Texas is located along a major migratory flyway, meaning that many species of birds pass through the state each year as they travel between their summer breeding grounds in the north and their winter homes farther south. During fall migration, which generally runs from September through November, Texans can spot a wide diversity of migratory species moving through the state.
Why do birds migrate through Texas?
There are a few key reasons why birds migrate through Texas in the fall:
- Texas is situated within the Central Flyway, one of the major north-south migratory routes in North America. This flyway follows the Great Plains region from Canada down through Texas and Mexico.
- The state has a variety of habitats, including woodlands, wetlands, grasslands and coastal areas, which provide good stopover spots for resting and refueling during migration.
- Texas’ southern location provides a relatively mild climate compared to more northern areas, making it an attractive overwintering ground for some migratory species.
- Many species that breed in northern North America migrate through Texas on their way to wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America and South America.
So in short, Texas’ strategic geographic location within a major migratory flyway, diversity of habitats, and warm climate make it an important thoroughfare for migratory birds in fall.
What are some of the most common migratory species seen in Texas in fall?
Some of the most common migratory bird species spotted traveling through Texas in the fall include:
- Neotropical songbirds – Warblers, vireos, orioles, tanagers, swallows, flycatchers, etc. There are hundreds of species in this group that breed in the eastern and central U.S. and Canada before migrating through Texas on their way to the Neotropics for winter.
- Shorebirds – Sandpipers, plovers, yellowlegs, dowitchers, etc. These species breed in northern North America and winter along the Gulf Coast and farther south. Popular stopover spots include mudflats and wetlands.
- Raptors – Hawks, eagles, falcons, etc. Many raptor species like Broad-winged Hawks migrate in large numbers along Texas’ coastlines and ridgelines.
- Waterfowl – Ducks, geese and swans. Texas wetlands and coastal areas are important stopover spots for dabbling ducks like Northern Pintails and divers like Lesser Scaup.
- Sparrows and finches – American Goldfinch, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and more pass through in big numbers.
- Hummingbirds – Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Rufous Hummingbirds migrate through yards and natural areas.
There are many more species beyond these common migrants, with new discoveries made each year!
What are the peak fall migration times in Texas?
The timing of fall migration in Texas depends on the bird species and weather patterns each year. However, here is an overview of when some of the major groups pass through the state:
- Shorebirds – Begin arriving in July and continue through October, with peak numbers in August-September.
- Neotropical songbirds – Most abundant from mid-August through October, with warbler migration typically peaking in mid-late September.
- Raptors – Migration peaks in September but can continue through November. Big flights occur during north winds following cold fronts.
- Waterfowl – Arrive November-December from northern breeding grounds. Early fall migrants like teal and shovelers arrive September-October.
- Sparrows and finches – Present October through December, with most activity in October into November.
- Hummingbirds – Southbound migration peaks August-September as birds depart breeding grounds.
The exact timing varies annually depending on weather patterns. Generally migration ramps up in mid-August, peaks from mid-September through October, and wanes in November.
What are the major flyways and migration routes through Texas?
The Central, Mississippi and Atlantic flyways all converge over Texas, funneling birds through certain routes:
- The Central Flyway follows the Great Plains through the Panhandle and West Texas down to the Gulf Coast.
- The Mississippi Flyway covers Eastern Texas and the Gulf Coast.
- The Atlantic Flyway reaches over the upper Texas coast around Houston.
- Hawk and shorebirds migrate along the Texas coastline in a narrow corridor.
- Songbirds follow a broader front across the state.
Major geographical features guide birds along these routes:
- The Gulf of Mexico and Rio Grande River are natural barriers funneling birds southward into Texas.
- Coastal prairies and ridges provide leading lines directing coastal migration.
- River systems like the Brazos, Colorado and Guadalupe provide migration stopover habitat.
Understanding these flyways helps predict when and where to spot the greatest numbers of migratory birds in Texas.
Where are the best places to observe fall migration in Texas?
Top spots in Texas to observe fall migratory birds include:
- Coastal sites – Migration hotspots along the Upper Texas Coast, Bolivar Peninsula, and Laguna Madre. Shorebirds, raptors, songbirds.
- Inland sanctuaries – Aransas, Guadalupe River, Brazos Bend State Parks. Neotropical songbirds.
- Upper Texas Coast – Cliffs, ridges and wooded areas around Houston/High Island. Raptors, songbirds.
- Rio Grande Valley – Santa Ana NWR, Estero Llano Grande, South Padre Island. Songbirds, shorebirds.
- West Texas – Canyons, mountains and desert oases. Raptors, sparrows, finches.
Seek out habitats like woodlands, wetlands, beaches, and ridges at these sites to spot the diversity of migrants. Positioning yourself with appropriate winds and weather can also increase sightings.
What are some tricks for identifying fall migratory birds in Texas?
Tips for identifying migratory birds in Texas during fall:
- Learn the key field marks and songs/calls of common migratory species.
- Use range maps in guides to determine if a bird is within its normal fall range.
- Look for mixed feeding flocks with multiple species together.
- Watch for irregular flight patterns or directional movement to spot migrants.
- Notice fleeting glimpses as birds drop into shrubs and thickets to rest and feed during migration.
- Pay attention to habitat – shorebirds along the coast, songbirds in woodlands, raptors over ridges.
- Follow eBird reports and birding email lists for upticks in unusual sightings during peak migration.
There are always new species popping up when migrants are on the move, so staying alert will help you identify those out-of-place birds passing through.
Conclusion
Each fall, Texas serves as an important thoroughfare for a spectacular array of migratory birds traveling between their northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas. Tens of millions pass along the major Central, Mississippi and Atlantic flyways that converge over the state, making fall a prime time to spot a diversity of species from songbirds to shorebirds, raptors to waterfowl. By learning migration peaks, flyways, and the best viewing hotspots, Texan birders have an incredible opportunity to observe the phenomenon of fall migration as these birds follow an ages-old internal compass back south for the winter.
