Guide to the Wetland Birds of Louisiana – ID, Habitat, and Sounds

In this guide, I invite you to explore Louisiana’s wetland birds through 46 custom, species-specific plates. I created this resource for birders and nature enthusiasts to help identify birds across the Bayou State. Each plate highlights key identification traits, habitats, behaviors, and natural history. To make things easier, I’ve grouped species by size—Very Large (crane-sized, >10 lb), Large (stork-sized, 5–10 lb), Medium (egret-sized, 1–5 lb), and Small (gallinule-sized, <1 lb)—so you can recognize Louisiana’s wetland birds quickly and with confidence.

How to use this Guide

Use the four familiar bird sizes below as references. Assign the bird you see to the closest size group, even if it seems to fall between two categories, then click to explore that group. You can also use the Table of Contents below to browse the guide.

While weight offers a useful starting point, appearances can be deceiving—plumage, body shape, and leg length often make a bird look larger or smaller than its true size.

Birds Included in this Guide

This guide highlights birds closely associated with Louisiana’s wetlands. It features the classic wading species—herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, storks, and others—along with additional birds that, while not strict “waders,” are still strongly tied to marshes, swamps, ponds, and coastal wetlands. Ducks, geese, and mergansers are not covered here; because they form such a large and prominent group, they are presented in a separate guide dedicated entirely to them.

Louisiana Wetlands

The State of Louisiana holds about 4.53 million hectares of wetlands, covering 33.4% of the state. Since the 1930s, it has lost an estimated 492,100 hectares (1,900 sq mi) of coastal wetlands—roughly a football field every 100 minutes—underscoring the urgent need for restoration.

Despite this decline, Louisiana’s wetlands remain vital along the Mississippi Flyway, providing wintering and stopover habitat for over 10 million migratory waterfowl each year and supporting more than 400 bird species, including many of North America’s wading birds, shorebirds, and raptors. Notably, wetlands make up less than 5% of the contiguous U.S.

More about wetlands: Understanding Wetlands: An Overview for State Bird Guides

Birds Included in the Guide

This guide includes a total of 46 wetland bird species. The breakdown of Louisiana wetland birds by group is as follows:

• Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns: This is the largest group, with 11 species, representing approximately 24% of the birds listed.
• Rails, Coots, Gallinules, and Swamphens: This group contains 9 species, comprising about 19% of the total.
• Raptors (Hawks, Kites, Eagles, Osprey): There are 3 raptor species, representing about 7% of the total.
• Pelicans, Cormorants, and Anhinga: This group has 3 species, which is approximately 7% of the list.
• Ibises: This group includes 3 species, making up about 6.5% of the birds.
• Wood Stork & Spoonbill: This group includes 2 species, making up about 4.3% of the birds.
• Cranes: The two crane species account for about 4.3% of the total.
• Avocets and Stilts: The two species in this group represent about 4.3% of the total.
• Woodcock and Snipe: The two species in this group represent about 4.3% of the total.
• Terns: The two tern species make up about 4.3% of the birds listed.
• Blackbirds: The two species in this group represent about 6.5% of the total.
• Other Species (Limpkin, Killdeer, Kingfisher, Grebe): These miscellaneous group each with a single species, collectively make up the remaining 4 species (9%).

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Very Large Wetland Birds of Louisiana (>10 lb)

From the towering Whooping Crane to the American White Pelican, Louisiana’s large birds are the giants of the wetlands. This group has the smallest number of members with sizes ranging from the 16.5 lb American White Pelican to the 11 lb Sandhill Crane.

Whooping Crane

Identification: Adults are bright white with a crimson crown, and black wingtips visible in flight. Immatures are whitish below with mottled brownish-rusty plumage above.
Habitat: The Whooping Crane (Grus americana) favors open habitats, such as marshes, shallow wetlands, river flats, croplands, and grasslands.
Range: The reintroduced population in Louisiana inhabits coastal marshes, wet prairies, and rice fields primarily in the southwestern portion of the state.
Migration: The Whooping Crane population in Louisiana is a permanent resident for a reintroduced, non-migratory population. Individuals from the Western population are exceedingly rare vagrants to the state.
Behavior: Forages by pecking, probing, and gleaning. Monogamous, forming lifelong pairs. Courtship includes elaborate dancing.
Diet: Generalist, including Invertebrates, small vertebrates, tubers, berries, waste grains, blue crabs, and clams.
Nest: A mound of vegetation, 2–5 ft across, flat or shallowly concave, built in shallow water on islands.
Breeding: Season: January-May | Clutch: 1–3 light brown with brown splotches eggs | Incubation: 29–31 days | Hatchlings: able to walk within hours.
Lifespan: At least 28 years, 4 months.
How many are there? ~802 individuals in 2021, including 136 in captivity.
Conservation Status: Federally endangered.

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American White Pelican

Silent

Identification: Adult: Snowy white with black flight feathers visible in flight. Yellow-orange bill and legs; breeding adults show a yellow chest patch and grow a bill horn. Immature: Mostly white with dusky head, neck, and back.
Habitat: The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) forages in shallow inland marshes, lake and river edges, estuaries, sloughs, and inlets.
Range: The American White Pelican is a common winter visitor across coastal marshes, estuaries, and large inland lakes in Louisiana, favoring shallow, productive waters for foraging.
Migration: This species is predominantly a winter resident and transient in Louisiana, with a significant non-breeding summer population also found in coastal areas.
Behavior: Forages by dipping bill at the water’s surface to scoop fish; also upends like dabbling ducks. Known for cooperative foraging, driving fish toward shore. Highly gregarious.
Diet: Primarily small fish, but also salamanders, tadpoles, crayfish, and game fish.
Nest: A shallow depression on the ground, sometimes lined with vegetation. Nests in colonies.
Breeding: Season: April-late August | Clutch: 2 chalky white eggs | Incubation: ~30 days | Nestling period: 63–70 days.
Lifespan: At least 23 years, 6 months.
How many are there? Global population estimated at ~450,000.
Conservation Status: Low conservation concern.

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Sandhill Crane

Identification: Adult: Slate gray with rusty wash, pale cheek, red crown, black legs. Juvenile: Gray and rusty brown, lacking pale cheek and red crown.
Habitat: The Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) forages in open wetlands, prairies, bogs, lakes, croplands.
Range: A small resident population of Sandhill Cranes exists in southwestern Louisiana, complemented by migratory birds utilizing various wetlands and agricultural lands statewide during winter.
Migration: The species exhibits a mix of a very small resident population and a more prominent winter resident/transient migrant population across Louisiana.
Behavior: Forages for food by gleaning/probing. Social. Pairs perform elaborate dances.
Diet: Sandhill cranes feed on invertebrates, small vertebrates, seeds, berries, tubers.
Nest: Cup-shaped structure of dominant vegetation, 30–40 in across, on the ground.
Breeding: Season: Jan to May. Breeding age: 2–7 years | Clutch: 1–3 pale brownish yellow/gray markings eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 29–32 days | Offspring dependency: 9–10 months.
Lifespan: At least 37 years, 3 months.
How many are there? In Floria there are about 4,500 resident and 25,000 migratory Sandhill Cranes.
Conservation Status: Low concern.

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Large-Wetland-Birds of Louisiana (5-10 lb)

Large birds of Louisiana include four members ranging from the familiar Bald Eagle (9.5 lb) to the Wood Stork (5.2 lb). Most members of this groups, except for the bald eagle, have long legs giving the impression of being larger.

