Common names and phylogenetic sequence are from the 1993 Thirty-ninth supplement to the 1983 sixth edition of the American Ornithologists’ Union Checklist of North American Birds as published in the April 8 1994 Auk 110:675-682.
Descriptive Notes
(Listed beneath non-hypothetical species).
Nesting species – Indicates that a species has been recorded nesting within the park.
Year-round resident – Denotes a sedentary or non-migratory species that lives in Big Bend all year.
–after breeding – The status of a species after breeding due to post-nesting dispersal. Most species notated as after breeding species do not nest within the park, but wander to the region after breeding. They will usually be seen in July or August in summer (and may stay through fall and winter), and are not designated as nesting species. Of the remaining eleven species, eight nest in Big Bend. Their status changes after breeding; either they disperse away from the park, becoming more difficult to find in July and August, or they become more active, and are easier to locate at this time. The last three species in this category neither nest in the park, nor are limited in occurrence to the months of July and August. Rather, they can be seen at any time during summer, although their status changes, as indicated, after breeding.
Big Bend specialty – Highlights a species that, for the United States and Canada, is found most easily within Big Bend National Park.
Southwestern U.S. species – Indicates a bird that, in North America (Canada and the United States), is limited to southern California; Nevada; Arizona; Utah; New Mexico; Colorado; and western Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. These species also occur in Latin America.
Extremely rare in U.S. – Refers to a Latin American species that very rarely visits the United States or is restricted in this country to very limited locales along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Neotropical migrant – Refers to a species that nests in the United States or Canada and winters in Mexico, Central America, the Greater Antilles, or (to a lesser degree) South America, often travelling thousands of miles between the two. Neotropical migrants are a shared resource between nations. They pose a great conservation challenge by requiring preserved habitats in both their summer and winter ranges, and, ideally, the protection of non-fragmented travel corridors between them.
Threatened or endangered species – A species that is federally threatened or endangered. As of this printing, both the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon were candidates for down-listing or de-listing.
Historically occurring species – Denotes a bird whose range once commonly included Big Bend, but whose presence now is not fully understood. Explanations include local extirpation or unsuccessful reintroduction.
Key to Habitats
R – River floodplain. – Open water areas such as the Rio Grande, its corridor, tributaries, and isolated ponds. Also river cane, cattails, mesquite thickets, cottonwood trees, and other vegetation associated with the river, backcountry springs, marshes, and ponds. Included are Rio Grande Village Campground and vicinity, Daniels Ranch, Hot Springs, Cottonwood Campground, Basin sewage ponds, lower Window Trail, Old Ranch.
D – Shrub Desert. – The open desert up to about 3,500 feet. Rainfall averages less than 10″ per year and plant life is most sparse. Includes Rio Grande Village area, Castolon, Maverick, Dagger Flat, River Road, Persimmon Gap.
G – Grasslands or foothills. – Chisos Mountains lowlands from around 3,500 to 5,000 feet. Sotol and agave (century plant) are common. Grasses abundant and shrubs common. Areas include lower Green Gulch (Basin Road), Government Spring, lower Pine Canyon, lower Blue Creek Trail, upper Window Trail, Basin Campground.
P – Pinyon-oak-juniper woodlands. – Chisos Mountains from about 5,000 up to nearly 8,000 feet. A woodland of Mexican pinyon pine, junipers, oaks, and other deciduous trees. Upper Green Gulch, Lost Mine Trail, South Rim Trail.
M – Moist woodland. – Mountain canyons and woodlands generally above 6,000 feet and dominated by Arizona cypress, Douglas-fir, Texas madrone, and Arizona pine. Examples are Boot and Pine Canyons and similar sheltered Chisos Mountains highlands.
Key to abundance
com – Common – Regularly seen on most outings in varying numbers.
loc – Locally common – Easily found only in a specific area of the park.
fai – Fairly common – Regularly found in suitable habitat
unc – Uncommon – Present in suitable habitat, but not regularly seen.
spo – Sporadic – Not present every year. Flucutates in occurrence and numbers.
rar – Rare – Rarely seen even in suitable habitat. Five or more park records.
acc – Accidental – Confirmed for the park, but out of normal range. Less than five park records.
At the end of the list are the following two hypothetical species lists:
hyp – Hypothetical – (Reported for Big Bend National Park and confirmed elsewhere in Texas)
Plausible, but not authenticated for Big Bend by specimen, photograph, or unquestionable documentation or has not been reported during the last 20 years. Species has been confirmed elsewhere in Texas by the Texas Bird Records Committee.
