March - Wearing of the Green

In March we think of St. Patrick’s Day and here in Texas we have some birds that wear the green.
 
 One bird is found only in Southern Texas, it is the Green Jay. This is a gaudy tropical Jay and is common in Riverside woods, parks, suburbs, oak groves, and dry brushland of Southern Texas. They often travel in small flocks. They are mostly green with paler and yellower feathers below and a purple and black head. They also have bright yellow outer tail feathers. The green jay is found in the valley area of south Texas.
 
 Another mostly green bird will arrive in March, the Ruby Throated Hummingbird. The female is green above, whitish below with white tips on her outer tail feathers. The male has an iridescent ruby throat which sometimes looks black in many lights. He has a white chest and green sides and his tail is all black and forked. The Ruby Throated Hummingbirds usually arrive here in late March but if we are warmer, we may see them sooner. They stay around for some weeks and then will go on North. You may have a few that stick around all Summer but most go on. Then in mid-August thru mid-October they will come back to us.
 
 Happy wearing of the green and remember Spring is early here so clean out your old bird houses and put-up new ones now and enjoy the birds.