Big Bend National Park has some 450 species of birds. Birdwatchers come from all across America and beyond, to view the Big Bend's amazing variety of birds. From the peregrine falcon to the roadrunner, we're sure you'll find something to look at in awesome amazement. If you happen to come across a rare bird, a hypothetical species to the area, or a bird never even thought to reside in the Big Bend, be sure to stop in at a visitor's center and let a park ranger or someone else know. Here are a few of the birds the Big Bend means home too!
The most famous of
Big Bend's birds would be have to be the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus).
This amazing bird can soar at 60mph and is considered the fastest bird because of its
diving ability. At speeds of 150 to 200mph, the peregrine grabs its prey and snaps
its neck, and is an incredible sight to see. It can search for its prey, usually
birds, for great distances, up to 17 miles. Unfortunately, the peregrine spent a
long time on the endangered list. Due to DDT's (Organo-chlorine pesticides) being
widely used, the ability for the peregrine to breed, was greatly inhibited. Thinning
of the egg shells led to easy breakage during incubation and the loss of moisture
eventually drying out the egg and killing the chicks. In the 1970's, the widespread
use of DDT's was banned. However, other countries still use these pesticides and
thus contributing to the demise of the peregrine.
No trip to the Big Bend
could be complete without seeing a Roadrunner (Greater Roadrunner, Geococcyx
californianus). Immortalized, thanks to the Bugs Bunny & Roadrunner
Show, the roadrunner can be seen darting across the road and can certainly give new
meaning to "why did the roadrunner cross the road"! This bird does have
wings, however, you will see it usually walking or running. A local superstition
surrounding the roadrunner is that if a roadrunner stops its directions and turns around
and runs the other way that you will have bad luck.
Another local
superstition around a bird of the Big Bend is the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias).
This superstition applies more to those people who journey along the river. River
guides will often say that seeing a Great Blue Heron along the river is good luck and
sometimes even a few will add that they are said to be a reincarnated river guide.
Whether or not this is true, the Great Blue Heron does have an uncanny coincidence of
landing just before a raft arrives and flying upstream till the raft reaches the Heron's
new destination. It has been to repeat this process for an entire raft trip for some
individuals. Herons feed on aquatic animal life and will lay in wait in shallow
water or on land and spear it with their long bills. It is approximately
forty-six inches long and has a wingspan close to six feet.
The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo
jamaicensis) is also a common visitor to the park. Hawks have sharp claws,
called talons.
There are numerous hawks in Big Bend
National Park. These include the above
Also in peril is the
Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapillus). Unfortunately, both humans and
other birds have placed it in danger. The vireos create their nest in low deciduous
cover. Dense foliage extending to the ground protects the nest from other
predators. Natures intervention provided wildfire and wildlife grazing. With
the increased amount of humanity, natures protection is no longer sufficient for the
habitat. With human development, buildings, domestic grazing, etc, along with an
influx of animals and birds such as squirrels, raccoons, and cowbirds, their nests are
left unprotected and susceptible to the death of the hatchlings. Other Vireos in the
area are the red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus) and the white-eyed vireo (Vireo
griseus).
One of the fiercest predators in the
world of Big Bend birds would have to be the Great Horned Owl (Bubo viginianus).
Just ask local cat owners! It is the only American representative of a collective
group of 18 large owls known as eagle owls. Its name refers to the conspicuous ear
tufts or "horns" it has. A nocturnal hunter, this grand creature is
equipped with powerful talons and an impressive 80 inch wingspan. The great horned
owl is a territorial predator and ardently protects its food supply from competitors from
different species as well as its own. A dinner for an owl consists entirely of
living animals. The actual palette of an owl consists of prey that is proportional
to the size of the owl. This can range from insects to mammals as large as hares and
unfortunately can truly include the local domestic cat.
Another common owl of the Big Bend is the Burrowing Owl (Athene
cunicularia). The burrowing owl receives its name from its habit of living in
burrows abandoned by foxes, ground squirrels, or prairie dogs. It is a small, ground
owl that has long legs. Although it is presumed from its frequent sightings
during the
day that it is thus a creature of the daylight, the burrowing owl is actually like most of
those of its species, nocturnal. All owls also lay pure white eggs. The
burrowing owls diet mainly entails insects and rodents that are found in the early
evening.
Yet
another member of the owl family in the Big Bend is the Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi).
The elf owl is the smallest of the more than 150 species of owls, hence the
"elf" in its name. They mainly reside in the southwestern United States
and Mexico and more particular in the numerous deserts in these regions. It is only
an average of 5 inches long. It can be seen making its nests in woodpecker holes in
large cacti in these deserts, particularly in prickly pear cactus.
If you have driven
on the roads throughout the Big Bend at night, you have probably seen this particular
species of goatsuckers (or nightjars), the Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor).
It has narrow, pointed wings and is approximately 9.5 inches long with a wingspan
of almost two feet. It dines on insects during twilight and at night. It
can be seen, and on occasion it requires a slam on the brakes to avoid hitting (at least
if you are the type to slow down!), feeding on the insects on the road. This is due
in part to the attraction of the insects to the warmth of the road and the light of
passing headlights. Nighthawks also capture insects while they are on its wing.
It has a distinctive call that is a nasal "peen". During the
spring, a unique display can be observed in which the common nighthawk produces a hollow
booming sound from its wings as it pulls out of a deep dive toward the ground.