Water Birds in Virginia: a Guide to the Avian Species (2024)

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Feeling like you’ve hit a wall when it comes to identifying the waterbirds of Virginia? Don’t worry, we’re here to give you the scoop. From majestic swans and loons to herons, ibises, and cranes – Virginia is home to an array of stunning avian species.

In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into some of these beautiful creatures that call our waters home, providing insight on their habitat preferences as well as tips for spotting them in their natural environment.

Ducks, Geese, & Swans

You’ll see majestic tundra swans with their dedicated partners and hear noisy Canada geese honking as they fly overhead in flocks when you’re out birdwatching in Virginia. The diversity of ducks in Virginia provides ample opportunities to observe their feeding behaviors and habitat preferences.

Watch for dabbling ducks like mallards upending in shallow water and diving ducks like buffleheads plunging for food. The migratory patterns of snow geese bring huge flocks to Virginia each winter. Appreciate the complex breeding behaviors of native wood ducks nesting in trees.

Sadly, habitat loss threatens populations of secretive marsh ducks. Support conservation efforts to protect essential wetlands for Virginia’s remarkable waterfowl. With a keen eye and patience, you’ll be rewarded with memorable encounters with these remarkable birds in their natural habitats.

Mallard

The green-headed mallard paddles quietly across the lake’s glassy surface – a familiar sight for any novice birder in the Old Dominion.

As one of the most abundant waterfowl in Virginia, the mallard exhibits classic duck behavior. During migration and winter months, look for mallards dabbling in shallow wetlands and ponds.

Mallard numbers rebounded after the Duck Stamp Act and wetland protections, though breeding pairs still face challenges like predation and habitat loss. While a common backyard duck, remember that mallards need conserved wetland habitat to thrive.

This versatile dabbler epitomizes the diversity of water birds in Virginia. Protecting habitats allows both common and rare species to flourish for future generations.

American Wigeon

Afraid, cardinals whistle quietly as you observe the American wigeons out and about lakes and marshes. These birds prefer quiet wetlands with dense vegetation, where they forage on aquatic plants.

1. They have a distinctive whistling whee-ooo call, especially noticeable during flight.
2. They undergo molting migrations, traveling north after breeding to regrow flight feathers.
3. Their diet consists mainly of leaves, stems, seeds, and rhizomes of aquatic plants.
4. Pairs form each year during migration and courtship; males perform elaborate displays.
5. Population declines have occurred due to wetland loss and degradation; habitat conservation is crucial.

Wigeons await discovery by birding enthusiasts across Virginia’s wetlands. Organizations like the Virginia Society of Ornithology promote research and conservation to protect magnificent birds like the American Wigeon.

Northern Pintail

Didn’t you know Northern Pintails have exceptionally long tails and are amazing flyers? I think these elegant ducks are neat. They breed in the Prairie Pothole wetlands and tundra, then migrate in huge flocks to wintering grounds like the Chesapeake Bay.

Their populations face threats from habitat loss in breeding areas. But pintails are adaptable – they’ll dabble in shallow wetlands or feed in agricultural fields. Watch for their angular profile and pointed tail silhouette as they whizz past in flight.

Pintails can cruise at 60 mph! Wetland conservation helps protect Virginia’s visiting pintails and other waterbirds. We owe it to these migrants making epic journeys to preserve their habitats across flyways.

I agree we should take care of wetlands. With some TLC for wetlands, we can make sure the aerial acrobatics of pintails keep amazing people in Virginia’s skies.

Northern Shoveler

You just observed the long-tailed Northern Pintails gracefully swimming across a quiet pond. Now shift your gaze to a dabbling duck with a massive spoon-shaped bill filtering the water for food. This is the Northern Shoveler, a masterful forager perfectly adapted to straining crustaceans and aquatic insects from the water.

As you watch the Shoveler, notice how its enormous bill seems almost too large for its body. Yet this tool allows the Shoveler access to an abundant food source. Marvel at the coordinated movements of the Shoveler’s bill and tongue, as they work in concert to trap and swallow nourishment.

The Shoveler’s unique adaptations enable it to thrive in shallow wetlands across North America.

