Aransas Bay

Ecosystem Overview

The Aransas Bay ecosystem supports 53 documented wildlife species across 48 taxonomic genera. Located in Aransas County, Texas, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 11 frequently observed species and 10 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Rockport nearby has 47% more documented species, Aransas Bay offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #5 for species diversity among 8 Aransas County County natural areas, placing it in the 38th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 8 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common11 species

Common16 species

Occasional16 species

Rare10 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 8 locations

38th percentile for diversity

vs. Rockport

-47% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

‌
‌
‌
‌

Biodiversity Highlights

‌

Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

‌

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 53 total documented species.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common11 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Very Common7 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common6 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Very Common6 obs.

Thalasseus maximus

Royal Tern

Very Common5 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Common5 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Common3 obs.

Arenaria interpres

ruddy turnstone

Common3 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Common3 obs.

Aythya americana

Redhead

Common2 obs.

Melanitta perspicillata

Surf Scoter

Common2 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Occasional2 obs.

Petrolisthes armatus

Green Porcelain Crab

Occasional2 obs.

Leiostomus xanthurus

Spot Croaker

Occasional2 obs.

Pluvialis squatarola

grey plover

Occasional2 obs.

Clibanarius vittatus

Occasional1 obs.

Pagurus pollicaris

Flatclaw Hermit

Occasional1 obs.

Nerocila lanceolata

Rare1 obs.

Exosphaeroma diminutum

Rare1 obs.

Orthemis ferruginea

Roseate Skimmer

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 53 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.

Most Common Species

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

Want the Complete Field Guide?

‌
‌

‌

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Aransas Bay. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Aransas Bay. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

Email Address (for delivery)

Your field guide will be delivered to this email address. Please double-check for accuracy.

$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-5%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Aransas County County, Texas

Nearby Natural Areas

Rockport

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-47% vs. current

Saint Charles Bay

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+66% vs. current

Long Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+2550% vs. current

Mustang Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+2550% vs. current

Goose Island

Importance: 0.33

59 species

-10% vs. current

Port Aransas

Importance: 0.31

100 species

-47% vs. current

Aransas County

Importance: 0.31

100 species

-47% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Aransas County County.

Regional Comparison

‌

Regional Ranking

‌

Species Count

‌

vs. Regional Average

‌

Nearby Natural Areas

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

About This Comparison

‌
‌
‌

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-5%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Aransas County County, Texas

Nearby Natural Areas

Rockport

Importance: 0.39

100 species

-47% vs. current

Saint Charles Bay

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+66% vs. current

Long Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+2550% vs. current

Mustang Lake

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+2550% vs. current

Goose Island

Importance: 0.33

59 species

-10% vs. current

Port Aransas

Importance: 0.31

100 species

-47% vs. current

Aransas County

Importance: 0.31

100 species

-47% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 8 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common11 species

Common16 species

Occasional16 species

Rare10 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 8 locations

38th percentile for diversity

vs. Rockport

-47% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 53 total documented species.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common11 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Very Common7 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common6 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Very Common6 obs.

Thalasseus maximus

Royal Tern

Very Common5 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Common5 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Common3 obs.

Arenaria interpres

ruddy turnstone

Common3 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Common3 obs.

Aythya americana

Redhead

Common2 obs.

Melanitta perspicillata

Surf Scoter

Common2 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Occasional2 obs.

Petrolisthes armatus

Green Porcelain Crab

Occasional2 obs.

Leiostomus xanthurus

Spot Croaker

Occasional2 obs.

Pluvialis squatarola

grey plover

Occasional2 obs.

Clibanarius vittatus

Occasional1 obs.

Pagurus pollicaris

Flatclaw Hermit

Occasional1 obs.

Nerocila lanceolata

Rare1 obs.

Exosphaeroma diminutum

Rare1 obs.

Orthemis ferruginea

Roseate Skimmer

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 53 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.