We were thrilled to welcome the one and only Jennifer Bristol to the store on Saturday the 14th! She shared stories from her books Parking Lot Birding, Cemetery Birding, and Wild Women for Good in her signature lovely, energetic way. Jennifer signed books, chatted with guests, and reminded us all that birds can be found in the most unexpected places. 🐦✨ Thank you, Jennifer, for spending the day with us! Happy birding from your RGV backyard bird-feeding specialists 🐦✨ #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas

🗓️ THIS SATURDAY!! 🗓️ You're invited to our FREE NATURE TALK to learn more about the role each of us can play in CONSERVING TEXAS' NATURAL WONDERS! 🤩🌿 🎤 At 2 p.m., conservation strategist Iliana Peña will be discussing "Lessons from Leopold: Learning from the Land." This collection of works by renowned Texas conservationist Steve Nelle gleans actionable lessons on modern ecology, land ethics, and conservation from concepts pioneered by the father of modern wildlife management, Aldo Leopold (1887–1948). Iliana wrote the introduction to this thought-provoking book and will be sharing her insights! Plus, Iliana will give us an inside look at WILD THUMB—the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation's new app to help Texans grow native plants and create habitats for pollinators!📱 ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKER Iliana Peña is a conservation strategies consultant partnering with land trusts and agencies to advance high-impact land protection. She currently chairs Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Conservation Advisory Committee. See our website for more! 🌐 Details at www.facebook.com/wbumcallen/events and 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

Y’all are going to get tired of us saying every Saturday is special… but this one was truly one to remember! 🌿✨ WBU staff, along with a few friends, had the privilege of visiting the incredible backyard of the Williams family. They are true powerhouses in the RGV nature conservation and education world, and their passion shows in every corner of their wildlife oasis. We shared meaningful conversations, soaked up inspiration, and contributed our bird sightings to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology! 🐦 Their backyard is proof that with vision and tenacity, you can create something extraordinary right at home. If you’re ready to start building your own wildlife haven, we’re here to help — with advice, feeders, native plants, and more. 💚 Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #BackyardBirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening

Here in the RGV, Golden-fronted Woodpecker are pretty common. You may sometimes spot a Ladder-backed Woodpecker or Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. There have even been rare reports of Red-naped Sapsuckers and Northern Flickers! Did you know woodpeckers are perfectly designed for their tree-drilling lifestyle?🤓 🪶 Their skulls and necks can sustain heavy impacts, allowing them to strike at up to 13–15 miles per hour, over 100 strokes per minute! 🪶 They have tufts of stiff feathers covering their nostrils and a special third eyelid to keep out wood debris. 🪶 Special cells on the end of the bill are constantly replacing worn material to keep the bill strong and resilient, while sharpening it with every blow. 🪶 The barbed tip of a woodpecker's tongue is very sensitive and can both detect and impale insect larvae. 🪶 And have you noticed woodpeckers can eat UPSIDE DOWN? In fact, installing a WBU EcoTough® Upside-Down Suet Feeder is actually a great way to feed these and other clinging birds like titmice, while discouraging birds like starlings that tend to hog feeders. https://order.wbu.com/mcallen/bird-feeders/suet-feeders/ecotough-upside-down-suet-feeder ✖️2️⃣❗Now thru the 23rd, earn DOUBLE POINTS on this or any purchase, if you're part of our Daily Saving Club! The Bird Bucks you'll earn can be applied to future purchases. Ask us about it! Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening

DON'T MISS DOUBLE POINTS DAYS THIS WEEKEND! ✖️2️⃣❗ Thru the 23rd, Daily Savings Club members earn $10 Bird Buck for every $100 spent, instead of for the usual $200. Bird Bucks are good toward a future purchase! So it's a great time to pick up that special something you've had your eye on, stock up on the usual, or join up if you're not a member yet. Remember, you earn Bird Bucks on ANY purchase—not just bird food. 🎤 And if you're free this afternoon, don't miss TX BIRDING LEGEND DAVID SARKOZI at 2 P.M.! 🤩 He's giving us a FREE NATURE TALK in our McAllen store, sharing surprising facts and stories about Texas birds that didn't make it into his excellent field guide, and signing copies of his book," Birds of Texas." 🌐 Details at www.facebook.com/wbumcallen/events and 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

