How to Identify Waterbirds

It isn't always simple to tell birds apart. If you like bird watching, here's a few pointers to make it easier.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• access to river, lake or pond
• binoculars (optional)

1. Note the black feet and yellow bill. Great Egret - all white, black legs, yellow bill. Flies with neck drawn up.
2. Note the black bill. Snowy Egret - all white, but smaller than the great egret, yellow feet, black legs, black bill.
3. Note curved bill and red legs. White Ibis - curved bill (bright red during breeding season), black wingtips show when flying, red legs. The immature ibis is brown with white underparts.
4. Note light feathers on the head with dark streak. Great Blue Heron - gray-blue with heavy yellow bill. Neck extended when it takes off, but tucked back against the body in an "S" shape when flying.
5. Note color and beak. Little Blue Heron - it goes through color stages (white and then mottled when young). Slate blue with a blue/gray beak with black tip. Greenish legs.
6. Limpkin - brown body with white flecks, long dark olive legs. Slow, limping style of walking.
7. Note black wingtips. Wood Stork - white with black featherless head, heavy bill, pink feet. Black shows on its wings when flying. Head is extended, not tucked up like herons and egrets.
8. Note female with lighter neck. Anhinga - long, snakelike neck, straight bill, long tail. Females have brownish necks. Swims with body low in the water, diving often. Runs across the top of the water to take flight. Spreads wings to dry.
9. Note curved beak. Cormorant - looks and behaves very similar to anhingas. Has a curved beak, swims more on the surface of the water. Neck is not as snakelike.
10. Note red forehead. Common Gallinule - duck-like, red shield on forehead.

Tips & Warnings

• You can't always get close enough for positive identification. If not, just enjoy the bird watching and hope for closer views another time.