Birds Part 1

Gaviiformes general characteristics

loons

aquatic - catch food underwater

webbed feet far back on powerful legs

cannot stand on land

bird species in Gaviiformes

common loon

common loon

migratory - KS winters

straight black bill, pale collar

rides low in the water

Podicipediformes general characteristics

Grebes

aquatic - lobed toes (not webbed feet)

nearly lacks a tail

eat their own feathers

elaborate courtship dances

species in Podicipediformes

pied-billed grebe

pied-billed grebe

some migrate - in KS year round (marshes, lakes)

thick, short bill (chicken-like)

ring on bill during breeding season

no noticeable tail

Pelecaniformes general characteristics

pelicans, cormorants

aquatic

hind toe bent forward, all 4 toes webbed

colonial nesters

species in Pelecaniformes

American white pelican

double-crested cormorant

American white pelican

migrate in KS

large yellow/orange bill with pouch

“plate” on bill in breeding season

large white bird

communal fishers

double-crested cormorant

KS breeding and migration

large black bird with serpentine neck

naked orange face, blue-green eye

hooked bill

great fishers

Ciconiiformes general characteristics

various habitats

long necks, long legs

many have bare faces and bare heads

species in Ciconiiformes

American bittern

great blue heron

great egret

cattle egret

green heron

black-crowned night-heron

white-faced ibis

turkey vulture

American bittern

migratory - KS breeding and migration

medium sized, chunky, brownish

pointed yellow(ish) bill

dark black mustache, vertical brown stripes (thought to help blend into grass)

common, but benefits from wetland conservation

great blue heron

year-round in KS

large, blue-grey, long legs, long neck (flies with neck in S shape)

long, orange dagger-like bill

black stripe from above eye through crest

common, but benefits from wetland conservation

great egret

KS - breeding and migration

large, white, long legs, long neck (flies with neck in S shape)

long, yellow dagger-like bill

black feet and legs

in trouble late 1800s from hunting, but now common

cattle egret

KS breeding and migration

small, white, orange crown and back

short yellow dagger-like bill

yellow legs and feet in breeding condition

naturally colonized South America in 1880’s from Africa

green heron

migratory - KS breeding

small, dark blue-green, dark crown

dark, dagger-like bill

orange-yellow legs and feet

uses twigs and insects as fishing bait

black-crowned night-heron

migratory - KS breeding

small, black and white, black crown, red eye

dark, dagger-like bill

yellow feet and legs

white-faced ibis

KS - migration and breeding

iridescent green with chestnut back, neck, and head

long, grey, decurved bill

red legs and feet

white border to bare pink skin in front of eye

previously impacted by DDT, now locally common

turkey vulture

migratory - KS breeding

large, black, with red head (not always apparent)

featherless head

black leading edge of wing, grey trailing edge of wing

disease resistant

Anseriformes general characteristics

waterfowl (swans, ducks, geese)

aquatic

webbed feet between front 3 toes

broad, flattened bills

molt ALL flight feather and become flightless after breeding season

species in Anseriformes

greater white-fronted goose

snow goose and Ross’s goose

Canada goose and cackling goose

wood duck

mallard

blue-winged teal

green-winged teal

northern shoveler

northern pintail

bufflehead

hooded merganser

ruddy duck

greater white-fronted goose

migratory in KS

white-face, brown body, white undertail, side barring

orange/pink bill, orange feet

pairs stay together, offspring stay with parents ~1 year

snow goose / ross’s goose

migratory, non-breeding

pink legs and bill

two color varieties:

white body, black wing tips

brown body with white head, neck, tail coverts

“grinning” patch on bill

overpopulated and destroying their habitat

Canada and cackling goose

wintering geese, some year-round

white chin strap, black head and neck

brown/gray body, pale breast

white under tail

previously in trouble, now successful because of conservation

wood duck

year-round in Kansas

iridescent green head, white stripes, white collar, chestnut breast

red, white, and yellow bill with black tip

females - white teardrop, blue speculum with white edge

common, but habitat loss to timbering and draining wetlands

mallard

KS - year round, nonbreeding

green head, yellow bill, white collar, orange legs and feet

females - brown

common, but habitat loss to timbering and draining wetlands

blue-winged teal

migratory - breeding in KS

blue patch on front of wing

dark head, bold white stripe in front of eye

dark speckling on body

females - mottled brown, dark bill

green-winged teal

migratory - breeding in KS

green speculum

chestnut head, green patch around eye and back of head

vertical white band on side

vulnerable to lead poisoning