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."
Birdwatching for beginners in Austin
Austin is no stranger to this fun (and inexpensive) hobby, having been ranked one of the top 10 best cities for birding in 2023. The Travis Audubon Society is the best local resource for diving into the world of birdwatching, and its organizers host classes and field trips across all skill levels.
The nonprofit lists 25 different "permanent residents" that live in the Austin area year round, including mourning doves, inca doves, Carolina wrens, European starlings, house sparrows, northern cardinals, and many 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, Travis Audubon recommend David Allen Sibley's 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.
Austinites can also make a day out of birdwatching by visiting Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory or Barton Creek Habitat Preserve. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also has a thorough list of parks, sanctuaries, and habitats for finding birds around Austin, organized by geographic area.
