Birding Tours in West Texas - Destinations

Davis Mountains - Jeff Davis County

Davis Mountains State Park

This is a great park for birding as it can have a great variety such as the ever famous, Montezuma Quail, Phainopepla, Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Acorn Woodpeckers.

Lawrence E. Wood Picnic Area

This is another great stop further up in the mountains. You can find some of the same birds, plus more, like Mexican Whip-O-Wills, lots of different warblers, and some rare owls stop by normally yearly.

Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute

This is just outside and to the east of Fort Davis. It's a great place to find Montezuma Quail. If you drive a little past it, there's a parking area with lots of big trees that's always a good place to look for Common Black Hawks.

Reeves County

Balmorhea Lake

This is a wonderful place to get some great birds. Lots of waterfowl are normally here. Many rare birds frequent here as well so there's always a great chance at one of those.

Balmorhea Cemetary

This is a unique place as it's one of the best places for Sagebrush Sparrows. There's a chance to see many other birds as well so usually worth the drive around here.

Sandia Wetlands

A nice small area where many good birds are sometimes found. It has a shallow pond, when there is water, that can hold some waterfowl and other water loving species. It also has a small water hole where many species of dragonflies and sometimes skulking birds haging around it.

Big Bend Area - Brewster County

Chisos Basin - Big Bend National Park

Located in the Chisos Mountains, this is a great place for all of your western species like Mexican Jays, Colima and other warblers, etc. It's also the best place for bears so watch out for those.

Rio Grande Village - Big Bend National Park

The richest birding habitat in the park, hosting over 300 reported species. Explore the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail and Daniel's Ranch to spot the Zone-tailed Hawk, Vermilion Flycatcher, and Common Black Hawk.

Sam Nail Ranch - Big Bend National Park

A shaded desert oasis located off the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The working windmill feeds native vegetation that draws migrants, Painted and Varied Buntings, and the Crissal Thrasher.

Dugout Wells - Big Bend National Park

Located near Panther Junction, this desert oasis serves as an excellent migrant trap. It is highly recommended for spotting the Yellow-billed Cuckoo and MacGillivray's Warbler.

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Less crowded and features diverse open landscapes. Visit the Papalote Escondido Wildlife Blind near Sauceda for excellent photography and viewing opportunities.

Christmas Mountains Oasis

Here's a beautiful place tucked up in the mountains. It's private property so you need to get permission to access. This is the best place to see some great western birds like Lucifer Hummingbirds, Canyon Towhees, Varied Buntings, etc.

Guadalupe Mountains - Culberson County

Pine Springs

This is the closest place to park on the south side of the mountains. There are several different paths to take from here for some great hikes. Some are not easy though. You can hike up to the infamous bowl from here where the majority of birds can be found at high altitudes like Crossbills, Hairy Woodpeckers, Stellar Jays and sometimes Pinion Jays. There's always a great variety here. The other trail is great for a night hike and you can sometimes find the elusive Mexican Spotted Owl and Eld Owls.

Dog Canyon

This is on the north side of the mountains and you have to go around, usually through New Mexico near Carlsbad. Or for the daring, hike there from the south side. lol Here you can find plenty of birds that are much easier to get to rather than hike to the top of the mountains to the bowl. You can find Lewis' Woodpeckers, Williamson's Sapsuckers, Golden Eagles, Woodhouse's Scrub Jays, Western Wood Pewees and many other wonderful birds.

McKittrick Canyon

One of the best trails as many things can be found here. It brings you to the inner canyon and many species frequent here like Stellar Jays, Cassin's Finches, Townsend Solitaires and Williamson's Sapsuckers. Occasionally, a rare bird will show up, like the American Dipper did in 2025.

Friole Ranch

Frijole Ranch has picnic tables under the large shade trees in the courtyard where cold, spring water is channeled through. Bring your binoculars; this is an excellent location for birding and wildlife observation. The Smith Springs loop trail begins here as well.

El Paso Area - El Paso County

Franklin Mountains State Park

Massive high-desert park featuring over 120 miles of trails. Home to desert specialists like Gambel's Quail, Cactus Wrens, and Curve-billed Thrashers. Features a dedicated bird blind with log feeders located 1 mile from the Westside entrance.

Fred Hervey Water Treatment Plant

A nice place where many bird species can be found. Species found can be Black-throated Gray Warblers, many waterfowl species in the winter months, Rock Wrens, Black-throated Sparrows, etc.

Memorial Park

You will find this city park provides good birding opportunities. This site is typically best for birding during migration; however, some of the most exciting birding can occur during winter when Pinyon Jays, woodpeckers, Juniper Titmice, nuthatches, and finches provide irruptive excursions southward. Migrants expected at this site include flycatchers, vireos, warblers, tanagers and grosbeaks.

Keystone Heritage Park and the El Paso Desert Botanical Garden

One of the region's leading locations for species diversity. Features a 21-acre archaic wetland that acts as a crucial stopover for migratory birds.

Rio Bosque Park

Restored wetland habitats tracking along the Rio Grande corridor. Ideal for viewing Burrowing Owls, Swainson’s Hawks, and diverse waterfowl.

Ascarate Park & Lake

Urban park offering expansive, open water viewing. Attracts large numbers of wading birds, diving ducks, and gulls during fall and winter.

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