Texas birdlife is strongly influenced by the incredible diversity of habitats found within its borders. The Rio Grande corridor is a great example of this diversity. From El Paso to Brownsville, this once-majestic river forms the 1,569-mile southern and western borders of Texas. At El Paso, the average rainfall is only nine inches per year compared to the 26-inch annual rainfall ofthe subtropical Lower Rio Grande Valley. In between can be found the magnificent Chihuahuan Desert with its mountain islands, the Stockton and Edwards Plateaus, and the brush-covered plains of South Texas.
Finding all the birds in Texas can be a lifetime pursuit. Basic Texas Birds, an easy-to-use field guide, will help you identify over 180 species of birds that are found across the state, including a selection of the rarer "Texas specialties" that draw birders to Texas from around the world. These are the birds that form the basis of a birder's life list for Texas. Basic Texas Birds is organized by bird families to aid in identifying any bird you see in the wild. It is loaded with resources, including: 200 full-color, close-up photos of the birds State-of-the-art range maps--the most accurate of any currently available--that show each species' distribution within the state Up-to-date species accounts that provide a wealth of current and historical information, including each bird's appearance, habitat, status, and distribution, and that also identify similar species A glossary of terms used in bird identification A list of selected readings for learning more about birds found in Texas The Texas Ornithological Society's list of birds documented in Texas Much more convenient for identifying common birds than a comprehensive state or national field guide, Basic Texas Birds is a must-have resource for both beginning and experienced birders.