Hypothetical – (Reported for Big Bend National Park, but confirmed nowhere else in Texas)
Also unconfirmed for Big Bend. These hypotheticals would constitute first state records for the species and have not been accepted by the Texas Bird Records Committee due to inadequate documentation.
Approximately 10 species more than the 446 presented in this checklist have been reported for Big Bend. They are not listed, because the likelihoood of their occurrence is extremely remote and documentation is poor or absent.
Seasons
(Spring and fall listings are for residents and migrants; summer and winter listings are for residents and visitors).
Spring – Late February through early May.
Summer – May through August.
Fall – Mid-August through early December.
Winter – December through late February.
Legend
ORDER
FAMILY HABITAT AND SEASONAL STATUS
SUB-FAMILY
___ Common name HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
GREBES
GREBES HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Least Grebe R – acc – acc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Pied-billed Grebe R unc rar fai unc
(Nesting species)
___ Eared Grebe R rar – unc rar
TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS
PELICANS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ American White Pelican R acc – acc –
CORMORANTS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Double-crested Cormorant R rar – – rar
___ Neotropic Cormorant R acc – acc –
HERONS, IBISES, STORKS, AND ALLIES
BITTERNS AND HERONS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ American Bittern R unc – unc –
___ Least Bittern R rar rar rar –
___ Great Blue Heron R fai rar fai fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Great Egret R unc – unc –
___ Snowy Egret R unc – unc –
___ Little Blue Heron R acc – acc –
___ Tricolored Heron R rar unc rar –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Reddish Egret R acc – – –
___ Cattle Egret RD fai – fai –
___ Green Heron R fai unc fai unc
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Black-crowned Night-Heron R rar acc rar acc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Yellow-crowned Night-Heron R rar unc unc –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
IBISES AND SPOONBILLS
IBISES HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ White Ibis R – – – acc
___ White-faced Ibis R rar – rar rar
SPOONBILLS
___ Roseate Spoonbill R – acc – –
STORKS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Wood Stork R acc – – –
(Threatened or endangered species)
SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS
SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS
WHISTLING-DUCKS, SWANS, AND GEESE HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Tundra Swan R – – – acc
___ Greater White-fronted Goose R acc – acc –
___ Snow Goose R rar – rar –
___ Ross’ Goose R acc acc – –
___ Canada Goose R acc – acc –
DUCKS
___ Wood Duck R unc – unc rar
___ Green-winged Teal R com unc com com
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Mallard R unc unc unc unc
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Northern Pintail R unc rar unc unc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Blue-winged Teal R com rar com rar
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Cinnamon Teal R fai rar fai unc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Northern Shoveler R fai – fai rar
___ Gadwall R fai unc fai unc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ American Wigeon R fai rar fai unc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Canvasback R – – – spo
___ Redhead R rar – rar –
___ Ring-necked Duck R fai – fai rar
___ Lesser Scaup R rar – rar rar
___ Common Goldeneye R – – – acc
___ Bufflehead R unc – unc unc
___ Hooded Merganser R acc – acc –
___ Common Merganser R rar – rar unc
___ Red-breasted Merganser R acc – acc –
___ Ruddy duck R rar – rar –
DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY
AMERICAN VULTURES HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Black Vulture R fai unc fai unc
___ Turkey Vulture RDGP com com com rar
(Nesting species)
KITES, EAGLES, HAWKS, AND ALLIES
OSPREYS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Osprey RD unc – unc –
(Neotropical migrant)
KITES, EAGLES, HAWKS, AND ALLIES
___ American Swallow-tailed Kite R – acc – –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Neotropical migrant)
___ White-tailed Kite D acc – acc acc
___ Mississippi Kite RD fai unc – acc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Neotropical migrant)
___ Bald Eagle RDP rar – rar –
(Threatened or endangered species)
___ Northern Harrier RDG fai rar fai unc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Sharp-shinned Hawk RDPM – rar – fai
(Nesting species)
___ Cooper’s Hawk RDGPM fai rar fai fai
(Nesting species)
___ Northern Goshawk PM – rar – acc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Common Black-Hawk RP rar – rar –
(Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Harris’ Hawk RD unc rar unc unc
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Becomes uncommon after breeding,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Gray Hawk R unc unc rar –
(Nesting species, Becomes rare after
breeding, Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Red-shouldered Hawk R acc acc acc –
(Nesting species)
___ Broad-winged Hawk DG unc – unc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Swainson’s Hawk RD fai rar fai –
(Becomes fairly common after breeding,
Neotropical migrant)
___ White-tailed Hawk RDGP acc acc acc –
(Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Zone-tailed Hawk RGP unc unc unc –
(Nesting species, Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Red-tailed Hawk RDGPM fai fai fai fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Ferruginous Hawk D unc – unc unc
___ Rough-legged Hawk RDGP – – – acc
___ Golden Eagle DGP fai unc fai fai
(Nesting species)
CARACARAS AND FALCONS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Crested Caracara RD acc acc acc –
___ American Kestrel RDGP com unc com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Merlin RGP rar – rar rar
___ Peregrine Falcon RGP unc unc unc unc
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Threatened or endangered species)
___ Prairie Falcon DGP unc rar unc rar
(Nesting species)
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS
PARTRIDGES, GROUSE, TURKEYS, AND QUAIL
TURKEYS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Wild Turkey RD rar acc – rar
QUAIL
___ Montezuma Quail GP – acc – acc
(Southwestern U.S. species, Historically
occurring species)
___ Scaled Quail RDP com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Gambel’s Quail DG rar rar rar rar
(Year-round resident, Southwestern U.S.
