World Birding Center
The World Birding Center (WBC) is a network of nine sites dotted along 120 miles of the Rio Grande Valley from South Padre Island west to Roma. Local communities, state and federal organizations have combined efforts to promote eco-tourism within the region while protecting native habitat and increasing the understanding and appreciation of birds and wildlife.
World Birding Center sites and partnerships include:
The Rio Grande Valley has long been recognized as a world famous birding destination documenting over 500 species of birds, approximately 53% of the bird species seen in North America. In comparison of total number of species recorded, the Rio Grande Valley has documented more than Floridaor Louisiana. Only Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico equal or exceed this total. If the RGV were a state, we'd be in the "Top 5" birding states.
One of North America’s best birding spots, the Rio Grande Valley is located at the Mexican border and is the northernmost part of the range for many Mexican bird species. More than 30 Rio Grande Valley birds are not found anywhere else in the United States.
The North American Eastern (Mississippi) and Central migration flyways pass through the Rio Grande Valley seasonally funneling millions of migrants including song birds, warblers, waterfowl, waders and raptors through the area making it a diverse bird watching hotspot.
The Rio Grande Valley is one of the richest, most diverse biological areas in the United States. Eleven distinct habitat communities converge in the four county (Willacy, Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr) area, attracting a variety of bird species. These diverse habitats include intersections of desert and tropical vegetation zones, forest, brush, grasslands, coastal prairies, plus saltwater and freshwater resources.
For more information visit www.theworldbirdingcenter.com