Swamps, marshes, wetlands, and other similar aquatic habitats within Florida and throughout the United States are home to a variety of wading birds such as those from the Ciconiiformes order: Spoonbills, Herons, Ibises, Storks, and Egrets to name a few. 

WORTH THE WADING
Wading birds have specially designed legs and beaks that allow them to feed and wander in shallow waters. Their legs tend to be long and slender, and while their beaks may be elongated as well, they vary in shape.

What’s on the menu? A wader’s diet ranges anywhere from small fish and aquatic insects, like water scorpions, to small amphibians and plants; the structure of their bills also dictate the type of foods consumed.  Most wading birds are migratory animals and as a result the items consumed may alter depending on season and location.

Unfortunately, wading bird populations have declined as much as 90% due to years of plume hunting and especially, drainage of wetlands and other alterations to aquatic habitats.

WOOD STORK

Roseate Spoonbill: Platalea ajaj
Think pink! Adult Roseate Spoonbills are easy to distinguish because of their spatula shaped bills, pink legs and pink feathers.  Don’t be fooled though, these birds are faking it.  Roseate Spoonbills acquire their trademark pink coloration by feeding on shrimp and other crustaceans that consume pigment producing algae. Special sensory receptors line the inside of its bill and with the slightest touch, it signals the mouth to close, trapping its prey inside.

Wood Stork: Mycteria Americana
Sometimes referred to as “Flintheads” because of their featherless, dark gray head and neck, the Wood Stork is the only one of its kind that breeds in North America. At first sight, this bird appears all white, that is, until its magnificent black flight feathers are revealed. With slightly webbed feet and long, slim legs, Wood Storks are able to move slowly and steadily in muddy waters. 

Great Blue Heron: Ardea herodias
The largest and most common heron in North America is the Great Blue Heron. Standing over 4 feet and with a wingspan averaging 6 feet, these blue-gray winged creatures are a joy to watch. Great Blue Herons prefer to feed at dawn and dusk, but have a different way of hunting for prey. Unlike Wood Storks and Spoonbills, Great Blue Herons rely more on sight than touch to capture meals.  Wading through shallow waters, herons use their sharp yellow beaks like a spear to penetrate unsuspecting fish and amphibians. Despite careful hunting, Great Blue Herons have been known to choke on large fish and other animals. The last supper!

GREAT EGRET Photo by: Franco Folini

White Ibis: Eudocimus albus
Often viewed as one of Florida’s signature animals, White Ibises are common within the Sunshine state and are easy to spot.  With white feathers (black winged tips) and matching orange-reddish beak and legs, the adult ibises are among the most social of all wading birds. The more, the merrier! White Ibises don’t mind mixing it up when it comes to nesting; they will breed in colonies that are occupied by different species of wading birds. Look up in the sky; it’s a “V” - ibises can spell! Well, may be not; but flocks of Ibises are known to fly in v-formations while in the sky.

Resources for this article have been provided by Wikipedia,US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Servce.