Bald Eagle

Identification: Striking white head and tail contrasting with a dark brown body and wings, plus yellow legs and bill. Immatures are dark with mottled brown-and-white, and take about five years to acquire full adult plumage.
Habitat: The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is found in forests near large bodies of water with tall mature trees for nesting. In winter, they use dry open uplands as well.
Range: Bald Eagles are common throughout Louisiana, especially in coastal marshes, along major rivers, and large lakes for nesting.
Migration: They are predominantly permanent residents in Louisiana, with some northern birds joining them during the winter months.
Behavior: Powerful fliers that hunt, steal prey from other animals, scavenge carrion, and even feed on garbage.
Diet: Primarily fish, but also birds, reptiles, amphibians, crabs, rabbits, and muskrats.
Nest: Bald Eagles have the largest nests of any North American bird. Nests are placed in tall trees, cliffs, or occasionally on the ground.
Breeding: Season: December-mid-May (South) | Clutch: 1–3 dull white, usually unmarked eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 34–36 days | Nestling period: 56–98 days.
Lifespan: At least 38 years.
How many are there? Over 316,000 individuals in the U.S. Lower 48.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Great Blue Heron

Identification: Largest North American heron with long legs, S-shaped neck, and dagger-like bill. Blue-gray plumage, black eye stripe, and shaggy head. A white morph occurs in the Florida Keys.
Habitat: Fresh, saltwater, brackish wetlands, ditches, and farmland.
Range: Great Blue Herons are abundant throughout Louisiana’s extensive wetlands, including coastal marshes, bayous, swamps, and freshwater lakes, making them a ubiquitous sight in aquatic environments.
Migration: They are largely permanent residents across Louisiana, with additional birds migrating south to winter in the state.
Behavior: Hunts by standing still or stalking in shallow water. Flies with neck tucked and legs trailing. Defends feeding territories.
Diet: Fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, insects, and birds. Prey grabbed or impaled with bill.
Nest: Great Blue Herons build a stick platform in trees; also on ground, bushes, or man-made structures. Often in colonies.
Breeding: Season: March–August | Clutch: 2–6 pale blue eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 27–29 days | Nestling: 49–81 days.
Lifespan: At least 24 years, 6 months.
How many are there?? About 700,000 globally.
Conservation Status: Stable, low concern.

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Wood Stork

Identification: Large, white wading bird with black flight feathers and tail, bald scaly head, and thick, slightly curved bill.
Habitat: The Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) inhabits marshes, forested wetlands, swamps, and shorelines.
Range: Wood Storks inhabit vast coastal marshes, cypress-tupelo swamps, and flooded agricultural fields across southern and central Louisiana.
Migration: They are largely permanent residents in the southern part of Louisiana and seasonal breeders, with post-breeding dispersal occurring statewide.
Behavior: Wood storks feed by probing water and feeling for prey; may startle prey. Social, soars on thermals.
Diet: Fish, aquatic invertebrates, seeds, amphibians, nestlings, reptiles.
Nest: Large stick structure in trees above standing water, lined with greenery, secured with guano; in colonies.
Breeding: Season: December-August | Clutch: 1–5 creamy white eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 28 and 32 days | Nestling: 50 days.
Lifespan: At least 22 years, 6 months.
How many are there? The U.S. Wood Stork population has rebounded from about 5,000 nesting pairs in the 1970s to over 11,000 pairs by early 2023.
Conservation Status: Low concern.

Medium-sized Wetland Birds of Louisiana (3.7–1 lb)

From the versatile Double-crested Cormorant to the compact Pied-billed Grebe, Louisiana’s medium-sized wetland birds include 17 species ranging in weight from 3.7 to 1 lb. This is perhaps the most confusing group weight wise including extremes such as the Roseate Spoonbill and the seemingly small and compact Pied-billed Greebe.

Double-crested Cormorant

Identification: Adult: Brown-black plumage, yellow-orange facial skin. Breeding adults show double crests (black/white). Immatures browner, with pale neck/breast.
Habitat: Freshwater and saltwater habitats, coasts, large inland lakes.
Range: Double-crested Cormorants are common statewide along the coast, in estuaries, major rivers, lakes, and extensive wetlands in Louisiana, frequently seen fishing and perching.
Migration: The Double-crested Cormorant is a common permanent resident throughout Louisiana, with additional numbers of migratory individuals present during winter.
Behavior: Dives to catch small fish, spreads wings to dry. Flies in V-shaped flocks, nests colonially.
Diet: Double-crested Cormorants feed on mainly small fish.
Nest: Bulky stick nest, often in tree colonies.
Breeding: Season: Varies in every region | Clutch: 1-6 unmarked pale blue eggs | Broods: 1-2 | Incubation: 25-28 days | Nestling: 21-28 days.
Lifespan: At least 23 years, 8 months.
How many are there? Abundant.
Conservation Status: Low concern.

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Osprey

Identification: Dark brown upperparts, white underparts. White head marked with a bold brown eye stripe. Juveniles have white spots on the back and buff-tinted breast shading.
Habitat: Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) inhabit open waters with abundant fish; plus elevated nesting sites.
Range: Ospreys are widespread along the Gulf Coast, estuaries, bayous, and large freshwater bodies like reservoirs and the Mississippi River system in Louisiana.
Migration: The Osprey is largely a permanent resident in Louisiana, especially in the southern coastal parishes, augmented by migratory individuals passing through or overwintering.
Behavior: Hunts live fish by hovering and diving feet-first. Mostly solitary; males perform aerial “sky-dance” displays.
Diet: Ospreys feed almost exclusively live fish (99%), occasionally fish remains, birds, snakes, voles, squirrels.
Nest: Large, untidy stick platforms, often on poles, snags, dead trees, or artificial platforms.
Breeding: Season: mid April-early September | Breeds spring–fall | Clutch: 1–4 cream spotted with reddish eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 36–42 days | Nestling period: 50–55 days.
Lifespan: At least 25 years, 2 months.
How many are there? ~1.2 million global breeding population.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Roseate Spoonbill

Identification: Adult: Bright pink, partly bald head, white neck, and long spoon-shaped bill. Pink shoulders. Juvenile: Paler pink, fully feathered head until age 3.
Habitat: The Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) lives in shallow fresh, brackish, and marine waters. Nests/roosts in trees or shrubs along water.
Range: Roseate Spoonbills are widespread along Louisiana’s Gulf Coast in extensive coastal marshes, estuaries, and mudflats, where the habitat is crucial for nesting and foraging.
Migration: The species is primarily a permanent resident in southern coastal areas of Louisiana, with some post-breeding dispersal occurring northward and inland.
Behavior: Forages by sweeping bill side-to-side in shallow water. Usually in flocks, often with other waders.
Diet: Roseate Spoonbill feed on shrimp, aquatic insects, and fish.
Nest: Bulky stick platform lined with moss or bark strips, built in trees/shrubs over water.
Breeding: Season: April-Mid August. Clutch: 1–5 whitish to pale green with brown spots eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 22 days | Nestling: 35–42 days.
Lifespan: At least 15 years, 10 months.
How many are there? There are approximately 11,000 Roseate Spoonbills in the U.S.
Conservation Status: Low concern.