• Northern Shovelers have the largest bill-to-body ratio of any duck.
• They use their specialized bill to sieve crustaceans, insects, plants, and seeds from wetlands.
• Shovelers breed in prairie potholes and marshes then migrate south to ice-free wintering grounds.
• Habitat loss threatens Shovelers; conservation of wetlands is critical.

Blue-winged Teal

Aren’t the blue-winged teals, abundant in North America like the mallards, stunning with their scaly markings and swift flight as they migrate across Virginia’s wetlands?

These small dabbling ducks prefer shallow wetlands with dense vegetation for nesting and foraging. During migration and winter, they congregate in huge mixed flocks, numbering in the thousands.

Here is more on their habitat and migration:

Habitat	Migration	Threats
Shallow ponds, marshes	Short distance migrant	Habitat loss
Freshwater wetlands	Winters along Gulf Coast	Climate change
Dense aquatic vegetation	Breeds across North America	Pollution

Blue-winged teals face declining populations due to wetland loss. Help conserve their habitat by supporting wetland restoration efforts. Report sightings on eBird to contribute data on their migration and distribution across Virginia.

With their sky-blue wing patches, these tiny ducks provide pleasing sights during spring and fall in the state.

Green-winged Teal

Between the Blue-winged Teal’s radiant plumage and diminutive stature exists the Green-winged Teal. Though sharing a genus, this bird bears distinction. Through extensive field observations across wetlands, several key behavioral traits emerge.

Motion defines this little waterfowl’s existence. Almost frenetic in habit, flocks bob along the waterline plucking invertebrates. Though petite, Green-wings migrate remarkably long distances. Banding studies reveal these tiny fliers traverse thousands of miles between Alaskan breeding grounds and coastal wintering habitat.

Despite healthy populations overall, localized declines have conservationists monitoring carefully. Virginia represents critical stopover habitat during arduous passages. Whether observed darting above marsh grasses or sleeping upon open waters, the Green-winged Teal’s energetic presence graces the Commonwealth’s diverse wetland ecosystems.

Wood Duck

Iridescent in appearance, Wood Ducks nest in tree cavities and are admired for their intricate plumage.

• Known for nesting in hollow trees near water, they favor flooded forests and swamps.
• The males’ colorful plumage features iridescent greens, purples, and reds on their crested heads.
• Females have a more subdued brown and grey plumage that provides camouflage.
• Wood Duck populations declined in the 1900s but rebounded thanks to habitat conservation and nest box programs.
• Today they’re abundant, though they remain dependent on suitable nesting cavities.

Valued for their beauty, Wood Ducks contribute to Virginia’s diverse waterfowl. Groups like the Northern Virginia Bird Club promote enjoyment and conservation of these special birds through education, field trips, and community science initiatives.

Ornithologists including Daniel Lebbin study Wood Duck ecology and work to sustain populations.

Bufflehead

You’ll see striking ducks with a distinctive white cheek patch when you encounter buffleheads in Virginia. During research expeditions, you may spot them diving to catch small fish and invertebrates. They prefer sheltered coastal habitats and inland ponds. Though buffleheads migrate south for winter, some remain in Virginia year-round if waters remain open.

In spring, get a glimpse into their nesting habits, as females carefully choose cavities in trees or nest boxes to lay eggs. Take care not to disturb them during this sensitive period. Bufflehead populations are stable overall, but habitat loss remains a concern.

With ample habitat and reduced disturbance, Virginia’s buffleheads continue thriving.

Appreciate the beauty of these small diving ducks when you explore Virginia’s wetlands.

Hooded Merganser

As you move from observing Buffleheads to Hooded Mergansers, you’ll notice some key differences. The male Hooded Merganser has a distinctive black and white crest that can be raised dramatically. You’ll find them along wooded streams and ponds, diving to catch small fish and invertebrates.

They nest in tree cavities, laying 6-18 creamy white eggs. The female alone incubates the eggs and cares for the young.

Hooded Mergansers face threats like habitat loss and competition for nest sites. You can support conservation efforts by providing nest boxes and protecting wetland habitats. Sightings are on the rise in Virginia, so chances are good you’ll spot one while exploring the state’s diverse aquatic ecosystems.

