Marsh Wildlife
This amphibian is often found hiding under logs or in the water and breathes through its skin
A frog
This large grey-blue bird wades through the water on long legs, hunting fish with its beak
Great blue heron
These tall marsh plants with fuzzy brown tops are often found along the edges of freshwater marshes
Cattails
This insect starts life in the water, turns into a flying adult, and is known for biting and buzzing
A mosquito
This marsh mammal builds lodges out of sticks and mud and helps create wetland habitats
A beaver
This duck nests in tree holes and is known for its colourful feathers and sharp claws for climbing
A wood duck
This floating plant has round green leaves and white or yellow flowers, frogs often rest on it
A water lily
This hard-shelled invertebrate has pincers, lives in wetland areas, and hides under rocks and mud
A crayfish
This freshwater turtle often basks in the sun on logs and has red markings behind its eyes
A painted turtle
This bird of prey lives near water, dives to catch fish, and is often seen at Ontario wetlands
An osprey
This tiny green plant floats on the surface of still marsh water like a carpet, and is one of the smallest flowering plants in the world
Duckweed
This flying insect starts its life underwater as a nymph, then climbs out to shed its skin and emerges with two pairs of clear wings. It hunts smaller insects while flying
A dragonfly
This long-bodied predator lives in marshes and has webbed feet, thick fur, and eats fish and frogs
A river otter
This small black bird with red shoulder patches is often seen perched on cattails in Ontario marshes
A red-winged black bird
This invasive plant grows very tall, spreads quickly, and crowds out native marsh plants
Phragmite
This insect is often confused with a dragonfly, but it holds its wings closed over its back when resting, and its body is thinner. It also starts life underwater
A damselfly
This shy marsh animal is often mistaken for a beaver but is smaller, with a long tail, it builds lodges out of plants and is active at night
A muskrat
This small marsh bird builds dome-shaped nests hidden in reeds and is known for its loud, bubbly song
A marsh wren
This tall marsh plant has bright purple flowers and was brought from Europe, it spreads quickly and pushes out native plants in Ontario wetlands
Purple Loosestrife
This small, beetle-like insect swims on its back using its long legs like oars. It carries an air bubble to breathe underwater
A backswimmer