WATER BIRDS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY Presented by : The Audubon Society of the Everglades www.auduboneverglades.org Text and Photographs by Larry Hess
Types of Water Birds Seen in Palm Beach County Ducks and Geese Gallinules and Coots Grebes and Loons Cormorants and Anhingas Pelicans
Ducks and Geese
Mottled Duck Most common wild duck in Palm Beach County Year round resident Dabbling duck: feeds on plants in shallow water Can be found in: lakes, streams, wetlands and Intracoastal Waterway
Northern Pintail Male Female Winter resident, breeds in northern U.S. and southern Canada Dabbling duck: feeds on seeds of aquatic plants and small aquatic animals in shallow water Can be found in freshwater lakes and wetlands
Blue-winged Teal Winter resident, breeds in northern U.S. and southern Canada Dabbling duck: feeds on plants in shallow water Common in lakes and wetlands
Green-winged Teal Winter resident, breeds in northern U.S. and Canada Less common than Blue-winged Teal Dabbling duck: feeds on plants in shallow water Can be found in lakes and wetlands Smallest North American duck
Black-bellied Whistling Duck Year round resident Dabbling duck: feeds on plants in shallow water Often seen resting on trees or poles in the water Fairly common in wetlands
Wood Duck Year round resident Dabbling duck: feeds on plants in shallow water Male is very brightly colored Nests in cavities in large trees or in special manmade boxes Fairly common in water near open woodlands
Northern Shoveler Male Female Winter Resident Large distinctive bill Dabbling duck: feeds in shallow marshes Uses comb-like teeth along edges of bill to strain aquatic animals and plants from water Can be seen in wetlands
Lesser Scaup Winter Resident Once very common in Palm Beach County Population greatly decreased due to loss of breeding habitat in northern US and Canada Diving duck: dives below the surface to feed on shellfish and bottom plants Can be seen in wetlands, lakes and ponds
Ring-necked Duck Winter Resident, breeds in Canada Male has a bright white patch on each side Dabbling duck: feeds on plants, snails and insects Can be seen in wetlands, lakes and canals
Egyptian Goose African Species Escaped from captivity and now breeding in Palm Beach County Can be seen at lakes in public parks, particularly in Boynton Beach
Gallinules and Coots
Common Gallinule (AKA Common Moorhen) Year round resident Abundant in bodies of fresh water surrounded by marsh plants Eats insects, spiders, fruits and seeds Can be seen in lakes, ponds and wetlands
Purple Gallinule Year round resident Brilliantly colored Shy, keeps itself hidden among marsh plants Walks on top of lily pads Can be seen in wetlands
American Coot Year round resident Abundant in winter, common during rest of the year Eats grass and dives to eat aquatic plants Frequently seen in large flocks in fresh water lakes or wetlands
Purple Swamphen Southeast Asian species now breeding in South Florida Looks like a large purple gallinule Eats plants There is a concern that, in large numbers, this bird could damage the Everglades Can be seen occasionally in local wetlands
Grebes and Loons
Pied-billed Grebe Year round resident Small bird, frequently seen diving for food Eats small fish, crayfish and aquatic plants Fairly common on fresh water lakes, ponds and canals
Common Loon Transient migrant Seen during spring and fall migrations at inlets and in ocean surf Dives to catch fish, frogs and aquatic insects for food Can dive to depths as great as 200 feet
Cormorants And Anhingas
Double-crested Cormorant Year round resident Dives for fish Common in lakes, ponds and the Intracoastal Waterway
Anhinga Year round resident Dives for fish Spears fish with it s sharp beak, flips it into air, catches it, and then swallows it head first Often called snake bird because it swims with only it s long thin neck and head above water Common in lakes ponds and the Intracoastal Waterway
Pelicans
Brown Pelican Common on all waterways in Florida: Ocean, Inter-coastal Waterway, Canals, Lakes, and Ponds Year round resident Eats fish, often feeds by plunging straight down from heights of 50 feet into schools of fish on water s surface. Only dark colored pelican species in the world
American White Pelican Winter resident Eats fish in shallow water Can be found at the edge of the Everglades: -Wellington Environmental Preserve -Storm-water Treatment Area 1 West Can be seen in flocks of 15 to 20 birds performing beautifully synchronized aerial maneuvers
Places for Viewing Water Birds Water birds can be found in most bodies of water Including: Marshes and swamps Rivers and canals Lakes and ponds The Intracoastal Waterway Ocean and inlets Some of the best places in Palm Beach County are: Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Jog Road, Boynton Beach Green Cay Wetlands, 12800 Hagen Ranch Road, Boynton Beach ARM Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, US 441, Boynton Beach Mac Arthur Beach State Park, Jack Nicklaus Dr., North Palm Beach Jupiter Inlet, Beach Drive, Jupiter Wellington Environmental Preserve, Flying Cow Ranch Road, Wellington Peaceful Waters Preserve, Wellington Village Park, Pierson Road, Wellington Storm-water Treatment Area 1 West, Rt. 880, (2.6 Miles west of intersection with Rt. 80 at 20 mile bend)
WATER BIRDS of Palm Beach County AUDUBON SOCIETY OF THE EVERGLADES auduboneverglades.org This resource includes photos of the common water birds photographed in their habitat. A few facts are given for each. Included are the best places to observe these birds in Palm Beach County. This resource may be used by teachers or students.