. 

Ladder-Backed Woodpecker

The Ladder-Backed Woodpecker is an absolute marvel to witness should they choose to visit your backyard. You’ll find yourself transfixed by the amazing plumage of this bird, made up of thousands of small black and white feathers arranged in such a way as to create a dotted pattern across the length of its body.

Both male and female Ladder-backed Woodpeckers have distinct black markings on their faces that reach out from their beaks and circle around their eyes. The males of the species stand out for the red markings on their crowns that extend back from their beaks, which gives them a striking look that makes them stand out.

Of course, these birds use their sharp beaks to peck away at the bark of trees in order to mark their territory, but also to signal to the flock or to attract mates. They also make extremely short and sharp “Peek” sounds that help them to stay in contact with each other and to map out mentally where their flock is in relation to them. 

These birds forage around trees, by perching up high and digging about to find insects that might be hidden within. They may also take to the ground to look for seeds, so make sure to check your lawns. 

Orange-Crowned Warbler

A small but pointy bill on the face of this small and adorable bird perfectly complements their small yellow bodies.

Across the wings are gray feathers which blend with the more yellow feathers to create a muted olive color that is then completed by a small orange patch to the top of the bird’s head.

This small orange patch helps the bird to stand out and helps to make it easily identifiable, hence its namesake. These orange feathers will rise up to stand on edge whenever the bird is excited or angered. 

You will likely spot these birds in your backyard sitting atop trees and along branches. They also forage along the ground while also letting out a faint call. This is so as to attract their flock to a potentially valuable food source. You might also spot these birds hanging from your bird feeder to snack on seeds.

You might recognize the birds from afar by listening for their distinct sounds, such as their sweet song of rapid and clear notes made up of “chee” sounds.

When these birds call they produce a chirping sound which is high pitched, so as to carry across large distances to contact the flock They commonly make this call in order to warn of approaching predators.

Great-Tailed Grackle

A medium-sized bird with an extraordinarily long tail that fans out from behind, the Great-Tailed Grackle is an amazing bird to behold. The males of the species are distinguished by their tall and slender bodies that reach up to their tall but rather flattened heads. The bill of the Great-Tailed Grackle is stout but sharp.

Females of the species have distinctly rounded bodies in comparison to their male counterparts, but they do also sport long beaks and tails. 

If you want to identify these birds when they show up in your backyard, then look out for the iridescent black feathers that shine with a blue reflection.

In contrast to their deep black feathers, the males also have bright yellow eyes that glimmer. Females, on the other hand, sport a brown plumage made up of light tan feathers across the chest, chestnut feathers atop the head, and dark brown feathers across their wingspan.

When looking out for these birds, you can take note of their songs, which are made up of either sweet tones that are pleasant to the ear, or harsh songs that are made up of high-pitched shrieks. 

Brown-Headed Cowbird

This species earned its strange name as a result of its tendency to be found hanging around herds of cattle! The Brown-Headed Cowbird remains true to its name thanks to its distinctive two-color plumage. Across the body and wingspan of the Brown-Headed Cowbird is a set of deep blue feathers that appear darker than they are.

Atop these is the bird’s titular brown head, which stands in stark contrast to the body, with its rich color. The head sits atop a round and plump body, without a distinguishable neck shape.

You may also end up spotting the females of the species, who, while not sporting the deep blue feathers or the brown head, do have a very similar body shape.

The color of the females tends to be a subtle and rather dull brown color that may lead to them being mistaken for other birds. If you see these birds around their male counterparts, this will make them easier to identify!

These birds will show up in your backyard commonly hopping across your lawn in search of seeds and insects to forage. Males also strut about on the ground to put on a display for potential mates, so make sure to check your lawn! You will likely hear the birds from a mile off, thanks to their water-like song made up of gurgling sounds.

American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch is a widely recognizable species of bird, thanks to its bright yellow body that is accented with black feathers across the wings and along the front of the face.

The American Goldfinch is a widely common bird, so much so that it can further be categorized into distinct subspecies, such as the Eastern Goldfinch, the Pale Goldfinch, or the Willow Goldfinch, all of which have their own unique differences.

The American Goldfinch is a small creature, around the size of a sparrow, that has a more slender build that leads up to a distinct head. They also have a tail that juts out slightly.

The males of the species can take two different forms. Breeding males take on the characteristic yellow bodies with black features, while non-breeding males have a more subtle brown appearance, with a light yellow blush around the face.

This is much the same for the females of the species, of which those who are breeding sport a more olive-colored appearance. The non-breeding females also take on a more subtle color.

