WDL-07-2019

GUIDE

A noncomprehensive guide to birds in The Woodland area

FINE-FEATHERED FRIENDS BIRD SPECIES FIND HABITAT IN THE WOODLANDS AREA

BIRDS OF THE WOODLANDS FIND AMPLE HABITAT

Many bird species found around The Woodlands area are not endangered, but the area habitat gives the threatened red-cockaded woodpecker a place to nest.

KEY:

Habitat

Food

Nesting

Conservation:

COMPILED BY VANESSA HOLT DESIGNED BY CAITLINWHITTINGTON

Threatened

Low concern

Despite its proximity to the country’s fourth- largest city—The Woodlands is about miles from downtown Houston—south Montgomery County provides a suitable habitat for many native bird species, said Donna Work, a biologist with Texas A&M Forest Service. The forest service owns and administrates W. G. Jones State Forest, a ,-acre preserved natural area that crosses both FM and Hwy. north of The Woodlands. According to Texas A&M, the forest is recognized by the American Bird Conservancy as one of the country’s most important birding areas in part because it is a habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker as well as being an old-growth pine forest, providing unique ecosystems for a variety of wildlife. However, the forest is not the only place where birdwatchers can nd unusual species nesting or looking for grubs and seeds. Because of the wooded nature of much of The Woodlands area, residents can see unusual species in their own backyards if they look carefully and maintain attractive environments. “We’re a highly urbanized forest,” Word said. “There is a lot of development going on around us all the time and a little island of habitat. That’s a good thing for the birds to have it there, but there’s a lot of wildlife that travel, so it’s good to have trees or forested travel corridors from one large bit of the forest to the next. Each person in their yard could possibly plant some trees for some of the birds that could handle being in that type of habitat.” Providing safe resting places for traveling birds and nesting areas for long-term residents can help ensure species thrive in the area, she said. “The Woodlands was built on that premise of leaving green spaces, and besides looking pretty it is habitat for some wildlife and [provides] clean air,” Work said. Among species that can be seen in the area are the colorful Eastern bluebird, the iconic bald eagle and brightly colored ruby- throated hummingbird as well as indigo and painted buntings. Birdfeeders might attract an American goldnch or cedar waxng to their feeders, or spy a hunting Eastern screech owl at night.

Red-cock- aded wood-

pecker male Courtesy W. G. Jones State Forest

RED-COCKADEDWOODPECKER

EASTERN BLUEBIRD

EASTERN SCREECH OWL

Known for their distinctive calls at night, these tiny owls respond well to backyard nesting boxes. Males are smaller than females, and couples are known to mate for life.

W.G. Jones State Forest is home to this federally listed endangered species, which roosts and nests in live pine cavities. The bird’s nesting areas are closed to the public fromMarch 15-July 15.

Male bluebirds can be identified by their bright blue plumage and red breast feathers. Females are more gray in tone. Meal worms are a preferred food source for the species.

Insects

Small animals

Open woodlands

Cavity

Grasslands

Forests

Conservation: Threatened

Conservation: low concern

Brown-head-

ed nuthatch Courtesy T.J. Ray/ Cornell Lab of Ornithol- ogy

BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH

BALD EAGLE

MISSISSIPPI KITE

Denizens of southern pine forests, the small blue-gray birds are attracted to suet and tend to nest in standing dead trees.

Now listed as a low-concern species on the conserva- tion scale, the bald eagle is known for its white-feath- ered head. The birds were previously threatened by hunting and pesticides.

This gray raptor flies to South America for the

winter, but when in the area they can sometimes be seen hunting in groups.

Insects

Fish

Forests

Cavity

Forests

Tree

Open woodlands

Tree

Conservation: low concern

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