Field Guide

Explore the Field Guide to learn about more than 350 species of birds, fish, insects, algae, invertebrates, mammals, plants, reptiles and amphibians that live in the Chesapeake Bay region.

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Showing: 10 of 397

Virginia rail

Rallus limicola

The Virginia rail is a small bird with a pig-like grunting call that can be found in the fresh and brackish marshes of the Chesapeake region year-round.

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Virginia rail peeks out of tall grass.
Birds

Whip Coral

Leptogorgia virgulata

Whip coral is an invertebrate with long, whip-like branches covered in tiny polyps. It lives on rocks, reefs and other hard surfaces throughout the lower Chesapeake Bay.

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Invertebrates

Blue-Winged Teal

Anas discors

This small dabbling duck is named for the powder-blue patches on its forewings. It can be found in the marshes and wetlands of the Chesapeake region in spring and fall.

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A female blue-winged teal swims through a body of water with a white crescent on its face and brown, mottled feathers.
Birds

American Eel

Anguilla rostrata

The American eel is a smooth, snake-like fish that lives in rivers, streams and other freshwater areas throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

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Fish

Water Starwort

Callitriche spp.

Water starwort is an underwater grass with bright green, egg-shaped leaves that float on the surface of the water. It grows in quiet fresh waters throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

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Plants & Trees

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

The great blue heron is a tall, bluish-gray wading bird with a long, pointed bill and a graceful, S-shaped neck. It lives year-round in marshes and wetlands throughout the Chesapeake Bay region.

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A great blue heron flies in front of a forest, with its legs and wings outstretched and its neck tucked into its body.
Birds

Snowberry Clearwing

Hemaris diffinis

The snowberry clearwing is a type of hummingbird moth that can be found throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. It is a pollinator that hovers in front of flowers to drink nectar.

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Insects

Mantis Shrimp

Squilla empusa

The mantis shrimp is a crustacean with a flattened, segmented body and praying mantis-like claws. It burrows within muddy flats along the shoreline of the middle and lower Chesapeake Bay.

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Invertebrates

Eastern Skunk Cabbage

Symplocarpus foetidus

Skunk cabbage is an early-blooming plant native to the forests, woodlands and swamps of the eastern United States.

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Plants & Trees

American Chestnut

Castanea dentata

The American chestnut was once an abundant native tree that could grow 100 feet tall. Now, threatened by disease, the tree rarely makes it to maturity.

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Plants & Trees