Birds to See in Texas in April
185 bird species on our list for Texas are recorded regularly in April
Of these, the most often recorded are Northern Cardinal, Northern Mockingbird, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove and Turkey Vulture. New this month: Painted Bunting, Western Kingbird, Northern Yellow Warbler and Dickcissel and 26 more.
On the move in April
GBIF · AprArriving
At their peak
Gray CatbirdBusiest month of the year · Aug–May
Lesser YellowlegsBusiest month of the year · Jul–May
Black-throated Green WarblerBusiest month of the year · Aug–May
Scarlet TanagerBusiest month of the year · Apr–May
Long-billed DowitcherBusiest month of the year · Jul–May
Northern WaterthrushBusiest month of the year · Apr–May
From Texas’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 185 birds in April
185 birds
Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.76% in Apr
Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 2.28% in Apr
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentCommon23–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.96% in Apr
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentCommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 1.84% in Apr
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.82% in Apr
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 1.61% in Apr
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentCommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.59% in Apr
Blue JayCyanocitta cristataResidentCommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in Apr
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in Apr
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.04% in Apr
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.03% in Apr
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusSummer visitorCommon28–38 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.96% in Apr
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasResidentCommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in Apr
Purple MartinProgne subisSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Feb–Sep · 0.89% in Apr
House FinchHaemorhous mexicanusResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in Apr
American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchosResidentCommon41–53 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Apr
Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisSummer visitorCommon7–9 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.70% in Apr- Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.69% in Apr
Red-bellied WoodpeckerMelanerpes carolinusResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Apr
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in Apr
Cattle EgretArdea ibisSummer visitorCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Apr
Lincoln's SparrowMelospiza lincolniiWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.60% in Apr
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.57% in Apr
Golden-fronted WoodpeckerMelanerpes aurifronsResidentCommon21–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Apr
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Apr
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.53% in Apr
Nashville WarblerLeiothlypis ruficapillaWinter visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.52% in Apr
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaPassage migrantCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.52% in Apr
WilletTringa semipalmataResidentCommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Apr
Cedar WaxwingBombycilla cedrorumWinter visitorCommon15–18 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.51% in Apr
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Apr
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensResidentCommon14–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Apr- Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesWinter visitorUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.47% in Apr
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaPassage migrantUncommon10–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.45% in Apr
Ladder-backed WoodpeckerDryobates scalarisResidentCommon16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Apr
Chipping SparrowSpizella passerinaWinter visitorCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Apr
Lark SparrowChondestes grammacusSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Apr
Tufted TitmouseBaeolophus bicolorResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Apr
Common GrackleQuiscalus quisculaResidentCommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Apr
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusPassage migrantUncommon18–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.44% in Apr
Ruby-crowned KingletCorthylio calendulaWinter visitorCommon9–11 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.43% in Apr
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.41% in Apr
Eastern BluebirdSialia sialisResidentCommon16–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Apr
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusPassage migrantUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.40% in Apr
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusSummer visitorCommon17–22 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.39% in Apr
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaWinter visitorCommon29–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Apr
Northern Yellow WarblerSetophaga aestivaPassage migrantCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.36% in Apr
American RobinTurdus migratoriusResidentCommon20–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Apr
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentCommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Apr
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsWinter visitorCommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Apr
Orange-crowned WarblerLeiothlypis celataWinter visitorCommon11–14 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.33% in Apr
White-crowned SparrowZonotrichia leucophrysWinter visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.33% in Apr
Forster's TernSterna forsteriResidentUncommon33–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Apr- Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensWinter visitorUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.33% in Apr
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisSummer visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.33% in Apr
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.32% in Apr
OspreyPandion haliaetusWinter visitorCommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Apr- Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaPassage migrantUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.29% in Apr
- Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.28% in Apr
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Apr- Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.27% in Apr
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanPassage migrantUncommon32–36 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.25% in Apr
DickcisselSpiza americanaSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in Apr
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaPassage migrantUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.23% in Apr
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Apr
Clay-colored SparrowSpizella pallidaWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.23% in Apr
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Apr
Marsh WrenCistothorus palustrisWinter visitorUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.23% in Apr
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisWinter visitorCommon43–54 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.23% in Apr
American AvocetRecurvirostra americanaResidentUncommon43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Apr
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Apr
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.20% in Apr
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Apr
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaWinter visitorUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.19% in Apr
Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusSummer visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.19% in Apr
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Apr
OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaPassage migrantUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.19% in Apr
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.19% in Apr
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusWinter visitorUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.18% in Apr
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.18% in Apr
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.18% in Apr
