Near Shore Birds
|
|
Not an official term, local "edge-water birds" is here meant to categorize Bitterns, Cranes, Egrets, and Herons.
Bitterns
[[=== American Bittern === ]](Botaurus lentiginosus)
Least Bittern
(Ixobrychus exilis)
This diminutive heron is fairly common in its preferred wetland habitat, but secretive and easily overlooked. Found in marshes with a mix of open water and vegetation, often with cattails, phragmites, or lily pads. Usually seen perched motionless, straddling reeds at the edge of water or on a short dash flying just above the reeds. Its soft song, "coo-coo-coo," is heard at night. Attractive pattern of orange, black, and white is distinctive among herons. Female drabber than male. Feeds on small fish.
Cranes
Sandhill Crane
(Grus canadensis)
Egrets
- Great Egret (Ardea alba)
- Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Herons
- Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
- Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
- Black-Crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
