Like most states in the United States, Texas is home to a vast variety of avian life forms coming in at different colors, shapes and sizes. If you’ve stumbled across this article, I’d imagine it would would be to learn about the 7 unique green birds mentioned in the title right?

If that is the case, continue reading.

• Green Jay
• Violet Green Swallow
• Green Kingfisher
• Orange Crowned Warbler
• Buff Bellied Hummingbird
• Lewis’s Woodpecker
• Mexican Violetear

7 Green Birds In Texas

1. Green Jay (Cyanocorax Yncas)

• Size: 25 – 29cm
• Weight: 65 – 110 grams
• Wingspan: 36 – 40cm

These green jays can be found in southern Texas year round.

Green jays are recognised by their green, black and blue plumage with their head and neck a black and blue color, with the remainder of their body a mixture of dark and light green. Females look more or less the same in regards to color scheme.

You’ll often find green jays woodlands, shrublands, rain forests, mountains and plantations.

As for what these birds eat, it includes small insects like caterpillars, flies, spiders etc., smaller invertebrates, fruits, berries and seeds.

Green jays are known to live for 10 – 11 years.

2. Violet Green Swallow (Tachycineta Thalassina)

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• Size: 13 – 14cm
• Weight: 13 – 15 grams
• Wingspan: 26 – 28cm

Violet green swallows can be found in eastern Texas throughout breeding season. Their breeding begins around late March to April and will end once fall arrives.

These swallows are recognised by their darker green upper back and upper head, graysish/green wings and tail feathers along with a white face and breast. Females look very similar to the males.

Violet green swallows can be found around deciduous and coniferous forest where you’ll see them nesting within tree holes.

These swallows feed on a variety flying insects like flies, true bugs, wasps, winged ants, wild bees, beetles, moths etc. like most others. They will also eat the occasional berry or seed if they come across some.

The oldest recorded violet green swallow lived for 9 years and 1 month but, the typical lifespan for these birds will be at least a couple years less.

3. Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle Americana)

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• Size: 22 – 24cm
• Weight:30 – 35 grams
• Wingspan: 29 – 31cm

Green kingfishers can be found around southern Texas year round as it’s one of their few permanent residences within USA.

These kingfishers are recognised by their green, white and orange plumage with a orange area around their breast, with a mostly green head, wings and elements of white on the neck and lower half. Females are a lighter green color but, don’t have any elements of orange on their breast area. Their bills are also quite long being 4.7cm.

These kingfishers prefer to be around the edges of ponds and larger rivers near banks with low growth.

As for what they eat, it includes small fish, aquatic insects, lizards, small mammals etc.

Green kingfishers are known to live for around 15 years in the wild.

4. Orange Crowned Warbler (Vermivora Celata)

• Size: 12 – 13cm
• Weight: 8 – 10 grams
• Wingspan: 17 – 19cm

Orange crowned warblers can be found in Texas when they aren’t breeding. which means they will often be there throughout the winter months.

These birds are mostly a light green color with the wings a slightly darker green. Females have the same type of plumage on their bodies too.

Orange crowned warblers can be found around dense areas of deciduous shrubs, usually within or adjacent to forest.

These birds are known to eat insects throughout the summer months with the occasional berry, nectar from flowers or tree sap.

These little birds will live for around 6 years in the wild on average.

5. Buff Bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia Yucatanensis)

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• Size: 10 – 11cm
• Weight: 4 – 5 grams
• Wingspan: 13 – 15cm

Buff bellied hummingbirds can in southern and western Texas when not breeding. This would be around the fall and winter periods.

These hummingbirds rock a dark green plumage from the top of their head to neck, brown belly and tail feathers, purple colored wings and a pointy red bill. Females look the same but appear to be little slimer and also a little duller in color.

Buff bellied hummingbirds can be found scattered near flower beds near open woodlands, gardens, around thickets and brushy areas within arid and semi arid regions in Texas.

Their go to food source is nectar from flowers but, they can also eat berries, drink tree sap and, insects and consume the sugar water within a feeder.

The longest recorded lifespan for a buff bellied hummingbird happens to be around 11 years and 2 months. Of course, the average lifespan will be a good few years lower.

6. Lewis’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes Lewis)

• Size: 25 – 28cm
• Weight: 110 – 130 grams
• Wingspan: 49 – 52cm

These woodpeckers can be found in Texas when they aren’t breeding, which will often be around the fall and winter months.

Lewis’s woodpecker is recognised by their red, black and dark green plumage where their wings and back are black in color, their breast and face have elements of red and their neck a mostly white/gray color. Females are mostly white and gray,

These woodpeckers can be found in open ponderosa pine forests and burned forests with a high density of standing dead trees. They will also breed near streamsides, oak woodlands, orchards, and pinyon-juniper woodlands.

Lewis’s woodpeckers mostly eat insects that they catch flying in mid-air or found on branches and trees, nuts along with a variety of seeds.

As for how long these woodpeckers are known to live for, it can be anywhere from 4 – 12 years.

7. Mexican Violetear (Colibri Thalassinus)

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• Size: 10 – 12cm
• Weight: 4.5 – 6 grams
• Wingspan: 13 – 15cm

Vagrant Mexican violetears can be found scattered in southern and central Texas.

Mexican violetears are recognised by their mostly green plumage with small elements of purple around their belly and eyes. Females look very similar to the males.

These violetears can be found near highlands and mountains but will often be near forests and even parks that make it easier for them to consume their favourite food.

Mexican violetears mostly eat nectar and smaller insects.

As for how long these birds live, it can be around the 10 – 12 year range.