species)
CRANES, RAILS, AND ALLIES
RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS
RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Yellow Rail R – – – acc
___ King Rail R acc acc acc –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Virginia Rail R rar – rar rar
___ Sora R fai rar fai unc
___ Purple Gallinule R rar – rar –
___ Common Moorhen R rar – rar –
___ American Coot R fai rar fai unc
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
CRANES
TYPICAL CRANES HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Sandhill Crane R unc – unc rar
SHOREBIRDS, GULLS, AND ALLIES
PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS
PLOVERS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Semipalmated Plover R acc – – –
___ Killdeer RD fai unc fai fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
STILTS AND AVOCETS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Black-necked Stilt R rar – rar –
___ American Avocet R unc rar rar –
SANDPIPERS, PHALAROPES, AND ALLIES
SANDPIPERS AND ALLIES HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Greater Yellowlegs R fai – fai –
___ Lesser Yellowlegs R unc – unc acc
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Solitary Sandpiper R fai – fai –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Willet R rar – rar –
___ Spotted Sandpiper R com fai com com
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Upland Sandpiper R rar – unc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Whimbrel R acc – – –
___ Long-billed Curlew R unc – unc –
___ Western Sandpiper R rar – rar rar
___ Least Sandpiper R unc – unc unc
___ Baird’s Sandpiper R rar – acc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Long-billed Dowitcher R acc – acc –
___ Common Snipe R unc – unc unc
___ American Woodcock R – – acc –
PHALAROPES HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Wilson’s Phalarope R unc – rar –
(Neotropical migrant)
GULLS AND TERNS
GULLS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Laughing Gull RDG acc – acc –
___ Franklin’s Gull RDG rar – rar –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Ring-billed Gull R acc – acc –
TERNS
___ Forster’s Tern R acc – – –
___ Least Tern R acc – – –
(Neotropical migrant, Threatened or
endangered species)
PIGEONS AND DOVES
PIGEONS AND DOVES HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Rock Dove RG – rar – –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Band-tailed Pigeon GPM – fai fai spo
(Nesting species)
___ White-winged Dove RDGP com com com fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Mourning Dove RDGP – com – fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Inca Dove R loc loc loc unc
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Common Ground-Dove RD unc rar unc spo
(Nesting species)
___ Ruddy Ground-Dove R acc – – acc
(Extremely rare in U.S.)
