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Meet Other Birders and Learn from the Experts
In general, birders are a very outgoing, intelligent and helpful group of people. The experienced birdwatchers in the Texas Panhandle are eager to welcome, involve and educate new birders. The Panhandle is so large (more than 25,000 square miles) that to really understand all of the avian species in the area takes lots of participants reporting from all over the Panhandle. By gathering for monthly meetings, we can get to know one another and share our birding adventures, questions and photos. All of that will lead not only to connection and comradarie, but also to better citizen science as we explore and record the birds of the Texas Panhandle. Put the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. on your calendar for the Panhandle Bird Club meeting.
January Meeting
Bird of the Month
Wood Duck
Wood Ducks are year-round residents of the Texas Panhandle and are beloved for their vibrant coloring. Males are irridescent green and burgandy with red eyes and a white chinstrap. Their helmet-shaped head is unique among the duck species. Females are duller, but have a distinctive large white teardrop eye ring. Her warm brown plumage has some blue plumage in the wings.
Wood Ducks are also unique because they are one of the few ducks that climb trees. They nest in tree cavities and artificial nest boxes placed on poles or in trees. They are found in many parks and ponds in the Texas Panhandle. They are a dabbling duck, feeding by sticking their head and neck underwater or occasionally their butts in the air and their bills into the water to grab food available near the surface. They are mainly aquatic plant and seed eaters and will even eat acorns or field grain.
