25 Water Birds in South Carolina (+ Photo Guide)

Listen to Mallard

Scientific Name: Anas platyrhynchos

Length: 20–26 in

Wingspan: 32–39 in

Weight: 1.5–3.5 lb

The Mallard is a well-known species of duck they are particularly recognized for their adaptability and can thrive in both urban and wild environments.

Male Mallards are renowned for their striking plumage, with a glossy green head, a white collar, and a chestnut-colored chest, while females sport mottled brown feathers. They both have blue speculum feathers on their wings, which can be seen during flight. Both sexes also exhibit a distinct curl on the tail feathers, more noticeable in males.

Mallards are omnivorous in nature. Their diet is diverse and includes seeds, aquatic vegetation, insects, and small fish. They are frequently seen ‘dabbling’ in the water, where they dip their head and neck below the surface while upending their body to forage for food.

In terms of reproduction, Mallards usually nest on the ground near water bodies, camouflaged by vegetation. The female lays a clutch of 7 to 10 eggs, and she incubates them for about a month. After hatching, the ducklings are precocial – they are active and able to feed themselves, but they continue to stay with their mother for protection until they can fly, which usually takes about two months.

Mallards are an iconic species that have significantly contributed to the genetic makeup of many domestic duck breeds. They are beloved for their rich colors, distinctive quacks, and playful demeanor.

Canada Goose Sound

Scientific Name: Branta canadensis

Length: 30 to 43 in

Wingspan: 50–73 in

Weight: 5.7–14.3 lb

The Canada Goose is a large, well-known species of waterfowl noted for its distinctive appearance, familiar “honk,” and migratory behavior.

Appearance: Both male and female Canada Geese have a similar appearance, featuring a black head and neck with distinctive white patches on the cheeks and chin. The body is primarily brown with a lighter, often white, underbelly.

Diet: Canada Geese primarily feed on plant matter, including grasses, aquatic vegetation, and grains. They can often be seen grazing in parks, lawns, and fields, as well as dabbling in water bodies.

Reproduction: Canada Geese typically nest on the ground near water bodies, often on islands or other isolated areas to avoid predators. The female lays a clutch of about 4 to 6 eggs, which she incubates alone for around a month.

Listen to Great Blue Heron

Scientific Name: Ardea herodias

Length:36–54 in

Wingspan: 66–79 in

Weight: 4.0–7.9 lb

The Great Blue Heron is a large species of wading bird recognized for its majestic stature, stately flight, and impressive hunting prowess.

Appearance: Great Blue Herons are strikingly tall and slender, with a gray-blue body, a wide wingspan, and a long, pointed bill. They have a white head with a black stripe above the eye extending into feathery plumes, and long, reddish-brown legs.

Diet: Great Blue Herons are skilled hunters, primarily feeding on a variety of aquatic animals such as fish, frogs, and crustaceans. They can often be seen standing motionless in shallow water, waiting patiently for prey to come within striking distance.

Reproduction: Great Blue Herons nest in large colonies, often high in trees near bodies of water. The female lays a clutch of about 3 to 5 eggs, which both parents incubate for around a month. After hatching, the young herons are fed by both parents and start to explore outside the nest within a few weeks.

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Scientific Name: Egretta thula

Length: 22.1–26.0 in

Wingspan: 39.4 inches

Weight: 13.1 oz

The Snowy Egret is a small, graceful bird celebrated for its striking white plumage and contrasting black and yellow details. Found across the United States in a variety of water habitats, this bird is known for its animated hunting style.

Appearance: Snowy Egrets are particularly noticeable due to their pure white feathers, slender black legs, and bright yellow feet, which are often described as looking like they’ve been dipped in golden paint. They also sport a thin, black bill and expressive, yellow eyes.

Diet: Their diet mainly consists of fish, but they are known to consume a variety of aquatic animals such as crustaceans, insects, and small amphibians. Notably, their unique yellow feet are used to stir up prey from the bottom of shallow water.

Reproduction: Snowy Egrets typically nest in trees or shrubs in colonies with other water birds. The female lays 3 to 5 eggs, and both parents take turns incubating them.

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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: Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Length: 50–70 in

Wingspan: 95–120 in

Weight:11 and 20 lb

The American White Pelican is a large water bird known for its impressive size, distinct white plumage, and extraordinary cooperative feeding behavior. They are commonly found in the inland freshwater lakes of North America during the summer and along the coastlines in the winter.

