BIRD IDENTIFICATION ARTICLE RESEARCH
BIRD IDENTIFICATION ARTICLE RESEARCH
The purpose of this list is to fully include all naturally-occurring bird species positively recorded in Nueces County, Texas. The general criteria for the list, in the case of rarities or extralimitals, is that the record be published in a respected, peer-reviewed publication. These records are generally from North American Birds and its predecessor publications: Audubon Field Notes, American Birds and Field Notes. Certain records published in these journals have NOT been included, if there was doubt regarding identification or provenance of the record. In the case of Texas Ornithological Society Review Species, it is required that the sighting be Accepted by the Texas Bird Records Committee in order to be included here. We also include records that are supported by specimen or archived photograph, but may have not been published. We have included certain records which have been archived in eBird with substantiating photographs. Ideally, these have also been archived at the texasbirdimages.com site.
This list is a work-in-progress, and will be amended as records occur and we add to our knowledge of Nueces County avifauna. Certain older records are still being sought or researched. I would value the input of birders and ornithology researchers as to comments, additions, corrections, etc.
It is our hope that this checklist effort may inspire other Texas birders to create a similar database for their own county. These detailed historical studies may enable us to use more accuracy in reporting to national databases and journals regarding the rarity of a certain species. We may think of a modern-day rarity record of being a “first” or “second” county record, for example, when, in fact, we later find a specimen or detailed published report was obtained many years ago.
Taxonomic sequencing and nomenclature follows the 63rd Supplement, 7th edition of The Checklist of North American Birds, American Ornithologists Union, July 2022, as well as the Texas Ornithological Society Checklist, updated February, 2023
Abundance Terms:
Accidental: Extremely rare. Not expected to re-occur.
Rare: Only a few records, usually seen less than annually.
Occasional: Seen a few times each season
Uncommon: Usually low density species, can be found with some effort
Fairly Common: Should be found during a normal day’s birding activity
Common: Hard to miss
Geese, Swans and Ducks (Anatidae)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna autumnalis
Common to abundant year-round resident. Has increased in numbers and range since the 1960s.
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor
Fairly common migrant and breeder, especially during wet seasons.
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescens
Ross’s Goose
Anser rossii
Winter resident, uncommon and in small numbers.
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifrons
Common winter resident
Brant
Branta bernicla
Accidental. One accepted record:
15 Jan 1995, Port Aransas (TBRC 1995-10) (NAB)
Cackling Goose
Branta hutchinsii
Until the 1980’s, “white-faced” geese were plentiful in bays and estuaries around Corpus Christi. The hutchinsii race of Canada Goose, as this species considered at that time, was among the most plentiful of the “races”. White-faced geese of both species are rare to uncommon in Nueces County since the 1980s.
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
Uncommon winter resident. Formerly common in larger numbers.
Tundra Swan
Accidental.
Winter 1970, “several small flocks in Rockport and Corpus Christi areas” (AFN 1970)
There are several reports of this species from the early 1900s, and it may have been fairly regular in small numbers in winter during that time.
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
Uncommon winter resident and possibly a breeder along Nueces River in the western part of the county.
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
Common winter resident and rare breeder
Cinnamon Teal
Spatula cyanoptera
Uncommon winter resident
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeata
Common winter resident and occasional breeder
Gadwall
Mareca strepera
Common winter resident
American Wigeon
Mareca americana
Common winter resident
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Uncommon winter resident
American Black Duck
Anas rubripes
Accidental: One accepted record:
15 Jan. 1890. Corpus Christi, Specimen in the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH 79453)
Mottled Duck
Anas fulvigula
Common permanent resident
Northern Pintail
Anas acuta
Common winter resident
Green-winged Teal
Anas crecca
Common winter resident
Canvasback
Aythya valisineria
Fairly common winter resident
Redhead
Aythya Americana
Common winter resident
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
Common winter resident
Greater Scaup
Aythya marila
Uncommon winter resident
Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
Common winter resident
Common Eider
Somateria mollissima
Accidental: One accepted record; an adult male shot by a hunter in the Laguna Madre
8 Jan. 2007 N. Laguna Madre, NUE (TBRC 2007-11; TPRF 2480)
Harlequin Duck
Histrionicus histrionicus
Accidental. Two females found at Port Aransas Jetty, Feb. 19-20, 2022 (TBRC 2022-24; TPRF 3946)
Surf Scoter
Melanitta perspicillata
Rare winter visitor
White-winged Scoter
Melanitta fusca
Rare winter visitor
Black Scoter
Melanitta nigra
Rare winter visitor
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalis
Rare winter visitor
Bufflehead
Bucephala albeola
Common winter resident
Common Goldeneye
Bucephala clangula
Uncommon winter resident
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
Fairly common winter resident
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
Common winter resident
Masked Duck
Nomonyx dominicus
Rare to accidental. Three accepted records:
10 Nov-5 Dec 1968 (1-10) Corpus Christi, NUE (*WWF 1532; TPRF 293) (AFN 23:78; Oberholser 1974; Rappole and Blacklock 1985)
20 Dec 1992-1 Jan 1993 (1-2) Corpus Christi, NUE (1*TCWC 12926; TBRC 1993-52; TPRF 1162) (AB 47:275, 845)
15-20 Jun 1996 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 1996-112) (FN 50:969)
Many sight records
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
Common winter resident
Gallinaceous Birds (Galliformes)
Plain Chachalaca
Ortalis vetula
Rare. One record:
13 Feb and 8 Apr 2009; Several birds photographed in extreme Southwest Nueces County. These birds are from an original 1960s or 1970s introduction release by Texas Parks and Wildlife in adjoining Kleberg County. This population has been self-sustaining since the release. Published in Wildlife in Focus, 2010. Pending TPRF file number.
Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianus
Fairly common permanent resident, declining in number
Scaled Quail
Callipepla squamata
One published record:
Blacklock saw two in the Nueces Bay area Mar. 21 and 25, 1962. Formerly ranged to the Central Coast. (AFN 1962)
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
Fairly common permanent resident
Grebes (Podicipediformes)
Least Grebe
Tachybaptus dominicus
Fairly common permanent resident.
Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
Common permanent resident, population highest in winter months.
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritus
Rare winter visitor
Eared Grebe
Podiceps nigricollis
Common winter resident
Western Grebe
Aechmophorus occidentalis
One published record:
9 Dec., 1968 from a pond at Oso Golf Course, and described by Blacklock as “first Nueces County record”.
27 Mar - May 15, 2013 One photographed from Port Aransas Jetty, NAB Vol. 67 No. 3, pg. 479
Pigeons and Doves (Columbiformes)
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
Common permanent resident
Red-billed Pigeon
Patagioenas flavirostris
Accidental
Two published sight records:
Jan. 26, 1969 Flour Bluff by an experienced observer, AFN-1969)
March 3-5, 1988 Corpus Christi, with photo, TPRF 615, (AB-1988)
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Streptopelia decaocto
Common permanent resident
Inca Dove
Columbina inca
Common permanent resident
Common Ground-Dove
Columbina passerina
Common permanent resident
White-tipped Dove
Leptotila verreauxi
Uncommon permanent resident, subject to northern range expansion
White-winged Dove
Zenaida asiatica
Common permanent resident
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
Common Permanent resident
Cuckoos, Roadrunners, and Anis (Cuculiformes)
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Coccyzus americanus
Common migrant and summer resident
Mangrove Cuckoo
Coccyzus minor
Accidental
One accepted record:
3-4 May 2000 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2000-30; TPRF 1912)
Black-billed Cuckoo
Coccyzus erythropthalmus
Uncommon migrant in spring, rare in fall
Greater Roadrunner
Geococcyx californianus
Common permanent resident
Groove-billed Ani
Crotophaga sulcirostris
Fairly common summer resident
Goatsuckers (Caprimulgiformes)
Lesser Nighthawk
Chordeiles acutipennis
Common migrant and uncommon summer resident
Common Nighthawk
Chordeiles minor
Common migrant and summer resident
Common Pauraque
Nyctidromus albicollis
Common permanent resident
Common Poorwill
Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
Rare migrant and visitor
One specimen record:
1993 (date?) TCWC specimen number 13137
Several sight records
Chuck-will’s-widow
Caprimulgus carolinensis
Common spring and fall migrant
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Caprimulgus vociferus
Fairly common spring and fall migrant
Swifts and Hummingbird (Apodiformes)
Chimney Swift
Chaetura pelagica
Common summer resident
White-throated Swift
Aeronautes saxatalis
One published sight record:
16 Apr 1965 “Five White-throated Swifts were seen at very close range at Hazel Bazemore Park on the Nueces on April 16 (Gene Blacklock), a very unusual record for the Central Coast” (AFN 1965)
Mexican Violetear
Colibri thalassinus
Accidental
Four accepted records:
6 May-25 Jun 1995 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 1995-60; TPRF 1374) (FN 49:276, 951
7-13 May 2000 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2000-64; TPRF 1787
2-3 Apr 2002 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2002-48; TPRF 1972)
17 Apr 2009 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2009-35; TPRF 2717)
Green-breasted Mango
Anthracothorax prevostii
Accidental
6-27 Jan 1992 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 1992-10; TPRF 1133) (AB 46:289, 451)
3-8 Nov & 29 Nov-21 Dec 1997 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 1997-150; TPRF 1632) (AB 98th CBC issue: 398; FN 52:89; 224)
12 Aug 2000 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2009-80; TPRF 2746)
6-16 July 2021 Calallen, NUE (TBRC 2021-78; TPRF 3897)
Blue-throated Mountain-gem
Lampornis clemenciae
Accidental
Two published record, several sight records
17 Nov 1973 Corpus Christi (AB, 1974)
21-29 Nov 1995 Calallen area, Corpus Christi
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
Common migrant, rare non-breeding summer visitor, rare in winter
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Archilochus alexandri
Common summer resident
Anna’s Hummingbird
Calypte anna
Rare winter visitor
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
Rare to occasional winter visitor
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
Uncommon migrant and winter visitor
Allen’s Hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin
Rare to occasional migrant and winter visitor, several banding records
Seven TBRC records prior to delisting in 2004. Several sight records
Calliope Hummingbird
Stellula calliope
Rare: Four records
(Date?) 1995 One female,Corpus Christi
20 Feb- 13 April 2003 female banded and recaptured, Calallen area, Corpus Christi
17-24 Dec 2011 One female photographed Dec. 24 2011 to TPRF
Sept 17-20 2012 one female photographed at Hazel Bazemore County Park, photo to TPRF
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Amazilia yucatanensis
Common permanent resident, more numerous in summer
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Amazilia violiceps
Accidental: One record
21 April - 11 May, one male at feeder west portion of Corpus Christi. (TBRC 2018-45, TPRF 3583)
Rails, Gallinules, Coots, and Cranes (Gruiformes)
Black Rail
Laterallus jamaicensis
Rare to uncommon resident in spartina marshes. Status and distribution poorly known.