⏰ TOMORROW! ⏰ Please join us at 8:30 a.m. for a BIRD WALK LED BY TX BIRDING LEGEND DAVID SARKOZI!! 👣👀🤩 We'll be meeting at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center, one of the Valley's birding hotspots! 🎤 Then meet us back in our McAllen store at 2 p.m. for a NATURE TALK by David! The author of the "Birds of Texas" field guide will be sharing surprising facts and stories about Texas birds that didn't make it into his excellent field guide and signing copies of his book! 📚✍️ 🌐 Details at www.facebook.com/wbumcallen/events and 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

Have you visited Santa Ana & Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges lately? 🌿🐦 Two Saturdays ago, we enjoyed a guided walk through the incredible Valley treasure that is Santa Ana— and it was such a special morning. Park Ranger David Vela stopped by to share how the Refuges are being preserved and protected for future generations — a powerful reminder of why these places matter. Thank you to everyone who joined us. We love gathering with this amazing community! Don't miss our NEXT FREE BIRD WALK this Saturday with DAVID SARKOZI, Texas birding legend and author of the "Birds of Texas" field guide, at the lovely Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center! David will also be doing an in-store talk in the afternoon—we can't wait! 🌐 Details at www.facebook.com/wbumcallen/events and mcallen.wbu.com/events Happy birding from your RGV backyard bird-feeding specialists 🐦✨ #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening

One of the easiest ways to help #SaveTheSongBirds is to just watch them—and encourage others to, also! 🐦‍⬛ 🦜 🦆 🦅 🦉 👀 When we're more aware of the birds around us: 1️⃣ We care more and do more to help them! 2️⃣ We can become CITIZEN SCIENTISTS by reporting what we see! 🤓 Why not get the family involved in helping you watch and count the birds you see TODAY and TOMORROW for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)? You can count right from your backyard! Your observations Feb. 13–16, 2026, will provide important insight into bird populations in the Valley and their habitats. If you're already using the amazing FREE bird ID app Merlin, your entries will automatically count! 🐤✅ Learn more: www.birdcount.org www.wbu.com/7-simple-actions-to-save-song-birds Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening #gbbc

❤️🐦 Happy Valentine’s Day! Love isn't the only thing in the air—there are also hungry birds trying to survive the lean winter months! Show your feathered sweethearts some love by providing fresh seed in your feeders and a safe spot to rest in your backyard. 🌹🌿 Looking for a treat for your beloved bird lover? 🪶 🎁 Check out our gift ideas: https://mcallen.wbu.com/gift-ideas 🎤 Bring them to a great nature talk today 2–3 p.m., "Birding in Unexpected Locations," where author and naturalist Jennifer L. Bristol will be telling us about the great birding offered by parking lots, cemeteries, and other surprise hotspots, if you know where to look! Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 Featured Bird: Western Tanager #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening

⏰ TODAY! ⏰ Don't miss author Jennifer Bristol joining us in-store today for a conversation about discovering birds in unexpected places, like Texas cemeteries and leafy parking lots. @jennifer.bristol.39 She'll be signing books AND leading us on a birding session here in our own parking lot, so don't forget your binoculars! 👀 🐦🐦🐦 👀 We also carry a fantastic selection of binos if you're in the market. https://mcallen.wbu.com/optics It's going to be a fun afternoon! And we've got lots more coming up, including a talk and guided walk led by David Sarkozi, Texas birding legend and author of the "Birds of Texas" field guide. Mark your calendars! 🗓️ 🌐 Details at www.facebook.com/wbumcallen/events and mcallen.wbu.com/events Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding specialists! 💛🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #nativeplantsrgv #parkinglotbirding

