South Texas Trip ~ January 14, 2005

On the very cold morning of the 14th, we went back to Bentsen at dawn and joined the other birders at Kingfisher Overlook looking for the Social Flycatcher. Over two hours later, I noticed a lemon-breasted bird come out of the brush between the bird blind and the boat ramp. Expecting it to be just another Kiskadee, I realized that the back and wings were dull green, not reddish brown. Then, the bird turned its head and I realized that it had a tiny bill---it was the Social Flycatcher! After pointing it out to Babe, I notified the rest of the surrounding birders. We all got excellent looks at it as it sunned itself before flying off towards the old trailer loop. As it turned out, that was the last day that it was seen.

Social Flycatcher at Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, Texas. Note the dull green wings and back and small bill compared to the Great Kiskadee's below. This bird represents only the 2nd record for the United States!

Next, we headed to a McAllen backyard where we saw the Green-breasted Mango that was there among several Buff-bellied Hummingbirds.

Green-breasted Mango at a backyard in McAllen, Texas. Note the male's green color, white flanks, curved bill, and red-violet tail. This male was visiting the feeders at 500 Rose Ellen Boulevard. It vigorously defended 'its' feeder from several Buff-bellied Hummingbirds.

Buff-bellied Hummingbird at a backyard in McAllen, Texas. Note the bright green head, chestnut tail, and red bill with a black tip. The buff-colored belly is barely visible. This bird was one of several that were visiting the feeders at 500 Rose Ellen Boulevard.

It was there that a birder told us that the Blue Mockingbird had just been seen at Allen Williams' residence in nearby Pharr. We went there and although we didn't see this skulker, we did find a female Crimson-collared Grosbeak and an Olive Sparrow among the expected birds.

Great Kiskadee in Pharr, Texas. Note the black and white stripes on the head, the lemon yellow belly, and the rufous wings and tail. Also note the longer, thicker bill compared to the Social Flycatcher above. This bird was photographed in a Pharr resident's backyard.

Olive Sparrow in Pharr, Texas. Note the brown stripes on the head, the olive green wings and tail, and the unmarked gray breast. Also note the thin black line through the eye, which is bordered by white crescents. This bird was photographed in a Pharr resident's backyard.

From there, we headed up the valley and stopped at Salineno in the late afternoon. Although we didn't see Muscovy Duck, we did see Green Kingfisher and six Brown Jays.

Brown Jay at Salineno, Texas. Note the yellow bill, which designates this as a young bird. This was one of six Brown Jays that were there in addition to 3 Great Horned Owls, and Belted and Green Kingfisher. This bird was photographed near the boat ramp at the Rio Grande River.

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