Minnesota's Waterfowl
Dendrocygna autumnalis
Black-bellied Whistling-duck
A mid-sized duck, the whistling duck has a long, pink colored bill and mostly brown plumage. Their heads tend to be more gray in color and have a prominent white ring around their eyes. Their underwings tend to be a prominent white, which is more visible in flight than on the ground.
Dendrocygna bicolor
Fulvous Whistling-duck
Mainly reddish-brown in color with a distinct gray bill, this duck also has a prominent white tail. A white band can be seen across the rump, especially in contrast to the black tail and wings. Juveniles tend to be paler in color, and colors grow more vibrant as they molt.
Anser caerulescens
Snow Goose
These birds come in two subspecies, the "white-morph" variety which is almost entirely white in color with black wing tips, and the "black-morph" variety which is more blue-gray. Both have pink legs and bills, and black marks by their bill that creates the illusion of the bird grinning.
Anser rossii
Ross's Goose
Very similar to the white-morphed Snow Goose in coloration, with white plumage, black wingtips, and pink legs and bill. They are nearly half the size of the Snow Goose however, and lacks the "grin patches" of the other species.
Anser albifrons
Greater White-fronted Goose
A migratory bird with a white forehead, these mostly gray birds with brown splotches can be found across America. They have orange legs and a pink bill, with a salt-and-pepper pattern across their breast, earning them the nickname "Specklebelly" by many in the United States.
Branta bernicla
Brant
The Brant is a small goose with some of the smallest bill or tails of any geese species. It is almost entirely dark gray with brown accents, though head and underbelly coloration varies across subspecies. These subspecies are spread out across the world, and the one most likely to be found in Minnesota is a pale-bellied bird with darker plumage.
Branta hutchinsii
Cackling Goose
The Cackling Goose is very similar in coloration to the common Canada Goose, though is slightly smaller. They have a black head and neck, brown plumage and wings, with a white chin strap. They were originally thought of as the same species as the Canada Goose, and were believed to be a hybrid species. They are now considered as separate, though is still occasionally a subject of debate.
Branta canadensis
Canada Goose
One of the most recognizable species in America, the Canada Goose has adapted well to urban development. It's black head and neck, brown body and wing feathers, and white chin strap are similar to multiple other species, like the Cackling Goose. Due to their territorial and hostile nature, and prominence in urban parks, they are occasionally considered as a pest species.
Cygnus olor
Mute Swan
Often synonymous with the idea of swans, the Mute Swan is not native to the Americas. Its entirely white plumage, orange beak and black "mask" on its face are instantly recognizable. They are the second largest waterfowl species and one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. Juveniles are mostly brown for the first year, and grow quickly, often reaching their adult size in just 3 months.
Cygnus buccinator
Trumpeter Swan
The largest species of waterfowl, and both the heaviest and longest bird in North America. It is also the heaviest flying bird in the world. It's plumage is entirely white, with the juveniles having more grayish coloration and pink legs. These swans have an upright posture, usually swimming with a straight neck.
Cygnus columbianus
Tundra Swan
A smaller swan species, with two subspecies, the Bewick's Swan and the Whistling Swan. Both are entirely white, with black feet and a distinct black bill. They differ, however, in size, the amount of yellow in the bill, and overall bill pattern. Juveniles of both species are more gray in coloration, mostly on the head and upper body.
Aix sponsa
Wood Duck
Potentially the widest ranging raptor in the world, the Peregrine is distinct for its long, pointed wings and narrow tail. Adults tend to have blue, slated markings along the length of its body, with a white throat and underbelly. While its beak, eyes, and wings are yellow like It's flight pattern is more narrow, aiding in direct pursuit of its common prey, smaller birds.
Spatula querquedula
Garganey
Unique enough to gain their own genus, the Osprey has a very long history. It appears in the fossil record as far as 23 million years ago, with a claw discovered in Egypt. With a diet consisting almost entirely of fish, the Osprey is uniquely suited for aquatic hunting. Its white breast and glossy brown back and wings are resistant to water, letting it hunt for fish with little issue.
Spatula discors
Blue-winged Teal
Named for its famous white head, the Bald Eagle is a sea eagle which primarily hunts for fish. It is an opportunistic feeder, finding and swooping for nearly whatever it considers food. It's relatively easy to spot, in large part thanks to its protected status and American symbolism, but it's white head and dark brown body are instantly recognizable.
Spatulaa cyanoptera
Cinnamon Teal
A migratory hawk, the Harrier has the longest wing and tail relative to its body size of all American raptors. Nearly silent hunters, they tend to favor small mammals and birds, which they dive for once they spot. Most have largely dark brown plumage, but males are known for having a ghostly gray coloration, especially under their wings and bellies.
Spatula clypeata
Northern Shoveler
A rather small bird, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, or "Sharpie," is an excellent hunter in dense forests. They can often be spotted by their gray backs and wings, though chest color varies based on subspecies.
Mareca strepera
Gadwall
Often gray in coloration with blue or brown hues, the Cooper's Hawk is one of the longest lasting species of raptor in the Americas. Its distinctive head shape and darker coloration can set it apart from other local species, though the three dark bands along its tail and whitish wing tip are good identifiers. They hunt a wide variety of prey, taking advantage of whatever they can.
Mareca penelope
Eurasian Wigeon
While a nestling it can often be confused for similar species like the Cooper's Hawk, it becomes more distinct in adulthood. Its gray-brown back and rounded head shape can make it hard to distinguish from other hawks, but its banded pattern along its chest is an easy identifier. They are opportunistic predators, though they often target smaller birds.
Maerca americana
American Wigeon
Though its orange coloration it's named after is a prominent identifier, the signature "shoulders" can only be seen while it is perched. They can be spotted by their brown heads, long tails, and distinct white bars along its wings and chest. They hunt by dive bombing their prey, often going after larger rodents or birds.
Anas platyrhynchos
Mallard
With a dark brown body and paler chest, these birds are often confused with the Red-shouldered Hawk. Though they do have similarly orange-ish upper bodies and scattered white along its lower body, they lack the prominent bands or long tails found in Red-shouldered hawks. Commonly opportunistic predators, their diet tends to shift with the seasons depending on what is available.
Anaas rubripes
American Black Duck
The "light-morph" variety found more commonly in the Midwest is known for its paler coloration, with a whiter lower body and white throat patch. Apart from this paler complexion are their dark flight feathers and pale-gray upper body. These birds are known to still-hunt, where they stay perched on a high object and wait for unaware prey to wander close.
Anaas fulvigula
Mottled Duck
One of the largest and most common falcons in North America, these birds are a common choice of companion for falconers. While they have several subspecies, they can generally be identified by a white underbelly and darker band along the chest, as well as the prominent brick-red tail. Their diet generally consists of smaller mammals and rodents, but this can vary depending on the seasons.
Gavia stellata
Red-throated Loon
The largest species of falcon in the world, the Gyrfalcon is found in high altitude tundras in northern regions. General coloration is white, silver, or black; though these can vary depending on the individual. Darker coloration is more prominent in females, however. They tend to hunt mammals, with a more pursuit based hunting strategy compared to other falcons.
Gavia pacifica
Pacific Loon
Often mistaken for the Peregrine Falcon, these birds are often found in the Western United States, though can be spotted in Minnesota. They are more a warm brown coloration than the Peregrine, and lack the district yellow coloration of the eyes and beak. Their chest is also more spotted with brown dots than the Peregrine. While it is opportunistic like most other falcons, this bird often hunts small mammals or birds, which it takes back to its nest before consuming.
Gavia immer
Common Loon
A primarily grounded owl, these birds often roost in burrows, though it does not make these tunnels themselves. They are diurnal, primarily being active in the day unlike most owls, and retreat into their burrows at night. They lack the ear tufts of many other owls, and a distinct white chin patch can be seen during certain aggressive or mating behavior. They are generally a lighter brown with spotted white coloration, though this pale color may be obscured by dirt. They are still-hunters, perching and waiting until they spot prey to pursue, usually insects.
Mycteria americana
Wood Stork
Generally a brownish rust color along the main body, though the head and breast are whiter. Notably long wings, with wingtips nearly reaching the tip of the tail while folded. Spotted brown coloring along the otherwise white wings. Generally hunt medium sized mammals, though they have been known to eat birds and insects as well.
Fregata magnificens
Magnificent Frigatebird
A stark contract of black and white defines the Swallow-tailed Kite's coloration, with its signature forked tail and long wings visible both while perched and in flight. They are often found in Central America and the southern United States, though they have been brought to Minnesota. Generally they feed on reptiles and insects, though they also eat fish when available.