South Carolina Coastal Bird Guide

Transcription

1 South Carolina Coastal Bird Guide Photographs courtesy of Jeff Mollenhauer

2 Table of Contents Herons Identification long neck, long legs, and a long, sharp bill; catch prey by wading in water, feed on fish near land a) Great blue heron b) Great egret c) Snowy egret d) Tricolored heron Gulls, terns, & skimmers Identification long thin wings, short, dagger-like bill, very skilled and graceful fliers, feed on fish near surface of water e) Laughing gull f) Royal tern g) Least tern h) Black skimmer Shorebirds Identification many have short wings with unique wing patterns in flight and long, round bills used for probing into mud or sand for prey, feed on invertebrates and mollusks i) American oystercatcher j) Willet k) Ruddy turnstone l) Sanderling Others m) Osprey n) Double-crested cormorant o) Brown pelican

3 Great Blue Heron Ardea herodius Description Great blue herons like other members of the heron family have long, thin legs and a long neck with a long, sharp bill. Great blue herons are the largest species of heron in North America. They have grayish blue plumage covering most of the body and wings, a black crown on the head, gray legs and feet, and a yellow bill. Great blue herons often stand motionless in water waiting for their prey to come within striking range. Their prey consists of fish, frogs, salamanders, snakes, crabs, crayfish, shrimp, mice, and insects. Identification very large, blue-gray plumage, black crown Habitat Marine and fresh water environments. Nest in large rookeries with other species of herons and egrets in wooded swamps or mangroves. Range Breeds throughout the entire United States and Mexico. Migrates as far south as northern South America in winter. Size weight = 2,400 g (5.3 lb), length = 46 in., wing span = 72 in. Remarks Great blue herons typically lay 4 eggs. The eggs hatch every 24 hours in the order that they were laid, so the first chick to hatch is 4 days older than the last chick to hatch. During years when food is plentiful, all of the chicks may survive. When food is scarce, only the larger, older chicks will survive.

4 Great Egret Casmerodius albus Description Great egrets like other members of the heron family have long, thin legs and a long neck with a long, sharp bill. Great egrets have all white plumage, a yellow bill, black legs, and black feet. Their prey consists of fish, frogs, salamanders, snakes, mice, and insects. Identification large size, all white plumage, black legs and feet, yellow bill Habitat Marine and fresh water environments. Nest in large rookeries with other species of herons and egrets in wooded swamps or mangroves. Range Throughout the entire United States and Mexico. Size weight = 870 g (1.9 lb), length = 39 in., wing span = 51 in. Remarks From 1840 to the early 1900 s, great egrets along with many other species of the heron family were hunted mercilessly for their beautiful plumes or aigrettes. In the early 1900 s, laws were created to ban the hunting of herons and egrets and their populations have now recovered to their normal numbers.

5 Snowy Egret Egretta thula Description Snowy egrets like other members of the heron family have long, thin legs and a long neck with a long, sharp bill. Snowy egrets have all white plumage, a black bill with a yellow patch at the base, black legs, and yellow feet. Their bright yellow feet are used like a fishing lure to attract small fish. Their prey consists of small fish, frogs, snakes, shrimp, fiddler crabs, and insects. Identification all white plumage, yellow feet, black bill Habitat Marine and fresh water environments. Nest in large rookeries (may have thousands of pairs in a single colony) with other species of herons and egrets in wooded swamps or mangroves. Range Throughout the entire United States, Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. Size weight = 360 g (13 oz), length = 24 in., wing span = 41 in. Remarks From 1840 to the early 1900 s, snowy egrets along with many other species of the heron family were hunted mercilessly for their beautiful plumes or aigrettes. In the early 1900 s, laws were created to ban the hunting of herons and egrets and their populations have now recovered to their normal numbers.

6 Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Description Tricolored herons are a member of the heron family. Their head, neck, and back are a bluish purple color, while their undersides are white. They will hunt prey either by standing very still and waiting for the prey to come within striking range or by running rapidly through the water in an attempt to scare prey from their hiding places. Their prey consists mainly of small fishes. Identification bluish purple plumage, white belly, very active Habitat Marine and fresh water environments. Nest in large rookeries with other herons and egrets in wooded swamps, mangroves, or on barrier islands. Range Found along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to northern South America and along the Pacific coast from northern Mexico to northern South America. Size weight = 380 g (13 oz), length = 26 in., wing span = 36 in. Remarks Herons have formed an interesting relationship with alligators. Herons often build their nests in trees above a swamp. Alligators living in the water underneath the nests prevent raccoons from eating all of the heron eggs and young. The alligators in turn benefit by eating any young herons that accidentally fall from the nest.

