Water Birds You'll See at United States Lakes

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A congregation of great egrets in a marsh — Jami Tarris / Getty Images

One of the best things about summer is that it is easier to get outside. When the weather is sunny and warm, the outdoors holds so much promise. Going to a nearby lake will also cheer your mood. The water is beneficial to your overall well-being and your brain, according to various studies. If you need to decompress after a hard day at work or just need time alone, then heading to the lake or ocean is a great way to relieve your stress. Walk around or sit and watch the birds.

The lake is home to several species of birds, and though the types that you may see will vary by your location, there are plenty of gorgeous and adorable birds to watch while sitting at any lake. Water provides a source of food for these feathered creatures, which may catch fish that live in the lake or insects that gravitate by the water. In the springtime, you may also see the babies that they have and can watch them grow up throughout the summer months.

Birdwatchers can also add to their bird sightings by visiting different lakes. In Florida, you would see Laughing Gulls, Herring Gulls, and Ring-Bill Gulls. You'll also see a variety of terns, sanderlings, and willets. The lakeside in Michigan, for another example, offers sightings of the occasional (and rare) phalarope, a Dunlin, plovers, and grebes. Come to the lake at night and there's an opportunity to see or hear some of the local owls in your area.

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Common Loon

Best-known for it's rich yodeled "oo-AH-ho" call, the common loon (Gavia immer) is one of the most iconic lake birds found in the northern United States. These diving waterbirds—with their spotted black plumage and signature red eyes, which help to locate prey while submerged underwater—inhabit coastal waters and inland lakes. But most of all, the loon is an apt symbol for the so-called "Land of 10,000 Lakes" as Minnesota's official state bird.

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Great Blue Heron

You will find many different species of herons at the lakes, depending on which ones are native to your location. The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), standing up to four feet in height, is the largest of its kind in North America. People often refer to them as "cranes" and they can be seen standing silently along inland rivers or lakeshores, or flying high overhead, with their six-foot wingspan.

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Great Egret

The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a tall, stately bird whose pristine white plumage was, at one time, so coveted by fashion designers that their entire population was nearly wiped out in the United States in the late 1800s. They've since made a comeback thanks to the efforts of early conservationists and, today, this bird the symbol of the National Audubon Society.

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Duck

The most common duck you'll see at the lake is the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos); however, you could see the American wigeon (Mareca americana) or the Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), too. Mallards, in particular, favor fresh water at all seasons and they will dunk their heads under water for edible plant material, including seeds, stems, and roots.

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Grebe

There are seven types of grebes that you might see lakeside across the country. And all are quite different: The Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) is small and compact, while the Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) has an S-shaped neck and a black-and-white plumage. In almost species, these are widely distributed birds of freshwater and highly gregarious at all seasons.

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Sandpiper

Sandpipers are small birds found hopping along the pebbly shorelines of lakes, ponds, and streams. You might see any of its varieties, including the Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius), the Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria), or the Sanderling (Calidris alba); the latter is the one that is known for running up and down the beach "like a clockwork toy," to chase the receding waves. Even though these birds are in the same family, they each have distinct appearances.

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Pelican

Pelicans love the water. And the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is easy to identify with its snowy-white body, long orange beak, and tuft of white feathers on its head that resembles a mohawk. It's also one of the largest birds in North America, with a nine-foot wingspan.

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Eagle

In some areas, you may be able to witness the majestic flight of eagles by the lake. The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a symbol of America, can be seen by lakes and mountainous locations; they hunt for fish and aren't above stealing food from osprey birds.

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Swan

Swans are known for their graceful bodies and beautiful feathers. On a lake, a family of swans looks so tranquil and regal. Go to Red Rock Lakes in Montana to potentially spot a Trumpeter Swan.

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Owl

short eared owl flying over field — Scott Suriano / Getty Images

On Crockett Lake, the short-eared owl will fly around in plain sight. Other owls may not be as easily visible at the lakes you visit but come at the right time (usually at night) and bring your night vision binoculars to see if you can get a glimpse of the varieties of owls that spend time by lakes.

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Osprey

Ospreys are a large fish-hawk with an adult wingspan of five feet on average. Eagles will chase them to get them to drop their fish, then swoop in and steal the catch. The long legs and specialized feet give ospreys an advantage in catching fish for dinner.

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