Birding Texas: Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge

The oldest national wildlife refuge in Texas, Muleshoe is probably best known to bird watchers as a resting and wintering place for the Sandhill Crane. Consisting of almost 6,000 acres of short-grass prairie, located in the high plains of west Texas, Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge is also a great place for bird watching if you are looking for Great Horned Owls, Canyons Towhees, Golden Eagles, and many other species. Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge has three playa lakes where you can find various waterfowl when the water levels are sufficient, as well as plant life such as mesquite, yucca and cacti that can often attract certain types of birds. For tips on finding and identifying just a few of the species you may see while bird watching at Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, see below.

Sandhill Crane. Look for these birds from late September through March while bird watching at Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, where they usually number between 10,000 to 30,000, although one year 250,000 were recorded! Look for them while bird watching during dusk or at dawn, when they are flying out or returning from feeding. You will recognize them while bird watching at Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas from their large gray bodies, white cheeks and chin, and bright red caps. They also have yellow eyes and black legs and feet.

Barn Owl. Recognize this owl while bird watching from its distinctive white heart-shaped facial disk. Its upperparts are an orange-brown, with soft white spots, and its underparts are white with dark spots. They have long legs and lack ear tufts. Look for them while bird watching over the grasslands at the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas at dusk, hunting for small mammals.

Rough-legged Hawk. You will recognize this large hawk while bird watching from its legs, which are feathered all the way to its talons (only three American birds of prey have this characteristic), as well as its brown upperparts, spotted white underparts and dark breast band. Look for them while bird watching over the open grasslands and prairies of the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, hunting for mammals. They also have gorgeous wings, pale underneath with black feathers at the tips and "wrists."

Northern Bobwhite. This medium sized quail is easy to recognize while bird watching from its white face, dark eyestripe, and the rufous-brown stripe on its head. The rest of its body is black, brown, rufous and gray. Look for it while bird watching near the brushy areas of the grasslands of the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, where you will find it foraging for plants.

Snowy Plover. If the playa lakes of Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas have received enough water, you will find these small plovers there, hunting for insects in the shallow waters and along the shores. You will recognize them while bird watching from their pale brown upperparts and white underparts. They have black bills, legs and feet, and a dark, partial breast band.

Grasshopper Sparrow. Look for this medium-sized sparrow while bird watching along the grasslands at Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. You can identify them from their brown streaked upperparts and pink legs and feet. These sparrows have flat little heads with a white stripe running through their dark crowns.

Source list:

Personal experience

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/muleshoe/index.html

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

http://identify.whatbird.com

http://www.allaboutbirds.org