Appearance: American White Pelicans have a pure white body with black wingtips that are visible in flight. Their large yellow-orange bill is equipped with a stretchy pouch used for catching prey, and during the breeding season, they develop a unique, horn-like plate on the upper part of their bill.

Diet: Unlike their Brown Pelican cousins, American White Pelicans do not dive for their food. Instead, they catch their prey while swimming. They primarily xatch fish, but occasionally supplement their diet with crustaceans and amphibians. Interestingly, they often feed in groups, moving together to herd fish into shallow waters where they can easily scoop them up.

Reproduction: American White Pelicans typically nest in colonies on isolated islands. The female lays 2 to 3 eggs in a nest on the ground, which is made from dirt and vegetation.

Listen to Double-crested Cormorant

Scientific Name: Nannopterum auritum

Length: 28 to 35 in

Wingspan: 45 – 48 in

Weight: 2.6 – 5.5 lb

The Double-crested Cormorant is a large waterbird recognized for its long neck, hooked bill, and notable diving abilities.

Appearance: Double-crested Cormorants have a dark body with a somewhat iridescent sheen. The bird’s name derives from the presence of two tufts or crests of feathers that appear on the sides of the head during the breeding season. They have striking greenish-yellow to bright orange skin around the throat and cheeks, and their eyes are an interesting, bright turquoise color.

Diet: Double-crested Cormorants are excellent divers and their diet primarily consists of fish. They dive beneath the water’s surface from the air or while swimming to catch their prey. After a successful dive, they can often be seen standing with their wings outstretched to dry.

Reproduction: These birds typically nest in trees, on cliffs, or on ground colonies on islands. The female lays a clutch of 3 to 4 eggs, which both parents incubate for about a month.

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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: 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 Northern Shoveler

Scientific Name: Spatula clypeata

Length: 16 in

Wingspan: 22 in

Weight: 14 oz

The Northern Shoveler is a distinct species of dabbling duck celebrated for its long, spoon-shaped bill, a feature that sets it apart from other ducks and gives the bird its name.

Appearance: Male Northern Shovelers are particularly striking, boasting a green head, yellow eyes, a large black bill, and a white chest, complemented by a chestnut-colored body. Females, on the other hand, feature a more muted color scheme, primarily displaying mottled brown feathers across their bodies and a slate-gray bill.

Diet: The Northern Shoveler’s unique bill is perfectly adapted for its feeding habits. The edges of the bill are furnished with comb-like structures that enable the bird to filter food from water. Their diet predominantly consists of aquatic invertebrates and plant matter, including seeds and algae.

Reproduction: Northern Shovelers typically nest on the ground, concealed within dense, grassy areas close to water bodies. The female lays a clutch of about 9 to 12 eggs and is solely responsible for their incubation, which lasts for about three to four weeks.

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.

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Scientific Name: Podilymbus podiceps

Length: 12–15 in

Wingspan: 18–24 in

Weight: 8.9–20.0 oz

The Pied-billed Grebe is a small, elusive water bird well-known for its unique ability to adjust its buoyancy and often “sink” out of sight. It can be found in a wide variety of wetland habitats across the United States.

Appearance: Pied-billed Grebes have a stocky build with a short neck and a chicken-like bill that is conspicuously ringed in black during the breeding season – hence the name “pied-billed”. Their plumage is primarily a muted brown, which can vary in tone depending on the season.

Diet: Their diet consists predominantly of aquatic invertebrates, small fish, and amphibians. Pied-billed Grebes are adept divers and can stay underwater for impressive lengths of time to catch their prey.

Reproduction: Pied-billed Grebes usually nest in dense marsh vegetation, where the female lays 5 to 7 eggs. Both parents share responsibilities for incubation. After hatching, the chicks are often seen riding on their parents’ backs while they learn to navigate their aquatic world.

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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: Anas rubripes

Length: 21–23 in

Wingspan: 35–37 in

Weight: 1.59–3.62 lb

The Black Duck is a relatively large species of waterfowl known for its dark plumage and distinctive, richly flavored meat.

