The Texas state bird is the mockingbird.
Midland, Texas is a city approximately 300 miles west of Fort Worth located near the southern border of New Mexico. It is an area home to nearly 150 transient and indigenous bird species. Although, both redistribution of vegetation and seasonal migration causes concentrations of birds species to change from year-to-year, some types of birds live in Midland, Texas more than others.
Blue Jays, Curve-billed Thrashers
Blue jays and curve-bill thrashers are two types of birds that live in Midland, Texas. Both omnivores, each species has specific identifying characteristics that set them apart. While the blue jay is often characterized as boisterous and colorful, the curve-billed thrasher is generally identified as much more aggressive than their neighboring counterpart. As "sentinel birds" they also have the ability to "mimic other bird species calls and songs." Blue jays live in forests with coniferous and deciduous trees; curve-billed thrashers typically live in shrubbery or bushes.
Mississippi Kite
As a summer resident of Midland, Texas, the Mississippi kite generally lives among taller trees along watercourses. It has a black tail, gray head and long, narrow wing span. Also known as the mosquito hawk, hovering kite, blue snake hawk, and locust-eater, the Mississippi kite has red eyes and is reportedly aggressive toward other birds that invade its territory. A member of the Accipitridae family (relatives of hawks and eagles, for example), its scientific name is Ictinia mississippiensis.
American Widgeon
Otherwise known as the "baldpate," the American widgeon (also spelled "wigeon") is a type of bird that generally lives in Midland, Texas only during winter months. Living in lakes and ponds, the American widgeon (Anas Americana) is a type of duck. Males and females often appear different; the former, generally has a notable white forehead and dark green patches all over its body, while the latter is identified by a gray forehead and white feathered streaks.
Western Tanager
The western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) is a transient species of bird that lives in Midland, Texas only during spring and fall migration -- the period of the year in which birds move between breeding and nonbreeding areas. Typically found in areas with concentrations of pine, oak or even spruce trees, the bird is thought to originate from Central America. Western tanagers are colorful yellow, red and orange birds that also migrate by night, as well.
Related posts
The forests of Africa provide homes for various types of bird species.Africa's lush landscape includes forests that line the south, east, west and north parts of the region. The dense underbrush a...
"Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck, leads the flock to fly and follow."--Chinese proverbAs any serious birdwatcher can tell you, the saying about birds of a feather flocking t...
Pheasants and quail are popular game birds hunted in Hawaii.Hawaii is renowned for its beautiful beaches and tourist activities. However, the state of Hawaii is also a popular hunting destination...
Parakeets and budgies are simimlar in size.The name parakeet refers to multiple species of birds that are often kept as household pets. Budgies, a type of bird that hails from Australia, are part...
The bald eagle lives in Missouri during the summer months.Missouri is home to a variety of bird species during the summer months, including birds of prey, wetland birds and passerines. Passerine a...