American Goldfinches are full of energy, and can often be seen hanging on the sides of bird-feeders, pecking away at the treats inside. They often forage together, so you may see small flocks of them gathered on your lawn looking for buried treats.

The American Goldfinch can be rather loud, often calling out mid-flight in order to draw attention. They also make loud calls if they are threatened, or to warn the flock at large. The American Goldfinch has a pleasant song that you might hear in the early morning.

Eastern Bluebird

The Eastern Bluebird is a short and stout bird that you might spot in your backyard perched atop various high places, such as branches, fence posts, or electric wires.

If you were to observe them quietly within your backyard, you might occasionally see them spreading their wings and swooping low across the ground to grab at insects or fallen seeds. These birds also occasionally feed on the fruits from trees, by perching atop branches and carefully picking away at berries. 

The male Eastern Bluebird features a beautiful mix of peach blush feathers that spread across the chest, over white feathers. Atop these peach feathers are beautifully bright blue wings that lead into a short tail, accented by small black feathers with white streaks. The blue feathers spread atop the bird’s head, and lightly mix with the peach color just below the beak.

Females have a similar slender body shape, but have more muted colors, with chestnut browns and grayish browns. Females do have a small smattering of blue feathers, along the edge of their wings.

The call of the Eastern Bluebird is short and sweet with only a small amount of notes. They use these calls to keep in touch across great distances. The song of the Eastern Bluebird is a little more chaotic, made up of warbled notes that create a chattering sound. Despite this, it is still a pleasant sound to human ears.

House Wren

This little bird is immensely cute, thanks to its completely round shape. The House Wren features a curved, short, and stout body that perches atop small brown feet.

The House Wren lacks a distinct neck shape, which only adds to making it an adorable treat to the eyes. The bird also has a short tail that poked upward, which gives it a sharp flair that stands in contrast to its soft and round appearance. 

The House Wren has a pale brown color with darker wing tips that are lightly flared with tiny black and white patches that extend down to the tail.

You’ll likely spot this bird in your backyard thanks to its energetic personality, you might spot it joyfully hopping through your lawn, or hanging to the edge of branches in search of seeds and insects.

This joyful and energetic personality is also displayed in the sounds it makes! House Wrens will commonly sing to themselves as they forage or as they softly fly above your yard. The songs of these birds are short, sweet, and exciting, thanks to varying notes. 

Northern Mockingbird

Famous for their beautiful and complex songs and calls of sweet notes, the Northern Mockingbird is both a treat to look, and listen, out for! You’ll likely recognize this bird from its songs of varying sounds and notes.

When singing, the Northern Mockingbird will commonly repeat the same sound around six times before shifting to a new sound.

The state bird of Texas, Northern Mockingbirds will treat you to a cacophony of songs every time they visit. You can expect these songs to vary every time they are near, as, true to their name, the Northern Mockingbird enjoys imitating the sounds of other creatures!

You can identify these birds by sight by looking at their bodies that are short and stout, and covered with a wealth of gray, black, and white feathers.

The belly and chest of the Northern Mockingbird are covered with soft white feathers that softly blend into a light gray atop the head and around the back of the bird. The wings feature darker feathers accented by white markings. The bird also has a long tail of a few feathers. 

Thanks to their gifted abilities of imitation, and their ability to create wildly varying songs, these birds love to show off and make a display of themselves. You’ll hear them as they perch themselves high on fences or wires above your backyard.

This bird feeds off of an omnivorous diet, so you’ll likely see it foraging close to the ground or flying down to catch food in mid-air. 

Related Questions

How can I attract more bird species to my backyard feeders?

There are multiple things you can do to attract birds to your backyard. Best of all of these is to provide food and water. Scatter seeds across your lawn to attract birds that forage across the ground, you may even attract a flock of birds that forages as a group, which is a wonderful display to behold.

You can also add bird feeders to attract birds that like to perch while feeding. Make sure to also provide a source of water, as foraging is thirsty work for these little guys! Remember there are so many birds in Texas that if you put a bit of effort in, you will be rewarded.

How do I identify a backyard bird?

First of all, if you spot any interesting birds in your backyard, make sure to observe them from a distance. Getting too close or creating loud and sudden movements is likely to scare them off.

Once you can observe them comfortably, look out for the color patterns of their wings to see if you can identify them through this. If not, take note of the body shape of the bird, or look out for unique features, such as the tufted feathers of the Northern Cardinal.

What are common birds that are black?

The Red-winged Blackbird, American Crow, European Starling are most common Texas birds.

Where are good places to go bird watching in Texas?

Here are some good places to explore and see a range of birds: Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. There are some of the best birds in Texas to be found in these places.

We hope you enjoyed our descriptions and pictures of the Birds of Texas!