Birds

Texas bird enthusiasts are reporting fewer birds even at their backyard feeders. It mirrors a trend of bird decline across the globe.

Local birders are recording the flight calls of the millions of birds that fly through the Houston area during spring migration.

State and federal agencies have confirmed Texas’ first case of a “highly pathogenic” avian influenza, but commercial egg and poultry operations have so far avoided outbreaks and widespread losses seen in other regions.

Nearly 23 million birds have died as a highly pathogenic bird flu virus tears its way through farms and chicken yards. It has spread to at least 24 states in less than two months.

For two years, researchers at the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve have been recording the preserve to see how human noise influences the natural world.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recognized Dripping Springs as a Bird City Texas Community. The designation has been awarded to only seven other cities in the state and recognizes the city's efforts to protect and celebrate its fluffy-winged neighbors.

According to the federal wildlife agency, this newly acquired land is a major stopover area for migratory birds. It will now be added to a nearly 70,000-acre wildlife refuge.

Environmental groups say it’s far too early to change the conservation status of the tallest and rarest birds in North America. Around 500 cranes currently make their way from Canada to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge every winter.

The city of Austin is considering turning off nonessential lights to help birds on their annual migration.

Experts believe a disease is spreading through bird feeders and bird baths.