Our Valley Birds are renowned 🥰 We are so lucky to have these beautiful birds right in our backyard! 🦚🪶 Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding specialists! 💛🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas

Backyard Birding Tips

Scorching summer days are tough on birds. Here's how you can help them stay cool and safe this summer! 💧 Provide water: Use a shallow container. The more natural its appearance the more appealing it will be for birds. 🌿 Offer shade: Place water in a shady spot, near shrubs or trees. Nearby cover gives birds a safe escape from predators. 🧼 Keep it clean & fresh: Dirty water can be harmful—refresh it daily if possible! 📷 Image credits via Dreamstime.com 1: ID 123525497 © Davidgn 2: ID 5604918 © Naturesdisplay 3: ID 915296 © Lincolnrogers Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening #NatureCentered #ZEISS #ZEISSNature #birdwatching #BirdCareTips #BackyardBirding #SummerWildlife #NatureLovers

Did you know feathers are more than 90% protein?🪶🪶 🪶🤯 So growing new feathers—which a lot of adult songbirds are doing right now—demands a lot of protein, as well as fats. Most adult songbirds molt (change feathers) once a year, usually after nesting season. Worn feathers drop away and fresh ones emerge. You can make a difference by keeping your feeders full of high-fat, high-protein foods, such as our No-Mess Blends, peanuts, sunflower chips, mealworms, finch blends, and no-melt suets. These essential building blocks will help your birds maintain their health (and good looks!) throughout the molt. Keep your eyes peeled for these American Goldfinches in the coming months, as some come to overwinter in the Rio Grande Valley. 🎤🗓️ And don't miss the great FREE TALK THIS SATURDAY the 23rd with well-known local native plant expert Anita Westervelt! She'll teach us about the 12 native plants sure to bring HUMMINGBIRDS to your yard! 🌺 Be sure to stay after for our popular NATIVE PLANT SALE! 🛒🌻🌿 Details: https://www.facebook.com/wbumcallen/events https://mcallen.wbu.com/events Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 Featured Bird: American Goldfinches WBU Food: Finch Blend Feeder: Quick-Clean™ Medium Finch Feeder (Yellow) #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening

🐾 Say hello to our newest cute & cuddly arrivals! 🧸💚 We’ve just stocked up on brand new Fahlo plushes — meet the seal, manatee, koala, and whale! Not only are they absolutely adorable, but each plush comes with a real animal tracking experience 🌍 and supports global nonprofit efforts in animal rehabilitation and research. Not looking for a plush? No worries! ✨ Our new Fahlo bracelets are here too — and now you can track whales and koalas along with your favorite sea turtles, sharks, and more! Swing by the store to meet your new adventure buddy 🐋🐨 Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding specialists! 💛🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas

☀️ It might still feel like the height of summer, but some of our migratory birds are already on the move! 🐦✨ We're starting to see the return of a few early travelers here in the Rio Grande Valley — so now’s a great time to dust off those binoculars, keep your feeders fresh and filled, and offer a clean water source for our feathered visitors. Providing safe places to rest and refuel can make all the difference on their journey! 🔍 Keep an eye (and ear!) out for these early arrivals: 🌿 Yellow-breasted Chat – A tricky one to spot! These birds prefer dense thickets, but you might hear their bold, varied songs before you see them. 🌳 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – These tiny, energetic birds flit through trees with their long tails. They lose their “angry unibrow” outside of breeding season, so they’ll look a bit more subtle right now. 🌼 Yellow Warbler – Insect-lovers through and through, they thrive where native plants support healthy insect life. Their cheerful song sounds like: “sweet sweet sweet, I’m so sweet!” Keep your eyes peeled and share what you spot — we love hearing about your sightings! 📸🐥 Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding specialists! 💛🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas

✨ New Jewelry Alert! ✨ We’re thrilled to have fresh pieces in from https://www.facebook.com/dearsearrings - And they’re absolutely stunning! 🌿💎 These nature-inspired earrings and necklaces are the perfect addition to your collection. Think delicate butterfly wings, vibrant hummingbirds, and more designs that celebrate the beauty of the outdoors. 🦋🐦 Stop by and see which one speaks to you—you might just find a new favorite! Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding specialists! 💛🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas

