COLONIAL WATERBIRDS OF EAST LAKE

Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuaries Program410 S. Ware Blvd., Suite 702

Tampa, FL 33619

This slide show provides pictures of many colonial wading birds and other birds commonly seen around East Lake.

COLONIAL WADINGBIRDS

Colonial waterbirds are large, with noisy young and smelly nests.

Hiding from predators is not an option, so they nest on islands free from mammalian predators.

As long as the adults are at the nests, they can defend their eggs and young from most aerial predators.

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ALLIGATORS PROTECT COLONIAL WATERBIRD COLONIES

In freshwater swamps and lakes, alligators deter raccoons and other predators from getting to a nesting colony.Alligators are part of Florida’s natural history, and balance the ecosystems.

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DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS

Double-crested Cormorants nest high in the colony, to fly into their nests, unobstructed.

Hook-billed, they hunt their fish prey by sight, swimming underwater.

Mostly eat bottom-dwelling fish and crabs.

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ANHINGAS

Anhingas, like cormorants, hunt by swimming underwater, but they use their needle-sharp bills to spear through the body of their fish prey.

Generally, Anhingas are more associated with freshwater than cormorants.

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GREAT BLUE HERONS

Great blue herons nest in every state in the continental united states. They are the largest heron and eat large prey compared to other wading birds.

Even nearly-grown great blue heron young are easily identified by the wispy head feathers. The young leave the nest about 3 months after the eggs hatch.

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GREAT EGRETS

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Great Egrets are among the most familiar birds, both coastal and inland -- large white herons with yellow beaks and black legs.

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Great Egrets were nearly hunted to extinction in the late 1800s for their “aigrettes”, spectacular breeding feathers on their shoulders, which were used to decorate ladies’ hats.

GREAT EGRET

GREAT EGRET WITH TWO CHICKS

The chicks are calling loudly to beg food from their parent.

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SNOWY EGRETS

Snowy egrets are listed as species of special concern

A small white heron with black bill and yellow feet

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LITTLE BLUE HERON

Little blue herons are blue-grey as adults, but white as immature birds, during their first year of life.

Listed as species of special concern due to reliance on freshwater wetlands for foraging sites.

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LITTLE BLUE HERON

A young Little Blue Heron molting to its adult plumage at the end of the summer, one year after hatching.

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LITTLE BLUE HERON AND TRICOLORED HERON

This photograph shows how similar the two common species of small dark herons are. Above, an adult Little Blue Heron (note the grayish body and russet head). Below, a Tricolored Heron (formerly called a Louisiana Heron) with similar dark back, russet striping and patterning on the neck, and a white abdomen.

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ADULT TRICOLORED HERON AND ITS YOUNG IN THE NEST.

Tricolored herons are listed as species of special concern, they feed in freshwater wetlands.

Tricolored heron young, waiting at the colony for their parents to return with food.

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CATTLE EGRET

Cattle Egrets show buffy colored breeding feathers in the colony.They have strong, yellow bills and heavy bodies.Cattle Egrets can be confused easily with Snowy Egrets, but note that Snowy Egrets always have dark legs and yellow feet.

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GREEN HERON

Green Herons are secretive and often seen among cattails or fishing from a dock.

The long neck is useful in surprising fish prey.

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GREEN HERON

Green Herons nest in skinny branches that hang over the water.

The young are quiet and secretive, compared to other herons.

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BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS

Black-crowned Night-Herons are generally found in freshwater areas, where they eat various prey – fish, frogs, snakes, rodents, and even other birds’ eggs or chicks.They are usually active at night (nocturnal).

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WHITE IBIS

White Ibis are among Florida’s most numerous wading birds.

Depend on freshwater wetlands for foraging.

Populations have declined in Florida by 80% since the 1940s.

Species of Special Concern.

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GLOSSY IBIS

East Lake is an important winter roost for Glossy Ibis. Similar in size to White Ibis.

Depend on freshwater wetlands for foraging.

Populations have declined in Florida by 80% since the 1940s.

Species of Special Concern.

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WOOD STORK

State and federally listed endangered due to water alterations in the Everglades and habitat loss.

Young Wood Storks have yellow beaks.

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SANDHILL CRANE

Sandhill Cranes are seen commonly in residential areas. They forage for insects in the grass, and will eat bird food. DO NOT FEED these birds – they are protected by state statute.

Cranes are large – about 3 feet tall. Young cranes are paler than the adults. State threatened due to habitat loss.

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LEAST BITTERN

Least Bitterns are on the “Watchlist” due to habitat loss. They nest secretively, mostly in dense cattail stands, weaving a nest around several cattail blades.

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LIMPKIN

Commonly seen foraging along the edge of a lake or creek in vegetation. Listed as State threatened due to habitat loss.

Limpkins are noisy during the nesting season. They are often heard calling loudly at night.

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BROWN PELICANS

Brown Pelicans are among Florida’s most charismatic species.

Listed as a Species of Special Concern.

They breed and live year-round in Florida.

Sometimes seen on inland freshwater lakes like East Lake. Winter roost

Nest in trees, shrubs, and on the ground sometimes.

About 9,000 pairs in Florida.

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Mission: To Protect the Great Colonial Waterbird Populations of Florida and the Habitats that Support Them.

Ann B. Hodgson, Ph.D., Gulf Coast Research DirectorAnn F. Paul, Tampa Bay Regional Coordinator

410 South Ware Blvd., Ste 702Tampa, FL 33619813-623-6826 Office, 813-623-4086 Fax

Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuaries Program