American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus
Bobwhite Quail Colinus virginianus
Clapper Rail Rallus longirostris
Eastern Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Eastern Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo silvestris
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea
Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
Short-billed Marsh Wren Cistothorus platensis
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus
.
Song,
© Jim Stasz
Description
The American oystercatcher is one of two species of oystercatchers that breed in North America. Oystercatchers are large, conspicuous shorebirds (43-53 cm or 17-21 in) common to seacoasts in temperate to tropical parts of the world. The head and neck are black, and the wings and back are dark brown with distinct white patches that are visible when the bird is in flight. The breast and belly are white, the bill is bright red, and the legs and feet are a pinkish color.
Habitat and Biology
The American oystercatcher breeds along seacoasts from Baja, California, and Massachusetts southward. Wintering grounds are from North Carolina south to the West Indies and Brazil. In South Carolina, oystercatchers inhabit sandy or pebbly beaches, mudflats, and the borders of salt marshes.
Oystercatchers begin to breed in early to late April. During this time, they exhibit aggressive behavior towards neighboring pairs, often engaging in loud vocalization displays. Once the oystercatcher finds a mate, they form a long-term pair bond. Nesting in this species does not occur in large colonies as in other shorebirds. Two to four creamy white eggs with dark brown and lavender markings are laid in shallow depressions on isolated beaches. Eggs are usually laid over a 1 to 2-day period. The males generally incubate during the day, while the females incubate at night. Male investment of incubation tends to increase during the duration of incubation, lasting about 24 to 25 days. Oystercatcher young depend almost entirely on their parents for food, an uncommon characteristic among shorebird families. The females take care of brooding the chicks, giving the male time for territorial defense and provisioning the chicks. Some starvation is observed during this time due to the establishment of sibling hierarchies. During winter, oystercatchers change their solitary habits and gather in large flocks. The species' common name derives from its peculiar dietary habits. When the bird finds a gaping oyster, it inserts its long bill inside it, cutting the adductor muscle; the valves can no longer shut, and the oyster is easily obtained. American oystercatchers also feed on other bivalves, such as clams and mussels, snails, barnacles, fiddler crabs, aquatic insects, and sea worms.
Species Significance
Historically, oystercatchers were hunted for both culling and recreational purposes, causing a near extinction along the Atlantic coast. Their breeding success worldwide has been low. This reflects mortality rates during the egg stage, rather than the mortality of dependent chicks. Predators and storms are the main cause of egg loss from the nest. However, the population decrease may also be attributed to the exploitation of shellfish resources by man, coastal development, and off-road vehicles destroying natural habitats. Their numbers have recently increased due to the implementation of protection programs. Oystercatchers are now common in areas where they were absent a few years ago.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Goss-Custard, J. D. (ed.). 1996. The oystercatcher: From individuals to populations. Oxford University Press, Oxford, U.K.
Nol, E., A. J. Baker, and M. D. Cadman. 1984. Clutch initiation dates, clutch size, and egg size of the American oystercatcher in Virginia. The Auk 101:855-867.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Barred Owl Strix varia
Song, © Thayer's Birding Software
Description
The barred owl is one of 18 species in two genera of wood owls, family Strigidae. Also known as the "Hoot Owl," the barred owl is one of the most common owls in North America. It is a large (40-60 cm or 16-24 in) owl similar in appearance to the great horned owl, except for its lack of ear tufts. Its plumage is olive-brown above with off-white cross bars and spots. Brown crescent-shaped bars are distinct against the pale chest, and its belly has brown longitudinal streaks. The barred owl's face is pale with concentric circles near the margin of the facial disk. Its eyes are dark brown, almost black, and are set close together. Like many owls, the barred owl has asymmetrical ears; not only is one ear bigger than the other, they are also at different positions on the bird's head. This is an adaptation that enables owls to pinpoint the exact location of an object (i.e. prey) by the minute differences in sound that the brain receives from each ear.
Habitat and Biology
The barred owl is a resident from British Columbia east to Nova Scotia, and south to northern California and the Gulf Coast states. It occurs in thick lowland forests and swampy areas such as those in the ACE Basin. This owl hunts in open country; however, since it swoops down from a perch to capture prey, large open spaces are not required.
The barred owl's distinct call may be heard early in the spring, when breeding season begins. Nesting takes place in an unlined cavity of a hollow tree or in the abandoned nest of a crow, hawk, or squirrel. Sometimes a suitable tree cavity may be used by generations of owls over many years. Two to five white eggs are laid over 2-3 days. The female incubates one egg at a time, starting with the one that was laid first. Thus, chicks hatch in succession after an incubation period of 28 days. The female remains in nest for 3 weeks after the chicks have hatched. Parental care extends beyond 4 months, with chicks finally leaving the nest in the fall. The barred owl is nocturnal, although it may hunt in the daytime during overcast conditions. It can see extremely well, even under low light conditions, and can pinpoint the location of prey by sound alone. Upon locating suitable prey, the owl dives feet first for the kill. However, the barred owl's feet are not very large, thus l limiting the size of prey it can capture. Its diet consists of a variety of rodents, birds, frogs, fish, and crayfish.
Species Significance
Currently, the biggest threat to the species is loss of suitable nesting habitat. Because the barred owl is extremely sensitive to changes in size, age, and fragmentation of its forest surroundings, it serves as an indicator species, much like its cousin, the northern spotted owl, in the Pacific Northwest. The species is not currently endangered or threatened in South Carolina; in fact, it is common in most of North and South Carolina, except in areas of high elevation.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Hume, R. 1991. Owls of the world. Running Press, Philadelphia, PA.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
The Wilderness Society. 1998. Barred Owls prefer old forests. Wilderness and Science home page. http://www.wilderness.org/ccc/owls.htm. Accessed 30 April 1998.
Bobwhite Quail Colinus virginianus
Description
The bobwhite quail is a short-tailed, chunky brown bird. Color is sexually dimorphic with males having a white throat and a white stripe above the eye, while females have a buff-colored throat and eye stripe.
Habitat and Biology
The best quail habitats are well-drained, providing sufficient moisture for forage plants. Coveys, which are tightly knit associations of quail, occur near clumps of taller vegetation and large thickets. Quail prefer habitats that provide food, concealment, and cover for escape from predators and harsh weather.
The bobwhite quail nests on the ground, in brushy fields and under fences or hedgerows, usually within a few yards of a road or other open ground. Quail are late nesters, with egg production generally completed from June to August. The entire nesting season can involve production of multiple broods, which may be an adaptation to the large number of predators and high natural mortality experienced by bobwhite. If nest failure occurs due to fire, unfavorable weather, predators, or other factors, the birds will renest until a successful hatch occurs. Nest failures spread out the hatch dates and reduce the likelihood of mass mortality of the young, but subsequent nesting attempts generally consist of fewer numbers of eggs laid. The increased survival of late hatched birds is generally associated with plentiful stock for fall hunting. Quail form coveys from fall through winter when food is most plentiful. Coveys tend to maintain allegiance to their group unless their numbers are reduced by over-hunting or high predation rates. By early spring, coveys disband as selection of nesting sites begins.
