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The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families!

Photo gallery for The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families!

A garden pathway leading to a covered entrance with a bench and potted plants.
A living room with a sofa, TV, and a ceiling fan.
A gravel path leading to a wooden structure surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
A dining area with a glass table and wooden chairs, a brown leather sofa, and a ceiling fan.
A living room with a sofa, a coffee table with a book, a television on a wooden cabinet, and large windows with a view of greenery.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
Perched on the lake, this vacation home accommodates 12 guests with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It features a patio for outdoor relaxation and is pet-friendly. Nearby activities include game walks, fishing, and birdwatching, while attractions like the World's Largest Killer Bee and Old Hidalgo Pumphouse provide additional entertainment.

Highlights

  • Room to spread out
    Enjoy spacious layout that give everyone more room to relax.
  • Arcade/game room
    A rare find - fun for all ages with on-site arcade/game room.
  • Unmatched views, unforgettable moments
    Guests like the location for the scenic views.
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Dog-friendly
  • Patio
  • Toys
  • Internet

Explore the area

View in a map
Pharr, TX
  • Place, World's Largest Killer Bee
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Payne Arena
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Airport, McAllen, TX (MFE-Miller Intl.)
    ‪19 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1 - Bird Room

1 Twin Bed and 1 King Bed

Bedroom 2 - River Room

1 King Bed, 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed

Bedroom 3 - Safari Room

2 Twin Bunk Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1 - Primary

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2 - River & Safari Room Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families!

Located in Pharr, TX, the Birdhouse on the Rio is a three-bedroom two-bathroom birding retreat that can sleep up to 12 guests. Situated in one of the most popular birding and butterfly watching hotspots in the world, the home is surrounded by over 200 acres of farmland, towering tree canopies, and a peaceful lake. Come stay and wake up to the songs of local birds, explore scenic trails along the property, and enjoy the serenity of the lush surroundings with friends and family.


Rooms & Beds:
Primary Bedroom aka Bird Room - Option for 3 twin beds OR 1 king and 1 twin
Guest Room #1 aka River Room - king bed, twin over double bed
Guest Room #2 aka Safari Room - two twin over twin bunk beds

Ideal for:
Birders
Groups
Families with Kids
Reunions
Dove Hunting

Location:
10 miles from McAllen International Airport
90 minutes from South Padre Island

Within close proximity to several other world birding sites such as Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley in Mission, the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, Estero Llano Grande in Weslaco, Harlingen Arroyo Colorado, the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse, Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen, Resaca de la Palma in Brownsville, Roma Bluffs, and the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center

Birding:
Some of the birds you can expect to see at The Birdhouse include:
American Kestrel, Black Vulture, Black-crowned Night Heron, Black-crested Titmouse, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Clay-colored Thrush, Cliff Swallow, Common Ground Dove, Couch's Kingbird, Double-crested Cormorant, Eastern Pheobe, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Great Blue Night Heron, Great Kiskadee, Great-tailed Grackle, Green Jay, Grey Hawk, Hooded Oriole, Kentucky Warbler, Lesser Goldfinch, Mourning Dove, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Orange-crowned Warbler, Painted Bunting, Purple Martin, Roseate Spoonbill, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Snowy Egret, Turkey Vulture, Western Cattle Egret, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, and the Yellow-throated Warbler
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 50 lbs per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4384104
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 20
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

About the neighborhood

Pharr

Located in Pharr, this vacation home is in a rural area and on a lake. Old Hidalgo Pumphouse and Railway Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include World's Largest Killer Bee and Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Parish. Traveling with kids? Consider Reynosa Cultural Park and Smitty's Juke Box Museum. Fishing offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hunting and hiking nearby.
Map
Pharr, TX

What's nearby

  • World's Largest Killer Bee - 8 min drive - 4.9 km
  • Payne Arena - 8 min drive - 6.4 km
  • Old Hidalgo Pumphouse - 9 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge - 12 min drive - 11.3 km
  • Quinta Mazatlan - 15 min drive - 12.1 km

Getting around

  • Reynosa, Tamaulipas (REX-General Lucio Blanco Intl.) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sonic Crush - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Whataburger - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Little Caesars Pizza - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Taquería "El Mezquite - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Domino's Pizza - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families!?

As of Sep 2, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families! on Oct 4, 2026 start from $425, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families!?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Birdhouse on the Rio - A South Texas Retreat for Nature Lovers & Families! located?

Located on a lake, this family-friendly vacation home is within 6 mi (10 km) of World's Largest Killer Bee, Railway Museum, and Puente Internacional Reynosa-Hidalgo. Mercado Zaragoza and Plaza Miguel Hidalgo are also within 6 mi (10 km).

About the host

Hosted by Lauren Dyer

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