Top 15 Types Of Birds In North Texas (With Pictures)

Discover the top 15 bird species in North Texas, from vivid Cardinals to elusive Hawks, and see stunning images that capture their beauty.

popular bird species in texas

North Texas boasts a rich diversity of bird species. The Northern Cardinal is renowned for its vivid red plumage and melodious song. Blue Jays, with their striking blue feathers and bold nature, are also common. The Red-tailed Hawk, a prominent bird of prey, possesses a broad wingspan and distinctive reddish tail. Painted Buntings add a flash of color with their vibrant multicolored feathers during the breeding season. Mourning Doves, known for their soft coos, are a vital presence with soft gray-brown plumage. Each bird plays an essential role in the local ecosystem, offering unique contributions to biodiversity. Discover further insights on these remarkable creatures.

Northern Cardinal

vibrant red bird species

The Northern Cardinal, characterized by its vivid red plumage and melodious song, is a prominent year-round resident of North Texas.

These Cardinals, with their vibrant red coloration, are a common sight at bird feeders, adding bursts of color to the landscape.

Their distinctive 'pichew-pichew-pichew' song is a common sound, enhancing the auditory backdrop of the region throughout the year.

Blue Jay

vibrant blue bird species

Known for their striking blue plumage and distinctive crest, Blue Jays are a prominent feature of North Texas's avian population. These birds, adorned with black and white markings, are intelligent and vocal omnivores.

They feed on nuts, seeds, insects, and small vertebrates. Blue Jays exhibit bold and aggressive behavior, especially in defending their territories or nests, making them quite notable among local wildlife.

Red-tailed Hawk

majestic bird of prey

Red-tailed Hawks, a prevalent bird of prey in North Texas, boast a broad wingspan and a distinctive red tail visible during flight. These powerful raptors primarily hunt small mammals, utilizing their keen vision to spot prey from high perches.

Often observed on trees or poles, their presence underscores the rich biodiversity and complex ecosystems of the region.

Painted Bunting

colorful bird in oklahoma

While Red-tailed Hawks dominate the skies, the Painted Bunting captivates with its kaleidoscope of colors on the ground. In Texas, these birds flaunt their vibrant colors during the breeding season, primarily in brushy areas.

Males are particularly colorful, enhancing the visual diversity of the ecosystem. Their diet of seeds, insects, and berries also plays an essential role in maintaining ecological balance.

Mourning Dove

symbol of peace

Mourning Doves, with their soft, haunting coos, are a common and serene presence in North Texas. Recognizable by their gray-brown plumage and slender tails, these birds are a familiar sight.

Their distinctive cooing sound and frequent visits to bird feeders make them an integral part of the local avian community. They primarily feed on seeds and grains, thriving in various habitats across the region.

Eastern Bluebird

symbol of hope

Shifting focus, the Eastern Bluebird stands out in North Texas with its striking blue plumage and cheerful song.

This small bird, adorned in vibrant blue and a rusty red chest, thrives in the region's open woodlands and gardens.

Its diet of insects contributes to pest control, while conservation efforts have bolstered its population, making it a beloved sight among local birdwatchers.

American Crow

intelligent black bird species

Renowned for their all-black plumage and intelligence, American Crows are a common sight in North Texas. These large, intelligent birds boast a wingspan of 3.3-3.6 feet and feed on a varied omnivorous diet including insects, fruits, and grains.

Highly social, American Crows often form large flocks, especially outside the breeding season, showcasing their complex social structures and communication skills.

Great Egret

elegant wading bird species

The Great Egret, known scientifically as Ardea alba, is a remarkable presence in the wetlands and waterways of North Texas. Standing up to 3 feet tall, these birds boast a slender neck and a yellow bill.

Their white plumage and skilled hunting abilities make them remarkable as they spear fish and frogs in marshes with precision. They are truly a fascinating sight during the breeding season.

Turkey Vulture

scavenging bird of prey

While the Great Egret captivates with its elegant hunting prowess, another notable avian resident of North Texas is the Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, a master of the skies and an essential part of the ecosystem.

These scavengers feed on carrion, using their keen eyesight and strong sense of smell. Their red, featherless head and soaring flight on thermals showcase their adaptability and ecological importance.

Carolina Chickadee

small bird with mask

In North Texas, the Carolina Chickadee, Poecile carolinensis, thrives as a diminutive yet vibrant presence in local ecosystems. This small songbird features a distinctive black cap and bib, white cheeks, a gray back, and a buff-colored belly.

Known for their cheerful 'chick-a-dee-dee-dee' call, they actively forage for insects, seeds, and berries, and nest in cavities across the region.

Black Vulture

bird with black plumage

Shifting focus to another notable avian resident of North Texas, the Black Vulture stands out with its impressive wingspan and distinctive scavenging habits. These large birds, with wingspans up to 5.5 feet, are essential to ecosystems, cleaning up decaying matter.

Their black plumage, featherless heads, and hooked beaks are adapted for scavenging. Social and familial, they often roost and forage in groups.

Great Blue Heron

elegant wading bird species

The Great Blue Heron, a large wading bird, is easily recognized by its impressive 6 to 7-foot wingspan and striking blue-gray plumage. Native to Texas, this bird features a long neck, a sharp, yellow bill, and during breeding season, it sports long, white plumes.

Often found near water, the Great Blue Heron excels at hunting fish and frogs with its dagger-like bill.

Downy Woodpecker

small black and white bird

Among the smallest woodpeckers in North America, the Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) measures approximately 6-7 inches in length. Recognizable by its black and white plumage, males sport a distinctive red patch on the back of their heads.

Their drumming sound echoes in various habitats, marking territory and aiding communication. These acrobatic woodpeckers showcase impressive agility while foraging in trees and shrubs.

Barn Swallow

beautiful bird with tail

Moving from the forested enclaves favored by Downy Woodpeckers, we now explore the open skies of North Texas where the Barn Swallow thrives. Sporting a deep blue back, red face, and cream-colored belly, these agile flyers are often seen darting gracefully.

They construct their distinctive mud nests under structures and are migratory birds, wintering in Central and South America.

What Common Types of Birds Can Be Found in Both North Texas and Austin?

In North Texas and Austin, you can find various types of birds. In urban areas, you may spot the grackle, mockingbird, and pigeon. In natural settings, look for the red-shouldered hawk, painted bunting, and vermilion flycatcher. These are just a few examples of the diverse types of birds in Austin. And if you venture further south to San Antonio, you’ll find even more beautiful types of birds to admire. In the city, keep an eye out for the black vulture, great-tailed grackle, and eastern bluebird. And in the surrounding countryside and parks, you might be lucky enough to spot the golden-cheeked warbler or the black-capped vireo. The types of San Antonio birds showcase the rich avian diversity of this region. These types of native birds contribute to the ecological diversity of the area and provide birdwatchers with a wide array of species to observe. The combination of urban and natural habitats in the region creates a unique opportunity to see both common city birds and more elusive species in their natural environment. It’s no wonder that birdwatching is a popular activity in Texas, with so many beautiful and diverse types of native birds to discover.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

tiny green and red

Inhabiting the dense coniferous forests of North Texas, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a diminutive yet vigorously active songbird.

This small songbird, notable for its olive-green body and occasionally visible red crown patch, thrives on a diet of insects and spiders.

As migratory birds, they breed in North America's cooler regions and winter in the south, filling forests with their high-pitched, rapid songs.