a checklist of texas birds booklet

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE

SEVENTH edition

Grooved-billed Ani

a checklist of TEXAS BIRDS

by

KELLY BRYAN

TONY GALLUCCI

GREG LASLEY

MARK LOCKWOOD

DAVID H. RISKIND

Checklist of TX Birds cover.qxd 4/24/06 8:31 AM

byKelly BryanTony GallucciGreg LasleyMark LockwoodDavid H. Riskind

7th EditionTechnical Series No. 32

© 2006. All rights reserved.Reproduction of the whole orany part of the contents withoutwritten permission is prohibited.

Natural Resources Program4200 Smith School RoadAustin, Texas 78744

PWD BK P4000-000M (4/06)ISBN: 1-885696-09-4

a checklist ofTEXASBIRDS

Checklist of Texas Birds guts 04.24.2006, 8:57 AM1

2 a c h e c k l i s t o f t e x a s b i r d s

INTRODUCTIONA Checklist of Texas Birds was first published in 1984. This, the seventh editionof the checklist, continues to provide Texas birders with a quick reference list andaccurate status designations so that accidentals, hypotheticals and species new toTexas may be easily noted and carefully documented. The Texas Bird RecordsCommittee (TBRC), of the Texas Ornithological Society, assesses the status ofTexas’ avifauna and maintains an accurate listing of the state’s birds. As part ofthat responsibility, the TBRC maintains a list of rare birds for which it requests andreviews documentation on any report of those species. Thousands of records havebeen evaluated by the TBRC resulting in a well-documented listing of Texas birds.This checklist matches that of the TBRC with the following exceptions:

1) species accepted by the TBRC as sight records are included here in goodstanding (these species are not included on the TBRC state list until such time thatphotographic, specimen, or tape-recorded documentation is acquired);

2) species that have been accepted historically by authorities on Texas birdsbut which no longer meet the documentation criteria of the TBRC (lost specimens,etc.) are here considered hypothetical and coded with a special designation;

3) species accepted by the committee on bird records of the AmericanOrnithologists’ Union are also included here; and

4) we continue to maintain a small hypothetical list the authors believe maybe legitimate to highlight the need for documentation of these species.

PURPOSEThis checklist was designed to facilitate data gathering on Texas’ birdlife throughthe recording of observations by location or in diary fashion. It is revisedperiodically to keep pace with the increased knowledge of Texas’ avifauna.

A Checklist of Texas Birds is intended to:1) provide an accurate listing of Texas’ birds in phylogenetic sequence;2) provide correct spelling and form of both scientific and common names;3) provide a traveler’s checklist, locale diary or trip-log record;4) provide an accurate reference list and inventory for conservation workers,

students, educators, ecologists and naturalists; and to5) facilitate documentation and recording of observations and field data.

THE LISTCommon and scientific names and phylogenetic sequence follow The Check-list ofNorth American Birds, 7th edition (A.O.U. 1998) as supplemented.

This checklist does not delineate seasonal and regional occurrence orabundance of any species (please refer to the Selected References listed onpage 36). The following eight status designations are used in this checklist:

A – accidental: out of range and not expected yearly (including all reviewspecies).

A* – accidental: documented only by a sight record that has been accepted bythe TBRC.


a c h e c k l i s t o f t e x a s b i r d s 3

X – extinct: no longer in existence.E – extirpated: birds still in existence, but no longer occurring in Texas and

not likely to occur again.I – introduced: species whose status and occurrence is due to release by man,

and that are considered established in the wild.I* – uncertain status: species with no accepted established populations that

would result in a designation of I (introducted), or sufficient documenta-tion of origin leading to full acceptance. Designation of their actual statusis dependent on our having a better understanding of the circumstancesof their occurrence.

H – hypothetical: those species for which reports of merit exist but which havenot been sufficiently documented.

H*– historical (hypothetical): species that have been considered part of theTexas avifauna in the past and that have many records imbedded in theliterature. However, no specimens or photographs documenting itspresence in Texas have been located. Some of these species were almostcertainly members of the Texas avifauna at one time.

The accidental category has been broadened to match the TBRC’s “review list.”This list includes more regularly occurring species whose status is poorly knownand still subject to review by the TBRC. The accidental designation should alertobservers that additional documentation is required. These species are by nomeans the only species that should be documented. There are many birds that arecommon in one part of Texas that would be totally unexpected in another part; suchoccurrences are just as worthy of documentation.

To be included on the list of Texas birds, a species should have at least oneaccepted photographic record (deposited in the Texas Photo-Record File, TexasA&M University), identifiable recording (deposited in the Texas Bird SoundLibrary, Sam Houston State University), or museum specimen. Species accepted bythe TBRC based on sight records alone are placed on a presumptive list and aredesignated with an A* in this checklist.

Two species, Green Parakeet and Red-crowned Parrot, do not easily fit into anyof the above categories. Stable, reproducing populations of both species are foundin the Lower Rio Grande Valley; however, what percentage of these are descendedfrom escapees, and how many, if any, are descendants of natural vagrants isimpossible to determine. The TBRC has added both species to the state list and theyare included here without status designations.

Again, the accidental, historical and hypothetical designations are designed toencourage observers to keep accurate notes and to document rare specieswhenever possible. Since the first edition, 15 species listed as hypothetical havebeen upgraded to accidental and two of those are no longer listed as accidental.A TBRC report form is included in the back to facilitate reporting and provide aguide to the types of information needed for documentation. Please send details,photos or recordings to Mark Lockwood, TBRC Secretary, 402 E. Harriet Ave.,Alpine, Texas 79830. For additional information about the TBRC, visit theirInternet site at: http://texasbirds.org/tbrc/



The current list contains 632 species in good standing. This includes allregularly occurring, accidental, extinct, extirpated, and introduced species. Thislists differs from the official TBRC list in that it includes their presumptive list asspecies in good standing. In addition, there are five species listed as historical,seven considered hypothetical, and five non-native species where the current statusis uncertain. This brings the total number of species included in this checklist to 649.

