27 Spectacular Water Birds in Louisiana (ID Guide)

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Scientific Name: Pelecanus occidentalis

Length: 3 ft 3 in to 5 ft 0 in

Wingspan: 6 ft 8 in to 7 ft 6 in

Weight: 4.4 to 11.0 lb

The Brown Pelican is a large water bird famous for its distinct body shape and dramatic feeding habits. Known for their habit of diving headfirst into the water to catch fish, they are a staple along the coasts of the southern United States.

Appearance: Brown Pelicans are easily identifiable due to their long, curved necks, stout bodies, and large bills with a stretchy pouch. As their name suggests, they have brown and gray body feathers, with a paler head and neck that can become yellowish in breeding season.

Diet: Their diet mainly consists of fish, which they catch by making spectacular plunging dives from the air, scooping up the fish in their expandable bill pouches. They then drain the water from their pouches before swallowing their catch.

Reproduction: Brown Pelicans nest in colonies on islands, laying 2 to 3 eggs in nests made from sticks and vegetation. Both parents share incubation and feeding duties. After hatching, the chicks remain in the nest for around 12 weeks before they are ready to leave.

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Scientific Name: Anhinga anhinga

Length: 35 in

Wingspan: 3.7 ft

Weight: 2.7 lb

The Anhinga is a distinctive water bird commonly found in the southern parts of the United States. It is often referred to as the “snakebird” because of its long neck, which often protrudes from the water while the rest of its body is submerged.

Appearance: The Anhinga has a slim body with a long neck and a pointed bill. The males are dark overall with silver wing patches, while females have a pale head, neck, and upper chest contrasting with a dark lower body. When in flight, the Anhinga’s long tail and broad wings are noticeable.

Diet: Anhingas are carnivorous birds primarily feeding on fish. They are excellent divers and often swim submerged, with only their neck visible above water, stalking their aquatic prey. They also eat other aquatic creatures such as insects, crustaceans, and amphibians.

Reproduction: Anhingas breed in colonies, often with other water birds. They build stick nests in trees or shrubs near water. The female lays 2 to 4 eggs that are incubated by both parents for about 25 to 30 days. The young are cared for by both parents and start to fly after about six weeks.

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Scientific Name: Egretta rufescens

Length: 27–32 in

Wingspan: 46–49 in

Weight: 0.802–1.918 lb

The Reddish Egret is a large wading bird admired for its reddish plumage and active hunting behavior.

Appearance: Reddish Egrets are notable for their gray body and reddish neck and head. They also possess a distinctive shaggy appearance, with elongated neck and body feathers. There are also white morphs of the species that are entirely white.

Diet: Reddish Egrets primarily feed on fish, but they also eat amphibians and crustaceans. They are known for their dynamic hunting style, often running, jumping, and spinning in the shallows to chase their prey.

Reproduction: Reddish Egrets nest in colonies, usually on islands populated by other wading birds. The nests are built in shrubs or trees, with the female laying a clutch of about 3 to 4 eggs.

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Scientific Name: Egretta tricolor

Length: 22 to 30 in

Wingspan: 37 to 39 in

Weight: 11-15oz

The Tricolored Heron, formerly known as the Louisiana Heron, is a slender and elegant bird primarily found in coastal habitats in the southeastern United States.

Appearance: The Tricolored Heron is notable for its slate-gray body, white belly, and a rust-colored neck, which gives it a tricolor appearance. The bill is long and pointed, ideal for catching prey. In breeding season, adults develop white plumes on their back and a blue bill with a bright blue base.

Diet: Tricolored Herons primarily feed on fish, but their diet also includes a variety of other aquatic organisms like crustaceans, amphibians, and insects. They often feed alone, moving slowly through wetlands or standing still, waiting for prey to come within striking distance.

Reproduction: Tricolored Herons nest in colonies, often with other heron and egret species. The nests are constructed from sticks and located in trees or shrubs, usually over water. The female lays 3 to 4 blue-green eggs that are incubated by both parents for about 21-25 days. Once hatched, the young are cared for by both parents and fledge in about five weeks.

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Scientific Name: Nyctanassa violacea

Length: 1 ft 10 in – 2 ft 4 in

Wingspan:

Weight: 1.43–1.87 lb

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is a medium-sized heron commonly found in wetlands and coastal habitats across the southeastern United States.

Appearance: Yellow-crowned Night Herons have a sturdy body with a comparatively short neck and legs. Their distinctive feature is their namesake yellow crown, which contrasts sharply with their gray body and back. They have red eyes and a heavy, dark bill. During the breeding season, they develop long, wispy plumes on their head, giving them a stylish appearance.

Diet: Yellow-crowned Night Herons are known for their preference for crustaceans, especially crabs and crayfish. They hunt mostly at night, stalking their prey in shallow water, often remaining still for long periods before striking quickly with their bill.

Reproduction: Yellow-crowned Night Herons nest in small colonies, typically in trees or shrubs near water. The female lays 3 to 5 pale blue-green eggs which are incubated by both parents for about 25 days. After hatching, the chicks are cared for by both parents and fledge in about 30-40 days. They often return to the same nesting sites year after year.

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Scientific Name: Eudocimus albus

Length: 21 to 28 in

Wingspan: 35 to 41 in

Weight: 1.6 – 2.3lb

The White Ibis is a wading bird renowned for its bright white plumage and distinctive, down-curved bill. It’s most commonly found in the marshes, wetlands, and along the coastlines of the southeastern United States.

Appearance: White Ibises display a predominantly white plumage that’s contrasted by their brilliant red-orange down-curved bill and legs. During the breeding season, the skin on their face may become dark blue. Juvenile White Ibises have brown upper parts and white underparts.

Diet: The diet of the White Ibis primarily consists of various invertebrates, including insects, crayfish, and other small crustaceans. Their long, curved bill is perfectly adapted for probing in mud and shallow water while foraging for food.

Reproduction: White Ibises nest in large colonies, often with other wading birds. The female typically lays 2 to 4 eggs in a nest made of twigs and leaves in trees or shrubs.

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Scientific Name: Plegadis falcinellus

Length: 19–26 in

Wingspan: 31–41 in

Weight: 1.069 to 2.138 lb

The Glossy Ibis is a wading bird that has an extensive global range, including parts of the United States, and is the most widespread of all ibis species.

Appearance: The Glossy Ibis is characterized by its slender, curved bill and dark, iridescent body. Its feathers are a rich chestnut and dark green, which appear metallic and shiny, thus giving it the name ‘Glossy’. In breeding season, the area around the bird’s eyes becomes a bright, striking blue.

Diet: Glossy Ibises feed primarily on invertebrates such as insects, worms, and small crustaceans. They use their long, curved bills to probe for food in soft mud, often following the tide in coastal marshes, but also in shallow freshwater wetlands.

Reproduction: Glossy Ibises typically nest in colonies, often with other wading birds. The nests are made from twigs and reeds and are usually placed in trees, shrubs, or reed beds over water. The female lays 3 to 4 blue-green eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about 21 days. Once hatched, the chicks are cared for by both parents and fledge at about 6 weeks.

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Scientific Name: Platalea ajaja

Length: 28–34 in

Wingspan: 47–52 in

Weight: 2.6–4.0 lb

The Roseate Spoonbill is a large, colorful bird native to the Americas, primarily seen in the southern and coastal areas of the United States.

Appearance: Roseate Spoonbills are notable for their pink plumage and spatulate bill. They stand out with their bright pink wings and tail, while their neck and back are a paler, almost white, shade. The bill, broad and flat at the tip like a spoon, is gray, and their legs are a light pink to red color. They also have a bare, greenish head which becomes more colorful during the breeding season.