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Anhinga

Identification: Spear-like bill. Adult males black with silvery-white streaks on back/wings. Females/immatures have pale tan head, neck, breast.
Habitat: Shallow freshwater lakes, ponds, brackish bays; prefers perches for drying.
Range: Anhingas are widespread and common throughout the state in freshwater and brackish wetlands, including lakes, bayous, swamps, and coastal marshes in Louisiana.
Migration: The Anhinga is a common permanent resident across all suitable wetland habitats within Louisiana.
Behavior: Anhingas forage by stalking and spearing fish underwater. Nests in loose groups with other waterbirds.
Diet: Small to medium wetland fishes, crustaceans, invertebrates.
Nest: Bulky stick platform in trees near/over water; lined with leaves/twigs.
Breeding: Season: February-October | Clutch: 2–5 pale bluish green, chalky coating eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 26–30 days | Nestling: 14–21 days.
Lifespan: At least 12 years.
How many are there? Global breeding population ~2 million.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Limpkin

Identification: Heron-sized, brown with heavy white spangling; long bill, often curved right.
Habitat: The Limpkin inhabits shallow freshwater swamp forests, marshes, ditches, lakes, and wet sugarcane fields.
Range: Limpkins are found in freshwater marshes, cypress swamps, and along slow-moving waterways, primarily in the southern and central regions of Louisiana.
Migration: The Limpkin is a permanent resident throughout its established range in Louisiana.
Behavior: Limpkins forages day and night, stalking and probing for snails. Swims well.
Diet: Mostly apple snails; also mussels, seeds, insects, lizards, frogs.
Nest: Circular structure of sticks, lined with moss, in marsh grasses or in trees.
Breeding: Season: January-August | Clutch: 4–7 light grayish to olive with streaks/blotches eggs | Broods: 1–3 | Incubation: 26–28 days | Hatchlings: Able to swim, walk, run at hatching.
Lifespan: Not specified.
How many are there? Approximately 3,000–6,000 pairs.
Conservation Status: Low concern.

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White Ibis

Identification: Adult: All white with black wingtips, red/pink legs, face and bill. Juvenile: Brown above, white below, streaked brown neck, orange-pink legs and bill.
Habitat: The White Ibis inhabits shallow wetlands, swamps, mangroves, flooded pastures, lawns, and parks.
Range: White Ibis are abundant statewide in coastal marshes, cypress swamps, bayous, and agricultural wetlands, particularly in the southern parishes of Louisiana.
Migration: The White Ibis is primarily a permanent resident throughout Louisiana, though some local dispersal and post-breeding movements are observed.
Behavior: Forages, flies, and nests in flocks. Feeds by walking and probing muddy bottoms.
Diet: Insects, crayfish, earthworms, fish, frogs, lizards, and snails.
Nest: Messy stick platform built in trees or shrubs within colonies. Nest locations change yearly.
Breeding: Season: March-Mid-October | Clutch: 2-4 cream to blue-green with brown splotches eggs | Broods: 1-2 | Incubation: 21-23 days | Nestling: 40–60 days.
Lifespan: At least 16 years, 4 months.
How many are there? Global population is about 2.4 million.
Conservation Status: Low concern

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Black-crowned Night-Heron

Identification: Stocky heron with light-gray body, black back and crown, and all-black bill. Immatures are brown with white spots, streaks, and yellow-and-black bills.
Habitat: The Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) forages in freshwater, brackish, and saltwater wetlands.
Range: The Black-crowned Night-Heron is widespread across Louisiana, thriving in coastal marshes, cypress swamps, freshwater ponds, and the intricate bayou systems and floodplains.
Migration: This species is considered a permanent resident throughout most of Louisiana, with some minor seasonal movements possible.
Behavior: Feeds at night or dusk; rests by day perched in trees.
Diet: The Black-crowned Night-Heron feeds on fish, frogs, insects, small mammals, birds, carrion, plant matter, and garbage.
Nest: Stick platform in trees, shrubs, or cattails; nests colonially.
Breeding: Season: January-August | Clutch: 3–5 greenish-blue eggs | Incubation: 24–26 days | Nestling: 29–34 days.
Lifespan: Up to 21 years, 5 months.
How many are there? About 3 million globally.
Conservation Status: Low concern.

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American Coot

Identification: Adult: Plump, chickenlike, dark gray to black, bright white bill and forehead, small red forehead patch. Juvenile/nonbreeding: Duller gray with less distinct forehead patch.
Habitat: The American Coot (Fulica americana) prefers freshwater wetlands with emergent vegetation. Also found anywhere with standing water; ponds, city parks.
Range: The American Coot is abundant statewide in freshwater marshes, lakes, ponds, and slow-moving bayous in Louisiana, especially in coastal and inland wetlands.
Migration: The American Coot is a common permanent resident in Louisiana, experiencing substantial population increases due to large numbers of northern migrants during winter.
Behavior: The American Coot forages by plucking plants while walking, swimming, dabbling, or diving. Highly social in winter.
Diet: Primarily aquatic plants. Also takes insects, snails, tadpoles, and salamanders.
Nest: Floating platform anchored to emergent vegetation, woven into a shallow basket over water.
Breeding: Season: May-mid-August | Clutch: 8–12 buff with dark speckles eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 23–25 days | Chicks: Down-covered, alert, leave nest within 6 hours.
Lifespan: At least 22 years, 4 months.
How many are there? Global breeding population about 7.1 million individuals.
Conservation Status: Low conservation concern.

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Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Identification: Medium heron with cloudy gray plumage, black head, creamy yellow crown, and white cheek patches. Immatures are brown with fine white spots and streaked underparts.
Habitat: The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron forages (Nyctanassa violacea) in coastal wetlands; also inland in swamps, and wet fields.
Range: The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is abundant across the state in diverse wetland habitats, including coastal marshes, swamps, bayous, and wooded edges of waterways in Louisiana.
Migration: This species is largely a permanent resident throughout the state of Louisiana, with some individuals potentially undertaking short-distance movements.
Behavior: Forages day and night with a hunched, forward-leaning posture.
Diet: The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron feeds primarily on small crabs and crayfish; also fish, snakes, and small mammals.
Nest: Stick platform with shallow center, built near or over water.
Breeding: Season: March–August | Clutch: 2–6 pale bluish-green eggs | Incubation: 24–25 days | Nestling: 30–43 days.
Lifespan: At least 6 years.
How many are there? About 400,000 globally.
Conservation Status: Low concern.

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American Bittern

Identification: Medium-sized heron with compact body, short legs, and thick neck. Warm brown and buff with bold streaks.
Habitat: Shallow freshwater marshes with dense reeds and emergent vegetation.
Range: The American Bittern is found in various freshwater marshes, wet prairies, and dense emergent vegetation statewide in Louisiana, particularly during the winter period.
Migration: The American Bittern is a common winter resident and passage migrant in Louisiana, arriving in fall and departing in spring, and is a rare and localized summer resident in parts of the state.
Behavior: When alarmed, points bill upward to blend with reeds.
Diet: The American Bittern feeds on insects, crustaceans, fish, frogs, lizards, and small mammals.
Nest: Platform of reeds lined with grasses in dense marsh vegetation.
Breeding: Season: April–August | Clutch: 2–7 beige to olive eggs | Incubation: 24–28 days | Nestling: 7–14 days, chicks remain nearby for weeks.
Lifespan: At least 8 years, 4 months.
How many are there? About 2.5 million globally.
Conservation Status: Low concern, though declining in some regions.

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Great Egret

Identification: Large white heron with long black legs, and yellow bill. Smaller than Great Blue Heron, larger than Snowy Egret. Breeding adults grow long back plumes.
Habitat: The Great Egret (Ardea alba) inhabits freshwater, brackish, and coastal wetlands.
Range: The Great Egret is common statewide in its extensive coastal marshes, swamps, bayous, and various freshwater and brackish wetlands and lakes in Louisiana.
Migration: This species is a widespread permanent resident across the state of Louisiana, with some seasonal movements and post-breeding dispersal.
Behavior: Hunts by standing still in shallow water, striking quickly at prey.
Diet: Great Egrets feed on primarily fish; also amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and invertebrates.
Nest: Large stick platform in trees or shrubs, usually in colonies.
Breeding: Season: March–July | Clutch: 1–6 pale greenish-blue eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 23–27 days | Nestling: 21–25 days.
Lifespan: Up to 22 years, 10 months.
How many are there? About 9.5 million in North America.
Conservation Status: Low concern; populations increasing.