🌿✨ We are SOOOO excited to welcome author Jennifer Bristol https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.bristol.39 to Wild Birds Unlimited McAllen this Saturday from 2–3 PM! Jennifer is the author of Wild Women for Good, Cemetery Birding, and Parking Lot Birding — and she’ll be sharing her passion for finding birds in the most unexpected places. After the talk, stick around for a guided parking lot birding session right here at WBU — led by Jennifer herself! You’ll never look at an ordinary parking lot the same way again.🥰 Join us for an inspiring (and fun!) afternoon of birds, books, native plants, and community.🫶 We can’t wait to see you Saturday!🪶 Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding specialists! 💛🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #nativeplantsrgv #parkinglotbirding

There's something special about watching birds visit your backyard 🐦 By offering safe, reliable feeders and quality seed, we can support local birds while inviting more life to our everyday spaces. And this week, those moments matter even more!! The Great Backyard Bird Count (2/13- 2/17) is a worldwide celebration of birds, and your backyard can be part of it! Every feeder visit, every observation helps scientist better understand and protect bird populations. By simply watching and counting the birds you see, you're helping support bird conservation on a global scale 🌎 Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding specialists! 💛🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas For more information on GBBC visit: https://www.birdcount.org/ WBU feeders featured in video: https://order.wbu.com/mcallen/bird-food/suet-mealworms

ZEISS

Winter is a season of gathering 🪿✨ Right now, lakes, reservoirs and flooded fields are waking to the soft hum of wings - swans drifting through the mist, ducks dabbling at dawn, geese rising in great, shifting shapes above the water. To experience it fully, timing is everything. With daylight fading fast, the best moments happen in those still blue hours - early morning and late afternoon. And because this light doesn’t last long, ZEISS optics help you stay with the moment - bright, sharp, and reliable even when the day begins to fade. Happy birding from your RGV backyard bird-feeding specialists 🐦✨ #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #ZEISS #ZEISSNature #birdwatching

It was a gorgeous Saturday—we hope everyone got a chance to spend some time outside! ☀️🌿 We kicked off the day with our friends at Estero Llano Grande State Park, and it was a joy to see the park so busy. Highlights included Common Pauraques, Wilson’s Snipes, Green and Belted Kingfishers, and of course… alligators 🐊👀 Thank you, Steve and John, for the excellent guiding and a great time! Have you been out to Estero lately? If so, what was your favorite sighting? That afternoon, we were thrilled to welcome Veronica Guzman, Park Interpreter at Estero, who shared her passion and expertise on our favorite swallows (sorry, guys 😄)—Purple Martins! Huge thanks to Veronica for such an informative and inspiring presentation. 💜 In the market for a Purple Martin house? Now's the time to put one up! Check out our easy-to-use, durable, good-looking, high-bird-welfare houses: https://mcallen.wbu.com/purple-martin-houses Happy birding from your RGV backyard bird-feeding specialists 🐦✨ #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas

We love taking care of our birding community 💛 When you join or renew our Daily Savings Club, you’ll receive a FREE gift 🎁 — and now you get to choose: 🐦 NM 5 lb Bag 🐦 WBU Suet Cage with PB&J No-Melt Suet + Bark Butter Brick It’s the perfect time to JOIN OR RENEW your DSC. Happy birding from your RGV backyard bird-feeding specialists 🐦✨ #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas

ZEISS

For birders exploring wide, open landscapes, ZEISS SFL binoculars are the ultimate companion – combining brilliant clarity, perfect magnification, lightweight design, and all-day comfort. Learn more at Wild Birds Unlimited Happy birding, from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding experts! ❤️🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening #ZEISS #ZEISSNature #birdwatching

We hope y’all are staying warm and cozy during this cold snap! ❄️🔥 If you already feed birds—or you’ve been on the fence—this kind of weather is a great time to help out your backyard birds 🐦 with some extra protein and fat. They rely on those nutrients to help regulate their body temperature 🌡️ and make it through the cold. Any bird seed helps, but blends with extra peanuts and tree nuts are especially beneficial right now. 🥜 You can also go the suet route with suet blocks or bark butter for an easy, high-energy option! 🔋🦉 Happy birding from the RGV's friendly backyard bird feeding specialists! 🩵🐦 #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas