The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Hornsby Bend

Texas · Southeast

ModerateView on eBird
Habitat
ForestWetland
Best Seasons
SpringFallWinter
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Hornsby Bend is a productive birding destination in Texas, with 362 species recorded on eBird. This forest and wetland habitat attracts Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, and Gadwall among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

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Notable Species

Blue-winged TealNorthern ShovelerGadwallAmerican WigeonGreen-winged Teal

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

3/5/2026Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)3 observed

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

3/5/2026Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)5 observed

White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

3/5/2026Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park5 observed

Eastern Towhee

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

3/5/2026Commons Ford Ranch Metro Park1 observed

White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

3/5/2026Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park4 observed

Pyrrhuloxia

Cardinalis sinuatus

3/5/2026Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park1 observed

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

3/5/2026Brittlyns Court1 observed

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

3/5/2026Brittlyns Court1 observed

Pyrrhuloxia

Cardinalis sinuatus

3/4/2026Brackenridge Field Labs (U.Tx.)1 observed

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

3/4/2026Town Lake Park (HOTE 042), Austin1 observed

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

3/4/2026Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)2 observed

White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

3/3/2026Congress Ave. (Ann W. Richards) Bridge (HOTE 041), Austin4 observed

Baird's Sandpiper

Calidris bairdii

3/3/2026Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)1 observed

Pyrrhuloxia

Cardinalis sinuatus

3/3/2026Jenkins1 observed

White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

3/3/2026Roy G. Guerrero Park—Secret Beach4 observed

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

3/3/2026Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)2 observed

White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

3/2/2026Roy G. Guerrero Park—Secret Beach1 observed

White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

3/2/2026Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park1 observed

White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

3/2/2026N Pleasant Valley Rd, Austin US-TX 30.24970, -97.713251 observed

Allen's Hummingbird

Selasphorus sasin

3/2/2026Rob Roy Rd1 observed

Recent Observations

Blue-winged Teal

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

24 birds

Northern Shoveler

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

700 birds

Gadwall

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

2 birds

American Wigeon

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

4 birds

Green-winged Teal

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

44 birds

Ring-necked Duck

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

12 birds

Lesser Scaup

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

22 birds

Ruddy Duck

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

16 birds

Mourning Dove

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

3 birds

American Coot

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

66 birds

Killdeer

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

3 birds

Least Sandpiper

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

12 birds

Turkey Vulture

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

1 birds

Crested Caracara

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

1 birds

American Kestrel

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

1 birds

Savannah Sparrow

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

7 birds

Eastern Meadowlark

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

1 birds

Red-winged Blackbird

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

6 birds

Brewer's Blackbird

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

7 birds

Great-tailed Grackle

Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)

3/5/2026

2 birds

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Listen for vocalizations to locate canopy-dwelling warblers and vireos.

  2. 2

    Check forest edges and clearings for flycatchers and thrushes.

  3. 3

    Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Amenities

Parking
Trails

More in Texas

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Remote Chihuahuan Desert park with the only US breeding population of Colima Warbler.

Birding Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Bird Migration: Hawks, Sparrows, and Confusing Plumages

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City: The Complete Urban Migration Guide

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Hornsby Bend for birding?▼
The best months to visit Hornsby Bend for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.
What birds can I see at Hornsby Bend?▼
Notable species at Hornsby Bend include Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal. The area supports forest, wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Hornsby Bend?▼
Birding at Hornsby Bend is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Hornsby Bend?▼
Hornsby Bend offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.