Species level changes involving additions to the list, nomenclature and statussince the last edition are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1. Changes and additions to A Checklist of Texas Birds since 2003.

Cackling Goose resulted from A.O.U. split of Canada GooseSouth Polar Skua documented in the state in 2004Thayer’s Gull removed accidental status designationYellow-footed Gull removed from state list in 2006Glaucous-winged Gull documented in the state in 2004Rock Pigeon A.O.U. name change (formerly Rock Dove)Broad-billed Hummingbird removed accidental status designationAllen’s Hummingbird removed accidental status designationYellow-green Vireo removed accidental status designationBlack-headed Nightingale-Thrush documented in the state in 2004Streak-backed Oriole documented in the state in 2004

When observing birdlife in Texas, consider sharing your data. Please submitduplicate lists to the headquarters of any parks, wildlife management areas, refugesor natural areas that you visit. Visitors to Texas’ state parks are asked to forwardrecords to the Natural Resources Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744. These data will be used to compilechecklists for state parks lacking them and to revise those already extant. We alsoencourage observers to submit important records and/or seasonal trends forpublication in North American Birds. Send your reports to the Texas RegionalEditor: Mark Lockwood, 402 E. Harriet Ave., Alpine, Texas 79830.

A copy of this list can also be found on the Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentInternet site (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_p4000_0000m.pdf). As new species are added to the list, updates will beposted to this web site.

STEWARDSHIPThe size, physical location, and biogeographical factors that have contributed to thegreat diversity of birds in Texas have also contributed to a significant list ofendangered species. Some of these species include portions of Texas within theirrange, while others reside primarily within our borders. Since the first edition, fiveTexas species have been added to the Endangered Species List and, undoubtedly,



others will follow. Now listed for Texas are Brown Pelican, Northern AplomadoFalcon, Attwater’s Greater Prairie-Chicken, Whooping Crane, Piping Plover, EskimoCurlew, Interior Least Tern, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Southwestern WillowFlycatcher, Black-capped Vireo, Golden-cheeked Warbler and a host of threatenedand state-protected species. A step forward in avian conservation was taken whentwo birds were removed from the Endangered Species List, the Bald Eagle andPeregrine Falcon.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSOver the years, a number of friends and colleagues have provided careful reviewand constructive comments and criticism. We thank them all for their time andeffort; they have helped shape and guide this work. We remain, however,responsible for its contents and any errors that appear herein.

All past and present members of the TBRC also deserve our thanks for theirwork in helping delimit the avifauna of Texas. Finally, we thank all the birders who,through their constant presence in the field, notifying others of their significantsightings, and providing documentation of their discoveries, are providing valu-able contributions to the knowledge of Texas’ avifauna.



CHECKLISTA = Accidental A* = Accidental (sight record only) X = Extinct E = Extirpated

I = Introduced I* = Uncertain Status H = Hypothetical H* = Historical

FAMILY ANATIDAESUBFAMILY DENDROCYGNINAEBlack-bellied Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalisFulvous Whistling-Duck

D. bicolor

SUBFAMILY ANSERINAEGreater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifronsSnow Goose

