Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds in North America. There are over 300 species of hummingbirds, but only a handful regularly breed in the United States. These tiny birds make incredible migrations each year, with some species traveling thousands of miles between their summer and winter ranges.
Texas is prime hummingbird real estate, both for breeding hummingbirds and for migrating hummingbirds. There are several species that nest in the Lone Star State, and many more pass through on their way to and from wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. This makes Texas an excellent place for birders and nature lovers to see these flying jewels up close.
But when and where are the best places in Texas to observe hummingbirds? One of the best ways is by attending a hummingbird festival. These celebrations occur throughout the state in areas where hummingbird populations are densest. They bring together experts and enthusiasts to learn about hummingbirds, view them in the wild, and enjoy presentations, walks, and more.
Key Questions
- What are the major hummingbird festivals in Texas?
- When do they take place?
- What activities and experiences do they offer?
- What species of hummingbirds can be seen?
- What are the best locations for viewing hummingbirds in Texas?
Major Hummingbird Festivals in Texas
There are several noteworthy hummingbird festivals across Texas each year that attract both local and out-of-state visitors. Here are four of the biggest and most popular:
Rockport-Fulton Hummingbird Festival
The Rockport-Fulton Hummingbird Festival is one of Texas’ longest-running and most well-attended hummingbird celebrations. It takes place in the charming coastal towns of Rockport and Fulton, located about 30 miles northeast of Corpus Christi. The festival occurs over two days in mid-September, typically around the third weekend of the month.
In 2023, the 23rd annual Rockport-Fulton Hummingbird Festival will take place on September 15-16. Some activities visitors can enjoy are:
- Speaker presentations about hummingbird behavior, biology, migration, and conservation
- Guided hummingbird watching tours
- A hummingbird banding demonstration
- A vendor fair with hummingbird plants, feeders, crafts, and more
- A hummingbird photo contest
- A hummingbird art contest
Davis Mountains Hummingbird Festival
Taking place in the scenic Davis Mountains of West Texas, this festival celebrates the large number of hummingbirds that pass through the region in late summer/early fall as they migrate south. The Davis Mountains Hummingbird Festival is headquartered in Fort Davis and takes place over a weekend in mid-August.
In 2023, the festival will be held August 18-20. It features guided birding tours, banding demonstrations, presentations about hummingbirds and other native birds, workshops for nature photography, and opportunities to visit local gardens and ranches ideal for hummingbird watching. Species visitors may see include Rufous Hummingbirds, Black-chinned Hummingbirds, and more.
Wings Over Water Hummingbird Festival
On the eastern side of Texas in Nacogdoches and Lufkin, the Wings Over Water Hummingbird Festival capitalizes on the diverse birdlife found in the Big Thicket region. The festival happens over three days in late August/early September.
The 2023 event is scheduled for August 31 to September 2. In addition to speakers, tours, banding demos, and workshops, festival goers can participate in a rare nighttime hummingbird banding session to observe nocturnal behaviors. Species spotted include Ruby-throated, Rufous, and Black-chinned Hummingbirds.
South Texas Birding Festival
Hosted by the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, this multi-day event celebrates the amazing diversity of birds that converge in South Texas each spring and fall. It includes several hummingbird-themed presentations and tours.
In 2023, the festival will take place from November 1-4 in Harlingen, Texas. The Rio Grande Valley is a migratory hotspot where North America’s only regularly occuring hummingbird species, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, mixes with Mexican species like Buff-bellied Hummingbirds.
Festival Dates and Timeframes
Most organized hummingbird festivals take place in Texas in late summer through early fall. This coincides with the peak fall southward migration of hummingbirds through the state.
Here are the typical timeframes for the major festivals:
- Rockport-Fulton Hummingbird Festival: Mid-September
- Davis Mountains Hummingbird Festival: Mid-August
- Wings Over Water Hummingbird Festival: Late August/Early September
- South Texas Birding Festival: Early November
Seeing hummingbirds during migration is common at the mid-August through November events. For the best chance to see summer resident hummingbirds in Texas, mid-May through early July are ideal months.
