Water Birds in Wisconsin: Ducks, Geese, Swans & More (2024)

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As the days get longer and warmer, Wisconsin’s skies come alive with a vibrant assortment of water birds.

From ducks quacking in the shallows to herons stalking prey along shorelines, these magnificent creatures have captivated birders for centuries.

Get ready to explore some of our state’s most popular water birds—ducks, geese, swans, and more!

With over 20 species documented in Wisconsin alone, there is plenty to discover about these feathered friends that flock together here year-round as well as during their migratory journeys southward each winter.

Join us on this thrilling journey into the world of water birds in Wisconsin!

Ducks, Geese, & Swans

You’ll spot groups of mallards paddling through a marsh, northern pintails gliding overhead with their long necks extended, and noisy Canada geese honking as they fly in v-formation. From elaborate ducks with iridescent plumage to majestic trumpeter swans, Wisconsin offers prime habitats for waterfowl.

Look for flocks of ducks resting on ponds, dabbling in shallow water and tipping forward to feed. Listen for the whistling wings of ducks in flight. Geese often migrate in diagonal lines or Vs, while mute swans glide low across lakes.

With a bit of patience, you may glimpse beautiful wood ducks perched in trees or glimpse rare tundra swans passing through.

During fall or spring migration are the best times to observe waterfowl behaviors in Wisconsin.

Mallard

The male mallard has a glossy green head, white collar, and purple-blue secondary feathers you’ll easily spot among other ducks in Wisconsin. These vibrant colors are not just for show; they play a crucial role in courtship displays and attracting females during the breeding season.

Mallards are versatile birds, equally comfortable in urban ponds and wild wetlands. Their diet consists of aquatic plants, insects, and small aquatic creatures, making them adaptable to various habitats.

While some mallards are year-round residents in Wisconsin, others migrate south for the winter.

Conservation efforts in the state ensure the protection of these iconic waterfowl, allowing birdwatchers to continue enjoying their beauty during fall migrations.

• Mallard behavior includes courtship displays and vocalizations.
• Mallard habitat ranges from urban ponds to wild wetlands.
• Mallard diet consists of plants, insects, and small aquatic creatures.
• Mallard migration sees some individuals heading south for the winter.

American Wigeon

Seeing their cinnamon heads bobbing around farm fields, you get a kick out of spotting compact American wigeons. Their svelte gray bodies and bold green bands behind the eye make them stand out.

Farm fields and flooded rice paddies are ideal for these dabbling ducks to forage on aquatic plants.

Flyways bring migrant wigeons from nesting in the prairies and boreal forests. Farmers provide habitat, but conversion of grasslands reduces nest sites.

Wigeons whistle whew-whew-whew among flocks. Uncommon in cities, these birds thrive on agricultural lands during migration and winter.

Their populations face threats, making conservation vital.

Northern Pintail

Spotting a male Northern Pintail’s long, thin neck and elongated central tail feathers helps identify it among dabbling ducks, like if you notice one preening near cattails at Horicon Marsh.

The Northern Pintail migrates here through the flyways, so Wisconsin sees them during fall migration and nesting season. Pintails feed by dabbling in shallow water, tipping their tails up to snatch aquatic plants and invertebrates.

The male’s white breast and brown head contrast with gray plumage. Females are mottled brown for camouflage while nesting in marshes.

While pintails remain numerous, their populations decreased between 1966-2015, so habitat conservation helps.

Overall, the Northern Pintail displays elegant beauty whether spotted among cattails or high in flight.

Northern Shoveler

Look how that sophisticated spoon-shaped bill sifts mud for tasty morsels as the Northern Shoveler floats before you! This mid-sized, blue-gray plumed waterfowl dabbles the pond’s surface while thrusting its over-sized bill back and forth.

Observe the Northern Shoveler’s wedge-shaped tail pumping steadily as it feeds. Though typically nesting in the prairies, this bird winters in wetlands, rivers, and lakes across the southern states, including marshy spots in Wisconsin.

Help conserve shoveler habitat so future birders witness this quirky duck’s acrobatic foraging displays when scoping for uncommon species. Northern shovelers enliven the scene wherever they appear, and their took-took whistles add to the sounds of waterfowl on the move.

