Lodging year-round by reservation · Observation Room open Saturdays 8:30 am–noon, April–July

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Hummer House, Christoval, Texas – Bed, Breakfast, Birds – home
Christoval, Texas · on the South Concho River

Where thousands of hummingbirds spend the summer.

Stay in a private cottage under live oaks and pecans, eighteen miles south of San Angelo, and wake up to the hum of Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Painted Buntings and 162 banded species.

See the cottages Plan a Saturday visit
3 private cottages135 acres to exploreOpen Saturdays April–July
  • Two hummingbird eggs in a cotton-lined nest
    two tiny eggs
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird with a glowing red throat, held gently after banding
    Ruby-throated
  • A mother hummingbird beside her fledgling on a branch
    ready to fly
  • Male Painted Bunting with a blue head, green back and red belly
    Painted Bunting!
  • The Hideaway cottage porch with a swing and turquoise door
    Hideaway porch
  • The Lodge sleeping porch with queen beds beside the windows
    sleeping porch
A west Texas oasis

Nature at its finest, right outside your cottage door.

Eighteen miles south of San Angelo, near the banks of the spring-fed South Concho River, the Hummer House is unique for its natural beauty. What sets it apart from other wildlife habitats are its thousands of tiny residents: the Hummer House is the summer home to a large concentration of breeding Black-chinned Hummingbirds.

Numerous native bird species are joined by migrants as the seasons change. Deer are most plentiful in fall, winter and spring, and every September wild turkeys move into the thickets with their young in groups that number into the hundreds.

“Join us and experience nature at its finest!” — Dan & Cathy

Black-chinned Hummingbird resting in a hand after banding, its violet throat band catching the light
59,441birds banded on the ranch since 1995
18,994Black-chinned Hummingbirds banded
162species banded here
7,654Painted Buntings banded
When to come

A year at the Hummer House

Every season brings different guests. Here is what to watch for.

  1. Mid-March

    The first male hummingbirds arrive. Time to hang out nesting cotton.

  2. Late March

    Females arrive about a week behind the males and start gathering cotton for nests.

  3. April

    The Observation Room opens on the first Saturday. By mid-April hummingbirds are plentiful.

  4. Late April

    Painted Buntings arrive to nest and raise their young.

  5. Mid-July

    Nest building winds down. The Observation Room's last Saturday is in late July.

  6. September

    Most hummingbirds head south by mid-September. Wild turkeys move into the thickets with their young.

  7. Fall – Spring

    The largest numbers of deer are seen, and migrant birds pass through as the seasons change.

Stay with us

Three cottages, each with a front-row seat.

Every cottage is fully furnished, with luxury linens, a stocked kitchen, complimentary breakfast items, a gas grill and covered parking. Two-night minimum.

The Hummer House cottage at the Hummer House$200 / night

The Hummer House

2 bedrooms · 2 full baths · 950 sq. ft. · sleeps 4–6 adults

Our original cottage, with a big porch made for coffee, conversation and hummingbird watching.

Explore The Hummer House
The Lodge cottage at the Hummer House$450 / night

The Lodge

2 bedrooms + sleeping porch · 1,850 sq. ft. · sleeps 12–14 adults

Built for families and friends who travel together, with a sleeping porch that looks right out into the trees.

Explore The Lodge
The Hideaway cottage at the Hummer House$150 / night

The Hideaway

1 bedroom · walk-in shower · 660 sq. ft. · sleeps 1–2 guests

Cozy and romantic. A stone cottage for an anniversary, a honeymoon or a quiet getaway for one or two.

Explore The Hideaway

Compare cottages & rates

A hummingbird sipping from a purple coneflower
Day visitors welcome

The Observation Room

Whether you are an expert in the study of wildlife or just appreciate the beauty of nature and its creatures, visiting the Hummer House Observation Room is a uniquely enchanting experience. Settle into the air-conditioned viewing room and watch the hummingbirds come to you.

Observation Room details
Open
Saturdays, 8:30 am – noon
Season
First Saturday in April through the last Saturday in July
Where
21301 Toe Nail Trail, Christoval, TX
Watch & meet

Your hosts, Dan & Cathy Brown

Dan is the son of a pioneer ranching family and has spent most of his life on this ranch along the banks of the South Concho River. Together, Dan and Cathy have opened it to guests, birders and schoolchildren who want to experience it for themselves.

Guests talk about the peace, the birds, the rides on the golf carts, and the welcome most of all.

Dan and Cathy Brown standing together on their ranch

A look at the Hummer House.

Guest comments

“We will return!”

We have found abundant peace here along with the familiarity of being in the “country” again. We walk away with clarity, leave with renewed strength and we will return again for another drink from your land of paradise. Thank you for sharing your heaven with others.

— David and Gretchen

You have given us the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and see some of the most amazing birds ever. Thanks for inviting us to the bird banding event. I never dreamed I would hold a chickadee and a painted bunting. What a treat that was! Your hospitality and accommodations here are supreme!

— Candi and Greg

Who knew twenty miles from home there is a restful haven. I walked into a room of beautiful music, wonderful aroma and a chocolate cake! Thank you for a better than home away from home!

— Dick and Sheila

Read more guest comments

Photo gallery

Feathers, nests & front porches

Nearly 200 photos of hummingbirds, nesting season, banded species and every corner of the cottages.

Two hummingbird nestlings growing pin feathersMale Black-chinned Hummingbird showing its violet throat bandMale Painted Bunting with its tail fanned, held gently during bandingThe Hideaway’s stone porch with a porch swing and turquoise doorCalliope Hummingbird held gently during bandingVermilion Flycatcher with its bright red crest, perched on a bander’s handThe Lodge’s sleeping porch lined with queen-size beds and windows on the treesGreat Horned Owl with bright yellow eyesYoung hummingbirds peeking over the rim of their nestWestern Tanager with a yellow face and orange cheekSummer Tanager held gently during banding at the Hummer RanchRufous Hummingbird held during banding

Open the full gallery

Belted Kingfisher held gently during banding at the Hummer Ranch
Research on the ranch

Bird Banding

59,441 birds of 162 species have been banded at the Hummer Ranch since 1995, including 18,994 Black-chinned Hummingbirds.

About bird banding
Students at a Camp Discovery learning station
Outdoor education

Camp Discovery

Every May, Christoval ISD fourth graders spend a day learning from expert presenters under the live oaks. It’s been a tradition since 2012.

About Camp Discovery
Plan your visit

Come sit on the porch and watch the show.

Lodging is available year-round by reservation. Call or email Cathy to check dates for the Hummer House, the Lodge or the Hideaway.

Call 325.255.2254Email Cathy
Hummer House
21301 Toe Nail Trail
Christoval, TX 76935
About 18 miles south of San Angelo
Get directions