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Doves
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Doves live in all types of habitat. Doves are some of the most commonly hunted birds in Texas. Game species include mourning doves, white-winged doves and white-tipped or white-fronted doves. All are migratory. Texas requires hunters to report all leg-banded doves shot. Texas is also the introduced home of the exotic collared dove. This non-native is not considered a migratory game bird.
Ducks and Geese
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Mallards are common migratory ducks. Texas game ducks include the mergansers and blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teals, as well as more common varieties. Each type may have different bag limits. Texas migratory game geese include snow, blue, Ross, specklebelly or white-fronted, and Canada geese.
Chachalacas
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Chachalacas prefer thick brush. Chachalacas are small, brown, jungle and brush birds. Texas has the only population in the U.S. They are considered nonmigratory game birds.
Sandhill Cranes
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Sandhill crane populations are shrinking. It is legal to hunt the rare sandhill crane in Texas. This requires a federal sandhill crane stamp. Authorities don't yet consider the species endangered, but populations are declining rapidly so, while it's still legal, you may find it inadvisable to hunt them.
Woodcock
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Woodcock live in forested habitat. The woodcock is a very small migratory game bird. At four 4 1/2f to 7 ounces in weight, its size is similar to a small dove. They live in pairs rather than in flocks.
Rail
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Rails prefer marshy habitat. Rails are marsh and swamp birds. The king rail is declining throughout its range. The sora and Virginia rails are more populous. The clapper rail is fairly common.
Snipe
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Snipes look similar to rails with longer beaks. Snipes are common wading shorebirds with brownish plumage. Wilson's and common snipes are very common and similar looking. The jack snipe is much smaller and, though it's native to Europe and Africa, you can find it in Texas. Authorities consider it a game bird.
Coots, Moorhens, and Gallinules
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Swimming coots are sometimes mistaken for ducks or loons. Coots are black-plumed water birds with short, triangular beaks. Moorhens are similar in appearance but somewhat smaller. Both are considered fairly common. Moorhens are also called common gallinules. The purple gallinule is somewhat larger than the common, with brilliant purple and green plumage.
Turkeys and Prairie Chickens
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There is no season for prairie chickens. Texas is home to the Rio Grande turkey. It has been subject to intensive wildlife management to reverse its decline. The population is currently localized but expanding. Attwater's greater prairie chicken is also a Texas native. Formerly considered a game bird, it is now endangered and hunting is strictly prohibited.
Quail
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Bobwhite quail are suffering from over-hunting and habitat loss. Texas' most famous game bird, the bobwhite quail, is now rare and declining. Hunting may be reduced or prohibited. The ground-dwelling scaled quail is more common.
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List of Rare and Migratory Game Birds in Texas
Texas is home, or temporary home, to a large selection of rare and migratory game birds. Hunting these birds requires a federal migratory bird stamp, a state hunting license, state migratory game bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification, and a wildlife resource document for each bird shipped or given away. Hunting limits may change from season to season. You cannot hunt any bird out-of-season, and hunting may be restricted or prohibited if a population is declining.