Water Birds in Mississippi (27 Diverse Species)

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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: 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: Aythya affinis

Length: 16.4–16.9 in

Wingspan: 27–31 in

Weight: 1–2.4 lb

The Lesser Scaup is a small diving duck species commonly found in North America, particularly in the lakes, ponds, and coastal bays of the United States.

Appearance: Male Lesser Scaups are characterized by their glossy black heads and necks, bright yellow eyes, and pale bluish-gray backs. They also feature a distinguished black chest and tail-end. Females, on the other hand, are primarily brown with white bands near the bill and a slightly lighter brown color on their heads and necks.

Diet: Lesser Scaups are divers, and their diet mainly consists of aquatic invertebrates, including insects, mollusks, and crustaceans. They are also known to eat aquatic plants and seeds, particularly during the non-breeding season.

Reproduction: Lesser Scaups nest on the ground, generally close to water bodies. The female lays a clutch of around 9 to 11 eggs and is solely responsible for their incubation, which lasts for about three to four weeks.

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Scientific Name: Aythya valisineria

Length: 19–22 in

Wingspan: 31–35 in

Weight: 1.900–3.527 lb

The Canvasback is a large diving duck species known for its sloping forehead and long, robust bill. These distinctive birds are primarily found in the wetlands and open water bodies across the United States.

Appearance: Male Canvasbacks are easily recognized by their reddish heads, black chests, and white bodies, which gives the impression of a canvas-like texture, hence their name. Females, on the other hand, have light brown feathers and a slightly paler belly. Both genders have dark gray bills and red eyes.

Diet: Canvasbacks are primarily vegetarian, feeding on aquatic plants like wild celery, pondweeds, and algae. They also occasionally consume small aquatic animals, such as snails, insects, and crustaceans.

Reproduction: Canvasbacks typically nest over water, using marsh plants to construct their nests. The female usually lays a clutch of 5 to 11 eggs which she alone incubates for about a month.

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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: Aix sponsa

Length: 19 to 21 in

Wingspan: 26 to 29 in

Weight: 16.0-30.4 oz

The Wood Duck is an exquisitely colorful waterfowl known for its unique nesting habits and is commonly seen in wooded swamps, marshes, and streams across North America.

Appearance: With their dazzling plumage, Wood Ducks are among the most stunning birds. Males display a multitude of colors, including a green and purple crested head, red eyes, and a white-striped chest, all contrasted with a bronze-colored body. Females, though more subdued with a gray-brown body and white eye-ring, also possess their own charm.

Diet: Wood Ducks have a diverse diet that includes seeds, fruits, and insects, as well as other invertebrates. Their broad diet helps them to adapt to a variety of habitats, whether in the wild or in urban areas with suitable nesting sites.

Reproduction: Unlike most other ducks, Wood Ducks prefer to nest in tree cavities near water, leading to their common name. They will also readily use nest boxes if they’re available. A typical clutch consists of 9 to 14 eggs, which the female incubates alone.

Listen to Blue-winged Teal

Scientific Name: Spatula discors

Length: 16 in

Wingspan: 23 in

Weight: 13 oz

The Blue-winged Teal is a small species of dabbling duck known for its striking plumage and its extensive migratory habits.

Appearance: Male Blue-winged Teals are quite colorful, with a slate gray head and neck, a white crescent in front of the eyes, and a predominantly brown body with specks of black. The name “Blue-winged” comes from the patch of blue feathers visible on their wings during flight. Females, in contrast, are primarily brown and subtly mottled to provide camouflage.

Diet: The Blue-winged Teal feeds mainly on plant matter, such as seeds and aquatic vegetation. However, they also supplement their diet with small invertebrates, especially during the breeding season. They are known for their “dabbling” behavior, where they feed at the surface of the water rather than diving.

Reproduction: Blue-winged Teals prefer to nest on the ground in grassy areas near water. The female typically lays a clutch of 9 to 13 eggs, which she incubates alone for about three weeks. After hatching, the ducklings can feed themselves but remain under the mother’s protection until they are capable of flying.

Listen to Northern Pintail

Scientific Name: Anas acuta

Length: 23–30 in

Wingspan: 31–37 in

Weight: 1 –3 lb

The Northern Pintail is a graceful species of duck recognized for their elegance in flight and their sleek bodies and long tails which is pin-shaped.

Male Northern Pintails are celebrated for their distinctive appearance, featuring a chocolate brown head, a white neck, and a grayish body. The most notable characteristic is the long, pointed tail feathers, which give this species its name. Females are more understated in color, sporting a mottled brown plumage.

Diet: Consists primarily of plant matter, including seeds and aquatic vegetation. They are also known to eat insects, especially during the breeding season. The Northern Pintail is often seen dabbling and upending in water bodies to forage for food.

Reproduction: Northern Pintails usually nest on the ground, near water bodies. The female lays a clutch of 7 to 9 eggs and is solely responsible for their incubation, which lasts for about three weeks.

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Scientific Name: Aythya americana

Length: 15 in

Wingspan: 33 in

Weight: 2.0 to 2.5 lbs

The Redhead is a medium-sized diving duck species recognized by its rounded head and broad blue bill. This bird is frequently found in wetlands, ponds, and open water bodies across the United States.

Appearance: The male Redhead is particularly striking, characterized by a coppery red head, black breast, and a gray body. The female is less colorful, featuring a brownish body and a duller, brownish-red head. Both sexes have a prominent blue bill with a black tip.

Diet: Redheads feed on a variety of items, including aquatic plants, seeds, and tubers. They also consume aquatic invertebrates, particularly during the breeding season.

