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Thousands of great-tailed grackles gather at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to roost, Feb. 13, 2026. The city-dwelling birds prefer busy human areas for their roosts as high traffic wards off natural predators. Gathering in such large numbers also helps the birds rest safely.

Thousands of great-tailed grackles gather at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to roost, Feb. 13, 2026. The city-dwelling birds prefer busy human areas for their roosts as high traffic wards off natural predators. Gathering in such large numbers also helps the birds rest safely.

Airport traffic passes below as thousands of great-tailed grackles gather at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to roost, Feb. 13, 2026. The city-dwelling birds prefer busy human areas for their roosts as high traffic wards off natural predators. Gathering in such large numbers also helps the birds rest safely.

Birds begin perching on top of the terminal building after a day of hunting as thousands of great-tailed grackles gather at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to roost, Feb. 13, 2026. The city-dwelling birds prefer busy human areas for their roosts as high traffic wards off natural predators. Gathering in such large numbers also helps the birds rest safely.

A female grackle perches as thousands of great-tailed grackles gather at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to roost, Feb. 13, 2026. The city-dwelling birds prefer busy human areas for their roosts as high traffic wards off natural predators. Gathering in such large numbers also helps the birds rest safely.

History

These Austin hotspots attract thousands of grackles on winter nights

Why do Texas grackles congregate in great gregarious mobs at parking lots, parks, airports during the winter?

By Michael Barnes

The Lower Colorado River Authority will consider building a new lake in Colorado County, agency officials announced Wednesday.

LCRA could build a new lake southeast of Austin

See where IKEA is planning three new stores in Texas

The demolition of the Frank Erwin Center continues Monday May 20, 2024, after it was mostly flattened on Sunday. The demolition of the Erwin Center and the adjacent Denton Cooley Pavilion basketball training facility was intended to make way for a UT academic medical center.

UT's new Academic Medical Center will no longer be based at Erwin Center site

Nate Paul suffered a setback Wednesday in his efforts to hang onto a prime piece of Rainey Street property. He's seen here outside the federal courthouse ahead of an earlier hearing. He was not in court Wednesday.

Nate Paul suffers setback as judge tosses case in $27M IHOP foreclosure fight

Austin police cruiser

Austin officer fired after viral Sixth Street punch

Watch Now

Latest News

Golden: AD Chris Del Conte Texas football canceled Arizona State series

ATX Open set for 2026 event with its biggest name yet: Venus Williams

75-Year prison term for man in Cedar Park police standoff

Austin Transit Partnership chooses contractor for $7.1B light-rail system

Police seek suspects in deadly North Austin rec center shooting

Texas A&M basketball vs Ole Miss: Aggies complete comeback vs Rebels

8 killed in Lake Tahoe avalanche as search shifts to recovery

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Hook'em

Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) reacts after a play during the Longhorns' game against the Florida Gators, Nov. 9, 2024 at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.

Longhorns Football

Malik Muhammad scouting report: Positional rankings, NFL draft projections for Texas CB

Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad has declared for the NFL draft. The Longhorns have had just seven of their defensive backs drafted over the previous 10 years.

Longhorns Baseball

Texas Longhorns: Size 18 cleats stood between Sam Cozart and stardom

Texas baseball pitcher Sam Cozart had to go to extreme lengths to secure Nike cleats that fit him.

Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) catches the ball in an attempt to keep it in-bounds as a time-out is called and a turnover was avoided in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.

Longhorns Men's Basketball

Texas vs LSU: Replay, highlights as Texas holds on for win

Longhorns Football

Texas Longhorns among the best odds to win 2026-27 CFP. Here's where they rank

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) and Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) celebrate after a kneel as time expires during the Lone Star Showdown against Texas A&M at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

Longhorns Football

Texas football and Arizona State cancel upcoming nonconference series

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian hold up the sign of the horns during "The Eyes of Texas," after the loss to Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.

Longhorns

After being 2023 runners-up, Texas tennis wins first ITA title

Texas tennis player Jonah Braswell plays against Texas A&M in the NCAA Championship Round of 16, May 10, 2024 in Austin, Texas at the Texas Tennis Center.

Longhorns Football

Texas Longhorns extend contracts of several football coaches

Texas Longhorns Bevo XV makes his way into the Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium during before the Texas Longhorns head off against Arkansas Razorbacks NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.

Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) reacts after a play during the Longhorns' game against the Florida Gators, Nov. 9, 2024 at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.

Longhorns Football

Malik Muhammad scouting report: Positional rankings, NFL draft projections for Texas CB

Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad has declared for the NFL draft. The Longhorns have had just seven of their defensive backs drafted over the previous 10 years.

Longhorns Football

Texas Longhorns among the best odds to win 2026-27 CFP. Here's where they rank

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) and Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) celebrate after a kneel as time expires during the Lone Star Showdown against Texas A&M at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

Longhorns

After being 2023 runners-up, Texas tennis wins first ITA title

Texas tennis player Jonah Braswell plays against Texas A&M in the NCAA Championship Round of 16, May 10, 2024 in Austin, Texas at the Texas Tennis Center.

Longhorns Baseball

Texas Longhorns: Size 18 cleats stood between Sam Cozart and stardom

Texas baseball pitcher Sam Cozart had to go to extreme lengths to secure Nike cleats that fit him.

Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) catches the ball in an attempt to keep it in-bounds as a time-out is called and a turnover was avoided in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Moody Center in Austin, Jan. 24, 2026. Texas won the game 87-67.

