Featured Species

Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge conserves and protects freshwater marshes in western Terrebonne Parish in south–central Louisiana. The refuge is a top priority wetland conservation project of the Gulf Coast Joint Venture of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, as refuge marshes are important feeding and resting places for waterfowl in the Mississippi Flyway. Thousands of migratory waterfowl including mallards, blue and green-winged teal, gadwalls, widgeon, and mottled ducks visit the freshwater marshes each year. Forested areas provide critical spring and fall habitat for neotropical migratory birds. Bald eagles forage along refuge waterways and marshes between October – May.  

A large reptile basking in the sun on a log over still water surrounded by green vegetation

The American alligator is a large, semi-aquatic, armored reptile that is related to crocodiles. Their body alone ranges from 6 - 14 feet long. Almost black in color, the it has prominent eyes and nostrils with coarse scales over the entire body. It has a large, long head with visible upper teeth...

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Bald eagle up close with wing raised

A large raptor, the bald eagle has a wingspread of about seven feet. Adults have a dark brown body and wings, white head and tail, and a yellow beak. Juveniles are mostly brown with white mottling on the body, tail, and undersides of wings. Adult plumage usually is obtained by the sixth year. In...

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