7 Laughing Gull Larus atricilla Description Laughing gulls are a member of the gull family. They are easily identified during the breeding season by their dark black head with a dark red bill, gray back and wings, and white undersides. They get their name from their loud, raucous calls that sound like laughter. Laughing gulls have a diverse range of foraging strategies, including feeding on small fish that swim near the surface of the water, stealing fish from pelicans, eating eggs and chicks from tern colonies, and scavenging. Identification black head, white eye ring, dark red bill, gray back Habitat Usually marine environments. Nests on protected beaches and barrier islands in large colonies. Range Breeds along the Atlantic coast from Canada to Texas. Winters along the coast from North Carolina to South America. Size weight = 320 g (11 oz), length = 16.5 in., wing span = 40 in. Remarks One of the many adaptations that gulls have to living in the marine environment are their salt glands. The salt glands, which are located on the top of the skull, allow the bird to drink salt water by filtering out excess salt.

8 Royal Tern Sterna maxima Description Royal terns are one of the largest terns in North America. Terns are members of the gull family. Royal terns have a white chest, gray back and wings, black cap on head, black legs and feet, and an orange bill. In non-breeding plumage the black cap recedes to back of head making the bird appear as though it is beginning to go bald. Hovers in air and then dives head first into water to catch prey. Prey consists mainly of small fish up to about 4 inches in length. Identification Orange bill, black cap or balding black cap Habitat Marine environments. Nest in large colonies on the sandy beaches of barrier islands. Some of the largest nesting colonies ever recorded (10,000 to 12,000 pairs) have been found on the barrier islands of South Carolina! Range Breed along the Atlantic coastline from New Jersey to parts of Mexico and Caribbean. Also breeds along Pacific coastline of Mexico. Atlantic population winters from South Carolina to Argentina. Size weight = 470 g (1 lb), length = 20 in., wing span = 41 in. Remarks One member of the tern family, the arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea), undergoes a spectacular migration each year. Arctic terns fly from the Antarctic to the Arctic and back again each year, which adds up to about 22,000 miles roundtrip!

9 Least Tern Sterna antillarum Description Least terns are the smallest tern in North America. Terns are members of the gull family. Least terns have a white chest, gray back and wings, black cap on head, yellow legs and feet, and a yellow bill. Their small size and rapid wing beats often help to separate them from other terns and gulls. Least terns often catch their prey by hovering over a school of fish and then diving head first into the school. Prey includes small fish, sand eels, and shrimp. Identification small size, yellow bill, rapid wing beats Habitat Marine environments. Nest in large colonies on protected beaches, barrier islands, and even rooftops of large buildings. Range World-wide along coasts. Size weight = 42 g (1.5oz), length = 9 in., wing span = 20 in. Remarks Least terns are listed as a threatened species in South Carolina, due to loss of suitable nesting habitat. Adult least terns will defend their nests very aggressively from predators. Defense mechanisms include dive-bombing and defecating on any intruders to the nesting colony.

10 Black Skimmer Rynchops niger Description Black skimmers are black on the top side of their back and wings and white on their undersides. The base of their bill and legs are a striking orange color. Black skimmers have a unique bill shape, in which the upper bill is actually shorter than the lower bill. They use the long, lower bill to skim the surface of the water while they are flying low over the surface of the water. When they hit a fish, the bill clamps down on it. Identification orange and black bill, black plumage on back, buoyant flight Habitat Marine environments. Nests in large colonies along the sandy beaches of barrier islands. Range Breeds along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Mexico and along the Pacific coast from Mexico to northern South America. Winters from Florida to southern South America. Size weight = 300 g (11 oz), length = 18 in., wing span = 44 in. Remarks Although black skimmers can be seen feeding during the day, they do most of their feeding at twilight or at night. One adaptation they possess for nocturnal activity that is not common among other birds is a vertically slit pupil, similar to a cat s eye.

11 American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus Description American oystercatchers are members of the shorebird family. They have a black head, back, and wings, a white underside, flesh colored legs, and striking orange bill and eye ring. Oystercatchers have a highly specialized bill that is used to catch their most common prey, oysters and clams. They insert their bill into an oyster or clam and cut the abductor muscles that close the shell. Identification black head and back, long orange bill, orange eye ring Habitat Marine environments. Found along coastal beaches, mud flats, and oyster beds. Range Along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to northern South America and along the Pacific coast from northern Mexico to northern South America. Size weight = 630 g (1.4 lb), length = 17.5 in., wing span = 32 in. Remarks Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina provides habitat for about 33% of the entire Atlantic population of American oystercatchers during the winter!

12 Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Description Willets are a member of the shorebird family. They are identified by their dull brown plumage on their back, head, and chest, gray legs, and and a long, straight bill. A distinctive white wing stripe and black wing tips are evident during flight. Willets use their long bill to feed on marine worms and other invertebrates buried deep in the sand. Identification dull brown plumage, long straight bill, long legs, black and white wing pattern in flight Habitat Marine and fresh water environments. Commonly seen feeding along mud flats, sandy beaches, or rocky shores. Range Breeds along the Atlantic coast from southern Canada to Texas and inland in the northwestern United States. The Atlantic population winters along the coast from North Carolina to northern South America. Size weight = 215 g (8 oz), length = 15 in., wing span = 26 in. Remarks Willets like other members of the shorebird family, have extremely camouflaged eggs and chicks. Their eggs, a sandy brown color with black speckles, are laid in a small depression in the sand. When the mother leaves the nest, the eggs are nearly impossible to see. Can you see the egg and chick in these pictures?

