Wetland BirdsWetland Birds

Move Over Ducks, Geese, and SwansMove Over Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Acknowledgement: Danny HwangAcknowledgement: Danny Hwang

Origin of BirdsOrigin of Birds Believed to have evolved Believed to have evolved

from small theropod from small theropod dinosaurs (Velociraptor)dinosaurs (Velociraptor)– StructurallyStructurally

Both have 3 digitsBoth have 3 digits Shoulder sockets similar Shoulder sockets similar

– Behavior Behavior Incubated NestsIncubated Nests

ArchaeopteryxArchaeopteryx– Earliest Bird.Earliest Bird.– Transitional species from Transitional species from

dinosaurs to birds.dinosaurs to birds.– Beak with sharp teeth.Beak with sharp teeth.– Lack of keel.Lack of keel.

Modern Bird FeaturesModern Bird Features

Power of FlightPower of Flight– Keel present / Large Breast MuscleKeel present / Large Breast Muscle– Hollow Bones / Mass DistributionHollow Bones / Mass Distribution– FeathersFeathers

Beak with no teethBeak with no teeth Single bone in middle ear.Single bone in middle ear. Four-Chambered HeartFour-Chambered Heart Internal fertilization (lay eggs)Internal fertilization (lay eggs)

Bird TaxonomyBird Taxonomy

Kingdom: AnimaliaKingdom: Animalia Phylum: ChordataPhylum: Chordata Subphylum: VertebrataSubphylum: Vertebrata Class: Aves ?Class: Aves ? Superorders: PaleognathaeSuperorders: Paleognathae

NeognathaeNeognathae

Superorder: NeognathaeSuperorder: Neognathae

Orders: Orders: WATERFOWLWATERFOWL

– Anseriformes – Ducks, Geese, Swans Anseriformes – Ducks, Geese, Swans NON- WATERFOWLNON- WATERFOWL

– Gruiformes – CranesGruiformes – Cranes– Rallidae – Rails, Coots.Rallidae – Rails, Coots.– Podicipediformes – GrebesPodicipediformes – Grebes– Ciconiiformes – HeronsCiconiiformes – Herons– Coraciiformes - KingfishersCoraciiformes - Kingfishers– Gaviiformes – LoonsGaviiformes – Loons– Charadriiformes - Shorebirds Charadriiformes - Shorebirds – Falconiformes – Birds of Prey Falconiformes – Birds of Prey – Passeriformes – Songbirds Passeriformes – Songbirds

Wetland Use by BirdsWetland Use by Birds

Wetlands are important bird habitatsWetlands are important bird habitats– BreedingBreeding– Drinking WaterDrinking Water– FeedingFeeding– ShelterShelter– Social InteractionsSocial Interactions

What is a wetland?What is a wetland?

Area of land saturated with water for Area of land saturated with water for all or varying times of the year.all or varying times of the year.

Types of WetlandsTypes of Wetlands

MarshesMarshes– TidalTidal– Non-TidalNon-Tidal

Wet MeadowsWet MeadowsPrairie PotholesPrairie PotholesVernal PoolsVernal PoolsPlaya LakesPlaya Lakes

Types of WetlandsTypes of Wetlands

SwampsSwamps– Forested SwampsForested Swamps

Bottomland HardwoodsBottomland Hardwoods

– Shrub SwampsShrub SwampsMangrove SwampsMangrove Swamps

Types of WetlandsTypes of Wetlands

Bogs Bogs – Northern BogsNorthern Bogs

Acidic and precipitation-Acidic and precipitation-dependent.dependent.

Wetland-Dependent BirdsWetland-Dependent Birds

CranesCranes GrebesGrebes HeronsHerons KingfishersKingfishers LoonsLoons ShorebirdsShorebirds Birds of PreyBirds of Prey SongbirdsSongbirds

CranesCranes

Order: GruiformesOrder: Gruiformes– Sandhill CraneSandhill Crane

Sandhill CraneSandhill Crane((Grus canadensisGrus canadensis))

Large, long-legged and long-Large, long-legged and long-necked birds.necked birds.