Chen caerulescensRoss’s Goose

C. rossiiBrant A

Branta berniclaBarnacle Goose H

B. leucopsisCackling Goose

B. hutchinsiiCanada Goose

B. canadensisMute Swan I*

Cygnus olorTrumpeter Swan A

C. buccinatorTundra Swan

C. columbianus

SUBFAMILY ANATINAEMuscovy Duck

Cairina moschataWood Duck

Aix sponsaGadwall

Anas streperaEurasian Wigeon A

A. penelopeAmerican Wigeon

A. americanaAmerican Black Duck A

A. rubripesMallard

A. platyrhynchosMottled Duck

A. fulvigulaBlue-winged Teal

A. discorsCinnamon Teal

A. cyanopteraNorthern Shoveler

A. clypeata



White-cheeked Pintail AA. bahamensis

Northern PintailA. acuta

Garganey AA. querquedula

Green-winged TealA. crecca

CanvasbackAythya valisineria

RedheadA. americana

Ring-necked DuckA. collaris

Greater ScaupA. marila

Lesser ScaupA. affinis

King Eider ASomateria spectabilis

Harlequin Duck AHistrionicus histrionicus

Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillata

White-winged ScoterM. fusca

Black ScoterM. nigra

Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalis

BuffleheadBucephala albeola

Common GoldeneyeB. clangula

Barrow’s Goldeneye AB. islandica

Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatus

Common MerganserMergus merganser

Red-breasted MerganserM. serrator

Masked Duck ANomonyx dominica

Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensis

FAMILY CRACIDAE

Plain ChachalacaOrtalis vetula

FAMILY PHASIANIDAESUBFAMILY PHASIANINAEChukar I*

Alectoris chukar



Ring-necked Pheasant IPhasianus colchicus

SUBFAMILY TETRAONINAESharp-tailed Grouse H*

Tympanuchus phasianellusGreater Prairie-Chicken

T. cupidoLesser Prairie-Chicken

T. pallidicinctus

SUBFAMILY MELEAGRIDINAEWild Turkey

Meleagris gallopavo

FAMILY ODONTOPHORIDAE

Scaled QuailCallipepla squamata

Gambel’s QuailC. gambelii

Northern BobwhiteColinus virginianus

Montezuma QuailCyrtonyx montezumae

FAMILY GAVIIDAE

Red-throated LoonGavia stellata

Pacific LoonG. pacifica

Common LoonG. immer

Yellow-billed Loon AG. adamsii

FAMILY PODICIPEDIDAE

Least GrebeTachybaptus dominicus

Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podiceps

Horned GrebePodiceps auritus

Red-necked Grebe AP. grisegena

Eared GrebeP. nigricollis

Western GrebeAechmophorus occidentalis

Clark’s GrebeA. clarkii



FAMILY DIOMEDEIDAE

Yellow-nosed Albatross AThalassarche chlororhynchos

FAMILY PROCELLARIIDAE

Black-capped Petrel APterodroma hasitata

Stejneger’s Petrel AP. longirostris

White-chinned Petrel AProcellaria aequinoctialis

Cory’s ShearwaterCalonectris diomedea

Greater Shearwater APuffinus gravis

Sooty Shearwater AP. griseus

Manx Shearwater AP. puffinus

Audubon’s ShearwaterP. lherminieri

FAMILY HYDROBATIDAE

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel AOceanites oceanicus

Leach’s Storm-Petrel AOceanodroma leucorhoa

Band-rumped Storm-PetrelO. castro

FAMILY PHAETHONTIDAE

White-tailed Tropicbird HPhaethon lepturus

Red-billed Tropicbird AP. aethereus

FAMILY SULIDAE

Masked BoobySula dactylatra

Blue-footed Booby AS. nebouxii

Brown Booby AS. leucogaster

Red-footed Booby AS. sula

Northern GannetMorus bassanus



FAMILY PELECANIDAE

American White PelicanPelecanus erythrorhynchos

Brown PelicanP. occidentalis

FAMILY PHALACROCORACIDAE

Neotropic CormorantPhalacrocorax brasilianus

Double-crested CormorantP. auritus

FAMILY ANHINGIDAE

AnhingaAnhinga anhinga

FAMILY FREGATIDAE

Magnificent FrigatebirdFregata magnificens

FAMILY ARDEIDAE

American BitternBotaurus lentiginosus

Least BitternIxobrychus exilis

Great Blue HeronArdea herodias

Great EgretA. alba

Snowy EgretEgretta thula

Little Blue HeronE. caerulea

Tricolored HeronE. tricolor

Reddish EgretE. rufescens

Cattle EgretBubulcus ibis

Green HeronButorides virescens

Black-crowned Night-HeronNycticorax nycticorax

Yellow-crowned Night-HeronNyctanassa violacea



FAMILY THRESKIORNITHIDAESUBFAMILY THRESKIORNITHINAEWhite Ibis

Eudocimus albusScarlet Ibis H*

E. ruberGlossy Ibis

Plegadis falcinellusWhite-faced Ibis

P. chihi

SUBFAMILY PLATALEINAERoseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

FAMILY CICONIIDAE

Jabiru AJabiru mycteria

Wood StorkMycteria americana

FAMILY CATHARTIDAE

Black VultureCoragyps atratus

Turkey VultureCathartes aura

FAMILY PHOENICOPTERIDAE

Greater Flamingo APhoenicopterus ruber

FAMILY ACCIPITRIDAESUBFAMILY PANDIONINAEOsprey

Pandion haliaetus

SUBFAMILY ACCIPITRINAEHook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatusSwallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatusWhite-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurusSnail Kite A

Rostrhamus sociabilisMississippi Kite

Ictinia mississippiensisBald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalusNorthern Harrier

Circus cyaneus



Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatus

Cooper’s HawkA. cooperii

Northern Goshawk AA. gentilis

Crane Hawk AGeranospiza caerulescens

Gray HawkAsturina nitidus

Common Black-HawkButeogallus anthracinus

Harris’s HawkParabuteo unicinctus

Roadside Hawk AButeo magnirostris

Red-shouldered HawkB. lineatus

Broad-winged HawkB. platypterus

Short-tailed Hawk AB. brachyurus

Swainson’s HawkB. swainsoni

White-tailed HawkB. albicaudatus

Zone-tailed HawkB. albonotatus

Red-tailed HawkB. jamaicensis

Ferruginous HawkB. regalis

Rough-legged HawkB. lagopus

Golden EagleAquila chrysaetos

FAMILY FALCONIDAESUBFAMILY MICRASTURINAECollared Forest-Falcon A

Micrastur semitorquatus

SUBFAMILY CARACARINAECrested Caracara

Caracara cheriwayi

SUBFAMILY FALCONINAEAmerican Kestrel

Falco sparveriusMerlin

F. columbariusAplomado Falcon

F. femoralisGyrfalcon A

F. rusticolusPeregrine Falcon

F. peregrinus



Prairie FalconF. mexicanus

FAMILY RALLIDAE

Yellow RailCoturnicops noveboracensis

Black RailLaterallus jamaicensis

Clapper RailRallus longirostris

King RailR. elegans

Virginia RailR. limicola

SoraPorzana carolina

Paint-billed Crake ANeocrex erythrops

Spotted Rail APardirallus maculatus

Purple GallinulePorphyrio martinica

Common MoorhenGallinula chloropus

American CootFulica americana

FAMILY ARAMIDAE

Limpkin HAramus guarauna

FAMILY GRUIDAESUBFAMILY GRUINAESandhill Crane

Grus canadensisWhooping Crane

G. americana

FAMILY BURHINIDAE

Double-striped Thick-knee ABurhinus bistriatus

FAMILY CHARADRIIDAESUBFAMILY CHARADRIINAEBlack-bellied Plover

Pluvialis squatarolaAmerican Golden-Plover

P. dominicaCollared Plover A

Charadrius collaris



Snowy PloverC. alexandrinus

Wilson’s PloverC. wilsonia

Semipalmated PloverC. semipalmatus

Piping PloverC. melodus

KilldeerC. vociferus

Mountain PloverC. montanus

FAMILY HAEMATOPODIDAE

American OystercatcherHaematopus palliatus

FAMILY RECURVIROSTRIDAE

Black-necked StiltHimantopus mexicanus

American AvocetRecurvirostra americana

FAMILY JACANIDAE

Northern Jacana AJacana spinosa

FAMILY SCOLOPACIDAESUBFAMILY SCOLOPACINAEGreater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleucaLesser Yellowlegs

