 |
Miscellaneous Birds of Lake Huron |
 |
|
Miscellaneous Birds of Lake Huron |
|
| The birds presented here do not fall conveniently into one of the other groups. They are marsh and open water birds of the coastal zone. | As images are contributed, this page will expand to include many of the other birds of the nearshore areas. The menu below takes you to many other birds. |
 |
The Common Moorhen (formerly Florida Gallinule) can be told from the Coot by the bright red beak with a yellow tip, and the white side markings. It inhabits quite ponds and backwaters along the coast and inland, raising several young per clutch. From a distance it may look like a duck swimming, but the head pumping motion is distinctive for it and the coot. Both take off with much splattering and running along the water. |
 |
Common Moorhen young and nest. It already has the red bill. Compare the young Coot next to its mother below. The Coot has a bright yellow necklace of feathers and a very bald head. |  |
|
Adult Coot left and right with young. Fairly common all around Lake Huron. Is a migratory species like most water birds in our area. Not sought by duck hunters because of its muddy, stringy flesh. |  |
| The Horned Grebe (above and in banner) and the Pied-billed Grebe (right) are small, chicken-like birds of open water that resemble the Coots and Moorhens. They do not pump their head when swimming, but hold it rather erect. The Horned Grebe has a grey phase in winter which further confuses the situation but the pointed bill is diagnostic. The Pied-billed is the common breeder near Lake Huron, the Horned prefers the Arctic Circle latitudes. |
|
The tiny Tree Swallow (left) is the only swallow with
an all white belly and throat. Its back is blue-black
when adult. Found on small ponds, rivers, or marshes
darting expertly after insects. The large Kingfisher (right) is a striking blue and white bird with a crest and chestnut stripe across the chest. Typically sits on limbs overlooking water and dives eagerly after minnows and frogs that are foolish enough to expose themselves. |
|
|
The Yellow-headed Blackbird is fairly rare in mid-Michigan but can be found around Bay City and Saginaw. It is primarily a western species. The more common Red-winged Blackbird (not shown) is present in all the coastal marshes along Lake Huron. |
|
|
The Sedge Wren (or Short-billed Marsh Wren) is the wren of the sedges
and grassy areas of the coast. The Long-billed Marsh Wren
is the wren of the cattail marshes. It has a white eye
stripe and back stripes. A male Goldfinch (right) sits proudly atop his favorite food, a blooming thistle along the backshore zone of the coast. |
|
Credits and Notes:
|
|
|||
|
