Birding Texas: Davy Crockett National Forest

Davy Crockett National Forest in Texas has some amazing bird watching habitats that include mixed pine-hardwood forests, the shores and waters of Ratcliff Lake, shortleaf and loblolly pines, and areas that have been cleared by lumbering and fire. Over 160,000 acres of Texas bird watching habitats are just waiting for you to explore. In addition to bird watching, you can camp, picnic, swim and fish. Looking for Wood Ducks, Hooded Warblers, Red-eyed Vireos or Brown-headed Nuthatches? Try bird watching here. For tips on finding and identifying just a few of the species you may see while bird watching at Davy Crockett National Forest in Texas, see below.

Barred Owl. This owl prefers woodlands near bodies of water, so Ratcliff Lake in Davy Crockett National Forest is a good spot for bird watching for these owls. Recognize it while bird watching from its large brown eyes (most owls have yellow) and the rings around its pale face. It also has a heavily spotted and streaked brown body, and lacks ear tufts.

Chuck-will's-widow. Look for this large nightjar in the open woodlands and cleared land of the Davy Crockett National Forest in Texas. You can identify it from its patterned brown, gray and black body, with a white throat and white collar. Try bird watching for it in the early evening in the Davy Crockett National Forest in Texas, when it will come out to hunt for insects. It also has brown legs and feet, as well as a white-edged tail.

Broad-winged Hawk. This is a medium-sized hawk that you will recognize while bird watching from its pale underwings and underparts, as well as its dark banded tail and upperparts. Look for it in the mixed pine woodlands of the Davy Crockett National Forest in Texas, where you will see it hunting for reptiles, small animals, birds and insects.

Summer Tanager. This gorgeous bird is dark red all over, with a gray bill, legs and feet. They can be found in the mixed pine forests of Davy Crockett National Forest in Texas, where they hunt for bees and wasps. It actually catches them in flight, beats them to death against a tree, and removes the stinger by rubbing it against the bark. Still, it's a very pretty bird.

Yellow-breasted Chat. The largest warbler found in North America, you can recognize it while bird watching from its bright yellow throat and breast, as well as its black bill, legs and feet. It also has distinctive white spectacles and an olive-green body and wings. Look for it at Davy Crockett National Forest in Texas in the streamside brushy areas and thickets.

Louisiana Waterthrush. This large warbler can be found along the forest-side streams in the Davy Crockett National Forest in Texas. Recognize it while bird watching from its olive colored upperparts and white throat and underparts. It also has a white eyestripe and white eyebrows. Look for them foraging on the ground for insects in the Davy Crockett National Forest in Texas.

Source list:

Personal experience
http://www.allaboutbirds.org
http://identify.whatbird.com