Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)Family: Anatidae The Bufflehead is the smallest duck in North America. Male Buffleheads are small ducks with short dark grey bills, black backs, rumps, tails and wings, white underside, with thick vertical white stripes going across the wings, and a thick white patch going around the purple-green iridescent head. Female Buffleheads are dark […]
Read MoreWe know that Houston is a vital city for birds, but now it’s official. Houston Audubon’s Conservation Team worked tirelessly in partnership with Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) Natural Resources Program to submit the application, and it paid off. Houston was honored as one of the first four cities to receive the Bird City […]
Read MoreHerring Gull (Larus argentatus)Family: Laridae Distinguished from other local gulls by its larger size and generally bulky shape, the Herring Gull can be found in our area during the cooler months. While wintering in the Gulf Houston Area, Herring Gulls will scavenge for food along coastlines and in mudflats – as well as in agricultural […]
Read MoreLast week, we bid a happy farewell to Juanita Perkins, Office Manager at Houston Audubon. After over a decade of service to Houston Audubon, she has retired and is now entering the next chapter of her life. This beautiful soul will be very much missed by all of the staff, board members, volunteers, and anyone […]
Read MoreSharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)Family: Accipitridae The Sharp-shinned Hawk gets its name from the thin ridge on its lower legs. They are the smallest hawk in North America. At maturity, these hawks have small dark grey head, nape, wing, and backside, light rufous barring on the cheeks, throat, and underside, and fine horizontal black and white […]
Read MoreBuff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis)Family: Trochilidae Like most hummingbirds, the Buff-bellied Hummingbird is primarily green, especially around the head and back. It has a rufous-colored tail and a buffy wash to its light underside, and its bill is distinctively reddish or orangey-red with a black tip. Weighing just under 5 grams (about as much as two […]
Read MoreEvery serious birder knows that if you’re looking for something special, it’s a good idea to find a mixed flock. Even on days when it seems like nothing is moving, a single mixed flock can be a game changer. I experienced this firsthand a few days ago when I made my way to Bear Creek […]
Read MoreThank you for visiting! We created this blog to offer a place for bird and nature enthusiasts to find expert information on birds and conservation issues, stay in touch with the latest in Houston-area birding, and keep up with the happenings of Houston Audubon. We hope you\’ll stop by to get your bird digest. Be sure […]
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