Clapper Rail
Rallus crepitans
Common permanent resident.
King Rail
Rallus elegans
Uncommon migrant and winter resident. Probably nests in wet seasons.
Virginia Rail
Rallus limicola
Common migrant and winter resident.
Sora
Porzana carolina
Common migrant and winter resident.
Purple Gallinule
Porphyrio martinica
Uncommon summer resident, occasional in winter
Common Gallinule
Gallinula galeata
Common permanent resident
American Coot
Fulica americana
Common permanent resident
Cranes (Gruidae)
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
Common winter resident
Whooping Crane
Grus americana
One published sight record with photos. Nov. 4-6 2005 from Wooldridge Road, near Cayo del Oso, NAB
Several sight records, photo records fall 2015-2017
Shorebirds (Charadriiformes)
Stilts and Avocets (Recurvirostridae)
Black-necked Stilt
Himantopus mexicanus
Common permanent resident
American Avocet
Recurvirostra Americana
Fairly common permanent resident
Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae)
American Oystercatcher
Haematopus palliatus
Fairly common permanent resident
Plovers (Charadriidae)
Black-bellied Plover
Pluvialis squatarola
Common winter resident. A few non-breeders spend the summer.
American Golden-Plover
Pluvialis dominica
Common spring migrant, rare fall migrant.
Snowy Plover
Charadrius nivosus
Fairly common permanent resident
Wilson’s Plover
Charadrius wilsonia
Common summer resident, rare in winter
Semipalmated Plover
Charadrius semipalmatus
Common in winter and migration, less numerous in summer
Piping Plover
Charadrius melodus
Fairly common winter resident
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
Common permanent resident
Mountain Plover
Charadrius montanus
Uncommon winter resident in agricultural fields
Northern Jacana
Jacana spinosa
Accidental: one adult at Corpus Christi Botanical Garden April 14-18, 2018 (TBRC 2018-38, TPRF)
Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies (Scolopacidae)
Upland Sandpiper
Bartramia longicauda
Common spring and fall migrant
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
Fairly common spring and fall migrant in small numbers
Long-billed Curlew
Numenius americanus
Common migrant and winter resident
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponica
Accidental. Two records:
9 Aug - 26 Oct. 2014 Oso Bay, TBRC 2014-44; TPRF
20 Nov 2022-23 Jan 2023 (TBRC 2022-88; TPRF 4013
Hudsonian Godwit
Limosa haemastica
Fairly common spring migrant
Marbled Godwit
Limosa fedoa
Common migrant and winter resident
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres
Common migrant and winter resident
Red Knot
Calidris canutus
Fairly common migrant and winter resident. Numbers decreasing
Surfbird
Aphriza virgata
Accidental spring migrant
Three accepted records:
April 4-11, 1975, Port Aransas (TBRC 1994-87; TPRF 1263) AB 29:876
April 21 1983 (2 birds) Port Aransas (TPRF 513) (AB 37:889)
May 1-9, 2009 Port Aransas, (TBRC 2009-40; TPRF 2722)
Ruff
Philomachus pugnax
Accidental, two records:
Oct. 19, 1968- Jan. 11, 1969, Cayo del Oso, (Welder Wildlife Foundation ph S-27; TPRF 568)
(AFN 23; 79,497. Oberholser 1974)
2-6 March 2023, Charlie's Pasture South, Port Aransas. TBRC action pending.
Stilt Sandpiper
Calidris himantopus
Common migrant, fairly common winter resident
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferruginea
Accidental
Two accepted records:
Aug. 21-27, 2002, Port Aransas, (TBRC 2002-97; TPRF 2083)
Aug. 17-Sept. 4, 2009, Cayo del Oso, (TBRC 2009-71; TPRF 2741)
Sanderling
Calidris alba
Common migrant and winter resident; smaller numbers during summer months.
Dunlin
Calidris alpina
Common fall and spring migrant, common winter resident
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritima
Accidental
Two accepted records:
April 16-28, 1996, Port Aransas (TBRC 1996-58: TPRF 1508) (FN 50:302
Feb. 22, 2009 Port Aransas (TBRC 2009-26; TPRF 2711)
Baird’s Sandpiper
Calidris bairdii
Fairly common spring and fall migrant
Least Sandpiper
Calidris minutilla
Common migrant and winter resident.
White-rumped Sandpiper
Calidris fuscicollis
Common spring migrant, rare in fall.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Tryngites subruficollis
Fairly common fall and spring migrant
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
Common spring and fall migrant
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Calidris semipalmatus
Common spring and fall migrant
Western Sandpiper
Calidris mauri
Common migrant and winter resident
Short-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus griseus
Common migrant and winter resident
Long-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus scolopaceus
Common migrant and winter resident
American Woodcock
Scolopax minor
Occasional winter resident
Wilson’s Snipe
Gallinago delicata
Common winter resident
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius
Common migrant and winter resident
Solitary Sandpiper
Tringa solitaria
Fairly common migrant and occasional winter resident
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes
Common winter resident, with a few non-breeders lingering in summer
Willet
Tringa semipalmata
T.s. semipalmata, Eastern Willet, is a common summer resident and migrant, T.s. inoratus, the Western Willet, is a common winter resident, while T.s.semipalmatais is absent in winter.
Greater Yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleuca
Common winter resident and migrant. A few linger in summer.
Wilson’s Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor
Common spring and fall migrant, rare in winter
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus
Rare spring and fall migrant
Red Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicarius
One accepted record:
Apr 1, 2012 Packery Channel jetties area (TBRC 2012-32; TPRF3024)
Oct. 12, 2019 Port Aransas, (TBRC 2020-57; TPRF 3393)
Skuas and Jaegers (Stercorariidae)
Pomarine Jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinus
Rare visitor in Gulf of Mexico, mainly winter
Parasitic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticus
Rare visitor to Gulf of Mexico, mainly winter
Long-tailed Jaeger
Stercorarius longicaudus
Accidental
Two accepted records:
6 Jun 1987 Port Aransas (*WFVZ 50394; TBRC 1990-62; TPRF 869)
31 Aug 2018 Offshore Nueces Waters (TBRC 2018-69, TPRF 3603)
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers (Laridae)
Black-legged Kittiwake
Rissa tridactyla
Accidental.
