Which Birds Live in Estuaries?

Estuaries embody a specific area of land where oceans and rivers meet. They consist of three zones: one closest to mainland and consisting mostly of fresh water, another consisting of fresh and salt water of relatively equal parts and a third consisting mostly of salt water. Sometimes called harbors or lagoons, estuaries provide habitat for a wide variety of birds as well as other animals.

  1. Canada Geese

    • Canada geese are migratory birds from the northern regions of North America. These birds, which include more than 10 different subspecies, have a dark beak and neck, a gray-brown body and a black face with white patches. The main habitat for these birds consists of land near small bodies of water and rivers. The Canada goose uses estuaries as its prime migration and staging route when traveling from coast to coast. During the spring and fall migrations, the population of Canada geese in estuaries increases significantly. Some species choose not to leave the estuary and do not migrate during migrating season if the food supply is abundant.

    Great Blue Heron

    • The great blue heron, the largest heron species, can grow as tall as 55 inches. It has distinctive blue feathers that distinguish it from other heron species. These wading birds make sandy and muddy areas near the mainland their habitat. The heron needs to be near or around salt water, as many sea invertebrates make up its diet. An estuary provides the ideal environment for the heron, whose long legs and toes make it easy for the bird to wade in the water. Also, its bill has evolved to allow for easy catching of fish and sea invertebrates.

    Great Egrets

    • Similar in appearance to the great blue heron, great egrets live around the sunny coastlines. Commonly called the great white heron, these birds have bright white feathers. They have a similar physical appearance to that of the great blue heron with their long legs and toes and long strong yellow bills. These migratory birds travel to warmer climates from the colder regions of the coast. The shallow waters and damp mainland of the estuary provide the ideal grounds for the great egret to mate and feed. The main diet of these birds consists of fish and invertebrates found within the shallow waters.

    Green Herons

    • Green herons belong to the family of the heron genus but unlike some of its subspecies, these birds are relatively small. They do not have the long legs and bills of the great blue heron or the great egret. Wetlands and low-lying areas such as estuaries provide the green heron with the ideal environment to feed, mate and reproduce. These birds adapt their circadian clocks to the rhythms and timing of the tides and will feed and mate according to these rhythms.