Rio Grande Valley recent sightings
From WikiBird
This contains information about current rare bird sightings that don't regularly occur in the Valley or are extremely rare, as well as sought-after species that are harder to find for visiting birders. For other species look in one of the other lists such as the Specialties list, for the species account. For good places to find a species, or directions to sites named here, go to the Birding Hotspots page. For discussion about the sighting see the TEXBIRDS mailing list. See the archive for previous sightings in this area.
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Rare Bird Alert
The Lower Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert is back up, you can reach this service at (956) 584-2731. For an online transcript, go to http://www.birdingonthe.net/hotmail.html. This hotline is updated on Thursdays.
Rare Birds
Jabiru
A Jabiru was found by Rafa Flores and photographed by Ruth Hoyt the evening of August 20 near Raymondville in Willacy County and was relocated the morning of August 21 in the same vicinity. It has evidently been present for some time, with word just getting out now. The Jabiru is a huge tropical stork with white primaries and a huge upturned bill. It’s sporting a red slash of bare skin on the neck like an adult but many of the body feathers are brownish, so this is likely a first or second basic plumaged bird.
The Jabiru is near the intersection of Texas 490 and FM 1425, at times in the field ¼ mile west of the intersection on the south side of the road, and at times about ¾ mile north of 490 on 1425 in the grassy field on the left. 490 is a busy country highway with narrow or no shoulders, and while 1425 is a smaller road, it is still frequented by tractor trailers traveling at freeway speeds. Use caution looking for this bird and be sure to stop completely off the road. The roadside can be quite soft due to recent heavy rains and the flooding from Hurricane Dolly – 4WD is useful but not necessary in most places. This is a TBRC Review Species. This bird has been well photographed (see http://www.ruthhoyt.com/jabiru/).
Location on map
- Thursday A.M. OpenStreetMap
- 11am Thursday 8/21/08 OpenStreenMap
- Thursday evening OpenStreetMap
Ruff
A female Ruff (known as a Reeve) was seen the morning of August 24 at the same location as the Jabiru. It has not been relocated.
Rose-throated Becard
Wayne Bartholomew saw a Rose-throated Becard at Frontera Audubon Center in Weslaco on August 13. The bird was reportedly heard by a single observer on August 16 but otherwise has not been relocated. This is a TBRC Review Species.
Regular but Sought-after Birds
Muscovy Duck
Muscovy Ducks were present in good numbers over winter 2007-2008, and remained in to spring and summer. They were seen flying on the Rio Grande at the Salineno boat ramp recently, while 20+ birds were reported on several days during the winter, spring reports have been of smaller flocks (2-5 birds). We do not have any recent reports of Muscovy. Muscovys have been seen at Estero Llano Grande State Park but were of captive origin with extensive facial wattles.
Hook-billed Kite
Spring reports come from the Tree Tower at Santa Ana (a male) and at Salineno into April. No more recent reports.
Purple Gallinule
A pair of Purple Gallinule were present into June at Estero Llano Grande State Park. Another at Santa Ana NWR has not been reported recently. A single bird was seen in a wetland near Progreso Lakes in mid-August. There are no more recent reports.
Red-crowned Parrot
Green Parakeet
Red-crowned Parrots and Green Parakeets can be seen or heard in many valley cities, especially early and late in the day. In McAllen, both species have been seen or heard at Quinta Mazatlan WBC, and Green Parakeets stage on 10th Street between Violet and Dove. In Weslaco try Oklahoma and 11th street, a few blocks west of Frontera Audubon Sanctuary. Both species were difficult to find in Weslaco last week, but that may be an anomaly. In Harlingen, Pendleton Park at the intersection of Grimes and Morgan is a good place to watch Red-crowned Parrots in the evening. Fort Brown in Brownsville has both Red-crowned Parrots and Green Parakeets. Green Parakeets fly over the Alamo Walmart parking lot (just off 83 at Alamo Road) at dusk.
Groove-billed Ani
Groove-billed Anis are rare in winter in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. In March, a few birds turned up in odd places (e.g. suburban Palmview) indicating possible returning birds. By mid-to late April, they are more widely distributed in a variety of habitats from gardens to thickets to woodlands. BY May, they seem to be everywhere in more open or early successional habitats. Recent reports are from Frontera Audubon Center, Santa Ana NWR, Bentsen State Park and Sabal Palm. Anis are continuing to nest into August.
Red-billed Pigeon
Red-billed Pigeons are seen regularly from Salineno, Roma, and other sites upriver. They are often seen flying along the river or perched up high early in the morning and late in the evening.
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are best seen on the King Ranch or Bentsen State Park, where they are more often heard. The owls are quite vocal in late March and early April, and was seen in several spots in Bentsen State Park in April and May 2007. Check with park staff for information. The use of tapes is not allowed in Bentsen State Park and many other RGV Sites.
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are nesting at the San Miguelito Ranch (http://www.sanmiguelitoranch.com/)about 10 miles north of Raymondville. These birds are reportedly very visible near their nest site at the ranch during winter and spring. June 24,2008 three chicks fledged from the nest box. For access, make prior arrangements with the owner, Leticia Tijerina, at 956-369-3118 or buny55@aol.com. They are also present at El Canelo and on the Norias Tract of the King Ranch (http://www.king-ranch.com/nature_tours.html)nearby.
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
Tyrannulets are nesting at Bentsen State Park, [1] Anzalduas County Park], and Santa Ana NWR. In winter, they are often found flocks, and are readily detected by their call, a single mournful whistle. In summer, they are often alone, and sing a series of mournful whistles.
Tropical Kingbird
Tropical Kingbirds are now regular in the RGV. In winter, they are most often found from Weslaco east to the coast, and they are still outnumbered by Couch's Kingbirds in most locations most winters. They are regular in winter in Weslaco, Alamo, Progresso Lakes, and Brownsville. Listen for their distinctive pipping calls as compared to Couch's Kingbird. Tropicals have a longer bill and more notched tail on average than Couch's. In summer, they nest primarily in urban areas, including Mission, McAllen, Alamo, Pharr, Weslaco, and Brownsville.
Yellow-green Vireo
Yellow-green Vireos have returned to the Brownsville area, with recent sightings from a residential neighborhood for the fifth straight year and Sabal Palm Sanctuary. One was heard from the Hawk Tower at Bentsen State Park and another from the city of McAllen in June. Another bird was singing near Progreso Lakes in mid-August.
Clay-colored Robin
Regularly seen at Frontera Audubon Center, Salineno feeders (winter), Bentsen State Park, Santa Ana NWR, Quinta Mazatlan and other RGV sites. Regular at Salineno and easily seen there in winter. Can be present in numbers, and often at feeders (especially peanut butter mixes) and water features.
Mangrove (Yellow) Warbler
Mangrove Warbler is a well-marked subspecies (or unrecognized species) is present year-round in mangroves around the Laguna Madre. For more information on seeing the Mangrove (Yellow) Warblers contact the South Padre Island Nature Center at (956) 299-0629.
White-collared Seedeater
Seedeaters are best looked for at the Zapata park on 9th Street or the San Ygnacio Seedeater reserve at the foot of Washington Street.
Older Reports
Mangrove Cuckoo
A Mangrove Cuckoo was discovered in Port Isabel June 13. There have not been any recent observations.
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher
Jon Brush discovered a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher June 9 at Quinta Mazatlan WBC McAllen. This obliging female has built a nest in a palm cavity and remained through at least July 1. There are no subsequent reports.
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