Sanderling (Calidris alba) Appearance: Head and back mottled with white, black, and brown in breeding season (left) that turn to light gray in winter (right); white underparts; white stripe running through wings; black legs; long black beak No significant difference between male and female in size or coloration Sanderlings and other piper of Calidris…
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) Appearance: sandy-gray back, black brow and breast-band, black-tipped bill, white underside, black stripe markings on wings In the winter, piping plovers’ black bands fade and their beaks change from orange to black Males have bolder markings on head and chest than females, who have markings but are thinner Length: about 7…
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Appearance: Brown back, white underside, white markings on head and wings Females (left) larger than males (right) and have dark markings on breast, head, neck Length: 21-23 inches Wingspan: 60-70 inches (about 5-6 feet) Status: was endangered due to high pesticide use in mid-1900s, but making a comeback all across North America…
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) Appearance: black-tipped wings, black feet, black head and red beak during breeding season which fade to white head and black beak after breeding season Length: 15 to 18 inches (about 1.25 to 1.5 feet) Wingspan: 36 to 47 inches (about 3 to 4 feet) Status: common, populations increasing Faced extinction in…
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) Appearance: white head and belly, light grey backs, black wingtips, white on wing undersides, beige legs, yellow beak with red spot on underside near tip, head and neck streaked tan during winter and black ring appears on beak Male is larger than female, same coloration in plumage Length: 22 to 26…
Great Egret (Ardea alba), “Great White Heron” Appearance: white body, long black legs, long S-curved neck, long yellow beak, dark feet (not yellow) Males are larger than females, both have ornamental feathers during breeding season Height: about 3 feet Wingspan: 51-57 inches (about 4-5 feet) Status: least concern, populations are increasing In the late 1800s,…
Great Shearwater (Puffinus gravis) Appearance: white head with dark brown cap, black beak and feet, white chest and belly, dark brown patch in center of belly, wings dark brown on top and fade to gray white, white underwings, dark brown tail ο Females larger than males, but have same coloration Length: 18-20…
Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) ● Appearance: mostly white; long, black-tipped wings; pale yellow feathers on head and neck; long, straight, grey beak; black webbed feet, black eye ring ○ Males are larger than females, females are heavier, same coloration ○ Males have yellow-green line running down legs (top right), females have blue-green line (bottom right)…
Appearance: blue-gray body, dark blue feathers on insides of wings, long legs, long and dagger-like orange beak, black or blue stripe around eye Height: 3 to 4.5 feet Despite their height they only weigh 5-6 lbs Wingspan: 65-80 inches (about 5.5 to 6.5 feet) Status: least concern, populations are increasing Nearly hunted to extinction for…
Appearance: white head and belly, dark grey (“black”) backs, black on tips of wings, white on undersides of wings, beige legs, yellow beak with red spot near tip Identical plumage coloration, but male is larger Length: 28 to 31 inches (about 2.5 feet) Wingspan: 57 to 63 inches long (about 5 feet) Status: common, populations…