Big Bend National Park Bird List

In the southwest region of Texas along the Rio Grande river sits the Big Bend National Park. Spanning 1,200 miles to encompass the Chihuahuan Desert and surrounding mountains, the park was established in 1944 to protect the area. More than 450 species of birds live and thrive within the park's boundaries, according to the U.S. National Forest Service. The location of the park places it within a migratory route which attracts many birds to the area during their travels.

  1. Colima Warbler

    • The Colima warbler (Vermivora crissalis) breeds within the Chisos Mountains of the Big Bend National Park. The bird population thrives within the oak and pine mountainside. The small gray and brown bird boasts a yellow rump. Despite human activity within the park boundaries, the bird thrives. It has been known to build its nest beside well-used hiking trails with no reaction to human intruders. The best time to see the Colima warbler is from April to September.

    Lucifer Hummingbird

    • The Lucifer hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer) calls the Big Bend National Park home. The tiny bird is also found in regions of Arizona and New Mexico. Measuring only 3 1/4 inches long, the male sports a bright purple throat with a gray underbody and green top. Females have a pale grayish-buff breast with a body that features varying shades of gray. The bill of the Lucifer hummingbird sets it apart from other species because it curves slightly.

    Mexican Duck

    • The Mexican duck (Anas platyrhynchos diazi) thrives through the Big Bend National Park, parts of Mexico, Arizona and New Mexico. Considered to be a subspecies of the mallard duck, the Mexican duck has varying shades of brown with a yellow or greenish-yellow bill on the male and an orange bill with black spots on the female. The wingspan of the bird averages 35 inches. The duck lives in shallow marshlands where it consumes aquatic vegetation and tiny fish.

    Mexican Jay

    • The Mexican jay (Aphelocoma ultramarina) ranges through Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. The birds reside in large groups. Each group averages 6 to 25 birds and contains numerous breeding pairs. When breeding season occurs, all the birds in the colony help to care for the young. The birds sport numerous shades of blue and gray with a white underbelly. Each bird measures a little over 11 inches in length.