White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)Family: Threskiornithidae The White-faced Ibis is a medium-sized wading bird with greenish iridescent wings and a deep reddish-brown head and body. It has a patch of bright white skin on its face and a hefty downward-curved bill, which it uses to probe for food such as insects, worms, frogs, and crabs. White-faced […]
Read MoreThe peak of the summer heat is waning and fall migration is right around the corner. Our High Island sanctuaries are open, and while little can compare to a spring fallout, we still see good numbers and diversity of migrants during September and October. It’s also the time of year we receive a few reports […]
Read MoreAcadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens)Family: Tyrannidae The Acadian Flycatcher is a bird that experienced birders will often consider a challenge to identify. The Acadian Flycatcher, along with about a dozen other species of North American flycatchers, belongs to the Empidonax family, and species within Empidonax can only really be identified by very small details, of which […]
Read MoreHouse Sparrow (Passer domesticus)Family: Passeridae The House Sparrow is easy to find year-round, even in the heat of summer. House Sparrows thrive in urban environments, where there are often very few resources available for birds, but they can also be found in a variety of suburban and agricultural landscapes. Where food is available, large flocks […]
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By Glenn Olsen, GO Birding Ecotours July on the upper Texas Coast is hot–too hot for many of us to enjoy getting out and birding. However, the early mornings and early evenings can be bearable, and provide an opportunity to see some of the birds that will soon be leaving us. Fortunately, we have our […]
Read MoreBy Nhu Bui and Hannah Guyton, Interns, Citizens\’ Environmental Coalition (CEC) You\’ve probably heard all about the three R\’s to save the environment. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. It\’s been drilled into our heads since childhood, and these steps are undoubtedly crucial parts to creating a sustainable society. However, this month we are focusing on the lesser-known fourth […]
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By Sasha Francis, Community Engagement Coordinator, Galveston Bay Foundation Plastic pollution in waterways is a huge problem all around the world with concerning global and local impacts. In the Houston-Galveston area, plastic pollution increases flood risks to neighborhoods when it is trapped in drains, causes water quality issues, and creates an unsightly view while you […]
Read MoreBrown-headed Nuthatch(Sitta pusilla)Family: Sittidae Often found clinging to tree trunks and branches, the Brown-headed Nuthatch is equally at home climbing upward and downward among the high branches of pine forests. Their rather unique habit of walking down tree trunks headfirst may appear silly, but it comes in handy when they are foraging for insects in […]
Read MoreHouston Audubon’s Raptor and Education Center, located in southeast Houston, is not only a beautiful nature sanctuary, but also our education headquarters and home to our ambassador animals. And this past spring has brought some exciting new additions to our team of 31 animals, including 13 birds of prey. The majority of the birds that […]
Read MoreWhite-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) Family: Columbidae “Who cooks for you?” Though the Barred Owl has made this phrase famous in the bird world, the call of the White-winged Dove also fits this same rhythm – albeit at a bit higher pitch. In large parts of its breeding range in the desert southwest, the White-winged Dove […]
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