Escapee and Exotic Birds Found at River Legacy Parks: Official Results for Tarrant County's Backyard Bird Count

This past February, bird enthusiasts of all ages gathered at River Legacy Nature Center for the annual 3 – day Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)—a global citizen science event that helps researchers track bird populations and migration patterns. With the final data now in from eBird, we’re excited to share what we found at River Legacy Nature Center and surprising finds in Tarrant County.

Highlights from River Legacy Nature Center

Our dedicated birders documented 58 species throughout the park, with a few clear standouts:

🔹 Most Sighted Birds

Red-winged Blackbird – 75 sightings
Gadwall – 32 sightings
Cedar Waxwing – 25 sightings

🔹 Most Unique Spotting
One of the more unexpected finds at River Legacy was a European Starling. While this species is naturalized in the U.S., it originally hails from Europe. According to eBird, naturalized exotics are species that have successfully established self-sustaining populations in the wild.

Rare Finds in Tarrant County

Beyond River Legacy, some unusual escapees were spotted in Tarrant County, including:

Muscovy Duck (25 sightings)
Mute Swan (3 sightings)
Graylag x Swan Goose (Hybrid – 6 sightings)
Domestic Goose (2 sightings)

While escapees don’t count toward official eBird totals, their presence provides an interesting glimpse into the variety of birds—both native and introduced—living in our area.

Why the GBBC Matters

The Great Backyard Bird Count is more than just a fun weekend of birdwatching; it provides critical data for scientists tracking changes in bird populations. By participating, our community directly contributes to conservation efforts and a greater understanding of local ecosystems – this is why River Legacy Foundation hosts an annual gathering at the Nature Center.

A huge thank-you to everyone who came out and took part in this year’s count! Your observations help make a difference. We’ll see you all again in February 2026!

Did you participate in the GBBC this year? Share your favorite sightings in the comments!

For global count results, click here.

For River Legacy Parks results, click here.

For Tarrant County results, click here.