Galveston Island State Park
Texas · Southeast
Easy
October-April
$7 per person
Open daily, 7 AM - 10 PM
About This Location
Galveston Island State Park is a productive birding destination in Texas, with 332 species recorded on eBird. This coastal habitat attracts Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Mottled Duck, and Green-winged Teal among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Contopus virens
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
Sandwich Tern (Cabot's x Cayenne)
Thalasseus sandvicensis
Groove-billed Ani
Crotophaga sulcirostris
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Empidonax flaviventris
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Polioptila caerulea
Acadian Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Common Nighthawk
Black-necked Stilt
Long-billed Curlew
Laughing Gull
Black Skimmer
Forster's Tern
Magnificent Frigatebird
Roseate Spoonbill
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Brown Pelican
Great Horned Owl
Barn Swallow
Blue-winged Teal
Mottled Duck
Rock Pigeon
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Clapper Rail
Killdeer
Birding Tips
- 1
Check rocky shorelines and jetties at low tide for shorebirds.
- 2
Scan offshore waters with a spotting scope for seabirds and waterfowl.
- 3
Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.
- 4
Purchase your day pass online in advance to avoid wait times at the entrance station.
- 5
Onshore winds can push pelagic species closer to shore, making post-storm days excellent for rarities.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- East Beach Galveston
- Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council
- Moody Gardens
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Texas Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Texas →