BIRDS of a FEATHER flock to Port A

Haven’t you heard? In Port Aransas, bird is the word! One stop at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center in the Port Aransas Nature Preserve and you’ll know why. Avid and novice birders alike are entranced by the species that make their way to Port A during fall and spring migrations.

One of the more unusual species you can find during the winter season is the endangered Whooping Crane, one of the rarest birds in North America. This magnificent crane is well-known for its bright red head and can reach five feet in height! The “Whoopers,” as they are affectionately known, spend the colder months on the Texas Gulf Coast, and birders travel internationally to attend Port A’s Whooping Crane Festival. The festival is a four-day celebration of the birds, and a unique opportunity for birdwatchers to see them in their natural habitat… and check a sighting off their bucket list!

Winter is not the only time you can see unique birds like the Whooping Crane, though. At any time of year, look up and you might see the flash of a bright pink wing swooping overhead. No, you didn’t just spot a flamingo…that rosycolored species is a Roseate Spoonbill, the official city bird of Port Aransas. Area wetlands are an ideal place to spot these delightful birds and their spoon-shaped bills!

Port Aransas is home to dozens of birds that will ruffle your feathers in the best way. Make sure to pack your binoculars, because you never know what you might see in Port Aransas!