Large varieties of butterflies and birds are attracted to the Museum’s lush grounds. The monarch was designated the official state insect of Texas in 1995, but the population has fallen and needs to be protected. In the gardens, you will find several plants that attract butterflies, including pentas, plumbago, buddleia, lantana, and milkweed because of their color and nectar. Milkweed in particular attracts monarch butterflies. There are also a variety of birds who visit The Bryan Museum grounds such as hummingbirds, who like tubular flowers, as well as warbles, doves, finches, blue jays, sparrows, and woodpeckers who like palm tree trunks. At times we have even had hawks, night owls, and families of herons visit the grounds.