Blue-winged Teal

After the Northern Shoveler comes the beautiful Blue-winged Teal in Wisconsin. This small dabbling duck can be recognized by its striking blue-gray colors and white crescent in front of the eyes. Watch for blue shoulder patches in flight or when preening. Blue-winged Teal prefers shallow wetlands with good cover.

In fall they gather in large flocks, filling marshlands before migration. Schoenberg Marsh WPA offers excellent chances to spot this species from September through November.

Your checklist of Blue-winged Teal facts: small size, blue wing patch, nearsighted, insect eaters, long distance migrants, marsh nesters. Look for Blue-winged Teal mixing with other ducks in Wisconsin wetlands this fall.

Green-winged Teal

You’d find green-winged teal traveling in small flocks with other waterfowl, yet their emerald patch still sparkles from your scope. Graceful in flight, they ride air currents on bowed wings. Seasonal migrants follow primal urges along ancestral routes twice a year.

Though sociable in wintering wetlands, they prefer nesting in solitude near cattails and sedges. Conserve wetland havens so their verdant beauty endures. Green-winged teal blend in among their drabber cousins, yet a sweeping gaze across misty waters reveals hints of brilliant plumes.

Wood Duck

Round these parts, folks cherish glimpsin’ the stunning, colorfully-plumed wood ducks nesting in trees by the creek come springtime.

• Exuberant, spirited hoots and squeals ring out as they socialize and court mates.
• They prefer wetland habitats with wooded swamps or streams for nesting and feed on seeds, acorns, and aquatic insects.
• Though wary of people, they adapt well to developed areas if nest sites and cover allow.

With a preference for tree cavities, the striking wood duck finds success when humans erect nest boxes. As tentative species of greatest conservation need in Wisconsin, they remain stable with help ensuring suitable habitat.

Bufflehead

You’d spot the striking black and white Bufflehead diving underwater for food at the marsh. With webbed feet propelling its small body, the chunky Bufflehead disappears below the surface in search of aquatic insects, mollusks, and crustaceans.

A crest adorns the head of the male during breeding season, extending from a band of white that contrasts with its black back. Look for the white patch behind its eye when you’re observing in the field. Females sport more subdued browns.

These tiny sea ducks migrate through Wisconsin in fall and spring, stopping by lakes, marshes, and reservoirs.

Hooded Merganser

Look before you when seeking the crested-headed fish hunting Hooded Merganser. Survey lakes’ edges with your spotting scope first thing at dawn. Listen for the raucous courtship calls as the males return from migration. Watch ’em bob ‘n’ dive, plucking small fish their thin, needle-like bills are so well-designed for.

Tis’ a wary creature, keeping distance, but glimpses may be had. In wooded wetlands they nest in cavities, sometimes usin’ boxes cleverly crafted by conservationists.

The Hooded Merganser deserves diligence – their populations once threatened but now recovered thanks to preservation of breeding habitat. Spot this striking duck with bold white patches ‘n’ that shaggy crest that first drew your eye.

Emboldened by awareness of their ways, closer you get, easier to pick ’em out. Mind your steps and tread lightly, friend. Our wildlife trust us as stewards. Awareness ‘n’ care lets these marvels flourish.

Common Merganser

The hooded merganser’s striking crested head gives way to the sleek and streamlined common merganser. When standing on the shore of a secluded river bend, you may catch a glimpse of a small flock swiftly swimming upstream.

Their thin, serrated bills allow them to delicately grasp small fish and aquatic invertebrates.

During spring migration, observe courting males performing elaborate displays and females inspecting potential nest sites in tree cavities. By summer, females care for broods of ducklings, teaching them to fish and dive.

Though populations are stable, habitat loss threatens their future. Protecting wetlands and nesting sites allows us to continue enjoying their beauty on the water.

Canada Goose

Wild birds are a common sight in Wisconsin, especially Canada geese. Their loud, honking calls can be heard around lakes and fields as large flocks gather and fly overhead during spring and fall migrations.