Common Merganser

You’ve gotta check out the common merganser’s hooked bill for nabbing fish in Virginia’s waterways. These large diving ducks with sleek bodies and shaggy crested heads prefer clean rivers, lakes, and estuaries.

They feed mostly on small fish, but also take crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic insects.

In breeding season, look for nests hidden in tree cavities or rock crevices near water. The female alone incubates and raises the fluffy chicks. Although populations declined in the 20th century due to hunting and habitat loss, they’ve rebounded thanks to conservation efforts.

Keep an eye out for these remarkable fish-hunting waterfowl with serrated bills gracefully swimming and diving in Virginia’s wetlands.

Herons, Ibises, and Cranes

You’ll often spot slender Great Blue Herons wading through wetland edges, moving slowly before striking for fish and frogs. Listen for the trumpeting calls of Sandhill Cranes as they fly overhead in their iconic V-formation.

Watch for flocks of White Ibises poking their curved bills into muddy flats, foraging together for crustaceans.

Observe herons gathering sticks for platform nests high in trees near water. But development threatens wetlands critical for herons and other species. Make your voice heard by supporting wetland conservation groups working to protect these habitats in Virginia.

Get involved with habitat restoration efforts, educate others, and speak out when wetlands are threatened.

With action from caring citizens like you, fragile wetland ecosystems can be preserved.

Great Blue Heron

You’d find the Great Blue Heron‘s slow, patient hunting style as its nearly 5-foot-tall frame wades through Virginia’s wetlands for small fish and amphibians quite mesmerizing. Striking in appearance yet subtle in temperament, this stately bird embodies the wild yet tranquil essence of wetland ecosystems across the state.

With dagger-like precision, its spear-shaped bill captures prey with lightning-quickness belying its otherwise graceful, unhurried movements. Though comfortable in its solitude, you may spy clusters of these colonial nesters congregating in rookeries during breeding season, their loud squawks juxtaposing serene wetland settings.

This remarkable hunter persists despite threats to its habitat, reminding us that preserving fragile ecosystems preserves not just a bird, but an icon of the diverse wildlife heritage of the Old Dominion.

American Bittern

American Bittern

Its plumage is intricately patterned with browns, buffs, and white striping to provide excellent camouflage in reed beds.

American Bitterns prefer habitats with tall, dense vegetation across North America.

They construct well-hidden nests in marshes of woven vegetation on platforms just above water.

Their populations are declining due to wetland loss and degradation.

They’re long-distance migrants, traveling to wintering grounds in the southern U.

The secretive American Bittern is a fascinating wetland species to observe when visiting Virginia’s marshes. With patience, you may catch sight of one momentarily emerging from its concealment among the reeds.

Green Heron

All right, moving on from the secretive American Bittern to the stunning Green Heron. You can often spot this small heron stalking the shorelines of ponds, marshes, and streams across Virginia. With care, you may catch a glimpse of its elegant green and chestnut plumage as it stands motionless, waiting to ambush small fish with its spear-like bill.

Patient and precise during hunting, yet shy by nature. Green Herons nest in bushes and trees near water.

Conservation of wetland habitat is crucial for this and many other water birds in Virginia. With protection, these graceful herons will continue to inhabit the wetlands they depend on.

Great Egret

Great egrets invite awe with their stunning white plumage and graceful movements as they stalk prey in Virginia’s wetlands. You’ll often spot these elegant birds wading through shallow water, slowly and methodically hunting for fish, frogs, and insects with spear-like precision.

Though solitary hunters, great egrets nest in colonies called heronries, building platform stick nests in trees or shrubs near water. They perform remarkable mating displays, clacking bills and calling while stretching their long necks high.

Great egrets breed in Virginia between April and June, then migrate south for the winter. Their populations declined in the late 1800s due to plume hunting but rebounded thanks to conservation efforts.

Now a common sight in marshes, swamps, and along rivers across the state, the great egret reminds us of nature’s resilient beauty.