Food has been reported to be a limiting factor to the health of the population, largely due to the selectivity of quail and the availability of food types. Their diet consists mainly of seeds, small fruits, insects, and green forage. Young birds feed heavily on insects, and animal matter also makes up a high percentage of the adult diet in warmer months. Food supply is influenced by local distribution and abundance of food plants and their seeding or fruiting characteristics.
Species Significance
Bobwhite quail are a popular species sought by sport hunters in the ACE Basin. Quail populations have been reduced in some areas due to habitat destruction. Hunters, land managers, and wildlife management organizations are working to improve habitat conditions for quail. The quail's high reproductive rate, in combination with suitable habitat conditions, will ensure that populations can be restored.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Landers, J.L. and B.S. Mueller. 1992. Bobwhite quail management: A habitat approach. Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, FL and Quail Unlimited, Edgefield, SC.
Mahan, W.E. 1992. Bobwhite quail. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, Columbia, SC.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Clapper Rail Rallus longirostris
Song, ©
Joun R. Sauer
Description
The clapper rail belongs to the family Rallidae, which also includes gallinules and coots. Rails are marsh inhabitants with laterally compressed (flattened) bodies that enable them to slip between reeds and tall grasses. The clapper rail, also known as the marsh hen, is a relatively large bird (36-41 cm or 14-16 in) with long legs, large feet, and long toes. The bird's wings are rounded and short, its flanks are barred with black and white, and it has a long bill. This species is similar in appearance to the king rail but can be differentiated by its grayish-brown coloration as opposed to the more rusty color of the king rail. Also, the king rail is more often found in freshwater marshes, although it does frequent salt marshes during the winter. Clapper rail young are uniformly black, as are the young of all rail species.
Habitat and Biology
The species extends along the east coast of North and South America from New England to Brazil, and along the Pacific coast from California to Peru. Breeding grounds in the United States extend from central California and Massachusetts southward. Clapper rails spend winter months as far north as central California on the west coast and New Jersey on the east coast. They are common in salt marshes throughout the coastal region of South Carolina.
In South Carolina, clapper rails begin nesting in mid to late March, sometimes as late as April. Nests are shallow, saucer-shaped depressions or deep bowls of dead marsh grass usually constructed a couple of feet above the water. A dome-shaped canopy made of blades of grass is typically placed over the nest in order to conceal the eggs from predators. Average clutch size ranges from 8 to 10 creamy buff eggs with purplish or brown markings. Incubation, carried out by both sexes, lasts about 14 days, and young are able to leave the nest soon after hatching. Two broods may be raised each year, and both parents care for their young during the early stages of development. Because the nest is so close to the water, it is vulnerable to flooding; however, if the eggs are lost to a high tide or predation, the birds typically lay again. Perhaps the most distinct characteristic of the clapper rail, one that is often associated with Lowcountry salt marshes, is the bird's loud clattering call . When one bird begins to vocalize, neighboring birds usually join in. Clapper rails are nocturnal and rather secretive; thus, they are rarely seen. They seldom fly and they are good swimmers despite lacking webbed feet. Their diet consists of crustaceans, such as shrimp and crabs, fish, mollusks, insects, and some plant seeds.
Species Significance
Historically, clapper rails were hunted in many areas of their range,
including South Carolina. Even though large numbers were taken, populations
remained stable. Currently, they are listed as protected game in the
South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources Hunting Regulations
.
References
[Anonymous]. Not dated. A guide to the Life in the Salt marsh poster. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division.
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Meanley, B. 1985. The marsh hen--A natural history of the clapper rail of the Atlantic coast salt marsh. Tidewater Publishers, Centerville, MD.
Oney, J. 1954. Final report, clapper rail survey and investigation study. Georgia Game and Fish Commission, Game Management Division, Atlanta, GA.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Eastern Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Description
Eastern brown pelicans are common throughout coastal South Carolina. They are one of the largest birds found on the east coast of the United States and the only pelicans in the world that are not white. The first eastern brown pelican was described in 1789 and came from Charleston Harbor. Adult males and females are similar in appearance and are easily identified by the characteristic long bill with an underlying gular (throat) pouch. The bird's head is white in front and dark brown behind, extending down the neck and back. During the breeding season, the white plumage turns a vibrant yellowish-gold color. Silver-gray feathers cover the rest of the pelican's body. Juveniles have grayish-brown feathers above and whitish plumage below. Pelicans measure approximately 120 cm (48 in) in length, with a wingspan reaching almost 200 cm (78 in). They can weigh up to 3.6 kg (8 lbs) and live up to 30 years in the wild.
Habitat and Biology
This large marine bird formerly nested along coastal areas from Mexico to North Carolina. Currently it only nests in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana. In the ACE Basin, pelicans nest on Deveaux Bank Heritage Preserve in the mouth of the North Edisto River. (See related section: Island Geomorphology.)
Eastern brown pelicans reach sexual maturity at 3 years of age and are monogamous, having only one breeding partner throughout the spring and summer breeding season. Nests are constructed on trees, such as mangroves, or in shallow depressions on the ground, on islands with sufficient high ground to avoid tidal flooding and far enough from land to escape mammalian predators such as raccoons. Pelicans nest in colonies and typically hatch 2 to 3 eggs after an incubation period of 30 days. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding their chicks. After about 9 weeks, young pelicans are ready to leave the nest; they fledge at 71 to 88 days. Although its eyes are not adapted for underwater vision, a pelican dives head first into the water in search of food. Upon surfacing, the bird tilts its bill downwards to drain out water and then up to swallow its catch. The pelican's diet consists exclusively of fish.
Species Significance
The eastern brown pelican was listed as an endangered species in 1970, when their population plummeted to less than 100. Widespread use of pesticides such as DDT caused thinning of eggshells, which subsequently broke during incubation. The United States ban on DDT in 1972 and similar pesticides spurred the pelican's recovery to much of its former range. The implementation of the Brown Pelican Recovery Plan of 1979 also contributed to the restoration of brown pelican populations. This species is no longer considered endangered and has been de-listed.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The birder's handbook: A field guide to the natural history of North American birds, including all species that regularly breed north of Mexico. Simon & Schuster, New York, NY.
