Hobbies And Interests
Eagles
Bald eagles live near large bodies of water in eastern and central Texas, as well as the panhandle. Adults reach an average of 3 feet in height, with wingspans measuring between 6 and 8 feet. Males typically weigh between 7 and 10 lbs., while females weigh up to 14 lbs. Bald eagles are mostly brown with white heads and yellow beaks. They use their talons to grab prey, such as fish, rabbits and squirrels. Golden eagles live on the plains of northwestern Texas. Adults measure between 2 and 3 feet in height. Males weigh around 6.5 lbs., and females weigh an average of 13 lbs. Their wingspans measure between 6 and 7 feet. Golden eagles are entirely brown with yellow beaks. They mainly feed on small mammals, such as hares.
Vultures
Turkey vultures and black vultures inhabit the open woodlands and plains of Texas all year-round. Turkey vultures are found throughout the entire state, while black vultures live in southern and northeastern Texas. Adult turkey vultures reach an average of 2.5 feet in height and weigh around 4 lbs. Their wingspans range from 5 to 6 feet. Black vultures measure around 2 feet high with weights ranging between 3.5 and 5 lbs. Their wingspans measure between 4 and 5 feet. Turkey vultures have dark brown plumage with bare, red heads. Black vultures have black plumage and bare, gray heads. Both are scavengers that feed on carrion.
Cranes
Whooping cranes and sandhill cranes migrate from Canada to Texas each winter. Whooping cranes stay near the saltwater marshes of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge near San Antonio Bay, while sandhill cranes live near marshes throughout the western half of Texas and the Gulf Coast. Adult whooping cranes measure up to 5 feet tall and weigh between 13 and 17 lbs. as adults. Their average wingspan is 7.5 feet. They are mainly white with black legs and red plumage on their faces. Their diet includes fish, insects, frogs and crustaceans. Adult sandhill cranes typically measure around 4 feet in height and weigh between 7 and 10 lbs. Their plumage is brownish-gray with red feathers on their foreheads. They feed mainly on seeds, insects and small vertebrates.
Pelicans
American white pelicans spend the winter months near lakes and ponds in the southern half of Texas and along the Gulf Coast. Adults reach heights of up to 65 inches and weigh between 10 and 20 lbs. They also have a wingspan that measures between 8 and 9 feet. Eastern brown pelicans share the same habitat as white pelicans on the Gulf coast throughout southeastern Texas. Adults measure between 3 and 4 feet in height and weigh about 9 lbs. Both pelican species prey on fish, but their methods differ. Brown pelicans dive from the air for their food, while white pelicans stick their heads in the water and catch their prey in their pouched bills.
Geese
Canada geese, snow geese and greater white-fronted geese live near streams, marshes and ponds in Texas during the winter. Adult Canada geese measure up to 3.5 feet high and weigh up to 20 lbs. Their wingspans reach up to 5.5 feet. Adult snow geese and greater white-fronted geese reach up to 2.5 feet high and weigh up to 7 pounds. Their wingspans measure up to 4.5 feet. Canada geese have brown, black and white plumage. Snow geese are all white, while greater white-fronted geese are mainly brown with white plumage. All three species feed on grasses, seeds and grains.