Discover the Amazing Lower Rio Grande Valley Birds

Molly JasinskiUpdated: Jun. 28, 2021

These four hotspots for lower Rio Grande Valley birds offer birdwatchers plenty of chances to see rare and unique species.

A Green Jay In Laguna Atascosa Nwr, Texas — Green jay

Whether you’re a beginner or experienced birder, these four birding spots in the lower Rio Grande Valley deserve a special visit.

1. Resaca de la Palma State Park

Grab your binoculars and head to Resaca de la Palma State Park in Brownsville, Texas. Walk along more than 8 miles of trails or rent a bicycle for the weekend. You can search for green jays, least grebes and Harris’s hawks—all commonly spotted within the park. Psst—south Texas is also a butterfly hotspot for hundreds of rare butterflies.

buff bellied hummingbird, rio grande valley birds — Buff-bellied hummingbird in south Texas

2. Sabal Palm Sanctuary

View many must-see Rio Grande Valley birds, including the plain chachalaca, white-tipped dove and buff-bellied hummingbird, at the Sabal Palm Sanctuary, one of the best birding locations in Texas.

Want to see more species? Go birdwatching in different habitats!

Laguna Atascosa Nwr Gulf Of Mexico — Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

3. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

A short drive away in Los Fresnos, the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is a top location for the rare aplomado falcon and a wide variety of wading birds and shorebirds. Be sure to check out the feeders stationed around the visitor center.

Get to know the beach birds you may see at coastal birding hotspots.

Underneath most bird feeders in the area, you'll find White-tipped Doves cleaning up what others have spilled. — Look for white-tipped doves at feeding stations in the Valley.

4. South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary

Not far from Brownsville, Texas, the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary gives visitors and locals alike fantastic options for spotting Rio Grande Valley birds throughout the year. Register on the sanctuary’s website for a guided tour with an educator. Or take a stroll along a boardwalk that’s more than 3,000 feet long. For an even better view, climb the five-story viewing tower.

Rio Grande Valley Birding — Plain chachalacas are a common sight in the Rio Grande Valley and make quite a racket every morning.

For more Texas travel, explore the Piney Woods and rose capital of America and the oldest town in Texas.