Festival Activities and Experiences
Texas’ hummingbird festivals offer many ways for visitors to learn about and observe these energetic birds up close. Common festival activities include:
Educational Presentations
Experts like ornithologists and researchers give talks about hummingbird biology, behavior, migration patterns, feeding needs, and conservation. These provide lots of interesting facts about hummingbirds.
Guided Tours
Festivals offer guided bird watching excursions to local natural areas and private gardens where hummingbird concentrations are highest. These target the best places to see and photograph the birds.
Hummingbird Banding
Banding is when tiny bands placed around a hummingbird’s leg to track migration. At festivals, you can watch trained experts gently catch and band the birds. Banding reveals data about ages, sexes, and travel routes.
Native Plant Tours
See gardens and parks growing native flowers specially cultivated to attract hummingbirds through sight, scent, and nectar. Tours highlight the best plants for feeding the birds.
Workshops
Many festivals provide hummingbird photography and birdwatching workshops for beginners. These teach tips and techniques for capturing quality photos and observations of the birds.
Vendor Fairs
Browse booths and exhibits selling specialized equipment like nectar feeders, field guides, binoculars, photography gear, and more. Vendors also have native plants, natural balms, artwork, crafts, clothing, and food.
Species of Hummingbirds in Texas
Texas has some of the best hummingbird diversity in the United States. Here are some species festival attendees may spot:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Most common and widespread hummingbird in Eastern U.S.
- Iridescent green backs, white breast, males have ruby red throat
- Nest in Texas, migrates through the state
Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Common summer resident in Texas
- Males have purple throat, females and juveniles white-tipped tails
- Found year-round in south Texas
Rufous Hummingbird
- Routes through Texas during migration
- Males are fiery orange all over
- One of the farthest migrating hummingbirds
Calliope Hummingbird
- Tiniest breeding hummingbird
- Breeds in New Mexico mountains, passes through western Texas
- Males have colorful streaks of magenta and green
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
- Only resident along Rio Grande Valley in Texas
- Males have striking blue-green backs, females are more muted
- Does not migrate north
Broad-billed Hummingbird
- Rare visitor to south Texas
- Breeds in Mexico and is vagrant in U.S.
- Stocky dark bill and bright red bill base
Top Hummingbird Watching Locations
Here are some top spots for spying hummingbirds across Texas beyond festivals:
Davis Mountains
A mountainous birder’s paradise with over 450 species recorded. Several hummingbirds present during summer nesting and migration.
High Island
Famous migrant trap on the coast. Hundreds of thousands of birds pass through in April/May, including dazzling male hummingbirds.
South Llano River State Park
Nesting Black-chins and migrating Ruby-throats in the Hill Country. Features a hummingbird viewing area with feeders.
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
Located along coastal flyway. Great for viewing migrating and wintering hummingbirds in the eastern part of the state.
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
Far south Texas park with year-round Buff-bellied Hummingbirds and rarer species like Violet-crowned Hummingbird.
Chisos Mountains
Rugged mountains within Big Bend National Park. Rufous Hummingbirds and other species migrate through this desert oasis.
Conclusion
For seeing hummingbirds in Texas, attending a dedicated festival offers an excellent chance to learn about and observe these remarkable birds. Major festivals happen in Rockport-Fulton, Fort Davis, Nacogdoches, and Harlingen between August and November when hummingbird activity peaks across the state.
Festivals feature speaker presentations on biology and behavior, guided hummingbird watching tours, banding demonstrations, native plant tours, photography workshops, and vendor fairs. Species spotted include Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Rufous Hummingbirds, Black-chinned Hummingbirds, and rarer visitors like Broad-billed Hummingbirds.
Beyond festivals, top Texas hummingbird watching spots range from the Davis Mountains in the west, High Island on the coast, South Llano River State Park in central Texas, and Lower Rio Grande Valley parks in the south. So grab your binoculars and camera and start planning a Texas hummingbird watching adventure!
