Situated at the northeastern tip of the United States, Maine is a splendid refuge for a diverse assortment of water birds. With its rugged coastline, myriad of lakes, and extensive wetlands, Maine offers a variety of habitats that cater to these fascinating creatures.
Maine water birds
| Water Bird Species | Frequency in Maine | Where to Find in Maine |
|---|---|---|
| American White Pelican | Uncommon | Rare sightings on large inland lakes |
| Double-Crested Cormorant | Common | Coastal areas, Penobscot Bay |
| Great Blue Heron | Common | Wetlands, rivers, and lakes statewide |
| Great Egret | Uncommon | Southern coastal areas, Scarborough Marsh |
| Snowy Egret | Uncommon | Southern coastal areas, Scarborough Marsh |
| Green Heron | Common | Wetlands and ponds statewide |
| Black-Crowned Night-Heron | Uncommon | Coastal wetlands, Portland Harbor |
| Mallard | Very Common | Lakes, ponds, and rivers statewide |
| Wood Duck | Common | Wetlands and ponds statewide |
| Blue-Winged Teal | Common | Wetlands, especially in the south |
| Northern Pintail | Uncommon | Coastal areas in migration |
| American Black Duck | Very Common | Lakes, ponds, and coastal areas |
| Common Eider | Very Common | Coastal areas statewide |
| Bufflehead | Common | Coastal areas, large inland lakes |
| Hooded Merganser | Common | Freshwater bodies statewide |
| Common Merganser | Common | Rivers and large lakes statewide |
| American Coot | Uncommon | Occasional on larger lakes and coastal areas |
| Sandhill Crane | Uncommon | Open fields and marshes, Aroostook County |
| American Wigeon | Uncommon | Wetlands, large bodies of water |
| Osprey | Common | Near water bodies statewide |
| Red-breasted Merganser | Common | Coastal areas statewide |
| Common Loon | Very Common | Lakes, ponds, and coastal areas |
| Atlantic Puffin | Uncommon | Coastal islands, Machias Seal Island |
| Least Bittern | Uncommon | Freshwater marshes, Scarborough Marsh |
Water Bird Species Found in Maine
Where To Spot Maine’s Water Birds
Aside from all along the Maine coast (especially great for spotting sea ducks) the following places are great for spotting wading birds and other water birds:
Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island: Nestled on the coast, this national park provides a home for a variety of water birds, including the Common Loon, various ducks, and the American Black Duck, the green winged teal and the female and male wood duck.
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, York County: Covering 50 miles of coastline, this refuge is a haven for water birds, including the American Bittern, the Least Bittern, and the Green Heron.
Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, Baring and Edmunds: As one of the northernmost National Wildlife Refuges, it offers sightings of the Common Goldeneye, the Hooded Merganser, and other species in its marshes, streams, and ponds.
Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Penobscot County: With a mix of wetland habitats, it is an ideal location to see species such as the American Black Duck, the Ring-necked Duck, and the Canada Goose.
Eastern Egg Rock, Muscongus Bay: Home to the Project Puffin restoration project, this tiny island attracts Atlantic Puffins, Common Terns, and Roseate Terns during breeding season.
Other spots include Machias Seal Island, you’ll commonly encounter on Machias Seal Island include species like puffins, razorbills, and terns, which have adaptations more suited to a life spent in or near the sea. Unlike ducks, these seabirds are equipped to dive deep into the water to catch their prey.
The Fish and Wildlife Service in Southern Maine advises against feeding Canada Geese for several reasons.
First, providing food can lead to an artificial increase in the population of these geese, which can cause overgrazing and degrade natural habitats. This can disrupt the balance of local ecosystems and have negative impacts on other wildlife.
Second, feeding can result in the geese becoming habituated to humans. This can lead to them becoming aggressive or causing nuisances in public spaces such as parks or residential areas.
| Neighboring State | Best Spots for Birdwatching |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire Water Birds | Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, Hampton Beach State Park |
| Vermont Water Birds | Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area, Lake Champlain |