American Robin

Turdus migratorius is 10 inches long. They are easy to identify because both males and females have reddish-orange breast. They can be seen in TLCNP year round because they prefer woodlands, parks and lawns. The species is active mostly during the day and assembles in large flocks at night during non breeding season. Its diet consists of beetle grubs, earthworms, caterpillars, fruits, and berries.

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher

Polioptila caerulea is 4.5 inches in length and can be easily identified by the long cocked tail. They mostly feed on insects. You can usually find them flitting about in the treetops just before darting out, in a quick short flight, to snap up a tiny insect in mid-air. They can be seen at TLCNP from August through April.

Carolina Chickadee

Poecile carolinensis is 4 3/4 inch long perching bird and can be found in the pine woods and Houston throughout the year. It has been seen at TLCNP in the spring.  Forages mostly by hopping among twigs and branches and gleaning food from the ground. Their diet is primarily insects, supplemented especially in winter with seeds and berries; they readily visit bird feeders for sunflower seeds.

Carolina Wren

Thryothorus ludovicianus is 5.5 inches long and a common species of wren. It is a large wren and near the size of a sparrow. They are a rusty brown top with a conspicuous white eyebrow stripe. Their preferred habitat is in forested area near a body of water, undergrowth and suburban areas. They can be seen and heard in TLCNP year round. They can often be seen on the ground looking for grubs, beetles, bugs, ants, spiders and ants.

Chuck-Will's-Widow

Antrostomus carolinensis is a nocturnal bird thought to be declining in parts of its range due to of loss of habitat. This 10 inch long bird  breeds in shady woodlands of various types including open pine forest. By day, the bird is seldom detected as it rests on horizontal tree limbs or on the ground. They forage at night and are most active at dusk and dawn and on moonlit nights. This bird visits TLCNP in April and September.  Since it is nocturnal you will more likely hear its loud call than see it.

Cooper’s Hawk

Astur cooperii is 14-20 inches tall medium-sized raptor.  It feeds mostly on other birds and small mammals. This hawk has short, broad wings and long tails which increase their maneuverability and make them deadly hunters. These raptors rely mostly on surprise when hunting, often ambushing from a hidden perch and weaving or crashing through heavy vegetation in order to catch their prey unawares. This hawk can be seen throughout the year at TLCNP.

Downy Woodpecker

Dryobates pubescens is 6 inches long  and is the smallest woodpecker in North America.  Its range is from coast to coast and from the northern tree line to the Gulf and the deserts and dry grasslands just north of the Mexican border. They have been seen at TLCNP year-round.  The female differs from the male only in that it lacks the red occipital patch. Both sexes drum on tree trunks or dead limbs to advertise their presence and proclaim their territorial rights. Their agility comes from their small size and allows them to feed on smaller branches and farther out on their tips than other woodpeckers.

Eastern Screech Owl

Megascops asio is the only small eastern owl (7 to 10 inches) that has ear tufts. This owl can be seen in two colors: foxy red and gray. No other eared owl is bright foxy red. This owl spends the day roosting in holes or in dense cover, becoming active at dusk. Despite the name, screech-owls do not screech; the voice of this owl features whinnies and soft trills. This owl forages at dusk and at night. It also hunts mostly by watching from a perch and then swooping down to take prey from the ground or from foliage. Can locate prey by sound as well as by sight.

Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus is 8.5 inches in length and is a large insect eating bird with a thick bill, big head, and a peaked crown. It dwells mostly in the treetops and rarely is found on the ground. They forage by flying out from a perch to catch insects. It breeds mainly in deciduous forest or mixed forest. They can be seen at TLCNP in the spring and fall months.

Great horned owl

Bubo virginianus is the most common owl in North America and perhaps also the most powerful.  They have been seen at TLCNP year-round.  This owl (between 18 to 25 inches tall) is known to often attack animals much larger and heavier than itself. These include domestic cats, skunks and porcupines. Although generally nocturnal in behavior, it sometimes hunts during the day.  It primarily feeds on mammals but also eats birds, reptiles and amphibians. In defending its nest and young, it will strike at humans who approach too closely.

House Finch

Haemorhous mexicanus is 5-3/4 inches long small brown bird and can be found in Houston year round. They are common permanent residents in Texas. The male’s breast and forehead can vary in color from red to orange to yellow. Finches may reuse nests for a second brood in the same or another year.

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis has a conspicuous pointed crest, a long tail, large orange bill.  The male is a brilliant red, the female is primarily brown to grayish-tan with some red color on wings and tail. The Northern Cardinal is 8 ¾ inches long and can be seen at TLCNP all year long.  They readily come to seed feeders.

Northern Flicker

Colaptes auratus is 12 to 14 inches in height. They have been seen at TLCNP during the winter months.  It often hops awkwardly on ground while feeding on ants. Its flight is undulating. This brown woodpecker flashes bright colors under the wings and tail when it flies. Its ringing calls and short bursts of drumming can be heard in the spring. Close up it displays a black patch across the chest and a red crescent shape on the nape. Males defend nesting territory with calling, drumming and many other aggressive displays, including swinging its head back and forth. Nest site is a cavity in dead wood or pine trees. Nest sites are excavated by both sexes.

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis is 6 inches in size.  It often forages by walking along water's edge while bobbing its tails, similar to a Spotted Sandpiper. This extremely well-camouflaged bird is a type of large warbler that migrates through Houston in late spring. It has been seen at TLCNP in late April or early May. Those tiny dots on the throat are a field mark that helps separate this species from the very similar Louisiana Waterthrush.

