Texas is making headlines with the discovery of three new species, showcasing the state’s vibrant biodiversity and the surprising adaptability of its native wildlife.

Near San Antonio, a backyard birdwatcher encountered a never-before-seen hybrid—a striking mix of blue jay and green jay—confirmed by University of Texas researchers.

This interspecies blend is especially remarkable since their lineages split millions of years ago, likely brought together by shifting habitats due to climate change.

Out in Big Bend National Park, botanists discovered the “wooly devil,” known scientifically as Ovicula biradiata.

This peculiar plant, adorned with thick white hairs and devil-horned petals, represents not just a new species but a whole new genus in the sunflower family.

Meanwhile, Houston scientists identified a new tiger beetle, Eunota houstoniana, recognized for its unique traits and its threatened habitats along the Gulf Coast.

These remarkable finds highlight both Texas’s ecological treasures and the pressing need for continued conservation in both wild and urban spaces.