Birding Texas: Eagle Lake

Located in Colorado County, Texas, Eagle Lake and its adjacent rice fields attract all kinds of migratory and wintering birds. There are observation platforms constructed for bird watching near the lake, so you can easily take in all the wonderful bird viewing this spot offers you. Bird watching habitats include grasslands and prairies, and as well as the lake, the rice fields, and more. For tips on finding and identifying just a few of the species you may see while bird watching at Eagle Lake in Texas, see below.

Greater White-fronted Goose. Look for this goose when bird watching in the winter at Eagle Lake in Texas. Identify it while bird watching from its grayish-brown body, speckled belly, white forehead, and pinkish bill. Look for it in the fields and marshes near Eagle Lake in Texas, where you will find it searching for seeds, grasses, berries and grains.

Snow Goose. This medium sized goose can be found in huge flocks when bird watching at Eagle Lake in Texas. You will recognize it from the black edging on its bill, which makes it look like it is smiling. Look for them foraging for plants and grasses when bird watching near fields and marshes at Eagle Lake in Texas. Snow Geese can be found in two color morphs, either all white or dark gray.

Fulvous Whistling-Duck. You can identify this duck from the beautiful cinnamon color of its head, neck, chest and belly. Look for it hunting for seeds in the rice fields while bird watching at Eagle Lake, or flying overhead at dawn and dusk. Pesticides sprayed on rice in the 1960s in Texas caused a decline in its population, but the numbers since then have thankfully recovered and stabilized.

American White Pelican. Look for this huge, white bird on the waters of Eagle Lake in Texas, scooping up fish with its long, pouched bill. It is easy to recognize while bird watching from its large, heavy body, long wings edged in black, and short tail. It also has bright orange legs. Unlike the Brown Pelican, this bird does not dive for fish, but instead scoops them up from underwater.

Least Bittern. This is a very small, secretive heron that you can identify while bird watching from its black cap and back, and white belly and throat. It also has yellow legs and feet, as well as a yellow bill. Look for it hunting for fish, insects, and small amphibians in the marshy, dense areas of Eagle Lake in Texas.

Cinnamon Teal. You will recognize this beautiful little duck when bird watching from its coppery red head and neck, scaled brown upperparts, and beautiful cinnamon colored underparts. It has a long, dark bill, red eyes, and in flight you will see large light blue patches on its wings. Look for it from October through April at Eagle Lake in Texas, where you will find it dabbling in the rice fields.

Short-eared Owl. Look for this owl while bird watching in the prairies and open grasslands near Eagle Lake in Texas. It hunts during both the day and night, unlike many other species of owls. Recognize it while bird watching from its mottled brown body, pale chest with thin streaks, and large round head. You will see it flying very close to the ground as it hunts for mice and other small mammals.

Source list:

Personal experience
http://www.eaglelake-tx.gov/
http://www.allaboutbirds.org
http://identify.whatbird.com