Texas is one of the best states for birding. According to the Texas Bird Records Committee (yeah, that's a thing) there were 636 species in good standing as of their 2010 Annual Report. And, thanks to the work of some dedicated bird lovers, one of those species is still here: the black-capped vireo. Since this olive green and black bird was nearly wiped out in the 1980s, its had a remarkable comeback. In this episode, TPWD's ornithologist recounts the comeback story and I get a lesson in birding.

Hosts:

• Morgan O’Hanlon is a senior staff writer at Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine.
• David Yoskowitz is the Executive Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Episode Guests (in order of appearance):

• Tania Homayoun, ornithologist at Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
• Jeff Forman, wildlife technician at Mason Mountain WMA (retired as of May 2025)

You can read more stories about the Texas outdoors at tpwmagazine.com. If you want to get copies of our beautiful, glossy magazine delivered straight to your mailbox, you can subscribe here for only $2.00 a month. And if you want to keep up on live events and behind-the-scenes takes, follow the magazine on Instagram at @tpwmagazine.

Keep up with other agency news on Facebook or Instagram at @texasparkswildlife.

Our theme music is by Walker Lukens and Grant Eppley. And, if you like our song, you might also like the album Walker produced for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation. Sales from the album benefit TPWD's conservation work. Listen to it here.

Better Outside’s artwork is by Aaron Zachary. Follow him on Instagram at @filmnfish.