Protecting and Creating Bird Habitat

Golden Cheeked Warblers

This federally protected endangered species relies on mature Ashe juniper and oak woodlands for nesting habitat. On the ranch, we have intentionally preserved large stands of dense, old-growth cedar, where the warblers use mature, peeling Ashe juniper bark and spiderwebs to build their nests. In 2022, we verified our first golden-cheeked warblers in this protected habitat.

Blacked Capped Vireos

Once on the brink of extinction, black-capped vireos depend on oak and sumac shrub-scrub habitat interspersed with grassland. Through restoration work and regular prescribed burns, the ranch has restored this habitat and now supports nesting sites for this species.

Wild Turkey

Restored grasslands provide essential nesting habitats for wild turkeys, particularly in the tall grasses across the ranch during spring. We also offer supplemental food, and the birds are periodically tracked and banded by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Today, several groups roost on or along Alligator Creek and nest throughout the ranch.

Chimney Swifts

These acrobatic, chattering birds are a declining species that once depended on hollow trees and later adapted to nest in masonry chimneys. As suitable chimney habitats have disappeared, Spicewood Ranch has installed 20 artificial nesting towers in partnership with the Chimney Swift Conservation Association. These towers provide safe, insulated nest chambers designed to mimic chimney conditions and protect hatchlings from heat, rain, and predators. For the past 20 years, the Kyles have documented the number of eggs laid, hatchlings, and fledglings in each tower annually.

If you are interested in learning more about chimney swifts, and the Chimney Swift Conservation Association, visit http://www.chimneyswifts.org/

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