Nine accepted records:
Winter 1981-Mar 1982 Port Aransas (TPRF 885) (AB 36:872)
7 Dec 1990 Port Aransas (TBRC 1991-97; TPRF 1011)
1 Dec 1993 Mustang Island (TBRC 1994-16; TPRF 1234; FN 48:226)
1 Jan 1996 Port Aransas (TBRC 1997-131 *TCWC 13332; TPRF 1538)
13 Mar 1997 Port Aransas (TBRC 1997-127; *TCWC 13331; TPRF 1537) (FN51:894)
3 April 2010 Port Aransas (TBRC 2010-79; TPRF)
2 Dec. 2012 Packery Channel NUE, (TBRC 2017-40)
31 Dec 2012 to 10 Mar 2013 Mustang Island State Park and Port Aransas (TBRC 2013-02; TPRF 3147)
29 Dec 2013 - 26 Feb 2014 Port Aransas (TBRC 2014-07; TPRF)
Sabine’s Gull
Xema sabini
Rare coastal migrant, mainly in fall
Five accepted records:
Corpus Christi, Oct. 4, 1889 (*British Museum of Natural History 1965-M-4079: TPRF 1482)
Port Aransas Oct. 1, 1977 (TBRC1978-11)
Mustang Island Nov. 2, 1982 (TBRC 1988-136; TPRF 647)
20 Sept 2012 One photographed at Port Aransas
10-12 May 2014 One downtown Corpus Christi, NAB Vol. 68 No. 3, pg. 390, TPRF
Bonaparte’s Gull
Chroicocephalus philadelphia
Fairly common winter resident
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutus
Accidental winter visitor
Four Accepted records:
12 Jan 1992 Mustang Island (TBRC 1992-11; TPRF 1081) (AB 46;288)
1 Feb - 31Mar 2011, Port Aransas (2) (TBRC 2011-018 TPRF 2942)
13-15 Feb 2012 (2) Port Aransas (TBRC 2012-15 TPRF 3012)
18 Feb – 9 Mar 2012 (TBRC 2012-48 TPRF 3015)
Laughing Gull
Leucophaeus atricilla
Common permanent resident
Franklin’s Gull
Leucophaeus pipixcan
Common spring and fall migrant
Black-tailed Gull
Larus crassirostris
Accidental: one accepted record:
6 Mar, 2004 Corpus Christi (TBRC 2004-23; TPRF 2189)
Heermann’s Gull
Larus heermanni
Accidental
One accepted record:
Feb. 8 1983 (TBRC 1988-137; TPRF 648) (AB 37; 889)
Short-billed Gull
Larus brachyrhynchus
Accidental
Two accepted records:
12 Jan – 6 April, 2020 Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, Port Aransas (TBRC 2020-11; TPRF 3710)
4 Feb, 2020 Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge (TBRC 2020-17; TPRF 3707)
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
Common migrant and winter resident
Western Gull
Accidental
Two accepted records:
25-27 Jan 2018, Port Aransas jetty (TBRC 2018-85, TPRF 3612)
22-26 Nov Corpus Christi Marina (TBRC 2019-75)
California Gull
Larus californicus
Rare migrant and winter visitor
Herring Gull
Larus argentatus
Common winter resident
Yellow-Legged Gull
Larus michahellis
Accidental
Two accepted records:
Corpus Christi Ayres landfill
24 Jan- 4 Apr. 2004 Corpus Christi Ayres landfill (TBRC 2004-15; TPRF 2673)
4 Mar 2004 Corpus Christi Ayres landfill (Corpus Christi Ayres landfill TBRC 2004-25; TPRF 2508)
Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoides
Rare in winter. 11 accepted TBRC records prior to TBRC delisting in 2004.
Thayer’s Gull, Larus thayeri, was lumped with Iceland Gull in 2017.
All Nueces records have been thayeri race. All records are December to April.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscus
Uncommon to rare winter resident
Slaty-backed Gull
Larus schistisagus
Accidental
Two accepted records:
21-24 Dec, 2003 Cayo del Oso (TBRC 2004-27: TPRF 2191)
23 Feb. 2012 Port Aransas area TBRC 2012-21; TPRF 3118)
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreus
Rare winter visitor, 11 accepted records from Dec.-April prior to TBRC delisting in 1997
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinus
Rare winter visitor: ten accepted TBRC records:
4 Jan, 1986 Port Aransas (TBRC 1988-110) (AB 40:917)
27 Sept, 1988 Port Aransas (TBRC 1996-187; TPRF 1658)
11 Nov- 23 Jan, 1992 Mustang Island (TBRC 1991-136; TPRF 1028) (AB 46:120, 288)
31 Dec. 1992 (TBRC 1993-54; TPRF 1160) (AB 47:275)
2 Jan 1993 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 1994-60)
14 Dec 1993 Mustang Is., NUE (TBRC 1994-59; TPRF 1340) (FN 48:226)
9 Nov 1996 Mustang Is., NUE (TBRC 1997-107; TPRF 1659)
3-12 Mar 2001 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2001-53; TPRF 1987)
11 Nov 2010 Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2010-66; TPRF )
21-22 Dec 2016 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2017-01 TPRF)
Brown Noddy
Anous stolidus
Rare spring, summer visitor
Six accepted records:
20 Jun 2006 Packery Channel jetties, NUE (TBRC 2006-77; TPRF 2436)
16 Jul 2006 (2) Off Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2006-120; TPRF 2463)
8 Aug-8 Sep 2009 (2) Port Aransas, NUE/ARA (TBRC 2009-72; TPRF 2742)
17 Jun-23 July 2011 (2) Offshore 26 mi. E of Port Aransas NUE (TBRC 2011-071 TPRF 2978)
10 Aug 2013 Offshore from Port Aransas (TBRC 2013-51)
21 May 2022 Port Aransas Jetty, (TBRC 2022-37 TPRF 3959)
Black Noddy
Anous minutus
One accepted record
22 Jun 1975 N. Padre Is., NUE (TBRC 2002-91; TPRF 77) (AB 29:1004 and 30:97)
Sooty Tern
Onychoprion fuscatus
Rare summer visitor in open Gulf of Mexico and occasional breeder in Laguna Madre
Bridled Tern
Onychoprion anaethetus
Occasional visitor and summer resident in open Gulf of Mexico
Four accepted records prior to TBRC delisting in 1997, several sight records since.
Least Tern
Sternula antillarum
Common summer resident
Gull-billed Tern
Gelochelidon nilotica
Fairly common permanent resident, more numerous in summer
Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia
Common permanent resident
Black Tern
Chlidonias niger
Common migrant and non-breeding summer resident
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougallii
Accidental: One record:
10 Apr 1901 Corpus Christi, NUE (*ROM 39704; TBRC 1996-111; TPRF 1535) (Oberholser 1974
Common Tern
Sterna hirundo
Common migrant including non-breeding summer birds
Forster’s Tern
Sterna forsteri
Common permanent resident
Royal Tern
Thalasseus maximus
Common permanent resident
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensis
Common resident spring through fall, uncommon in winter
Elegant Tern
Thalasseus elegans
Accidental: two records:
25 Jul 1889 Corpus Christi, NUE (*British MNH 91-10-20-92; TPRF 1460) (Peterson 1960; Oberholser 1974)
10 Sept- 10 Nov, 2022 (1-3) (TBRC 2022-69 TPRF 4006)
Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
Common permanent resident
Tropicbirds (Phaethontiformes)
Red-billed Tropicbird
Phaethon aethereus Accidental in open Gulf of Mexico. One accepted record:
22 June, 2010 Off Port Aransas, TBRC # 2010-43.
26 July 2020, Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2020-61; TPRF 3745)
Loons (Gaviiformes)
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata One accepted record prior to TBRC delisting in 2002
11 Jan 1992 Mustang Is., NUE (TBRC 1992-83; TPRF 1115)
15 Feb. 2013 One near Naval Air Station in Laguna Madre, NAB Vol.67, No. 3, pg. 30
Pacific Loon
Gavia pacifica
Rare in winter. Two TBRC accepted records prior to delisting in 1996. Several sight records.
One at Ingleside-on-the-Bay, NUE 2 Jan 2011 + NAB Vol. 65 No. 2, pg. 305.
One was present at Ingleside-on-the-Bay Dec. 31, 2016, and Dec. 14, 2017, pending publishing in NAB
Common Loon
Gavia immer
Common winter resident
Yellow-billed Loon
Gavia adamsii
Accidental: One accepted record:
25-27 Mar 2006 Flour Bluff, NUE (TBRC 2006-33; TPRF 2402)
Shearwaters, Petrels, and Storm-Petrels (Procellariiformes)
Leach’s Storm-Petrel
Oceanodroma leucorhoa
Rare but fairly regular in spring and summer in Gulf of Mexico waters. Five accepted TBRC records:
31 May 1970 Corpus Christi, NUE (TPRF 7) (AB 37:1004; Oberholser 1974)
9 Jul 1976 Corpus Christi, NUE (*CCM 76A136) (AB 30:976; Blacklock and Peabody 1983; Rappole and Blacklock 1985)
1 Jun 1991 off Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 1991-69) (AB 45:1135)
15 Jun 1991 off Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 1991-78) (AB 45:1135)
18 Jul 2011 off Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2011-73, TPRF 3105)
22 Jul 2021 SE of Port Aransas (TBRC 2021-87; TPRF3910)
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel
Oceanodroma castro
Fairly common in summer in the Gulf of Mexico in summer and fall. Two accepted TBRC records prior to the species’ delisting in 1997. Several records since 1997.
Trindade Petrel
(Pterodroma arminjoniana)
Accidental: One record
22 Feb 2022 Port Aransas Jetty, (TBRC 2022-28 TPRF 3947)
Stejneger’s Petrel
Pterdeoma longirostris
Accidental: One record:
15 Sep 1995 Port Aransas, NUE (*TCWC 13351) (TBRC 1997-59; TPRF 1746)
Cory’s Shearwater
Calonectris diomedea
Fairly common fall and winter resident in open Gulf of Mexico.
Sooty Shearwater
Puffinus griseus
Rare but apparently regular in open Gulf of Mexico at all seasons, likely more expected in migration. Eight accepted TBRC records.
