The coastal environment is a constantly changing ecosystem defined by the relentless movement of tides and waves. This unique habitat supports a variety of avian life specialized to exploit the narrow band where land meets sea. Beach birds have developed specific physical traits and behaviors that allow them to thrive on resources found in the sand, water, and air.
Shoreline Specialists: The Wading and Running Birds
The intertidal zone, the area exposed at low tide, is home to smaller shorebirds that spend their time rapidly foraging along the wet sand. These species, often camouflaged with muted browns and grays, rely on specialized bills and quick movements to capture small prey. Their feeding styles are distinct, reflecting the specific invertebrates they target beneath the surface.
Plovers, such as the Semipalmated Plover, are known for their “stop-and-start” feeding method, which relies heavily on vision. They run a short distance, stop abruptly to scan for movement on the sand, and then peck quickly at visible prey like small crustaceans or marine worms. Some plovers employ a hunting technique called foot-trembling, where they rapidly vibrate one foot on the sand to cause worms to rise to the surface where they can be quickly snatched. Their relatively short, stout bills are perfect for surface-level pecking rather than deep probing.
Sandpipers, which include the familiar Sanderling, exhibit a different strategy, often running back and forth at the edge of the receding waves. These birds possess longer, thinner bills used to probe or “stitch” the sand and mud for hidden organisms. This probing relies on touch and taste receptors at the bill tip to detect buried invertebrates like worms, mollusks, and small crabs. Recent studies also indicate that many sandpipers graze on biofilm—a nutritious community of algae and bacteria that accumulates on the wet sediment.
Aerial Acrobats: Gulls, Terns, and Pelicans
The larger, more visible coastal birds typically dominate the airspace, exhibiting a range of flight and hunting behaviors adapted for catching fish or scavenging.
Gulls
Gulls are common generalists and opportunistic scavengers with broad, rounded wings that allow for sustained gliding and soaring flight. They possess a sturdy bill suited for tearing and can exploit a wide variety of food sources, including fish, insects, and human refuse.
Terns
Terns contrast sharply with gulls, distinguished by their more slender bodies, pointed wings, and often forked tails, earning them the nickname “sea swallows.” Their flight is graceful and buoyant as they search the water for small fish near the surface. Terns typically hunt using a dramatic plunge-diving technique, hovering momentarily before folding their wings and plummeting headfirst into the water to seize their prey.
Pelicans
Pelicans are easily recognized by their massive bills and highly elastic gular pouch, which hangs from the lower mandible. Brown Pelicans are well-known for their spectacular fishing method, where they dive from heights of up to 60 feet, hitting the water to scoop up fish in their pouch. The pouch acts as a temporary net, which the bird must drain before swallowing the captured fish. Other species, like the American White Pelican, fish by swimming on the surface and scooping up prey, sometimes coordinating in groups to herd fish.
Observing and Protecting Coastal Species
Beachgoers must interact ethically with these specialized birds to ensure their survival and maintain the coastal ecosystem. It is important to maintain a substantial distance from nesting areas, roosts, and colonies to prevent stress or nest abandonment. Staying on designated trails and minimizing disturbance to sand dunes and vegetation is recommended. Never feed coastal birds, especially gulls, as this disrupts natural foraging behaviors and exposes them to unhealthy diets. Observing these species with binoculars or a spotting scope from afar is the best way to appreciate their adaptations without causing harm.