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Red-shouldered Hawk

Identification: Adult: Barred reddish-peach underparts, strongly banded tail, checkered wings, pale wing crescents near tips. Immature: Brown above, white below streaked with brown, pale wing crescents.
Habitat: The Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) inhabits tall woods near water, including swamps, riparian forests, and suburban parks.
Range: The Red-shouldered Hawk is abundant statewide in Louisiana, inhabiting bottomland hardwood forests, swamps, cypress-tupelo stands, and moist woodlands.
Migration: This species is a permanent resident statewide in Louisiana.
Behavior: Hunts from perches with swift descents. Soars and glides frequently. Males perform a “sky dance” display during courtship.
Diet: Feeds on small mammals, lizards, snakes, amphibians, voles, chipmunks, and birds.
Nest: Large stick nests (~2 ft diameter), placed in tree crotches near water. Often reused in subsequent years.
Breeding: Season: Late March-July | Clutch: 2–5 dull white to bluish, brown-blotched eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 32–40 days | Nestling period: 42–49 days.
Lifespan: At least 25 years, 10 months.
How many are there? Global breeding population about 1.9 million.
Conservation Status: Low conservation concern.

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Caspian Tern

Identification: Largest tern species. White overall. Breeding adults have a black crown and a coral-red bill. In winter and juveniles, the crown is partially black with grayish speckling.
Habitat: Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne caspia) are found along ocean coasts, barrier islands, interior lakes and rivers.
Range: The Caspian Tern is common along the extensive coast, barrier islands, estuaries, and large inland waterways in Louisiana.
Migration: This species is a common permanent resident in southern Louisiana, augmented by wintering and migratory populations.
Behavior: Caspian Terns fly slowly before plunging for fish. Roosts and rests in flocks.
Diet: Primarily fish; also crayfish, large insects, and occasionally scavenged invertebrates.
Nest: A shallow scrape in open areas lined with dried vegetation and ringed with pebbles, or other debris.
Breeding: Season: mid-May-late August | Clutch: 1-3 buff with dark spots eggs | Broods: 1 | Eggs: | Incubation: 25–28 days | Nestling: 1–2 days.
Lifespan: At least 32 years, 1 month.
How many are there? ~530,000 global breeders.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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White-faced Ibis

Identification: Adult: glossy maroon, metallic green/bronze wings. Pink legs, white mask. Juvenile/non
Breeding: matte brown, no white facial outline, duller legs.
Habitat: Shallow wetlands, marshes. Wet agricultural fields.
Range: The White-faced Ibis is widespread in coastal marshes, rice fields, and other freshwater and brackish wetlands throughout the state of Louisiana.
Migration: This species is a common resident in some areas, but also a significant transient migrant, with populations fluctuating seasonally in Louisiana
Behavior: White-faced Ibises forage by probing in water/mud or picking surface prey. Usually in flocks.
Diet: Earthworms, crayfish, spiders, snails, leeches and insects.
Nest: Flat platform of twigs built in emergent vegetation or shrubs.
Breeding: Season: Mid-May through late July | Clutch: 3-5 bluish green to turquoise eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 17-21 days.
Lifespan: At least 12 years, 3 months.
How many are there? Globally approx. 7.2 million. U.S./Canada
Breeding: 1.3 million.
Conservation Status: Low conservation concern.

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Glossy Ibis

Identification: Deep maroon body with metallic green, bronze, and violet wing coverts. It appears black in the distance.
Habitat: The Glossy Ibis uses freshwater, brackish, and saltwater marshes and rice fields.
Range: The Glossy Ibis is widespread and common throughout the state’s extensive coastal marshes, swamps, and rice fields in Louisiana.
Migration: The Glossy Ibis is largely a permanent resident in the southern parts of Louisiana, with northern breeders also present during migration and winter.
Behavior: Feeds and nests in flocks. Forages by probing wet substrates or gleaning.
Diet: Glossy Ibises feed on aquatic invertebrates, crabs, fish, amphibians, grain, crops.
Nest: Bulky platform of sticks/reeds, on ground or in trees up to 12 ft high, in colonies.
Breeding: Season: April-June | Clutch: 3–4 eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 20–22 days | Nestling: 8–9 days.
Lifespan: At least 21 years.
How many are there? In North America: 13,000–15,000 individuals.
Conservation Status: Low concern.

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Pied-billed Grebe

Identification: Small, chunky brown waterbird. Adults have a dark crown and nape, and a whitish bill with a black band in breeding season (yellow-brown outside breeding). Juveniles show distinctive striped faces.
Habitat: The Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) occupies ponds, marshes, lakes, sluggish rivers, and areas with emergent vegetation or open water.
Range: The Pied-billed Grebe is found commonly throughout Louisiana in freshwater wetlands, lakes, ponds, bayous, and slow-moving rivers, preferring marshy areas.
Migration: This species is a widespread permanent resident across Louisiana, with its population bolstered by an influx of winter migrants from colder regions.
Behavior: Forages by diving to pursue prey. Typically solitary but may form small winter flocks.
Diet: Pied-billed Grebes feed on crayfish, shrimps, fish, frogs, tadpoles, and salamanders.
Nest: Floating open-bowl nest built anchored among emergent plants.
Breeding: Season: February-November | Clutch: 2–10 bluish white, unmarked eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 23–27 days | Chicks: Leave the nest within 1 day.
Lifespan: At least 4 years, 7 months.
How many are there? Global breeding population about 3.1 million.
Conservation Status: Low conservation concern.

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Reddish Egret

Identification: Large heron with shaggy appearance. Dark morph is gray-blue with pinkish-cinnamon head and neck; white morph is entirely white. Both have pink-and-black bills and cobalt legs. Juveniles are ashy copper.
Habitat: The Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) forages mostly in tidal shallows, coastal salt flats, and lagoons.
Range: The Reddish Egret is widespread and common along the entire Gulf Coast in Louisiana, inhabiting extensive saltwater marshes, tidal flats, and estuaries, particularly in the delta region.
Migration: This species is a permanent resident throughout its coastal range in Louisiana, with localized movements in response to water levels and food.
Behavior: Hunts actively by chasing fish, using wings to shade, herd, or startle prey; stirs sediment with feet.
Diet: Mostly small fish; also shrimp and crabs.
Nest: Reddish Egrets build a stick platform lined with grasses, in trees over water; often in mixed colonies.
Breeding: Season: March–September | Clutch: 3–6 pale bluish-green eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 21–36 days | Nestling: 28–35 days.
How many are there? ~15,000 globally, with ~2,400 in the U.S.
Conservation Status: Yellow Watch List. Threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and disturbance at colonies.

Small Wetland Birds of Louisiana (< 1 lb)

From the elegant Snowy Egret to the enigmatic Black Rail. The group of small wetland birds of Louisiana include size from 13 oz to the diminutive Black Rail, weighing 0.07 oz. This group includes some of the most secretive rails which are often heard but hardly ever seen.

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Snowy Egret

Identification: All-white heron with black bill, black legs, and yellow feet. Immatures have duller greenish legs. Breeding adults grow filmy curving plumes.
Habitat: The Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) forages in fresh, salt, and brackish water wetlands.
Range: The Snowy Egret is abundant in coastal marshes, swamps, bayous, and various freshwater habitats across the entire state’s extensive wetlands in Louisiana.
Migration: This species is a widespread permanent resident throughout Louisiana, with a significant influx of migrants in winter.
Behavior: Hunts in shallow water, spearing or chasing prey; uses yellow feet to stir or herd fish before striking.
Diet: Snowy Egrets feed on small fish, frogs, shrimp, and insects.
Nest: Shallow twig platform, usually over water.
Breeding: Season: March–July | Clutch: 2–6 pale greenish-blue eggs | Incubation: 24–25 days | Nestling: 20–24 days.
Lifespan: At least 17 years, 7 months.
How many are there? About 2.1 million globally.
Conservation Status: Low concern.

