The World Birding Center says "...The Rio Grande Valley hosts one of the most spectacular convergences of birds on earth. Almost 500 species have been documented in this unique place. Many breed and nest along the quiet Laguna’s, palm-fringed Resaca’s and in the lush thorn forests. Each year, birders come here to witness this majestic migratory journey. Birders also come to see bird species they can't find anyplace else in the country from the Green Jay and the Buff-bellied Hummingbird to the Great Kiskadee and the Altamira Oriole..." (photo from World Birding Center)

Birding in Texas is at its best in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. With well over 500 species and varieties of birds that make the Valley their home or migration destination each year, the Valley is noted for its large number of local birding clubs and organizations who stage prominent birding festivals each year.

Thousands gather every July...thousands of birds that is...a bird lovers paradise awaits on the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The Brownsville International Birding Festival offers nature lovers a complete program of field trips, seminars, and talks that explores the biodiversity of south Texas and northern Mexico.

The Notable Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival is staged in November in Harlingen each year and features some of the best lectures and seminars available to North American birders as well as a good selection of hosted birding tours around the Valley and in Mexico.

The Rio Grande Valley Bird Observatory at the Lower Rio Grande Valley Nature Center. According to bird specialists, fully 90% or more of native brush and forested habitats have been cleared in the Valley since the advent of large-scale agribusiness. The study of habitat remnants can be an important step in documenting the value of these areas and spurring further conservation of them. The Rio Grande Valley Bird Observatory is conducting bird censuses of a variety of habitats Valleywide.

The World Birding Center is a multi-facility collection of bird sanctuaries, nature centers and natural habitat on state and federal land that is perhaps one of the leading birding operations in the Americas. Participating facilities include the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park (Headquarters); Edinburg Scenic Wetlands; Estero Llano Grande State Park, Harlingen; Arroyo Colorado; Old Hidalgo Pumphouse, Quinta; Mazatlan Resaca de la Palma State Park; Roma Bluffs; and South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center.