In the heart of the American Midwest, Kansas serves as a crossroads for a captivating array of water birds. The state’s intricate network of rivers, reservoirs, and wetlands create a mosaic of habitats that these birds call home.
Kansas water birds
| Water Bird Species | Frequency in Kansas | Where to Find in Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| American White Pelican | Common | Cheyenne Bottoms, Clinton Lake |
| Double-Crested Cormorant | Common | Perry Lake, Cheney Reservoir |
| Great Blue Heron | Very Common | Lakes and rivers statewide |
| Great Egret | Common | Cheyenne Bottoms, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge |
| Snowy Egret | Uncommon | Quivira National Wildlife Refuge |
| Green Heron | Common | Small bodies of water statewide |
| Black-Crowned Night-Heron | Common | Urban areas, Clinton Lake |
| Mallard | Very Common | Lakes, ponds, and rivers statewide |
| Wood Duck | Common | Wooded streams and rivers |
| Blue-Winged Teal | Common | Cheyenne Bottoms, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge |
| Northern Pintail | Common | Large bodies of water |
| Canvasback | Uncommon | Large lakes and reservoirs |
| Redhead | Uncommon | Large lakes and reservoirs |
| Ring-Necked Duck | Common | Ponds and lakes statewide |
| Lesser Scaup | Common | Large lakes and reservoirs |
| Bufflehead | Common | Lakes and rivers statewide |
| Hooded Merganser | Common | Wooded rivers and ponds |
| Common Merganser | Uncommon | Large bodies of water |
| Ruddy Duck | Common | Lakes and reservoirs statewide |
| American Coot | Very Common | Lakes, ponds, and rivers statewide |
| Sandhill Crane | Common | Quivira National Wildlife Refuge |
| American Wigeon | Common | Large bodies of water |
| American Avocet | Uncommon | Cheyenne Bottoms, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge |
| Black-necked Stilt | Uncommon | Cheyenne Bottoms |
| Osprey | Uncommon | Cheney Reservoir, Clinton Lake |
| Common Loon | Uncommon | Large bodies of water |
| White-faced Ibis | Uncommon | Cheyenne Bottoms, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge |
Water Bird Species Found in Kansas
Where to Spot Kansas’s Water Birds
Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, Barton County (Western Kansas): Recognized as a Wetland of International Importance, this is the largest marsh in the interior United States. It’s a critical stopover point for migratory shorebirds, hosting species like the American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and various species of Sandpipers and Plovers.
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, Stafford County: This refuge contains a mixture of salt marshes, sand prairies, and woodlands. It’s a bird-watcher’s paradise with water birds such as the Snowy Egret, White-faced Ibis, and a variety of ducks and geese like snow geese and large flocks of canada geese. You will find many nesting birds, particually the Canada goose and other wetland birds in this wetland habitat.
Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area, Linn County: Named after the Marais des Cygnes River that flows through it, this area provides excellent opportunities to spot waterfowl and wading birds, such as Great Blue Herons, Green Herons, the Marsh wren, Snowy Plover and Mallards with their green heads.
Milford Nature Center and Fish Hatchery, Geary County: Located near Milford Reservoir, the largest lake in Kansas, this area attracts numerous water birds, including several species of Grebes, Cormorants, and Dabbling Ducks.
Clinton Lake, Douglas County: Just west of Lawrence, Clinton Lake is a known hotspot for a variety of water birds, including several species of diving ducks (who dive to catch fish), and long necked birds like herons, and egrets. You can also see some Kansas birds of prey like bald eagles around the lake.
| Neighboring State | Best Spots for Birdwatching |
|---|---|
| Nebraska Water Birds | Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, Platte River State Park |
| Missouri Water Birds | Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge |
| Oklahoma Water Birds | Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge |
| Colorado Water Birds | Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, Barr Lake State Park, Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge |