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Bird of the Week: Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk Red-shouldered Hawks are often heard long before they are seen, their insistent territorial calls echoing through the forests they call home. Smaller than their common cousin,…
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Bird of the Week: Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron Great Blue Herons are the largest herons in North America, and a common sight on streams, lakes, and marshes across the continent. These wading birds,…
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Bird of the Week: Great-tailed Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle Grackles are unquestionably Austin’s most iconic urban birds: love them or hate them, there’s no escaping their brilliant, iridescent plumage or raucous call. Until the 20th…
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Bird of the Week: American Crow
American Crow The American Crow has been amazingly successful at adapting to human encroachment of their habitat, even taking advantage of humans to expand its own range. This…
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Bird of the Week: Black-crested Titmouse
Black-crested Titmouse Once thought to be a subspecies of the Tufted Titmouse, the Black-crested Titmouse actually has genetic differences indicating it speciated from its eastern cousin at least…
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Bird of the Week: Eastern Whip-poor-will
Eastern Whip-poor-will Whip-poor-wills are part of a family of birds known as nightjars or goatsuckers (after the myth that they subsisted on milk from goats), who nest on…
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Bird of the Week: Chimney Swift
Chimney Swift With their streamlined bodies and long, curved wings, Chimney Swifts were built for flying. In fact, they spend almost all their waking hours aloft, maneuvering nimbly…
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Bird of the Week: White-winged Dove
White-winged Dove The White-winged Dove is one of our most ubiquitous native birds. Closely related to the more cosmopolitan Mourning Dove, the White-winged Dove is most common in…
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Bird of the Week: Monk Parakeet
Monk Parakeet If you’ve ever seen a flock of bright green parrots in downtown Austin and thought they looked a little out of place, you’re right. These highly…
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Bird of the Week: Eastern Screech Owl
Eastern Screech Owl Despite its name, the Screech Owl’s call is more of a whinny than a screech, and its soft, musical call can be heard in woodlands,…
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Bird of the Week: Northern Parula
Northern Parula The Northern Parula is a small and beautiful warbler that can be found high in the canopy of riparian forests, easily identified by its distinctive, buzzing…
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Bird of the Week: Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay Three species of Scrub-Jay can be found in the United States, but only one, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, resides in Texas. Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay prefer the montane pine forests…
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Bird of the Week: Golden-cheeked Warbler
Golden-cheeked Warbler Few birds have captured the imagination of Texans like the Golden-cheeked warbler. This diminutive songbird winters in the mountain forests of Central America, but its breeding…
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Bird of the Week: Carolina Wren
Carolina Wren Although a comparatively diminutive bird, the Carolina Wren has an outsized voice and personality that are instantly recognizable. Carolina Wrens sing year-round, at any time of…
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Bird of the Week: Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing The Cedar Waxwing is an exceptionally handsome bird. Its black mask, subtle coloring, yellow tail, and bright red “waxy” wingtips make it easy to spot. Cedar…
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