___ White-tipped Dove RGP – acc – –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Southwestern U.S. species)
CUCKOOS AND ALLIES
CUCKOOS, ROADRUNNERS, AND ANIS
NEW WORLD CUCKOOS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Black-billed Cuckoo M – acc – –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Neotropical migrant)
___ Yellow-billed Cuckoo R – fai – –
(Nesting species, Neotropical migrant)
GROUND-CUCKOOS AND ROADRUNNERS
___ Greater Roadrunner RDGP com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
ANIS
___ Groove-billed Ani R rar rar rar –
(Nesting species)
OWLS
BARN-OWLS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Barn Owl RD rar – rar –
TYPICAL OWLS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Flammulated Owl M – rar – –
(Nesting species, Neotropical migrant)
___ Eastern Screech-Owl RDGP rar rar rar rar
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Western Screech-Owl RDGP unc unc unc unc
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Great Horned Owl RDGP fai fai fai fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Northern Pygmy-Owl P acc rar – –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Elf Owl RDG fai fai – –
(Nesting species, Southwestern
U.S. species)
___ Burrowing Owl D rar rar rar –
(Nesting species)
___ Long-eared Owl RMD – rar – rar
___ Short-eared Owl D rar _ rar rar
___ Northern Saw-whet Owl M – – acc acc
GOATSUCKERS AND ALLIES
GOATSUCKERS
NIGHTHAWKS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Lesser Nighthawk RD com com com –
(Nesting species, Southwestern
U.S. species)
___ Common Nighthawk DG unc unc rar –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Neotropical migrant)
NIGHTJARS
___ Common Poorwill DG com fai com rar
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Whip-poor-will M – fai – –
(Nesting species)
SWIFTS AND HUMMINGBIRDS
SWIFTS
APODINE SWIFTS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ White-throated Swift DGPM com com com unc
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
HUMMINGBIRDS
___ Broad-billed Hummingbird RDGPM acc acc – –
(Southwestern U.S. species)
___ White-eared Hummingbird P – rar – –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Extremely rare in U.S.)
___ Berylline Hummingbird M – acc – –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Extremely rare in U.S.)
___ Blue-throated Hummingbird GPM – com – –
(Nesting species, Southwestern
U.S. species)
___ Magnificent Hummingbird PM – unc – –
(Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Lucifer Hummingbird GP fai fai fai –
(Nesting species, Big Bend specialty)
___ Ruby-throated Hummingbird RDGP rar rar rar –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Neotropical migrant)
___ Black-chinned Hummingbird RDG com com com rar
(Nesting species)
___ Anna’s Hummingbird RDGP – rar rar acc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Costa’s Hummingbird RDGP acc acc acc –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Calliope Hummingbird PM – – rar –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Broad-tailed Hummingbird PM fai com fai –
(Nesting species)
___ Rufous Hummingbird DP rar com com –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Neotropical migrant)
___ Allen’s Hummingbird GP acc acc acc –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Neotropical migrant)
TROGONS AND ALLIES
TROGONS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Elegant Trogon PM acc – – acc
(Southwestern U.S. species)
KINGFISHERS
TYPICAL KINGFISHERS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Ringed Kingfisher R acc acc – –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Belted Kingfisher R fai rar fai rar
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Green Kingfisher R rar rar rar acc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Southwestern U.S. species)
WOODPECKERS AND ALLIES
WOODPECKERS AND ALLIES
WOODPECKERS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Lewis’ Woodpecker RGM acc – acc acc
___ Red-headed Woodpecker RPM – acc – –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Acorn Woodpecker PM com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Golden-fronted Woodpecker R com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Yellow-bellied Sapsucker RP unc – unc fai
___ Red-naped Sapsucker R unc – unc unc
___ Williamson’s Sapsucker RP spo – spo spo
___ Ladder-backed Woodpecker RDGP com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Northern Flicker RPM com unc com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
PASSERINE BIRDS
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
FLUVICOLINE FLYCATCHERS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Tufted Flycatcher R – – acc acc
(Extremely rare in U.S.)
___ Olive-sided Flycatcher RDP fai rar fai –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Neotropical migrant)
___ Greater Pewee RGP acc acc acc acc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Western Wood-Pewee RDGPM com unc com –
(Nesting species, Neotropical migrant)
___ Willow Flycatcher R unc rar fai –
(Neotropical migrant, Threatened or
endangered species)
___ Least Flycatcher RDGPM unc – com –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Hammond’s Flycatcher RDGPM fai – rar –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Dusky Flycatcher RDPM fai – acc spo
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Gray Flycatcher RPM unc rar rar rar
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Cordilleran Flycatcher RM rar com rar –
(Nesting species, Neotropical migrant)
___ Black Phoebe R rar fai rar fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Eastern Phoebe R – – – fai
___ Say’s Phoebe RDGPM com fai com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Vermilion Flycatcher R com com com fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
TYRANNINE FLYCATCHERS
___ Dusky-capped Flycatcher RPM acc acc acc –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Ash-throated Flycatcher RP com com unc spo
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Great Crested Flycatcher R – acc – –
(Becomes rare after breeding,
Neotropical migrant)
