With over 40 specialties, South Texas represents the northernmost stronghold of an essentially tropical bird community. Species like Least Grebe, Hook-billed Kite, Plain Chachalaca, Red-billed Pigeon, White-tipped Dove, Common Pauraque, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Ringed Kingfisher, Great Kiskadee, Couch’s Kingbird, Green Jay, Tamaulipas Crow, Clay-colored Robin, Long-billed Thrasher, Olive Sparrow, and Altamira Oriole are essentially confined to South Texas within the United States. The Hill Country of central South Texas boasts the largest populations of two other Texas exclusives: the skulking Black-capped Vireo and the stunning Golden-cheeked Warbler. This spring’s tour to the lower Río Grande Valley and the juniper-clad breaks of the Edwards Plateau is designed to survey this amazing array of colorful birdlife. Beginning at the 26th parallel, we’ll explore such famous locations as the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, Bentsen State Park, South Padre Island, and the McAllen parrot roosts, savoring the subtropical avian riches endemic to the mottes of Tamaulipan thorn forest still remaining in the delta. Also present, at least sporadically, are such rarities as Short-tailed Hawk, Tropical Parula, and Gray-crowned Yellowthroat. And in the Valley there is always the possibility of a vagrant such as Crane Hawk, Stygian Owl, Masked Tityra, or White-throated Robin whose appearance constitutes a first U.S. record. Moving west, we’ll visit the Chapeño area and the small village of San Ygnacio. This is a transition zone leading into the Chihuahuan Desert and we expect to find Chihuahuan Raven, Cactus Wren, and Pyrrhuloxia—species emblematic of the arid Southwest. Elusive, but also resident along this stretch of the river, are Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Brown Jay, White-collared Seedeater, and the melodic Audubon’s Oriole. The trip will conclude with three nights in the famous Texas Hill Country. A vast limestone block of lovely rolling hills drained by well wooded valleys, the Edwards Plateau is a blend zone for Eastern and Western avifaunas. Visiting such locations as Lost Maples State Natural Area we’ll have an excellent opportunity to record such east-west species counterparts as Ruby-throated and Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Carolina and Canyon Wrens, and Long-billed and Curve-billed Thrashers. This is also the single best area in Texas for Black-capped Vireos and Golden-cheeked Warblers. Add Green Kingfishers patrolling the crystalline streams and Cave Swallows spiraling out of the same crevices that shelter over 10 million Mexican Free-tailed Bats, and it is easy to understand the magnetic pull of the Hill Country.

Leaders: Barbara Bickel & Rick Taylor

Cost of South Texas:  Lower Valley & Edwards Plateau includes guide service, all transportation, lodging, meals, and entrances beginning in McAllen and ending in San Antonio, Texas—$1995.

Photo:  Hooded Warbler in fallout on South Padre Island
Photo by:  Rick Taylor