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King Rail

Identification: Large, chickenlike, rusty wings and breast, and a striped belly. Gray cheeks and whitish throat. Juveniles are darker with shorter bills.
Habitat: The King Rail (Rallus elegans) inhabits brackish and freshwater marshes, rice fields, and areas with tall emergent vegetation.
Range: The King Rail is a stronghold species for Louisiana, found extensively in coastal freshwater and brackish marshes, cypress-tupelo swamps, and rice fields across the state.
Migration: King Rails are primarily permanent residents throughout Louisiana, benefiting from the state’s vast and diverse wetland habitats year-round.
Behavior: Forages slowly, stalking prey in shallow water and jabbing with its bill.
Diet: King rails feed on crayfish, crabs, fish, frogs, snakes, fruits, acorns, seeds, and rice.
Nest: Simple round platform elevated above water, made of marsh grasses or rice plants.
Breeding: Season: February-August | Clutch: 10–12 pale buff with irregular brown spots eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 21–23 days | Chicks: Leave nest within 1 day, become independent in ~2 months.
Lifespan: Not available.
How many are there? Global breeding population about 69,000 individuals.
Conservation Status: Listed as an Orange Alert species in 2025.

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Tricolored Heron

Identification: Slim, medium-sized heron with blue-gray and lavender upperparts, white belly, and dagger-like bill. Breeding adults show pale plumes; juveniles have rusty neck and feather edges.
Habitat: The Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) forages salt, fresh, and brackish water wetlands, and ditches.
Range: The Tricolored Heron is an abundant permanent resident throughout coastal marshes, estuaries, bayous, and impoundments across the state’s southern half of Louisiana.
Migration: This species is a permanent resident across its range in the state of Louisiana, with some local movements and post-breeding dispersal.
Behavior: Hunts by stalking, or chasing; often spins with sudden stops and wing flaps.
Diet: Mainly small fish; also other small vertebrates.
Nest: Tricolored Herons build a bulky stick platform in trees or shrubs; often in colonies.
Breeding: Season: May–July | Clutch: 3–5 pale greenish-blue eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 21–24 days | Nestling: 17–21 days.
Lifespan: At least 17 years, 8 months.
How many are there? About 194,000 breeding in the U.S.
Conservation Status: Low concern.

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Cattle Egret

Identification: Stocky heron with short, thick neck. Adults are white with buff plumes in breeding season; bill turns bright red before pairing. Juveniles lack plumes and have black bills.
Habitat: Wet grasslands, pastures, farmlands; favors drier open areas more than other herons.
Range: The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is common across the state of Louisiana, particularly in agricultural landscapes, pastures, and coastal marsh edge habitats, often near livestock.
Migration: The Cattle Egret is primarily a permanent resident in much of the state of Louisiana, though augmented by migrants during the breeding season.
Behavior: Walks with a distinctive head-pumping strut. It often follows cattle.
Diet: Cattle Egrets feed on mainly insects and other invertebrates.
Nest: Stick platform in trees, or marsh vegetation; nests colonially with other wading birds.
Breeding: Season: March–June | Clutch: 3–4 pale bluish-white eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 23 days | Nestling: 30 days.
Lifespan: Up to 15 years.
How many are there? 3.8–6.7 million globally.
Conservation Status: Least Concern.

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Little Blue Heron

Identification: Adults are dark blue-gray with purple-maroon head and neck, greenish legs, and pale gray-and-black bill. Juveniles are all white; immatures are patchy white and blue.
Habitat: The Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) forages in most types of wetlands and flooded fields.
Range: The Little Blue Heron is ubiquitous across the state’s vast coastal marshes, swamps, bayous, and various freshwater and brackish wetlands in Louisiana.
Migration: This species is a permanent resident throughout the state of Louisiana, with local movements possible during non-breeding seasons.
Behavior: Stand-and-wait predator, also moves slowly searching for prey.
Diet: Small fish, frogs, shrimp, insects, and other invertebrates.
Nest: The Little Blue Heron builds a porous twig platform in shrubs or small trees over water; often in mixed colonies.
Breeding: Season: March–October | Clutch: 3–4 pale bluish-green eggs | Incubation: 22–23 days | Nestling: 35–49 days.
Lifespan: Up to 13 years, 11 months.
How many are there? About 1.1 million globally.
Conservation Status: Low concern, though populations have declined.

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American Avocet

Identification: Striking black-and-white body, long upturned bill, and bluish-gray legs. In summer, the head and neck are rusty; in winter, they turn grayish-white.
Habitat: The American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) forages in shallow freshwater and saltwater wetlands, rice fields, and flooded pastures.
Range: The American Avocet is widespread along the Gulf Coast in coastal marshes, mudflats, and shallow ponds, occasionally moving to large inland wetlands in Louisiana.
Migration: This species is a common winter resident and migrant in Louisiana, with a small, localized breeding population in coastal marshes.
Behavior: Forages by sweeping its bill side to side, pecking, or plunging. Often associated with other shorebirds in flocks.
Diet: American Avocets feed on aquatic invertebrates, plus small fish and seeds.
Nest: A shallow ground scrape, sometimes unlined, located on islands or dikes, with little or no vegetation.
Breeding: Season: late April-early August | Clutch: 3–4 greenish brown with dark spots eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 18–30 days | Nestling: able to walk within 24 hours.
Lifespan: At least 15 years.
How many are there? Global breeding population ~450,000.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Common Gallinule

Identification: Charcoal gray with a distinct white side stripe. Adults feature a bright red forehead shield and red bill tipped in yellow. Immatures are similar but lack the red shield and bill coloration.
Habitat: The Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) inhabits freshwater and brackish wetlands. Also found in ditches, rice fields, sewage, and stormwater ponds.
Range: Common Gallinules are widespread in freshwater marshes, bayous, ponds, and canals throughout the state of Louisiana, particularly common in coastal parishes.
Migration: The Common Gallinule is a permanent resident across the state, breeding and wintering in suitable wetland environments in Louisiana.
Behavior: Swims, walks on floating vegetation with a crouched posture, often flicking its tail. Highly territorial during breeding.
Diet: Aquatic vegetation and seeds, plus snails and insects.
Nest: A broad bowl, typically 10–12 inches wide, placed on thick aquatic plant mats.
Breeding: Season: April-August | Clutch: 3–15 light gray with darker specks/spots eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 19–22 days | Chicks: leave the nest within 1 day.
Lifespan: At least 9 years, 10 months.
How many are there? Apparently declining.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Clapper Rail

Identification: Chickenlike with a stout orange bill, stubby tail, and laterally compressed body. Barred sides and belly, pink legs. Chicks covered in black down with pied bills.
Habitat: The Clapper Rail(Rallus crepitans) inhabits saltmarshes with dense vegetation, mangroves, and shallow saltwater habitats.
Range: The Clapper Rail is widespread across the state’s vast coastal salt and brackish marshes, estuaries, tidal channels, and barrier island systems in Louisiana.
Migration: This species is a permanent resident throughout Louisiana’s extensive coastal wetlands.
Behavior: Forages hidden among marsh vegetation. Territorial, sometimes in loose colonies.
Diet: Eats small crabs, shrimp, fish, and plant material.
Nest: Bulky platform of marsh plants, often tall and camouflaged, sometimes with domes or ramps.
Breeding: Season: April-October | Clutch: 2–16 creamy white to buff with irregular brown blotches eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 18–24 days | Chicks: Leave the nest within 1 day.
Lifespan: At least 7 years, 6 months.
How many are there? Global population about 210,000 individuals.
Conservation Status: Low conservation concern.

