Hello, Adventurers! Welcome back to the Coastal Expeditions blog! If this is your first time visiting our blog, we’re happy to have you here. We are all about nature, adventure, and making the most out of the beautiful outdoors of South Carolina. If you enjoy all things hiking, paddling, kayaking, and spending time outdoors, you’ve come to the right place! Here on the blog, we dive deep into different habitats, excursions, conservation efforts, and nature programs. Our site is filled with interactive maps, destination guides, and educational resources. Since the weather is getting warmer, we want to help you get out there and take advantage of all that the Lowcountry has to offer! We offer guided tours of the beautiful Lowcountry by kayak, paddleboard, ferry, boat, and private charter. We also have hands-on workshops taught by highly-trained guides on wilderness skills, birding, identifying native plants, sustainability, and camping. Basically, anything you want to learn about, we teach! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take a look around our site to learn more about our offerings. Our last article discussed everything you need to know about butterflies and how you can attract them to your yard! Today, we’ll be talking about water birds, which are birds that live on or around water. The Lowcountry has a variety of water birds, so if you’re interested in learning more about them, you’re in the right place! Let’s get started. 

There are many species of water birds, also known as aquatic birds. Water birds are collectively made up of seabirds, shorebirds, and wading birds. South Carolina’s coastal habitats are home to around 65 different species of water birds. 

Seabirds

A seabird is a type of water bird that lives within a marine environment, primarily the ocean, beyond the intertidal or surf zone. Seabirds nest together in large groups on coastal islands and barrier beaches. Isolated coastal islands provide protection from predators and are less disturbed by humans. These seabird colonies can consist of hundreds of thousands of birds, and the most active colonies are located in Charleston County. Types of seabirds found in South Carolina include pelicans, gulls, skimmers, and terns. 

• Pelicans: The most common type of pelican found in coastal South Carolina is the Eastern Brown Pelican– The only pelican in the world that is not white! They nest in trees or in shallow areas of ground on islands with sufficient high ground to protect them from flooding. Their nests are built far enough away from land to escape predators, such as raccoons. A pelican’s diet consists exclusively of fish. Something interesting about pelicans is that their eyes are not adapted for underwater vision, but they dive headfirst into the water in search of food. This pelican species was considered an endangered species in 1970 due to widespread pesticide use, but they have since been removed from the list thanks to conservation efforts.
• Gulls: While gulls are seabirds at heart, they are often found in inland areas, such as mall parking lots or around landfills. Commonly found among the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the Laughing Gull is known as South Carolina’s only year-round resident, and is named for its shrill, laugh-like call. These are medium-sized gulls with gray and white colors, and breeding adults have a black head, with white arcs around the eyes and a red bill. They nest on protected islands, away from predators, with other seabird colonies. The nests are generally concealed within vegetation. Their diet consists of small fish, insects, and occasionally eggs and sometimes the young of other birds. 

• Skimmers: The most common species of skimmer in coastal South Carolina is the Black Skimmer. These birds have a uniquely shaped bill; It is uneven, allowing the bird to fly low with the long, lower mandible plowing into the water. Once it makes contact with a fish, the mandible snaps shut. These birds “skim” the water for food, hence their name, finding food by touch rather than sight. They nest in shallow parts of a sandy beach, a sandbar, shell bank, and sometimes on gravel roofs. Black Skimmers favor coastal waters protected from open surf, such as lagoons.

• Terns: South Carolina is home to a variety of terns, including the Common Tern, Royal Tern, and Gull-billed Tern. These birds are often found around oceans, lakes, bays, and beaches. They search for food by plunging into the water, or by pursuing flying insects. Their nesting area is often on bare ground, made by a shallow scrape in the soil and lined with plant material and debris. 

Shorebirds

Shorebirds, sometimes called waders or wading birds, are commonly found along shorelines, marsh edges, islands, and mudflats. Many species of shorebirds nest in arctic and sub-arctic zones, migrating in large groups to the Southern Hemisphere. Many shorebirds stop in South Carolina during their migration, and some spend their winters in the Lowcountry if they do not travel further south. Some common types of shorebirds include sandpipers, plovers, and oystercatchers.  

• Sandpipers: There are many different species of migratory sandpipers in South Carolina. They are known for their long bodies and legs, and narrow wings. They use their bills to probe the mud or sand for food. One type is the Western Sandpiper, which feeds on mostly insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Their nesting area is on the ground, usually under low shrubs. 
• Plovers: Plovers are characterized by their short bills and stout bodies. One common species of plover is the Piping Plover. South Carolina provides a habitat for Piping Plovers during their fall and spring migration, as well as some during the winter months. In winter, Piping Plovers spend time along inlets of barrier beaches and uninhabited islands. Their diet consists of insects and crustaceans. They build nests on open ground, some distance away from water. Unfortunately, this species is endangered, with declining populations. 
• Oystercatchers: This group of wading birds probe sandy areas for clams, oysters, and other mollusks. One species found in South Carolina is the American Oystercatcher, which has a black head and neck with a dark brown back, and white patches that are visible when the bird is in flight. These fairly large birds inhabit sandy beaches, mudflats, and the borders of salt marshes. They nest within a shallow depression on a sandy or shelly beach with low vegetation. 

Some other types of water birds commonly found in the Lowcountry include:

• Great Blue Heron: Herons are a subgroup of wading birds known for their long necks. Among the largest of herons is the Great Blue Heron, which stands up to 39 inches high and can often be found on the banks of lagoons. The Great Blue Heron is an astonishing fisherman; It uses its razor-sharp beak to strike fish with strict precision and accuracy. Their diet consists mostly of fish, but also includes eels, snakes, and frogs. They typically nest in trees or near water. Groups of nesting herons are called rookeries. 
• Great Egret: Egrets are types of herons, found in marshes, ponds, shores, and mudflats. The Great Egret in particular is a tall, white wading bird common in the south. With a diet consisting mainly of fish, they stand or walk in shallow water and wait for fish to come near before striking. The Great Egret usually nests in colonies with other wading birds, and the site of their nest is usually in a tree or shrub. 
• American Bittern: Another type of heron, the American Bittern favors freshwater marshes, where they breed. It is particularly vulnerable due to its reliance on large marshes. They stand still at the edge of the water, foraging for fish and nest in dense marsh growth. The American Bittern is a solitary heron, meaning that it does not usually nest in colonies.
• Common Loon: Although loons look very similar to ducks, they are unrelated to them. In fact, the four species of loon have their own genus, family, and order. The Common Loon is a long-bodied diver, swimming underwater to catch fish. They inhabit coastal waters and large lakes. They are solitary while feeding, but gather in loose flocks at night. They nest near water, partly hidden by vegetation. 

Since the Lowcountry is rich with coastal waters, there are a variety of places where you can spot the water birds that inhabit the area. Some great areas for birding include Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge where the land and ocean meet the water birds such as Black Skimmers and Oystercatchers thrive. 

We hope that you found this article informative and helpful. As always, we thank you for reading and we hope to see you back on our blog soon! At Coastal Expeditions, we offer a variety of guided tours that allow you to see water birds in their natural habitats. If you’re looking to explore all that the Lowcountry has to offer, check out our offerings on our website to find the adventure which suits you best! We also offer kid-friendly tours as well as kids programs, camps, and kayak lessons. Our tours are led by knowledgeable, approachable naturalists and sea captains who are eager to answer your questions! Until next time, readers. Get out there and explore! Adventure awaits!