19 Jun 1952 Port Aransas, NUE (*TCWC 9081) (Peterson 1960; Oberholser 1974)
19 May 1988 Mustang Is., NUE (TBRC 1988-234; TPRF 680) (AB 42:458)
20 Jun 1989 N. Padre Is., NUE (*CCM 90-A-0024; TBRC 2001-55; TPRF 1898)
11 Jun 1993 Mustang Is., NUE (*TCWC 13000; TBRC 1993-107; TPRF 1166) (AB 48:127)
10 Oct 1993 Mustang Is., NUE (*TCWC 13001; TBRC 1993-140; TPRF 1238) (AB 48:127)
11 Jun 2007 Mustang Is., NUE (*TCWC 14,625; TBRC 2009-28; TPRF 2713)
6 Sep 2013 1 mile offshore, Port Aransas Jetty, NUE (TBRC 2013-53; TPRF 3156)
10 Jul 2016 Mustang Island, NUE (TBRC 2016-47; TPRF )
Great Shearwater
Puffinus gravis
Rare, but apparently regular in open Gulf of Mexico at all seasons. Thirteen accepted TBRC records.
27 Dec 1971 Mustang Is., NUE (TBRC 2006-02; TPRF 2361)
13 Oct 1984 off Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 1985-14; TPRF 544) (AB 39:75)
29 Jun 1998 Mustang Is., NUE (*TCWC 13368; TBRC 1998-94; TPRF 1619) (FN 52:475)
6 Oct 2002 off Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2002-108; TPRF 2078)
10 Oct 2006 Mustang Is., NUE (*TCWC 14,668; TBRC 2009-29; TPRF 2714)
31 Jul 2010 off Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2010-50; TPRF 2822)
18 Dec. 2012 Port Aransas NUE (TBRC 2016-51 TPRF TPRF *TCWC 23867)
25 Nov 2015 Offshore near Hospital Rock, NUE (TBRC 2015-75 ; TPRF )
25 Aug. 2016 48 mi. SE of Port Aransas NUE (TBRC 2016-55 TPRF)
2 Oct 2019 Mustang Island, NUE (TBRC 2020-77; TPRF 3742)
4 Oct 2019 Mustang Island, NUE (TBRC 2020-78; TPRF 3743)
13 Dec 2020 ~ 21 miles southeast of Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2020-125; TPRF 3804)
10 Sept 2022 60 miles SE of Port Aransas NUE (TBRC 2022-71; TPRF 4001)
Manx Shearwater
Puffinus puffinus
Rare in Gulf of Mexico waters. Eight accepted TBRC records.
15 Feb 1975 N. Padre Is., NUE (*CCM 84A007) (AB 29:1006)
11 Aug 1980 Mustang Is., NUE (*WFVZ 50099) (AB 35:201)
13 Nov 1984 Mustang Is., NUE (*TCWC 12163; TBRC 1988-139; TPRF 628)
7 Oct 1987 Mustang Is., NUE (*TCWC 12162; TBRC 1988-138; TPRF 629) (AB 42:100)
21 Jun 1993 Mustang Is., NUE (TBRC 1993-101; TPRF 1170) (AB 47:1125)
27 July 2020 near jetty, Mustang Island State Park, NUE (TBRC 2020-63; TPRF 3747)
29 Aug 2021 Mustang Island NUE (TBRC 2021-119; TPRF 3911)
19 Aug 2022 Port Aransas NUE (TBRC 2022-78, TPRF 4000)
Audubon’s Shearwater
Puffinus lherminieri
Regular and fairly common in Gulf of Mexico waters, more common in summer months and migration. Eight accepted TBRC records prior to delisting in 1997. Regularly recorded on most pelagic trips.
Storks (Ciconiiformes)
Jabiru
Jabiru mycteria
Accidental. One record;
6-18 Sept.1981 Oso Bay, TBRC # 1981-6 TPRF 251
Wood Stork
Mycteria americana
Fairly common summer and fall visitor.
Frigatebirds, Boobies, Cormorants, Anhinga (Suliiformes)
Magnificent Frigatebird
Fregata magnificens
Uncommon summer resident in Gulf of Mexico.
Masked Booby
Sula dactylatra
Uncommon in Gulf of Mexico, mainly summer.
Brown Booby
Sula leucogaster
Historically rare in Gulf of Mexico, mainly summer. Increasing numbers beginning ca. 2005, and the species was delisted as a review species by TBRC, July 2017. Nineteen accepted Nueces records prior to delisting.
20 Sep 1971 Port Aransas, NUE (*WFVZ 50106; WWF ph P-15) (AB 26:85)
30 Aug 1975 off Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 1977-8) (AB 30:95)
20 Aug 1977 (2) Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 1988-52) (AB 32:227)
11 Aug 1980 Mustang Is., NUE (*WFVZ 50107) (AB 35:201)
13 Jul 20o4 off Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2004-62)
27 Jul 2004 off Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2004-64)
26 Feb-4 Mar 2005 Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2005-47; TPRF 2299)
29 Sep 2005 Port Aransas, NUE (*TCWC 14,321; TBRC 2006-12; TPRF 2366)
16 Jul 2008 North Packery Jetty, NUE (TBRC 2008-68; TPRF 2595)
19 Mar 2013 (5) Corpus Christi Bay, near Indian Point Park, NUE (TBRC 2013-27; TPRF 3106)
15 Dec 2013 – 30 Jul 2014 (1-5) Corpus Christi & Nueces Bays, NUE/SAP (TBRC 2013-79; TPRF 3201)
29 Mar 2015 Corpus Christi Bay, NUE (TBRC 2017-82)
30 Apr 2015 offshore from Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2105-39; TPRF 3308)
11 April 2016 Port Aransas Jetty, NUE, (TBRC 2017-77)
27 June 2016 Corpus Christi Bay near Ingleside (TBRC 2016-43)
10 Oct 2016 Corpus Christi Bay, NUE (TBRC 2016-69; TPRF)
17 Mar 2017 Corpus Christi Bay, NUE (TBRC 2017-68)
5 May 2017 JFK Causeway, NUE, (TBRC 2017-18)
10 Jul 2017 35 mi. offshore from Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2017-40)
Red-footed Booby
Sula sula
17 Nov 2021 Port Aransas (TBRC 2021-110; TPRF 3923)
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanus
Fairly common winter resident in open Gulf of Mexico.
Neotropic Cormorant
Nannopterum brasilianum
Common permanent resident.
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
Common winter resident.
Anhinga
Anhinga anhinga
Fairly common permanent resident.
Pelicans, Herons (Pelecaniformes)
American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Common in winter, with a small summering population.
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Common permanent resident.
American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
Uncommon migrant and winter resident.
Least Bittern
Ixobrychus exilis
Fairly common summer resident. A few remain in mild winters.
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
Common permanent resident.
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Common permanent resident.
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
Common permanent resident
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
Fairly common permanent resident
Tricolored Heron
Egretta tricolor
Common permanent resident
Reddish Egret
Egretta rufescens
Common permanent resident
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Common permanent resident
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
Fairly common permanent resident.
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Common permanent resident
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
Fairly common permanent resident, numbers increased during migration.
White Ibis
Eudocimus albus
Common permanent resident
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
Rare. Has occurred at all seasons.
White-faced Ibis
Plegadis chihi
Fairly common permanent resident
Roseate Spoonbill
Platalea ajaja
Common permanent resident
New World Vultures (Cathartiformes)
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
Common permanent resident
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
Common permanent resident
Osprey, Kites, Eagles and Hawks (Accipitriformes)
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Winter resident; occasional non-breeders in summer
Swallow-tailed Kite
Elanoides forficatus
Uncommon spring and fall migrant
White-tailed Kite
Elanus leucurus
Uncommon permanent resident
Mississippi Kite
Ictinia mississippiensis
Common spring and fall migrant
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Rare visitant. Most records along Nueces River in fall.
Common Black Hawk
Butogallus anthracinus
Accidental. One record
3 Feb - 27 Feb Port Aransas, eBird, photos, pending NAB publishing
Northern Harrier
Circus hudsonicus
Common winter resident
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Accipiter striatus
Common migrant and winter resident
Cooper’s Hawk
Accipiter cooperii
Common migrant and winter resident; local breeder
Harris’s Hawk
Parabuteo unicinctus
Common permanent resident
White-tailed Hawk
Buteo albicaudatus
Common permanent resident
Gray Hawk
Buteo plagiatus
Accidental
Two documented records
19 Aug 2017 Hazel Bazemore County Park , Texas Bird Images
19 Oct. 2021 Hazel Bazemore County Park, detailed sight record, eBird
There is also a compelling sight record from 1948 from Naval Air Station, Encinal Peninsula by Fred Packard.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
Common permanent resident
Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
Common spring and fall migrant
Short-tailed Hawk
Buteo brachyurus
Accidental. Three accepted records;All from Hazel Bazemore Hawk Watch
20 Oct 1999 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 1999-119)
2 Sep 2005 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2005-117)
14 Nov 2017 Corpus Christi, NUE (TRRC 2018-10, TPRF)
14 Sept 2021 Hazel Bazemore County Park (TBRC 2021-98)
Swainson’s Hawk
Buteo swainsoni
Common sping and fall migrant. Rare in winter.
Zone-tailed Hawk
Buteo albonotatus
Rare visitant, possible at any time of year.
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Common winter resident. Has nested in small numbers.
Rough-legged Hawk
Buteo regalis
Accidental. One specimen record, scattered historical sight records.
12 Mar 1887 female specimen, Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology # 252650 collected at 27.7795504° -97.4892041° which is central Corpus Christi. Collector not listed.
5 Dec 2021 One photographed in southern Nueces County. eBird. Pending NAB publication.
Ferruginous Hawk
Buteo regalis
Uncommon winter resident
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos
Rare fall and winter visitor
Owls (Strigiformes)
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Common permanent resident
Flammulated Owl
Psiloscops flammeolus
Accidental
Two published records:
30 Oct. 1980, Port Aransas, Photographed, (AB)
24 Nov. 2007, A bird brought to the Ark rehab center in Port Aransas (AB)
30 Nov. 2012 one bird found in south Corpus Christi, taken to ARK, where it was determined to
be underweight but uninjured. NAB Vol. 67, No. 1, pg. 113.
Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops asio
Common permanent resident
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Common permanent resident
Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia
Uncommon winter resident
Barred Owl
Strix varia
Fairly common permanent resident
Long-eared Owl
Asio otus
Three records:
Four records:
4 Jan 1910 Nueces County, J. Priour, (publication?) Blacklock/Rappole 1985
4 Nov 1977 One bird found dead in “Corpus Christi area”. AB
7 Apr 1995 One found dead on Mustang Island, AB
11-12 Nov 2011 One bird photographed at a condo on Mustang Island.
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Uncommon winter resident
Kingfishers (Coraciformes)
Ringed Kingfisher
Megaceryle torquata
Rare visitor or resident, possibly breeds along Nueces River
Belted Kingfisher
Megaceryle alcyon
Common winter resident
Green Kingfisher
Chloroceryle americana
Uncommon winter resident, probably increasing in numbers, possibly breeds along Nueces River
Woodpeckers (Piciformes)
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Rare, most records are first year birds
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Melanerpes aurifrons
Common permanent resident
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
Accidental
29 Jan - 31 Mar 2012 at Pollywog Pond.with photo eBird record of 6 Mar 2012. NAB Vol. 66 No. 2, Pg. 312.
Several older sight records.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
Common migrant and winter resident
Red-naped Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus nuchalis
Rare winter visitor
Lewis’s Woodpecker
Melanerpes lewis
Accidental. One record.
13-20 Nov, 2021 Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. Photo, eBird, pending NAB Publication
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Picoides scalaris
Common permanent resident
Downy Woodpecker
Picoides pubescens
Occasional visitor, mainly winter
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
Fairly common winter resident, “Yellow-shafted” is about 75% of sightings, “Red-shafted” 25%
Caracaras and Falcons (Falconiformes)
Crested Caracara
Caracara plancus
Common permanent resident.
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
Common winter resident
Merlin
Falco columbarius
Uncommon winter resident
Aplomado Falcon
Falco femoralis
Uncommon permanent resident
This species historically ranged over the grasslands of South Texas, but was apparently quite rare in Nueces County. Its historic status in the county is uncertain, and there are no records of breeding, and no nest or egg specimens. A hacking/introduction program has been in operation in South Texas, Matagorda Island, etc. since the early 1990s. Another introduction program was conducted on Mustang Island in 2008-2012, and Aplomados have been seen as a result of this program. The species is generally thought of as being established in Texas as a result of the introduction programs. It is unclear as to whether Nueces County birds will become self-supporting. Only two historic records are known:
1897-1904 A Corpus Christi, Nueces County specimen was collected. Attributed to O. Salvin and F.D. Goodman as collectors. (Oberholser) This record is confusing and the following is from Packard and Hagar, 1950:
19 Mar 1898, “F. B. Armstrong collected an Aplomado Falcon at Corpus Christi, which appears to be the only specimen from the Central Coast from the days of naturally-occurring birds. The specimen is housed at the British Museum.” Are these records actually one and the same? Specimen location is unknown.
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Fairly common migrant and winter resident
Prairie Falcon
Falco mexicanus
Rare migrant and winter visitor.
Lories, Parakeets, Macaws, and Parrots (Psittaciformes)
Monk Parakeet
Myiopsitta monachus
Established exotic with sustaining populations
Perching Birds (Passeriformes)
Small-billed Elaenia
(Elaenia parvirostris)
Accidental. One record
17 May, 2021 Mustang Island, TBRC 2021-122, TPRF 3930
Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae)
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Contopus cooperi
Common spring and fall migrant
Western Wood-Pewee
Contopus sordidulus
Two records:
1 Oct. 2011 One bird audio-recorded and photographed on Mustang Island, TPRF, NAB Vol. 66, pg. 124.
11 Oct. 2011 One at Paradise Pond, identified by vocalization, TPRF.
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Contopus virens
Common migrant, formerly a rare breeder
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Empidonax flaviventris
Common migrant
Acadian Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens
Fairly common migrant
Alder Flycatcher
Empidonax alnorum
Common migrant
Willow Flycatcher
Empidonax traillii
Fairly common migrant
Least Flycatcher
Empidonax minimus
Common migrant
Hammond’s Flycatcher
Empidonax hammondii
Accidental: two records
10 Oct 1988, one bird studied in detail (AB 1989)
16 Jan 2011-early March 2011 One bird at Rose Hill Cemetery, photo. (NAB Vol. 65, No 2.)
Gray Flycatcher
Empidonax wrightii
Accidental: One record
29 Aug 2001 North Padre Island, one bird video-taped. (NAB Vol. 56, No. 2, 2002)
Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans
Rare visitor in winter
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
Common winter resident
Say’s Phoebe
Sayornis saya
Rare visitor in spring, fall, winter
Vermilion Flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus
Uncommon migrant and winter resident
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Myiarchus cinerascens
Uncommon summer resident, rare in winter
Great Crested Flycatcher
Myiarchus crinitus
Common spring and fall migrant
Brown-crested Flycatcher
Myiarchus tyrannulus
Common summer resident, rare in winter
Great Kiskadee
Pitangus sulphuratus
Common resident, increasing in numbers
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher
Myiodynastes luteiventris
Accidental
6 Accepted records:
27-29 Aug 1993 Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 1994-20) (AB 48:129)
30 Apr-2 May 2003 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2003-38; TPRF 2098)
22 May 2011 Paradise Pond, Port Aransas (TBRC 2014-42; TPRF
29 Sept 2013 Paradise Pond, Port Aransas (TBRC 2013-56; TPRF 3157)
1-3 May 2014 Packery Channel (TBRC 2014-26; TPRF 3196)
25 April 2019 Rose Hill Cemetery (TBRC 2019-68, TPRF 3640)
Piratic Flycatcher
Legatus leucophaius
Accidental: One accepted record:
3-6 May 2008 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2008-32; TPRF 2549)
Tropical Kingbird
Tyrannus melancholicus
Rare to Uncommon resident, increasing in numbers.
30 Dec 2001 One calling bird at Rose Hill Cemetery (NAB)
26 Sept -15 Oct. 2011 Paradise Pond, Port Aransas, one bird calling
May 25-Oct 2011 A family group of TRKIs found at Heritage Park, downtown Corpus Christi, with an adult bird seen feeding a fledgling.June-July 2013 A family group of five birds seen in North Park, included young juveniles.
Several records yearly since 2011
Couch’s Kingbird
Tyrannus couchii
Common permanent resident
Cassin's Kingbird
Tyrannus vociferans
Accidental, 1 Record:
8 Oct 2017 Flour Bluff, Photo, eBird, Texas Bird Images
Western Kingbird
Tyrannus verticalis
Common migrant, rare breeder
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
Common migrant
Gray Kingbird
Tyrannus dominicensis
Accidental: Three records:
23 May-1 Jun 1992 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 1992-74; TPRF 1082) (AB 46:449)
26-29 Oct 2006 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2006-115; TPRF 2458)
6-21 Nov 2007 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2007-83; TPRF 2518)
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus forficatus
Common migrant and summer resident
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
Tyrannus savana
Accidental: Two accepted records:
30 Apr 2011 Pollywog Ponds, Corpus Christi, (TBRC 2011-053)
22 April 2015 Paradise Pond, Port Aransas (TBRC 2015-028)
Vireos (Vireonidae)
Black-capped Vireo
Vireo atricapilla
Two records:
21 April 2006 one bird from Calallen section of Corpus Christi (NAB)
2 June 2006 one adult bird at Blucher Park, photographed (TPRF)
White-eyed Vireo
Vireo griseus
Common permanent resident
Bell’s Vireo
Vireo bellii
Uncommon migrant
Yellow-throated Vireo
Vireo flavifrons
Fairly common spring and fall migrant
Cassin’s Vireo
Vireo cassinii
Rare winter visitor
Two records:
16 Nov 1999 one bird photographed, video-taped and audio-recorded at Rose Hill Cemetery,
Several possible sight records at the same location in subsequent winters
14 Nov 2019- Mar 31, 2020, one bird at Rose Hill Cemetery, photographed and recorded, thought to be this species.
Blue-headed Vireo
Vireo solitarius
Common migrant and winter resident
Plumbeous Vireo
Vireo plumbeus
Rare winter visitor
Several records
Philadelphia Vireo
Vireo philadelphicus
Common spring and fall migrant
Warbling Vireo
Vireo gilvus
Common spring and fall migrant
One documented winter record, Jan. 23, 2013
Red-eyed Vireo
Vireo olivaceus
Common spring and fall migrant
Yellow-green Vireo
Vireo flavoviridis
Rare migrant
Two records prior to delisting from TBRC review list in 2004, several sight and photographic records since that date.
25 May 2002 North Padre Island, NUE (TBRC 2002-63)
1 Jun 2002 North Padre Island, NUE (TBRC 2002-70)
9 July 2014, Blucher Park, nesting observed, young being fed, nest empty two days later.
Black-whiskered Vireo
Vireo altiloquus
Rare migrant
Seven accepted records:
15 Apr 1992 Packery Channel, NUE (TBRC 1992-67) (AB 46:450)
17 May 1992 Packery Channel, NUE (TBRC 1992-80) (AB 46:450)
30 Apr-1 May 1993 Packery Channel, NUE (TBRC 1993-87; TPRF 1132) (AB 47:432)
24 Apr 1995 Packery Channel, NUE (TBRC 1995-90) (FN 49:277)
12 May 2009 Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2009-47)
10 April 2011 Port Aransas( TBRC 2011-039 TPRF 2952)
16 May 2011 Port Aransas (TBRC 2011-63)
Shrikes (Laniidae)
Loggerhead Shrike
Lanius ludovicianus
Common permanent resident
Jays and Crows (Corvidae)
Green Jay
Cyanocorax yncas
Fairly common permanent resident, populations increasing
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Rare winter visitor
Tamaulipas Crow
Accidental
One accepted record:
22 April 2019 Packery Channel (TBRC 2019-30)
Three 2018 records were circulated through TBRC, but were unaccepted. These would have coincided with a noted incursion of this species along the Texas Coast.
Chihuahuan Raven
Corvus cryptoleucus
Rare visitor, probably wandering family groups
One specimen:
1924 from Laureles section of King Ranch, Nueces County, Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates Catalogue number 9844
Several sight records
Verdin (Remizidae)
Verdin
Auriparus flaviceps
Common permanent resident
Chickadees and Titmice (Paridae)
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
Rare visitor, mainly winter
Black-crested Titmouse
Baeolophus atricristatus
Common permanent resident
Larks (Alaudidae)
Horned Lark
Eremophila alpestris
Common permanent resident
Swallows (Hirundinidae)
Purple Martin
Progne subis
Common migrant and summer resident
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
Common migrant and uncommon winter resident
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Common spring and fall migrant, rare in winter
Bank Swallow
Riparia riparia
Common spring and fall migrant
Cliff Swallow
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Common migrant and summer resident
Cave Swallow
Petrochelidon fulva
Common migrant and summer resident. A few are present in winter.
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Common spring and fall migrant, occasional breeder
Kinglets (Regulidae)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Corthylio calendula
Common winter resident
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Regulus satrapa
Uncommon migrant and winter resident
Waxwings (Bombycillidae)
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum 1
Fairly common and irregular winter visitor, with occurrences into late spring
Nuthatches (Sittidae)
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta canadensis
Rare and irregular winter visitor
Creepers (Certhiidae)
Brown Creeper
Certhia americana
Rare fall and winter visitor
Gnatcatchers (Polioptilidae)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Polioptila caerulea
Common migrant and winter resident, occasional non breeding birds in summer
Wrens (Troglodytidae)
Rock Wren
Salpinctes obsoletus
Accidental, two published record
Late Nov. 1977 Two at Port Aransas for about two weeks (AB, 1978)
Oct. 1, 2016, one at Hazel Bazemore, TPRF- Texasbirdimages.com, eBird w/photo
House Wren
Troglodytes aedon
Common migrant and winter resident
Winter Wren
Troglodytes hiemalis
Uncommon winter resident
Sedge Wren
Cistothorus stellaris
Common winter resident
Marsh Wren
Cistothorus palustris
Common winter resident
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
Common permanent resident
Bewick’s Wren
Thryomanes bewickii
Fairly common permanent resident
Cactus Wren
Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Uncommon permanent resident
Mockingbirds and Thrashers (Mimidae)
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
Common migrant and winter resident
Curve-billed Thrasher
Toxostoma curvirostre
Fairly common permanent resident
Brown Thrasher
Toxostoma rufum
Uncommon migrant and winter visitor
Long-billed Thrasher
Toxostoma longirostre
Common permanent resident
Sage Thrasher
Oreoscoptes montanus
Rare fall and winter visitor with several sight records. Fall 2011 was an invasion year, with
Sightings of 7-8 birds, mainly at Port Aransas.
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
Common permanent resident
Starlings (Sturnidae)
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Common permanent resident
Thrushes (Turdidae)
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
Fairly common winter resident, uncommon breeder
Mountain Bluebird
Sialia currucoides
Rare winter visitor, several records
Townsend’s Solitaire
Myadestes townsendi
Accidental. One record
Dec. 24, 2011 – Jan. 2, 2012 Port Aransas Paradise Pond (pending publication, photos to TPRF)
(There is also a Nueces County specimen of this species collected by Armstrong or Priour 14 Feb. 1886; American Museum of Natural History #3088. Since this specimen was taken prior to county boundary realignments, and since we do not know the specific locale of the specimen at this time, we cannot be certain that it was not taken in what is modern-day Kleberg or Jim Wells County.)
Veery
Catharus fuscescens
Fairly common spring migrant, uncommon fall migrant
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Catharus minimus
Common spring migrant, uncommon fall migrant
Swainson’s Thrush
Catharus ustulatus
Common spring migrant, uncommon fall migrant
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus
Common winter resident
Wood Thrush
Hylocichla mustelina
Common spring and fall migrant, rare in winter
Clay-colored Thrush
Turdus grayi
Rare visitor: mainly in winter. Five accepted records in TBRC prior to de-listing in 1998.
Several sightings since 1998
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Uncommon to common winter resident; irregular
Aztec Thrush
Ridgwayia pinicola
Accidental: two accepted records:
30 Jan 1979 Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 1988-27) (AB 33:296)
16-20 May 1996 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 1996-71; TPRF 1496) (FN 50:304)
Old World Sparrows (Passeridae)
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Common permanent resident
Wagtails and Pipits (Motacillidae)
American Pipit
Anthus rubescens
Common migrant and winter resident
Sprague’s Pipit
Anthus spragueii
Uncommon migrant and winter resident
Fringilline and Cardueline Finches and Allies (Fringillidae)
House Finch
Carpodacus mexicanus
Occasional visitor. Common slightly further westward
Purple Finch
Carpodacus purpureus
Rare: Several sightings,
11 Nov, 1962 “In the Nueces”, which was a term applied to the lower Nueces River floodplain in and around Corpus Christi. (AFN-1963)
22-23 February, 1967, “A minor influx with several birds at Sablatura Park on Feb. 22-23, K. McCracken.” (AFN-1967)
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostra
Accidental
28 Jan, 1969, One bird in Corpus Christi, briefly seen by experienced observer (AFN-1969)
13 Nov. 1972 Thirteen birds at Port Aransas seen by Warren Pulich (AFN-1972)
Pine Siskin
Spinus pinus
Fairly common, irregular winter resident
Lesser Goldfinch
Spinus psaltria
Fairly common permanent resident
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
Common winter resident
Longspurs (Calcariidae)
Chestnut-collared Longspur
Calcarius ornatus
Rare winter visitor, many sight records
Smith’s Longspur
Calcarius pictus
Mar. 26, 1973 One bird in breeding plumage seen by two observers in a grassy area on Mustang Island. (AB 1973)
Thick-billed Longspur
Rhynchophanes mccownii
Accidental
Likely a rare, but regular winter visitor during the 19th and early 20th Century. No recent documented records. Three specimens in the American Museum of Natural History, Skin 406118, 406119, and 406120 collected Feb 8-16 1899, by Frank Armstrong, locality: Corpus Christi
Towhees and Sparrows (Passerellidae)
Olive Sparrow
Arremonops rufivirgatus
Common permanent resident
Green-tailed Towhee
Pipilo chlorurus
Occasional to rare winter visitor.
Spotted Towhee
Pipilo maculatus
Fairly common winter resident.
Eastern Towhee
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Occasional winter resident
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Aimophila ruficeps
Accidental: One record
Winter, 1980 One at feeder in Calallen (AB 1981)
Cassin’s Sparrow
Peucaea cassinii
Common permanent resident
Botteri's Sparrow
Peucaea botterii
Accidental. Two specimens collected by Armstrong, Corpus Christi, May 27, 1899 and May 2, 1904. This species nests in appropriate bunchgrass habitat in southern Kleberg County, and may have nested in Nueces County prior to establishment of large-scale agricultural operations.
