Warm days, bluebonnets patches, the return of paddle boarders to Lady Bird Lake — Austin, spring is here. And that means a very special Central Texan is making his way home.
The Hill Country’s Golden-cheeked warbler is the only bird who nests entirely in Texas. In honor of his homecoming, we’re telling you a little about the tiny gold-and-black resident.
Little bird, big deal
Golden-cheeked warblers nest in juniper-oak woodlands , especially those in ravines and canyons. They survive on bugs and spiders, and rely on thin strips of cedar bark to build their nests.
The birds may be small — 4.5 inches , to be exact — but they can live a surprisingly long time. The oldest known warbler was recorded as almost 11 years old , before being released back into the wild.
In addition to being highly sought after by birdwatchers, a warbler even played a guest role in the television series “Will & Grace.”
Male warblers return to Central Texas starting in late March, and typically stay until summer time before flying south for their vacation homes in Mexico and Central America.
The Golden-cheeked warbler prefers pristine Hill Country habitat with oak, juniper, and cedar trees. | Photo by ATXtoday
Conservation
Golden-cheeked warblers are currently on the Endangered Species List , and have been losing their habitat since the late 1800s, as trees were cleared for local development. Although the birds are small, each pair needs a nesting territory of 5-20 acres.
The largest loss has been in Travis, Williamson, and Bexar counties — no surprise there, as the Austin metro population has grown 1,500% since 1950 .
Although the bird’s population has grown
in recent years, it is still endangered. Here are some ways you can help them:
- Make your windows bird-safe
- Maintain old-growth junipers on your property
- Participate in Lights Out actions
- Support local conservation groups
- More tips here