The Number of Species and Subspecies of Birds in Texas
The Number of Species and Subspecies of Birds in Texas
In view of recent comparisons of the lists of birds known from the various states of the United States, a note concerning the number of species in Texas may be of interest. Texas is by considerable the largest state in the Union, and this great size together with its peculiarly intermediate geographic position naturally lead us to expect a large and varied avifauna. Nor does this expectation fail, for the list of birds now known is decidedly larger than that of any other state, amounting to 605 species and subspecies. Of these, 310 are permanent residents, that is, they occur during both summer and winter at some place within the boundaries of the state, though several of them do not, so far as known, breed within its boundaries. There are 78 summer residents, which are species found during the summer at some locality in the state, though not necessarily breeding, but which do not pass the winter here. Winter residents, including all those that occur at this season in only one locality, number 138; transients 42; casual visitors 23; and accidental visitors 14.
Harry C. Oberholser
Bureau of Biological Survey, Washington, D. C., January 6, 1917
