Unit IX: Water Birds in Kansas Information

American Coot

Family: Rallidae, the Rails, Gallinules and Coots. Family: Rallidae, the Rails, Gallinules and Coots. Found in every county in Kansas. Found in every county in Kansas. Most common from late February through November, but has been seen all year. Most common from late February through November, but has been seen all year. Found in marshes, ponds, rivers and lakes. Found in marshes, ponds, rivers and lakes. Not nearly as shy as the other rails. Not nearly as shy as the other rails. Also called “mudhen”. Also called “mudhen”. Eats mostly plants, but sometimes insects and molluscs. Eats mostly plants, but sometimes insects and molluscs.

Canada Goose

Canada Geese

Canada Goose Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Several subspecies, characterized by different sizes and coloration. Several subspecies, characterized by different sizes and coloration. Found across Kansas, breeds locally, main migrations occur in fall with groups staying until the water freezes, then they move south and return again when water thaws. Then main groups return north in the spring. Found across Kansas, breeds locally, main migrations occur in fall with groups staying until the water freezes, then they move south and return again when water thaws. Then main groups return north in the spring. Usually pair for life. Usually pair for life. Eats primarily natural grasses or cultivated cereals such as wheat, often at some distance from their resting areas. Also eat aquatic plants by dipping in shallow water. Eats primarily natural grasses or cultivated cereals such as wheat, often at some distance from their resting areas. Also eat aquatic plants by dipping in shallow water.

Greater White-fronted Goose

Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Seen on ground, they look like small, dark geese, up close you can see the pink bill, white face and speckled belly. Seen on ground, they look like small, dark geese, up close you can see the pink bill, white face and speckled belly. Peak migrations in mid-November and late February. Peak migrations in mid-November and late February. Graze on grasses, millet, wheat, waste grain, submerged roots. Graze on grasses, millet, wheat, waste grain, submerged roots.

Bufflehead

Bufflehead Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Main migration in mid-November, and again in late March-early April. Main migration in mid-November, and again in late March-early April. Some will stay around in winter until water freezes. Some will stay around in winter until water freezes. Looks like it has a very large head, and is easily identified by the large white patch (females have a smaller patch on sides of head). Looks like it has a very large head, and is easily identified by the large white patch (females have a smaller patch on sides of head). Diving duck, dives for invertebrates and some fish, also eats a some aquatic vegetation. Diving duck, dives for invertebrates and some fish, also eats a some aquatic vegetation.

Gadwall

Gadwall Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Found across Kansas. Found across Kansas. Peak migration is in late March and early April, and again in late October. Some stay in winter until water freezes. Some may nest in summer, especially in western half of state. Peak migration is in late March and early April, and again in late October. Some stay in winter until water freezes. Some may nest in summer, especially in western half of state. Eats primarily pond weeds, and seeds of grasses and sedges. Eats primarily pond weeds, and seeds of grasses and sedges.

Common Goldeneye

Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Winter resident, mostly found mid-December through mid-March, as long as water is not frozen. Winter resident, mostly found mid-December through mid-March, as long as water is not frozen. Green sheen to head, gold eye, and white patch between eye and bill is distinctive. Green sheen to head, gold eye, and white patch between eye and bill is distinctive. Strong diver, eats mostly crustaceans, mollusks, insects, some fish, and also some seeds and aquatic plants. Strong diver, eats mostly crustaceans, mollusks, insects, some fish, and also some seeds and aquatic plants.

Hooded Merganser

Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. More common in eastern half than western half of state. More common in eastern half than western half of state. Found during migration in spring and fall. Found during migration in spring and fall. Prefers quiet waters with trees nearby. Prefers quiet waters with trees nearby. Mergansers have characteristically small, thin, dainty bills. Mergansers have characteristically small, thin, dainty bills. Eats fishes, frogs, crustaceans, insects obtained by diving. Eats fishes, frogs, crustaceans, insects obtained by diving.

Mallard

Mallard Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Found throughout the state, nests here and is found in winter until water freezes. Found throughout the state, nests here and is found in winter until water freezes. Our most wide-spread duck. Our most wide-spread duck. Peak migrations in late February – early March, and then again in late November. Peak migrations in late February – early March, and then again in late November. Eats mostly seeds and other plant parts, will also eat insects and other invertebrates. Eats mostly seeds and other plant parts, will also eat insects and other invertebrates.

