About Audubon The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the- ground conservation. Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Visit Audubon online for more information and tips. www.audubon.org

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BIRDING AT THE SALTON SEA

Other waterbirds About Audubon Neither duck, nor shorebird, these are some other waterbirds you may spot at the Sea. The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, Salton Sea Double-crested throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, Cormorant education, and on-the-ground conservation. Common Birds Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, Phalacracorax auratus chapters, and partners have an unparalleled Field Guide Can be seen perching, wingspan that reaches millions of people each year flying, or diving for to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities food. Feeds mostly on in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon’s fish and other small, vision has been a world in which people and aquatic animals. wildlife thrive.

Eared Grebe Find our new Salton Sea birding map online: Podiceps nigricollis Seen mostly in open ca.audubon.org/node/26691 water, feeds by diving in search of CONTACT invertebrates. Program Director: Frank Ruiz, [email protected]

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Let’s talk … Illustrations: Ryan Llamas, [email protected]

Is the Sea artificial? Before the damming of the Colorado River, its flow CONTACTS meandered, meaning it would change course from time to time. The Cahuilla people witnessed periods of hundreds of years when the Coachella Valley would fill with water from the meandering Colorado, today known as Ancient Lake Cahuilla.

The Salton Sea as we know it today was formed due to Audubon Salton Sea Office the breaking of a canal in the early 1900s, which allowed 41550 Eclectic Street the Salton Trough to once again fill with water. So, the Sea is not exactly artificial, but it is certainly human- Palm Desert, CA managed. People have the responsibility to create and (760) 799-5140 maintain habitable, healthy environments for both wildlife and human populations living around the Sea.

The Eyes on the Sea program is supported in part by:

NextEra Energy Foundation Western Wind Foundation

COMMON BIRDS

Ducks Shorebirds & Gulls Pelican Order

Anseriformes Charadriiformes Pelecaniformes

Northern American Avocet American White Shoveler Pelican Recurvirostra americana Anas clypeata Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Feeds in shallow water Dabbling duck that by sweeping its uses its flat bill to Large, fish-eating bird upturned bill from side strain food items like is unmistakable with its to side in search of seagrass from muddy, brilliant, white plumage shallow water. insects. and massive bill. Northern Pintail Black-necked Stilt Great Blue Heron Anas acuta Himantopus mexicanus Ardea herodias Feeds mostly on seeds Can be seen year-round Large, fish-eating bird and insects in picking for food near will also feed on underwater mud. Will shallow waters, reptiles, amphibians, also forage on land. including artificial and small mammals. habitats like fields.

Great Egret Ruddy Duck Snowy Plover Ardea alba Oxyura jamaicensis Charadrus alexandrinus Large, white wader, This diving duck feeds Lives, feeds, and nests this bird will wait mostly on seeds, roots, in dry, sandy beaches patiently for prey to aquatic insects, and that match the color of come near before other invertebrates. its back feathers. striking with its sharp Observed most during bill. winter months. Black -bellied Lesser Scaup Plover White -faced Ibis Plegadis chihi Aythya affinis Pluvialis squatarola Can be found in shallow Eats mostly aquatic Larger plover, feeds in waters searching for invertebrates like shallow water by invertebrates. Striking mollusks hiding in pecking for worms and maroon body and mud. other small insects. metallic green wings.