The Straits of Mackinac in Michigan is an area that is a haven for many bird species. Some of these species include American coots, Common terns, Redhead ducks, and more. During the winter, a large number of these birds gather in the waters of the straits. These birds are great for watching in the winter, especially when the weather gets colder.
American coots
In late autumn and winter, a huge flock of Redhead ducks gathered near Mackinac Bridge. Their number was estimated to be more than 25,000. These birds often gather in large flocks and are also known to form rafts. As a result, motorists are concerned. The rafts can easily be mistaken for oil slicks. It is difficult to estimate the number of these birds because they are difficult to see.
These are large, diving ducks. They are commonly found in flocks during migration and during winter. This is because they feed by diving below the surface. Some of the species are known to be opportunistic feeders, taking leftovers from other species. For instance, they will eat snails.
Redheads tend to migrate in large numbers and are popular game species. In the winter, these birds migrate to the Laguna Madre along the Gulf of Mexico coast. They can be abundant in western Oklahoma. During the fall, they can be found in large flocks on playas in Texas.
While these birds are abundant in this region, they are relatively uncommon in open water. Unlike other ducks, the American Coot does not have webbed feet, making them better suited for life on land. Fortunately, they are adept at swimming, as their legs and feet have broad lobes to help them kick through water. Moreover, they are less specialized in terms of their bills.
Besides Redheads, the Straits of Mackinac is home to other species. Blue-winged Teals are common in shallow wetlands across Michigan. Northern Pintails are found in wetlands and prefer to stay near the edges of lakes. Wood Ducks have warm brown bodies and large, black-tipped, blue-grey bills. Males have a green head and chest. Females have brown-gray or tawny-soft brown bodies and are more vocal.
Although the Northern Pintails are good swimmers, they are primarily a land dweller. Because of their long necks and extremely pointed tails, they are prone to stick to shallow areas near the edges of lakes.
Another species that can be found in the area is the Gadwall. These are similar to Mallards in terms of bill color, but they have longer necks and shorter bills. These ducks resemble Redheads in that they are large, diving ducks. When alarmed, males make a guttural “took-took” quack.
Another species that is often found in large flocks of waterfowl is the American Coot. Like many other waterbirds, the Coot is opportunistic, eating aquatic vegetation. Rather than laying eggs in nests, the Coot will take leftovers from other species and use these for food. However, they are able to build up to nine bulky floating structures to accommodate their brood.
In addition to being aggressively territorial, the Coot also has a unique way of evading brood parasitism. Their bills are designed with several tiny projections called lamellae that help them filter out food.
Common terns
The Common Tern is a species of seabird with a slender body and a black cap. The bill is red with a black tip. Its wings are long and angular. In spring and autumn, the Common Terns gather in large numbers over warmer waters. They feed on fish, squid and crustaceans.
Common Terns have a large population and can be found in many regions. Although this seabird is common, they are threatened by habitat loss and pollution. There are four subspecies. During breeding season, they nest on islands, saltmarshes and rocky cliffs.
These terns are social birds and join other terns to forage in flocks. They forage over open water in groups of 25 to 30 birds. Their main diet includes small fish, crustaceans, insects and molluscs. During the winter, they move to South America.
Common Terns are known for their graceful, buoyant flight. Their nests may be a bare scrape in the ground or a shallow nest in the sand. Once the chick hatches, it will spend 22 to 28 days feeding and seeking shelter before fluttering away.
The Common Tern is the most widespread tern in North America. It is also the only seabird whose population has increased in recent years. It has a breeding range that extends across the Atlantic, Gulf, Pacific and Arctic Oceans. During the spring and autumn, they nest in colonies on sandy or rocky beaches, islands, and saltmarshes.
While Common Tern populations have fluctuated in the past two decades, the population has remained relatively stable since the early 1980s. Researchers have identified human disturbance and predator control as key factors. Other factors include off-road vehicles and island development.
Common Terns have a unique mating ritual. Male terns defend their territory by aggressively attacking intruders. As the pair bonds, the male tern begins to offer the female food. During the process, the male tern bends his head backwards to ward off intruders.
Although Common Terns are a species of conservation concern, their breeding numbers have risen since recovery programs began. For example, in 2013, the total number of adult terns reached 275 pairs. This represents the highest count of adults since the early 1980s. Approximately 80% of the terns that nest in Vermont return to the same area for their breeding efforts.
Since 1988, biologists have worked to protect and monitor Common Terns on Lake Champlain. In addition to habitat restoration, this group has worked to limit gull disturbances on their nesting islands. They have also implemented predator control to help increase fledging success.
Common Terns have a wide range, from the Great Lakes to the Arctic. They are easy to spot as they are obvious in their summer breeding seasons. In winter, the birds spend time on the sea, where they forage for fish.
About the Straits of Mackinac
The Straits of Mackinac, Michigan are home to a vast number of birds. They are an important area for tourism and trade, as well as a large conduit for the movement of aquatic species and wildlife. If you are planning to take a boat trip in the area, you may be interested to learn about the different species that can be found.
Redheads are a type of duck that are commonly seen in the region. These large diving ducks can be easily identified by their gray backs and bright red heads. They are a species that can be found in a wide variety of areas, from western Oklahoma to the Western Texas Gulf Coast. While they are a popular game species, they are also a common sight in the Great Lakes region.
This particular species is a large diving duck that feeds by diving under the surface of the water. It is commonly found in large flocks during winter months. A large group of Redheads was recently seen at Mackinac Bridge in Michigan. Thousands of these birds were floating in the waters near the bridge.
Some of the bird species that can be found in the Straits of Mackinac include the Blue Jay, Pileated Woodpecker, Common Redpoll, and Indigo Bunting. Mackinac Island is also a popular destination for birds during migration. In addition to these species, the island is home to a diverse array of other species.
Ruddy Ducks are another popular species in the area. The population has remained steady since the early 1980s. Among the target species for these birds are Northern Shoveler, Canvasback, and Gadwall. Since these birds primarily feed on plants, they tend to be less noisy than other species of ducks.
During the autumn and winter months, large flocks of ducks gather on the shores of Mackinac. Some of the duck species in the group include Redheads, Mallards, Northern Shoveler, and Canvasback. But it can be difficult to distinguish the individual birds in this group. Many people mistake the raft of ducks for an oil slick. When the birds are flying towards the other side of the strait, it can be a challenge to identify the species.
During migration, a group of Redheads can be seen landing at the Northeast side of the bridge. Goldeneyes, a species that can often fly over the bridge, have been known to land there as well.
Other species in the group are the Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Canvasback, and Red-brested Merganser. American Wigeons are another species that can be found in the area. They are brown in color with grayer heads, a short bill, and a harsh grunt quack.
In order to gather accurate data, the Straits Area Audubon Society has set up a bird counter at Mackinac Island. The birds that are counted are submitted to a nationwide bird survey.