___ Brown-crested Flycatcher R rar rar rar –
(Nesting species, Southwestern
U.S. species)
___ Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher RP acc acc – –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Southwestern U.S. species, Neotropical
migrant)
___ Couch’s Kingbird R rar rar rar –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Cassin’s Kingbird RDG unc rar unc acc
(Nesting species)
___ Thick-billed Kingbird R acc acc acc acc
(Nesting species, Southwestern
U.S. migrant)
___ Western Kingbird RDG fai rar unc –
(Nesting species, Neotropical migrant)
___ Eastern Kingbird RD rar – rar acc
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Scissor-tailed Flycatcher RD unc – unc –
(Southwestern U.S. species, Neotropical
migrant)
BECARDS
___ Rose-throated Becard R acc – acc –
(Southwestern U.S. species)
LARKS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Horned Lark DG unc – unc rar
SWALLOWS
TYPICAL SWALLOWS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Purple Martin RG acc acc – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Tree Swallow R unc – rar acc
___ Violet-green Swallow RGP fai unc rar –
(Nesting species)
___ Northern Rough-winged Swallow R com fai unc unc
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Bank Swallow R unc – rar acc
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Cliff Swallow RD unc com unc –
(Nesting species, Neotropical migrant)
___ Cave Swallow RDG rar rar rar –
(Nesting species, Southwestern
U.S. species)
___ Barn Swallow RDGP com com com –
(Nesting species, Neotropical migrant)
JAYS, MAGPIES, AND CROWS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Steller’s Jay P – – – acc
___ Blue Jay DG acc – acc rar
___ Scrub Jay GP – – – spo
___ Gray-breasted Jay PM com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Clark’s Nutcracker GP – – acc acc
___ Chihuahuan Raven D rar rar rar acc
(Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Common Raven RDGPM com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
TITMICE HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Tufted Titmouse GPM com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
PENDULINE TITS AND VERDINS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Verdin RDG fai fai fai fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
LONG-TAILED TITS AND BUSHTITS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Bushtit GPM com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
NUTHATCHES
TYPICAL NUTHATCHES HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Red-breasted Nuthatch RPM spo – spo spo
___ White-breasted Nuthatch PM fai fai fai fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Pygmy Nuthatch M – – – spo
CREEPERS
TYPICAL CREEPERS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Brown Creeper RPM spo – spo spo
WRENS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Cactus Wren DG com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Rock Wren RDGP com unc com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Canyon Wren RDGPM com com com fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Carolina Wren RGPM – rar – rar
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Bewick’s Wren GPM fai com fai fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ House Wren RDGPM fai – fai unc
___ Winter Wren RGP rar – rar –
___ Sedge Wren RD – – – acc
___ Marsh Wren R fai – fai fai
DIPPERS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ American Dipper R acc – – acc
MUSCICAPIDS
O.W. WARBLERS, KINGLETS
AND GNATCATCHERS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Golden-crowned Kinglet RPM spo – spo spo
___ Ruby-crowned Kinglet RGPM com – com com
___ Blue-gray Gnatcatcher RDG fai com fai fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Black-tailed Gnatcatcher DG com com fai fai
(Nestin species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
SOLITAIRES, THRUSHES, AND ALLIES HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Eastern Bluebird RP – – – unc
___ Western Bluebird GPM rar – rar fai
___ Mountain Bluebird RGPM rar – – spo
___ Townsend’s Solitaire PM fai – fai fai
___ Veery RGM acc – – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Gray-cheeked Thrush RPM acc – – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Swainson’s Thrush P unc – unc acc
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Hermit Thrush RPM com – com fai
___ Wood Thrush RP acc – – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ American Robin RGP unc – unc fai
___ Varied Thrush PM – – – acc
___ Aztec Thrush PM – acc – –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Extremely rare in U.S.)
MOCKINGBIRDS, THRASHERS, AND ALLIES HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Gray Catbird RGP rar – – acc
___ Northern Mockingbird RDGP com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Sage Thrasher RDGP unc – spo spo
___ Brown Thrasher R unc – unc unc
___ Long-billed Thrasher R rar – rar –
(Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Curve-billed Thrasher DG com fai com fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Crissal Thrasher RDGP unc unc unc unc
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
WAGTAILS AND PIPITS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ American Pipit RGPM fai – fai fai
___ Sprague’s Pipit RDG rar – rar acc
WAXWINGS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Cedar Waxwing RGPM unc – unc fai
SILKY-FLYCATCHERS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Phainopepla RDGP unc rar unc unc
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Becomes uncommon after breeding,
Southwestern U.S. species)
SHRIKES
TYPICAL SHRIKES HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Loggerhead Shrike DGP com unc com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
STARLINGS AND ALLIES
STARLINGS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ European Starling R rar – rar rar
VIREOS
TYPICAL VIREOS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ White-eyed Vireo R rar – acc –
___ Bell’s Vireo RDG com com – –
(Nesting species, Neotropical resident)
___ Black-capped Vireo GP – rar rar –
(Nesting species, Southwestern U.S.
species, Threatened or endangered species)
___ Gray Vireo GP rar fai rar rar
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Solitary Vireo RDGPM fai rar fai acc
(Nesting species, Becomes uncommon
after breeding)
___ Yellow-throated Vireo RPM acc – acc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Hutton’s Vireo GPM com com unc unc
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Warbling Vireo RM unc spo unc –
(Nesting species, Neotropical migrant)
___ Philadelphia Vireo RG rar – rar –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Red-eyed Vireo RGP rar – – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Yellow-green Vireo R – acc – –
(Southwestern U.S. species,
Neotropical migrant)
EMBERIZIDS
WOOD-WARBLERS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Blue-winged Warbler RM acc – acc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Golden-winged Warbler RM acc – acc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Tennessee Warbler R acc – acc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Orange-crowned Warbler R fai – fai fai
___ Nashville Warbler RDGPM fai – fai –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Virginia’s Warbler RPM unc – rar –
(Southwestern U.S. species, Neotropical
migrant)
___ Colima Warbler PM com com unc –
(Nesting species, Big Bend specialty,
Neotropical migrant)
___ Lucy’s Warbler RD loc loc rar –
(Nesting species, Southwestern U.S.
species, Neotropical migrant)
___ Northern Parula R unc rar rar rar
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Neotropical migrant)
___ Tropical Parula RDG acc – – acc
(Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Crescent-chested Warbler M – acc – –
(Extremely rare in U.S.)
___ Yellow Warbler R fai – fai –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Chesnut-sided Warbler RG acc – acc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Magnolia Warbler R acc – acc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Cape May Warbler R acc – – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Black-throated Blue Warbler RDG rar – acc acc
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Yellow-rumped Warbler RDGPM com – com com
___ Black-throated Gray Warbler RGP rar – unc acc
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Townsend’s Warbler PM fai – fai spo
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Hermit Warbler RGPM unc – unc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Black-throated Green Warbler RPM rar – acc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Golden-cheeked Warbler M acc acc – –
(Southwestern U.S. species, Neotropical
migrant, Threatened or endangered species)
___ Blackburnian Warbler RDG acc – – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Yellow-throated Warbler RG rar – acc –
___ Grace’s Warbler RPM rar – rar –
(Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Pine Warbler M rar – rar acc
___ Prairie Warbler R acc – – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Palm Warbler RGP acc – acc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Bay-breasted Warbler RDG acc – acc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Blackpoll Warbler RM acc – – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Cerulean Warbler DG acc – – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Black-and-white Warbler R unc rar unc acc
(Neotropical migrant)
___ American Redstart R fai – fai –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Prothonotary Warbler RP acc – – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Worm-eating Warbler RGM rar – – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Ovenbird RGPM rar – – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Northern Waterthrush RGPM unc – rar –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Louisiana Waterthrush RM rar – acc –
(Neotropical Waterthrush)
___ Kentucky Warbler RGP acc – – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ MacGillivray’s Warbler RGP com – rar –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Common Yellowthroat RM com fai com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Hooded Warbler RDGM rar – acc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Wilson’s Warbler RDGPM com – com –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Canada Warbler RGPM acc – acc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Red-faced Warbler M – spo – –
(Becomes accidental after breeding,
Southwestern U.S. species, Neotropical
migrant)
___ Painted Redstart PM spo spo – –
(Nesting species, Southwestern
U.S. species)
___ Slate-throated Redstart PM acc acc – –
(Extremely rare in U.S.)
___ Rufous-capped Warbler RP acc spo acc acc
(Extremely rare in U.S.)