National Geographic Society. 1987. Field guide to the birds of North America. Second edition. National Geographic Society, Washington, DC.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Eastern Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo silvestris
Call, © Catherine N. Ball
Description
Like other birds of the family Phasianidae, eastern wild turkeys are equipped with long, thick legs, large toes for walking and scratching, and a relatively short bill. Wild turkeys are unmistakable in their appearance. Males have dark iridescent plumage, bare heads and necks with blue and pink streaks, fan-shaped tails tipped with chestnut, and black-barred flight feathers. Male turkeys (gobblers ) also have spurs and a "beard," a tuft of thick, hair-like feathers that protrude out of the animal's breast. Female turkeys look much like their counterparts but lack the spurs, and most do not have a "beard." The eastern wild turkey is North America's largest gamebird. Adults weigh between 5.5-11 kilograms (12-25 pounds) and can reach a length of 91 cm (36 inches) for females to 122 cm (48 inches) for males. Wild turkeys differ from domestic turkeys in that they are less stocky and the head is more tinged with blue.
Habitat and Biology
Like their name implies, eastern wild turkeys occur throughout the eastern United States. They inhabit mature deciduous forests and open woodlands as far north as New England. The species has also been introduced to California and other western states. Eastern wild turkeys are found throughout South Carolina, including the ACE Basin. They occur in a variety of habitat types, preferring mixed pine/hardwood stands interspersed with fields and/or wildlife openings (clearings maintained to attract wildlife).
The habitat choice of adult turkeys results from their dependence upon plant material, primarily acorns, for food and their need to avoid predators. Turkeys are opportunistic feeders with diet varying by season. Seeds, grain, acorns, and insects constitute a large portion of the diet, although fiddler crabs and frogs are important food items in coastal areas. Mast-producing hardwoods are prime turkey habitat, but a mixture of understory plants is also important for food and cover. Through fall and winter, wild turkeys are generally found in hardwood stands where mast such as acorns and dogwood berries are available as forage. Turkeys feed heavily in late winter to accumulate reserves for the spring breeding season. In spring, turkeys seek out new leaves of grasses and sedges, with acorns and other hard mast also comprising much of the diet.
Flocks of turkey are most commonly sighted in the ACE Basin during fall and winter months. The birds roost in trees at night and begin foraging at daylight. As spring approaches and daylight hours increase, the gobblers separate from the flock to set up mating territories. Courting begins in March and usually peaks in April, with completion of courting and mating by early July. During this time, the males consume little food and mainly devote time to gathering hens and mating. Turkeys are ground nesting birds. Hens that are mated set up nests that are usually placed at the foot of a tree or by a log. On barrier islands, the sides of grass-grown banks may be used for nesting. The nest is essentially a depression in the soil, lined with leaves and grass. The number of eggs varies from 8-15 with an incubation period of 28 days. Young turkeys (poults) are precocial; that is, they require little parental care after hatching. Poults are able to fly in 12-14 days and remain with the female for up to 6-8 months.
Young turkeys feed largely on insects early in life. A high protein diet is essential for their first few months of life. Vegetation, fruits, seeds, and mushrooms are also favored foods of young turkeys. Water is a daily requirement, necessitating that poults be located within 0.4 kilometers (0.25 mi) of a water source. At 12-14 days of age, the brood and hen begin roosting in small trees. Other broods may join in to form a flock that forages along edge habitats of fields, logging roads, and regenerated areas. These summer flocks remain together into fall; however, adult gobblers travel singly or in small groups.Turkeys forage on the ground for seeds, nuts, acorns, fruits, insects, and other small invertebrates. At night they roost in trees and, during the winter, congregate in flocks that number 40-50 individuals.
Species Significance
Wild turkeys are widely hunted for both food and sport. In South Carolina, the hunting season extends from March 15 or April 1, depending on location, to May 1 in all counties. In spring 1997, the harvest totaled 13,984 turkeys, a tremendous increase from the 132 individuals taken in 1970. Such statistics reflect successful re-stocking and management practices in the state. For additional information, review the Hunting section.
Currently, the wild turkey is not an endangered species. However, the species was almost extinct throughout its range around 1900 due primarily to hunting and habitat loss. From 1951 to 1958, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources carried out a live-trapping and transplanting program in an effort to replenish turkey populations in the piedmont and mountain portions of the state. In 1975, a program to restore turkey populations in the coastal plain was initiated. A number of restoration sites were selected based on location and habitat characteristics, and each was stocked with about 5 gobblers and 10 hens. Thanks to the establishment of such re-stocking programs and habitat improvement, turkeys are now common in most areas where they were once absent. Wild turkeys now occupy all 46 counties in South Carolina, and populations are healthy.
References
Baily, R.W. and K. T. Rinell. 1967. Events in the turkey year, pp. 73-91. In: D.H. Hewitt, ed. The wild turkey and its management. The Wildlife Society, Washington, DC.
Baumann, D. Not dated. Wild turkey in South Carolina. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Columbia, SC.
Baumann, D. 1987. Bronze bird of the Southland. South Carolina Wildlife, 34(2): 6-10.
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
David, J. 1977. The grandest of game birds. In J. Culler, ed. Carolina's Hunting Heritage. South Carolina Wildlife 24(2):4-9.
Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The birder's handbook: A field guide to the natural history of North American birds, including all species that regularly breed north of Mexico. Simon & Schuster, New York, NY.
National Geographic Society. 1987. Field guide to the birds of North America. Second edition. National Geographic Society, Washington, DC.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca
Description
Green-winged teals belong to the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, swans, and geese. Similar to other duck species, green-winged teals exhibit marked sexual dimorphism; that is, males and females look different, with males typically more brightly colored. Male green-winged teals have chestnut heads with a dark green ear patch. Their sides are a pale gray color, and their breast is pinkish with a white stripe down the side. Females are mottled light to dark brown with a white underside. These small, 35 cm (14 in) long dabbling ducks are agile and quick in flight. They are similar in appearance to blue-winged teals, but the latter have pale blue shoulder patches.
Habitat and Biology
Over-wintering green-winged teals reside throughout most of the southern two thirds of the continental United States, including all of South Carolina. They prefer riparian areas such as saltwater and freshwater marshes, lakes, ponds, streams, and waterfowl impoundments in the ACE Basin.
Green-winged teals nest in well-hidden, shallow, down-lined scrapes in grassy areas. They produce one brood per year, with the female laying an average of 8-9 eggs. Male ducks leave prior to incubation, so only females incubate the eggs for a period of 21-23 days. Young can fly after 34 days and have one of the fastest growth rates of North American ducks. This species is well known for its wheeling mass flights similar to a flock of sandpipers. Teals eat aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles, seeds, and aquatic vegetation.
Species Significance
Green-winged teals are popular game birds throughout their range due to their quick flight. They are one of the fastest flying ducks. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources determines dates for the hunting season each year (available in SCDNR's Waterfowl Hunting Regulations). Green-winged teals are not threatened or endangered.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The birder's handbook: A field guide to the natural history of North American birds, including all species that regularly breed north of Mexico. Simon & Schuster, New York, NY.