Snowy Egret

You’ll quickly spot their vibrant yellow feet as Snowy Egrets forage in wetlands across Virginia. Wading through shallow water, these elegant birds patiently stalk small fish, frogs, and crustaceans, striking rapidly to spear prey with their thin, pointed bills.

Migrating from tropical and coastal areas, they nest in colonies, building platform nests in trees and shrubs near water. Though still common, Snowy Egret numbers declined in the late 1800s, hunted for their decorative plumes.

Now protected, focus has shifted to habitat loss and threats from climate change, which reduce breeding success. To glimpse these gorgeous hunters, visit fresh and brackish wetlands like Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Arrive in early morning when they’re most active. Tread lightly and keep movements slow and quiet to get close without disturbing them.

Sandhill Crane

You’d be shocked to see a colossal Sandhill Crane flap its lengthy wings as it takes flight over Virginia’s scenic wetlands. These majestic birds stand over 4 feet tall and are known for their loud, trumpeting calls.

1. Their migration takes them from wintering grounds in Florida to breeding grounds in the northern US and Canada.
2. They prefer shallow wetlands and agricultural fields across the state.
3. Pairs demonstrate elaborate dances and calls to strengthen their lifelong pair bonds.
4. Their eggs are precariously incubated while the parents stand guard over the nest site.
5. They were nearly hunted to extinction in the 20th century but rebounded thanks to conservation efforts.

Sandhill Cranes epitomize the magic of bird migration across North America. As symbols of wilderness and seasonal change, their presence in Virginia’s wetlands is an extraordinary natural spectacle. Protecting their habitat and food sources remains vital for the continued survival of these ancient birds.

White Ibis

After covering the imposing stature and unique calls of Sandhill Cranes, we’ll move on to White Ibises, a striking species easily distinguished by their bright white plumage, long legs, and curved beaks.

You’ll often spot White Ibises probing their bills in shallow waters as they hunt for invertebrates and crustaceans. These social birds forage in large flocks called colonies, working together to stir up food.

During breeding season, watch for their spectacular courtship dances. The species resides year-round in southern coastal regions, but migrates northward in summer, reaching as far as Virginia’s tidal flats and marshes.

Join fellow Virginia birders to witness the temporary influx of majestic White Ibises across the state each year.

Loons, Grebes, and Other Water Birds

Pied-billed Grebes, bein’ petite waterbirds with distinct calls, should interest adventurers that seek hidden critters.

1. Common Loons are hauntin’ divers that make eerie, wailin’ cries.
2. Double-crested Cormorants stand tall on rocks with wings spread wide to dry.
3. Brown Pelicans plunge-dive for fish along the coast with those ginormous bills.
4. Royal Terns nest on islands and migrate up n’ down the shoreline.
5. Black-capped Petrels, a rare species, occasionally pass by offshore.

Rarer birds like petrels and terns need protection. Pipin’ Plovers breed right on our beaches, so we gotta be mindful when explorin’ the coast.

Common Loon

Mid haunting calls, you glimpse the common loon, a proficient diver disappearing into murky depths. These distinctive waterbirds excel underwater, using their strong legs and webbed feet to propel through lakes and rivers when hunting.

On the surface, loons ride low with dagger bills tilted up, ever vigilant. Their haunting tremolo and yodeling calls echo across wilderness lakes.

Come fall, loons gather in flocks then migrate south, navigating over 2,000 miles to wintering grounds. Conservation efforts protect wetland habitats and reduce lead poisoning, though threats remain from fishing gear entanglement and human disturbance.

With luck, you may glimpse these icons again someday, captured by their wild cries as they vanish into reflections.

Though elusive, the loon’s presence lingers as their calls fade into marsh mists.

American Coot

You’d recognize American Coots by their round, chicken-like heads and bright white beaks, as they forage across marshes on their distinctive lobed toes. Field observations indicate coots prefer quiet freshwater ponds, lakes, and marshes with ample vegetation for feeding and nesting cover.

Equipped with broad beaks, they often upend or dabble when feeding on algae and aquatic plants. Population trends are stable, but conservation efforts are needed to protect wetland habitats from development.

Coots face threats such as water pollution and shoreline degradation. Maintaining healthy marshes provides essential habitat for American Coots and many other wetland-dependent birds in Virginia.

Double-crested Cormorant

Standing knee-deep in the marsh, you watch a Double-crested Cormorant emerge from the water, its dark plumage glistening.

As it dries its wings, spread out like a cloak, you’re struck by the Cormorant’s adaptability. Its webbed feet and hooked bill allow it to dive for fish with ease, while its toes help it perch on branches to dry off.

Cormorants build nests of sticks and twigs in trees or on the ground to lay their blue eggs. Though populations dropped in the 20th century from pesticides, they’ve rebounded thanks to reduced chemical use.

But you understand the Cormorant is part of a complex web, impacted by pollution, development, and climate change. Watching it preen on this Virginia morning, you’re committed to protecting its wetland home.

Pied-billed Grebe

You’ll often spot pied-billed grebes in marshes, bobbing like corks as they dive for small fish and insects. These smallest grebes favor shallow, vegetated wetlands across Virginia. With olive-brown plumage and striped faces, they blend into marsh grasses while floating low on the water.

During courtship, their loud, maniacal calls carry across the wetlands. Skillfully building floating nests among the reeds, pied-billed grebe parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks small invertebrates.

While populations appear stable, conservation of wetland habitat is crucial for these little grebes. Protecting fragile breeding sites from human disturbance allows pied-billed grebes to thrive.

Brown Pelican

Best-known coastal beauties’ bills boast bounteous boons by bossily basking to brassyly bag bolt-like bait. Diving off docks decisively and dramatically to distances of sixty feet, powerful brown pelicans plunge perilously into the sea to successfully snatch scores of bait and blissfully bask at beaches before repeating their routine ritual.

From secluded sandy isles to estuary expanses, the species’ survival solely depends on sustaining secure coastal ecosystems, as pollution perniciously poisons prey populations. Unique among birds for their gargantuan gular pouch, these astounding avians can carry more than their weight in water before their next migratory voyage, soaring hundreds of miles along ancient aerial avenues guided by Earth’s magnetic fields and the stars.

Swans

You’d see the graceful, long-necked tundra swans flying overhead in large flocks, making their distinctive bugging calls as they migrate south to Virginia for the winter. With decades of studying swan behavior and habitats using scientific methodology, I’ve observed their complex bonding rituals and loyalty to lifelong mates.

Majestic trumpeter swans glide across wetlands, while aggressive snow geese defend nesting territories.

Conservation efforts aim to protect swans and restore habitats impacted by commercial development. Fall migration brings flocks of tundra swans that winter in Chesapeake Bay, foraging in shallows, then departing come spring.

As a wildlife biologist, I strive to advance ecological understanding and promote public interest in conserving swans and other remarkable, imperiled species.

We have the collective power to safeguard their future.

Red Knot

Take a second look if you spot those red knots probing Virginia’s sandy shores during their arduous migration.

• Red knots undertake one of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom, traveling up to 19,000 miles annually between Arctic breeding grounds and southern wintering areas.
• On their northward journey, they stop to refuel along the Atlantic Coast, relying on horseshoe crab eggs in Delaware Bay and other key sites.
• Red knots have declined significantly, with threats including habitat loss, disruption of food resources, and climate change impacts.
• Satellite tracking and resighting of banded birds have revealed the red knot’s incredible migrations and connectivity across continents.
• Conserving vital staging areas like Virginia’s beaches and bays provides essential food resources and refuge for red knots on their extraordinary intercontinental journeys.

Protecting sufficient habitat and food supplies along migration routes remains crucial for the survival and recovery of the red knot population. Community education and local conservation initiatives focused on shorebirds can make a meaningful difference for these global travelers.

Piping Plover

See those little sand-colored puffs scurrying along Virginia’s sandy shores as you scope for shorebirds. They’re Piping Plovers, rare migrants that breed on our beaches. Watch them poke with tilted orange bills, feeding on tiny coquina clams and insects.

Their survival depends on these sands, where camouflaged eggs await amid shells and seaweed.