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Purple Gallinule

Identification: Adult: Purplish body with green wings and back, yellow-tipped red bill, blue frontal shield. Juvenile: Brown upperparts, khaki underparts, duller bill.
Habitat: The Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus) favors freshwater marshes and wetlands with emergent or floating vegetation such as water lilies.
Range: Purple Gallinules are widespread and common in freshwater marshes, swamps, and vegetated wetlands across the state, especially coastal plains with abundant plants in Louisiana.
Migration: The species is predominantly a permanent resident in the southern half of Louisiana; northern populations are summer residents migrating south.
Behavior: Forages slowly over vegetation, pecking at food and flicking its tail. Juveniles often help feed younger siblings.
Diet: Omnivorous—feeds on aquatic plant seeds, invertebrates, small frogs, fish, and bird eggs.
Nest: Cup-shaped platform of rushes, floating or anchored to vegetation, sometimes partially roofed.
Breeding: Season: May-August | Clutch: 6–8 creamy white with small irregular brown spots eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 20–23 days | Nestling: Leaves nest within 1 day.
Lifespan: At least 7 years, 4 months.
How many are there? Estimated 390,000 individuals.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Green Heron

Identification: Small heron with velvet-green back, rich chestnut body, and dark cap. Juveniles are browner with pale neck streaks and wing spots.
Habitat: The Green Heron (Butorides virescens) forages in most types of wetlands and ditches.
Range: Green Herons are ubiquitous across Louisiana, thriving in extensive freshwater and brackish marshes, swamps, bayous, and coastal wetlands.
Migration: In Louisiana, they are considered a permanent resident throughout the state, though some northern birds may migrate further south seasonally.
Behavior: Hunts by standing still or walking slowly in shallow water; strikes quickly when prey approaches.
Diet: Green Herons feed on small fish, shrimp, frogs, and insects.
Nest: Simple stick platform, in trees or shrubs. It is a solitary breeder.
Breeding: Season: February–July | Clutch: 3–5 pale green to bluish eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 19–21 days | Nestling: 16–17 days.
Lifespan: Up to 8 years, 11 months.
How many are there? About 1.2 million globally.
Conservation Status: Bird in steep decline (~51%).

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American Woodcock

Identification: Plump bird, very long straight bill, short tail. Cryptic plumage. Hatchlings covered in thick down.
Habitat: The American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) if founs in forests openings and clearings, young shrubby deciduous forests, old fields, wet meadows.
Range: The American Woodcock is widespread across Louisiana, particularly abundant in the bottomland hardwood forests, dense thickets, and regenerating clearcuts of the northern and central parishes.
Migration: This species is a common winter resident and transient throughout Louisiana. Some breeding occurs, especially in the northern half, but most birds migrate south for winter.
Behavior: Forages probing soil for earthworms. Often rocks body while walking. Generally solitary; sometimes small clusters (2–4).
Diet: Earthworms, invertebrates, snails, millipedes, spiders, flies, beetles, ants. Plant material: sedges, pigweed.
Nest: Shallow depression on ground. Made by the female in leaf and twig litter. Usually in young upland woods.
Breeding: Breeding Months: January through May | Clutch: 1-5 grayish orange with splotches of brown eggs | Incubation: 20–22 days | Nestling: ~30 days (Independence).
Lifespan: 11 years, 4 months.
How many are there? Global population ~3.5 million individuals.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Black-necked Stilt

Identification: Elegant black-and-white with long rose-pink legs, slender black bill, and a white patch around the eye. Females and juveniles show browner-black plumage in dark areas.
Habitat: The Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) is found in shallow wetlands, mudflats, sewage or evaporation ponds, and mangrove swamps.
Range: Black-necked Stilts are common in coastal marshes, brackish and freshwater impoundments, flooded agricultural fields, and shallow wetlands throughout the state of Louisiana.
Migration: This species is predominantly a permanent resident in the southern coastal parishes of Louisiana.
Behavior: Forages by wading and pecking, sometimes swinging the bill through water. Loud alarm calls and group displays help deter predators.
Diet: Black-necked Stilts eat primarily aquatic invertebrates; also take small amounts of seeds and plant material.
Nest: Shallow ground scrape on islands, in vegetation, or on floating mats.
Breeding: Season: April-August | Clutch: 2–5 tawny olive, dark brown speckling eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 24–29 days | Nestling: Able to run within ~2 hours.
Lifespan: At least 12 years, 5 months.
How many are there? Estimated global, 900,000 individuals.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Boat-tailed Grackle

Identification: Males are glossy black with a long, V-shaped tail. Females are dark brown above and russet below. Juveniles look like females. Overlaps with similar Great-tailed Grackle (below) in coastal Louisiana, but Boat-tails are confined to salt marshes and have brown eyes, unlike the white-eyed Great-tailed Grackle found in varied habitats.
Habitat: The Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) is found in coastal saltwater and freshwater marshes. It is also found in urban areas and cultivated fields.
Range: The Boat-tailed Grackle is Louisiana is restricted to coastal salt marches .
Migration: This species is not known as a permanent resident, seasonal visitor, or documented migrant within Louisiana.
Behavior: Probes soil and water, dunks food before eating. Highly gregarious. Males employ a harem mating system.
Diet: Omnivorous scavenger; Boat-tailed Grackles feed on invertebrates, frogs, lizards, grains, seeds, and human food scraps.
Nest: A woven cup built in cattails or marsh grasses. Constructed as a woven cup with mud and lined with fine materials. Often breeds in colonies.
Breeding: Season: March-July | Clutch: 1–5 light blue with brown scrawls eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: ~13 days | Nestling: ~13 days.
Lifespan: At least 13 years, 1 month.
How many are there? Global breeding 2 million.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Great-tailed Grackle

Identification: Male iridescent black, white eyes, massive keel-shaped tail. Female dark brown, white eyes. Juveniles have dark brown eyes. Overlaps with similar Boat-tailed Grackle (above) in coastal Louisiana, but Boat-tails are confined to salt marshes and have brown eyes, unlike the white-eyed Great-tailed Grackle found in varied habitats.
Habitat: Marshes, lakes, lagoons, agricultural fields, feedlots, suburbs.
Range: The Great-tailed Grackle is ubiquitous across the entire state of Louisiana, highly adaptable to various open habitats, including coastal marshes, agricultural lands, and urban environments.
Migration: This species is a permanent resident throughout Louisiana, exhibiting stable populations year-round with no significant migratory patterns observed.
Behavior: Highly social, loud birds. Often form large flocks. Forages in urban settings.
Diet: Grains, fruits, insects, tadpoles, frogs, fish, small mammals.
Nest: Bulky cup woven from grasses, bark, and weeds. Lined with mud and fine grasses.
Breeding: Breeding Months: mid-March-late July | Clutch: 1-5 bright blue to bluish gray, dark brown splotches eggs | Broods: 1-2 | Incubation: 13-14 days | Nestling: 20-23 days.
Lifespan: At least 7 years, 9 months.
How many are there? Global population ~30 million individuals.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Belted Kingfisher