Diet: Roseate Spoonbills have a diverse diet primarily composed of small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. They feed by sweeping their spoon-like bills back and forth in the water, snapping it shut when they feel prey.

Reproduction: Roseate Spoonbills nest in colonies, often with other water birds. They build nests in shrubs or trees, close to the water. The female typically lays 2 to 3 white, brown-marked eggs. Both parents share incubation duties, which lasts about 22 to 24 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and leave the nest after 5 to 6 weeks.

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Scientific Name: Mycteria americana

Length: 33–45 in

Wingspan: 55–71 in

Weight: 5-6 lb

The Wood Stork is a large wading bird native to America, known for its unique foraging technique and status as the only stork species breeding in the United States.

Appearance: The Wood Stork is characterized by its white body, black flight feathers, and bald, scaly-looking gray head. Its long legs and neck add to its distinct, somewhat prehistoric look. Its bill is long, thick, and curved, aiding in its unique way of feeding.

Diet: The Wood Stork is a carnivore, feeding primarily on fish but also consuming amphibians, insects, and occasionally small rodents. It has a unique feeding method: it wades in shallow water with its bill open and snaps it shut when a fish swims in, often without the bird needing to see its prey.

Reproduction: Wood Storks are colonial nesters, usually nesting in large rookeries and often with other wading birds. They build large stick nests in trees above water, where the female lays 3 to 5 eggs. Both parents share incubation duties, which lasts about 30 days. The chicks fledge after around 8 weeks but continue to return to the nest to be fed by parents for several weeks afterwards.

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Scientific Name: Anas fulvigula

Length: 19.7–22.5 in

Wingspan: 32.7–34.3 in

Weight: 30.9–43.8 oz

The Mottled Duck is a medium-sized waterfowl species known for its subdued coloration and affinity for coastal marshes. It’s primarily found in the southern United States, particularly in Florida and along the Gulf Coast.

Appearance: As the name suggests, Mottled Ducks feature a mottled brown plumage that allows them to blend into their marshy surroundings. They have a fairly uniform color with darker back and lighter underparts. Their bills are yellow to orange, with the males usually sporting a greenish-yellow bill while the females have a more orange one.

Diet: Mottled Ducks are dabbling ducks and they primarily feed on a diet of seeds from aquatic vegetation, grasses, and agricultural crops. They also eat some aquatic insects and crustaceans.

Reproduction: Mottled Ducks pair up for the breeding season and the female typically lays 8 to 10 eggs in a nest hidden in tall grass or reeds. The female incubates the eggs while the male stands guard nearby.

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Scientific Name: Mergus serrator

Length: 20–24 in

Wingspan: 28–34 in

Weight: 28.2 to 47.6 oz

The Red-breasted Merganser is a fascinating diving duck species, recognized for its swift flight and exceptional diving capabilities. They inhabit freshwater and saltwater environments and are quite common in North America and Eurasia.

Appearance: The Red-breasted Merganser boasts an interesting appearance. Males display a dark green head, bright red eyes, and a distinctive, long reddish-brown breast. Their bodies are mainly grey, and they also have a white collar and a thin, serrated bill. Females are more subdued, featuring a rusty cinnamon head with a shaggy crest and grey body.

Diet: Predominantly includes small fish, which they catch by diving underwater. They can also feed on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and occasionally amphibians. Their serrated bill helps them grip slippery prey effectively.

Reproduction: The breeding ground for Red-breasted Mergansers is typically near freshwater lakes or rivers. Females build nests in tree cavities, on the ground hidden in vegetation, or use abandoned nests of other birds. The female lays a clutch of 6 to 12 eggs.

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Scientific Name: Fulica americana

Length: 13–17 in

Wingspan: 23 to 28 in

Weight: 1.270 to 1.870 lb

The American Coot is a ubiquitous water bird commonly seen in the wetlands, lakes, and ponds of North America, recognized for its adaptability and striking features.

