Bird watching is an amazing hobby that can help you appreciate nature and the environment around you. Many of the world’s most beautiful and diverse birds can be found living near rivers in the USA. From ducks to herons to eagles, these birds add to the natural beauty of the river environment. In this article, we will discuss the top 25 birds that are waterfowl and live near rivers in the USA.
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The Importance of Waterfowl Near Rivers
Waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, are essential to the ecosystem of rivers. These birds help control aquatic vegetation, disperse seeds, and provide a source of food for other wildlife. They also help regulate the population of insects and other small organisms living near the river.
Furthermore, waterfowl are an important part of the food chain for many predatory birds and animals, making them vital to maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The US is amongst the countries with the most rivers, so waterfowl are plenty.
The Top 25 Birds that are Waterfowl and Live Near Rivers in the USA
1. Wood Duck
The Wood Duck is one of the most beautiful ducks in the world. It can be found living near rivers in the eastern and western parts of the USA. The male has a colorful head with a metallic green and purple crest. The female is less colorful but still beautiful with a white teardrop around her eye.
2. Mallard
The Mallard is one of the most common ducks in the world. It can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. The male has a green head and neck, a white collar, and a brownish-gray body. The female is brownish-gray with a distinctive orange bill.
3. Canada Goose
The Canada Goose is a large waterfowl that can be found living near rivers in the USA. It has a distinctive black head and neck, white cheek patches, and a brownish-gray body.
4. American Wigeon
The American Wigeon is a medium-sized duck that can be found living near rivers in the western part of the USA. The male has a green patch on its forehead and a white patch on the crown of its head. The female is a mottled brown color.
5. Northern Shoveler
The Northern Shoveler is a medium-sized duck with a distinctive long, shovel-shaped bill. It can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. The male has a green head and neck, a white breast, and a rusty-orange body. The female is mottled brown.
6. Green-winged Teal
The Green-winged Teal is a small duck that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. The male has a chestnut-colored head with a green patch on its ear, a white stripe on its face, and a grayish-brown body. The female is mottled brown.
7. Ring-necked Duck
The Ring-necked Duck is a small duck that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. The male has a black head with a distinctive white ring around its neck, a gray body, and a white patch on its bill. The female is mottled brown.
8. Ruddy Duck
The Ruddy Duck is a small duck that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. The male has a bright blue bill, a chestnut body, and a white cheek patch. The female is mottled brown.
9. Canvasback
The Canvasback is a medium to large-sized duck that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. The male has a chestnut head and neck, a black breast, and a grayish body. The female is mottled brown.
10. Redhead
The Redhead is a medium to large-sized duck that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. The male has a red head and neck, a black breast, and a grayish body. The female is mottled brown.
11. Hooded Merganser
The Hooded Merganser is a small duck that can be found living near rivers in the eastern and western parts of the USA. The male has a distinctive black and white crest on its head and a rusty body. The female is brownish-gray.
12. Common Merganser
The Common Merganser is a medium to large-sized duck that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. The male has a greenish-black head, a white body, and a black back. The female is brownish-gray.
13. Pied-billed Grebe
The Pied-billed Grebe is a small waterbird that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. It has a distinctive black ring around its bill and a brownish-gray body.
14. American Coot
The American Coot is a medium-sized waterbird that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. It has a distinctive white bill and a black body.
15. Double-crested Cormorant
The Double-crested Cormorant is a medium to large-sized waterbird that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. It has a distinctive black body and a bright blue eye.
16. Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron is a large wading bird that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. It has a distinctive blue-gray body and a long, thin neck.
17. Snowy Egret
The Snowy Egret is a medium-sized wading bird that can be found living near rivers in the eastern and western parts of the USA. It has a white body and a black bill.
18. Black-crowned Night-Heron
The black-crowned Night-Heron is a medium-sized wading bird that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. It has a distinctive black crown and a gray body.
19. Belted Kingfisher
The Belted Kingfisher is a medium-sized bird that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. It has a distinctive blue-gray body and a long, pointed bill.
20. Osprey
The Osprey is a large bird of prey that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. It has a distinctive brown and white body and a hooked bill.
21. Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a large bird of prey that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. It has a distinctive white head and tail and a brown body.
22. Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon is a medium-sized bird of prey that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. It has a distinctive blue-gray body and a hooked bill.
23. American Dipper
The American Dipper is a small bird that can be found living near rivers in the western part of the USA. It has a distinctive brown body and a bobbing motion when it walks.
24. American White Pelican
The American White Pelican is a large waterbird that can be found living near rivers throughout the USA. It has a distinctive white body and a long, flat bill.
25. Western Grebe
The Western Grebe is a medium-sized waterbird that can be found living near rivers in the western part of the USA. It has a distinctive black and white body and a long, thin neck.
Conclusion
Living near rivers can provide some of the most beautiful and diverse birdwatching experiences in the world. From ducks to herons to eagles, the top 25 waterfowl birds listed above are just a few of the many amazing species you can find near rivers in the USA (also check the list of white birds with long beaks). So, grab your binoculars, pack a snack, and get ready to enjoy the beauty of nature.
FAQs
What is a waterfowl bird?
A waterfowl bird is any bird that is adapted to living in or near water, such as ducks, geese, and swans.
Why are waterfowl birds important to river ecosystems?
Waterfowl birds are important to river ecosystems because they help control aquatic vegetation, disperse seeds, and provide a source of food for other wildlife. They also help regulate the population of insects and other small organisms living near the river.
What is the best time of year to go birdwatching near rivers?
The best time of year to go birdwatching near rivers is usually during the spring and fall migration seasons.
What should I bring with me when birdwatching near rivers?
You should bring binoculars, a field guide, appropriate clothing and footwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, and plenty of water and snacks.
Can I feed the waterfowl birds near rivers?
It is generally not recommended to feed waterfowl birds near rivers as it can disrupt their natural feeding habits and lead to overpopulation and environmental damage.
