Store and Community Nature Events
Scroll for the list of local tours, talks, and other events sponsored by us or organizations we collaborate with.
Sharing the joy of birds and nature is at the core of Wild Birds Unlimited. Here at your locally owned WBU McAllen store, we're committed to helping our fellow Rio Grande Valley residents and visitors connect with the unique ecology and wildlife the Valley has to offer.
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Build the Backyard of Your Dreams Relax with the birdsong and beautiful colors of our amazing Rio Grande Valley birds right in your yard. Stop by for a chat with one of our friendly Certified Birdfeeding Specialists.™ Our webshop offers free shipping within 150 miles on orders over $75 for bird food and other core products.
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NATIVE PLANT SALES
Multiple Dates
Don't miss our popular NATIVE PLANT SALES! Sales typically start right after the day's free nature talk (see below) unless otherwise specified, and supplies are limited. (Supplies vary and may differ from the plants shown in photo.)
Upcoming SATURDAY plant sales:
• Jan. 10, 17 & 24 at 3–6 p.m.
• Feb. 14 at 3–6 p.m.
Why plant natives? Because it's good for local wildlife AND for you! Win-win! Texas-native plants:
- Provide essential food and shelter for resident and migratory birds, butterflies, and other pollinators
- Beautify your yard
- Typically require less water and are better at withstanding the RGV's climate and native pests
BIRDING
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Guided Bird Walk | Edinburg, TX | 8:30–10:30 a.m.
Please join us in the morning at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center, one of the Valley's birding hotspots, for a guided bird walk. Come explore and do some bird spotting with the park's expert naturalist and your fellow bird and WBU enthusiasts. Beginners welcome!
- PARK FEE: The guided walk itself is free, but there is a small park admission fee you must pay. See the park's website for fees.
- Meet at the visitor center.
- Please wear suitable footwear.
- Bring water, hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, etc.
- Don't forget your binoculars! If you're looking to buy or upgrade your binoculars, we carry some fantastic options for birders. Stop in to check them out!
- Location: Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center, 714 S. Raul Longoria Road, Edinburg, Texas 78542
Then in the afternoon, join us back in our McAllen store for a fascinating FREE talk—details below.
About Our Expert Guide
William Farley is the Naturalist Coordinator for the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center, as well as a Texas Master Naturalist. Growing up in the Valley, he fell in love with the RGV's wildlife, especially its diverse and beautiful birds. This inspired him to pursue a degree in Range and Wildlife Management from Texas A&M Kingsville. William enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for the RGV's natural world with park visitors of all ages.
NATURE TALK
Saturday, January 17, 2026
"Why We Walk So Slowly: A Conversation with Local Artists Ruth Hoyt and Jessica Monroe" | In-Store | 2–3:00 p.m.
Please join us for a very special conversation between two well-known local artists: photographer Ruth Hoyt and painter Jessica Monroe. Their long friendship has been shaped by years of walking, observing, and learning together in the natural world. Ruth and Jessica will be sharing their thoughts, stories, and beautiful art with us, and taking audience questions, reflecting on how slowing down sharpens observation and deepens creative response, as well as how collaboration and diversity foster resilience and inspiration in creative practice.
PLUS, stay after for a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Details above.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
- Ruth Hoyt is a full-time professional nature photographer, writer, public speaker, workshop leader, coach, and consultant with 35 years of experience teaching nature photography. She is best known for her Texas bird photography and professional guiding services on private south Texas properties, but she also regularly leads tours in Central and South America. Visit Ruth's website: www.RuthHoyt.com
- Jessica Monroe is known for her large-scale oil paintings inspired by the natural world. With paintings full of energy and movement, she celebrates her subjects’ beauty and uses art to bring awareness of environmental issues. Monroe often works outdoors using watercolor, pastels and a camera, which inform her studio practice. Visit Jessica's website: www.JessicaMonroe.com
BIRDING
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Free* Guided Bird Walk | Alamo, TX | 8:30–10:30 a.m.
