T F R A A C I T L S WETLAND BIRDS

Wetland Birds to impale larger fish. as fishing lures, see in pairs Many species of water- Despite their impressive dropping them and small fowl and song birds use size, Great Blue Herons on the water sur- groups. They feed wetland habitat for breed- weigh only 5 to 6 pounds. face to entice fish. They also feed on by dipping ing, nesting and feeding. Great Blue Herons nest insects, spiders, their bill The following frequent mainly in trees and are recognized in flight by crustaceans, snails, into water, the Cedar Creek Wetland. their tucked-in neck and amphibians, rep- submerg- Geese often live near long trailing legs. tiles, and rodents. ing their Great Blue Heron water, grasses, or grains. The fishing heron head, or tipping They are particularly This stately bird with its Green Heron lunges and darts up to reach for subtle blue-gray plum- drawn to lawns for two Green Herons are com- its head, grasp- prey or vegeta- age often stands motion- tion underwater. reasons: they can digest mon but can be hard to ing or spearing less as it scans for prey. It Blue-winged Teal grass, and when they are see at first. Green Herons its fish. Occasion- they’re out in the hot sun. moves slowly, but strikes eat aquatic insects such feeding with their young, are usually at the edges ally Green Herons dive for They shed heat by flutter- like lightening to grab a as larvae, crustaceans, manicured lawns give of wetlands, in shal- deep-water prey. ing their blood-vessel-lad- fish or snake… or amphib- clams, and snails as well them a wide view of any low water, or concealed ians, reptiles, small mam- en bill pouches. as vegetation and grains. approaching predators. in vegetation. They eat American mals, insects, and other  In winter, seeds are its pri- mainly small fish and are White Pelican Blue Winged Teal mary foods. The male has birds. They grab smaller Cedar Creek Wetland Fairfield loop trail prey in their mandibles or Blue-winged Teal are the a bold white crescent on provides a spring rest- 1 his face. use their dagger-like bills ing place for migrating second most abundant duck in North America, pelicans. One of the larg- 34 CanadaGoose Burlington Avenue est North American birds, after the Mallard. They are a common summer resi- The Canada Goose, with the pelican is majestic in 1 flight. On the water they dent in Iowa that you can the white chinstrap on its black head, was nearly dip their pouched bills to 34 scoop up fish, or tip-up driven extinct in the early 1900’s. Programs like an oversized dabbling YOU ARE to reestablish the sub- duck. Sometimes, groups HERE species were so success- known to use of pelicans work together ful that the geese have earthworms, to herd fish into the shal- became a nuisance in insects, feath- lows for easy feeding. many urban and sub- ers, and Pelicans are big birds urban areas. Canada other objects that can overheat when

Trail Facts are funded by grants from The Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Club of Fairfield.