Many people assume that birds instinctively know to migrate south for the winter to escape the cold weather. However, migration patterns actually vary significantly depending on location and species of bird. For birds that live in Texas, migration behaviors can differ from species found further north. This article explores whether birds in Texas actually do fly south for the winter or if they follow alternative migratory patterns.
Why Birds Migrate
Birds migrate primarily to find areas with abundant food sources and favorable nesting conditions. Many bird species escape harsh winter conditions in northern climates by flying to warmer southern regions where they can more easily find food during the winter months. Birds that nest in northern areas often migrate south to take advantage of warmer temperatures and an earlier spring season which allows them to breed and raise young earlier in the year.
The availability of food is the ultimate determining factor for most migratory birds. As seasons change, food sources become scarce in certain areas which triggers migratory instincts in birds. Flying south in the fall allows them to follow and stay in sync with changes in food supplies.
Some key reasons birds migrate include:
- Avoiding harsh winter weather and freezing temperatures
- Taking advantage of abundant food sources further south
- Finding suitable habitats for nesting and breeding
- Staying in regions with adequate daylight hours for feeding
For many species, migration is essential for their survival during the winter months. Birds that do not migrate often perish when frigid temperatures and snow cover limit food supplies.
Migration Patterns of Texas Birds
Not all birds in Texas migrate south for the winter. Texas has a diverse range of habitats and climates which allows some species to remain in the state year-round. The decision to migrate depends on a variety of factors:
Backyard Birds
Many common backyard birds in Texas such as Northern Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, Carolina Chickadees, and Carolina Wrens do not migrate south and instead stay in the same general territory year-round. These resident species are well-adapted to the occasional cold snaps in Texas winters. As long as they have access to food sources such as seeds from feeders, they can get by without migrating. Their ability to subsist on backyard bird feeders makes harsh winter weather more bearable.
Grassland Birds
Small grassland birds that breed in the prairies and pastures of central and south Texas such as Le Conte’s Sparrows, Grasshopper Sparrows, and Dickcissels migrate out of Texas and fly south to spend their winters in Mexico or further south in Central America. Their breeding habitats in Texas lack sufficient food supplies to sustain them through the winter.
Shorebirds
Shorebirds and coastal water birds like Piping Plovers, Red Knots, and Willet that nest in northern regions migrate through Texas in fall and spring. They stop to rest and refuel along the Texas coast during migration but ultimately journey on to wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America. Very few shorebirds actually winter in Texas.
Hummingbirds
Most hummingbirds that breed in Texas such as Black-chinned Hummingbirds and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate south across the Gulf of Mexico each fall to spend winter in Mexico. Adequate nectar supplies cannot sustain them through freezing temperatures and winter droughts in Texas. Anna’s Hummingbirds and a few other species will overwinter in south Texas where winter temperatures are mildest.
Texas Birds that Do Not Migrate South
While many species migrate, there are quite a few birds that remain in Texas year-round instead of flying south in winter:
| Turkey Vulture | Cactus Wren | Red-shouldered Hawk |
| Black Vulture | Northern Mockingbird | Harris’s Hawk |
| American Kestrel | Great Kiskadee | Red-tailed Hawk |
| Killdeer | House Sparrow | Eastern Screech-Owl |
| Northern Bobwhite | European Starling | Great Horned Owl |
These resident species are able to find sufficient food year-round to survive in the relatively mild Texas climate. From high flying Turkey Vultures that scan the landscape for carrion to opportunistic House Sparrows that frequent backyard feeders, these birds modify their diets and habits to make it through the winter without making a long southern journey.
Adaptations for Winter Survival
Texas resident birds rely on the following adaptations to endure the state’s periodic cold snaps and winter weather:
- Caching food – Storing up seeds, nuts and other food items to eat during scarce winter months.
- Eating winter fruits and berries – Some fruits and berries persist through the winter and provide critical food sources.
- Growing thicker feathers – Adding insulating down feathers and altering feather position to retain more body heat.
- Roosting in cavities – Using tree cavities and nest boxes provide shelter from the cold and wind.
- Feasting on backyard bird feeders – Feeders provide supplemental food when natural food items are limited.
Their ability to shift food sources and enhance insulation allows them to save energy rather than flying long distances to warmer climates.
Do Some Texas Birds Migrate North Instead?
Most winter Texans retire south for the winter, but some winged Texans actually head north instead. Certain birds appear in Texas only during the warmer months because they nest further north, then migrate back through Texas on their way to wintering grounds.
Neotropical Songbirds
Many brightly colored tropical species from Central and South America called neotropical migrants make an epic journey north each spring to breed across the eastern US and Canada. Birds like Scarlet Tanagers, Baltimore Orioles, and Indigo Buntings then migrate back to the tropics by flying south through Texas in fall. Their winter range never extends as far north as Texas.
Grassland Specialists
A few grassland nesters like Sprague’s Pipit and Baird’s Sparrow that breed in the northern Great Plains migrate south through Texas but usually only reach southern Mexico for the winter. Their breeding territory is too far north for them to winter in Texas. One exception is the Mountain Plover which winters in small flocks in the panhandle and Trans-Pecos regions of Texas.
Early Spring Arrivals
Some migratory birds arrive in Texas very early in spring, well ahead of when conditions allow them to nest further north. Spotting an Eastern Phoebe or Blue-winged Warbler in Texas during February and March means they have flown north of their primary winter grounds in Mexico and Central America, but have paused in Texas before completing their journey to more northern breeding territories.
Conclusion
Texas lies in a transition zone between the temperate north and subtropical south. Some resident species tough out the periodic cold fronts and winter weather. Summer nesters migrate south through the state and continue to Central and South America. Other migrants like hummers, shorebirds and grassland songbirds pass through from more northern breeding areas but bypass Texas to winter deep in the tropics where it stays warm year-round. Only a handful of species that nest further north actually choose to stop and winter in the southernmost parts of Texas. So while some birds certainly do follow the stereotypical pattern of flying south for the winter, migration patterns for Texas birds are far more complex. The diversity of the state’s habitats ranging from piney woods to deserts allows many species to find suitable niches, both winter and summer.
