Our Lakes
I started this series as a way to draw attention to the health of a lake in my community that was being threatened with excessive development. I hoped that when people saw the beautiful birds that call our own shallow lake and “messy” marshlands home, they would want to protect what is here. Our lake is the only lake we have in our valley, but the birds here are not unique to our community—some are found in lakes and wetlands across the western US, some across all of North America, and a few across oceans.
My hope with all of my work is that you, too, will see the beauty of the world around you, and with that seeing, do what you can in your own community to care for it.
Cattle egret are not entirely native to the Americas. They flew to South America from Africa about 150 years ago, and have been found in North America for less than 100 years. Traditionally, they follow cattle and other large animals around, eating ticks off their backs, and bugs the larger animals kick up—an enormous benefit to both cattle and bird. When there aren’t cattle around, they love finding bugs and grubs in the marshy areas around our lakes and agricultural lands. They look like little henchmen as they prowl through the grass.
White-faced Ibis have a little white fringe around their eyes and beak... but only the males... and only a few weeks out of the year, like makeup during the breeding season. They’re fun to watch, poking around for bugs and grubs in shallow water, always with a bunch of friends and family, or flying overhead in v-formations. I love their long curved beaks and the way the sunlight makes rainbows on their feathers when it hits just right; but, as with many bird species, I’m not convinced they were named well.
Forster’s Terns spend their winters on the coasts, and their summers inland, so you likely can spot them in open water at some point no matter where you live. If you’ve never seen a tern hunting, take a trip to the lake, relax on the shore and watch for a tern. They’re amazing fishers: they hover high above the water, then dive straight down as soon as they see a fish that looks promising; they almost never miss!
Cinnamon teal are dabbling ducks: they’ll eat a variety of foods (seeds, insects, little fish, plants) that float close to the surface of the water. The males are a beautiful cinnamon color during the summer when they’re in Utah.
The majority of the world’s population of cinnamon teal breed at the lakes and tributaries around the Great Salt Lake where the females build their nests under dead foliage which they access through tunnels of reeds. Invasive phragmites have made nesting and breeding increasingly difficult for these little ducks.
Ruddy ducks are tiny, compact ducks with bright blue bills, and perky tails that constantly poke up. They’re a little tricky to find because they’re fabulous underwater swimmers–just as one pops up out of the water, and you try to set your binoculars on it, it dives under the water again only to emerge somewhere far away several minutes later.
The tributaries around the Great Salt Lake support a huge population of breeding and migrating ruddy ducks; however, the number of breeding pairs have severely dropped with the spread of phragmites and carp.
Marsh wrens are difficult to see, but easy to hear when they’re around as they have a cheerful, bubbly song that is difficult to describe, but sounds much like—a thriving marsh. The difficulty is compounded by the fact that different populations of marsh wrens around the country have noticeably different songs.
Males build at least 6 nests to woo a female, but they’re all hidden deep in the reeds. Marsh wrens are susceptible not just to land development, but to invasive plants (like the phragmites in my hometown) that crowd out their normal habitat and eliminate their food sources.
This stocky, water-loving, wispy-tailed pied-billed grebe is more closely related to flamingos than to ducks. Its crazy-looking lobed feet make it an excellent swimmer. Although they are found in lakes and ponds across North America, these little birds are considered threatened or endangered in parts of the United States because their floating nests are extremely sensitive to human disturbances–boats, water drainage and land development.
Killdeer are more common than most shore birds, and a source of nostalgia for many people who grew up on ranches, farms, or golf courses. The adults build nests of pebbles on the ground AFTER the eggs are laid (ouch!) but, fortunately, their brilliant parenting kicks in once the chicks hatch. If a predator gets too close to their chicks, a killdeer parent will suddenly develop a “broken wing” which they drag behind them as they limp away from the nest, encouraging the predator to chase after them—away from the nest. When the predator gets too close to the parent, the broken wing miraculously heals, and the parent flies out of reach. The best known killdeer call, of course, is an enthusiastic “Kill-deer! Kill-deer!”
American Coots were one of the first lake birds I learned to identify, which is probably why they feel like a reliable friend to me. Growing up I assumed they were ducks since they spend most of their lives paddling around the water, consorting with ducks, but they aren’t–coots are a type of rail, closely related to Sandhill Cranes. They have long, yellow-green legs with the most ridiculous-looking lily-pad feet that are perfect for paddling around reeds and slogging through marshes. (Please don’t take my word for it–take a moment to search for images of coot feet. You won’t be disappointed.)
Coot populations are large throughout North America, but as with ALL waterfowl, their numbers are steadily decreasing.
Ring-billed gulls are one of several that feed at our inland lakes; they also like newly-plowed fields around lakes, and yes, like most gulls, they also enjoy open landfills that act a bit like fast food for them. Most ring-billed gulls return to their birthplace for breeding, and then to the same wintering spots year after year. Although a male & female pair often raise their chicks together, it isn’t uncommon for two females to share a nest and parenting responsibilities together.
Although the Franklin’s gull winters along the coasts of South and Central America, it migrates and breeds at the inland lakes of North America. Adults can be identified by their distinct black hood and red bill—immature gulls are a little trickier to identify. Franklin’s gulls build floating nests that they have to add material to daily to keep them from deteriorating into the water. Even the chicks will add materials to the nest when they are old enough to help around the house.
Great blue herons are one of the tallest birds in Utah, but they only weigh 5-6 pounds. They’re wonderful hunters of fish, frogs and snakes, and frequent shallow water where the fish swim close to the surface. However, they’re also shy and don’t love being watched for long. If you happen upon one very focused on fishing, stop and watch for awhile to see the lightning fast catch. You won’t regret it!
Wilson’s snipes have an extra muscle in their chest that makes them look chunky and cute; but that muscle also makes them incredibly strong flyers. They fly like 60-mile-an-hour acrobats. If you’re lucky enough to see one in early spring, you might catch a glimpse of their courtship dance which involves flying far up into the sky, and spin-diving to the ground.
“Going on a snipe hunt” is a common practical joke; but the real history of snipe hunts is far more interesting: British soldiers in India would frequently go bird hunting, but because the snipes had such erratic flight patterns, only the soldiers with the best aim could shoot one. Thus, the term “sniper”—referring to a soldier with incredible aim—was born.
While Western grebe couples are famous for their captivating courtship dances, their families are even more delightful to watch. The babies ride on their parents’ backs when they aren’t busy practicing diving and fishing on their own. While one parent taxis the chicks around, the other catches fish and feeds the chicks, and then they switch responsibilities to spell each other off. Just like with our own children, these chicks will beg for rides until they’re almost as large as their parents and the parents force them to wean from the habit.
Double-crested cormorants S-T-R-E-T-C-H out their wings to dry in the sun after fishing expeditions. Unlike ducks, cormorants don’t have a lot of oil in their feathers to keep their bodies dry, so they have to rely on the sun. However, the lack of oil also allows them to be excellent swimmers, divers and fishers.