13 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Description Ruddy turnstones are a member of the shorebird family. In breeding plumage, they have a rusty red back, a black bib on the chest, a white belly, and orange legs and feet. Turnstones get their name from their feeding behavior. They use their short bills to flip over small rocks and debris in search of prey. Their prey consists of sand fleas, worms, horseshoe crab eggs, fiddler crabs, and insects. Identification very small, rusty red plumage on back, short bill, calico pattern in flight Habitat Marine environments. Mainly found along rocky areas of the coast, but can also be seen on beaches or mudflats Range World-wide along coasts. Breeds in the arctic and winters as far south as southern South America. Size weight = 110 g (3.9 oz), length = 9.5 in., wing span = 21 in. Remarks Like many other shorebirds, ruddy turnstones have precocial young, which means that they are capable of moving around on their own as soon as they are born. Within hours of hatching young turnstones are running around and feeding on sand fleas, insects, or other available prey!

14 Sanderling Calidris alba Description Sanderlings are small members of the shorebird family. They have a thin, black bill and black legs and feet. In nonbreeding plumage, their backs and heads are gray and their bellies are white. During the breeding season, their backs, heads, and chests become a rusty brown color. Sanderlings are often seen running in and out with the waves on the beach as they feed on marine worms, minute crustaceans, and small mollusks. Identification very small, gray and white plumage, thin bill Habitat Marine environments. Found on sandy beaches. Range World-wide along coasts. Breeds throughout arctic and winters as far as southern South America. Sanderlings seen along the South Carolina coast are either migrating or non-breeders. Size weight = 60 g (2.1 oz), length = 8 in., wing span = 17 in. Remarks Sanderlings will aggressively defend their feeding space on the beach. If another bird gets too close to their foraging area, they will puff up their feathers into a humpback posture and chase off the other bird.

15 Osprey Pandion haliaetus Description Osprey, like other members of a group of birds called raptors, have a hooked bill and strong sharp talons. They have brown on the back and wings and white on the head and belly. Osprey are often seen soaring or hovering over the water in search of fish, which they catch by diving feet first into the water. An osprey s feet are double-jointed to allow them to turn the captured fish parallel to the direction in which they are flying. By doing this, the fish creates less wind resistance. Identification hooked bill, brown back, white head and undersides Habitat Marine and fresh water environments. Commonly seen fishing in small ponds, lakes, rivers, and in the oceans. Nests on large dead trees, utility poles, or man-made nest platforms. Range World-wide distribution. Found on every continent except for Antarctica. Size weight = 1,600 g (3.5 lb), length = 23 in., wing span = 63 in. Remarks Osprey numbers declined drastically from the 1950 s to the 1970 s and were listed as endangered or threatened in many states. Since the ban on DDT in 1972 and the construction of nest platforms in areas of habitat loss osprey populations have significantly recovered.

16 Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Description Double-crested cormorants have a black body, legs, and feet and a yellow bill. The crests, which are actually two tufts of feather that stick up on the head, are only visible for a short period during the breeding season. Cormorants swim underwater to catch their prey, which consists mainly of fish. Identification all black plumage, yellow bill, webbed feet Habitat Marine and fresh water environments. Commonly seen fishing on small ponds, lakes, rivers, and in the ocean. Range Widespread throughout most of the the United States. Size weight = 1,700 g (3.7 lb), length = 33 in., wing span = 52 in. Remarks Cormorants have several adaptations for swimming underwater. Unlike many other species of birds, cormorants have solid bones and lack waterproofing in their feathers, both of which decreases their buoyancy. As soon as cormorants return to land after diving, they spread their wings in order to dry them.

17 Brown Pelican Pelicanus occidentalis Description Brown pelicans have a dark brown body with a long bill that has an expandable pouch on the lower side. Adults have white on the head. Groups of pelicans are often seen flying single file just a couple of feet above the surface of the water. Brown pelicans diet consists almost exclusively of fish. They catch fish by diving into the water head first and trapping fish in their expandable pouch. Identification very large, brown plumage, large bill with pouch Habitat Marine environments. Nests in large colonies on islands that have no mammalian predators. The nest itself is constructed in small trees, shrubs, or on the ground. Range Breeds along Atlantic coast from North Carolina to the Caribbean and along the Pacific coast from California to South America. Size weight = 3,740 g (8.2 lb), length = 51 in., wing span = 79 in. Remarks Brown pelicans were listed as an endangered species in the US in 1970 due to DDT pollution. DDT weakened the egg shells of nesting pelicans causing them crack very easily. Since the ban of DDT in 1972 the brown pelican population has significantly recovered and is no longer listed as an endangered species.