Unit IX: Water Birds in Kansas Information Slide 2 American Coot
Slide 3 Family: Rallidae, the Rails, Gallinules and Coots. Family:
Rallidae, the Rails, Gallinules and Coots. Found in every county in
Kansas. Found in every county in Kansas. Most common from late
February through November, but has been seen all year. Most common
from late February through November, but has been seen all year.
Found in marshes, ponds, rivers and lakes. Found in marshes, ponds,
rivers and lakes. Not nearly as shy as the other rails. Not nearly
as shy as the other rails. Also called mudhen. Also called mudhen.
Eats mostly plants, but sometimes insects and molluscs. Eats mostly
plants, but sometimes insects and molluscs. Slide 4 Canada Goose
Slide 5 Canada Geese Slide 6 Canada Goose Family: Anatidae, the
Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and
Swans. Several subspecies, characterized by different sizes and
coloration. Several subspecies, characterized by different sizes
and coloration. Found across Kansas, breeds locally, main
migrations occur in fall with groups staying until the water
freezes, then they move south and return again when water thaws.
Then main groups return north in the spring. Found across Kansas,
breeds locally, main migrations occur in fall with groups staying
until the water freezes, then they move south and return again when
water thaws. Then main groups return north in the spring. Usually
pair for life. Usually pair for life. Eats primarily natural
grasses or cultivated cereals such as wheat, often at some distance
from their resting areas. Also eat aquatic plants by dipping in
shallow water. Eats primarily natural grasses or cultivated cereals
such as wheat, often at some distance from their resting areas.
Also eat aquatic plants by dipping in shallow water. Slide 7
Greater White-fronted Goose Slide 8 Family: Anatidae, the Ducks,
Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Seen
on ground, they look like small, dark geese, up close you can see
the pink bill, white face and speckled belly. Seen on ground, they
look like small, dark geese, up close you can see the pink bill,
white face and speckled belly. Peak migrations in mid-November and
late February. Peak migrations in mid-November and late February.
Graze on grasses, millet, wheat, waste grain, submerged roots.
Graze on grasses, millet, wheat, waste grain, submerged roots.
Slide 9 Bufflehead Slide 10 Bufflehead Family: Anatidae, the Ducks,
Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Main
migration in mid-November, and again in late March-early April.
Main migration in mid-November, and again in late March-early
April. Some will stay around in winter until water freezes. Some
will stay around in winter until water freezes. Looks like it has a
very large head, and is easily identified by the large white patch
(females have a smaller patch on sides of head). Looks like it has
a very large head, and is easily identified by the large white
patch (females have a smaller patch on sides of head). Diving duck,
dives for invertebrates and some fish, also eats a some aquatic
vegetation. Diving duck, dives for invertebrates and some fish,
also eats a some aquatic vegetation. Slide 11 Gadwall Slide 12
Gadwall Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family:
Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Found across Kansas. Found
across Kansas. Peak migration is in late March and early April, and
again in late October. Some stay in winter until water freezes.
Some may nest in summer, especially in western half of state. Peak
migration is in late March and early April, and again in late
October. Some stay in winter until water freezes. Some may nest in
summer, especially in western half of state. Eats primarily pond
weeds, and seeds of grasses and sedges. Eats primarily pond weeds,
and seeds of grasses and sedges. Slide 13 Common Goldeneye Slide 14
Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the
Ducks, Geese and Swans. Winter resident, mostly found mid-December
through mid-March, as long as water is not frozen. Winter resident,
mostly found mid-December through mid-March, as long as water is
not frozen. Green sheen to head, gold eye, and white patch between
eye and bill is distinctive. Green sheen to head, gold eye, and
white patch between eye and bill is distinctive. Strong diver, eats
mostly crustaceans, mollusks, insects, some fish, and also some
seeds and aquatic plants. Strong diver, eats mostly crustaceans,
mollusks, insects, some fish, and also some seeds and aquatic
plants. Slide 15 Hooded Merganser Slide 16 Family: Anatidae, the
Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and
Swans. More common in eastern half than western half of state. More
common in eastern half than western half of state. Found during
migration in spring and fall. Found during migration in spring and
fall. Prefers quiet waters with trees nearby. Prefers quiet waters
with trees nearby. Mergansers have characteristically small, thin,
dainty bills. Mergansers have characteristically small, thin,
dainty bills. Eats fishes, frogs, crustaceans, insects obtained by
diving. Eats fishes, frogs, crustaceans, insects obtained by
diving. Slide 17 Mallard Slide 18 Mallard Family: Anatidae, the
Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and
Swans. Found throughout the state, nests here and is found in
winter until water freezes. Found throughout the state, nests here
and is found in winter until water freezes. Our most wide-spread
duck. Our most wide-spread duck. Peak migrations in late February
early March, and then again in late November. Peak migrations in
late February early March, and then again in late November. Eats
mostly seeds and other plant parts, will also eat insects and other
invertebrates. Eats mostly seeds and other plant parts, will also
eat insects and other invertebrates. Slide 19 Northern Pintail
Slide 20 Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family:
Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Found across state, nests
here and can be found in winter when water is not frozen. Found
across state, nests here and can be found in winter when water is
not frozen. Peak migration in early March and early November. Peak
migration in early March and early November. A slim, elegant,
well-known duck in Kansas. A slim, elegant, well-known duck in
Kansas. Eats primarily vegetations, with some invertebrates. Eats
primarily vegetations, with some invertebrates. Slide 21 Ringneck
Duck Slide 22 Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family:
Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Common spring migrant across
state, uncommon in fall, and can sometimes be found in winter when
water is not frozen. Common spring migrant across state, uncommon
in fall, and can sometimes be found in winter when water is not
frozen. Peak migration in late March, and in late October and early
November. Peak migration in late March, and in late October and
early November. Birds are said to choose their favorite ponds or
areas in a marsh and return to them consistently. Birds are said to
choose their favorite ponds or areas in a marsh and return to them
consistently. Eats mostly aquatic vegetation, along with some
invertebrates caught while diving. Eats mostly aquatic vegetation,
along with some invertebrates caught while diving. Slide 23 Redhead
Slide 24 Redhead Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans.
Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. A common migrant
statewide, can also be found occasionally in summer and winter. A
common migrant statewide, can also be found occasionally in summer
and winter. Peak migration in mid-March, and again from mid-October
to mid-November. Peak migration in mid-March, and again from
mid-October to mid-November. Eats mostly aquatic plants and algae,
with some insects. Eats mostly aquatic plants and algae, with some
insects. Slide 25 Greater Scaup Slide 26 Family: Anatidae, the
Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and
Swans. Very similar to Lesser Scaup, which is much more common.
Very similar to Lesser Scaup, which is much more common. A migrant
and winter resident. A migrant and winter resident. In very good
lighting conditions, the male Greater Scaup has a green sheen to
its head, and a more smoothly rounded head than the purple head of
the Lesser Scaup. In very good lighting conditions, the male
Greater Scaup has a green sheen to its head, and a more smoothly
rounded head than the purple head of the Lesser Scaup. 60% of diet
is seeds and other parts of pondweeds, aquatic plants, sedges, and
grasses. Remainder is animal food, chiefly amphipods, snails, other
molluscs, and insects. 60% of diet is seeds and other parts of
pondweeds, aquatic plants, sedges, and grasses. Remainder is animal
food, chiefly amphipods, snails, other molluscs, and insects. Slide
27 Common Merganser Slide 28 Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and
Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Common across
Kansas during migration. Common across Kansas during migration.
Most arrive in early November, and remain as long as there is open
water. When water freezes, they move south, and then return when
water thaws. They depart northward in late March. Most arrive in
early November, and remain as long as there is open water. When
water freezes, they move south, and then return when water thaws.
They depart northward in late March. Recognized by their loon-like
appearance, and long, slim bill. Recognized by their loon-like
appearance, and long, slim bill. Eats mostly animal food it catches
while diving. Eats mostly animal food it catches while diving.
Slide 29 Lesser Scaup Slide 30 Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese
and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Found
across Kansas. Found across Kansas. Common migrant in spring and
fall, occurs occasionally in summer and winter. Common migrant in
spring and fall, occurs occasionally in summer and winter. Peak
migration in late March and mid-December. Peak migration in late
March and mid-December. In very good lighting conditions, the male
has a purple sheen to its head, and has a more peaked crown than
the Greater Scaup. In very good lighting conditions, the male has a
purple sheen to its head, and has a more peaked crown than the
Greater Scaup. 60% of diet is seeds and other parts of pondweeds,
aquatic plants, sedges, and grasses. Remainder is animal food,
chiefly amphipods, snails, other molluscs, and insects. 60% of diet
is seeds and other parts of pondweeds, aquatic plants, sedges, and
grasses. Remainder is animal food, chiefly amphipods, snails, other
molluscs, and insects. Slide 31 American White Pelican Slide 32
Slide 33 Family: Pelecanidae, the Pelicans Family: Pelecanidae, the
Pelicans Common bird found at Cheyenne Bottoms and on the large
reservoirs. Common bird found at Cheyenne Bottoms and on the large
reservoirs. Migration peaks in April, and again in late September
to early October. Have been found in summer and winter. Migration
peaks in April, and again in late September to early October. Have
been found in summer and winter. Unmistakable because it is so
large (10-17 lbs), white and has a large orange bill. Unmistakable
because it is so large (10-17 lbs), white and has a large orange
bill. Has a 9-foot wingspan and can soar for hours. Has a 9-foot
wingspan and can soar for hours. Feeds in shallow waters on mostly
fish. Feeds in shallow waters on mostly fish. Slide 34
Double-crested Cormorant Slide 35 Family: Phalacrocoracidae, the
Cormorants Family: Phalacrocoracidae, the Cormorants Regular spring
and fall transient, especially in eastern and central Kansas.
