Nature Field Guide

Wetland Birds

Explore wildlife, plants and trees. Learn what to look for and where to find them.

3 profiles

Birds · Coastal Birds · Wetland Birds

Anhinga

Anhingas swim underwater after fish and use straight pointed bills to seize prey.

Take a closer look ↗

Birds · Coastal Birds · Wetland Birds

Neotropic Cormorant

This dark waterbird catches fish by diving and swimming underwater.

Take a closer look ↗

Birds · Coastal Birds · Wetland Birds

Wood Stork

The Wood Stork is a large white wader with black flight feathers and a mostly bare dark adult head.

Take a closer look ↗

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Nature Field Guide

Anhinga

Spanish name

Aninga o pato aguja

Scientific name

Anhinga anhinga

Birds · Coastal Birds · Wetland Birds Freshwater · Rivers & Streams · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

A long neck rises above the water like a question mark. Pico waits while Tati looks for the rest of the bird.

Identification

Key Features of the Anhinga

• Very long slender neck

• Straight pointed bill

• Long tail and pale wing markings

• Often rests with wings spread

Habitat & range

Scan sheltered freshwater wetlands and wooded lagoon margins for swimming birds or a resting bird on a branch. Observe from a permitted viewpoint.

Conservation & care

Give feeding and resting birds space. If a bird stops feeding, repeatedly looks at you or moves away, increase your distance. Keep dogs away from flocks, avoid playback and feeding, and leave nests and natural shoreline debris undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

Neotropic Cormorant

Spanish name

Cormorán neotropical

Scientific name

Nannopterum brasilianum

Birds · Coastal Birds · Wetland Birds Estuary & Mangroves · Freshwater · Ocean

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico watches a dark swimmer vanish below the surface. Tati looks for its hooked bill when it returns.

Identification

Key Features of the Neotropic Cormorant

• Dark body and long tail

• Slender neck

• Bill with a hooked tip

• Often dives from the water surface

Habitat & range

Look across sheltered wetlands, lagoons and river margins from permitted trails or a responsible guided boat trip.

Conservation & care

Give feeding and resting birds space. If a bird stops feeding, repeatedly looks at you or moves away, increase your distance. Keep dogs away from flocks, avoid playback and feeding, and leave nests and natural shoreline debris undisturbed.

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Nature Field Guide

Wood Stork

Spanish name

Cigüeñón

Scientific name

Mycteria americana

Birds · Coastal Birds · Wetland Birds Estuary & Mangroves · Freshwater · Wetlands

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Pico spots a tall white bird with a very different head. Tati checks its heavy bill before comparing it with the egrets.

Identification

Key Features of the Wood Stork

• White body with black flight feathers

• Bare dark adult head

• Heavy slightly curved bill

• Long legs

Habitat & range

Look across sheltered wetlands, lagoons and river margins from permitted trails or a responsible guided boat trip.

Conservation & care

Give feeding and resting birds space. If a bird stops feeding, repeatedly looks at you or moves away, increase your distance. Keep dogs away from flocks, avoid playback and feeding, and leave nests and natural shoreline debris undisturbed.

View full profile →