Common birds of Lakes and Rivers

Ducks, Geese and Swans – Family Anatidae

If you are trying to identify a duck and it is not shown here, visit the Birdzilla Bird Guide and search under Family – Ducks. You will have to select each one individually but you will be able to find all North American Ducks.

Mallard male. Widespread and common.

Mallard female.

Northern Pintail. Widespread, male (above) is distinctive. Female is drab brown.

Northern Shoveler. Widespread with large bill. Female is brown.

Blue-winged Teal, male in right. Breeds in large sections of the United States and Canada.

Canvasback male. Female is brown but shares the slopping forehead to a long bill. Compare with Redhead.

Lesser Scaup, male. Note peaked look to the crown of the head with hint of a tuft. Compare to very similar Greater Scaup.

Lesser Scaip, female. Compare with similar Greater Scaup.

Cormorants – Family Phalacrocoracidae

Double-crested Cormorant. Widespread, found in both fresh and salt water. Compare with Neotropic Cormorant in Texas.

Herons, Egrets and Bitterns – Family Ardeidae

Black-crowned Night-Heron. Widespread, winters along coastal areas. Roosts in trees.

Green Heron. Breeds across much of the eastern half of the United States and parts of the west coast.

Great Egret. Our largest all white egret. Note yellow bill. Compare with Snowy Egret and immature Little Blue Heron.

The large Great Blue Heron is found throughout the United States and nests as far north as Canada.

Rails, Gallinules and Coots – Family Rallidae

The American Coot looks like a duck, but is more closely related to rails. Note the white bill and shield on the forehead.

Kingfishers – Family Alcedinidae

The Belted Kingfisher is always found near water, where it dives for small fish. Female shown here, male lacks the red breast band. Compare with Ringed Kingfisher in south Texas.