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The Least Grebe is the smallest of the Grebes. It looks similar to the Pied-billed Grebe, which is the next picture. The bill is different and it has the orange/red eyes. AKPC_IDS += "165,";Popularity: 15% [?] Read More →

The smallest of the Grebes found in the state, the Pied-billed Grebe is rarely seen in flight. When disturbed or threatened, it prefers to slowly sink and swim away underwater, or move away with just it’s head above water. A mature bird in breeding plumage is pictured at the right. Only mature adults in breeding plumage... 

The mature White Ibis is easily distinguished from other Ibis, thanks to its stark all-white plumage. Generally a bird found near the coastlines in the Southeastern United States, strays do occasionally wander well north of the normal breeding range. It remains an extremely rare visitor to South Dakota, however. While they often... 

The Glossy Ibis is virtually identical to its close relative, the White-faced Ibis, and extreme care should be taken when trying to differentiate between the two. However, while the White-faced Ibis can be common in parts of the state (primarily the Northeast), the Glossy Ibis is normally only found near the Gulf Coast and southern... 

The White-faced Ibis is the Ibis most commonly found in South Dakota. It is very similar to the Glossy Ibis, but the two species ranges are generally distinctive. Where they do overlap, intermediates (possibly hybrids) can make positive identification nearly impossible. They currently appear to be expanding in both range and... 

A black bodied tern that is easily identifiable in South Dakota, especially in its dark breeding plumage. The bird at the right is a first-summer young bird, and has similar plumage to a winter plumage adult. They lead a unique life, nesting on freshwater marshes in the interior of North America, while wintering at sea around... 

The Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) is a species that generally falls into the kingfisher family of birds, although there is disagreement about the taxonomical classification about kingfishers in general Like all kingfishers, the Belted Kingfisher is an excellent fishing bird. It has excellent eyesight, which helps it spot... 

A bird of the coastlines, rarely found inland in South Dakota. The Brown Pelican is a spectacular plunge-diver, rocketing downward from 75 feet or higher as it plunges for fish below the surface. Brown Pelicans were seriously endangered by the 1960s, with North American populations reduced to a small Florida population. With... 

The American White Pelican is one of the largest birds found in South Dakota. They are migrants through most of the state, but do nest in some of the northeastern counties. Unlike their cousins, the Brown Pelican, American White Pelicans do not plunge dive, but feed by dipping their large pouched bill into the water and scooping... 

Unlike other similar Rails, the Virginia Rail is a rather common breeding bird in South Dakota.  Like other Rails, however, they are more often heard than seen as they prefer thick marsh vegetation.  They are often found in conjunction with Sora. Habitat: Uses a variety of shallow fresh- and brackish-water habitats, provided...