Fly with necks straight.Fly with necks straight. Height: 4 ft.Height: 4 ft. Weight: 5-8 lbsWeight: 5-8 lbs Wing Span: Up to 6 ft. Wing Span: Up to 6 ft. Breed in marshes and bogs Breed in marshes and bogs

around Canada, Alaska, around Canada, Alaska, Siberia, U.S.Siberia, U.S.

Forage in shallow watersForage in shallow waters

RailsRails

Order: Rallidae Order: Rallidae – King RailKing Rail– American CootAmerican Coot

King RailKing Rail((Rallus elegansRallus elegans))

Largest North American Rail.Largest North American Rail. Permanent residents along the Permanent residents along the

southeastern coasts.southeastern coasts. Migrate to southern U.S. and Migrate to southern U.S. and

Mexico. Mexico. Breed in marshes of eastern North Breed in marshes of eastern North

America.America. The nest is a raised platform built The nest is a raised platform built

with marsh vegetation and with marsh vegetation and covered by a canopy. covered by a canopy.

Forage in shallow water near Forage in shallow water near cover and mainly eat aquatic cover and mainly eat aquatic insects and crustaceans.insects and crustaceans.

American CootAmerican Coot((Fulica americanaFulica americana))

Scalloped toes rather than webbed.Scalloped toes rather than webbed. Breed in Marshes Breed in Marshes Nests are typically in tall reeds.Nests are typically in tall reeds. Can dive for food but can also forage Can dive for food but can also forage

on land. on land. Adults mostly consume "pond scum". Adults mostly consume "pond scum". Use a great deal of effort to become Use a great deal of effort to become

airborne, pedaling across the water airborne, pedaling across the water with their feet before lifting off. with their feet before lifting off.

The way in which their heads bob The way in which their heads bob when they walk or swim has earned when they walk or swim has earned them the name "mud hen". them the name "mud hen".

GrebesGrebes

Order: Podicipediformes Order: Podicipediformes – Pied-Billed GrebePied-Billed Grebe

Pied-Billed GrebePied-Billed Grebe((Podilymbus podicepsPodilymbus podiceps))

Size: Small to Medium-Large.Size: Small to Medium-Large. Feet placed far back on the body.Feet placed far back on the body. Narrow wings and unusual plumageNarrow wings and unusual plumage Most widespread of the North Most widespread of the North

American Grebes.American Grebes. Found on remote ponds, marshes, Found on remote ponds, marshes,

and sluggish streams. and sluggish streams. The only grebe to not show a white The only grebe to not show a white

wing patch during flight.wing patch during flight. Breeds across Canada, U.S. and Breeds across Canada, U.S. and

South America.South America. Rare on salt water.Rare on salt water. Eats fish, amphibians, and insects.Eats fish, amphibians, and insects.

HeronsHerons

Order: Ciconiiformes Order: Ciconiiformes – Great Blue HeronGreat Blue Heron– Boat-Billed HeronBoat-Billed Heron– Cattle EgretCattle Egret

Great Blue HeronGreat Blue Heron((Ardea herodiasArdea herodias))

Height: 4 ft.Height: 4 ft. Wingspan: 7 ft.Wingspan: 7 ft. Weight: 6 lbs.Weight: 6 lbs. GBH is the largest North GBH is the largest North

American heron.American heron. Herons fly with their necks Herons fly with their necks

retracted (S-shape).retracted (S-shape). Breeds in trees close to lakes Breeds in trees close to lakes

and wetlands.and wetlands. It feeds in shallow water or at It feeds in shallow water or at

the water's edge and spears the water's edge and spears fish and amphibians with its fish and amphibians with its long, sharp bill. long, sharp bill.

Boat-Billed HeronBoat-Billed Heron((Cochlearius cochleariusCochlearius cochlearius))

An atypical member of the heron An atypical member of the heron family.family.

Nocturnal Bird.Nocturnal Bird. Adult has a black crown, long crest Adult has a black crown, long crest

and upper back. and upper back. The face, throat and breast are The face, throat and breast are

white, and the lower underparts are white, and the lower underparts are rufous with black flanks. rufous with black flanks.

The wings and lower back are pale The wings and lower back are pale grey. The massive broad scoop-like grey. The massive broad scoop-like bill, which gives rise to this species' bill, which gives rise to this species' name, is mainly black. name, is mainly black.

Feeds on Fish, Crustaceans, Insects.Feeds on Fish, Crustaceans, Insects. Lives in mangrove swamps in Lives in mangrove swamps in

Mexico/South America.Mexico/South America.

Cattle EgretCattle Egret((Bubulcus ibisBubulcus ibis))

Small white heron.Small white heron. Length: 1.7 ftLength: 1.7 ft Weight: 1.3 lbsWeight: 1.3 lbs Breeds in large wetlands of Breeds in large wetlands of

warm climate countries.warm climate countries. Nests in colonies.Nests in colonies. Found on dry, grassy habitats, Found on dry, grassy habitats,

unlike other heronsunlike other herons Feed on insectsFeed on insects Special relationship with Special relationship with

ruminantsruminants

KingfishersKingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes Order: Coraciiformes – Belted KingfisherBelted Kingfisher

Belted KingfisherBelted Kingfisher((Ceryle alcyonCeryle alcyon))

Large heads, long bill, short Large heads, long bill, short stubby legs.stubby legs.

Breeds near inland bodies of Breeds near inland bodies of water or along coasts.water or along coasts.

Feed on Fish, Amphibians, Feed on Fish, Amphibians, Arthropods, small mammals, Arthropods, small mammals, lizards and berries. lizards and berries.

Beat their prey to death.Beat their prey to death. Migrates south to the Southern Migrates south to the Southern

U.S., Mexico, South America.U.S., Mexico, South America. Population levels declining Population levels declining

probably due to habitat loss.probably due to habitat loss.

LoonsLoons

Order: GaviiformesOrder: Gaviiformes– Common LoonCommon Loon– Loon vocalizationsLoon vocalizations

Common LoonCommon Loon((Gavia immerGavia immer) )

Similar to a duck in appearance, yet unrelated.Similar to a duck in appearance, yet unrelated. Length: Up to 3 ft.Length: Up to 3 ft. Wingspan: Up to 5 ft.Wingspan: Up to 5 ft. Weight: Average (9lbs)Weight: Average (9lbs) Getting airborne requires water skimming.Getting airborne requires water skimming. Breed in inland freshwater lakes and ponds.Breed in inland freshwater lakes and ponds. Can live as long as 30 years!Can live as long as 30 years! Specialist Fish-eater.Specialist Fish-eater. Population affected by acid rain/pollution.Population affected by acid rain/pollution. Migrating Common Loons occasionally land on Migrating Common Loons occasionally land on

wet highways or parking lots, mistaking them wet highways or parking lots, mistaking them for rivers and lakes. for rivers and lakes.

They become stranded without a considerable They become stranded without a considerable amount of open water for a long takeoff. A loon amount of open water for a long takeoff. A loon may also get stranded on a pond that is too may also get stranded on a pond that is too smallsmall

ShorebirdsShorebirds

Order: Charadriiformes Order: Charadriiformes – Greater YellowlegsGreater Yellowlegs

210 species210 species Possess sensitive nerve endings at the end Possess sensitive nerve endings at the end

of their bills, which enable them to detect of their bills, which enable them to detect prey items hidden in mud or soft soil. prey items hidden in mud or soft soil.

Feed primarily on small invertebrates.Feed primarily on small invertebrates. Shorebird SoundsShorebird Sounds

Greater Yellowlegs Greater Yellowlegs ((Tringa melanoleucaTringa melanoleuca ) )

Large Shorebird.Large Shorebird. Long yellow legs.Long yellow legs. Breeds in bogs, marshes in the Breeds in bogs, marshes in the

boreal forest of Canada and boreal forest of Canada and Alaska.Alaska.

Nests on the ground, usually in Nests on the ground, usually in well-hidden locations near water. well-hidden locations near water.

