Birds

Medium‐sized, crested songbird with large, conical bill. Males are bright red with black mask. Females are brownish with red highlights.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, common year‐round. Forested areas, shrubland, and dunes.

NOTES

Commonly seen at bird feeders.

Small, social songbird. Grayish above, whitish below with black crown and throat.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, common year‐round. Forested areas and shrubland.

NOTES

Acrobatic and agile when foraging. Often hangs upside down in search of food. Commonly seen at bird feeders.

Small, crested songbird. Overall gray in color with a black forehead and a yellowish wash along the flanks.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, common year‐round. Forested areas and shrubland.

NOTES

Commonly seen at bird feeders. Call is a fast, repeated whistle that sounds like “peter‐peter‐peter”.

Small, chunky songbird with a sturdy bill. Dark brown above, pale below with a distinctive white eye‐stripe.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, common year‐round. Forested areas, shrubland, and dunes.

NOTES

The state bird of South Carolina. Often nests around homes in containers, gutters, and bird boxes.

Small songbird. Males are bright blue above with a orange breast. Females are similarly patterned but much paler in color. 

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, common year‐round. Open forested areas and golf course

NOTES

All of Kiawah’s golf courses provide nesting boxes for bluebirds

Small, gaudy songbird. Males have blue heads, bright green back, and a red rump and underparts. Females and immatures are greenish above and yellowish below.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, common in spring, summer, and fall. Shrubland, marsh edges, and dunes.

NOTES

Comes readily to bird feeders offering white millet.

Small songbird with a short, blunt bill. Males are grayish brown with reddish marking on head and breast. Females lack red markings and are overall drab with blurry streaks of brown.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, fairly common year‐round. Forested areas, shrubland, and dunes.

NOTES

Often seen at bird feeders.

Large, crested songbird. Bright blue above, whitish below with a dark necklace.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, common year‐round. Forested areas, shrubland, and dunes.

NOTES

Feeds on acorns and other large seeds which it frequently hides and saves for eating later.

Medium‐sized songbird. Grayish overall with bright white patches on wings and tail.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, common year‐round. Shrubland, dunes, and open areas, such as golf courses

NOTES

Large repertoire of songs consisting of imitations of other birds, animals, and mechanical sounds such as car alarms.

Medium‐sized, plump dove with a long, pointed tail. Overall grayish‐tan, with a rose‐colored tint in the breast.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, common year‐round. Forested areas, shrubland, and dunes

NOTES

Often seen feeding on ground underneath bird feeders.

Tiny with a long, narrow bill. Greenish above, white below. Males have a dark chin that glows red in sunlight.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, uncommon in summer, spring, and fall. Rare in winter. Forested areas and shrubland.

NOTES

Only hummingbird commonly found in the East. Drinks nectar from flowers. Attracted to sugar‐water feeders.

Large and raucous. Solid black in color. Best distinguished by voice. American crows give a harsh “caw”. Fish crows give a more nasally version.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, common year‐round. Forested areas, beach, and marsh.

NOTES

Commonly seen in large groups. Often found around picnic areas eating scraps.

Fairly large song‐bird with long tail and bill. Rich rusty above, pale below with brown streaks.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, fairly common year-round. Wooded areas, shrubland, and dunes.

NOTES

Stays low to the ground and well hidden. Uses large bill to thrash away leaves and debris in search of food.

WHERE TO SEE

NOTES

Medium-sized blackbird. Males are black with bright orange and yellow shoulder patches. Females are brownish-gray and heavily streaked.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, common year-round. Shrubland, marsh, ponds, and dunes.

NOTES

Male's "conk-la-ree" call is very commonly heard in summer near marsh.

Large-headed, chunky songbird. Grayish above, white below with a black mask, wings, and tail.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, uncommon year-round. Shrubland, dunes and Ocean Course driving range.

NOTES

Because it lacks strong talons, it impales prey on sharp objects, such as thorns, before eating it.

Large, nocturnal nightjar. Cryptically-colored, brown overall.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, uncommon in spring, summer, and fall. Forested areas and shrubland.

NOTES

Recognized by loud, insistent call of the bird's name: "Chuck wills WI-dow" given at night.

Medium-sized, spot -breasted songbird. Brownish above, whitish below with bold dark spots. Tail deep rust color.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, uncommon in winter, fall, and spring. Forested areas and shrubland.

NOTES

Habitually jerks its tail and flicks its wings.

