Birding in Big Bend National Park | A birding gem in west Texas
Big Bend National Park is a birdwatching gem. If you are planning to visit, get some inside information for birding the park, here!
Big Bend is a long way from any metropolis. If the thought of that gives you sweaty pits, Big Bend may not be appropriate in large doses. Side effects of Big Bend can include sunburn, dehydration, snakebite, Elf Owl sleep, mountain lion in your camp, and abandoned-your-friends-in-a-moving-vehicle-while-drivingoxia. If you are terrified of crawling creatures, Big Bend may not be right for you. Consult your field guide for more questions.
Make sure to read that really fast, like those uncomfortable commercials about medications that appear when you are watching TV with your family during a holiday.
Hotspot Name: Big Bend National Park
Managing Organization: National Park Service
Facilities: Public Restrooms, Trails, Picnic Area
Fees: $30/7 day pass
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/ViG4aeFRR5BrBsAH7
eBird Hotspots for Big Bend National Park
Big Bend NP - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L128913
CottonWoodCampground - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L128897
Rio Grand Village - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L128907
Sam Nail Ranch - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L128909
Chisos Basin - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L128911
Dugout Wells - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L128898
Daniel's Ranch Rd - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1052368
Boot Spring - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L128892
When to Bird Big Bend National Park
Spring - migrants and summer residents can be found during the spring season
Summer - it gets hot, but late spring and summer are your only chance for species like the Colima Warbler
Fall - summer residents still can be hanging around, and fall migrants can be found at higher elevations and near water
Winter - many interesting species winter in the park, and resident species are still prevalent
Number of Bird Species in Big Bend National Park
There are over 450 species of birds documented in Big Bend National Park. For more information from NPS, click here.
Notable Birds of Big Bend National Park
Mexican Duck, Scaled quail, Gambel's Quail, Montezuma Quail, Band-tailed Pigeon, Inca Dove, Common Ground Dove, Ruddy Ground Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Lesser Nighthawk, Mexican Whip-poor-will, White-throated Swift, Rivoli's Hummingbird, Blue-throated Mountain-gem, Lucifer Hummingbird, Common Black Hawk, Harris's Hawk, Gray Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Flammulated Owl, Western Screech-Owl, Elf Owl, Green Kingfisher, Acorn Woodpecker, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Dusky Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, Black-capped Vireo, Bell's Vireo, Gray Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Mexican Jay, Black-crested Titmouse, Verdin, Cave Swallow, Bushtit, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla, Cassin's Sparrow, Black-chinned Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Canyon Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Hooded Oriole, Scott's Oriole, Bronzed Cowbird, Colima Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Painted Redstart, Hepatic Tanager, Pyrrhuloxia, Varied Bunting
How to Birdwatch in Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is one of my favorite birding hotspots in North America. Camping in the Rio Grande Village and then racing the intense sun from spot to spot is a highlight from my college days. I got multiple species of "life birds" from Big Bend when I was visiting for the first time during a spring break many years ago. If you are considering visiting, here are some tips.
Bird early in the morning at lower elevations.
Consider moving higher for the rest of the day or bird only in shaded areas
Bird near water.
The Rio Grande, the wetlands, and any spring or well with water can produce amazing species.
Hike the Chisos.
If you want the Colima Warbler, you MUST do this. Ask at the visitor center in Chisos Basin for recent reports
Cottonwood Campground holds the hawks.
Head to Cottonwood Campground to see the Common Black Hawk and the Gray Hawk
Stay up one evening to listen for owls
Elf Owls are quite vocal in the park. If you camp in Rio Grande Village, you can hear them most of the night.
Hike the Chisos at night
Mexican Whip-poor-will and Flammulated Owl are close to impossible to find without doing this
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Links may lead to affiliate sites.
Reading List & Field Guides for Big Bend National Park:
If you enjoyed this post, please take a moment and subscribe to our site, like our Facebook page, follow us on Instagram, and subscribe to our Youtube Channel.
Also, for birding-related gear, check out our Amazon Influencer Page!