American Tree Sparrow
Spizella arborea
Accidental. Two records:
Dec. 19, 2004 one found on North Padre Island, photographed (NAB 2005)
Nov. 18, 2005 One bird found at exact spot of 2004 sighting (NAB 2006)
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
Common migrant and winter resident
Clay-colored Sparrow
Spizella pallida
Common migrant, occasional winter resident
Brewer’s Sparrow
Spizella breweri
Rare migrant and winter visitor
Three records:
17 April 1998 one at Packery Channel, North Padre Island, (NAB 1998)
25 Nov 2000 one at Pollywog Pond, Corpus Christi
Oct , 2011 One seen at Packery Channel (exact date? ) and photographed (pending publication)
Field Sparrow
Spizella pusilla
Fairly common migrant and winter resident
Vesper Sparrow
Pooecetes gramineus
Fairly common migrant and winter resident
Lark Sparrow
Chondestes grammacus
Common permanent resident
Black-throated Sparrow
Amphispiza bilineata
Rare. Two published records. Several sight records.
8 April 2008 from North Padre Island, photographed (NAB 2008)
3-5 March 2020 Oso Wetlands Nature Preserve, photo, eBird.
(The Field Museum in Chicago possesses five specimens of this species collected between 1896 and 1899. The locality where the birds were collected is unknown, so we cannot be certain that these are valid to modern-day Nueces County, since both Kleberg and Jim Wells Counties were included in Nueces at that time.)
Lark Bunting
Calamospiza melanocorys
Uncommon winter resident
Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus sandwichensis
Common winter resident
Grasshopper Sparrow
Ammodramus savannarum
Common winter resident
LeConte’s Sparrow
Ammodramus leconteii
Uncommon winter resident
Nelson’s Sparrow
Ammodramus nelsoni
Uncommon winter resident
Seaside Sparrow
Ammodramus maritimus
Fairly common permanent resident
Fox Sparrow
Passerella iliaca
Rare to occasional winter resident
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
Uncommon winter residedent
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Melospiza lincolnii
Common winter resident
Swamp Sparrow
Melospiza georgiana
Common winter resident
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
Uncommon winter resident
Harris’s Sparrow
Zonotrichia querula
Rare in winter. Several sightings.
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Fairly common winter resident
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
Occasional winter visitor
Chats (Icteriidae)
Yellow-breasted Chat
Icteria virens
Common spring and fall migrant. Rare in winter
Blackbirds, Orioles (Icteridae)
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
Occasional migrant and winter visitor
Bobolink
Dolichonyx oryzivorus
Occasional migrant, mainly spring
Eastern Meadowlark
Sturnella magna
Common permanent resident
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
Common winter resident
Black-vented Oriole
Icterus wagleri
Accidental, one accepted record:
23-25 April 2019 Packery Channel (TBRC 2019-31, TPRF 3639)
Orchard Oriole
Icterus spurius
Common spring and fall migrant
Hooded Oriole
Icterus cucullatus
Uncommon migrant and breeder.
Bullock’s Oriole
Icterus bullockii
Fairly common summer resident
Altamira Oriole
Icterus gularis
Accidental; one record: Packery Channel April 23-29, 2018, TPRF
Audubon’s Oriole
Icterus graduacauda
Rare to occasional permanent resident
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
Common spring and fall migrant
Scott’s Oriole
Icterus parisorum
Accidental. Three records
20 Sept. 2014 Blucher Park, NAB Vol. 69 No. 1 pg. 119 multiple observers
22 Sept. 2016 Hazel Bazemore County Park, photos, eBird. Texas Bird Images
25 March, 2022, Mustang Island, adult male, photos, eBird, NAB.
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
Common permanent resident
Bronzed Cowbird
Molothrus aeneus
Commonn permanent resident
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
Common permanent resident
Rusty Blackbird
Euphagus carolinus
Rare: A few sight records, two photographed records:
2 Jan- mid March, 2011, Five birds present at Pollywog Ponds (TPRF)
1 Mar 2015 One on North Padre Island, TPRF
Brewer’s Blackbird
Euphagus cyanocephalus
Fairly common winter resident
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
Rare to Occasional visitor, mainly winter
Boat-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus major
Accidental. Status not fully known.
31 Mar 2014 One bird photographed at Port Aransas, TPRF
8 Mar, 15 Mar 2015 One photographed at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, eBird photo, Texas Bird Images
Great-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus mexicanus
Common permanent resident
Wood-Warblers (Parulidae)
Ovenbird
Seiurus aurocapilla
Common spring and fall migrant, uncommon in winter
Worm-eating Warbler
Helmitheros vermivorum
Fairly common spring migrant, uncommon fall migrant
Louisiana Waterthrush
Parkesia motacilla
Common spring and fall migrant
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensis
Common spring and fall migrant, occasional in winter
Golden-winged Warbler
Vermivora chrysoptera
Fairly common spring migrant, occasional fall migrant
Blue-winged Warbler
Vermivora cyanoptera
Common spring migrant, fairly common fall migrant
Black-and-white Warbler
Mniotilta varia
Common spring and fall migrant, a few winter
Prothonotary Warbler
Protonotaria citrea
Common spring migrant, fairly common fall migrant
Swainson’s Warbler
Limnothlypis swainsonii
Uncommon spring migrant, occasional fall migrant
Tennessee Warbler
Oreothlypis peregrina
Common spring and fall migrant
Orange-crowned Warbler
Oreothlypis celata
Common winter resident
Lucy's Warbler
Setophaga luciae
Accidental. One record:
11-12 Oct. 2014 Port Aransas NAB Vol. 69, No. 1, pg. 118
Nashville Warbler
Oreothlypis ruficapilla
Common spring and fall migrant
Virginia's Warbler
Accidental:one accepted record
28 April - 1 May 2020, Packery Channel (Texasbirdimages.com, eBird photo)
MacGillivray’s Warbler
Geothlypis tolmiei
Rare but regular migrant, several sight records
Mourning Warbler
Geothlypis philadelphia
Fairly common spring migrant, common fall migrant
Kentucky Warbler
Geothlypis formosa
Common spring and fall migrant
Common Yellowthroat
Geothlypis trichas
Common migrant and winter resident
Hooded Warbler
Setophaga citrina
Common spring migrant, fairly common fall migrant
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
Common spring and fall migrant
Cape May Warbler
Setophaga tigrina
Rare but regular spring migrant, rare fall migrant
Cerulean Warbler
Setophaga cerulea
Uncommon spring migrant, rare fall migrant
Northern Parula
Setophaga americana
Common spring and fall migrant. Rare in winter.
Tropical Parula
Setophaga pitiayumi
Rare visitor, mainly in spring. There are several sight and photographed records.
Magnolia Warbler
Setophaga magnolia
Common spring and fall migrant
Bay-breasted Warbler
Setophaga castanea
Fairly common spring migrant, rare fall migrant
Blackburnian Warbler
Setophaga fusca
Common spring migrant, fairly common fall migrant
Yellow Warbler
Setophaga petechia
Common spring and fall migrant. Rare in winter.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Setophaga pensylvanica
Common spring migrant, fairly common fall migrant
Blackpoll Warbler
Setophaga striata
Fairly common spring migrant, occasional fall migrant
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Setophaga cerulescens
Rare migrant, spring and fall records.
Palm Warbler
Setophaga palmarum
Uncommon spring and fall migrant. Occasional in winter.
Pine Warbler
Setophaga pinus
Fairly common winter resident
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
Common winter resident
Yellow-throated Warbler
Setophaga dominica
Fairly common spring and fall migrant. Uncommon in winter.
Prairie Warbler
Setophaga discolor
Rare spring and fall migrant
Grace's Warbler
Setophaga graciae
Accidental. One record:
23 Sept 2014 (1) Paradise Pond, Port Aransas NAB Vol. 68 No. 1 pg. 109
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Setophaga nigrescens
Rare migrant. Several sight and photographed records.
Townsend’s Warbler
Setophaga townsendi
Rare migrant, mainly spring. Several sight and photographed records.
Hermit Warbler
Setophaga occidentalis
Rare to Accidental: Five records:
1 May 2005 A female was photographed at Packery Channel, North Padre Island (NAB)
21 Apr 2007 A female was found at Paradise Pond, Port Aransas (NAB)
9 April 2008 A male was photographed at Paradise Pond, Port Aransas (NAB)
3 April 2010 One at Paradise Pond, Port Aransas (NAB)
18 April 2015 One at Charlie’s Pasture, Port Aransas, eBird, TPRF photos
2-5 May 2019 Female at Rose Hill Cemetery, eBird photos
Black-throated Green Warbler
Setophaga virens
Common spring and fall migrant. Rare in winter.