National Geographic Society. 1987. Field guide to the birds of North America. Second edition. National Geographic Society, Washington, DC.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Least Tern Sterna antillarum
Song, ©
Jim Stasz
Description
The least tern is the smallest of the North American terns. During the breeding season least terns exhibit gray plumage above with black on the head and nape of the neck. The birds' foreheads are white, their tails are forked, and their bills are yellow/orange with black tips. Juveniles are dusky with brown markings on the back, and they develop the adult plumage at 1-2 years of age. Female and male least terns are not sexually dimorphic; they exhibit the same coloration. Least terns measure 23 cm (9 in) long with a 50 cm (20 in) wing span.
Habitat and Biology
The least tern's breeding range includes coastal areas in California and along the eastern seaboard from Maine to Florida, as well as the Mississippi River area. Thus, they are summer residents in coastal South Carolina, and nesting terns are found at 12 locations on the coastal islands of the ACE basin. Winters are spent on the Pacific coast of Mexico and South America. For additional information on least tern nesting, review the section on birds and the GIS data on colonial waterbirds.
Least terns begin breeding at 2 years of age. They are monogamous (one breeding partner at a time) and produce one brood per year. In South Carolina, nesting occurs around mid-May. Terns nest in colonies on beaches and sandbars with abundant shells and pebbles and sparse vegetation. Females construct unlined nests on the ground, and both adults incubate 1-3 eggs for approximately 20 days. Least terns have the habit of shaking water on their eggs, which cools them as it evaporates. In an effort to protect their nests from predators, least terns actively harass and defecate over intruders. After hatching, young terns fledge in about 20 days. Constant hovering over water allows least terns to locate the aquatic invertebrates and small fish on which they feed.
Species Significance
The least tern is currently threatened in South Carolina. Among the most important factors that have contributed to the species' decline are over-hunting for the millinery industry (plumage hunters) in the early twentieth century and abandonment of nesting sites due to human disruption. Mammalian predators such as rodents, raccoons, and cats have also taken their toll. In addition, least terns tend to construct their nests in low-lying sandbars that are sometimes flooded by very high tides.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The birder's handbook: A field guide to the natural history of North American birds, including all species that regularly breed north of Mexico. Simon & Schuster, New York, NY.
National Geographic Society. 1987. Field guide to the birds of North America. Second edition. National Geographic Society, Washington, DC.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Song, © Thayer's Birding Software
Sound, SCDNR
Description
Mourning doves are one of 310 species of doves and pigeons belonging to the family Columbridae. Only 11 species breed in North America. On the basis of appearance, there is no prescribed way of telling pigeons and doves apart; however, pigeons tend to be larger. Mourning doves have short legs and neck but a long, pointed tail edged with white. The rest of the bird's body is a grayish brown color with black spots on its wings. Males tend to be larger than females and of brighter color.
Habitat and Biology
Mourning doves are the most widely distributed birds in North America. They are found in all of the continental United States, the lower portion of the Canadian prairie provinces, Mexico, and the West Indies in habitats ranging from deserts to pine forests. In the United States, two subspecies are recognized: Zenaida macroura caroliniensis, which occurs east of the Mississippi; and Zenaida macroura marginella, found from the prairie states westward. An intermediate form of the two races exists in the zone of overlap which extends southwest of Michigan through Missouri into eastern Texas.
Mourning doves are primarily granivorous ground feeders. They prefer small seeds and consume a large variety of species. Agricultural crops, particularly cereal grains such as oats, wheat, corn, millets, and rye, are important sources of food for doves. Doves utilize different habitats for foraging and roosting during fall and winter. Flocks move between roost sites and agricultural fields on a daily basis. Once the food supply is exhausted, the flock then seeks new feeding areas, so that considerable movement takes place during winter. Winter roost sites are generally small to medium woodlots that provide protective cover.
Mourning doves are monogamous; that is, they have only one mate. After mating, the male initiates selection of the nest site. Nests of mourning doves consist of twigs and pine needles, and are built either on the ground or in bushes and tall trees. Ground-nesting is uncommon in South Carolina. Females lay two eggs, which are incubated by both parents over a period of about 2 weeks. The nesting season in the coastal portion of South Carolina often begins as early as February and can continue into October. Both adults brood the nestlings, feeding them regurgitated food and "crop milk," also known as "pigeon milk," which is a fatty substance produced in the birds' crop. The newly hatched young, called squabs, develop rapidly and leave the nest 12-14 days after hatching. A complete nesting cycle, including several days for nest building and egg laying, requires approximately 30 days. Adults may nest as often as 5-6 times during th e nesting season in the South.
At the end of the breeding season, doves gather in large flocks and migrate south for the winter. Cold months are spent in the southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies. They move back to their breeding grounds in late winter or early spring. Upon returning, birds typically go back to the same nesting area used the previous year, and sometimes even back to the old nest. Mourning doves feed primarily on plant material such as seeds, waste grain, and fruit. Doves and pigeons share an unusual characteristic: they drink without lifting their heads after each sip. That is, unlike most birds, they do not "scoop" water with their beaks.
The average life span of mourning doves is 1-1.5 years. Natural causes of mortality of mourning doves include predation by avian and mammalian predators; destruction of eggs and nestlings by squirrels, snakes, and birds; and disease. Man-related mortality factors have a considerable effect on the dove population and include destruction of habitat, pesticides and hunting.
Species Significance
This bird species offers more recreation in the way of hunting than any
other resident or migratory bird. It is the job of the federal government to
establish maximum limits for annual migratory bird hunting. Individual states
may set regulations that can be more restrictive, but not more liberal, than
federal regulations. Dove hunting season starts in most states in September and
ends in October or November. In South Carolina, the season extends from
September to January. Methods used for hunting doves differ according to area
and climactic conditions, as well as personal preferences. In South Carolina,
there is a bag limit of 12 doves per day. For further information on the rules
and regulations of hunting, review the
South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources Hunting Regulations
.
The mourning dove is a highly adaptable species whose numbers have increased in recent years due to clearing of forested areas. They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and under international conventions with Canada and Mexico. However, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act considers sport hunting a legal use of the migratory bird game resource. Federal regulations, established annually by the Secretary of the Interior, govern the hunting, selling, purchase, and possession of mourning doves in the United States. States must set their regulations within the federal framework.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Dunks, J. H., R. E. Tomlinson, H. M. Reeves, D. D. Dolton, C. E. Braun, and T. P. Zapatka. 1982. Migration, harvest, and population dynamics of mourning doves in the Central Management Unit, 1967-77. Special Scientific Report--Wildlife No. 249. United States Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC.
Fenwood, L. 1986. Eastern mourning dove. South Carolina Wildlife 33(5): 6-10.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources. 1963. The mourning dove as a game bird. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. Publication W-13. Columbus, OH.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Tomlinson, R.E., D.D. Dolton, R.R. George, and R.E. Mirarchi. 1994. Mourning dove. p. 5-28. In: T.C. Tacha and C.E. Braun (eds.). Migratory shore and upland game bird management in North America. International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Washington, DC.
