Sunday, October 21, 2001

32 The birds

More than 400 species of birds can be found in this area, making Corpus Christi one of the most popular stops along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. This bird richness results from diverse habitats, such as barrier islands, mud flats, estuarine bays, rivers and thorn shrub. Corpus Christi is also a crossroads of bird migration from Canada south and from Mexico north.
   Bird festivals
   Port Aransas holds one for whooping cranes and Rockport has one for hummingbirds. Corpus Christi hosts a "Celebration of Flight" during the annual Hawk Watch mid-August to mid-November.
   Boat tours will help you sight whoopers (and 392 other species) at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (361-286-3559), guided nature tours can help you spot raptors and other birds on the King Ranch (361-592-8055) and a feeder out in the backyard may attract a buff-bellied hummingbird in winter.
   The biggest
   Whooping cranes
  

Only existing migratory flock, about 187 birds, breeds in Canada and winters at the 100,000-acre Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.
  

Only about 400 in the wild and in captivity in the world.
  

Named for their loud, resonating call, which carries for miles.
  

Snowy white, with black wing tips, feet, and beak; cheeks and crown are bright red.
  

Wingspan of up to 7 feet.
  

North America's tallest bird, at 5 feet.
  

Diet: blue crabs, clams, snails and other small marine creatures, augmented with acorns, berries, insects, crayfish.
   The smallest
   Hummingbirds
  

Native to North America, 18 species have been recorded in Texas.
  

Most common here, ruby-throated.
  

Almost all migrate, doubling body weight to make trip.
  

On average, females are about 15-25% larger than males.
  

Average length: 3.5 inches.
  

Average weight: 1/8 ounce.
  

Wing beats: 40-80 per second, average about 52.
  

Flight speed: 30 mph (48 kph) normal; 50 mph (80 kph) escape; 63 mph (101 kph) dive.
   Icon of the coast
   Brown pelicans
  

Success story: Increased from just six breeding pairs in Texas 30 years ago to thousands.
  

Size: 50 inches; spread 6 ½ feet.
  

Habitat: Salt bays, beaches, ocean.
  

Diet: Almost entirely fish
  

Mascot: Port of Corpus Christi chose it as coastal symbol of resilience.
   Bird names to know in Corpus Christi:
   American Avocet, Aztec Thrush, Brown Pelican
   Cardinal, Caspian Tern, Great Blue Heron, Indigo Bunting, Least Tern, Long-billed Curlew, Mockingbird, Northern Oriole, Reddish Egret, Red Knots, Roseate Spoonbill, Ruby-throated, Hummingbird, Summer Tanager, Vermillion Flycatcher, White Ibis, Whooping Crane
   King Ranch
   A birding hotspot for some of the most unique and rare resident bird species in the U.S.: white-tailed hawk, ferruginous pygmy owl (the largest known population in the U.S.), great kiskadee, northern beardless tyrannulet, tropical parula, Botteri's sparrow, and Audubon's oriole, plus 60 or more additional species.
   Coastal Bend rare bird alert hotline (listen and report) 361-883-7410
   Some recent mentions:
  

Painted bunting
  

Yellow-throated warbler
  

Yellow-breasted chat
  

From the Hawk Watch: peregrine falcons, northern harriers, immature bald eagle
  
  

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