Birding Texas: McKinney Falls State Park

McKinney Falls State Park in Texas, consisting of 640 acres, has some amazing bird watching opportunities. This small Texas state park has bird watching habitats that include prairies, grasslands, woodlands, creeks, and trees such as juniper, live oak, mesquite, and chinaberries. In addition to bird watching, you can hike, bike, swim, picnic and camp here. Looking for Barred Owls, Brown Creepers, Chipping Sparrows and assorted shorebirds and ducks? McKinney Falls State Park is a great Texas bird watching spot for you. For tips on finding and identifying just a few of the species you may see while bird watching at McKinney Falls State Park in Texas, see below.

Canyon Wren. Look for this pretty wren in the rockier spots of McKinney Falls State Park in Texas, anywhere it can use its long, thin bill to poke about for spiders and insects. Recognize it while bird watching from its rusty upperparts and white throat and breast, as well as its bright rufous tail. It also has small white spots on its back, nape and crown.

Great Crested Flycatcher. As its name implies, this is a large flycatcher with a distinctive crest. Recognize it while bird watching from its bright yellow belly, along with its gray head, throat and upper breast, and its heavy black bill. It also has a rufous tail. Look for this flycatcher while bird watching in the forests of McKinney Falls State Park, where it likes to perch in the tallest trees while hunting for insects.

White-eyed Vireo. This secretive little bird can be found in the dense thickets alongside the creek at McKinney Falls State Park in Texas, hopping about and foraging for insects and fruit. You'll recognize it while bird watching from its olive green upperparts, along with its white underparts with yellow sides and legs. Also look for its pale yellow spectacles and the white irises that give it its name.

Hermit Thrush. Look for this small thrush while bird watching in the mixed forests and thickets of McKinney Falls State Park in Texas, foraging for insects. You can identify it by its olive brown upperparts and white underparts, which are spotted in black. It also has a rufous tail, a white eyering, and pink legs and feet. Look for its habit of flicking its tail up quickly and then lowering it slowly.

Chuck-Will's-Widow. You'll recognize this large nightjar when bird watching at McKinney Falls State Park in Texas from its white collar, which stands out against the rest of its mottled brown, gray and black body. Also look for the white edging on its tail. You'll find it while bird watching in the open woodlands and clear areas of McKinney Falls State Park in Texas, usually at dusk as it hunts for insects. It is named for its repetitive night time song.

Ruby Crowned Kinglet. The mixed woodlands of McKinney Falls State Park in Texas are a good place to look for this kinglet, one of the smallest birds in North America. Identify it while bird watching from its olive green upperparts and pale yellow underparts, as well as its constant wing flicking. It also has a slight red tuft on its head, and white spectacles.

Source list:

Personal experience

http://identify.whatbird.com

http://www.allaboutbirds.org

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/mckinney_falls/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McKinney_Falls_State_Park