Follow That Bird! Species Profiles

Learn more about the Swainson's hawk, a raptor with a thin body and narrow wings that migrates impressive distances.

Learn more about the Pacific loon, thought to be the most abundant loon in North America.

Learn more about the long-billed curlew, North America's largest shorebird.

Learn more about the Kirtland's warbler, an endangered bird that nearly went extinct in the past.

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The brown pelican is a large, unique bird that lives on shorelines and small islands in colonies with thousands of individuals. This species is common along coastlines of the southern and western United States, the Caribbean, and parts of Mexico, Central America and northern South America.

Brown pelicans have a wingspan of about 6.5 feet (2 meters) and weigh up to 11 pounds (5 kilograms). These comical-looking pelicans are graceful in flight and can be seen flying in groups just above the water’s surface or drying out their feathers on a post by the water’s edge.

Brown pelicans make incredible

Learn more about the black-crowned night heron, a medium-sized heron with a stocky build, black crown, gray body and bright, red eyes.

Learn more about the black-bellied plover, a large shorebird with a short neck and a distinctive black belly and face.