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Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

Texas · Southeast

EasyOfficial Site
Habitat
ForestTropicalWetland
Best Seasons
WinterSpring
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

November-April

Entrance Fee

$5 per vehicle

Hours

Sunrise to sunset daily

About This Location

Santa Ana NWR in the Lower Rio Grande Valley protects one of the last remnants of subtropical forest in the US, harboring many species found nowhere else in the country. The tram tour and trail system provide access to dense thorn forest alive with Green Jays, Altamira Orioles, and other Mexican specialties.

Location

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Notable Species

Green JayAltamira OriolePlain ChachalacaGreat KiskadeeBuff-bellied Hummingbird

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

    Take the tram tour for a guided introduction to the refuge

  2. 2

    Check the feeding station near the visitor center for close-up views

Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Visitor Center
Trails
Tram Tour

Nearby Attractions

  • Estero Llano Grande State Park

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Birding Guides

How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard

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Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

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The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge for birding?▼
The best months to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge for birding are November-April. The best seasons are Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Notable species at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge include Green Jay, Altamira Oriole, Plain Chachalaca, Great Kiskadee, Buff-bellied Hummingbird. The area supports forest, tropical, wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Birding at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
Is there an entrance fee at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge?▼
The entrance fee at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is $5 per vehicle. Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily.
What amenities are available at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Trails, Tram Tour.