Common in Wisconsin

Canada geese are ubiquitous throughout Wisconsin, from rural farm ponds to urban retention basins. Unafraid of close human presence, they have adapted to prosper in habitats across the state. Honks of migrating flocks reverberate over parks and wetlands during spring and fall.

Subspecies vary slightly in proportions and plumage. Despite overabundance, their distinctive V-shaped flight formations remain impressive. While mitigating impacts, birders still relish sightings of these familiar waterfowl.

Heard in Wisconsin

Honk, honk! You’d hear Canada geese calling as they fly overhead in Wisconsin.

• They honk to maintain social cohesion during migration.
• Their V-shaped formation conserves energy as they migrate south.
• Wetlands provide ideal resting and feeding grounds during migration.
• Look overhead near lakeshores, fields, and marshes to spot flocks.
• Listen for their distinctive honking calls as confirmation.

Canada geese are a familiar sight and sound during fall migration in Wisconsin. Wetland habitats and migratory patterns make the state an important stopover. Honking flocks symbolize the changing seasons for nature enthusiasts and outdoorsmen.

Herons, Ibises, & Cranes

Ya’ll would journey to Schoenberg Marsh WPA for the tall gray-blue Great Blue Heron‘s distinctive kraak call. Herons build stick nests high in trees during spring, incubating eggs with alternating shifts by mates.

In fall, Sandhill Cranes form massive flocks flying south, their loud bugling echoing across marshes. Ibises probe muddy flats with curved bills, finding crustaceans and insects. Cryptic Least Bitterns hide in reeds, emittin’ an explosive oong-KA-chunk when threatened.

The hidden lives of herons, ibises, cranes and other marsh birds reflect nature’s delicate balance, worth protectin’ through conservation efforts.

Great Blue Heron

The towering great blue heron is a familiar sight along Wisconsin’s wetlands and waterways. To get a closer view of this species’ fascinating fishing behavior, check out the Blue Planet YouTube channel’s video on great blue herons stalking and spearing fish.

Habitat in Wisconsin

You’re likely to spot the tall, grayish-blue Great Blue Heron stalking the shallows at a marsh or wetland in our state. Wisconsin’s extensive wetlands and waterways provide ideal habitat for this iconic wading bird.

Look for it along shorelines, wading through cattails and rushes, standing silent and still as it hunts for fish, frogs, and other aquatic prey. With patience, you may catch it spearing a fish with its sharp beak or hear its loud, prehistoric-sounding calls echoing across the marsh.

YouTube Channel

Check out this cool YouTube channel about Wisconsin waterbird watching if you’re into herons. The site offers fantastic tips on using binoculars and spotting scopes for identifying great blue herons’ distinctive features.

You’ll learn when and where to find them based on migration and gain skills for capturing excellent photos.

American Bittern

It is the secretive nature of an American bittern that piques your curiosity. As you walk the marsh observing, listening for its oong-KA-chunk call, habitat preferences emerge. This medium-sized bittern favors dense vegetation like cattails and sedges for nesting and feeding.

Concealment is key, yet it sometimes boldly stalks in open water, grasping frogs, fish, and insects in its long bill. Though populations are declining, its future seems hopeful if wetlands are conserved.

In fall, bitterns migrate at night, navigating alone over oceans and mountains, driven by an ancient restlessness.

Snowy Egret

Regarding the snowy egret in Wisconsin, though dainty in appearance, its showy plumage seems to say behold my beauty. This little heron has proved itself a scrappy survivor, adapting to habitat loss by nesting near farms, subdivisions, and parks.

I’ve seen this resourceful bird stalking crayfish in roadside ditches, poking its yellow feet to stir prey from muddy shallows.

While snowies nest colonially, breeding sites are limited; conservation of wetlands is key. Despite their adaptability, snowy egrets remain a species of concern. We must protect the places they call home to ensure future generations can appreciate their graceful beauty.

By safeguarding wetlands, we enable magnificent wildlife like the snowy egret to flourish.

Sandhill Crane

You’ll hear tall sandhill cranes’ loud bugling calls around wetlands. These large gray birds with red forehead patches migrate through Wisconsin to nesting grounds up north. Their calls help keep pairs and families together. Watch for their circling dance displays.

