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Located on the southeastern coast, South Carolina is known for its beach tourism, historic districts and golf destinations. The state has a humid subtropical climate and is divided into three main regions, including the Coastal Plain, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Foothills. Its climate and geography provide suitable habitat for many animals, including birds. Spot 13 species of bluebirds in South Carolina and learn about their migrations, habitats, appearance, vocalizations and nests.
tree swallow
Migration and Habitat: Tree swallows spend the winter on the South Carolina coast before migrating to other parts of the state. They will appear in open or semi-open areas such as fields, meadows, and swamps.
Features and Coloring: These birds have long, pointed wings and short, notched tails. Their body color is blue-green above and white below, with dark brown, almost black wings and tail.
food: insects and berries
Voicing: Three high-pitched tones: chirp, whine, and cluck
nest: Grass cup in a dead tree hole
oriental bluebird
Migration and Habitat: The eastern bluebird is a permanent resident of South Carolina and much of the Southeast. They prefer to live near tree-covered open areas, such as pastures, fields, golf courses, and parks.
Features and Coloring: This species has long wings and a round head with large eyes. Male eastern bluebirds have bright blue top feathers, white underside, and a brownish-red breast.
food: insects and berries
Voicing: Soft, low-pitched vibrato and calling
nest: Tree Hole Lined with Grass and Weeds
blue jay
Migration and Habitat: Bluejays live year-round in South Carolina and other parts of the East. This species is abundant in forests, especially among oaks near forest edges. You’ll also find them in public areas around cities and suburbs.
Features and Coloring: They have prominent crests and long tails. Their plumage is a mix of various blues, whites and blacks.
food: Nuts, grains, berries, seeds, fruits and insects
Voicing: whispering clicks and whines
nest: Large branch cup in a tree fork
indigo bunting
Migration and Habitat: Indigo Bunting breeds in South Carolina and most of the eastern United States. They place their nests in bushy and weedy places, such as the edges of logs.
Features and Coloring: They have a short tail and conical beak and are covered in bright blue plumage, with a darker head and silver beak.
food: seeds and insects
Voicing: bright, high-pitched notes
nest: Open grass cup in dense bushes
bunting
Migration and Habitat: Painted buntings breed on the South Carolina coast before heading to South Florida for the winter. They prefer semi-open habitats with sparse trees for breeding. Look for them in bushes and palms.
Features and Coloring: They have long tails and thick bills. Their plumage is bright and colorful in shades of blue, red, orange and green.
food: seeds and insects
Voicing: short note
nest: Weaving grass cups in dense bushes
great blue heron
Migration and Habitat: The Great Blue Heron is a permanent resident of South Carolina and most of the United States, especially around the southern coast. They live in freshwater and saltwater habitats such as swamps and swamps.
Features and Coloring: They have very long legs and necks and black eye stripes. Their plumage is blue-gray and white overall.
food: Fish, Amphibians, Snakes and Insects
Voicing: rattling and rattling
nest: Paste the platform on the tree
little blue heron
Migration and Habitat: Little blue heron populations along the South Carolina coast stay there year-round, while those further inland live there during the breeding season. These birds live near tidal flats, swamps, swamps, lagoons, and other wetland habitats.
Features and Coloring: This species has long legs and a long neck, but is smaller than the giant bluefish. They are dark gray blue and maroon.
food: fish and crustaceans
Voicing: Hoarse croaks and mouth snaps
nest: Paste platforms in trees or shrubs
sky blue warbler
Migration and Habitat: The cerulean warbler is an occasional South Carolina migrant, stopping to feed in scrub and forest.
Features and Coloring: These birds have small beaks, short tails, and sky blue, white, and black plumage.
food: insect
Voicing: buzzing metallic trill
nest: Small open cup on a horizontal branch
purple martin
Migration and Habitat: Purple Martins are bred in South Carolina and other parts of the eastern United States. They used to breed along forest edges and along rivers, but are now found almost exclusively in nest boxes in suburban and urban areas.
Features and Coloring: This species has long wings, a slightly hooked beak, and a broad chest. Their colors are deep metallic blue-violet and black.
food: insect
Voicing: rattling and rattling noises in the throat
nest: Grass leaf cup in old woodpecker hole
belt kingfisher
Migration and Habitat: Belted kingfishers are permanent residents of South Carolina and most of the United States. These birds must have water in order to eat. Look for them near lakes, estuaries, rivers, ponds and streams.
Features and Coloring: These birds have long, dagger-like beaks, hairy crests, and large heads. Their plumage is grey-blue, white and maroon.
food: small fish
Voicing: mechanical rattle
nest: tunnel in vertical embankment
swallow
Migration and Habitat: Barn swallows breed in South Carolina, especially off the coast. You’ll likely find them around farms, fields, ponds, and around town.
Features and Coloring: They have broad shoulders and long wings with dark blue, cinnamon and tan plumage.
food: insect
Voicing: warbling and mechanical whirring
nest: Mud cups under eaves, bridges and piers
white-breasted nuthatch
Migration and Habitat: The white-breasted nuthatch lives year-round in South Carolina and most of the United States. This species prefers mature woods, especially deciduous forests. But you can also spot them in public areas like parks, yards, and other wooded suburbs.
Features and Coloring: These birds have short tails and long, pointed beaks. They come in blue-gray, black and white colors.
food: insects and seeds
Voicing: low, rapid nasal sound
nest: Simple bark cup in a hole in a large tree, sometimes in an old woodpecker hole
Red-breasted nuthatch
Migration and Habitat: The red-breasted nuthatch overwinters in South Carolina and most of the United States. You can almost only find these birds in coniferous or deciduous forests.
Features and Coloring: This species has a short tail and a long, pointed beak. Their plumage is blue-gray, rust-red, black and white.
food: insects and seeds
Voicing: rapid nasal sound
nest: Hole lined with soft grass among rotting tree stumps
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.