T. flavipesSpotted Redshank A

T. erythropusSolitary Sandpiper

T. solitariaWillet

Catoptrophorus semipalmatusWandering Tattler A

Heteroscelus incanusSpotted Sandpiper

Actitis maculariusUpland Sandpiper

Bartramia longicaudaEskimo Curlew A

Numenius borealisWhimbrel

N. phaeopusLong-billed Curlew

N. americanus



Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemastica

Bar-tailed Godwit HL. lapponica

Marbled GodwitL. fedoa

Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpres

Surfbird AAphriza virgata

Red KnotCalidris canutus

SanderlingC. alba

Semipalmated SandpiperC. pusilla

Western SandpiperC. mauri

Red-necked Stint AC. ruficollis

Least SandpiperC. minutilla

White-rumped SandpiperC. fuscicollis

Baird’s SandpiperC. bairdii

Pectoral SandpiperC. melanotos

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper AC. acuminata

Purple Sandpiper AC. maritima

DunlinC. alpina

Curlew Sandpiper AC. ferruginea

Stilt SandpiperC. himantopus

Buff-breasted SandpiperTryngites subruficollis

Ruff APhilomachus pugnax

Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseus

Long-billed DowitcherL. scolopaceus

Wilson’s SnipeGallinago delicata

American WoodcockScolopax minor

SUBFAMILY PHALAROPODINAEWilson’s Phalarope

Phalaropus tricolorRed-necked Phalarope

P. lobatusRed Phalarope A

P. fulicarius



FAMILY LARIDAESUBFAMILY STERCORARIINAESouth Polar Skua A

Stercorarius maccormickiPomarine Jaeger

S. pomarinusParasitic Jaeger

S. parasiticusLong-tailed Jaeger A

S. longicaudus

SUBFAMILY LARINAELaughing Gull

Larus atricillaFranklin’s Gull

L. pipixcanLittle Gull A

L. minutusBlack-headed Gull A

L. ridibundusBonaparte’s Gull

L. philadelphiaHeermann’s Gull A

L. heermanniBlack-tailed Gull A

L. crassirostrisMew Gull A

L. canusRing-billed Gull

L. delawarensisCalifornia Gull

L. californicusHerring Gull

L. argentatusThayer’s Gull

L. thayeriIceland Gull A

L. glaucoidesLesser Black-backed Gull

L. fuscusSlaty-backed Gull A

L. schistisagusWestern Gull A

L. occidentalisGlaucous-winged Gull A

L. glaucescensGlaucous Gull

L. hyperboreusGreat Black-backed Gull A

L. marinusKelp Gull A

L. dominicanusSabine’s Gull

Xema sabiniBlack-legged Kittiwake A

Rissa tridactyla



SUBFAMILY STERNINAEGull-billed Tern

Sterna niloticaCaspian Tern

S. caspiaRoyal Tern

S. maximaElegant Tern A

S. elegansSandwich Tern

S. sandvicensisRoseate Tern A

S. dougalliiCommon Tern

S. hirundoArctic Tern A

S. paradisaeaForster’s Tern

S. forsteriLeast Tern

S. antillarumBridled Tern

S. anaethetusSooty Tern

S. fuscataBlack Tern

Chlidonias nigerBrown Noddy A

Anous stolidusBlack Noddy A

A. minutus

SUBFAMILY RYNCHOPINAEBlack Skimmer

Rynchops niger

FAMILY ALCIDAE

murre sp. A*Uria sp.

FAMILY COLUMBIDAE

Rock Pigeon IColumba livia

White-crowned Pigeon A*Patagioenas leucocephala

Red-billed PigeonP. flavirostris

Band-tailed PigeonP. fasciata

Ringed Turtle-Dove I*Streptopelia risoria

Eurasian Collared-Dove IS. decaocto



White-winged DoveZenaida asiatica

Mourning DoveZ. macroura

Passenger Pigeon XEctopistes migratorius

Inca DoveColumbina inca

Common Ground-DoveC. passerina

Ruddy Ground-Dove AC. talpacoti

White-tipped DoveLeptotila verreauxi

Ruddy Quail-Dove AGeotrygon montana

FAMILY PSITTACIDAESUBFAMILY ARINAEMonk Parakeet I

Myiopsitta monachusCarolina Parakeet X

Conuropsis carolinensisGreen Parakeet

Aratinga holochloraRed-crowned Parrot

Amazona viridigenalisRed-lored Parrot I*

A. autumnalisYellow-headed Parrot I*

A. oratrix

FAMILY CUCULIDAESUBFAMILY COCCYZINAEBlack-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus erythropthalmusYellow-billed Cuckoo