Rufous-capped Warbler
Basileuterus rufifrons
Accidental: One record:
19 Dec 1992 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 1993-55) (AB 47:277, 845)
Golden-crowned Warbler
Basileuterus culicivorus
Accidental: One accepted record:
25-29 Apr 2001 Packery Channel, NUE (TBRC 2001-90; TPRF 1941)
Canada Warbler
Cardellina canadensis
Common spring and fall migrant
Wilson’s Warbler
Cardellina pusilla
Fairly common spring migrant, common fall migrant
Red-faced Warbler
Cardellina rubrifrons
Accidental: One record:
5-10 May 2005 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2005-70; TPRF 2312)
Painted Redstart
Myioborus pictus
Accidental: Two records:
Oct. 2, 2001, one bird photographed at Packery Channel, North Padre Island,
April 12, 2004, One bird photographed at Packery Channel, North Padre Island
Slate-throated Redstart
Myioborus miniatus
Accidental: One record:
10 Apr 2002 (2) Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2002-49; TPRF 2032)
Tanagers, Grosbeaks, Cardinals (Cardinalidae)
Hepatic Tanager
Piranga flava
One confirmed record:
May 25, 1920 (Blacklock and Rappole) by A. H. Cordier. Several sight records.
Summer Tanager
Piranga rubra
Common migrant, has bred nearby Nueces County.
Scarlet Tanager
Piranga olivacea
Fairly common spring migrant, uncommon fall migrant.
Western Tanager
Piranga ludoviciana
Rare but regular visitor, most records from winter and spring.
Crimson-collared Grosbeak
Rhodothraupis celaeno
Accidental. Four accepted records:
12-23 Dec 2010 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2010-86; TPRF )
17-20 Nov 2020 Port Aransas, NUE (TBRC 2020-107; TPRF 3789)
25 Dec 2020 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2020-144; TPRF 3800)
4-27 Jan, 2021 Corpus Christi, NUE (TBRC 2021-03; TPRF 3819)
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Common permanent resident
Pyrrhuloxia
Cardinalis sinuatus
Common permanent resident
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Common spring and fall migrant. Rare in winter.
Black-headed Grosbeak
Pheucticus melanocephalus
Rare migrant and winter visitor
Blue Bunting
Cyanocompsa parellina
Accidental. One accepted record.
19-31 March 2011 Corpus Christi (TBRC 2011-037)
Blue Grosbeak
Passerina caerulea
Common spring and fall migrant. Has nested in the county.
Lazuli Bunting
Passerina amoena
Rare visitor, mainly spring and fall, but winter records exist.
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
Common spring and fall migrant, uncommon winter resident.
Varied Bunting
Passerina versicolor
Rare visitor,with several spring sightings.
Painted Bunting
Passerina ciris
Common migrant and summer resident
Dickcissel
Spiza americana
Common migrant and summer resident
Morelet’s Seedeater
Sporophila morelleti
Accidental Visitor, one record
28 July 1964, AFN Oct 1964, Vol. 18 #5, p. 523, “One singing in Blacklock’s Census Area”
Hypothetical Records
Eurasian Wigeon
Anas penelope
There is one published sight record;
20 Dec 1921: Otto Widmann writes in the Auk (volume, page?) that “On Dec. 20, 1921, Mr. Sidney T. Bixby of St Louis shot from the yacht of Mr. Jos. Pulitzer, Jr. at Corpus Christi, Texas, a fine male European Widgeon. It was at first taken for a hybrid and has been mounted by Mr. F. Schwarz of St. Louis….: O. Widmann, St. Louis, Mo.” No further details are provided, location of specimen is unknown, and the record is not treated as an accepted record by TBRC.
Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinators
This species likely occurred as a winterer in Nueces County in the 19th Century, but status is not well known. A specimen was reported to be collected in 1890 by H.P. Attwater, but the location of the specimen is not known (Oberholser).
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegena
Has likely occurred as a rare winter visitor, but there are no documented records.
American Flamingo
Phoenicopterus ruber
Several sight records, as well as documented records in nearby counties. Has almost certainly occurred in Nueces. Strecker (1912) writes."in former years, a frequent visitor, probably a summer resident, of the coast counties."
Black Swift
Cypseloides niger
There are sight records for this species in 21 Sept. 1972 and 24 Sept. 1983. There are only two TBRC-accepted records for this species for Texas, both from El Paso County.
Vaux’s Swift
Chaetura vauxi
There are sight records from as early as May 6-8, 1946, a flock of birds in Corpus Christi sighted by C. Hagar. No documented records of this species have been produced for the state of Texas, and the TBRC maintains the species on the Presumptive Species list.
Yellow Rail
Coturnicops noveboracensis
This species almost certainly inhabits the short grass marshes and wet fields of Nueces County, but to date no specimen, published sight record, or photographic record has been found.
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaea
There are several sight records for this species from Nueces County, but no TBRC-accepted record. One of the most compelling records is from the Port Aransas jetty 19 Aug 1968 in which a bird identified as an Arctic Tern was seen while feeding with Common Terns.(AFN-1969) All observers, Victor Emanuel, John Rowlett and Edgar Kincaid, were familiar with the species.
White-tailed Tropicbird
Phaethon lepturus
There is one record for Kleberg County; 3 Jul 2010, a bird that was rescued and rehabilitated at the Animal Rehabilitation Keep in Port Aransas.There have been several historic sight records of this species but there is no specimen or photograph needed for comfirmation.
Yellow-nosed Albatross
Thalassarche chlororhynchos
There is an accepted record from Aransas County, two from Willacy County, and a sight record from Kenedy County. Almost certainly occurs rarely in offshore Nueces County Gulf waters.
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel
Oceanites oceanicus
There have been several historic sight records of this species, but no documented records. It is apparently present in the western Gulf of Mexico in small numbers, with only one documented record in Texas waters.
.Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilis
There are two unaccepted TBRC records, from Oct. 10, 1999 and Oct. 26, 2019.
Green Parakeet
Psittacara holochlorus
There are several sight records for this species from the 1980s and early 1990s, but there is no evidence of a sustaining population.
Red-crowned Parrot
Amazona viridigenalis
Free-flying birds have been seen for many years, but no evidence of a sustaining population.
Cordilleran Flycatcher
Empidonax occidentalis
There are sight records of birds thought to be “Western Flycatcher”, which would indicate this species or Pacific-Slope Flycatcher, E. difficils.
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
One published record of a single bird south of Corpus Christi 2 Nov 1985 which could be questioned for origin, since the species is common as a captive pet. This species is common south to the Guadalupe River basin, and may have historically ranged into Nueces County. (AB Spring 1986, Vol. 40, No. 1)
Violet-green Swallow
Tachycineta thalassina
There are several sight records for this species, but no photo, specimen or published record exists.
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
There are constant sight reports for this species, which can most likely be attributed to juvenile Black-crested Titmouse, with paler crests. Tufted is a sedentary species that does not occur less than 50 to 75 miles from Nueces County in its pure form. Then, there is a wide hybrid belt, in which most, or all birds are Tufted x Black-crested mixtures, which have a tan or brown forehead.
Varied Thrush
Ixoreus naevius
One sight record: “Downtown Corpus visiting bird bath” 4-6 April 1974 ( AB: 28:824) reported by Kay McCracken. This is an example of a TBRC review species that was apparently not circulated, and is treated as a "historical" record at this time. This record was at the early onset of the Texas Bird Records Committee. More information is desired on this sighting.
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulus
A sight record from Corpus Christi in late March, 1978 was probably an accurate record. The bird was well-studied, and a good description was made by the observer. It was not submitted to TBRC. The sighting was the subject of a column by Kay McCracken published in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times at that time. There was a confirmed Bohemian Waxwing in San Antonio that same winter, indicating there may have been some sort of movement of the species.
Henslow’s Sparrow
Ammodramus henslowii
There are sight records, but no specimen or photograph for this species for Nueces County.
Connecticut Warbler:
Oporornis agilis
Although there are several sight records in Nueces County for this species, there has never been a record that has been accepted by the TBRC.
Expirpated or Extinct Species:
Eskimo Curlew
Numenius borealis
Considered to be extinct. One accepted record: March 8, 1877, from N. Padre Island. This species was almost certainly an abundant migrant on the prairies of Nueces County.
Carolina Parakeet
Conuropsis carolinensis
Extinct. This species apparently ranged south and east to Nueces County in the 19th century.
Abbreviations:
AB = American Birds Magazine
FN = Field Notes Magazine
NAB = North American Birds
TBRC = Texas Bird Records Committee
Thanks to Gene Blacklock and Matt Heindel for reviewing the checklist document and for helpful comments and suggestions.
References:
Rare Birds of Texas Master List of Review Species, 14 May 2011 with updates, Eric Carpenter, Greg W. Lasley, Mark W. Lockwood, and Chuck Sexton (excerpts reproduced with author’s permission).
The Texas Ornithological Society Handbook of Texas Birds, Mark W. Lockwood, Brush Freeman. 2004
Birds of the Texas Coastal Bend, Abundance and Distribution, John H. Rappole and Gene W. Blacklock, 1985
The Bird Life of Texas, Harry C. Oberholser, 1874
Birds of the Central Coast of Texas, Packard and Hagar, 1950
A Birder's Guide to the Texas Coast, ABA/Lane Birdfinding Guide, American Birding Association, Harold R. Holt,1993
A Birder's Guide to the Texas Coast, ABA/Lane Birdfinding Guide, American Birding Association, Mel Cooksey and Ron Weeks, 2006 Audubon Field Notes
Audubon Field Notes, American Birds, Field Notes, North American Birds
© Mel Cooksey, 2023
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