Identification: Stocky, large-headed bird with shaggy crest, thick bill. Blue-gray above, white below with blue breast band. Females have rusty belly bands. Juveniles show rusty spotting.
Habitat: The Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) forages at streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, estuaries, and human-made pits.
Range: The Belted Kingfisher is widespread throughout the state of Louisiana, inhabiting rivers, bayous, and extensive coastal marshes and estuaries.
Migration: This species is predominantly a permanent resident across Louisiana, supplemented by additional migrants moving through or wintering in the state.
Behavior: Forages alone from a perch or by hovering, diving for prey. Territorial and solitary. Loud rattling calls.
Diet: Fish, crayfish, insects, amphibians, young birds, small mammals, berries.
Nest: Burrow in earthen bank near water, 3–6 ft deep, sloping upward to unlined chamber.
Breeding: Season: Mid-March-Late July | Clutch: 5–8 pure white eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 22–24 days | Nestling: 27–29 days.
Lifespan: Typically 6 to 10 years.
How many are there? Global breeding population ~1.8 million.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Forster’s Tern

Identification: Breeding adults are gray above, white below, with a black cap and an orange bill tipped in black. Nonbreeding adults have a thick black eye patch and a pale head. Juveniles resemble nonbreeding birds but have tan upperparts, a pale bill base, and shorter tails.
Habitat: The Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri) uses freshwater, brackish, and saltwater wetlands and bodies of water.
Range: Forster’s Tern is widespread along the extensive coastline, bays, estuaries, and barrier islands in Louisiana. It is also found in freshwater marshes and large inland lakes during migration.
Migration: This species is a common permanent resident in coastal areas of Louisiana, with populations augmented by many wintering birds and passing migrants.
Behavior: Forages mainly by plunge-diving for fish; sometimes hunts from perches. Highly social, often in flocks.
Diet: Forster’s Terns feed on small fish and insects.
Nest: A shallow scrape or rough bowl on the ground in marsh vegetation, floating mats, or atop muskrat lodges.
Breeding: Season: May-mid August | Clutch: 1–4 olive with dark spots eggs | Broods: 1 | Incubation: 23–28 days | Nestling period: 2–7 days.
Lifespan: At least 15 years, 10 months.
How many are there? ~98,000 global breeders.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Wilson’s Snipe

Identification: Pudgy bird, very long straight bill. Intricately patterned. Hatchlings tan/chestnut down, black blotches, white crown streak.
Habitat: The Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) forages in marshes, bogs, fens, wet meadows, rivers, ponds, wet pastures, muddy pond edges, and damp fields.
Range: Wilson’s Snipe is an abundant winter resident throughout Louisiana, thriving in rice fields, wet pastures, freshwater marshes, and muddy shores, especially prevalent in the southern coastal parishes.
Migration: This is a very common wintering bird in Louisiana, arriving in fall and departing in spring; no breeding populations are found here.
Behavior: Probes wet soil methodically. Swallows prey without removing bill. Elusive. Performs winnowing courtship display.
Diet: Wilson’s snipes feed on aquatic invertebrates, insect larvae, worms, snails, crustaceans. Occasionally lizards, frogs, and fish.
Nest: Shallow scrape in moist soil. Lined with coarse and finer grasses. Hidden on ground near water.
Breeding: Breeding Months: Mid-March-late August | Clutch: 2-4 olive brown splotched dark brown eggs | Incubation: 18-20 days | Nestling: Chicks leave the nest day of hatching.
Lifespan: At least 9 years, 3 months.
How many are there? Global population ~2 million individuals.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Killdeer

Identification: Brownish-tan above, white below, with two distinct black breast bands and a black-and-white patterned face. Chicks with a single black breast band.
Habitat: The Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) forage on lawns, pastures, golf courses, athletic fields, parking lots.
Range: The Killdeer is ubiquitous in open, grassy fields, pastures, agricultural areas, and coastal environments across the state of Louisiana.
Migration: This species is primarily a permanent resident throughout the state of Louisiana, with minor additions of wintering migrants.
Behavior: Forages by running and stopping to search the ground for food. Famous for the “broken-wing” distraction display to protect nests.
Diet: Killdeer feed on earthworms, grasshoppers, beetles, aquatic insect larvae, seeds, and frogs.
Nest: A shallow ground scrape, often decorated with rocks, shells, sticks, or debris.
Breeding: Season: March-October | Clutch: 4–6 buff with heavy blackish markings eggs | Broods: 1–3 | Incubation: 22–28 days | Nestlings: leave nest as soon as down is dry.
Lifespan: At least 10 years, 11 months.
How many are there? ~2.3 million global breeders.
Conservation Status: Low Concern.

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Least Bittern

Identification: Tiny heron; males are blackish above and buffy-brown below, females and juveniles are more uniformly brown. Juveniles appear scaly.
Habitat: The Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) forages in freshwater and brackish marshes with tall cattails or reeds.
Range: The Least Bittern is common in dense freshwater and brackish marshes, cypress-tupelo swamps, and reedy edges of lakes and bayous statewide, especially coastal regions in Louisiana.
Migration: The migration status is a mix of permanent residents in southern portions and summer visitors in the north of Louisiana, with coastal areas hosting wintering birds.
Behavior: Hunts by standing still perched on standing reeds. When disturbed, compresses the body, raises neck and bill, and sways with reeds for camouflage.
Diet: The Least Bittern feeds on small fish, frogs, shrimp, mice and, dragonflies.
Nest: Well-hidden platform of reeds and sticks, about 6-30 inches above water.
Breeding: Season: April–July | Clutch: 2–6 pale blue or green eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 17–20 days | Nestling: 6–15 days.
How many are there? About 310,000 globally.
Conservation Status: Low concern.

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Virginia Rail

Identification: Small, chickenlike with bill and short, upturned tail. Rusty overall with a gray face and black-and-white barred sides. Legs and bill are reddish.
Habitat: The Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) inhabits shallow freshwater wetlands as well as muddy bottoms, saltmarshes, and brackish wetlands.
Range: The Virginia Rail is widespread in fresh and brackish marshes, cypress-tupelo swamps, and wet grasslands throughout the state of Louisiana.
Migration: This species is a common winter resident across the state, with local breeding populations found in many areas of Louisiana.
Behavior: Forages by probing mud for prey. Usually solitary. Notable for jerky movements and frequent tail flicking.
Diet: Virginia Rails feeds on insects, small fish, frogs, and plant material including seeds in winter.
Nest: Woven basket of wetland vegetation, placed on floating mats at or just above the water surface.
Breeding: Clutch: 4–13 white/buff with sparse irregular brown spots eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 18–20 days | Young: Leave nest after 3–4 days.
Lifespan: Not available.
How many are there? Trends appear stable, though difficult to estimate due to secretive behavior.
Conservation Status: Low conservation concern.

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Sora

Identification: Small, chubby rail with mottled gray and brown plumage. Distinctive yellow bill, black mask and throat patch. Females are duller with less black on the face and throat; juveniles lack the mask. Short tail is often cocked upward.
Habitat: The Sora (Porzana carolina) inhabits freshwater and brackish wetlands, wet pastures, ditches, and flooded fields during migration and winter.
Range: Sora inhabits freshwater marshes, rice fields, and wet prairies across Louisiana, found year-round in some suitable habitats.
Migration: This species is primarily a common winter resident and passage migrant in Louisiana; rare localized breeding occurs, making it a mixed seasonal visitor.
Diet: Soras feed on seeds and aquatic invertebrates.
Nest: Shallow basket of cattails or sedges, built on mounds or attached to stems above shallow water.
Breeding: Season: May-August | Clutch: 6–10 cream to cinnamon with irregular brown spots eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 17–20 days | Chicks: Leave the nest within 1 day.
Lifespan: Not available.
How many are there? Stable; Considered abundant.
Conservation Status: Low conservation concern.

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Red-winged Blackbird

Identification: Adult males are glossy black with bright scarlet-and-yellow shoulder patches. Females are streaky dark brown with a paler breast and a whitish eyebrow.
Habitat: Freshwater or saltwater marshes and the like, agricultural fields, feedlots, wet roadsides, and even golf courses.
Range: The Red-winged Blackbird is ubiquitous across Louisiana, inhabiting freshwater, brackish, and saltwater marshes, wet fields, and roadsides.
Migration: This species is primarily a permanent resident throughout Louisiana, with a noticeable influx of northern migrants during the non-breeding season.
Behavior: Males sing from high perches and aggressively defend territories. Highly social, with winter roosts often numbering in the millions, mixed with other blackbirds.
Diet: Red-winged Blackbirds feed on insects in summer; seeds and grains in winter.
Nest: Females build a cup-shaped nest in marsh vegetation, shrubs, trees, or crops.
Breeding: Season: April-early August | Clutch: 2–4 pale blue-green to gray with dark markings eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 11–13 days | Nestling: 11–14 days.
Lifespan: At least 15 years, 9 months.
How many are there? ~180 million globally.
Conservation Status: Low concern.

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Yellow Rail

Identification: Small, brownish-yellow plumage. Paler yellowish face and breast with a dark cheek smudge. Juveniles are duller with fine barring on the nape, sides, and breast.
Habitat: The Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) inhabits shallow freshwater sedge marshes, wet meadows, saltgrass marshes, agricultural fields, and grassy cover.
Range: The Yellow Rail winters in wet prairies, coastal marshes, and damp agricultural fields, including rice fields, found widely across the state of Louisiana.
Migration: This species is a non-breeding seasonal visitor (winter resident) in Louisiana.
Behavior: Walks quietly picking invertebrates and seeds. Rarely flies. Runs quickly through grass like a rodent.
Diet: Feeds on aquatic invertebrates, crustaceans, as well as seeds.
Nest: Yellow Rails nest on the ground. Build a small cup (~3.4 in across) covered with a canopy.
Breeding: Season: mid-May-early September | Clutch: 4–10 creamy buff with brown speckling eggs | Chicks: leave the nest within 1 day.
Lifespan: Not available.
How many are there? Global population over 12,000 individuals.
Conservation Status: Species of concern with more than 50% decline in the past 50 years.

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Black Rail

Identification: Tiny bird with gray-black plumage speckled white, black crown, chestnut nape, and red eyes. Immatures have less white and amber to hazel eyes.
Habitat: The Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) occupies shallow wetlands, riparian zones, coastal prairies, saltmarshes, and rice fields.
Range: The Black Rail occupies extensive coastal salt, brackish, and freshwater marshes, primarily along the Gulf Coast, and some interior wet prairies in Louisiana.
Migration: This species is primarily a permanent resident in southern wetlands of Louisiana, with potential for migratory individuals from further north to winter.
Behavior: Forages by gleaning invertebrates. Males defend territories and sing.
Diet: Black Rails feed on small invertebrates, as well as seeds from bulrush and cattail.
Nest: Circular bowl of fine grasses placed on the ground at the base of tall vegetation, often with a ramp of dead plant material.
Breeding: Season: March-early September | Clutch: 4–13 creamy white with fine brown spots eggs | Broods: 1–2 | Incubation: 17–20 days | Chicks: Leave the nest within 1 day.
Lifespan: Estimated at 5–9 years.
How many are there? Eastern subspecies numbers only 355–815 breeding pairs.
Conservation Status: The eastern subspecies is listed as Threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

Foraging Strategy and Habitat use as tools to Identify Louisiana Wetland Birds

Even though many birds share wetlands, they don’t all feed in the same way. Each species uses specific strategies—diving, wading, probing mud, or hunting from the air—based on its food preferences and adaptations. For birdwatchers, knowing these foraging groups helps predict where certain species are most likely to be found in a wetland, making it easier to spot and identify them.

The table below summarizes the main foraging groups of Louisiana’s wetland birds, their preferred habitats, and representative species.

Foraging Group	General Description of Strategy	Preferred Habitat Type	Representative Species
Diving Birds	Forage by diving beneath the water’s surface to find food.	Open, deep water (lakes, rivers, coastal areas)	Grebes, cormorants, anhingas
Open Water Waders	Forage by wading in shallow water with low-density vegetation.	Shallow water with low vegetation	Herons, egrets, ibises, storks, cranes, spoonbills, avocets, stilts
Dense Vegetation Waders	Forage by wading in shallow water surrounded by dense vegetation.	Shallow water with dense vegetation	Night herons, green herons, bitterns, rails, limpkin
Dipping/Dabbling Foragers	Forage by surface dipping or “tipping” in shallow water.	Shallow water, ponds, marshes with dense vegetation	Coots, gallinules
Moist-soil Foragers	Forage in muddy or moist-soil areas along the shoreline.	Muddy areas, moist soil, shorelines	Ibises, killdeer, rails, gallinules
Aerial Piscivores/snail eaters	Use perches or flight to spot and dive for prey.	Open water, often near perches or trees	Terns, kingfishers, eagles, osprey

Where to find Wetland Birds in Louisiana

Louisiana’s wetlands provide essential habitats for birds. From vast salt marshes to dense swamps, each ecosystem supports unique species and offers outstanding birdwatching opportunities.

Major Louisiana Wetland Ecosystems

Louisiana’s vast network of bayous, swamps, marshes, and the Mississippi River Delta forms one of the richest wetland systems in North America. These habitats support millions of migratory and resident birds along the Mississippi Flyway, making the state a premier destination for wetland birding.

• Coastal Marshes: Expansive stretches ranging from saline to freshwater, vital for feeding and wintering birds. Cameron Parish coastline and Sabine National Wildlife Refuge are prime examples.
• Cypress-Tupelo Swamps: Freshwater forests dominated by towering cypress and tupelo, often draped in Spanish moss. The Atchafalaya Basin and Lake Martin showcase this habitat.
• Barrier Islands & Coastal Beaches: Fragile islands and sandy shores that provide critical nesting and stopover sites. Grand Isle and Elmer’s Island are key locations.
• Bottomland Hardwood Forests: Seasonally flooded forests along rivers and bayous that offer diverse resources. Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge highlights this ecosystem.

Photo Credits:

The photographic material used in this guide was made available on various websites. Many thanks to Andrew Morffew, Mark Mochell, Elizabeth Milson, Duzan Brinkhuizen, Dennis Church, Wendy Miller, Rick From Alabama, John Benson, Mick Thompson, Steve Guttman, Victor Espinoza, Kelly Colgan-Azar, Andy Reago, Chrissy McLaren, Garry C., Linda Fortuna, Vicky DeLoach, Paul Hurtado, Tom Murray, Tom Wilberding, Kenneth Cole-Schneider, Doug Greenberg, Brian Garrett, David White, Becky Matsubara, Dan Mooney, Hal Trachtenberg, Lloyd Davis, Denis Fournier, Gregory Heaton, hharryus, Greg Lavaty, Dona Hilkey, Joshua Mayer, Aaron Maizlish, Ashley Tubs, Richard George, Sandra Minica, Nick, Jon valentine, Steve Valasek, Mitch Walters, Kurayba and Julio Mulero.

Voices:

Most recordings were made by Paul Marvin (Xeno-canto https://xeno-canto.org/contributor/RFTXRYBVBX)

References and Sources:

• Allaboutbirds.org
• eBird. (https://ebird.org/)
• Birds of the World: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/home
• Gill, Frank B., 1994. Ornithology – 2nd Edition, W. H. Freeman and Company.
• Sibley, David, 2000, The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, Publisher.
• Species Longevity Data: United States Geological Survey (https://www.usgs.gov/)
• The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior, 2001. Chris Elphick, John Dunning, and David Sibley (eds). Alfred A. Knopf, New York.

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