Tune in to the latest episode of the #NatureCentered podcast to hear from the creators of the fantastic "Backyard Birds Revealed" series. Father and son filmmakers Tim and Russell Laman talk about the experience and what they learned. The series is created with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and proudly sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited. 🎙️ 🎧 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts or on our website: https://mcallen.wbu.com/nature-centered-onewbu 🌐 Watch the 5-part video series for FREE on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4c2cIKs 🗓️ And don't miss our FREE NATURE TALK this Saturday on the role each of us can play in conserving the natural wonders 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! ❤️🐦 #NatureCentered #wbumcallen #rgvbirds #backyardbirding #mcallentexas #riograndevalley #Riograndevalleytexas #birding #birds #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinessowners #nativeplants #gardening

Looking for a fun solo, family, or classroom activity that's both FUN and HELPS BIRDS? Then join Project FeederWatch! It's an annual survey of backyard birds thru April. The project, run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, helps scientists track long-term trends in distribution and abundance of birds. Wild Birds Unlimited is a proud sponsor! It's easy to participate: 1️⃣ Just pick 2 consecutive days a week to record the birds at your feeder, for as long as you have time for. Even counting for just 1 week helps! 🗓️ ✍️ 2️⃣ Report what you see—the FeederWatch app makes it easy! Join at feederwatch.org. Be sure to stop in to our shop for exclusive, nutrient-rich WBU foods that ATTRACT and SUPPORT our amazing RGV birds. Thanks for helping support bird conservation in the Valley! Happy birding! ❤️🐦 Featured Birds: House Finch & White-breasted Nuthatch* Feeder: Suet Cylinder Feeder (Black) **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 #projectfeederwatch

🗓️ 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

Events happening this week at Quinta Mazatlan! • Walk with a Naturalist - Wednesday • Forest Tots - Tuesday & Thursday • Rooted Yoga - Wednesday • Wild Women for Good - Thursday • Birding for Beginners - Friday • Tai Chi Practice - Saturday • Gardening Hour Workshop - Saturday • STEM Stop - Saturday • Stewardship Saturday - Saturday

Events happening this week at Quinta Mazatlan! • Walk with a Naturalist - Wednesday • Forest Tots - Tuesday & Thursday • Rooted Yoga - Wednesday • Wild Women for Good - Thursday • Birding for Beginners - Friday • Tai Chi Practice - Saturday • Gardening Hour Workshop - Saturday • STEM Stop - Saturday • Stewardship Saturday - Saturday

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