Home > Things to Do > Sports > Birding

Birding

Welcome & Bienvenidos !

Blessed with a rich and diverse river eco-system, Laredo is home to hundreds of species of local and migratory birds, which include our very own prized birds: the Morelet’s Seedeater, Scaled Quail, Grey Hawk, Audubon’s and Altamira Orioles, Green Parakeets, Muscovy Duck, Red-billed Pigeon and Clay-colored Thrush.

In Laredo, you will have unprecedented access to view many rare avian beauties. Birding enthusiasts describe Laredo as the only place in the U.S. to have boasted four species of Kingfisher: the Ringed,Belted, Green and Amazon.

Amazon Kingfisher
Photo by Raul Delgado

Muscovy Ducks
Photo by Raul Delgado

Morelet's Seedeater
Photo by Raul Delgado

The Rio Grande International Study Center is charged with planning the annual Laredo Birding Festival. During this time, birders have a chance to select from a variety of full-day scenic trips. Escorted by professional field guides and members of our local Monte Mucho Audubon Society, bird watchers will have the opportunity to explore areas along Laredo’s river front, creek systems, nature trails and private ranchland.

Here are a few trails and private ranches that have been available in past festivals:

The Chacon Creek Trail

Visitors can access this trail through the following Laredo Parks: Benavides Softball Complex, Dryden Park, and the Garcia Vela Little League Field. This trail extends from the Rio Grande up to Highway 359 along both sides of the creek for approximately three miles.

Lake Casa Blanca International State Park

An area often overlooked by birders, is along Casa Blanca Road below the dam, a road that parallels a portion of Chacon Creek, the watershed that feeds the lake. The edge of the creek can be walked to search for Green Jays, native sparrows, and migrating warblers. The lake wetlands provide habitat for wintering ducks and shorebirds as well as Osprey and American White Pelicans. Lake Casa Blanca is a state park and its main entrance is across the Laredo International Airport on Bob Bullock Loop.

Las Palmas Trail

This trail begins just east of International Bridge II. It extends for half a mile along the Rio Grande and ends at Zacate Creek. Clay-colored Thrush, White-tipped Doves, and Green Jays are known to nest in this area.

North Central Park

Located in North Laredo, this park has asphalted trails which wind around a beaver pond and boasts some of the best wildlife viewing in the city. The Morelet's Seedeater has also been seen here.

Paseo Del Indio Trail

Begins behind the river road at the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center located on the Laredo Community College campus on West End Washington Street and extends for a mile along the Rio Grande.

Ranchito Road

Adjoining Lake Casa Blanca International State Park and runs between a lagoon and a wetland. Great place to see shorebirds and ducks as well as the Morelet's Seedeater.

Robert Muller Trails

This trail is located in northwest Laredo and can be accessed at the end of Atlanta Drive. This trail follows the pond in a circular pattern. The trail extends one quarter mile across 21 acres of land.

St. Peter’s Square

Found in the historic district of Saint Peter this square boasts Green Parakeets roosting in the old buildings. They can be seen taking off at sunrise and coming back to roost at sunset.

Zacate Creek Trails

Visitors can access the trails along the banks of the creek or at the following parks: Seven Flags, Eistetter, Taylor and Cecilia Moreno. The trails extend along both sides of the creek for approximately three quarters of a mile starting at the Rio Grande. This creek is a nesting area for the Morelet's Seedeater, Audubon’s Oriole, and Black Phoebe. Four Kingfisher species have been seen here including Ringed, Belted, Green and Amazon. No place else in the United States can claim that!

Killam Ranch

Killam Ranch has ranked as the top site for birds in the Laredo Christmas Bird Count for the past 10 years, making it an ideal field trip for birders. 2015 is the first year that Killam Ranch joined as a partner with the Laredo Birding Festival. Some of Laredo's largest ponds and pastures are located on the Killam Ranch, and an array of waterbirds frequent the ranch: Northern Bobwhite, American White Pelican, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, and Ruddy Ducks to name a few.

Rocking R6 Ranch

The Rocking R6 Ranch is situated in Tamaulipan Thornscrub country, just north of Laredo. Butch & Zita Ramirez's ranch provide wildlife photographers the very best camouflage blinds for those seeking South Texas wildlife in their natural settings.

La Perla Ranch

At La Perla, you will have the rare opportunity to bird in one of the most scenic and historic ranches in South Texas. The ranch owners have invested significantly in trophy game management for all waterfowl, deer and professional bass fishing. The Tamaulipan scrub habitat is home to a variety of year-round and wintering species of birds, too.

If this is your first time birding in Laredo or you are a repeat visitor, we warmly welcome you to our wonderful city!

For more information about the Festival visit

the official Laredo Birding Festival Website.