Cross Creek Ranch - Birds of a Katy & Fulshear Feather

Thousands of birds migrate to Texas for the winter, but there are some that stay year-round, and if you live here long enough, you can recognize their noises and the way they swoop through the sky. Here is a list of some of the birds you may see in your area.

Grasshopper Sparrow - Living in Texas, you're bound to see a sparrow. This species, however, is named for its buzzy sound, like the noise a grasshopper makes. Feeding mostly on insects, it can be seen flying short distances before dropping out of sight into tall grass.The upper parts of the sparrows feathers are streaked with brown, gray, black and white, with a light brown breast and white belly, with a short brown tail, chunky in stature. The sparrow adjusts to changes in habitat, leaving if it doesn't feel protected. They have an open cup nest, well-concealed on the ground under vegetation.

Red-tailed Hawk - You can hear the raspy scream of this large species of bird across the Katy and Fulshear area. Its wings are long and broad, with a noticeable red tail, and are found mostly in the grassland and dense forest areas. The hawks mate mostly in Canada and Alaska. When courting each other, the hawks soar in wide circles in the sky, with the male diving down at a steep drop, then shooting back up again, repeating this maneuver several times before approaching the female from above. The legs are extended, and he grasps her briefly as they interlock their talons while spiraling towards the ground. This hawk also has significance with the Native American Culture, its feathers considered sacred by some tribes.

Crested Caracara - This tropical species, closely related to falcons, is known as an opportunistic feeder, eating insects and small vertebrate prey. They wade in shallow water and peer under leaves to catch their prey. Wild, sedentary and long-lived, this species spends most of its time on the ground, taking on prey such as small prairie dogs, mice and lizards. Their tails are long and rounded, with their long legs perfect for walking through grassland. These birds mate for life, and the survival rate of a young Caracara is low, usually perishing because of fire ants or on highways when looking for food.

Greater Roadrunner - A long-legged bird in the cuckoo family, it is known for its rapid walk when attacking prey or jumping to reach insects or birds. At length the roadrunner is 56 centimeters and weighs 300 grams, mostly spending it's time sprinting through the plains at speeds of 15 miles an hour or more, flying only when its under duress. Also known for being a snake killer, the roadrunner also feasts on spiders, scorpions and lizards. It nests in cacti or in bushes, laying 3-6 eggs that hatch in 20 days.

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