Waterbirds and Their Habitat

The Chesapeake Bay lies in the Atlantic Flyway and is home to almost 1 million waterfowl each winter. The waterfowl depend on coastal wetlands and shallow waters for habitat and food. These habitats are being lost to sea-level rise and development. The USGS is assessing the ability of near-shore habitats, from wetlands to shallow waters, to support waterfowl and water birds.