Osprey Pandion haliaeetus
Song, © John R. Sauer
Description
Ospreys, locally known as fish hawks or fish eagles, are the only living representatives of the family Pandionidae and the genus Pandion. They are medium-sized birds (females being larger than males), measuring 53-61 cm (21-24 in) length with a 140-180 cm (55-70 in) wingspan. The osprey's back is brownish black, the breast is white with buff or brown speckles, and the tail is gray with dark bars. A dark stripe extends along the side of the face, through the bird's eye. The wings have characteristic dark "wrist" marks when viewed from below and are "bent" like those of a seagull. Juveniles are similar in appearance to adults, but the upper parts are more streaked and the long wing feathers are brownish-yellow. The adult plumage is gradually acquired through a series of molts and is usually complete when the bird is 18 months old. Ospreys are specialized for living near water, where fish constitute almost their entire diet. The legs are long and equipped with long, curved talons (claws), and the undersurface of the toes is covered with short spines, or spicules, that allow the bird to hold on to slippery prey. The plumage is dense and oily and enables the osprey to dive into the water, a unique behavior among birds of prey. Other fish eaters, such as the bald eagle, snatch fish from the surface without entering the water.
Habitat and Biology
The osprey's breeding range extends from Alaska east to Newfoundland and south to Arizona and New Mexico. It also breeds along the Atlantic coast to southern Florida and the Gulf coast. Wintering grounds are north to California and South Carolina and south to Mexico and Chile. Because osprey feed on fish, they must nest in the vicinity of water. The majority of ospreys in the United States are found in marine environments, but inland nesting along rivers, lakes, and reservoirs is also important.
Ospreys select habitat that has suitable perching structures and easy access to fish. Ospreys hover before landing, so they need nesting sites where they can easily land. They have been known to nest on both man-made and natural objects such as cranes, buildings, bridges, nest platforms, telephone poles, or partially rotten trees with no tops. All of these objects allow comfortable landing. Osprey build huge nests which eventually reach "eagle size." They are abundant in the ACE Basin as a result of the expansive saltmarsh and estuarine areas.
Most ospreys found in the United States are migratory birds, with an exception of those in southern Florida. Fall migration occurs from late August to November, peaking in September. They return to breeding grounds from late March to mid-April and begin nest construction or repair (often using the same nest as in the previous year) shortly thereafter. Historically, osprey nests were found on the tops of large dead, and sometimes live trees. Due to the reduced availability of nesting sites in some areas, especially along the mid-Atlantic coast, ospreys now regularly nest on man-made structures such as channel markers. Two to four eggs, pink or buff colored and blotched with brown, are laid in April. Incubation of the eggs, performed mainly by the female, last approximately 38 days. Young fledge at 44 -59 days and may continue to rely on parental care for another 6 weeks. Ospreys reach sexual maturity at 3 years of age. Their diet consists almost exclusively of live fish, although dead ones may be taken occasionally.
Species Significance
The osprey is not listed as threatened or endangered; however it is listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a species of "Special Emphasis." Populations of ospreys, along with those of other birds of prey, declined severely in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s due to pesticide poisoning that caused thinning of eggshells. This species is considered a biological indicator of environmental contamination, mainly of organochlorine pesticides. Ospreys are currently protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and are now abundant in many areas where they had previously disappeared.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Henny, C. J. 1986. Osprey (Pandion haliaeetus). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resource Management Manual. Technical Report EL-86-5, Section 4.3.1. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Patuxent, MD.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Description
Adult peregrine falcons, also known as "duck hawks," are a slate-gray color on top and pale white or buff below with dark spots and bars. The adult also has a dark stripe beneath the eyes, and its size is similar to that of a crow. Young falcons are brownish-slate above with heavily streaked undersides. The beaks of peregrine falcons are equipped with a distinct notch used in severing the spinal cord of prey.
Habitat and Biology
This species of raptor has a worldwide distribution. However, it is absent from polar regions and tropical rainforests. The peregrine falcon is typically found on barrier island beaches and waterfowl impoundments in South Carolina and Georgia. They are also found in big cities where pigeons are easy and abundant prey. Peregrines do not build their own nests (called eyries); instead they use other birds' nests or crevices in trees or cliffs. Two to four creamy white eggs with reddish brown spots are laid and are incubated by both parents for about 30 days in the summer months. Young falcons are cared for by their parents and are ready to leave the nest in 35-45 days.
In South Carolina, peregrines are seen during the winter season or during their migration. There is no nesting along the coastal plains of South Carolina. A pair of falcons was observed nesting at Caesar's Head in Greenville County in 1933. Since then, no other falcons nested in the state until May of 1990. In 1990, a nesting pair was reported at Table Rock, and this area has been successfully nested ever since. Peregrine falcons feed almost exclusively on other birds, which they catch in midair. This raptor is reputedly one of the fastest animals on earth, reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour in a dive.
Species Significance
Populations of peregrine falcons declined precipitously in the 1950s and 1960s due primarily to pesticide use. Pesticide residues, which remain in the environment for many years, can accumulate in the tissues of small animals, such as birds and mammals, at low enough levels as not to harm the animal. However, when predators consume enough contaminated prey items, pesticides can reach harmful levels. This process is called biomagnification or bioconcentration. In the case of the peregrine falcon, DDT and related pesticides were responsible for the production of very thin eggshells that broke during incubation. The use of DDT was banned in North America, and other pesticides are closely regulated. However, countries in other areas of the world where falcons winter do not have restrictions for pesticide use.
Thanks to the implementation of captive breeding programs, populations of peregrine falcons are making a comeback. The peregrine falcon was listed as endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act of 1973. Currently it is endangered upon Similarity of Appearance because of its close resemblance to the Arctic peregrine falcon. The population is presently in good enough condition that it is being considered for de-listing as an endangered species.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea
Song, © Thayer's Birding Software
Description
The prothonotary warbler takes its name from "protonatary," an official of the Catholic church who wears a bright yellow hood. As its name implies, this beautiful bird is very brightly colored. The male prothonotary has a lemon yellow body with an olive back and bluish or slate gray wings. Its tail is black with white areas, and its bill is also black. As in many species of birds, females resemble their counterparts but their colors are duller. Female prothonotary warblers also differ from male warblers in that the top of the head and the back of the neck are olive green.
Habitat and Biology
This species breeds in southeastern states north to Minnesota, Michigan, and New York and spends its winters in the tropics. Prothonotary warblers are characteristic birds of southern swamplands. They build their nests in tree cavities that are in close proximity to water.
Most warbler species construct their nests in dense bushes. However, the prothonotary warbler is only one of two species of wood warblers that uses tree cavities for nesting (the other one being Lucy's warbler, Vermivora luciae). Nesting season extends from late April to early May. Nests are placed within natural cavities of stubs, trees, or wooden structures. Clutches usually contain 4-7 eggs, one or two broods are raised, and incubation requires 10-14 days. Southward migration from South Carolina occurs about mid-July.
References
Blem, C. R., and L. B. Blem. 1992. Prothonotary warblers nesting in nest boxes: clutch size and timing in Virginia. The Raven 63(1): 15-20.
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Red Knot Calidris canutus
Description
The red knot, a member of the family Scolopacidae, is a short legged, robin-sized shorebird. Scolopacids include familiar coastal birds such as sandpipers, the smallest of which also belong to the genus Calidris. During the breeding season, red knots exhibit black, brown and chestnut colored plumage above and a pinkish-cinnamon breast and face. In winter, the plumage changes to pale gray above and white below. Its legs are a greenish color, and the bill is slightly tapered and black. Red knots are not sexually dimorphic; both males and females look the same.
Habitat and Biology
Red knots winter in the coastal United States from Cape Cod to Mexico and South America and spend the summer on islands in the High Arctic. They over-winter all along the South Carolina coast, primarily on sandy beaches and mud flats.
Red knots raise only one brood per year. Nests are constructed near water on shallow depressions lined with leaves and lichens. Both adults incubate 3-4 olive-buff eggs for about 3 weeks. Young red knots fledge 18-20 days after hatching. This species feeds on mollusks, marine worms, and horseshoe crab eggs. During migration, knots gather in huge flocks, stopping along coastal areas to recharge their energy reserves for their flight to wintering grounds in Central and South America. Near Delaware Bay, their migration stopover coincides with the horseshoe crab's annual spawning. The abundance of horseshoe crab eggs provides ample protein for the migrating knots. In recent times, however, habitat alteration and human activities have threatened populations of horseshoe crabs thus indirectly putting migrating birds such as the ret knot, at risk.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The birder's handbook: A field guide to the natural history of North American birds, including all species that regularly breed north of Mexico. Simon & Schuster, New York, NY.
National Geographic Society. 1987. Field guide to the birds of North America. Second edition. National Geographic Society, Washington, DC.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis
Sound, SCDNR
Song, © Guy McGrane
Description
The red-cockaded woodpecker is a member of the family Picidae. Similar to other members of the woodpecker family, this small bird has a chisel-like beak used for drilling holes and strong claws that enable it to move along the side of a tree. Male and female red-cockaded woodpeckers look alike, with the exception of the characteristic feature for which they are named: males have a red cockade, a streak of red feathers behind the eye. However, this feature is small and difficult to see. Both males and females have black heads with white cheek patches, and their backs are barred with black and white. Their underside is white, and they have black spots on their flanks.
Habitat and Biology
The range of the red-cockaded woodpecker extends from southeastern Oklahoma and Maryland to the Gulf coast and central Florida. It is a permanent resident of mature pine forests, with an age of 60 years or greater, that lack a hardwood understory, such as those maintained by sporadic wildfires. Many of the woodpeckers in South Carolina reside in Francis Marion National Forest; others inhabit the Sea Islands and coastal regions of South Carolina. Historically, the red-cockaded woodpecker may have lived in the are that has become the ACE Basin. However, the species has not been documented in the ACE.
Red-cockaded woodpeckers are the only woodpeckers to dig a nest cavity in a living tree. Suitable trees for cavity building typically have been infected with red heart disease, a fungal infection that causes the core of the tree to rot, which eases digging for the woodpeckers. Cavity building may last an entire year or more. The birds then proceed to dig smaller holes around the nest cavity. Tree sap oozes out of the holes and presumably serves as a deterrent for potential predators such as raccoons and rat snakes.
Red-cockaded woodpeckers live in family groups, called clans, of four to six individuals: the male and female and several helper birds, usually the male offspring. Helpers assist in incubating eggs, feeding the young, and digging tree cavities. Each member of the clan has its own roost cavity. Two to four white eggs are laid in spring, from late April to mid-May. Young hatch in 10-12 days and spend a little over 3 weeks in the nest. These woodpeckers feed on larvae of wood-boring insects, grubs, beetles, spiders, and other arthropods, Adults occasionally eat berries of wax myrtle, blueberry, poison ivy, and sweet bay.
Species Significance
The red-cockaded woodpecker was listed as an endangered species throughout its range in 1970 and continues to be considered endangered in most states where it occurs, including South Carolina. The primary factor leading to its decline is habitat loss. Because red-cockaded woodpeckers are so specialized with respect to habitat requirements, they are extremely vulnerable to land-use changes. Current forestry practices do not usually allow pine trees to attain the age necessary for woodpecker habitat. Management practices should include the use of controlled fires in order to provide suitable habitat by destroying the hardwoods but not the pines. Currently, there are no colonies documented in the ACE Basin. (See related section: the Endangered Species.)
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The birder's handbook: A field guide to the natural history of North American birds, including all species that regularly breed north of Mexico. Simon & Schuster, New York, NY.
Murphy, S. H. and G. Barnette (eds.). South Carolina's endangered species portfolio. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Diversity Section, Columbia, SC.
National Geographic Society. 1987. Field guide to the birds of North America. Second edition. National Geographic Society, Washington, DC.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Song, © Thayer's Birding Software
Description
Red-tailed hawks are the most common members of the genus Buteo in North America. The name Buteo means "buzzard," a term that correctly refers to some Old World hawks but is commonly misused to refer to vultures. Locally, red-tailed hawks are also known as hen hawks or rabbit hawks. They are medium sized birds, reaching 46-64 cm (18-25 in) in length with a wingspan of 1.2 m (4 ft). Their plumage is dark brown above and white below. The belly is streaked with brown, and the tail is "solid' rust color (with a black subterminal band). There are two variations in coloration in the red-tailed hawk, the light phase and the dark phase. An individual hawk will retain the coloration that it is born with throughout its life.
Juvenile hawks resemble the adult except in tail plumage. The juvenile tail is usually tan colored with thin black stripes, while the adult has the rust-colored tail with a black subterminal band. Red-tailed hawks are stockier and have broader, more rounded wings than both the red-shouldered and broad-winged hawks. Also, both the red-shouldered and broad-winged hawks lack the white chest feathers of the red-tailed hawk. Albinism has been reported to occur more frequently in this species than in any other bird of prey.
Habitat and Biology
Red-tailed hawks inhabit deciduous forests and open country throughout the United States and Canada. The species breeds from northern Manitoba and southeastern Quebec to eastern Texas and northern Florida. Wintering grounds are from South Dakota and southern Maine to southern Texas and Florida. In South Carolina, where they are common residents during winter, red-tailed hawks are usually spotted soaring or perching near telephone poles or fence posts where they can scan open areas for prey. Golf courses and highways are also favorite hunting grounds for these raptors.
In South Carolina, red-tailed hawks nest in late February and March. They do not begin breeding until their third year. Nests are constructed on large pines or rock ledges, 9-12 meters (30-40 feet) above ground in grasslands or marsh shrub habitats. The nest is concealed by building it in the "crotch" of two main branches and is rather bulky, made of sticks and twigs with fresh green vegetation lining the interior.