Appearance: Both male and female Black Ducks sport a similar look. They are predominantly dark brown in color with a lighter, beige-colored underbelly. They feature a yellowish-green bill, and their wings, when spread, reveal a purple-blue speculum bordered by two black bands.

Diet: Black Ducks primarily subsist on plant matter. They feed on seeds, leaves, and roots of aquatic plants, as well as grasses and crops. In addition, they sometimes eat small fish, insects, and aquatic invertebrates. These ducks can often be spotted foraging in shallow water bodies and marshlands.

Reproduction: Black Ducks typically create their nests on the ground, preferably in secluded, well-hidden spots near water bodies. The female usually lays a clutch of about 6 to 12 eggs, which she incubates for about four weeks.

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Scientific Name: Ixobrychus exilis

Length: 11 to 14 in

Wingspan: 16 to 18 in

Weight: 1.8 to 3.6 oz

The Least Bittern is a small and secretive water bird species that often goes unnoticed in its marshy habitat due to its cryptic behaviors and coloring.

Appearance: The Least Bittern is a compact bird with a hunched posture and short neck. It features a mix of buffy and brown coloration on its upper parts, while its chest and neck are more of a pale, buffy color. The males have darker backs and caps than the females. A distinctive feature of this bird is its yellow eyes.

Diet: The Least Bittern’s diet consists mainly of small fish and invertebrates. They forage by stalking slowly through their marshy habitat and striking out with a swift jab of their bill to snatch their prey.

Reproduction: Least Bitterns are solitary nesters, often hiding their nests in dense wetland vegetation. The female lays between 4 to 7 eggs and both parents participate in incubation and feeding.

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Scientific Name: Megaceryle alcyon

Length:11–14 in

Wingspan: 19–23 in

Weight: 4.0 to 6.3 oz

The Belted Kingfisher is a conspicuous water bird, known for its distinct rattling call and impressive diving abilities.

Appearance: The Belted Kingfisher is characterized by a large head with a shaggy crest and a long, thick bill. They have a blue-gray body with white underparts. A defining characteristic is the blue-gray band, or “belt,” across the chest. Males and females have similar coloration, but females have an additional chestnut-colored band on their bellies.

Diet: Belted Kingfishers are excellent fishermen, often seen perched above water bodies, such as rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds, watching for their prey. They primarily feed on fish but will also eat amphibians, crustaceans, insects, small mammals, and reptiles. They hunt by diving headfirst into the water to catch their prey.

Reproduction: Belted Kingfishers nest in burrows that they excavate in sandy or earthy banks, usually near a body of water. These burrows can be up to 8 feet deep. The female lays a clutch of 5 to 8 eggs, and both parents participate in incubation and feeding of the young.

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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: Larus argentatus

Length: 22.1-26.0 in

Wingspan: 53.9–57.5 in

Weight: 28.2-44.1 oz

The Herring Gull is a versatile bird often found near coastlines, known for its distinct call and adaptive lifestyle.

Appearance: Herring Gulls have a white body, gray back, and yellow bill with a red spot. Juvenile gulls are brown, becoming whiter as they age.

Diet: These gulls are opportunistic eaters. They consume a variety of food, including fish, insects, small birds, carrion, and human refuse.

Reproduction: Herring Gulls nest in colonies on islands or cliffs, laying two to three eggs per season. Both parents share incubation and chick-raising responsibilities.

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: Butorides virescen

Length: 25 to 31 in

Wingspan: 53 to 65 in

Weight: 4.5 to 6.0

The Green Heron is a small yet captivating bird, famous for its tool-using abilities and its striking appearance. This species can often be found around the edges of freshwater and saltwater habitats across much of North America.

Appearance: Green Herons possess a dark greenish-blue back, a rich chestnut body, and a dark cap on their head. Their bill is long and sharp, allowing them to be proficient hunters, while their relatively short legs give them a stocky appearance compared to other heron species.

Diet: As opportunistic feeders, Green Herons feed mainly on small fish, but their diet also includes a variety of invertebrates, insects, amphibians, and occasionally even small mammals and birds. They’re known for a unique hunting technique – using baits such as insects, feathers, or twigs to attract fish.

Reproduction: Green Herons build their nests in trees or shrubs, usually over or near water. The female typically lays 3 to 5 eggs, with both parents sharing the responsibilities of incubation.

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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: 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: 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: 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.