C. americanusMangrove Cuckoo A

C. minorDark-billed Cuckoo A

C. melacoryphus

SUBFAMILY NEOMORPHINAEGreater Roadrunner

Geococcyx californianus

SUBFAMILY CROTOPHAGINAEGroove-billed Ani

Crotophaga sulcirostris



FAMILY TYTONIDAE

Barn OwlTyto alba

FAMILY STRIGIDAE

Flammulated OwlOtus flammeolus

Western Screech-OwlMegascops kennicottii

Eastern Screech-OwlM. asio

Great Horned OwlBubo virginianus

Snowy Owl ANyctea scandiaca

Northern Pygmy-Owl AGlaucidium gnoma

Ferruginous Pygmy-OwlG. brasilianum

Elf OwlMicrathene whitneyi

Burrowing OwlAthene cunicularia

Mottled Owl ACiccaba virgata

Spotted OwlStrix occidentalis

Barred OwlS. varia

Long-eared OwlAsio otus

Stygian Owl AA. stygius

Short-eared OwlA. flammeus

Northern Saw-whet Owl AAegolius acadicus

FAMILY CAPRIMULGIDAESUBFAMILY CHORDEILINAELesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennisCommon Nighthawk

C. minor

SUBFAMILY CAPRIMULGINAECommon Pauraque

Nyctidromus albicollisCommon Poorwill

Phalaenoptilus nuttalliiChuck-will’s-widow

Caprimulgus carolinensisWhip-poor-will

C. vociferus



FAMILY APODIDAESUBFAMILY CYPSELOIDINAEBlack Swift A*

Cypseloides nigerWhite-collared Swift A

Streptoprocne zonaris

SUBFAMILY CHAETURINAEChimney Swift

Chaetura pelagicaVaux’s Swift H

C. vauxi

SUBFAMILY APODINAEWhite-throated Swift

Aeronautes saxatalis

FAMILY TROCHILIDAESUBFAMILY TROCHILINAEGreen Violet-ear A

Colibri thalassinusGreen-breasted Mango A

Anthracothorax prevostiiAntillean Crested Hummingbird H

Orthorhynchus cristatusBroad-billed Hummingbird

Cynanthus latirostrisWhite-eared Hummingbird A

Hylocharis leucotisBerylline Hummingbird A

Amazilia beryllinaRufous-tailed Hummingbird H*

A. tzacatlBuff-bellied Hummingbird

A. yucatanensisViolet-crowned Hummingbird A

A. violicepsBlue-throated Hummingbird

Lampornis clemenciaeMagnificent Hummingbird

Eugenes fulgensLucifer Hummingbird

Calothorax luciferRuby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubrisBlack-chinned Hummingbird

A. alexandriAnna’s Hummingbird

Calypte annaCosta’s Hummingbird A

C. costaeCalliope Hummingbird

Stellula calliope



Broad-tailed HummingbirdSelasphorus platycercus

Rufous HummingbirdS. rufus

Allen’s HummingbirdS. sasin

FAMILY TROGONIDAESUBFAMILY TROGONINAEElegant Trogon A

Trogon elegans

FAMILY ALCEDINIDAESUBFAMILY CERLYINAERinged Kingfisher

Ceryle torquatusBelted Kingfisher

C. alcyonGreen Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

FAMILY PICIDAESUBFAMILY PICINAELewis’s Woodpecker

Melanerpes lewisRed-headed Woodpecker

M. erythrocephalusAcorn Woodpecker

M. formicivorusGolden-fronted Woodpecker

M. aurifronsRed-bellied Woodpecker

M. carolinusWilliamson’s Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus thyroideusYellow-bellied Sapsucker

S. variusRed-naped Sapsucker

S. nuchalisRed-breasted Sapsucker A

S. ruberLadder-backed Woodpecker

Picoides scalarisDowny Woodpecker

P. pubescensHairy Woodpecker

P. villosusRed-cockaded Woodpecker

P. borealisNorthern Flicker

Colaptes auratusPileated Woodpecker

Dryocopus pileatusIvory-billed Woodpecker E

Campephilus principalis



FAMILY TYRANNIDAESUBFAMILY ELAENIINAENorthern Beardless-Tyrannulet

Camptostoma imberbeGreenish Elaenia A

Myiopagis viridicata

SUBFAMILY FLUVICOLINAETufted Flycatcher A

Mitrephanes phaeocercusOlive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperiGreater Pewee A

C. pertinaxWestern Wood-Pewee

C. sordidulusEastern Wood-Pewee

C. virensYellow-bellied Flycatcher

Empidonax flaviventrisAcadian Flycatcher

E. virescensAlder Flycatcher

E. alnorumWillow Flycatcher

E. trailliiLeast Flycatcher

E. minimusHammond’s Flycatcher

E. hammondiiGray Flycatcher

E. wrightiiDusky Flycatcher

E. oberholseriCordilleran Flycatcher

E. occidentalisBuff-breasted Flycatcher A

E. fulvifronsBlack Phoebe

Sayornis nigricansEastern Phoebe

S. phoebeSay’s Phoebe

S. sayaVermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

SUBFAMILY TYRANNINAEDusky-capped Flycatcher A

Myiarchus tuberculiferAsh-throated Flycatcher

M. cinerascensGreat Crested Flycatcher

M. crinitus



Brown-crested FlycatcherM. tyrannulus

Great KiskadeePitangus sulphuratus

Social Flycatcher A*Myiozetetes similis

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher AMyiodynastes luteiventris