Clutch size in this species is two to three white eggs spotted with brown. Incubation lasts approximately 28 days, and hatchlings emerge in March. Hatchlings are immobile, have downy plumage, and are hatched with their eyes open. They continue to need parental care for approximately 6-7 weeks. After this time they are ready to fly, yet continue to fly and hunt with their parents until they are ready to be on their own. Adult plumage is obtained at 2-3 years of age, and sexual maturity is probably reached before this time.
Like other hawks of the genus Buteo, red-tailed hawks are commonly seen soaring over open country in search of prey. Their diet consists mainly of mice, rats, and rabbits; consequently, red-tailed hawks are extremely effective at controlling rodent populations. Red-tails also eat birds, squirrels and some insects.
Species Significance
The Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count data for the 1970s and 1980s suggest an increase of about 33% for wintering populations of the red-tailed hawk in the United States and Canada. These raptors are abundant in South Carolina; however, they are often hit by cars, possibly due to the abundance of litter that collects on roadsides, attracting rodents, the prey of red-tail hawks.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
Song, © John R. Sauer
Description
Blackbirds belong to the family Icterinae, whose members live exclusively on the American continent. Of the 95 species included in this family, 23 breed in North America. Red-winged blackbirds are one of the more conspicuous and vocal birds in coastal areas. Males are easily identified by glossy black plumage and a bright red shoulder patch with a yellow stripe. Females are less ornate, with dark brown plumage and a pink-reddish tinge on the chin and neck. Young are similar in appearance to females with heavy, dusky brown streaks. Red-winged blackbirds are small birds, measuring approximately 23 cm (9 in) in length.
Habitat and Biology
Red-winged blackbirds reside year-round in most of the continental United States except for the far northern areas. They prefer riparian habitats such as fresh and saltwater marshes and open fields, both of which are common in South Carolina coastal areas.
Pairs of red-winged blackbirds typically raise two to three broods during the breeding season, which extends from April to June in South Carolina. Females construct a saucer-shaped nest from grass, rushes, and sedges. Nests are usually located in shrubby bushes near water. Two to six eggs, pale-blue and scrawled with dark brown or purple, are incubated by the female for 10-12 days. Young blackbirds fledge 11-14 days after hatching. After the breeding season, males and females gather in separate flocks reported to number in the millions; hence their genus, Agelaius, meaning "gregarious." Red-winged blackbirds favor seeds, grasses, and insects as their diet.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The birder's handbook: A field guide to the natural history of North American birds, including all species that regularly breed north of Mexico. Simon & Schuster, New York, NY.
National Geographic Society. 1987. Field guide to the birds of North America. Second edition. National Geographic Society, Washington, DC.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Short-billed Marsh Wren Cistothorus platensis
Song, ©
John R. Sauer
Description
The short-billed marsh wren, also known as the sedge wren, belongs to the family Troglodytidae. It is one of nine species of wrens found in North America. Wrens are generally small birds with short, upturned tails varying in color from brown to gray to buff. The short-billed marsh wren is small (10-11 cm or about 4 in) with fine streaks on top of the head and back and a pale eyebrow stripe. The bird's back is light brown, and its underside, chest, and sides are a cinnamon color.
Habitat and Biology
Short-billed marsh wrens breed from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and New Brunswick to Kansas, Missouri, and Delaware. Winter ranges extend from southern Illinois and Virginia, and south to southeastern Mexico and southern Florida. In South Carolina, it is a fairly common winter resident over most of the state, although it is more numerous along brackish and freshwater marshes in coastal areas.
Like its relatives, the short-billed marsh wren has secretive habits and is therefore difficult to spot among the tall grasses where it lives. It also shares with other wrens the characteristic behavior of constructing several "dummy nests" or "false nests." Such nests are built during the breeding season but are used for roosting rather than breeding. Nests are a round-shaped mass of marsh grass lined with feathers woven into the upper portion of a thick stand of grass or sedge. Short-billed marsh wrens breed polygynously (one male mates with more than one female), although not all the time, and males sing prolifically throughout the breeding season. In South Carolina, eggs are usually laid in early June, sometimes as early as the end of April and as late as the beginning of August. Clutch size is five to seven white eggs that incubate for an average of 14 days, with the young fledging approximately 14 days after hatching. This species' diet consists almost exclusively of insects and spiders.
Species Significance
The short-billed marsh wren is not currently threatened or endangered and is a fairly common winter resident of the ACE Basin.
References
[Anonymous]. Not dated. A guide to the Life in the Salt marsh poster. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division.
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Crawford, R. D. 1977. Polygynous breeding of short billed marsh wrens. The Auk 94: 359-362.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Southern Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Song, SCDNR
Description
Bald eagles are magnificent birds of prey. The bald eagle's common name comes from "balde," an Old English word meaning "white." Its scientific name, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, means "white-headed sea eagle." Actually, it is the only representative of the group of eagles known as sea eagles in the New World. Except for the rare golden eagle, the bald eagle is the largest raptor in South Carolina, with a wingspan of 180 -230 cm (70-90 in). Adult bald eagles have dark brown plumage except for the head, neck, and tail, which are white. The birds' bill, feet, and eyes are yellow. Young eagles have dark to light brown plumage; their eyes and bill are also dark. The characteristic white plumage does not begin to develop until eaglets are 3 years old, and may not be complete until 5-6 years of age.
Habitat and Biology
Bald eagles build their nests in tall trees along coasts or on the banks of rivers and lakes. Suitable nest sites are chosen based on proximity to water, vantage point, and height of the tree. In South Carolina, eagle nests are often found in tall, live pines with a higher canopy than surrounding trees. Usually, nesting sites are close (within 1 mile) to large bodies of water such as impounded marshes. Each year during the breeding season, new branches are added to the original nest. Over time, bald eagle nests can measure 3 meters (10 feet) across and weigh more than 1 ton. Nesting in South Carolina occurs along the major river drainages of the Lower Coastal Plain. The ACE Basin constitutes the most important nesting area in the state, with 40% of nesting eagles living within its boundaries. In summer 1997, nesting bald eagles numbered 114 in 27 counties in South Carolina. This is a considerable increase from an initial 13 pairs in five counties when the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources began a monitoring program for this species 20 years ago.
Bald eagles mate for life. In South Carolina, eggs are laid in late December to early January. Male and female bald eagles take turns incubating the eggs that are laid in clutches of one to three. Eaglets hatch after approximately 35 days. In the spring and summer, juveniles and adults migrate north. Eagles banded in South Carolina have been reported to migrate as far north as Canada. However, the Chesapeake Bay area appears to be a favored location for South Carolina eagles during the non-nesting season. Bald eagles feed mainly on fish, which are snatched out of the water with the eagles' talons or stolen from ospreys. However, during winter eagles also feed on coots, injured ducks and, occasionally, rabbits and other small mammals. Carrion, usually dead fish, is a regular part of their diet.
Species Significance
In the past, eagles have been protected under the Eagle Protection Act of 1940, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, and the Lacey Act. However, loss of habitat, indiscriminate shooting, and pollutants such as pesticides were primary factors contributing to the eagle's reduced numbers. Between 1947 and 1972, eagle populations throughout the country plummeted. Scientists determined that harmful chemicals, such as the pesticide DDT, were accumulating in the food chain and affecting top level predators. Birds that fed on fish contaminated with DDT residue laid eggs with very thin shells that broke easily before the eaglets could hatch. Since then, use of certain pesticides has been banned in the United States, and bald eagle populations are slowly recovering; their status changed from endangered to threatened in July of 1995.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Heritage Trust Data Base. 1997. Heritage Trust Program, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Columbia, SC.Murphy, T.M., Jr. and J.W. Coker. 1978. The status of the bald eagle in South Carolina. p. 89-93. In: R.O. Odom and L. Landers (eds.). Proceedings of the rare and endangered wildlife symposium, 3-4 Aug. 1978, Athens, GA. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Game Division, Technical Bulletin WL 4. Atlanta, GA.
Murphy, S. H. and G. Barnette (eds.). South Carolina's endangered species portfolio. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Diversity Section, Columbia, SC.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
The Wilderness Society. 1998. Wilderness and Science home page. http://www.wilderness.org/ccc/owls.htm. (30 April 1998).
Wood Duck Aix sponsa
Call, recorder unknown
Description
The wood duck's species name, sponsa, meaning "bride," refers to this bird's handsome appearance. Males have a dark green, purple, and blue-crested head with white face stripes and chin. The bill is reddish orange, the neck is white, and the chest is a deep chestnut color. The bird's flanks are barred with black and white, and its belly is white. Female wood ducks have less ornate plumage than their partners. They are mostly gray with a distinct white eye ring. Juveniles resemble females but are spotted below. Another distinctive characteristic of wood ducks is their habit of perching on snags or stumps near water. Wood ducks may measure 47 cm (18 in) from head to tail.
Habitat and Biology
The wood duck's breeding range extends over much of the continental United States and southern Canada. During the winter, the birds move south out of Canada into the lower 48 states. They are year-round residents of South Carolina, preferring to live in wooded swamps, bottomlands, marshes, and ponds.
The wood duck occurs year-round in South Carolina and is the only migratory duck species that breeds abundantly in all geographic regions of the state. In South Carolina, the mating season for this species typically begins in March with the search for a nesting site. Wood ducks are prevalent in the rivers and swamps of the ACE Basin, where the female constructs a nest of chips lined with down inside a tall tree or in man-made nesting boxes fitted with dome-shaped predator guards. The female lays eggs over a period of 12 days with hatching occurring after 28-30 days of incubation. Wood ducks typically raise one brood per year, but may have two in southern extremes of their range. Six to 15 whitish eggs are laid and incubated for 28-37 days. Young ducks leave the nest 56-70 days after hatching, jumping from the tree cavity or nest box to the ground or water below, where they forage on insects and invertebrates. They are protected by the hen for 8-10 weeks until they are able to fly. Ducklings are subject to predation by snapping turtles, alligators, bull frogs, snakes, and wading birds. Mortality may be as high as 50% from a clutch. The female may re-nest, with as many as three clutches initiated in an effort to have one successful brood (Beach 1989). Wood ducks feed upon seeds, berries, grains, aquatic invertebrates, and insects.
Species Significance
Sportsmen hunt these ornate and showy woodland ducks during the waterfowl season in autumn/winter. Hunting season is set by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources each year by mid-August. The wood duck is a common resident in the ACE Basin.
References
Beach, V. 1989. Carolina's duck. SC Wildlife, 36(6): 27-35.
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The birder's handbook: A field guide to the natural history of North American birds, including all species that regularly breed north of Mexico. Simon & Schuster, New York, NY.
National Geographic Society. 1987. Field guide to the birds of North America. Second edition. National Geographic Society, Washington, DC.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.
Wood Stork Mycteria americana
Description
Wood storks are some of the largest wading birds inhabiting South Carolina. They stand over 1 meter tall, and their wingspan is over 150 cm (60 in). The bird's body is white with black flight feathers (on the edges of the wings) and tail. Its head and neck are bare and of a dark gray color, a fact that has earned the wood stork the name "flinthead." Adults have a dark gray beak that is long and slightly curved. Young storks have dull yellow beaks. Unlike other wading birds such as herons, storks extend their necks during flight. Their reputation as magnificent fliers is well established. Wood storks are not very vocal birds, except when they are around their nest; adults make low croaking sounds, and young make rattling noises with their beaks.
Habitat and Biology
Wood storks are distributed from South Carolina to southern South America. In the United States, wood storks concentrate on coastal areas of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. They are the only species of stork that resides in the United States. After the breeding season, wood storks can be found throughout the Southeastern Coastal Plain. They have been reported as far west as California and as far north as Massachusetts. In South Carolina, wood storks nest in four counties, including Colleton County. Three nesting colonies are found within the boundaries of the ACE Basin study area. Nests are typically located on trees surrounded by water, such as in cypress swamps, shallow creeks, and impoundments. An average of three eggs is laid, and the parents take turns incubating them for about 30 days. Hatchlings then remain in the nest for approximately 55 days. As of the summer of 1997, the nesting population of wood storks in the state was over 950 pairs. Wood storks form nesting colonies that may contain up to 10,000 nests. In South Carolina, the seven nesting colonies in existence contain an average of 102 nests. In the mid to late 1990s, five of these colonies were in the ACE Basin. These large wading birds are commonly seen walking slowly through the marshes in search of food. They dip their open beaks in shallow water and "feel around" for small fish or crustaceans. The daily food intake of an adult is about 1 pound of fish. When several birds feed in a pool, they typically shuffle their feet to stir fish out of their hiding places so they can be picked up by the other birds. Additional information on wood stork nesting can be found in the Bird section and in the GIS data portion of this product.
Species Significance
In the 1930s, wood storks were commonly found in all coastal areas from South Carolina to Texas. However, wood stork populations have declined drastically in recent times, primarily because of habitat alteration. The availability of suitable feeding areas has been reduced due to draining of wetlands, flood control practices, land development, and lumbering. In South Carolina, they were listed as endangered under the Nongame and Endangered Species Act of 1974. In 1984, wood storks were placed on the U. S. Endangered Species List.
References
Bull, J. L. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Eastern Region. The Audubon Society field guide series. Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, NY.
Dodd, M. G. and T. M. Murphy. 1997. The status and distribution of wading birds in South Carolina, 1988-1996. The Chat 61(3): 129-181.
Murphy, S. H. and G. Barnette (eds.). not dated. South Carolina's endangered species portfolio. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Diversity Section, Columbia, SC.
Sprunt, A., Jr. and E. B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina bird life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC.