Located in Texas on the southern tip of the world’s most extended island barrier, South Padre Island is famous for its picturesque beaches, warm waters, and abundant wildlife. Here you will find the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center.
With the aim to educate the general public about the island birds and emphasize conservation and environmental awareness, the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary is one of the most fun and educational things to do on South Padre Island.
Visiting the South Padre Islanding Birding and Nature Center is the perfect activity for your South Padre Island vacation. Plus, it’s conveniently located near our unbeatable South Padre Island rentals! If you’re looking for an activity that your entire vacation crew is sure to love, don’t miss this must-see attraction!
About
This 50-acre reserve allows visitors to experience numerous wildlife, from birds to gators and even butterflies. You will find a boardwalk trail at the center that winds visitors throughout the sanctuary. The center also features educational programs for visitors of all ages, making it a great place to take the whole family on your next South Texas vacation.
The Birding and Nature Center butterfly garden has become a critical habitat for coastal pollinators. You will find butterflies floating around here, bees, moths, hummingbirds, and more! Various species of butterflies reside here throughout the year, with certain species being more prevalent during the different seasons. Plenty of plants act as food sources for these animals, including milkweed, lantana, and passionflower.
When you visit the butterfly garden, you will see butterflies across various life cycle stages, including the egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly. A chrysalis is the cocoon a caterpillar goes into as it transforms into a beautiful butterfly. As you explore the outdoor butterfly garden, you can learn of these tiny flyers’ importance to our ecosystem.
You will find many different kinds of feathered friends at different times of the year at the Birding and Nature Center. From the end of summer to the beginning of fall (July-Sep), you will find a diversity of shorebirds starting to migrate toward the coast. You will see gorgeous Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and songbirds such as warblers and tanagers. From October to mid-November, the wintering species such as Soras, Ospreys, and Belted Kingfishers begin to arrive.
By the end of April, the “Fallout Season” for the Birding and Nature Center begins. During this time, many birds are forced to land here due to severe weather conditions during their migration routes. The Fallout is something you certainly will want to take advantage of. Some of the feathered friends you will see during this time include numerous Warbler species, Tanagers, Painted and Indigo Buntings, Orioles, and Hummingbirds.
Of course, plenty of permanent bird residents stay at the Birding Center all year. These include the Brown Pelican, Reddish Egret, and Black-necked Stilt. If you are looking for things to do in South Padre Island, the Birding and Nature Center is a year-long attraction for you and the whole family!
Alligator Sanctuary
Alligators at the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary have been rescued from backyard ponds, pools, piers, or other situations threatening public safety. There are about fifty juvenile alligators at the sanctuary that range from 3 ft. to 5 ¾ ft. As they mature and reach 6 ft, they can reproduce and return home to Gator Country in Beaumont.
There are two older gators here, named Big Padre and Lady Laguna. Big Padre was rescued from Port Arthur, where he was unintentionally overfed as people cleaned their fish. Big Padre is fifty years old, 12’7″, and over 750 pounds! As you visit these gators, you can feed them food that is provided by the sanctuary.
Although you are welcome to feed the gators that live permanently at the Alligator Sanctuary, it is crucial to never feed a wild alligator. When a human feeds an alligator one time, it will change its natural behavior. Gators will no longer fear humans but rather see them as a food source. When a human feeds an alligator, it makes them dangerous and causes them to be relocated or put down.
Spring is the breeding season for alligators when adult alligators often roam away from their natural habitats to look for desired mates. Every once in a while, these gators can find themselves in residential areas, which can pose problems. The South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary is happy to help relocate these beautiful animals and rescue them if they have become a nuisance.
Visitors can see these beautiful creatures from a safe distance, standing on raised platforms. These alligators stay in a sanctuary resembling their natural habitat, having a pond, towering trees, and vegetation that mimics their native kind.
Plan Your SPI Vacation!
Ready to visit the Birding and Nature Center for yourself? Find your perfect South Padre Island rental with us at Padre Getaways and get to relaxing!
Guided Bird Walks
The naturalist educators at the South Padre Island Birding Center are happy to guide you on a boardwalk through magnificent tidal wetlands. The tour groups here are limited to ten registered participants ages 13 and above. Tours depend on the skill level and interest of the registered participants. A tour will usually take two to three hours, and participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and good shoes and bring plenty of water.
You have various guided birding tour options, including early morning and evening tours for different viewing experiences. When you sign up for a guided bird walk tour, you have the option of using sanitized binoculars to make the viewing experience that much more up close. And don’t forget a camera! You will want to capture pictures of the beautiful sights you will see on your guided tour.
On your guided bird walk, you will learn about the behavior and biology of numerous bird species that call the Birding Center home. You can also learn more about conservation efforts to save these beautiful animals. A guided bird walk is a great way to connect and learn more about the natural wildlife of Southern Texas.
Book Your South Padre Island Rental
As you plan your visit to the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary, book your stay at one of our South Padre Island condos! Padre Getaway rentals are perfect for your family vacation or romantic getaway.
At Padre Getaways, we offer various vacation rental options to uniquely suit your needs, including condominiums, beach houses, and villas. When you stay at one of our gorgeous South Padre Island beachfront rentals, you will be near the Birding Center, plenty of beaches, and many other South Padre Island attractions.
Our rentals have amenities such as high-speed internet, in-unit laundry, a fully-equipped kitchen, and even reserved parking. To browse our selection of rentals available, visit our website and choose a property based on your budget, travel dates, and general preferences. Browse our inventory and get started on your next adventure!