Regular spring and fall transient, especially in eastern and
central Kansas. Migration peaks in mid-April and early October.
Migration peaks in mid-April and early October. Have been found in
summer and winter. Have been found in summer and winter. Normally
occur in flocks and prefer lakes or ponds with snags and dead
trees. Normally occur in flocks and prefer lakes or ponds with
snags and dead trees. Perch upright, often with wings extended in a
drying posture. Perch upright, often with wings extended in a
drying posture. Has a 9-foot wingspan and can soar for hours. Has a
9-foot wingspan and can soar for hours. Feeds almost entirely on
fishes captured when they swim underwater. Feeds almost entirely on
fishes captured when they swim underwater. Slide 36 Pied-billed
Grebe Slide 37 Family: Podicipediae, the Grebes. Family:
Podicipediae, the Grebes. Common throughout Kansas, has been found
in all months of the year. Common throughout Kansas, has been found
in all months of the year. Most migration falls in March, April and
May; some remain to breed; migrates again in September, October and
November; some remain through winter as long as water is open. Most
migration falls in March, April and May; some remain to breed;
migrates again in September, October and November; some remain
through winter as long as water is open. Usually dives when
disturbed, but can also sink out of sight. Usually dives when
disturbed, but can also sink out of sight. Eats small fish and
invertebrates, caught while diving, and also eats some plants. Eats
small fish and invertebrates, caught while diving, and also eats
some plants. Slide 38 Ring-billed Gull Slide 39 Family: Laridae,
the Gulls, Terns and Skimmers. Family: Laridae, the Gulls, Terns
and Skimmers. Common throughout state, especially in central
Kansas. Common throughout state, especially in central Kansas. Have
been reported all months of the year, but most common mid-April to
mid-June and late September to late November. Have been reported
all months of the year, but most common mid-April to mid-June and
late September to late November. Found around lakes, rivers,
marshes, sometimes garbage dumps. Found around lakes, rivers,
marshes, sometimes garbage dumps. Opportunistic feeder, eats
anything from garbage to insects, rodents and other small
vertebrates. Opportunistic feeder, eats anything from garbage to
insects, rodents and other small vertebrates. Slide 40 Franklins
Gull Slide 41 Family: Laridae, the Gulls, Terns and Skimmers.
Family: Laridae, the Gulls, Terns and Skimmers. Common throughout
state, especially in central Kansas. Common throughout state,
especially in central Kansas. Have been reported all months of the
year, but most common mid-April to mid-June and late September to
late November. Have been reported all months of the year, but most
common mid-April to mid-June and late September to late November. A
familiar sight to most Kansans, especially in spring when thousands
cross our state heading north. A familiar sight to most Kansans,
especially in spring when thousands cross our state heading north.
Feeds primarily on insects, invertebrates, and sometimes small
rodents, often found as flocks of birds follow tractors that are
working fields. Also hunt in burned prairies and along marshes.
Feeds primarily on insects, invertebrates, and sometimes small
rodents, often found as flocks of birds follow tractors that are
working fields. Also hunt in burned prairies and along marshes.
Slide 42 Blue-winged Teal Slide 43 Slide 44 Family: Anatidae, the
Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and
Swans. Abundant migrant across the state, nests at Cheyenne
Bottoms, and is casual in winter. Abundant migrant across the
state, nests at Cheyenne Bottoms, and is casual in winter.
Migration peaks from early to mid-April, and then from
mid-September to mid-October. Migration peaks from early to
mid-April, and then from mid-September to mid-October. Breeding
males are unmistakable with the white crescent on their face, and
males and females both have blue patch on forewing. Breeding males
are unmistakable with the white crescent on their face, and males
and females both have blue patch on forewing. Eats mostly seeds of
aquatic plants, sedges and grasses, but also their stems and
leaves, along with mollusks, crustaceans and insects. Eats mostly
seeds of aquatic plants, sedges and grasses, but also their stems
and leaves, along with mollusks, crustaceans and insects. Slide 45
Northern Shoveler Slide 46 Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and
Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Common
throughout Kansas, has been seen all months but rare in winter.
Common throughout Kansas, has been seen all months but rare in
winter. Migration peaks in mid-April and early November, some breed
in the summer. Migration peaks in mid-April and early November,
some breed in the summer. Eat by straining the surface of the water
through their bills. Eat by straining the surface of the water
through their bills. Easily recognized by large sloping head and
oversized bill. Easily recognized by large sloping head and
oversized bill. Eats mostly seeds and other plant parts strained
from the water surface, also some invertebrates. Eats mostly seeds
and other plant parts strained from the water surface, also some
invertebrates. Slide 47 References National Geographic Field Guide
to North American Birds. National Geographic Field Guide to North
American Birds. Birds in Kansas, Volumes I and II, by Max Thompson
and Charles Ely. Birds in Kansas, Volumes I and II, by Max Thompson
and Charles Ely.