Piratic Flycatcher ALegatus leucophaius

Tropical KingbirdTyrannus melancholicus

Couch’s KingbirdT. couchii

Cassin’s KingbirdT. vociferans

Thick-billed Kingbird AT. crassirostris

Western KingbirdT. verticalis

Eastern KingbirdT. tyrannus

Gray Kingbird AT. dominicensis

Scissor-tailed FlycatcherT. forficatus

Fork-tailed Flycatcher AT. savana

GENERA INCERTAE SEDISRose-throated Becard A

Pachyramphus aglaiaeMasked Tityra A

Tityra semifasciata

FAMILY LANIIDAESUBFAMILY LANIINAELoggerhead Shrike

Lanius ludovicianusNorthern Shrike

L. excubitor

FAMILY VIREONIDAESUBFAMILY VIREONINAEWhite-eyed Vireo

Vireo griseusBell’s Vireo

V. belliiBlack-capped Vireo

V. atricapillaGray Vireo

V. viciniorYellow-throated Vireo

V. flavifronsPlumbeous Vireo

V. plumbeus



Cassin’s VireoV. cassinii

Blue-headed VireoV. solitarius

Hutton’s VireoV. huttoni

Warbling VireoV. gilvus

Philadelphia VireoV. philadelphicus

Red-eyed VireoV. olivaceus

Yellow-green VireoV. flavoviridis

Black-whiskered Vireo AV. altiloquus

Yucatan Vireo AV. magister

FAMILY CORVIDAE

Steller’s JayCyanocitta stelleri

Blue JayC. cristata

Green JayCyanocorax yncas

Brown JayC. morio

Western Scrub-JayAphelocoma californica

Mexican JayA. ultramarina

Pinyon JayGymnorhinus cyanocephalus

Clark’s Nutcracker ANucifraga columbiana

Black-billed Magpie APica hudsonia

American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchos

Tamaulipas Crow AC. imparatus

Fish CrowC. ossifragus

Chihuahuan RavenC. cryptoleucus

Common RavenC. corax

FAMILY ALAUDIDAE

Horned LarkEremophila alpestris



FAMILY HIRUNDINIDAESUBFAMILY HIRUNDININAEPurple Martin

Progne subisGray-breasted Martin A

P. chalybeaTree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolorViolet-green Swallow

T. thalassinaNorthern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennisBank Swallow

Riparia ripariaCliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonotaCave Swallow

P. fulvaBarn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

FAMILY PARIDAE

Carolina ChickadeePoecile carolinensis

Black-capped Chickadee AP. atricapillus

Mountain ChickadeeP. gambeli

Juniper TitmouseBaeolophus ridgwayi

Tufted TitmouseB. bicolor

Black-crested TitmouseB. atricristatus

FAMILY REMIZIDAE

VerdinAuriparus flaviceps

FAMILY AEGITHALIDAE

BushtitPsaltriparus minimus

FAMILY SITTIDAESUBFAMILY SITTINAERed-breasted Nuthatch

Sitta canadensisWhite-breasted Nuthatch

S. carolinensisPygmy Nuthatch

S. pygmaea



Brown-headed NuthatchS. pusilla

FAMILY CERTHIIDAESUBFAMILY CERTHIINAEBrown Creeper

Certhia americana

FAMILY TROGLODYTIDAE

Cactus WrenCampylorhynchus brunneicapillus

Rock WrenSalpinctes obsoletus

Canyon WrenCatherpes mexicanus

Carolina WrenThryothorus ludovicianus

Bewick’s WrenThryomanes bewickii

House WrenTroglodytes aedon

Winter WrenT. troglodytes

Sedge WrenCistothorus platensis

Marsh WrenC. palustris

FAMILY CINCLIDAE

American Dipper ACinclus mexicanus

FAMILY REGULIDAE

Golden-crowned KingletRegulus satrapa

Ruby-crowned KingletR. calendula

FAMILY SYLVIIDAESUBFAMILY POLIOPTILINAEBlue-gray Gnatcatcher

Polioptila caeruleaBlack-tailed Gnatcatcher

P. melanuraBlack-capped Gnatcatcher H

P. nigriceps



FAMILY TURDIDAE

Northern Wheatear AOenanthe oenanthe

Eastern BluebirdSialia sialis

Western BluebirdS. mexicana

Mountain BluebirdS. currucoides

Townsend’s SolitaireMyadestes townsendi

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush ACatharus aurantiirostris

Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush AC. mexicanus

VeeryC. fuscescens

Gray-cheeked ThrushC. minimus

Swainson’s ThrushC. ustulatus

Hermit ThrushC. guttatus

Wood ThrushHylocichla mustelina

Clay-colored RobinTurdus grayi

White-throated Robin AT. assimilis

Rufous-backed Robin AT. rufopalliatus

American RobinT. migratorius

Varied Thrush AIxoreus naevius

Aztec Thrush ARidgwayia pinicola

FAMILY MIMIDAE

Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensis

Black Catbird AMelanoptila glabrirostris

Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottos

Sage ThrasherOreoscoptes montanus

Brown ThrasherToxostoma rufum

Long-billed ThrasherT. longirostre

Curve-billed ThrasherT. curvirostre

Crissal ThrasherT. crissale



Blue Mockingbird AMelanotis caerulescens

FAMILY STURNIDAE

European Starling ISturnus vulgaris

FAMILY MOTACILLIDAE

American PipitAnthus rubescens

Sprague’s PipitA. spragueii

FAMILY BOMBYCILLIDAE

Bohemian Waxwing ABombycilla garrulus

Cedar WaxwingB. cedrorum

FAMILY PTILOGONATIDAE

Gray Silky-flycatcher APtilogonys cinereus

PhainopeplaPhainopepla nitens

FAMILY PEUCEDRAMIDAE

Olive Warbler APeucedramus taeniatus

FAMILY PARULIDAE

Bachman’s Warbler H*Vermivora bachmanii

Blue-winged WarblerV. pinus

Golden-winged WarblerV. chrysoptera

Tennessee WarblerV. peregrina

Orange-crowned WarblerV. celata

Nashville WarblerV. ruficapilla

Virginia’s WarblerV. virginiae

Colima WarblerV. crissalis



Lucy’s WarblerV. luciae

Crescent-chested Warbler A*Parula superciliosa

Northern ParulaP. americana

Tropical ParulaP. pitiayumi

Yellow WarblerDendroica petechia

Chestnut-sided WarblerD. pensylvanica

Magnolia WarblerD. magnolia

Cape May WarblerD. tigrina

Black-throated Blue WarblerD. caerulescens

Yellow-rumped WarblerD. coronata

Black-throated Gray WarblerD. nigrescens

Golden-cheeked WarblerD. chrysoparia

Black-throated Green WarblerD. virens

Townsend’s WarblerD. townsendi

Hermit WarblerD. occidentalis

Blackburnian WarblerD. fusca

Yellow-throated WarblerD. dominica

Grace’s WarblerD. graciae

Pine WarblerD. pinus

Prairie WarblerD. discolor

Palm WarblerD. palmarum

Bay-breasted WarblerD. castanea

Blackpoll WarblerD. striata

Cerulean WarblerD. cerulea

Black-and-white WarblerMniotilta varia

American RedstartSetophaga ruticilla

Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citrea

Worm-eating WarblerHelmitheros vermivorus

Swainson’s WarblerLimnothlypis swainsonii



OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapilla

Northern WaterthrushS. noveboracensis

Louisiana WaterthrushS. motacilla

Kentucky WarblerOporornis formosus

Connecticut Warbler AO. agilis

Mourning WarblerO. philadelphia

MacGillivray’s WarblerO. tolmiei

Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichas

Gray-crowned Yellowthroat AG. poliocephala

Hooded WarblerWilsonia citrina

Wilson’s WarblerW. pusilla

Canada WarblerW. canadensis

Red-faced Warbler ACardellina rubrifrons

Painted RedstartMyioborus pictus

Slate-throated Redstart AM. miniatus

Golden-crowned Warbler ABasileuterus culicivorus

Rufous-capped Warbler AB. rufifrons

Yellow-breasted ChatIcteria virens

FAMILY THRAUPIDAE

Hepatic TanagerPiranga flava

Summer TanagerP. rubra

Scarlet TanagerP. olivacea

Western TanagerP. ludoviciana

Flame-colored Tanager AP. bidentata

FAMILY EMBERIZIDAE

White-collared SeedeaterSporophila torqueola

Yellow-faced Grassquit ATiaris olivacea



Olive SparrowArremonops rufivirgatus

Green-tailed TowheePipilo chlorurus

Spotted TowheeP. maculatus

Eastern TowheeP. erythrophthalmus

Canyon TowheeP. fuscus

Abert’s Towhee H*P. aberti

Cassin’s SparrowAimophila cassinii

Bachman’s SparrowA. aestivalis

Botteri’s SparrowA. botterii

Rufous-crowned SparrowA. ruficeps

American Tree SparrowSpizella arborea

Chipping SparrowS. passerina

Clay-colored SparrowS. pallida

Brewer’s SparrowS. breweri

Field SparrowS. pusilla

Black-chinned SparrowS. atrogularis

Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineus

Lark SparrowChondestes grammacus

Black-throated SparrowAmphispiza bilineata

Sage SparrowA. belli

Lark BuntingCalamospiza melanocorys

Savannah SparrowPasserculus sandwichensis

Grasshopper SparrowAmmodramus savannarum

Baird’s Sparrow AA. bairdii

Henslow’s SparrowA. henslowii

Le Conte’s SparrowA. leconteii

Nelson’s Sharp-tailed SparrowA. nelsoni

Seaside SparrowA. maritimus

Fox SparrowPasserella iliaca



Song SparrowMelospiza melodia

Lincoln’s SparrowM. lincolnii

Swamp SparrowM. georgiana

White-throated SparrowZonotrichia albicollis

Harris’s SparrowZ. querula

White-crowned SparrowZ. leucophrys

Golden-crowned Sparrow AZ. atricapilla

Dark-eyed JuncoJunco hyemalis

Yellow-eyed Junco AJ. phaeonotus

McCown’s LongspurCalcarius mccownii

Lapland LongspurC. lapponicus

Smith’s LongspurC. pictus

Chestnut-collared LongspurC. ornatus

Snow Bunting APlectrophenax nivalis

FAMILY CARDINALIDAE

Crimson-collared Grosbeak ARhodothraupis celaeno

Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalis

PyrrhuloxiaC. sinuatus

Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianus

Black-headed GrosbeakP. melanocephalus

Blue Bunting ACyanocompsa parellina

Blue GrosbeakPasserina caerulea

Lazuli BuntingP. amoena

Indigo BuntingP. cyanea

Varied BuntingP. versicolor

Painted BuntingP. ciris

DickcisselSpiza americana



FAMILY ICTERIDAE

BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorus

Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceus

Eastern MeadowlarkSturnella magna

Western MeadowlarkS. neglecta

Yellow-headed BlackbirdXanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Rusty BlackbirdEuphagus carolinus