Pileated Woodpecker

Dryocopus pileatus is a crow-sized woodpecker that drums on trees to claim territory and attract a mate; the loud heavy sound is as if the tree is being hit with a wooden mallet. They are between 16 and 19 inches in height. This bird was once commonly seen at TLCNP, but due to recent housing developments it has not been seen there since 2019.  Each mating pair excavates several roosting cavities and may retire for the evening to one of them. The male roosts in a tree hollow before eggs are laid and then afterwards incubates eggs at night. The male has a scarlet mustache while the female's is black. In flight, both show a large white patch at the base of their primary wings feathers as well as white underwing linings. They eat ants, beetles and a variety of other insects, especially tree-boring ones, acorns, beechnuts, seeds of tree cones, nuts and various fruits.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus is 9 inches tall and is a medium sized woodpecker.  They have been seen at TLCNP throughout the year.  This noisy common woodpecker has adapted to different habitats from southern pine forests to northern hardwoods, scattered trees and urban parks.  Their upper parts have black and white barring in a zebra pattern. The "red-belly" comes from a reddish wash low on the belly and between the legs that is difficult to see in the field. In flight, it shows a white rump, a white patch at the base of their primary wing feathers and white-barred central tail feathers. The male has a red crown and nape. The female differs in that her crown is gray, but she also has a red nape. They nest and roost nightly in tree cavities.

Red-Headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus is striking appearing bird and the only the woodpecker with an entirely red head that is 8 inches tall.  The back is solid black with a large rectangular white patch is on the wings. The male establishes a territory and advertises for a mate with calling and drumming. The female indicates acceptance of the site by tapping on the tree. The young are fed by both parents and leave the nest after 27 to 31 days.  This bird was once commonly seen at TLCNP, but due to recent housing developments it has not been sighted since 2020.

Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus is 18-23 inches tall and a medium-sized raptor. It can be seen year round at TLCNP and is a permanent resident in most of the eastern half of Texas. Red-shouldered hawks search for prey while perched on a treetop or soaring overhead. This hawk prefers riparian zones, or lands that occur along the edges of bayous, streams, and other water bodies. Since TLCNP is near White Oak Bayou, it can be seen flying overhead or sitting at the top of one of the large snags in the preserve.

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis is the second-largest hawk in America and is between 18 and 22 inches tall. The Red-tailed hawk is widespread in North America and is adapting to nesting in the city.  Adults can be identified by the pale-colored tail below and cinnamon red color above while juveniles have brown tails.    They can be found in Texas year-round, but numbers increase in the winter as hawks from the far north migrate south.  This hawk can often be seen flying overhead or even sitting at the top of one of the large pine trees at TLCNP.

Red-Vented Bulbul

Pycnonotus cafer is 8 inches in length and is easily identified by its short crest giving the head a square appearance. It also has a distinctive crimson-red patch beneath its tail. Houston has small established populations which derived from escaped cage birds. It is considered an invasive bird. The sexes are similar in plumage and they have a reputation as a pest since it was introduced into our area. This species mostly consumes berries and fruit, but also feeds on flower buds, insects, vegetables, lizards, and seeds. They have been gradually working their way west from Heights Reservoir and have recently started being seen on occasion at TLCNP.

ruby-crowned kinglet

Corthylio calendula is 4 inch long perching bird. This bird has been a winter visitor here in the preserve. This tiny bird has plumage that is rather drab and nondescript.  However, the male has a bright red crown that is usually kept concealed, but will erect it when agitated.  This bird can be seen at TLCNP from October through April.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris is 3 ¼ inches long, flies very fast and has a green back with a forked tail. The males have a fiery red throat patch. They are impressive migrants despite their small size, some Ruby-throats may travel from Canada to Costa Rica.

Tufted Titmouse

Baeolophus bicolor is 6 inches long and a small songbird native to eastern North America. It can be occasionally seen at TLCNP since it prefers woodlands and residential areas. They gather food from the ground and from tree branches, frequently consuming a variety of berries, nuts, seeds, small fruits and insects.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea is 24 inches tall and can be hard to spot. They forage mainly at night and spend most of the day hidden among branches near a body of water. This heron is abundant in spring, summer and fall; less common in winter.  It has been seen foraging in shallow ponds at TLCNP in the Ball Field after heavy rains in the spring. They breed in our area and their nests are often 30-40 feet above the ground.

Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Eastern & Central North America

by Roger Tory Peterson.

For decades, this is THE popular and trusted guide for birders of all levels, thanks to its famous system of identification and unparalleled illustrations. The 7th edition of the field guide features updated text and range maps, and art updated to reflect current knowledge in ornithology. 

392 pages.

Birds of Texas Field Guide

By Stan Tekiela.

There’s no need to look through dozens of photos of birds that don’t live in your area. This book features 176 species of Texas birds organized by color for ease of use. Do you see a yellow bird and don’t know what it is? Go to the yellow section to find out.

456 pages.

The sibley field guide to birds of eastern north america

by David Sibley.

Compact and comprehensive, this guide features 650 bird species, plus regional populations, found east of the Rocky Mountains. Entries include stunningly accurate illustrations—more than 4,600 in total—with descriptive captions pointing out the most important field marks.  Each entry has been updated to include the most current information concerning frequency, nesting, behavior, food and feeding, voice description, and key identification features.  More than 600 updated maps drawn from information contributed by 110 regional experts across the continent, and showing winter, summer, year-round, migration, and rare ranges.