Please join us in the morning at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, one of the Valley's birding hotspots, for a guided bird walk. The refuge is right along an east-west and north-south juncture of two major migratory routes, which makes it a "jewel of the National Wildlife Refuge System." Come explore and do some bird spotting with the refuge's dedicated volunteers and your fellow bird and WBU enthusiasts. Beginner's welcome!
- PARK FEE: The guided walk itself is free, but there is a small park admission fee you must pay. See the park's website for fees.
- Meet at the visitor center.
- Trails vary, but most are packed dirt. Please wear suitable footwear.
- Bring water, hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, etc.
- Don't forget your binoculars! If you're looking to buy or upgrade your binoculars, we carry some fantastic options for birders. Stop in to check them out!
- Location: Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, 3325 Green Jay Road Alamo, TX 78516
Then in the afternoon, join us back in our McAllen store for a fascinating FREE talk—details below.
NATURE TALK
Saturday, January 24, 2026
"Our Special RGV Habitats: Ecological Diversity in the Lower Rio Grande Valley" | In-Store | 2–3 p.m.
Please join us in our store in the afternoon as Park Ranger David Vela from the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge tells us about the special ecological diversity of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, some good places to experience it yourself, and the importance of habitat preservation. It's going to be a fascinating talk—don't miss it!
About Our Expert Speaker
David Vela is a native of Laredo, Texas, and has worked with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service since 2016. Previously stationed at the A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR in south Florida and the Sacramento NWRC in northern California, he has managed a variety of partnerships, programs, and outreach at national wildlife refuges. David’s passion lies in working with the community to create new ways to connect communities to nature and conservation.
FREE TALK + BOOK SIGNING + GUIDED BIRD WALK
Saturday, February 14th
"Birding in Unexpected Locations: Parking Lots, Cemeteries, and Other Surprise Hotspots" | In-Store | 2–3 pm.
Come meet author and naturalist Jennifer L. Bristol for a conversation about discovering birds in unexpected places. Our Texas cemeteries, for example, are often attractive places for birds, and offer us a chance to connect with nature as we pay respect to lost loved ones. Leafy parking lots are also often unexpected oases of birding activity in urban areas. Jennifer has catalogued these types of unexpected birding hotspots all over Texas!
After her talk, Jennifer will be signing copies of her books:
- Parking Lot Birding: A Fun Guide to Discovering Birds in Texas
- Cemetery Birding: An Unexpected Guide to Discovering Birds in Texas
Then Jennifer will lead us on a birding walk out in our parking lot, so bring your binoculars!
PLUS, we'll be doing a NATIVE PLANT SALE after the talk! Details above.
About Our Expert Speaker
As well as authoring the Texas birding guides noted above, Jennifer L. Bristol created and directs the Victor Emanuel Nature Scholarship Fund (named after the famed naturalist) to send underserved youth to birding and nature immersion camps. An Austin resident, lifelong nature enthusiast, and former park ranger, she also guides cemetery bird walks for Travis Audubon, and is a former director of the Texas Children in Nature program at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Native Plant Tours
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Run by ethnobotanist Benito Treviño (featured by American Forests) and wife Toni.
- 621 W La Sagunada Rd., Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Birding Tours and Retreats
- Nature Ninja Birding Tours offers exceptional guided tours and all-inclusive birding retreats in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.
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Led by local birding whiz Tiffany Kersten, featured in Texas Monthly magazine.
Free Admission to Edinburg Scenic Wetlands
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Last Saturday and Sunday of each month
- A 40-acre wetlands oasis in the heart of Edinburg where you can spot birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
- Part of the World Birding Center network.
- 714 Raul Longoria Rd, Edinburg, TX 78542
King Ranch Nature Tours
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Recognized as an Internationally Important Bird Area, the King Ranch offers guided bird watching and wildlife tours through their diverse South Texas habitats where nearly 400 species of birds have been recorded.
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Home to the U.S.' largest known population of Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls.
- Locations vary by tour.
For older events, please see our Past Events page.