Fairly large warbler. Greenish-yellow above, yellowish below. Dark wings with two white wing bars.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, uncommon year-round. Forested areas, typically associated with pine trees.

NOTES

Usually found high in the tops of pine trees in summer. May visit bird feeders during the winter.

Small, slender sparrow. In winter, brownish above, grayish below with some reddish highlights in crown. In summer, reddish above, clean gray

below with a bright chestnut cap.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, uncommon in winter, fall, and spring. Open forests and golf courses.

NOTES

Commonly seen at feeders.

Iridescent blue-green above, pure white below. Tail square with an indistinct notch.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, common in winter, fall, and spring. Ponds, beach, and dunes.

NOTES

Commonly seen over the dunes and beach in huge flocks numbering in the thousands during the winter.

Medium-sized woodpecker. Black back with white barring. Underparts pale brown. Red crown on male extends from the bill to the back of head. In females the red is limited to the back of the head.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, common year-round. Forested areas and shrubland.

NOTES

Will come to bird feeders and eat seeds and suet.

Small, aerial songbird with a long, forked tail. Iridescent blue above, orange below with a dark-orange throat.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, common in summer, spring, and fall. Ponds, beach, golf courses.

NOTES

Nests under bridges and docks at some of the ponds on Kiawah, including Bass Pond.

A large raptor with a thick yellow bill. Adult is dark with white head and tail. Immatures are dark overall with some to no white in head and tail.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, uncommon in winter, fall, and spring. Forested areas, beach, river, and marsh.

NOTES

Takes 5 years to attain adult plumage.

Large raptor. Dark brown above, white below. White head with a prominent dark eye-stripe.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, common year-round. Forested areas, ocean, beach, river, marsh, and ponds.

NOTES

Primarily feeds on fish captured by hovering high over the water then plunging in feet first.

Both species are black with unfeathered heads. Turkey Vulture has red head, Black Vulture’s is black. In flight, Turkey Vultures show white extending along the entire length of the wing. Black Vultures have white in the wing-tips only.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident/migratory, breeder, common year-round.

NOTES

Usually seen feeding on carrion along the roadside or soaring above.

A large, bulky owl with long ear tufts. Brownish-gray with orange face.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, uncommon year-round. Forested areas and shrubland.

NOTES

Opportunistic predator that consumes a wide variety of prey from mice and raccoons to woodpeckers and hawks.

A small, stocky owl with prominent ear tufts. Gray and red color phases. Red is most common on Kiawah.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, uncommon year-round. Forested areas.

NOTES

Two distinctive calls given at night include a low, rolling trill and an eerie descending whinny. Eats insects, rodents, and birds.

A medium-sized raptor with long tail. Adults are slate-blue above, orange below with crisp horizontal striping. Immatures are brown above, creamy and brown-streaked below.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, uncommon year-round. Forested areas, dunes.

NOTES

Very skillful flyer. Eats small to medium-sized birds. Often hunts around bird feeders.

A medium-sized, marsh-hovering raptor with a white rump. Adult males are gray above, white below with a dark gray head. Females and immatures are dark above, creamy and streaked below. Owl-like face.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, common in winter, fall, and spring. Marsh.

NOTES

A common sight during the winter flying low over Kiawah's marshes.

Medium-sized raptor. Adults are dark above with white spotting, reddish below with thin white stripes. Immatures are brownish above, creamy below with pale spots.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, uncommon year-round. Forested areas.

NOTES

Call is a repeated, loud "kee-ahh" lasting about a second.

Large, soaring raptor. Brownish above, whitish below with a distinct dark belly band. Adults have rusty-red tails.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, uncommon year-round. Forested areas and marsh.

NOTES

Prefers to hunt in the open from a high sturdy perch. Call is a hoarse, descending scream lasting 2-3 seconds.

Males are solid black with a yellow-orange knob at the base of bill. Females are brownish with a light colored cheek patch.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, common in winter. Ocean, typically several hundred yards out.

NOTES

Flocks of several thousand are seen offshore in winter. A strong pair of binoculars or scope is required to see them.

Medium-sized duck. Males have purplish-black/green head and whitish-gray back. Females are brown with white face patch. Blue bill.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, common in winter. Large ponds (Ibis, Willet and Bass) and ocean.

NOTES

Often seen in large flocks diving for submerged vegetation, invertebrates, and mollusks. Also called "bluebills."

Medium, stocky shorebird. Grayish-brown in winter, distinctive rusty color in spring/summer. Black bill.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, common in winter and spring. Beach, especially on east and west ends.