Brewer’s BlackbirdE. cyanocephalus

Common GrackleQuiscalus quiscula

Boat-tailed GrackleQ. major

Great-tailed GrackleQ. mexicanus

Shiny Cowbird AMolothrus bonariensis

Bronzed CowbirdM. aeneus

Brown-headed CowbirdM. ater

Black-vented Oriole AIcterus wagleri

Orchard OrioleI. spurius

Hooded OrioleI. cucullatus

Streak-backed Oriole AI. pustulatus

Bullock’s OrioleI. bullockii

Altamira OrioleI. gularis

Audubon’s OrioleI. graduacauda

Baltimore OrioleI. galbula

Scott’s OrioleI. parisorum

FAMILY FRINGILLIDAESUBFAMILY CARDUELINAEPine Grosbeak A

Pinicola enucleatorPurple Finch

Carpodacus purpureusCassin’s Finch

C. cassiniiHouse Finch

C. mexicanus



Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostra

White-winged Crossbill AL. leucoptera

Common Redpoll ACarduelis flammea

Pine SiskinC. pinus

Lesser GoldfinchC. psaltria

Lawrence’s Goldfinch AC. lawrencei

American GoldfinchC. tristis

Evening GrosbeakCoccothraustes vespertinus

FAMILY PASSERIDAE

House Sparrow IPasser domesticus



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COLUMN INFORMATION



SELECTED REFERENCESArvin, J.C. 2005. Birds of the South Texas Brushlands: a field checklist. Texas Parks and

Wildlife Department.American Ornithologists’ Union. 1998. Check-list of North American Birds. 7th Edition.

American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.Bryan, K.B. 2002. Birds of the Trans-Pecos: a field checklist. Natural Resources Program,

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.Freeman, B. 2003. Birds of the Oaks & Prairies and Osage Plains of Texas: a field checklist.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.Lockwood, M.W. 2001. Birds of the Texas Hill Country. University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas.Lockwood, M.W. 2001. Birds of the Edwards Plateau: a field checklist. Natural Resources

Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.Lockwood, M.W. and B. Freeman. 2004. The TOS Handbook of Texas Birds. Texas A&M

University Press, College Station. Texas-Oberholser, H.C. 1974. The Bird Life of Texas. University of Texas Press, Austin.Peterson, J. and B.R. Zimmer. 1998. Birds of the Trans-Pecos. University of Texas Press,

Austin, Texas.Pulich, W.M. 1988. The Birds of North Central Texas. Texas A&M University Press, College

Station, Texas.Rappole, J.H. and G.W. Blacklock. 1985. Birds of the Texas Coastal Bend: abundance and

distribution. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, Texas.Seyffert, K.D. 2001. Birds of the Texas Panhandle. Texas A&M University Press, College

Station, Texas.Seyffert, K.D. 2002. Birds of the High Plains and Rolling Plains of Texas: a field checklist.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.Shackelford, C.E. and M.W. Lockwood. 2000. The Birds of Texas: Occurrence and Seasonal

Movements. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.White, M. 2001. Birds of Northeast Texas. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, Texas.Wolf, D.E., C.E. Shackelford, G.G. Laneau, and C.D. Fisher. 2001. Birds of the Pineywoods

of Eastern Texas: a field checklist. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

DOCUMENTING RARE BIRDS IN TEXASThere are some species for which documentation is always requested. These species aredesignated as accidental or hypothetical in the body of the checklist. Of course, details arerequested for any species not on this list. A tear-out Texas Bird Records Committee reportform is provided here for documenting Texas rarities. Whenever possible, the submissionof photographs should accompany the form. The value of a photograph cannot be overes-timated as a method of confirming a rare species. A simple sketch, however, can be nearlyas valuable (no matter what you may think of its artistic value). Preferably, sketchesshould be done at the time of the sighting, or as close to it as possible, rather than later.It is important to note, however, that any documentation, even if it is late and even if youare the fiftieth person who has seen it, can be a valuable contribution and is appreciated.There can never be too much documentation for a rare bird. After sighting information issubmitted, it is then further evaluated by the Texas Bird Records Committee (TBRC), astanding committee of the Texas Ornithological Society. Your participation in adding toour state’s growing body of ornithological information is very much encouraged.



TEXAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETYTexas Bird Records Committee

Report Form

This form is intended as a convenience in reporting observations of rare or unusualbirds. It may be used flexibly and need not be used at all except as a guideline. Attachadditional sheets as necessary. PLEASE PRINT IN BLACK INK OR TYPE. Attach drawings,photos, etc., if possible. When complete, mail to: Mark Lockwood, 402 E. Harriet Ave.,Alpine, Texas 79830, OR Dr. Keith Arnold, Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences,Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2258. Thank you!

1. Common and Scientific name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g. two adults in breedingplumage): _____________________________________________________

3 Location: _______________________________________________________________________________ County:_________________________, TX.

4. Date and Time when observed: _____________________________________ 5. Reporting observer and address: ____________________________________

______________________________________________________________ 6. Other observers: ________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________ 7. Light conditions: ________________________________________________ 8. Optical Equipment: ______________________________________________ 9. Distance to bird: ________________________________________________10. Duration of Observation: __________________________________________11. Habitat (be specific): _____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________12. Description: (Include only what was actually seen, not what “should have been

seen.”) Include, if possible, body bulk, shape, bill, eye, plumage pattern, colorand other physical characteristics. Describe voice, behavior and anything elsethat might help identify the bird.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE SEE BACK



______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. How were similar species eliminated? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. Was it photographed? By whom? Attached? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. Previous experience with species: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. List any books or references used in identification:(a) at time of observation _________________________________________(b) after observation _____________________________________________

17. This description written from:(a) notes made during observation __________________________________(b) notes made after observation ____________________________________(c) memory ____________________________________________________

18. Are you positive of your observation? _____. If not, explain: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. Signature of reporter along with date and time of writing this account:

______________________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL NOTES (Please use extra sheets if necessary)



NOTES


© 2006 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. PWD BK P4000-000M (4/06)In accordance with Texas Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries.

ISBN: 1-885696-09-4

Checklist of TX Birds cover.qxd 4/24/06 8:31 AM Page 3

4200 Smith School RoadAustin, Texas 78744

(800) 792-1112www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Checklist of TX Birds cover.qxd 4/24/06 8:31 AM Page 4

a checklist of texas birds booklet

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