🦋 Who doesn't love butterflies? 🦋 If you want to invite more of these beautiful pollinators into your yard, here are a few simple ways to make your outdoor space butterfly-friendly: 🍓 Add extra nectar Boost their energy with a nectar feeder or a small tray of fruit. Bright colors will catch their eye, and the sweet treats will keep them coming back! This new feeder has all of the crucial features. 🌿 Plant native plants Native plants are the best buffet for local butterflies! Some of our South Texas favorites include: • Crucita (Chromolaena odorata) • Turk’s cap (Malvaviscus drummondii) • Scorpion’s tail (Heliotropium angiospermum) 💧 Offer a water source Butterflies love a good sip! A shallow dish with damp sand or soil—also called a "puddler"—provides hydration and nutrients. Curious about butterfly feeders, nectar, puddling, and native plants? Come by the store—we’d love to help you find the perfect setup for our pollinator pals! 🌼 Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding specialists! 💛🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas

🌿🐦 It’s always been smart to feed our feathered friends… but now it’s smarter than ever! 🧠✨ We’re excited to introduce three new eco-friendly, high-tech additions to our birding collection—perfect for nature lovers and backyard birdwatchers alike: 📸 Birdfy Bamboo Smart Feeder Dual feed containers (no need to choose!) Solar-powered & made from sustainable bamboo 🌱 💪 Birdfy Metal Smart Feeder Adorably compact, super sturdy Comes with a built-in camera to catch every winged visitor in action! 🏠 Birdfy Bamboo Birdhouse with Dual Cameras One camera outside, one inside—watch nesting season without disturbing the birds Solar-powered and beautifully designed All from our friends at https://www.facebook.com/birdfybynetvue/ 💚 Ready to bring the beauty of birdwatching to a whole new level? Swing by the store and check them out! 🎤 🗓️ And don't forget to JOIN US NEXT SATURDAY, August 16th, for a fascinating FREE TALK on how drones are being used for conservation efforts in forestry, environmental sciences, and agroecology here in the RGV! Details on our Events page: https://mcallen.wbu.com/events Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding specialists! 💛🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas

ZEISS

#Birdwatching starts with awareness. Study up before you arrive, respect their habitats by observing from a distance, and leave no trace. Let’s protect what we love to watch. Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening #NatureCentered #ZEISS #ZEISSNature #ZEISSSFL50 #50mmbinoculars #BrightOptics

Happy International Owl Awareness Day!🦉❤️ Did you know that many different kinds of owls can be seen here in the Rio Grande Valley? We're lucky to have the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl year-round. Less common are the Burrowing Owls, Barn Owls, and Great Horned Owls. But even more owls have been recorded, including the Mottled Owl, Long-eared Owl., Stygian Owl, and Short-eared Owl! If you have a favorite owl or an interesting owl sighting, please share whooooooo you saw in the comments!👇 And check out the myths and FAQs from Houston's International Owl Center https://www.internationalowlcenter.org/mythsandfaq.html 🎤 🗓️ Finally, please plan to join us THIS SATURDAY for a fascinating FREE TALK on how drones are being used for conservation efforts in forestry, environmental sciences, and agroecology here in the RGV! Details on our Events page: https://mcallen.wbu.com/events Featured Birds: Barred Owl,* Eastern Screech Owl, & Burrowing Owl Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 *Featured Birds may include species from across the USA, not just those seen in Texas' Rio Grande Valley. #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening

Meet Our August Bird of the Month, the Mexican Violetear! Though a rare visitor, this is just one of several hummingbirds that make appearances here in the Rio Grande Valley. Have you been lucky enough to spot a violetear? Fun Facts 🔵 A largish hummingbird common in Mexico and Nicaragua, they usually prefer high-altitude pine and oak forests. 🔵 Named for its blue-violet ear patch, which can fluff up when the bird is agitated. Also has a blue-violet patch on its chest. 🔵 Was once known as the Green Violetear, along with what's now considered a separate species, the Lesser Violetear (which doesn't have the blue-violet patch on its chest). 🔵 Learn more on the Audubon site: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/mexican-violetear HOW TO ATTRACT 🔵 Plant natives that produce tubular flowers, especially red or orange ones. Examples include Salvia, Drummond’s Turk’s Cap, Tropical Sage, and Texas Lantana. Local nurseries that specialize in natives can help, like Rancho Lomitas Nursery. @toni_trevino/ 🔵 Hang a red or red-accented hummingbird feeder. Be sure it's safe from cats! 🔵 Use a high-quality nectar like ours, or if you have time, make your own. See our Bird of the Month page for the recipe: https://mcallen.wbu.com/bird-of-the-month (clickable link in our bio's link tree) 🔵 Replace the nectar in your feeders every couple of days to prevent bacteria and mold. Or try our Feeder Fresh™ Nectar Defender™, which contains a bird-safe mineral micronutrient that stops spoilage and helps nectar last for weeks. 🗓️ Don't miss our Aug. 23rd FREE TALK "Bring On the Hummingbirds Using Native Plants," followed by a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening

Many of our native Rio Grande Plants produce fruits, seeds, and/or nectar that birds use for food. For example, our chachalacas and doves are fans of this plant: Rivina humilis, commonly known as Coralito, Bloodberry, or Pigeonberry. The leaves are important for butterfly larvae and javelinas, too! See our website for local nurseries that specialize in plants, shrubs, and trees that are native to the Rio Grande Valley: https://mcallen.wbu.com/local-birding-and-nature-resources 🎤 🗓️ And don't miss our upcoming PLANT SALE and FREE TALK on Saturday, August 23rd: "Bring On the Hummingbirds Using Native Plants." 🌼 🌺 🌸 Local native plant expert Anita Westervelt will be telling us about the 12 locally available plants sure to bring hummingbirds to your garden! 🤩 Details at https://mcallen.wbu.com/events Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening

Help Birds Survive the Heat ☀️🐦 In these hot conditions 🔥, you’ll be doing both yourself and your backyard birds 🏡🐥 a big favor by providing a consistent source of water 🚰💙. Water is essential for all birds 🌎🕊️ — whether they visit feeders or not. It’s one of the simplest and most important ways to attract a wider variety of birds to your yard. Besides being crucial for their survival, water also gives you the chance to enjoy their entertaining behavior as they drink, bathe, and preen. 🌿🌼🐦 But beyond the enjoyment, water can be a matter of life or death. Birds need to keep their feathers in top condition to fly, and bathing plays a key role in that. During extreme heat 🌡️, birds can’t sweat — they cool down by panting, which dehydrates them quickly 💦. That’s why a bird bath, fountain, or mister isn't just fun to watch — it could be a lifesaver 🆘🕊️. Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding specialists! 💛🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas

ZEISS

Quick Birding Quiz: Do Common Yellowthroats have wing bars? North American birders often recognize the loud witchity-witchity song and the distinctive bandit mask above their namesake yellow throat. But what about the rest of the bird? Let's break it down: Bill Color: Black Legs and Feet Color: Pink Wing Bars: ??? Happy birding and keep an eye out for these charming warblers! 📸 Credit: Jon Corcoran Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 #savethesongbirds #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #BackyardBirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #ZEISS #ZEISSNature #birdwatching

Did you catch our colleagues from WBU Dripping Springs, Texas, (@wbuofdrippingspringstx) on the most recent #NatureCentered Podcast🎙️? They're talking all things goldfinch,💛 and how these sunny little birds can look (and act!) a bit different depending on where you live. We don't typically see these cuties in the Rio Grande Valley over the summer, but some American Goldfinches do visit in Fall, Winter, and Spring. And their charming cousins the Lesser Goldfinch are resident here year-round! 🎧 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts or on our website: https://mcallen.wbu.com/nature-centered-onewbu Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening #NatureCentered

THERE'S STILL TIME! Through July 31, the National Wildlife Federation is offering Wild Birds Unlimited customers 20% OFF Habitat Certification with promo code WBU20! 🎉🌍 How cool would it be to officially GET YOUR YARD RECOGNIZED AS A CERTIFIED WILDLIFE HABITAT®️?! 🤩 Take their SHORT QUIZ📝 to see how eligible YOUR yard is: https://www.riddle.com/view/5yCRCAGe Learn more about creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat: https://www.wbu.com/certify-your-yard/ Apply for certification: https://bit.ly/3z0KG0n Wild Birds Unlimited is proud to be the Champion for the National Wildlife Federation's®️ Certified Wildlife Habitat®️ program. 🌿 This initiative helps nature lovers like you discover how a few simple additions to your yard can make a big difference! It's easier than you think! 💚✨ Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening #CertifiedWildlifeHabitat #GardeningForWildlife