Reproduction: Redheads often nest in marshes and ponds with dense vegetation.Females often lay their eggs in the nests of other ducks, a phenomenon known as brood parasitism. When nesting themselves, the female typically lays a clutch of 7 to 10 eggs and incubates them for about three weeks.

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Scientific Name: Aythya collaris

Length: 15.3-18.1 in

Wingspan: 24.4-24.8 in

Weight: 17.3-32.1 oz

The Ring-Necked Duck is a small to medium-sized diving duck known for its distinctive markings and agile diving abilities.

Appearance: Male Ring-Necked Ducks are characterized by their bold black-and-white coloration, with a glossy black back, a striking white ring around the base of the bill, and two white “rings” on their flanks. Despite their name, the chestnut-colored ring around their neck is often hard to see. Females are more subtly colored with a gray-brown body and a white eye-ring.

Diet: These ducks have a varied diet that includes aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates, which they obtain by diving underwater in both shallow and deep water bodies.

Reproduction: The Ring-Necked Duck nests near water, often in densely vegetated areas. The female typically lays between 8 to 10 eggs, which she incubates alone, but both parents will care for the ducklings once they hatch.

Listen to Bufflehead

Scientific Name: Bucephala albeola

Length: 13–16 in

Wingspan: 21.6 in -23.2 in

Weight: 9.5–19.4 oz

The Bufflehead is a small, compact species of diving duck known for its striking appearance and large heads and unique nesting habits.

Appearance: Male Buffleheads are easily recognized by their large, bulbous head with a green-purple iridescent sheen, a large white patch across the back of the head, and a predominantly black and white body. Females are more subtly colored, primarily in gray-brown tones with a smaller white cheek patch.

Diet: As diving ducks, Buffleheads feed by diving beneath the water’s surface. Their diet consists largely of aquatic invertebrates, such as insects, crustaceans, and mollusks, as well as some plant matter.

Reproduction: Uniquely among ducks, Buffleheads often nest in tree cavities, especially those made by Northern Flickers, a type of woodpecker. The female lays a clutch of about 6 to 11 eggs, which she incubates alone for roughly a month.

Listen to Hooded Merganser

Scientific Name: Lophodytes cucullatus

Length: 15.8-19.3 in

Wingspan: 23.6-26.0 in

Weight: 16.0-31.0 oz

The Hooded Merganser is a distinctive species of diving duck known for its showy crest and its excellent diving skills.

Appearance: Male Hooded Mergansers are especially striking with a large, fan-shaped, black and white crest, which can be expanded or contracted. They have bright yellow eyes, a dark back, and a white chest. The females have a more understated appearance with a brownish body, a smaller, reddish-brown crest, and dark eyes.

Diet: Consists of small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. Their eyes are specially adapted for underwater vision, allowing them to spot and catch prey while diving.

Reproduction: Similar to Buffleheads, Hooded Mergansers often nest in tree cavities near water bodies. The female lays a clutch of about 10 to 12 eggs and incubates them alone for about a month.

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Scientific Name: Mergus merganser

Length: 23–28 in

Wingspan: 30 – 38 in

Weight: 2 lb 0 oz – 4 lb 10 oz

The Common Merganser is a large and elegant diving duck, famous for its unique fishing abilities and seen often in the lakes, rivers, and coastal areas across North America.

Appearance: The male Common Merganser is quite striking with its dark green, almost black, crested head, bright red bill, and white body tinged with salmon-pink. The females have a reddish-brown crested head, a white neck, and a grayish body, but share the same red bill as the males.

Diet: True to their diving duck status, Common Mergansers are exceptional hunters, primarily feeding on fish. They’re also known to consume aquatic invertebrates and, on occasion, small mammals and birds. Their serrated bills are specialized to hold slippery fish tightly.

Reproduction: Like the Wood Duck, Common Mergansers also nest in tree cavities or nest boxes close to water bodies, but can also use rock crevices or holes in the ground. A clutch usually contains 9 to 12 eggs, incubated solely by the female.

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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.

Listen to American Wigeon

Scientific Name: Mareca americana

Length: 17–23 in

Wingspan: 30–36 in

Weight: 1 –3 lb

The American Wigeon is a medium-sized duck species that is a popular sight in wetlands, ponds, and lakes and is often seen in mixed flocks with other ducks.

Males of the species are recognized by their distinctive appearance. They sport a unique white forehead and crown, coupled with a green band stretching from the eye to the back of the head. The body is mainly gray with a pinkish hue on the chest. Females are more subdued in color, with primarily gray and brown tones.

Diet: comprising mainly plant material like aquatic vegetation and grasses, but it also includes insects and other small invertebrates. They are known for a feeding behavior called “kleptoparasitism,” where they often snatch food from other ducks.

American Wigeons usually breed in the northernmost parts of North America. The females create their nests on the ground, often hidden in tall grass near water bodies. They lay a clutch of 6 to 11 eggs which they incubate for about three to four weeks and the ducklings feed on small aquatic invertebrates and aquatic insects.

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Scientific Name: Himantopus mexicanus

Length: 13.8–15.3 in

Wingspan: 28.1–29.7 in

Weight: 5.3–6.2 oz

The Black-necked Stilt is a distinctively shaped wader known for its long, slender legs and striking color contrast.

Appearance: Black-necked Stilts exhibit a sharp contrast between their black upperparts – head, neck, and back – and their white underparts. They have very long, thin, pink legs and a long, thin, straight black bill.

Diet: Black-necked Stilts primarily feed on aquatic invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. They forage in shallow water, often sweeping their bills from side to side to detect prey.

Reproduction: Black-necked Stilts nest on the ground, often near water. The female usually lays a clutch of about 3 to 5 eggs, which are incubated by both parents.

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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.