___ Yellow-breasted Chat RM unc com unc –
(Nesting species, Neotropical migrant)
___ Olive Warbler GPM – acc – acc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Southwestern U.S. species)
TANAGERS
___ Hepatic Tanager PM unc unc – –
(Nesting species, Southwestern
U.S. species)
___ Summer Tanager R com com – –
(Nesting species, Neotropical migrant)
___ Scarlet Tanager RG rar rar – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Western Tanager PM fai rar fai acc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Neotropical migrant)
CARDINALS, GROSBEAKS, AND ALLIES
___ Northern Cardinal RG fai fai fai fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Pyrrhuloxia DGP com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Rose-breasted Grosbeak GPM rar rar – –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Black-headed Grosbeak RGPM unc com unc –
(Nesting species, Neotropical migrant)
___ Blue Grosbeak RDGP unc fai unc acc
(Nesting species, Neotropical migrant)
___ Lazuli Bunting RDGPM rar acc acc –
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Indigo Bunting RDG unc rar acc acc
(Becomes sporadic after breeding,
Neotropical migrant)
___ Varied Bunting RDG fai fai fai spo
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Painted Bunting RDG unc com rar –
(Nesting species, Becomes rare after
breeding, Neotropical migrant)
___ Dickcissel RG unc – unc –
(Neotropical migrant)
EMBERIZINES
___ Olive Sparrow RD acc – – –
(Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Green-tailed Towhee GP fai – fai fai
___ Rufous-sided Towhee RPM com com unc fai
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Canyon Towhee RDGP com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Cassin’s Sparrow RG fai spo fai unc
(Nesting species, Southwestern
U.S. species)
___ Rufous-crowned Sparrow DGPM com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Chipping Sparrow RDGP com rar com fai
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Clay-colored Sparrow DGP unc – unc spo
(Neotropical migrant)
___ Brewer’s Sparrow RDG fai – fai unc
___ Field Sparrow RGP rar – rar spo
___ Black-chinned Sparrow GP fai fai fai spo
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Vesper Sparrow RDGP com – com fai
___ Lark Sparrow RDG fai unc fai rar
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Black-throated Sparrow DG com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Sage Sparrow D – – – spo
___ Lark Bunting RDG fai – fai spo
___ Savannah Sparrow DG unc – unc unc
___ Baird’s Sparrow DG rar – rar spo
___ Grasshopper Sparrow RDGP unc – rar spo
___ Le Conte’s Sparrow RD acc – acc acc
___ Fox Sparrow R – – – spo
___ Song Sparrow RG unc – unc rar
___ Lincoln’s Sparrow RGP fai – fai fai
___ Swamp Sparrow RG unc – unc fai
___ White-throated Sparrow RDGP unc – unc unc
___ Golden-crowned Sparrow RD – – – acc
___ White-crowned Sparrow RDG com – com com
___ Harris’ Sparrow RG – – – acc
___ Dark-eyed Junco GPM fai – fai fai
___ Yellow-eyed Junco GPM acc acc – –
(Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Lapland Longspur G acc – – –
___ Smith’s Longspur RG acc – – –
___ Chesnut-collared Longspur DGP rar – – –
___ Snow Bunting R acc – – –
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, AND ALLIES
___ Red-winged Blackbird R unc acc unc –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Eastern Meadowlark RDG unc – unc unc
___ Western Meadowlark RDG fai – fai fai
___ Yellow-headed Blackbird RGP fai unc fai rar
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Rusty Blackbird RD – – rar rar
___ Brewer’s Blackbird RGP com – com rar
___ Great-tailed Grackle R unc rar – rar
(Nesting species)
___ Common Grackle RG rar – acc –
___ Bronzed Cowbird RG loc loc – –
(Nesting species, Southwestern
U.S. species)
___ Brown-headed Cowbird RGP com com com rar
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Black-vented Oriole RD acc acc – –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding,
Extremely rare in the U.S.)
___ Orchard Oriole G fai com – –
(Nesting species, Becomes rare after
breeding, Neotropical migrant)
___ Hooded Oriole RG rar unc rar –
(Nesting species, Becomes rare after
breeding, Southwestern U.S. species)
___ Audubon’s Oriole – acc – – –
(Southwestern U.S species)
___ Northern Oriole RPM unc unc unc –
(Nesting species, Neotropical migrant)
___ Scott’s Oriole DG com com com acc
(Nesting species, Year-round resident,
Becomes fairly common after breeding,
Southwestern U.S. species)
FRINGILLINE AND CARDUELINE FINCHES
CARDUELINE FINCHES HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Purple Finch RG acc acc acc –
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Cassin’s Finch GPM – spo – spo
___ House Finch RDGP com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ Red Crossbill PM – spo – spo
___ Pine Siskin RGP fai rar fai unc
(In summer, usually seen after breeding)
___ Lesser Goldfinch RGPM com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
___ American Goldfinch RGPM fai – unc unc
___ Evening Grosbeak GPM acc – acc acc
OLD WORLD SPARROWS HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ House Sparrow RG com com com com
(Nesting species, Year-round resident)
HYPOTHETICAL SPECIES
Reported for Big Bend National Park and confirmed elsewhere in Texas
___ COMMON NAME HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Common Loon R – – hyp –
___ Brown Pelican R – hyp – –
___ Anhinga R hyp – – hyp
___ Fulvous Whistling-Duck R hyp – – –
___ Black-bellied Whistling-Duck R hyp – – –
___ Muscovy Duck R hyp – – –
___ Masked Duck R hyp – – –
___ Aplomado Falcon RD – hyp – –
___ Northern Bobwhite G – hyp – –
___ Black Rail R hyp – – –
___ Spotted Rail R – – – hyp
___ Whooping Crane R – – hyp –
___ Mountain Plover R hyp – hyp hyp
___ Red Knot R – – hyp –
___ Pectoral Sandpiper R – hyp – –
___ Stilt Sandpiper R – – hyp –
___ Buff-breasted Sandpiper R – – hyp –
___ Common Tern R hyp – – –
___ Black Tern R hyp – hyp –
___ Red-billed Pigeon GP – hyp – –
___ Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl RD – hyp – –
___ Spotted Owl M – hyp – –
___ Barred Owl RGP – – hyp –
___ White-collared Swift GP hyp – – –
___ Chimney Swift R hyp – – –
___ Violet-crowned Hummingbird RP hyp hyp – –
___ Downy Woodpecker R hyp – – –
___ Hairy Woodpecker RD hyp – – –
___ Northern Beardless Tyrannulet GP hyp – – –
___ Yellow-bellied Flycatcher RG hyp – hyp –
___ Great Kiskadee R hyp – – hyp
___ Fork-tailed Flycatcher G – hyp – –
___ Pinyon Jay P hyp – – –
___ Black-billed Magpie D hyp – – –
___ American Crow D – – – hyp
___ Mountain Chickadee DPM – hyp – hyp
___ Clay-colored Robin R hyp – – –
___ Rufous-backed Robin R – – hyp –
___ Bohemian Waxwing R hyp – – –
___ Swainson’s Warbler R hyp – – –
___ Connecticut Warbler – hyp – – –
___ Mourning Warbler R hyp – – –
___ Golden-crowned Warbler RD hyp – – –
___ Blue Bunting G – hyp – –
___ McCown’s Longspur G hyp – – hyp
___ Altamira Oriole R hyp – hyp –
___ Pine Grosbeak RGP hyp – – –
___ Lawrence’s Goldfinch G hyp – – –
HYPOTHETICAL SPECIES
Reported for Big Bend National Park, but confirmed nowhere in Texas
___ COMMON NAME HABITAT SPRING SUMM. FALL WINTER
___ Black Swift RGP – hyp – –
___ Plain-capped Starthroat P – hyp – –
___ Three-toed Woodpecker G hyp – – –
___ Pacific-slope Flycatcher R hyp – – –
___ Buff-breasted Flycatcher P hyp hyp – –
___ Nutting’s Flycatcher R – – – hyp
___ Bridled Titmouse RGP hyp – hyp –
___ Bendire’s Thrasher RDGP – hyp – hyp
___ Yellow Grosbeak R hyp – hyp –
___ Streak-backed Oriole R hyp – hyp –
___ Hooded Grosbeak P – hyp – –
For more information contact:
Big Bend Natural History Association
P.O. Box 68
Big Bend National Park, Texas 79834
Phone: (915) 477-2236
To report your findings, forward a copy of this checklist to:
National Park Service, Chief Naturalist, Big Bend National Park, Texas, 79834.
Include unlisted, hypothetical, accidental, and rare species, as well as more common ones. Wildlife observation cards are also available at visitor centers for reporting unusual sightings. A notebook of recent wildlife sightings is available for examination at the Panther Junction Visitor Center.
Summary
Date(s): __________________________________________________________________
Observer(s): __________________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________________________________________________
Localities: __________________________________________________________________
Highlights: __________________________________________________________________
Checklist reviewed by Anne Bellamy, Greg Lasley, Bonnie McKinney, Bill Schreier, Karen Boucher Selleck, Raymond Skiles, Dennis Vasquez, and Ro Wauer.
This resource is based on the following source:
Selleck, J.M. 1994. Bird Checklist of Big Bend National Park,
Texas. Big Bend Natural History Association in cooperation
with the National Park Service. Unpaginated.
This resource should be cited as:
Selleck, J.M. 1994. Bird Checklist of Big Bend National Park,
Texas. Big Bend Natural History Association in cooperation
with the National Park Service. Unpaginated. Jamestown, ND:
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Home Page.
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/chekbird/r2/bbend.htm
(Version 22MAY98).
