Adult: Brownish, dull color with white rear feathers, pale chin and throat. Stubby whitish bill bears only a suggestion, if any, of the dark ring that appears in breeding period. Lobed toes.

Breeding Adult: Overall brownish color. Dark ring on pale beak. Black throat and chin.

Immature: Juveniles are distinguished by gray and black stripes and short stubby bill.

Habitat: Inshore waters. Freshwater marshes. Ponds, salt marshes and bays.

A Florida resident.

Text by Mary Jean Rogers, West Volusia Audubon

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