Northern Pintail

Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Found across state, nests here and can be found in winter when water is not frozen. Found across state, nests here and can be found in winter when water is not frozen. Peak migration in early March and early November. Peak migration in early March and early November. A slim, elegant, well-known duck in Kansas. A slim, elegant, well-known duck in Kansas. Eats primarily vegetations, with some invertebrates. Eats primarily vegetations, with some invertebrates.

Ringneck Duck

Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Common spring migrant across state, uncommon in fall, and can sometimes be found in winter when water is not frozen. Common spring migrant across state, uncommon in fall, and can sometimes be found in winter when water is not frozen. Peak migration in late March, and in late October and early November. Peak migration in late March, and in late October and early November. Birds are said to choose their favorite ponds or areas in a marsh and return to them consistently. Birds are said to choose their favorite ponds or areas in a marsh and return to them consistently. Eats mostly aquatic vegetation, along with some invertebrates caught while diving. Eats mostly aquatic vegetation, along with some invertebrates caught while diving.

Redhead

Redhead Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. A common migrant statewide, can also be found occasionally in summer and winter. A common migrant statewide, can also be found occasionally in summer and winter. Peak migration in mid-March, and again from mid-October to mid-November. Peak migration in mid-March, and again from mid-October to mid-November. Eats mostly aquatic plants and algae, with some insects. Eats mostly aquatic plants and algae, with some insects.

Greater Scaup

Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Very similar to Lesser Scaup, which is much more common. Very similar to Lesser Scaup, which is much more common. A migrant and winter resident. A migrant and winter resident. In very good lighting conditions, the male Greater Scaup has a green sheen to its head, and a more smoothly rounded head than the purple head of the Lesser Scaup. In very good lighting conditions, the male Greater Scaup has a green sheen to its head, and a more smoothly rounded head than the purple head of the Lesser Scaup. 60% of diet is seeds and other parts of pondweeds, aquatic plants, sedges, and grasses. Remainder is animal food, chiefly amphipods, snails, other molluscs, and insects. 60% of diet is seeds and other parts of pondweeds, aquatic plants, sedges, and grasses. Remainder is animal food, chiefly amphipods, snails, other molluscs, and insects.

Common Merganser

Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Common across Kansas during migration. Common across Kansas during migration. Most arrive in early November, and remain as long as there is open water. When water freezes, they move south, and then return when water thaws. They depart northward in late March. Most arrive in early November, and remain as long as there is open water. When water freezes, they move south, and then return when water thaws. They depart northward in late March. Recognized by their loon-like appearance, and long, slim bill. Recognized by their loon-like appearance, and long, slim bill. Eats mostly animal food it catches while diving. Eats mostly animal food it catches while diving.

Lesser Scaup

Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Found across Kansas. Found across Kansas. Common migrant in spring and fall, occurs occasionally in summer and winter. Common migrant in spring and fall, occurs occasionally in summer and winter. Peak migration in late March and mid-December. Peak migration in late March and mid-December. In very good lighting conditions, the male has a purple sheen to its head, and has a more peaked crown than the Greater Scaup. In very good lighting conditions, the male has a purple sheen to its head, and has a more peaked crown than the Greater Scaup. 60% of diet is seeds and other parts of pondweeds, aquatic plants, sedges, and grasses. Remainder is animal food, chiefly amphipods, snails, other molluscs, and insects. 60% of diet is seeds and other parts of pondweeds, aquatic plants, sedges, and grasses. Remainder is animal food, chiefly amphipods, snails, other molluscs, and insects.

American White Pelican

Family: Pelecanidae, the Pelicans Family: Pelecanidae, the Pelicans Common bird found at Cheyenne Bottoms and on the large reservoirs. Common bird found at Cheyenne Bottoms and on the large reservoirs. Migration peaks in April, and again in late September to early October. Have been found in summer and winter. Migration peaks in April, and again in late September to early October. Have been found in summer and winter. Unmistakable because it is so large (10-17 lbs), white and has a large orange bill. Unmistakable because it is so large (10-17 lbs), white and has a large orange bill. Has a 9-foot wingspan and can soar for hours. Has a 9-foot wingspan and can soar for hours. Feeds in shallow waters on mostly fish. Feeds in shallow waters on mostly fish.

