Birding Texas: Abilene State Park

Abilene State Park is located in Taylor County, Texas, and is a magnificent bird watching spot. With low hills, prairie grass, brushy spots and woods that include mesquite, live oaks and other trees, the variety of bird watching habitats draws a broad range of species for you to enjoy. In addition to bird watching, you can camp, swim, fish and hike at Abilene State Park, as well as biking the park's roads. Looking for Northern Cardinals, Mississippi Kites, or Mockingbirds? This is the spot for you. This Texas state park is open year round, seven days a week, with over 500 acres of bird watching opportunities. For tips on finding and identifying just a few of the species you may see while bird watching at Abilene State Park in Texas, see below.

Mississippi Kite. Look for this small kite in the open areas of Abilene State Park in Texas, where you will see it hunting for flying insects. Recognize it while bird watching from its dark gray upperparts and pale gray underparts. It also has a long black tail and red eyes. Mississippi Kites are sometimes known as Mosquito Hawks or Hovering Kites. You may also see them in the forests of Abilene State Park in Texas.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo. This medium sized member of the Cuckoo family can be found in the brushier spots of Abilene State Park in Texas, especially near water. While their favorite food is caterpillars, you may see them looking for insects, fruit and berries. Recognize them while bird watching from their grayish brown upperparts, white underparts, and yellow bills. They also have gray legs and feet.

Common Nighthawk. You'll find this Nightjar foraging for insects in the prairie grass of Abilene State Park in Texas. Identify it while bird watching from its speckled brown, black and white body, as well as its long dark wings with white barring. It also has a large head and a tiny bill. The Common Nighthawk has an erratic, jerky flight pattern that is very similar to a bat's.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher. Look for this tiny blue gray bird in the forests at Abilene State Park in Texas, especially among the oaks and mesquite. You may see it scaring up insects and spiders by flicking its tail as it forages for prey. Recognize it while bird watching from its white eyering, dark wings, and long black tail edged in white.

Loggerhead Shrike. This Shrike is easy to identify from its black mask and white throat, along with its heavy, slightly hooked bill. It also has black wings with white patches. Look for it while bird watching in the grasslands of Abilene State Park in Texas, as well as in the more open areas of the forests. These birds are also known as French Mockingbirds or Butcherbirds.

Turkey Vulture. Larger than the Black Vulture, you'll easily recognize this vulture while bird watching from its featherless red head and neck. The rest of its body is black. You'll find this bird of prey in the forests and scrubby areas of Abilene State Park in Texas, where it uses its sense of smell (unlike most other birds) to search for carrion. Turkey Vultures are winter residents here.

Source list:

Personal experience

http://identify.whatbird.com

http://www.allaboutbirds.com