It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Peggy Boston earlier this month, a cherished member of our advisory board and a devoted volunteer within the Houston Audubon community. Peggy was introduced to birding in the late 1980s by longtime Houston Audubon volunteer Ellen Red, and she quickly became […]
Read More
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) Family: Alcedinidae By Spencer Poling, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician Belted Kingfishers are common and widespread, yet they’re eye-catching birds whose presence is often hard to miss! Their stocky bodies, large heads, and bulky bills make Belted Kingfishers easy to recognize, yet it’s usually their loud, rattle-like call that announces their […]
Read More
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) Family: Anatidae By Colleen McDonough, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician Sporting a ridiculously large crest, the Hooded Merganser could never not stand out in a pond! Breeding males have striking black and white patterning while females are cinnamon colored. Hooded Mergansers are the smallest of the mergansers found in the Americas, […]
Read More
LeConte’s Sparrow (Ammospiza leconteii) Family: Passerellidae By Robert Buckert, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician This week’s beak belongs to one of the most secretive grassland songbirds in North America. Some birders associate late fall birding with sparrows, as most arrive and are prominent in this window after many other songbirds have already passed through. This […]
Read More
Carissa Aguirre, Houston Audubon Marketing Specialist Finding the perfect gift can be tricky, but don’t worry, we did the hard work for you. This year, get your loved one something they didn’t even know they needed! From bird themed accessories to DIY projects, we searched the web to find the best birdy gifts out there. […]
Read More
Carissa Aguirre is a Houston native, marketer, and professional photographer with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Stephen F. Austin State University. She blends her marketing expertise with a creative eye for visual storytelling and community-centered content. Prior to joining Houston Audubon, Carissa led social media and event efforts for City Orchard Cidery. […]
Read More
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) Family: Charadriidae By Spencer Poling, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician Of all the plover species found in the United States, none is as universally loved as the Piping Plover. They are easily identified by their orange legs, pale tan upperparts, broken breast band, and stubby bill. Two other similar species to […]
Read More
What a year it’s been for YPAC’s inaugural Fundraising Committee! Seven brave YPAC members joined the team with a simple vision: raise funds to save birds. Little did we know how much fun, learning, and friendship we’d find along the way.
Read More
Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius hudsonicus) Family: Scolopacidae By Colleen McDonough, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician With a long, curved bill designed for catching crabs in their burrows, Hudsonian Whimbrels are a joy to watch on their wintering grounds. The species Whimbrel was recently split into Hudsonian Whimbrel and Eurasian Whimbrel based on genetic differences between American […]
Read More
Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) Family: Rallidae By Robert Buckert, Houston Audubon Coastal Conservation Technician This week’s beak is held by the smallest rail in North America. Similar in size to a sparrow, the Black Rail is one of the most highly sought-after and difficult species to spot, proving infamously elusive as it buries itself in […]
Read More
Houston AuduBlog 