Marsh Birds

Marshes are low-lying wetlands that flood during high tides and wet seasons, creating vital habitats for a diverse range of wildlife, including birds. These wetlands can be categorized into salt marshes, found along coastlines, and freshwater marshes, which form in low-lying areas around rivers, lakes, and other water bodies.

Birds that live in marshes possess unique adaptations. Some have long legs that allow them to wade stealthily through tall grasses and cattails, while others have long toes that enable them to walk on vegetation floating on the water’s surface. Even sparrows and blackbirds, which inhabit marshlands, have longer limbs to navigate through the mud.

Many marsh birds, particularly those more aquatic, rely on swimming or diving to evade threats rather than taking flight. Some species are so stealthy that they are rarely seen, earning the label ‘secretive,’ with their calls often being the only indication of their presence.

Marsh Birds

List of Common Marsh Birds

NameSize (in)Freshwater/SaltwaterGeographical Range
American Oystercatcher17-21BothAlong the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Maine to Texas
Anhinga29-37FreshwaterCommon in the southeastern U.S., especially in Florida and along the Gulf Coast
Belted Kingfisher11-14BothWidespread across the U.S., often near rivers, lakes, and coasts
Jabiru45-55FreshwaterFreshwater wetlands and marshes in Central and South America
Limpkin19-23FreshwaterFreshwater wetlands in the southeastern U.S., especially Florida and Georgia, Central America, and northern parts of South America
Marsh Wren5-6FreshwaterDense freshwater marshes in North America, Central America, and parts of South America
Northern Jacana11-14FreshwaterTropical freshwater marshes in Central America and parts of northern South America
Osprey20-24BothWorldwide, except polar regions, often near freshwater and coastal marshes
Purple Martin7-8BothWetlands and urban areas in North America
Sandhill Crane40-48FreshwaterFreshwater wetlands in North America, especially in states like Nebraska, Georgia, Florida, and New Mexico, as well as Central America, and parts of South America
Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
Black-crowned Night-heron22-28BothWetlands in the U.S., especially from the East Coast to the West Coast
Great Blue Heron36-54FreshwaterFreshwater wetlands and marshes across North America, Central America, and parts of South America
Green Heron16-18FreshwaterMarshes and wooded wetlands in North America, Central America, and parts of South America
Least Bittern10-14FreshwaterFreshwater wetlands and marshes in North America, Central America, and parts of South America
Snowy Egret24-28BothAcross North and Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots*
Clapper Rail12-16SaltwaterCoastal marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from New Jersey to Texas
Common Gallinule9-11FreshwaterFreshwater wetlands across North America, Central America, and parts of South America
Common Moorhen9-12FreshwaterFreshwater wetlands in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America
American Coot12-14FreshwaterMarshes and ponds across North America, Central America, and parts of South America
Sora8-10FreshwaterAcross North America, from Nova Scotia and southern Yukon in Canada to US states like California and New Mexico, extending northeast to Pennsylvania and New England
Virginia Rail8-10FreshwaterNorth America, from Nova Scotia in Canada to southern British Columbia, as well as California and North Carolina in the US and Central America
Yellow Rail7-8FreshwaterDense marshes and wet prairies in North America, from Canada to the Great Lakes in the US
Sandpipers and Allies
Greater Yellowlegs13-15BothWetlands in North America, Central America, and parts of South America
Wilson’s Phalarope9-11BothWetland habitats in the northern U.S. and Canada
Wilson’s Snipe9-11FreshwaterAcross wet meadows in North America, Central America, and parts of South America
Grebes
Eared Grebe12-16BothFreshwater and saltwater marshes in North America, Europe, and Asia
Pied-billed Grebe10-13BothWidespread across freshwater ponds and marshes in North and Central America
Red-necked Grebe12-17BothFreshwater and coastal marshes in North America, Europe, and Asia
Western Grebe20-26BothWestern North America
Swallows
Violet-green Swallow5-6BothNear forests, cliffs, and wetlands in western North America, from Alaska in the US to Montana and Texas in the east and Mexico in the south
Barn Swallow6-8BothOpen fields and wetlands worldwide, except polar regions
Northern Rough-winged Swallow6-8BothNear rivers, lakes, and wetlands in North America
Cliff Swallow5-6BothOpen fields and wetlands in North and Central America
Terns
Black Tern9-12BothAcross the northern U.S., migrates through the Gulf Coast
Forster’s Tern12-14SaltwaterSaltwater marshes and estuaries on the coasts of North America
Stilts and Avocets
American Avocet14-17BothWetlands and coastal marshes in North America, including Washington, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Idaho, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas in the US
Black-necked Stilt13-15BothCoastal and inland wetlands in North and Central America, especially along the Colorado River passing through California and Oregon
Sparrows*
Saltmarsh Sparrow5-6SaltwaterAlong the Atlantic coast of the U.S., from Maine to South Carolina
Seaside Sparrow5-6SaltwaterAlong the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S., from Hampshire to Texas
Swamp Sparrow5-6FreshwaterAcross freshwater marshes and bogs in North America
Blackbirds
Red-winged Blackbird7-9BothCommon across North America in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes
Yellow-headed Blackbird9-10BothWetlands and marshes in the western U.S., especially Arizona and California, and Canada
Tricolored Blackbird9-10BothMarshes and wetlands in western North America, especially in California
Brewer’s Blackbird7-8BothWetlands, agricultural areas, and open woodlands in North America
Swifts
White-throated Swift7-8BothNear cliffs and open spaces, including wetlands in North and Central America, including California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico in the US, as well as Mexico
Black Swift8-9BothMountainous and wetland areas throughout the western Americas, from Canada to Brazil
Vaux’s Swift7-8BothForests and wetlands in the Americas from southern Alaska to Venezuela, encompassing California, Mexico, Panama, and the Yucatán Peninsula
*These are hard to spot and are considered to be secretive marsh birds. They often act as indicator species for their ecosystems.

Although many marsh birds are currently listed as ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN, the ongoing loss of marshland habitats poses a significant threat to their survival. This decline is particularly concerning because these birds play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of their ecosystems, making their preservation essential.

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