Appearance: American Coots are easily identifiable by their slate-gray bodies, offset by a white, chicken-like bill and a red eye. Their legs are also distinctive, equipped with lobed toes, as opposed to the webbed feet seen in ducks, which assist them in navigating both land and water adeptly.

Diet: While aquatic plants form the bulk of an American Coot’s diet, they aren’t strictly herbivores. These versatile birds also consume small invertebrates and fish, demonstrating their ability to adapt and survive in a variety of habitats.

Reproduction: Nesting for the American Coot usually happens in shallow water bodies, where they construct a floating nest hidden among the vegetation. A clutch can contain between 8 to 12 eggs, all of which are incubated by both parents.

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Scientific Name: Antigone canadensis

Length: 2 ft 7-4 ft 6 in

Wingspan: 16.5–23.6 in

Weight: 4 – 4.5 kg

The Sandhill Crane is a tall, elegant bird known for its impressive size and striking appearance. They are found across North America, in habitats ranging from wetlands to grasslands.

Appearance: Sandhill Cranes are recognized for their tall stature, gray body, long legs, and long neck. Their most distinctive feature is a red forehead, which contrasts with their otherwise primarily gray plumage. During the breeding season, their gray feathers often take on a rusty-brown hue due to them rubbing iron-rich mud onto their feathers.

Diet: Sandhill Cranes are omnivorous birds and their diet is quite diverse, consisting of seeds, grains, berries, insects, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. They are known to forage while walking in shallow water or in fields.

Reproduction: Sandhill Cranes mate for life and their complex courtship dance is a sight to behold. They nest in marshy areas and the female typically lays two eggs.

Bald Eagle Sound

Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Length: 28–40 in

Wingspan: 5 ft 11 in and 7 ft 7 in 

Weight: 6.6 -13.9 lb

The Bald Eagle, primarily found in Canada and Alaska, is instantly identifiable by its white head, dark brown body, yellow beak, and a piercing cry. Its sharp, orange-yellow eyes aid in efficient night hunting.

Predominantly residing in North America, occasionally venturing into Asia and Europe, it thrives near water bodies. It perches atop trees, providing a bird’s-eye view of its prey. It feeds on fish, carrion, small mammals like rabbits and squirrels, and reptiles. Hunting involves a swift downward swoop to seize the prey, carrying it back to the nest.

Bald Eagles are monogamous, forming lifelong pairings. They construct vast nests from sticks, lined with moss or grasses. They typically lay 1-3 eggs annually, which hatch around 35 days later. The fledglings leave the nest roughly 6 weeks after hatching, but continue to rely on their parents for nourishment for a further 5-6 months, until they become proficient hunters.

Osprey Sound

Scientific Name: Pandion haliaetus

Length: 50–66 cm (19+1⁄2–26 in)

Wingspan: 127–180 cm (50–71 in)

Weight: 0.9–2.1 kg (2 lb 0 oz – 4 lb 10 oz)

The Osprey, a fascinating bird of prey, is universally known for its exceptional hunting prowess and striking physical characteristics. Osprey are dark brown hawks on the upperparts, contrasting beautifully with the predominantly white underparts, and a distinctive dark band that stretches across the eyes towards the sides of its head.

Equipped with specialized talons and a reversible outer toe, the Osprey’s hunting strategy involves a spectacular plunge-dive into bodies of water, often emerging with a fish securely gripped in its claws.

Found on every continent except Antarctica, the Osprey is a cosmopolitan species favoring habitats near water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and coastal areas, reflecting its piscivorous diet. This bird has a diet almost exclusively of fish, making it a unique member of the raptor family and often referred to as the sea hawk or fish hawk. They locate their prey from the air, often hovering before plunging feet-first to capture a fish. When it comes to breeding, Ospreys are monogamous, often mating for life.

They construct large, bulky nests made of sticks, lined with softer materials, and prefer elevated or isolated areas such as treetops or artificial structures like utility poles. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs and rearing the chicks.

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Scientific Name: Haematopus palliatus

Length: 17–20 in

Wingspan: 35-in

Weight: 560 g

The American Oystercatcher is a large, coastal bird celebrated for its bold coloration and specialized feeding behavior.

Appearance: American Oystercatchers are notable for their contrasting plumage, with black upperparts, white underparts, and a vivid red-orange bill. They also have distinctive yellow eyes with red-orange eye-rings.

Diet: True to their name, American Oystercatchers primarily feed on shellfish, including oysters, clams, and mussels. They use their strong, sharp bills to pry open the shells of these invertebrates.

Reproduction: American Oystercatchers generally nest on sandy or pebbly beaches, dunes, or salt marsh islands. The female lays a clutch of about 2 to 4 eggs, which are incubated by both parents.

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Scientific Name: Rynchops niger

Length: 16–20 in

Wingspan: 42–50 in

Weight: 9-12.5oz

The Black Skimmer is a unique coastal bird recognizable for its unusual feeding method, giving it a fascinating presence on the beaches and sandbars it calls home.

Appearance: The Black Skimmer sports a stark contrast in color with a black upper body and white lower body. Its most distinctive feature is its bill, which is knife-thin, bright red at the base, and black at the tip. The bird’s lower mandible is much longer than the upper, an adaptation for its unique feeding style.

Diet: As its name suggests, the Black Skimmer feeds by skimming the surface of water bodies with its elongated lower mandible to catch small fish and crustaceans. It mainly feeds at dawn and dusk, relying on touch to sense prey, making it one of the few birds to feed in near darkness.

Reproduction: Black Skimmers nest in colonies on sandbars, beaches, or dredge spoil islands, with both parents sharing incubation duties. The female lays 1 to 5 eggs, which are then incubated for about 23 days. The chicks are semi-precocial, leaving the nest a few days after hatching but staying nearby for protection and feeding by the parents.

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Scientific Name: Leucophaeus atricilla

Length: 14–16 in

Wingspan: 39–43 in

Weight: 7.2-13.1 oz

The Laughing Gull is a medium-sized coastal gull that’s notable for its distinctive call that sounds like a high-pitched laugh, giving the bird its common name.

Appearance: Adult Laughing Gulls have a dark, almost black, head in the summer, with a grey body and black wingtips. In the winter, their heads turn white with a smoky gray mask. Their legs are reddish-black, and they have a long, red bill.

Diet: Laughing Gulls are omnivores, eating a varied diet that includes fish, insects, invertebrates like shrimp and crabs, and sometimes even human food waste. They are opportunistic feeders and are often seen foraging in garbage bins in coastal towns.

Reproduction: The Laughing Gull nests in large, noisy colonies. The female typically lays 2 to 4 eggs in a nest constructed from grass, sticks, or seaweed on the ground, often on islands. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, and after they hatch, the chicks stay in the nest for about 20 days before taking their first flight.

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Scientific Name: Thalasseus maximus

Length: 18–20 in

Wingspan: 51 in

Weight: 12–16 oz

The Royal Tern is a large seabird recognized for its unique “crested” appearance and graceful flight along coastlines.

Appearance: The Royal Tern is predominantly white with a light gray back. It has a characteristic orange-red bill and a black crest on its head which becomes a complete cap during the breeding season. The slender, streamlined body and long, pointed wings of the Royal Tern make it an efficient flier and diver.

Diet: The diet of a Royal Tern primarily consists of small fish and invertebrates. It forages by hovering above the water and plunging down to catch its prey. The species is also known to scavenge from other birds, showcasing its opportunistic nature.

Reproduction: Royal Terns breed in large, densely packed colonies on islands. Nests are shallow scrapes in the ground, sometimes lined with vegetation or debris. A single egg is laid, which both parents incubate. After hatching, the chick joins a crèche (group of chicks) which is supervised by one or more adults, typically for about a month until it fledges.