Double-crested Cormorant

Family: Phalacrocoracidae, the Cormorants Family: Phalacrocoracidae, the Cormorants Regular spring and fall transient, especially in eastern and central Kansas. Regular spring and fall transient, especially in eastern and central Kansas. Migration peaks in mid-April and early October. Migration peaks in mid-April and early October. Have been found in summer and winter. Have been found in summer and winter. Normally occur in flocks and prefer lakes or ponds with snags and dead trees. Normally occur in flocks and prefer lakes or ponds with snags and dead trees. Perch upright, often with wings extended in a “drying” posture. Perch upright, often with wings extended in a “drying” posture. Has a 9-foot wingspan and can soar for hours. Has a 9-foot wingspan and can soar for hours. Feeds almost entirely on fishes captured when they swim underwater. Feeds almost entirely on fishes captured when they swim underwater.

Pied-billed Grebe

Family: Podicipediae, the Grebes. Family: Podicipediae, the Grebes. Common throughout Kansas, has been found in all months of the year. Common throughout Kansas, has been found in all months of the year. Most migration falls in March, April and May; some remain to breed; migrates again in September, October and November; some remain through winter as long as water is open. Most migration falls in March, April and May; some remain to breed; migrates again in September, October and November; some remain through winter as long as water is open. Usually dives when disturbed, but can also “sink” out of sight. Usually dives when disturbed, but can also “sink” out of sight. Eats small fish and invertebrates, caught while diving, and also eats some plants. Eats small fish and invertebrates, caught while diving, and also eats some plants.

Ring-billed Gull

Family: Laridae, the Gulls, Terns and Skimmers. Family: Laridae, the Gulls, Terns and Skimmers. Common throughout state, especially in central Kansas. Common throughout state, especially in central Kansas. Have been reported all months of the year, but most common mid-April to mid-June and late September to late November. Have been reported all months of the year, but most common mid-April to mid-June and late September to late November. Found around lakes, rivers, marshes, sometimes garbage dumps. Found around lakes, rivers, marshes, sometimes garbage dumps. Opportunistic feeder, eats anything from garbage to insects, rodents and other small vertebrates. Opportunistic feeder, eats anything from garbage to insects, rodents and other small vertebrates.

Franklin’s Gull

Family: Laridae, the Gulls, Terns and Skimmers. Family: Laridae, the Gulls, Terns and Skimmers. Common throughout state, especially in central Kansas. Common throughout state, especially in central Kansas. Have been reported all months of the year, but most common mid-April to mid-June and late September to late November. Have been reported all months of the year, but most common mid-April to mid-June and late September to late November. A familiar sight to most Kansans, especially in spring when thousands cross our state heading north. A familiar sight to most Kansans, especially in spring when thousands cross our state heading north. Feeds primarily on insects, invertebrates, and sometimes small rodents, often found as flocks of birds follow tractors that are working fields. Also hunt in burned prairies and along marshes. Feeds primarily on insects, invertebrates, and sometimes small rodents, often found as flocks of birds follow tractors that are working fields. Also hunt in burned prairies and along marshes.

Blue-winged Teal

Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Abundant migrant across the state, nests at Cheyenne Bottoms, and is casual in winter. Abundant migrant across the state, nests at Cheyenne Bottoms, and is casual in winter. Migration peaks from early to mid-April, and then from mid-September to mid-October. Migration peaks from early to mid-April, and then from mid-September to mid-October. Breeding males are unmistakable with the white crescent on their face, and males and females both have blue patch on forewing. Breeding males are unmistakable with the white crescent on their face, and males and females both have blue patch on forewing. Eats mostly seeds of aquatic plants, sedges and grasses, but also their stems and leaves, along with mollusks, crustaceans and insects. Eats mostly seeds of aquatic plants, sedges and grasses, but also their stems and leaves, along with mollusks, crustaceans and insects.

Northern Shoveler

Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family: Anatidae, the Ducks, Geese and Swans. Common throughout Kansas, has been seen all months but rare in winter. Common throughout Kansas, has been seen all months but rare in winter. Migration peaks in mid-April and early November, some breed in the summer. Migration peaks in mid-April and early November, some breed in the summer. Eat by straining the surface of the water through their bills. Eat by straining the surface of the water through their bills. Easily recognized by large sloping head and oversized bill. Easily recognized by large sloping head and oversized bill. Eats mostly seeds and other plant parts strained from the water surface, also some invertebrates. Eats mostly seeds and other plant parts strained from the water surface, also some invertebrates.

References National Geographic Field Guide to North American Birds. National Geographic Field Guide to North American Birds. Birds in Kansas, Volumes I and II, by Max Thompson and Charles Ely. Birds in Kansas, Volumes I and II, by Max Thompson and Charles Ely.