Longhorns Men's Basketball

Texas vs LSU: Replay, highlights as Texas holds on for win

Longhorns Football

Texas football and Arizona State cancel upcoming nonconference series

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian hold up the sign of the horns during "The Eyes of Texas," after the loss to Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia.

Longhorns Football

Texas Longhorns extend contracts of several football coaches

Texas Longhorns Bevo XV makes his way into the Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium during before the Texas Longhorns head off against Arkansas Razorbacks NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.

Texas Longhorns receiver Parker Livingstone (13) makes a catch during the game against Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida.

Longhorns Football

Texas football transfer portal hub: Who's staying and who's leaving

As the transfer portal window opens, Texas football players have begun to make decisions on their future. Here's what we know.

Sports

Texas athletic director Chris del Conte walks the sideline during the game against Vanderbilt at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 in Austin.

Golden: AD Chris Del Conte Texas football canceled Arizona State series

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte explains why the football program won't be playing Arizona State in 2032 and 2033.

Local Sports

ATX Open set for 2026 event with its biggest name yet: Venus Williams

Two Grand Slam singles title winners are in this year's field of the ATX Open women's tennis tournament, but clearly 45-year-old Venus Williams is the top draw.

Aggies

Texas A&M basketball vs Ole Miss: Aggies complete comeback vs Rebels

Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) brings the rebound down during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.

High School Baseball

Top 10 Austin-area high school baseball teams entering the 2026 season

JP Kazmann throws to first for a double play for Round Rock. Round Rock swept a bi-district baseball playoff series with Bowie, 7-2 and 9-0, at Manor High School on May 2, 2025.

Aggies

Mike Elko has a solution to help the future of NCAA football: 'Put somebody in charge'

On an On3 podcast, Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko joins the call in support for a college football commissioner.

Westlake Chaparrals Molly Frazer (0) shoots for three as the Chaparrals take on the Dripping Springs Tigers, Jan. 16, 2026.

High School Basketball

Westlake rides big second half to beat Vista Ridge, improves to 36-0

The Westlake Chaparrals improved to 36-0 thanks to a decisive third quarter in Tuesday's Class 6A playoff win over Vista Ridge. Central Texas' playoff roundup.

Texas athletic director Chris del Conte walks the sideline during the game against Vanderbilt at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 in Austin.

Golden: AD Chris Del Conte Texas football canceled Arizona State series

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte explains why the football program won't be playing Arizona State in 2032 and 2033.

Local Sports

ATX Open set for 2026 event with its biggest name yet: Venus Williams

Two Grand Slam singles title winners are in this year's field of the ATX Open women's tennis tournament, but clearly 45-year-old Venus Williams is the top draw.

Aggies

Texas A&M basketball vs Ole Miss: Aggies complete comeback vs Rebels

Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) brings the rebound down during the first half of Lone Star Showdown, Jan. 17, 2026 at the Moody Center in Austin. Texas A&M won the game 74-70.

Aggies

Mike Elko has a solution to help the future of NCAA football: 'Put somebody in charge'

On an On3 podcast, Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko joins the call in support for a college football commissioner.

Westlake Chaparrals Molly Frazer (0) shoots for three as the Chaparrals take on the Dripping Springs Tigers, Jan. 16, 2026.

High School Basketball

Westlake rides big second half to beat Vista Ridge, improves to 36-0

The Westlake Chaparrals improved to 36-0 thanks to a decisive third quarter in Tuesday's Class 6A playoff win over Vista Ridge. Central Texas' playoff roundup.

High School Baseball

Top 10 Austin-area high school baseball teams entering the 2026 season

JP Kazmann throws to first for a double play for Round Rock. Round Rock swept a bi-district baseball playoff series with Bowie, 7-2 and 9-0, at Manor High School on May 2, 2025.

Sports Columns

Cedric Golden

Cedric Golden|Sports columnist

Golden: AD Chris Del Conte Texas football canceled Arizona State series

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte explains why the football program won't be playing Arizona State in 2032 and 2033.

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Entertainment

Features Columns

American-Statesman restaurant critic Matthew Odam had a tasty 2025.

Matthew Odam|Restaurant critic and reporter

Exclusive: Old Threadgill’s in South Austin is getting a new life as Bartlett’s

Bartlett's owner partners with McGuire Moorman Lambert for a South Austin location of the "classic big, comfortable, American restaurant."

Michael Barnes

Michael Barnes|Columnist

These Austin hotspots attract thousands of grackles on winter nights

Why do Texas grackles congregate in great gregarious mobs at parking lots, parks, airports during the winter?

From our partners at GreenState

Trump administration considering reclassifying magic mushrooms

Texas DA smokes weed on TikTok to fight THC ban

Opinion

A voter heads into the Ben Hur Shrine polling place in Austin as early voting began Feb. 17 for the March primary elections. Races from U.S. Senate to Travis County commissioners court are on the ballot.

Your Voice

Texas leads the nation — except at the ballot box | Opinion

If Texas wants to remain competitive, stable, and confident in the decades ahead, voter engagement cannot be treated as optional. Especially in primaries, Sharon Jones and Chelsie Kramer write.

Your Voice

This is not how you improve education at the University of Texas | Opinion

Exoneration in Austin yogurt shop murders case is long overdue | Editorial

Your Voice

Students can solve controversial problems. UT must trust them to do so | Opinion

Your Voice

Why letting ICE sign its own warrants could end in tragedy | Opinion

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