Texas flies high as the 3rd best state for birdwatching, study finds

This is the year Texans get outdoors and enjoy the sound of birdsong: The Lone Star State has soared to the top as the No. 3 best state for birdwatching in 2025, according to a new study by Lawn Love.

The report ranked all 50 states based on five "feather-forward" categories, such as each state's climate, conservation efforts, access to parks and sanctuaries, number of bird varieties, and general popularity of the hobby.

California (No. 1) and Florida (No. 2) were the two bird-loving states that scored higher than Texas, while New York (No. 4) and Washington (No. 5) rounded out the top five.

Here's how the report breaks down Texas' rank across the five main categories:

• No. 1 – Bird variety rank
• No. 1 – Conservation rank
• No. 7 – Access rank
• No. 25 – Climate rank
• No. 41 – Popularity rank

Lawn Love's findings revealed that 679 different species of birds can be found in Texas, which is the second greatest numerical variety of birds nationwide. The report added there are five different Audubon societies and sanctuaries in the state, and 19 wildlife refuges.

Audobon Texas' "Lights Out, Texas!" campaign is a major contributor to the state's No. 1 rank in conservation, as the program raises awareness and educates about light pollution, which effects billions of migratory birds that fly through the state every year.

"Approximately 1 of every 3 birds migrating through the U.S. in spring, and 1 of every 4 birds migrating through the U.S. in the fall, or nearly two billion birds, passes through Texas in one of the planet’s great wildlife spectacles," the Audubon website says. "Unfortunately, light emanating from our cities can disorient birds, leaving them confused and vulnerable to urban threats like collisions with buildings."

In 2020, Houston was certified as “Bird City” from Audubon Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s inaugural Bird City Texas program. The city held the designation until 2022.

Birdwatching for beginners in Houston
Houston is no stranger to this fun (and inexpensive) hobby, having been ranked the third best U.S. city for birding in 2023. The Houston Audubon is the best local resource for diving into the world of birdwatching, and its organizers host events and field trips across all skill levels.

The society manages 17 nature sanctuaries in the Houston and Galveston area, totaling more than 4,100 acres of land.

"Established in 1969 as an autonomous, self-supporting chapter of the National Audubon Society, Houston Audubon's mission is to advance the conservation of birds and their habitats in the Greater Houston Gulf Coast region," its website says. "This is accomplished through acquiring and maintaining critical habitat as bird sanctuaries, providing education programs and nature experiences, and advocating policy and management actions in support of the mission."

The Audubon lists dozens of birds that can be found in the Upper Texas Coast throughout the year, including cerulean warblers, mourning doves, roseate spoonbills, Carolina wrens, and more.

Free apps like Merlin Bird ID and Audubon Bird Guide are handy tools for tech-savvy beginners to get acquainted with their local bird species. For those who prefer a physical field guide, Houston Audubon recommends David Allen Sibley's books, such as The Sibley Guide to Birds Second Edition. Enthusiasts who want to test their skills on a road trip would get good use out of The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, which also covers most areas of Texas.

Houstonians can also make a day out of birdwatching by visiting several city parks or taking a drive to Brazos Bend State Park.