There are several types of long billed birds that wade in water to find food. The most well known of these are herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and storks. These birds all have long legs, necks, and bills that allow them to wade through shallow water and catch fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. In this article we will take a closer look at the characteristics and behaviors of these fascinating wading birds.
Herons and Egrets
Herons and egrets comprise the family Ardeidae, which includes about 64 species of long-legged wading birds. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Some of the more common heron and egret species include:
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Egret
- Little Blue Heron
- Snowy Egret
- Cattle Egret
Herons and egrets have slim, long bodies and necks, with long legs suited to wading. They have dagger-like bills that spear fish and other prey. Their wingspans can be over 5 feet wide. Most species are white or shades of gray, though some like the little blue heron have blue-gray plumage during breeding season.
These birds forage while standing motionless in shallow waters waiting to ambush prey. They primarily eat fish, amphibians, small mammals and reptiles. They also feed on insects, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Herons and egrets hunt both day and night when prey is available.
Herons and egrets nest and breed near water, usually on platforms of sticks high up in trees. The male will collect sticks and the female will assemble them into a large nest. Usually 3-5 eggs are laid and incubated by both parents. Chicks are born helpless but grow quickly on a diet of regurgitated food from the parents.
Ibises
Ibises are a group of wading birds characterized by their long, downcurved bills used for probing mud for food. There are 28 species worldwide, including the sacred ibis revered in ancient Egypt. Two ibis species are native to the Americas:
- White ibis – Found in coastal areas of the southeastern U.S. and South America.
- Scarlet ibis – Native to South America and Trinidad.
The white ibis has brilliant white plumage with black wing tips. Its bill and legs are pinkish red. The scarlet ibis is vivid red with a white-tipped black bill and black wing tips. It is a shy bird found only in remote areas.
Ibises frequent marshy areas, wetlands, mudflats, and shorelines. They wade through shallows probing for food. Ibises have sensitive bill tips that allow them to feel for crustaceans, insects, fiddler crabs, snails, fish, frogs, and other prey buried in mud or hidden in vegetation.
Ibises are social birds that nest and breed in large colonies called heronries during the rainy season. Nests are built high in trees near water. Males gather sticks which females assemble into nests. Usually 2-5 eggs are laid and incubated by both parents. Chicks hatch covered in down and are fed by regurgitation.
Spoonbills
Spoonbills are a group of large wading birds named for their unique spoon-shaped bill. There are six species worldwide found in wetlands on every continent but Antarctica. The roseate spoonbill is the only spoonbill native to North America.
- Roseate spoonbill – Ranges along the Gulf Coast and into Central and South America. Recognizable by its pink plumage and red legs.
Spoonbills have elongated, flattened bills that widen into a spoon or spatulate shape at the end. This allows them to swish their bills back and forth in water to catch prey. Spoonbills mainly eat fish, shrimp, crayfish, frogs, aquatic insects and other small wetland creatures.
The roseate spoonbill nests in marshy islands, mangroves, and other wetland areas in colonies with other wading birds. Males gather nesting material while females construct the nests high in bushes or trees. Usually 2-5 eggs are laid and incubated by both parents. Chicks hatch featherless but soon grow juvenile plumage. Spoonbills do not reach their full pink coloring until 2-3 years old.
Storks
Storks are very large wading birds characterized by their long legs, necks, and pointed bills. There are 19 species worldwide found on every continent except Antarctica. Two stork species live in the Americas:
- Wood stork – Found in wetlands throughout the southeastern U.S., Central America, and South America.
- Jabiru – Ranges from Mexico to Argentina in marshy areas.
The wood stork has white plumage with black flight feathers and tail. Its head and neck are nearly bald. The jabiru is mostly white with black wings and tail, and has a feathered head and neck. It is one of the tallest flying birds reaching nearly 5 feet tall!
Storks forage while standing in shallow waters watching for prey such as fish, amphibians, small reptiles, and invertebrates. They catch food by quickly jabbing their bills down onto prey. The jabiru sometimes stirs up mud with its feet to flush out buried prey.
Storks build large nests high up in dead trees near water. Nests can be over 5 feet wide and are reused year after year. Both parents share incubation duties, and once hatched the young are fed by regurgitation. Young storks cannot fly well at first and will return to the nest for feedings.
Habitats and Behaviors
Herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and storks share some common habitats and behaviors. All these species frequent marshes, swamps, tidal flats, shorelines, and other wetland areas. Shallow water allows them to wade while hunting for aquatic prey. These birds are all colonial nesters, building nests in close proximity to each other for protection from predators.
Wading birds employ stealth when hunting, standing motionless in the water waiting to ambush prey. Their sharp vision allows them to locate prey even in murky water. These birds help control populations of fish, amphibians, and other wetland fauna.
Sadly, many wading bird populations are declining due to habitat loss. Destruction of wetlands through pollution, changing water levels, human disturbance, and urban development all negatively impact these species. Conservation of remaining wetlands is crucial to preserving wading bird populations.
Conclusion
Wading birds like herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and storks all share adaptations like long legs and bills that allow them to hunt in shallow waters. These fascinating birds are an important part of wetland ecosystems, both ecologically and symbolically in human culture. Their unique appearance and behaviors captivate bird enthusiasts and nature lovers worldwide. Conserving fragile wetland habitats will be key to ensuring the survival of these iconic species. Their beauty and grace enrich our lives and remind us how precious the creatures we share the planet with truly are.