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Big Bend National Park

Texas · Southwest

ChallengingOfficial Site
Habitat
DesertMountainForest
Best Seasons
Spring
Difficulty

Challenging

Best Months

April-May

Entrance Fee

$30 per vehicle (7-day pass)

Hours

Open 24 hours

About This Location

Big Bend National Park encompasses a vast and remote desert landscape along the Rio Grande in far west Texas. The Chisos Mountains rise from the Chihuahuan Desert, creating sky island habitats where the Colima Warbler breeds at its only US location.

Location

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Notable Species

Colima WarblerLucifer HummingbirdMexican JayScott's OrioleBlack-capped Vireo

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Red-eyed Vireo

Vireo olivaceus

3/4/2026Aransas NWR--Visitors Center/HQ1 observed

Kentucky Warbler

Geothlypis formosa

3/4/2026South Padre Is.--Valley Land Fund lots (LTC 036)1 observed

Kentucky Warbler

Geothlypis formosa

3/4/2026South Padre Is.--Valley Land Fund lots (LTC 036)1 observed

Brown Booby

Sula leucogaster

3/4/2026Brown Booby Platform -- S Laguna Cir3 observed

Brown Booby

Sula leucogaster

3/4/2026Brown Booby Platform -- S Laguna Cir3 observed

American Flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

3/4/2026Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Ctr. (CTC 057)1 observed

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellata

3/4/2026Texas City Dike (UTC 074)1 observed

Louisiana Waterthrush

Parkesia motacilla

3/4/2026Houston Arboretum and Nature Center1 observed

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

3/4/2026Ann and Roy Butler Trail, Austin US-TX 30.26643, -97.760221 observed

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus virens

3/4/2026US-TX-Waxahachie-Yard1 observed

Pyrrhuloxia

Cardinalis sinuatus

3/4/2026Tide Water Oaks Walk1 observed

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus

3/4/2026Dupree Park, Lubbock1 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/20263932 Saturn St, Flower Mound US-TX 33.03921, -97.065441 observed

Brown Booby

Sula leucogaster

3/4/2026West Aries Drive, South Padre Island, Texas, US (26.122, -97.172)3 observed

Brown Booby

Sula leucogaster

3/4/2026West Aries Drive, South Padre Island, Texas, US (26.122, -97.172)3 observed

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

3/4/2026White Point & Koonce Loop1 observed

American Flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

3/4/2026Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Ctr. (CTC 057)1 observed

American Flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

3/4/2026Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Ctr. (CTC 057)1 observed

American Flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

3/4/2026Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Ctr. (CTC 057)1 observed

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

3/4/2026Cuero Municipal Park1 observed

Recent Observations

Great-tailed Grackle

Dallas-Fort Worth Airport

3/4/2026

1 birds

Sandhill Crane

Bird paradise private

3/4/2026

100 birds

Common Grackle

323 Chimney Rock Dr, Tyler US-TX 32.28597, -95.30913

3/4/2026

House Sparrow

Spicy Thai

3/4/2026

1 birds

Cooper's Hawk

1920 Chiesa Rd, Rowlett US-TX 32.88102, -96.52062

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Finch

1920 Chiesa Rd, Rowlett US-TX 32.88102, -96.52062

3/4/2026

2 birds

Downy Woodpecker

1920 Chiesa Rd, Rowlett US-TX 32.88102, -96.52062

3/4/2026

1 birds

Blue Jay

1920 Chiesa Rd, Rowlett US-TX 32.88102, -96.52062

3/4/2026

2 birds

Tufted Titmouse

1920 Chiesa Rd, Rowlett US-TX 32.88102, -96.52062

3/4/2026

2 birds

Red-shouldered Hawk

MBY

3/4/2026

1 birds

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Pine Springs Campground

3/4/2026

1 birds

Muscovy Duck

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

1 birds

Pine Warbler

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

1 birds

Neotropic Cormorant

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

3 birds

Spotted Sandpiper

Jim Chapman Lake--Spillway

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

2 birds

Killdeer

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

3 birds

Wilson's Snipe

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

2 birds

Great Blue Heron

Jim Chapman Lake--Spillway

3/4/2026

3 birds

Carolina Wren

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

2 birds

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Hike the Pinnacles Trail to Boot Canyon for Colima Warbler

  2. 2

    The Rio Grande Village area has excellent riparian birding

Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Visitor Center
Trails
Campground

Nearby Attractions

  • Terlingua Ghost Town
  • Big Bend Ranch State Park

More in Texas

High Island

Legendary Texas coast migrant trap where trans-Gulf birds make landfall during spring fallouts.

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

Subtropical Rio Grande Valley forest with rare Mexican species found nowhere else in the US.

South Padre Island

Barrier island hotspot with outstanding shorebirds, waterbirds, and spring migrants.

Birding Guides

How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Top Spring Migration Hotspots Across America

10 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Big Bend National Park for birding?▼
The best months to visit Big Bend National Park for birding are April-May. The best seasons are Spring.
What birds can I see at Big Bend National Park?▼
Notable species at Big Bend National Park include Colima Warbler, Lucifer Hummingbird, Mexican Jay, Scott's Oriole, Black-capped Vireo. The area supports desert, mountain, forest habitats.
How difficult is birding at Big Bend National Park?▼
Birding at Big Bend National Park is rated as Challenging. The terrain can be challenging and may require good physical fitness and preparation.
Is there an entrance fee at Big Bend National Park?▼
The entrance fee at Big Bend National Park is $30 per vehicle (7-day pass). Hours: Open 24 hours.
What amenities are available at Big Bend National Park?▼
Big Bend National Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Trails, Campground.