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.18% in Apr
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.16% in Apr
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaPassage migrantUncommon10–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Apr
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Apr
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusPassage migrantUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.15% in Apr
Pine SiskinSpinus pinusWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.15% in Apr
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaSummer visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.15% in Apr
Greater RoadrunnerGeococcyx californianusResidentUncommon52–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Apr
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaPassage migrantUncommon28–32 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.14% in Apr
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusWinter visitorUncommon23–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Apr
Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavoResidentUncommon100–125 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorUncommon33–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentUncommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusResidentUncommon40–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.13% in Apr
Fulvous Whistling-DuckDendrocygna bicolorResidentUncommon45–53 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentUncommon47–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
VeeryCatharus fuscescensPassage migrantUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.12% in Apr
American Herring GullLarus smithsonianusWinter visitorUncommon53–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.12% in Apr
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.12% in Apr
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorSummer visitorUncommon22–24 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.11% in Apr
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaResidentUncommon40–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Apr
Swamp SparrowMelospiza georgianaWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.10% in Apr
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.10% in Apr
Ruddy DuckOxyura jamaicensisWinter visitorUncommon35–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantUncommon24–28 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.10% in Apr
Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusResidentUncommon46–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
Vesper SparrowPooecetes gramineusWinter visitorUncommon13–17 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.10% in Apr
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.10% in Apr
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaPassage migrantUncommon14–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in Apr
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.09% in Apr
Barred OwlStrix variaResidentUncommon43–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.09% in Apr
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Black TernChlidonias nigerSummer visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Apr
Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatusWinter visitorUncommon14–18 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.08% in Apr
Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Apr
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentUncommon66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusWinter visitorUncommon70–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
Song SparrowMelospiza melodiaWinter visitorCommon12–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.07% in Apr
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorUncommon24–34 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.07% in Apr
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.06% in Apr
Eastern Screech-owlMegascops asioResidentUncommon16–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Say's PhoebeSayornis sayaResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalusResidentUncommon19–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentUncommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraWinter visitorUncommon36–43 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in Apr
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorUncommon19–22 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Apr
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaPassage migrantRare12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.05% in Apr
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisResidentUncommon16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.05% in Apr
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Fish CrowCorvus ossifragusSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
White-breasted NuthatchSitta carolinensisResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Acorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorusSummer visitorUncommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Apr
Monk ParakeetMyiopsitta monachusResidentUncommon29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.03% in Apr
American BitternBotaurus lentiginosusWinter visitorRare58–85 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Apr
Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglectaWinter visitorUncommon16–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemasticaPassage migrantRare36–42 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.03% in Apr
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusSummer visitorRare48–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Apr
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisWinter visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Apr
Elf OwlMicrathene whitneyiSummer visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.02% in Apr
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in Apr
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.02% in Apr
Virginia RailRallus limicolaWinter visitorRare20–27 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in Apr
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorRare23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescensWinter visitorRare11–13 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in Apr
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentRare18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaResidentRare19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusPassage migrantRare16–20 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.01% in Apr
Ferruginous Pygmy-owlGlaucidium brasilianumWinter visitorRare15–19 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.01% in Apr
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorRare39–56 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.01% in Apr
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusSummer visitorRare86–230 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Western Screech-owlMegascops kennicottiiSummer visitorRare19–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesResidentRare81–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorUncommon53–76 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentRare140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentRare75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Helmeted GuineafowlNumida meleagrisSummer visitorRare53–63 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentRare50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorRare31–38 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorRare52–60 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorRare48–60 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in Apr
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentRare66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
GarganeySpatula querquedulaScarceRare37–41 cmRegularly Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusSummer visitorRare46–51 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.00% in Apr
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Apr
Northern GannetMorus bassanusWinter visitorRare87–100 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorRare62–68 cmRegularly Dec–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Red JunglefowlGallus gallusResidentRare42–75 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Apr
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantRare41–46 cmRegularly Feb–Jun · 0.00% in Apr
Lewis's WoodpeckerMelanerpes lewisPassage migrantRare26–28 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Flammulated OwlPsiloscops flammeolusSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
BudgerigarMelopsittacus undulatusSummer visitorRare18–20 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.00% in Apr
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made