Migrate to both U.S. coasts and Migrate to both U.S. coasts and south to Central America.south to Central America.

Forages in shallow water, Forages in shallow water, sometimes using their bill to stir sometimes using their bill to stir up the water.up the water.

Feeds on insects and small fish, Feeds on insects and small fish, as well as crustaceans and as well as crustaceans and marine worms. marine worms.

Birds of PreyBirds of Prey

Order: FalconiformesOrder: Falconiformes– OspreyOsprey

Osprey Osprey ((Pandion haliaetusPandion haliaetus))

Medium-large raptor.Medium-large raptor. Length: 2 ft.Length: 2 ft. Wingspan: 5-5.5 ft.Wingspan: 5-5.5 ft. Worldwide Distribution.Worldwide Distribution. Closable nostrils.Closable nostrils. Talons with backward facing scales.Talons with backward facing scales. Specialist-Fish EaterSpecialist-Fish Eater Breeds by freshwater lakes and Breeds by freshwater lakes and

sometimes on coastal brackish waters.sometimes on coastal brackish waters. Nest is a large heap of sticks in trees. Nest is a large heap of sticks in trees.

Will delay breeding if no nests are Will delay breeding if no nests are available.available.

Population negatively affected by Population negatively affected by pesticides.pesticides.

Osprey Diving for FishOsprey Diving for Fish Osprey Catching FishOsprey Catching Fish

SongbirdsSongbirds

Order: Passeriformes Order: Passeriformes – American DipperAmerican Dipper– Common YellowthroatCommon Yellowthroat– Louisiana WaterthrushLouisiana Waterthrush– Marsh WrenMarsh Wren– Red-Winged BlackbirdRed-Winged Blackbird– Swamp SparrowSwamp Sparrow– Prothonotary WarblerProthonotary Warbler

American Dipper American Dipper ((Cinclus mexicanusCinclus mexicanus))

Stocky Dark Gray Bird; Stocky Dark Gray Bird; “water ouzel”“water ouzel”

Year-round resident in Year-round resident in western North America.western North America.

Dives and walks along the Dives and walks along the bottoms of streams to find bottoms of streams to find their prey (Salmon)their prey (Salmon)

Indicator species of good Indicator species of good water quality.water quality.

Population affected from Population affected from pollution and increased silt pollution and increased silt load in streams.load in streams.

Availability of nest sites Availability of nest sites (e.g., behind waterfall) (e.g., behind waterfall) may also be a factor.may also be a factor.

Common YellowthroatCommon Yellowthroat((Geothlypis trichasGeothlypis trichas))

Adults have a black Adults have a black face mask, brown face mask, brown back, yellow throat back, yellow throat and white belly.and white belly.

Breeds in marshy Breeds in marshy habitats and other wet habitats and other wet areas with dense low areas with dense low vegetation.vegetation.

Feeds on insects.Feeds on insects. Population decreasing Population decreasing

due to loss of habitat, due to loss of habitat, but still species but still species commonly heard.commonly heard.

Louisiana WaterthrushLouisiana Waterthrush((Seiurus motacillaSeiurus motacilla))

Plain brown back and Plain brown back and white below streaked with white below streaked with black .black .

Breeds in wet woodlands Breeds in wet woodlands near running water near running water (forested streams).(forested streams).

Nest in a rock crevice or Nest in a rock crevice or amongst tree roots.amongst tree roots.

Feeds on insects, molluscs, Feeds on insects, molluscs, and crustaceans amongst and crustaceans amongst leaf litter.leaf litter.

Marsh WrenMarsh Wren((Cistothorus palustrisCistothorus palustris) )

Breeds in marshes with tall Breeds in marshes with tall vegetation (i.e. cattails).vegetation (i.e. cattails).

Nest is an oval lump attached to Nest is an oval lump attached to marsh vegetation, entered from marsh vegetation, entered from the side. the side.

Feeds primarily on insects, but Feeds primarily on insects, but also snails and spiders.also snails and spiders.