Did you know today is National Disability Independence Day, commemorating the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990? If you know someone with mobility issues or other disabilities or health concerns, let them know about Birdability—a great organization that works to ensure that birding and the outdoors are welcoming, inclusive, safe and accessible for everybody. Birdability has tons of helpful info on their website, like: 🩵 A Birdability Map that lists the accessibility features of birding locations: https://gis.audubon.org/birdability/ 🩵 Advice on adaptive birding equipment: www.birdability.org/adaptive-birding-equipment Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 #Birdability #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening

So grateful to Santa Ana & Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges for inviting Wild Birds Unlimited McAllen to be part of their Summer Lecture Series!🌿 Join us Saturday, July 26th from 10 AM to 12 PM —let’s talk birds, connect with nature, and celebrate this beautiful place we call home. 📌 P.S. The flyer says June 26th, but it’s actually happening THIS Saturday, July 26th—we’d love to see you there! Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding specialists! 💛🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas

We’re so proud to support Bella and Emmie’s Silver Award Project—what an inspiring effort by Troop 3040! 💚 Keep creating ripples of good in the world, one butterfly wing (and bird bath!) at a time. 🦋🐦 #TheButterflyEffect #WBUmcallen #GirlScoutStrong

🌿 We’re big fans of the Texas Master Gardeners! This incredible volunteer-run organization, in partnership with the AgriLife Extension Service, provides horticultural education to all ages, supports research, and regularly participates in community events with educational booths. Thanks to their hard work, South Texas has access to a wealth of gardening knowledge and resources. 🌱 Two counties in the RGV are home to active chapters: 🦋 Hidalgo County Master Gardeners 🌵 Cameron County Master Gardeners 💚 As a small token of our appreciation, we’re offering 15% off non-food items for all Texas Master Gardener members! This includes feeders, bird & bat houses, books, garden décor, and more.* It’s the least we can do to thank these amazing folks for their tireless efforts to grow beautiful, resilient plants—and thriving communities. ✨ Interested in becoming a Texas Master Gardener? Check out the next training classes and learn more here: 🔗 https://hidalgo.agrilife.org/horticulture/gardenertraining/ Links to each chapter: 📍 https://www.facebook.com/people/Hidalgo-County-Master-Gardener-Association/100057505635617/ 🔗 https://txmg.org/cameron/ 📍 https://www.facebook.com/CameronCountyMasterGardeners/ 🔗 https://hidalgo.agrilife.org/horticulture/hidalgo-county-master-gardeners/ *Valid in-store. Offer not valid on previous purchases. Excludes optics, Purple Martin systems, smart feeders/devices, DSC memberships, and sale items. Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding specialists! 💛🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas

Did you know many of our beloved VALLEY BIRDS RELY ON INSECTS for food,🐛🐜🕷️ including our cardinals, warblers, and wrens? Reducing PESTICIDE use in your yard is one of the 7 SIMPLE ACTIONS you can take to help #savethesongbirds. That's because pesticides CAN HARM BIRDS both: ☠️ DIRECTLY through poisoning ☠️ INDIRECTLY by reducing birds' natural food supply of insects WHAT YOU CAN DO as a Rio Grande Valley bird champion: 💡 Always try the least toxic solution you can find first on pests. There's tons of helpful info online. 💡 Consider adding more native plants, trees, and shrubs to your yard. They're often more resistant to native pests. See our website's Local Resources page for some native nurseries: https://mcallen.wbu.com/local-resources These include: Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursery National Butterfly Center Learn about other steps you can take: https://www.wbu.com/save-the-song-birds/ Happy birding! ❤️🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening

📚 Spotted on Our Shelves: A Must-Read for Nature Lovers! Have you seen The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan? It’s an absolute delight! Filled with Amy’s thoughtful, playful, and creative observations—plus her stunning artwork—this gem is a perfect read for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. 🐦✨ 🌟 Did you know? Amy gives a shout-out to Wild Birds Unlimited stores in the book—and she even uses WBU products in her own backyard! 📬 Just in: A beautiful set of 50 postcards featuring Amy’s artwork from the book! These make perfect, easy-to-send gifts your loved ones will cherish. 🎉 Insider scoop: WBU McAllen owners Erica and Jesse had the amazing opportunity to attend a Q&A with Amy Tan at this year’s Annual Wild Birds Unlimited Conference! Swipe to see their fun photo from the event. 📸 Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 #savethesongbirds #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #BackyardBirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners