8/8/2019 Beach Nesting Birds Reference Guide
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eabirdsest in colonies varying in size rom a ew individuals to
several hundred pairs. Colonies are
ypically conspicuous since seabirds nest on more open beach, and
adults are very deensive
round the nest. Nests are shallow scrapes in the sand, and
eggs/nestlings are sand-colored
with dark speckling. Colonies are very sensitive to
disturbance.
ShorebirdsNon-colonial species, occasionally nesting in loose
groups. Shorebirds nest on open bea
within dune vegetation. Nests are typically shallow scrapes
lined with shell ragmen
other debris, and are d icult to nd since shorebirds rely on
concealment as a primary d
Birds/eggs are well-camoufaged and remain still when
approached.
EAST TERN. Sternula antillarum 21-23 cmate Listed- Threatened.
Smallest tern and only tern with a yellow, black-tipped bill.
Common- most likely species
seabird to be encountered. Nests April-August. Photos: (let)
adult on nest, (right) adult in breeding plumageoses cap towards
the end o the breeding season).
LACK SKIMMER. Rynchops niger 40-50 cmate Listed- Species o
Special Concern. Distinctive, boldly patterned with lower bill much
longer than upper bill.
irly common- more so on the Gul coast. Nests May-August. Photos:
(let) adult in breeding plumage, (right)dult close-up.
OYAL TERN. Thalasseus maxima 45-50 cmrge tern with orange bill.
Fairly common- however, nests in large colonies that are ew and
very localized. Nests
pril-August. Photos: (let) adult with chick, (right) adult
close-up (acquires ull black cap early in the breeding
ason).
ANDWICH TERN. Thalasseus sandvicensis 34-45 cm
edium-sized tern and only tern with a black yellow-tipped bill.
Uncommon- oten nests with Royal Terns in largelonies that are ew
and very localized. Nests April-August. Photos: Photos: (let) adult
with chick, (right) adult
ose-up (note: adults have a ull black cap early in the breeding
season).
SNOWY PLOVER. Charadrius alexandrinus 15-State listed-
Threatened. Small shorebird with thin bill and grayish legs
(compare with Wilsons Plover).
mon- ound only along Gul coast, nests on open beach. Ne sts
February-August. Photos: (let) adult on nesnest with eggs.
WILSONS PLOVER. Charadrius wilsonia 16Similar to Snowy Plover
with larger bill and pinkish legs. Common- nests within dune
vegetation. Nests
August. Photos: (let) adult close-up in non-breeding plumage,
(right) adult in non-breeding plumag
orehead and neck black in breeding plumage).
WILLET. Tringa semipalmata 33-
Large shorebird with long bill and grayish legs. Fairly common-
nests within marsh and dune vegetatioApril-August. Photos: (let)
adult close-up in breeding plumage, (right) adult in breeding
plumage.
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER. Haematopus palliatus 40-State Listed-
Species o Special Concern. Large shorebird with distinctive color
pattern and stout red bill. Fa
mon- nests in wrack line and dune vegetation. Nests
April-August. Photos: (let) adult close-up, (right) a
BEACH-NESTING BIRDSReference Guide
hoto credits: Jack Rogers (Least Tern-R, Black Skimmer- both,
Royal Tern- both, Sandwich Tern- both, American Oystercatcher-
both, Wilsons Plover- both, Willet- both); Alex Kropp (Least Tern-
L); Je Gore Lover- L); Margo Zdravkovic (Snowy Plover- R).
8/8/2019 Beach Nesting Birds Reference Guide
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BEACH-NESTING BIRDSConservation & What you can do
hoto credits: Jack Rogers (American Oystercatcher- chick); Chris
Burney (Sign, Least Tern- chick, Snowy Plover-nest, Volunteer).
1
2
3 REPORT YOUR OBSERVATIONS
WATCH OUT FOR CHICKS
MINIMIZE NEST DISTURBANCE Please respect posted areas or
beach-nesting birds and set an example or beach-goers around you.
Contact your respectiveFWC Regional Biologist i access into a
posted
area is necessary.
Many nests are not posted. When survey-ing, please pay careul
attention where youstep in order to avoid stepping on a
nest.Agitated adults are an indication a nestmay be near.
Operate vehicles as close to the wsaely possible. Nests can be
locatewhere on the upper beach, and theto-see eggs and chicks can
easily g
over.
Report acts of vandalism at psites to the Wildlife Alert
Hotli888-404-3922) and notify your re
tive FWC Regional Biologist.
Operate vehicles at a low rate o speed,slow enough or the driver
to recognize andavoid chicks in the vehicles path. Youngbirds oten
eed near the waters edge, andwill hunker down or seek shelter in
ruts ordepressions when approached.
Avoid walking or driving in or near thewrack line or areas with
dense seaweed anddebris since these areas are requently usedby
chicks as oraging habitat and shelter.
Chicks are very mobile soon ater ing and can be ound well
outside pareas. As with nests, agitated aduldive-bombing,
broken-wing displaysigniy a chick is nearby, proceed care
I you fnd a chick without an adulby, do not assume it has been
abanand try to pick it up- chicks are airlypendent.
Contribute to our expanding knowledgeo shorebirds and seabirds.
Similar to thedata collected on sea turtle nests, we are
trying to gain a better understanding owhere, when, and how well
shorebirds andseabirds are nesting in Florida. Report
yourobservations o nests and/or chicks to theollowing email:
[email protected]
When submitting an observation pleaseinclude the ollowing
inormation: 1) Date
and time; 2) Species; 3) Number o neLocation (GPS coordinates
preerredpossible, please provide a description
site with map names and distancesthe site posted?
In addition to nest/chick observaplease notiy us at the same
emaposted site needs maintenance (syencing on the ground, posts and
siging down, etc.)
We appreciate your assistance, you have any questions, contact
us at
[email protected]
FWC Regional Phone Numbers
Northwest 850-265-3676
North Central 386-758-0525
Northeast 352-732-1225
Southwest 863-648-3200
South 561-625-5122
pecies in TroubleMany o Floridas beach-nesting shorebirds and
seabirds have experienced declines as a result o habitat loss and
excessive disturbance at nests and colo
n response, FWC and a growing network o partners are working to
improve protection and management o important nesting locations
throughout Fl
nd the ollowing are ways you can help our eort.
