As the winter cold settles in, many species of birds fly south to spend the season in a warmer climate.
That’s particularly true for waterfowl, which are birds that live on or near bodies of water, and can’t stick around when those waters freeze over. But what about aquatic birds that live super far north in cold climates -- where do they go?
The Michigan DNR says many species of “weird ducks,” geese and swans “migrate from as far north as the Arctic tundra” to right here in the Great Lakes State during the winter when their northern waters freeze. The birds wind up in Michigan, where it still gets cold, and hang out in open waters that aren’t frozen, where they can “keep themselves well-fed” all winter.
“If you live near a body of water that doesn’t completely freeze over the winter, you are likely familiar with the raucous calls and splashing sounds of congregating waterfowl,” the DNR wrote Tuesday in a news release. “You might see dabbling ducks bobbing along the water’s surface, dipping forward headfirst in search of seeds and aquatic plants, or spot geese and swans honking in chorus as they splash-land.”
Some such birds include the gadwall ducks (pictured above), which can be found in marshes, lakes and river mouths in southern Michigan. The DNR identified more of their favorite aquatic birds that fly to Michigan for the winter, including:
- Bufflehead ducks, which got their name due to the males’ puffy “buffalo head.” The males are iridescent, while the females have dark colored heads with a white cheek patch. “These cute birds can be found in pairs or small groups on sheltered bays, lakes, estuaries (where river mouths meet lakes), ponds and slow-moving rivers,” the DNR said.
- Redhead ducks. The males have cinnamon colored heads, and females have medium-brown bodies. The female ducks tend to lay their eggs in the nests of several other ducks, including those of different species.
- Tundra swans are big, white birds that have a similar shape to geese. They have a whistle-like call, tend to travel in large groups, and can be found on shallow lakes, in slow-moving rivers, and on coastal estuaries.
- Snow goose. A bird that can sometimes be found in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, the snow goose is a white bird with black-tipped wings and a black patch on its pink bill. This bird might be spotted in an open field or open body of water.
So, what makes these birds so “weird?” Well, the DNR didn’t really say -- perhaps it’s just because they’re a bit different from the aquatic birds we typically see in Michigan.
Or maybe because these waterfowl don’t really understand what it means to be a “snowbird.” Haven’t they heard of Florida?
You can learn more about the birds of Michigan from the DNR and the Audubon Magazine here.