Water Birds

GREAT BLUE HERON*
4 ft. tall, 6 ft. wingspan. Feeds in shallow water on fish, crayfish and frogs. Similar wetlands species include the great egret (3 ft.), snowy egret, green-backed heron and night heron. 

LARGE SHORE BIRDS

AMERICAN AVOCET* Swings upturned bill through water in a scythe-like motion to feed. The pinkish-tan in breeding season turns pale gray in winter. Similar birds are black-necked stilt, marbled godwit, willet, whimbrel, dowitcher and yellowlegs. 

FLOATING BIRDS

REDHEAD. This is a diving duck which breeds in marshes, as are the canvasback, ruddy and ringnecked duck. Other pond floaters include grebes, loons, geese and surface-feeding ducks (mallards, teal, pintail, wood duck).