Yet human activity threatens this fragile habitat and disrupts breeding. Help protect Virginia’s Piping Plovers through stewardship – admire them from afar, share the shore, and respect cordoned nesting areas.

With care, we ensure the species persists, these loyal visitors returning yearly to Virginia’s shores. Our beaches gain richness from rarities like the Piping Plover amidst the common.

Rails

With numbers dwindling rapidly, let’s rally to protect the elusive rails in Virginia’s vanishing marshes before their haunting calls disappear completely. Virginia’s wetlands have long nurtured these shy yet captivating birds, such as the king rail and sora rail.

But as human development invades their habitat, populations of these marsh experts spiral downward. We must act fast to stop this trend through wetland conservation and restoration efforts that offer critical habitat for Virginia’s rails.

If we join together to provide Virginia’s rails the habitat they require, future generations may still hear their reedy cries echoing through the marshes.

Black-capped Petrel

Black-capped petrels are pelagic seabirds that visit Virginia’s coast during their migration, though sightings are rare. You’re lucky if you glimpse their distinctive black caps and white rumps over the waves.

These birds breed on islands in the Caribbean but travel thousands of miles between nesting and feeding sites off the U.

They face grave threats, including predation and light pollution that disorients them, causing deadly collisions.

Conservationists like Lindsey Troutman study their migration patterns, raising awareness and pushing for protections, ensuring these elegant fliers endure. Though endangered, the black-capped petrel still journeys along our coast, persisting despite the odds.

We owe it to them to reduce hazards in their path, preserving biodiversity and enabling their epic migrations to continue.

Other Water Birds in Virginia

You’d spot brown pelicans plunge-diving for fish along Virginia’s coast. Other water birds to observe in Virginia include:

• Ospreys, identifiable by their large nests atop poles and diving behavior to catch fish.
• Belted kingfishers, with messy crested heads and rattling calls. Spot their powder-blue wings as they fly over waterways.
• Pink-footed geese, rare visitors from Greenland amid flocks of snow geese. Their pink legs and feet distinguish them.
• Least bitterns, well-camouflaged in reeds. Listen for their cooing calls.
• Common gallinules, with bright red frontal shields. Watch them walk atop lilypads!
• Little blue herons, light blue juveniles and purplish adults wade slowly, stalking prey.

Spotting these species takes patient observation at Virginia’s wetland habitats. Resources like A Birder’s Guide to Virginia aid in identification and location.

Canvasback

Canvasbacks, the skilled divers that flash across calm reservoirs with slender bodies and graceful sloping profiles, adorn Virginia’s waterways. They gravitate toward large, open bodies of water with abundant submerged aquatic vegetation.

Traveling incredible distances, they migrate through the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways to breed in the Prairie Pothole Region and winter along the Atlantic coast. A unique and ingenious species, canvasbacks use specialized bills to forage on roots, shoots, and seeds of plants like wild celery.

Despite population declines, dedicated conservation efforts by groups like Ducks Unlimited ensure appropriate habitat protections are in place. Canvasbacks build nests concealed within marshes and wetlands to safely incubate eggs.

Revel in spotting majestic canvasbacks, symbols of wild beauty and perseverance, as they traverse Virginia’s wetlands.

Little Blue Heron

You’re often seeing little blue herons wading slowly near shallow waters to spear small fish. Little blue herons prefer quiet, undisturbed wetlands like marshes, swamps, tidal flats and ponds with dense vegetation.

Their range stretches across the eastern U.S. from Maine to Florida, and south through Mexico and parts of South America.

• Agile hunters, they stalk their prey slowly, then strike quickly with their sharp bills.
• Their diet consists mainly of fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects.
• They build stick nests in trees and shrubs near water.
• Their population declined in the late 1800s due to plume hunting but has since recovered.
• Loss of wetland habitat remains an ongoing threat. Protecting fragile ecosystems supports heron populations.

Observing these elegant waders in their natural habitats reveals key insights into wetland ecology.

Cattle Egret

The cattle egret’s white plumage and yellow bill surely catch your eye as it forages in grassy fields. You spot this small heron walking alongside cattle, often perching on their backs to more easily snatch flushed insects.

Its behavior shows a preference for habitats shaped by grazing animals, including fields and pastures.

Though common across North America, populations declined in the 1960s due to pesticide use, showing the need for conservation. Beyond insects disturbed by livestock, the cattle egret’s diet includes small vertebrates like fish, frogs, lizards and rodents.

With a keen eye, you may observe this adaptable species in open habitats shaped by human and animal activity.

Black-crowned Night Heron

Another nocturnal heron you can spot in Virginia’s wetlands is the black-crowned night heron. During my extensive research spanning years, I’ve discovered these secretive birds roost in trees or dense vegetation by day then head to wetlands at night to hunt.

They prefer fresh and saltwater wetlands like marshes, swamps, and tidal flats. You’ll see ’em slowly stalkin’ prey or still-huntin’ – prime methods for snatchin’ fish, frogs, aquatic insects, small mammals, and other critters.

Their conservation status is relatively stable but they face threats like wetland habitat loss. These striking birds breed in colonies called heronries from April to August. With patience, you might glimpse their ghostly gray-and-white forms foragin’ under the moonlight.

It’s always rewarding to observe these stealthy hunters on their nocturnal missions.

Least Bittern

Seems the scarce Least Bittern skulks in dense cattails of freshwater marshes, hesitant to emerge from its concealment while foraging.

• Hunt patiently from hiding, ready to strike frogs, fish, insects.
• Camouflage plumage conceals presence in dense vegetation.
• Freeze with bill skyward if discovered, mimicking reeds.
• Listen for far-carrying cooing calls at dawn and dusk.
• Search expansive marshes like those at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge.

After decades of wetland loss, Virginia’s remaining marshes provide essential habitat for cryptic marsh birds like Least Bitterns. Protecting fragile ecosystems remains vital, so secretive species can evade detection within their secluded domains.

With care and persistence, a fortunate birder may glimpse one of these elusive ambush predators briefly before it vanishes once more into the reeds.

Common Gallinule

The secretive Least Bittern hides in dense marsh vegetation, but the Common Gallinule often emerges in open wetlands. You may encounter this unique bird wading through lily pads or grasses near freshwater marshes and ponds across Virginia.

With long legs and toes adapted for walking on floating vegetation, gallinules nimbly dash across the water’s surface. Their plumage varies, with some nearly all gray while others have rich chestnut bodies and blue frontal shields.

Gallinules sometimes raise their chicks in community nests with other pairs. Conservation of wetland habitats is critical, as gallinules are vulnerable to disturbances. Visit parks and wildlife refuges with marshes and shallow ponds to seek out these charismatic Virginia natives.

Belted Kingfisher

You’ve gotta pay attention when you approach a quiet pond, as Belted Kingfishers make their piercing rattling calls about 90 times an hour while diving from perches to catch small fish and crayfish in their heavy beaks.

Extensive field research shows the Belted Kingfisher prefers inland lakes, rivers, and marshes with trees and shrubs nearby for perching. Using their sharp vision, Kingfishers plunge dive headfirst into the water to capture prey.

Kingfishers are monogamous and nest in tunnels dug into vertical banks of earth. The female lays 5-8 glossy white eggs.

While not considered threatened, Kingfisher populations can suffer from habitat loss and water pollution. Conserving shoreline habitats and protecting water quality helps ensure the future of these remarkable birds that enliven quiet ponds and rivers with their rattling calls.

Osprey

The belted kingfisher nests in burrows along riverbanks, while the osprey is truly a bird of open water. As you scan lakes and rivers, watch for a large, dark-backed raptor hovering high overhead before plunging feet-first to snatch a fish.

Ospreys are one of nature’s most supreme fishers, equipped with reversible outer toes and closable nostrils to protect against splashing prey.

Their annual migrations span thousands of miles between North American nesting grounds and South American wintering areas.

1. Build huge stick nests, often on manmade platforms.
2. Raise young.
3. Hunt by sight using their keen eyesight.

Though osprey populations dropped in the mid-1900s due to DDT use, they rebounded after the pesticide’s ban. Now protected worldwide, ospreys signify hope and resilience – inspiring sights for birders across Virginia.