Water Bird Collection (#34)

Brent geese in flight. These are pale-bellied Brent geese (Branta bernicla hrota), flying over a frozen salt marsh. This goose, which has several subspecies, is native to the Arctic

Pink-footed geese on an ice floe
Pink-footed geese (Anser brachyrhynchus) alighting on a coastal ice floe. These are migratory birds found in eastern Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard. They fly south to winter in north-western Europe

Brent goose flock in flight. These are pale-bellied Brent geese (Branta bernicla hrota), flying over a frozen salt marsh. This goose, which has several subspecies, is native to the Arctic

Common shelduck in flight
Common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) in flight. This duck inhabits coastal areas throughout much of Europe, Asia and North Africa

Juvenile common kingfisher perched on a branch. The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is found throughout Eurasia and northern Africa. It eats fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans

Marabou stork feeding
Marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) feeding on a dead bird in water. This large stork is found it sub-Saharan Africa

Yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis) standing in water. This large wading bird is found in Africa south of the Sahara. It uses its long bill to catch fish and other prey in water

Amazon kingfisher male

Ringed kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) perching in a tree. This kingfisher inhabits wetlands in South America, perching above lakes and slow-moving rivers looking for fish

Rufous-tailed jacamar male
Rufous-tailed jacamar (Galbula ruficauda) male, perching in a tree. This bird feeds on flying insects, swooping on them from a perch

Greater flamingoes (Phoenicopterus ruber) in flight. The greater flamingo is a large wading bird which inhabits lakes and coastal waters in parts of Africa, Asia and South and Central America

Southern lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) wading in water. This bird feeds on insects and small invertebrates. It is found throughout wetland areas of South America

Male mandarin duck
Mandarin drake. Dorset UK March 2010

White-breasted cormorant with fish
White-breasted cormorant (Phalacrocorax lucidus) swallowing a tilapia, a freshwater fish. Photographed in Wilderness National Park, South Africa

Lesser swamp warbler (Acrocephalus gracilirostris) perching on floating water weed while searching for insects. Photographed in Wilderness National Park, South Africa

Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) resting in long grass by the edge of a body of water. This duck feeds mainly at night on seeds and aquatic plants

Nile flora and fauna, Roman mosaic. Mosaics consist of small pieces of coloured glass or stone, used to form an image or pattern on a floor or wall

Pied kingfisher in flight. The pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is found in much of Africa, India, the Middle East and South-East Asia

Wildlife scenes, Roman mosaic. Mosaics consist of small pieces of coloured glass or stone, used to form an image or pattern on a floor or wall

Rufescent tiger heron (Tigrisoma lineatum). These herons are found extensively throughout much of South and Central America. Photographed in the Pantanal, Brazil

Galapagos brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis urinator) nesting in red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle). This bird eats mainly fish and amphibians as well as crustaceans

Galapagos heron (Butorides sundevalli) on a coastline. This heron is endemic to the Galapagos Islands. It is found on the coastlines, where it hunts fish and crabs in rock pools and mangrove swamps

Mute swan and cygnets
Mute swan (Cygnus olor) adults and cygnets. Photographed on the Lancaster Canal, near Carnforth, Lancashire, England

Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) in winter plumage, feeding at a tide-line. This is a shorebird that wades in shallow water and over mudflats

Wandering tattler (Heteroscelus incanus), in winter plumage, feeding on a rocky shore. This is a wading bird that uses its long beak to probe into the water and sand

Dotterel eggs in a nest on the Cairngorm plateau. Dotterels (Charadrius morinellus) breed on mountain plateaus such as the Scottish highlands and the Alps

Male dotterel sitting on a nest
Male dotterel. Close-up of a male dotterel (Charadrius morinellus) sitting on a nest on the Cairngorm plateau. Dotterels (Charadrius morinellus)

Male dotterel (Charadrius morinellus) on breeding ground on the Cairngorm plateau. Photographed in the Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands, in June

Kittlitzs plover (Charadrius pecuarius). This bird inhabits wetland areas in southern Africa and Madagascar. It feeds on insects, aquatic crustaceans and molluscs

African anhinga (Anhinga rufa) preening its feathers. This waterbird, also known as the African darter, is found around water in tropical sub-Saharan Africa

Wood duck on a lake
Wood duck. Male wood duck (Aix sponsa) on a lake. This dabbling duck occurs mainly throughout North America. Here it has its winter plumage. Photographed in Louisiana, USA

American white ibis (Eudocimus albus) in flight. This wading bird inhabits coastal regions and wetlands in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas

Common kingfisher caught for ringing
Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) caught in a net for ringing. This bird has been caught so that an identity ring can be put on its leg

Common kingfisher on a branch
Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) perched on a branch. The common kingfisher is found throughout Eurasia and northern Africa. It eats fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans

Northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita) foraging for food in a water pool. Photographed in Israel, in January

Common Kingfisher feeding on fish
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) feeding on a fish. The common kingfisher is found throughout Eurasia and northern Africa. It eats fish, aquatic insects and crustaceans

The bridge over the River Wye, Bakewell, Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Asia, Japan, Hokkaido, Akan NP, Whopper Swans at Kussharo Lake

Asia, Japan, Hokkaido, Akan NP, Kussharo Lake, Whopper Swans (Cygnus cygnus)

Anhinga drying wings Florida Everglades USA

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"Captivating Water Birds: A Glimpse into their Enigmatic World" From the haunting tales of the "Rime of the Ancient Mariner, " where an albatross met a tragic fate, to the heartwarming sight of two Northern Gannets gracefully touching beaks in greeting, water birds have always held a special place in our imagination. In Heligoland, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, these majestic Morus bassanus create a mesmerizing spectacle as they engage in their unique ritual. Just like the vibrant Roman mosaic depicting red mullets and ducks together, these birds remind us of nature's harmonious symphony. The enchanting painting "The Wild Swans (The Twelve Brothers Turned Into Swans)" transports us to a world where transformation and resilience intertwine. Similarly, witnessing a flock of snow geese soaring through Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge fills our hearts with awe for their collective grace. As we delve deeper into history, an unknown artist's altarpiece from Thuison-les-Abbeville reveals Saint Hugh of Lincoln surrounded by ethereal beauty. These intricate details capture not only his devotion but also the delicate presence of waterfowl nearby. Nature's wonders continue to unfold at Titchwell RSPB Reserve Norfolk in March when Coot Fulica atra graces us with its elegant presence. The narrowboats moored on Kennet and Avon Canal at sunset offer solace amidst this picturesque scene—a moment frozen in time. Inspired by Salomon Gessner's masterpiece "Leda and the Swan, " we are reminded that even within mythology lies an appreciation for water birds' allure. Their elegance is further exemplified by Smew Duck Waterfowl bird and Pintail Duck Waterfowl bird—symbols of tranquility floating upon serene waters. Water birds embody both mystery and serenity; they captivate our senses and remind us of the delicate balance between humanity and nature.