Types of Marsh Birds in Michigan

Marshes are flooded grasslands and can be found near lakes, such as the Great Lakes, rivers and ponds, and even in the depressions between sand dunes. The area given over to marshland has decreased in Michigan, as in other parts of the United States. This decline is due to reclamation and drainage for agricultural and development purposes. The marshes are important for fish species and provide a crucial breeding and feeding habitat for waterbirds and mammals. Marsh birds are often difficult to spot because they are adept at hiding, and the grasses provide the perfect camouflage.

  1. Marsh Wrens

    • These little birds are part of the wren family and are songbirds. They are sometimes called the long-billed marsh wren. The marsh wren has a brown and light brown belly. It has a white throat and breast. Its back is black with white stripes. The marsh wren has a black cap with a white line over the eyes. The male makes a loud gurgling sound. These birds are still fairly common in Michigan, though there has been a decline in their population.

    Moorhens

    • The moorhen is easy to recognize.

      The moorhen belongs to the coot family. The name moorhen is something of a misnomer because it actually lives in Michigan marshes rather than moorland. The moorhen is highly visible, being distinctive in appearance. It has a long white beak like a pointed cone. Moorhens produce up to three broods of young in a season. They are shy and nervous in demeanour.

    Bitterns

    • The American bittern and the least bittern can be seen in Michigan marshland. The least bittern is 11 to 14 inches in length and has a wingspan of 16 to 18 inches. The bittern has long toes, making it easy for them to skulk about quietly, walking and running out of the way. It is brown in color and has tawny feathers. It is easy to miss the bittern, because its way of moving and color make it unobtrusive. It makes a unusual sound, a little like water in a drainpipe.