Common Birds of the Lighthouse Center
Mute Swan- nests on the brackish pond;
an invasive species; sometimes seen on the bay during
winter months
Canada Goose*- nests along lagoon and
brackish pond; a permanent resident; local population
(Giant Canada Goose) has increased dramatically due in
part to increased lawn areas and elimination of hunting
areas
Mallard*- nests in various locations on
the property; most numerous duck species on the
property; fairly tame; found year round on the property
American Black Duck- closely related to the
Mallard, but is considered the wariest of ducks in our
area; Barnegat Bay region is a major wintering area for
this species
Double-crested
Cormorant- birds of the bay; usually
roost on the dock and bulkhead areas and dive for fish
in the bay and the lagoon; migrate south for the winter
Great Blue Heron- large wading bird found in
the brackish pond, the lagoon, bayfront; sometimes seen
perched in trees near water bodies; a permanent resident
Killdeer- a shorebird found around the
brackish pond and along the bayfront all year long,
although not as numerous in winter; nest in shallow
scrapes in open areas
Herring Gull- a large, white-headed gull
found year-round in the salt and brackish environments
Mourning Dove*- a permanent resident; often
seen perching in trees or feeding on seeds on the ground
Belted Kingfisher- the mascot of the Lighthouse
Center; can be found near the brackish pond and the
lagoon during every month of the year
Northern (Yellow-shafted)
Flicker-
a woodpecker found in trees and on the ground all year
long; unlike other woodpeckers, feeds extensively on the
ground
American and Fish Crows*- Fish Crows are the
predominant species during the warmer months; slightly
larger American Crows replace them during the winter
months
American Robin*- plentiful on the property all
year, although not seen as much in winter when they
gather in flocks and feed in the denser forested areas
Red-winged
Blackbird- a plentiful bird around the
brackish pond and along the lagoon during the warmer
months; males are harbingers of spring with their
distinctive territorial calls; small groups periodically
seen flying by during the colder months
Song Sparrow- males quite vocal during the
spring mating season; usually found near the boathouse
area and, during the winter, along the roadway close to
the bay
*These are common birds that most
members/people can readily identify, have come into contact
with, and have some rudimentary knowledge of.
Information provided courtesy of McDuffy Barrow