Though still common, populations Though still common, populations are slowly declining due to loss of are slowly declining due to loss of wetland habitats.wetland habitats.

Red-Winged BlackbirdRed-Winged Blackbird((Agelaius phoeniceusAgelaius phoeniceus))

Distinctive red shoulder Distinctive red shoulder patch.patch.

Feed primarily on seeds, Feed primarily on seeds, but a ¼ of their diet but a ¼ of their diet consists of insects, consists of insects, molluscs and arthropods.molluscs and arthropods.

Very Aggressive Very Aggressive Defenders.Defenders.

Prefers marshy habitats, Prefers marshy habitats, but will nest near any but will nest near any body of water.body of water.

Cong-a-lee!!Cong-a-lee!!

Swamp SparrowSwamp Sparrow((Melospiza georgianaMelospiza georgiana))

Adults have streaked rusty and black Adults have streaked rusty and black upperparts with a gray breast, light upperparts with a gray breast, light belly and a white throat .belly and a white throat .

Breed in marshes, including salt Breed in marshes, including salt marshes.marshes.

The bulky nest is attached to marsh The bulky nest is attached to marsh vegetation, often with leaves arching vegetation, often with leaves arching over the top. over the top.

Has longer legs than other members Has longer legs than other members of its genus, which allows for this of its genus, which allows for this songbird to forage in shallow waters.songbird to forage in shallow waters.

Has been seen to dabble in the water Has been seen to dabble in the water to capture aquatic invertebrates.to capture aquatic invertebrates.

Prothonotary WarblerProthonotary Warbler((Protonotaria citreaProtonotaria citrea))

Olive back with blue-grey wings and tail, Olive back with blue-grey wings and tail, yellow underparts. yellow underparts.

Breeds in hardwood swamps in southern Breeds in hardwood swamps in southern Canada and the eastern U.S.Canada and the eastern U.S.

Cavity nester.Cavity nester. The preferred foraging habitat is dense, The preferred foraging habitat is dense,

woody streams. woody streams. Forage actively in low foliage in wet areas.Forage actively in low foliage in wet areas. Feed mainly on insects and snails. Feed mainly on insects and snails. Declining in numbers due to loss of Declining in numbers due to loss of

habitat. habitat. They are also frequently victimized by the They are also frequently victimized by the

dump parasites (Brown-Headed Cowbird).dump parasites (Brown-Headed Cowbird). Named after the officials in the Roman Named after the officials in the Roman

Catholic Church known as the protonotarii, Catholic Church known as the protonotarii, who wore golden robes who wore golden robes

Effects of Wetland Loss on BirdsEffects of Wetland Loss on Birds

Habitat Loss = Population LossHabitat Loss = Population Loss About one-third of North American About one-third of North American

bird species use wetlands for food, bird species use wetlands for food, shelter, and or breeding (Kroodsma, shelter, and or breeding (Kroodsma, 1979). 1979).

About one-half of the 188 animals About one-half of the 188 animals that are federally designated as that are federally designated as endangered or threatened are endangered or threatened are wetland dependent (Niering, 1988). wetland dependent (Niering, 1988).

Efforts to preserve WetlandsEfforts to preserve Wetlands

U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Nature ConservancyNature Conservancy National Audubon SocietyNational Audubon Society

Summary / ConclusionsSummary / Conclusions Birds are fully or partially-Birds are fully or partially-

dependent on wetlands. dependent on wetlands. Birds are important to us Birds are important to us

because:because:– Ecologically:Ecologically:

Birds fill a niche to maintain Birds fill a niche to maintain the health of our ecosystemsthe health of our ecosystems

– Seed Dispersal / PollinatorsSeed Dispersal / Pollinators– Natural killers of insect and Natural killers of insect and

agricultural pestsagricultural pests– Recycles nutrients/carbonRecycles nutrients/carbon

– Human:Human: Cultural Enhancements Cultural Enhancements Cleans up our roads.Cleans up our roads. They are finger-lickin’ GOOD!They are finger-lickin’ GOOD!

Questions?Questions?