Birds!
Most people enjoy seeing birds while they relax near a pond or lake. They’re cute, they’re colorful, and they make us feel like we’re inside a Disney movie. But what are the most common pond birds?
You know the ones: the ones that you see in your backyard every day or the ones that fly around your neighborhood.
Well, we’re here to tell you all about them. We’ve got everything from bluejays and swans to ducks and herons!
Additionally, we’ll tell you why they choose to live there and what makes each one unique. So, take a look at our list and see if there’s anything new for you to check out!
Why Do Birds Live Near Ponds?
You’ve probably noticed that various birds love to live near ponds. But why, exactly? Apparently, there are a few reasons!
1 – Water Source
The first reason is that ponds provide a source of water for birds. After all, it’s hard to get around in the wild without something to drink!
Ponds also provide a place for birds to clean themselves and keep their feathers from getting dirty.
2 – Food
Ponds are an excellent place for birds to find food. There are often plenty of bugs and other insects near or in the water, which birds love to eat.
Plus, ponds often have some fish in them, which some birds can eat. This is particularly important during the cold season when birds have fewer opportunities to find food on land.
3 – Shelter From Predators
Another reason why birds live near ponds is that trees provide shelter for birds during storms and other harsh weather conditions.
In addition, they also offer a hiding spot from possible predators. Finally, birds can also take advantage of the branches in these trees as places to rest after a long day of flying around.
4 – Social interaction
In ponds, birds can interact with other birds and communicate through their songs and calls because predators are less likely to be found there.
As you know, birds are very social creatures, so they like being around other birds—especially if they’re their friends or family members!
The 8 Most Common Birds You’ll See at the Pond
When it comes to ponds and their wildlife, there are many kinds of birds. Some are common; others are less so.
It’s essential to know the kinds of birds that live near your pond so that you can keep them safe by providing the things they need to survive. Here are some common ones:
1 -Herons
Herons are wading birds, meaning they typically go about their business in shallow water.
They build nests that look like large platforms or rafts made out of sticks, reeds, and other vegetation. Herons are usually grayish-blue in color, with long legs and bills.
They can be found all over the world, although they prefer areas with warm climates.
Herons eat fish, frogs, tadpoles, worms, and small mammals (like squirrels). They hunt by standing still until they feel an object touch either one of their feet or come too close.
Then, they quickly throw their head forward to snag whatever they’ve caught and swallow it whole!
The Black-crowned Night Heron, American Bittern, Great Blue Heron, and Green Heron are some of the most common types of herons you might see.
2 – Ducks
Ducks are water birds that belong to the Anatidae family and are found in almost every part of the world.
Ducks eat various types of foods, including seeds, plants, insects, and small creatures. They’re also known to eat some types of algae.
There are several different types of ducks, each with unique characteristics and habits. One type is the Mallard duck, which is often seen in parks and ponds worldwide.
Mallards have green heads, a white line around their necks, gray bellies, and brown chests. Their feathers are usually a mix of gray and brown.
Another type of duck is the Wood Duck. This duck has bright red eyes and feathers on its back that flash different colors in the sunlight. You can find it in North America near lakes and ponds.
3 – Blue Jays
Blue jays are beautiful birds with a lot of personality. It’s easy to tell when you’re in the presence of one because they’ll often let out an ear-piercing screech.
They’re pretty loud, and that’s not just because they have to get your attention—blue jays are actually pretty territorial!
As you can tell from its name, the blue jay is mostly blue with a prominent crest on top of its head. The crest can actually help you figure out the bird’s mood!
When it’s raised, the bird feels excited or aggressive. On the other hand, if it’s lowered, then it feels safe or comfortable.
Blue jays mainly eat insects, like caterpillars and beetles. However, they can also feed on spiders, snails, and sometimes tiny frogs and baby birds.
4 – Grebes
The Grebes’ flightless, water-loving nature makes them look a bit like odd ducks. However, they’re not actually ducks, as they belong to a different family.
Plus, it’s not they don’t know how to fly—they can certainly do that, just poorly! So, they prefer to spend their time swimming or diving for food, and they’re rarely seen in the air.
The Grebe has a long beak and webbed feet that help it swim quickly and maneuver easily in the water.
They usually have grayish feathers with red or brown eyes and a black crown on top of their heads. Grebes typically eat insects, crustaceans, and small fish.
5 – Gulls
You may have seen a video of a bird trying to steal food from an innocent bystander near a lake or pond. Unfortunately, that pesky thief is usually a gull (also known as a seagull)!
Seagulls are very intelligent, and they have a knack for stealing food. Moreover, They’re also known to be aggressive and noisy when trying to get their next meal!
Gulls have a wide range of plumages, from white to black, and can be found worldwide. In fact, several different species of gulls live in various parts of North America, like the Black-Headed Gull and Californian Gull.
Gulls are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and plant matter. They prefer to eat fish but will also eat insects and small animals like snails or mice if they can find them.
They have long wings and short legs with webbed feet, which help them swim effortlessly through the water when necessary.
6 – Swans
Swans are some of the most beautiful birds around, and they’re especially at home on water. So if you’re lucky enough to have a pond in your backyard, swans will flock to it.
Swans are very graceful and elegant creatures. They have long legs, long necks, and long tails that move about gracefully as they swim through the water.
Their wings are big and strong for their body size. This means that swans can fly for extended periods without becoming tired.
They can also carry quite a bit of weight on their backs due to their strength—they can lift their small children who go too far while swimming!
The number one thing that you should remember about swans is that they are very territorial animals!
So if you see one sitting all alone on its own island, don’t think it’s lonely—it’ll probably try to attack you if you come too close!
Finally, swans are herbivores that eat aquatic plants and other water plants, as well as algae and small insects.
7 – Geese
Geese are beautiful, majestic creatures that are often viewed as symbols of good luck and protection.
They’re very social, and their large flocks (called gaggles or skein!) can be seen flying in perfect formation across the skies.
Geese tend to be quite active during the day, but you may hear them honking at night as they fly overhead. When they’re not flying, geese usually prefer to stay close to water, where they can rest without being harassed by predators.
The best way to approach a goose is slowly and carefully. You should never try to grab one or touch it forcefully because their natural instinct is to flee from danger.
Lastly, geese are very smart and can remember things for a long time. So, if you feed a goose, it’ll remember you and come back the next time you are near the water!
You can feed them anything from fruit and vegetable peels to insects.
8 – Moorhens
You might’ve seen a moorhen if you’ve been to the zoo or if you’ve had the opportunity to go bird-watching in your area. They’re pretty common, and they’re also pretty cute!
Moorhens are medium-sized water birds that are easily recognizable by their red eyes, black plumage, and yellow-tipped beaks.
Their legs are also long and skinny and long, which helps them swim and stay afloat on the surface of the water.
Moreover, Moorhens are social birds that often gather together in large flocks. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including marshes, wetlands, and rice paddies.
And lastly, Moorhens are omnivores, meaning they eat plants (like water plants) and animals (like insects). They use their short bill to probe into mud or soft soil for food like worms or small fish.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! The most common birds you’ll spot at your local or backyard pond.
It’s easy to forget about the beauty of common pond birds, but when you take a moment to observe them, you’ll see that they’re much more than just a flying blob of feathers.
They’re fascinating creatures with complex social systems, amazing colors, and a whole lot of personality.
So, go outside and enjoy them!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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