1. Nest in shallow wetlands with vegetation.
2. Forage on land for seeds, berries, insects.
3. Form lifelong pair bonds.
4. Perform energetic courtship dances.

Cranes once neared extinction but now recover due to habitat conservation. Migrating cranes stop to rest and feed in wetlands, grasslands, and fields.

Loons, Grebes, & Others

You’ve gotta check out the common loon, with its haunting, wailing calls that really set the mood around Wisconsin’s many lakes. With their strong swimming abilities and solid bones, loons are well adapted to life on the water, yet awkward on land.

Grebes are also excellent swimmers and divers, but build floating nests anchored to vegetation in marshes and ponds. During fall migration, you may spot American white pelicans flying in V-formation or scooping up fish in groups.

And don’t overlook the uniquely adapted American coot, which uses its lobed feet for both swimming and walking on mudflats.

So grab your binoculars and get out there to witness Wisconsin’s amazing diversity of waterbirds!

Common Loon

Your heart thrills at the haunting wail of the solitary loon gliding across misty waters.

The common loon prefers clear inland lakes with small rocky islands for nesting and wooded shores for escape cover. With solid bones for diving deep and webbed feet set far back for propulsion, this aquatic bird hunts fish and voles.

Conservationists protect loon habitat and reduce lead tackle which can poison the birds when ingested.

Come fall, loons stage near shore a few weeks before migrating singly along coastlines to wintering grounds, using their strong swimming skills for the long journey south.

American Coot

Silly coot, splish-splashing about, your webbed toes wiggle as you paddle past, oblivious to the loon’s lonely tune. Coots scurry across the water with heads bobbing, searching for tender greens to feed.

Preferring calm, protected wetlands rich in vegetation, coots nest in reedy marshes or flooded fields. Skillfully diving to escape danger, coots will migrate south when their aquatic salad bar grows sparse.

Though common, habitat loss threatens the coot’s home; conservation of wetlands protects these comical, chicken-like cousins of the crane. Let’s chuckle at their clownish antics but also ensure coots continue to entertain future generations.

Double-crested Cormorant

Buddy, the gangly double-crested cormorant grunts while diving for fish in Wisconsin’s lakes. You’ve seen how the cormorant’s hooked bill snatches smallmouth bass and panfish. These expert divers catch prey up to 50 feet down, thanks to their streamlined bodies and webbed feet.

Cormorants prefer islands for nesting colonies. But large flocks can damage shoreline trees. They’re native, but some consider them a nuisance. Cormorants spread eggshells and droppings.

Now they’re rebounding across North America. Cormorants fill their role in the ecosystem. Appreciate their adaptations, even if they compete for fish. Their presence symbolizes healthy waters.

Pied-billed Grebe

The pied-billed grebe’s stocky bill and poor land mobility help it swim and dive as it hunts for prey. Skilled swimmers and divers, grebes spend most of their lives in the water searching for small fish, crustaceans, tadpoles, and aquatic insects.

Nesting in colonies near shallow water with abundant wetland vegetation, they build floating nests anchored to emergent plants. Agile and able to quickly sink or surface while swimming, their feathers aren’t waterproofed like ducks.

Grebes occasionally run across the surface with wings flapping to take off in flight. A wetland specialist, the pied-billed grebe is a common but fascinating waterbird to observe in Wisconsin.

American White Pelican

You’re enthralled with these giant-beaked birds that scoop up loads of fish to feed their ravenous chicks loudly squawking in their eggs! During migration, you’ve watched magnificent flocks of American White Pelicans soaring above lakes and wetlands, their nine-foot wingspans letting them glide effortlessly.

While breeding, these bulky waterbirds plunge their pouched bills into water to grab fish, up to three pounds per scoop.

Although populations decreased due to pesticides like DDT, they’ve recovered well through conservation efforts preserving crucial habitat. With pollution controls and protected nesting sites, pelican numbers keep rising – a victory for environmental stewardship.

Pelicans now successfully breed and migrate, sustaining nature’s wondrous rhythms.