NOTES

Threatened. In spring, thousands stage on Kiawah before migrating north to breed.

Large shorebird. Brown above, white below with a black head. Long, bright orange bill and eye-ring.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, fairly common year-round. Beach, especially on east and west ends, river, and creeks.

NOTES

Specialized in feeding on bivalves. Uses needlelike bill to sever the strong muscle that holds the shell closed.

Medium-sized seabird. Black above, white below. Large bill is black with red base.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, fairly common year-round. Beach, ponds, and tidal creeks.

NOTES

Feeds primarily at dusk or dawn (also at night) by skimming the surface of water with an open bill.

Small, stocky shorebird. Head and chest patterned black and white, reddish above and white below. Orange legs. Short, pointed bill.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, present year-round but common in winter. Beach, mudflats, and lagoons.

NOTES

Often seen turning over beach debris in search of food.

Medium-sized shorebird. Grayish above, whitish below turning a striking black and white in the spring. In flight, black “armpits” distinctive.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, common in fall, winter, and spring. Beach, lagoons, mudflats, and driving range at the Ocean Course.

NOTES

A stalking predator adapted to feed on a variety of prey items.

Small shorebird. Brownish above, white below with a dark breast band across chest. Large, thick, black bill. Flesh-colored legs.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, common in spring, summer, and fall. Rare in winter. Beach, mudflats, marsh, and lagoons.

NOTES

Specializes in feeding on fiddler crabs.

WHERE TO SEE

NOTES

Small shorebird. Dark brown above, white below with a single dark breast band. Orange bill with dark tip and orange legs.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, present year-round but common in winter. Beach, lagoons, and mudflats.

NOTES

Forages on wet sand by picking invertebrates from the surface.

Small duck with a spatula-shaped bill. Overall brown in color. Males have a white crescent-shaped patch at the base of bill. Light-blue shoulder patches visible in flight.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, uncommon. Fall, winter, and spring. Ponds, creeks, river, and lagoons.

NOTES

Dabbles at the surface of the water in search of food.

Small, chunky diving duck with a long, stiff tail that is often cocked up at an angle. Overall brownish in color with pale colored cheek patches.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, fairly common in winter and spring. Ponds, river, and ocean.

NOTES

Commonly seen in Ibis and Willet ponds. Rarely flies from danger, usually dives or swims away.

Small diving duck with bluish bill. Males are dark above, white below with a large, white patch on the back of head. Females are dark above, gray below with a white spot on the side of the head.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, fairly common in winter and spring. Large ponds, creeks, river, lagoons, and ocean.

NOTES

Eats clams and other mollusks.

Medium-sized diving duck with a long, thin bill and a fan-like crown. Males are boldly patterned in black, white, and brown. Females are predominately brown.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, common in winter and spring. Creeks, river, and ponds.

NOTES

The most abundant duck on Kiawah's ponds. Eats fish.

Small, duck-like water bird. Overall brownish in color with dull-colored bill. In summer, the bill is encircled by a dark ring.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, common in fall, winter, and spring. Ponds and marsh.

NOTES

When threatened, they can sink into the water without making a ripple.

Large, water bird with long neck and sharp, needle-like bill. Males are black with whitish back. Females and immatures have brown necks and breast.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, uncommon year-round. Ponds.

NOTES

Also called "snakebird" because only its head and neck are visible when swimming.

Large, duck-like water bird with an orange, hooked bill. Adults appear black overall. Immatures are brownish with a pale breast and neck.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, common in fall, winter, and spring. Ponds and ocean.

NOTES

Eats primarily fish, often works together to "herd" fish against shorelines.

Brownish-gray in color with dark gray cheek patches and contrasting dark and light stripes on flanks and belly. Long, orange bill.

WHERE TO SEE

Resident, breeder, common year-round. Marsh and ponds.

NOTES

Clapper Rails inhabit dense marshes and are more often heard than seen. Distinctive long, extended clattering call.

Dark overall with a thin white line along the side. In summer, the bill turns bright red with a yellow tip.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, breeder, common year-round. Ponds and marsh.

NOTES

Often seen along densely vegetated shorelines but will forage in open water by picking food from the surface.

Blue above, white below with a blue breast band. Head is blue with a shaggy crest. Females have a rusty-colored belly band.

WHERE TO SEE

Migratory, common in fall, winter, and spring. Ponds and tidal creeks.

NOTES

Forages by hovering and plunging head first into water after fish.