Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge - Organisms of Chincoteague

Appearance: black/white feathers

The Merlin is a species of falcon that inhabits Assateague island but it can be seen within the park. Merlins have been documented to disguise themselves by imitating characteristics of a pigeon or woodpecker in order to ambush its prey. It has also been known to be aggressively territorial, even against other birds of prey.

Appearance: Beige, black/white feathers

The Piping Plovers migrate to between the U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico in between seasons but the time spent in the Assateague State Park is used to breed. Piping Plover eggs often fall prey to raccoons, gulls, foxes.

Wing span: 6 feet 6 inches (2.0 m)

Appearance: dark blue feathers

Brown Pelicans are specialized hunters. They use their enormous bill and expandable pouch to dive into the water to capture fish. They resurface to feed on the fish and take flight again. They consume approximately four pounds of fish a day. This breed of pelican lays 2–4 eggs after it mates.They typically exist in colonies.

Appearance: burnt umber fur

Sika Deer typically in habit the sand dune areas and marshes within Assateague. The oddity about them is that they were originally introduced into the environment from Japan or eastern Asia. they often behave like elk and display amazing battles between potential male mates during mating season. There are multiple subspecies of Sika that exist throughout Asia but many have gone extinct and therefore have been transplanted into other parts of the world to resuscitate the population.

Appearance: red/orange coat

Red foxes are typically active at night throughout Assateague. They are commonly spotted on the shoreline. They uses their finely tuned ears to detect prey such as mice that hide beneath the snow and a as a result, they are effective in controlling the rodent populations. Red foxes have a short life span but some have been recorded to survive up to the age of fourteen.

Appearance: dark toned exoskeleton (covers entire body)

Horseshoe crabs have barely changed from their 300 million-year-old ancestors.They mainly inhabit the shore areas for calmer waters. This species of crab has a strange similarity to spiders due to its multiple pairs of eyes. Horseshoe crabs typically feed on razor clams and other shellfish though horseshoe crabs are hunted by many species of shore birds as well as trout, flounder and other crabs.

Wingspan: 3 feet 8 inches (1.1 m)

Appearance: Black and white feathers

Black skimmer are specialized hunter due to the way they use their beaks. Both portions of the beak partly colored black but the lower mandible of the black skimmer is longer than the upper mandible and is used to skim across the surface of the water, thereby scooping up any unsuspecting fish. Therefore it is aptly named the black skimmer. This species of bird is currently marked as a threatened species. They typically breed in colonies on beaches and lay approximately three to five eggs.

The Virginia herd of ponies is owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company holds a carnival during Pony Penning to raise funds. This is because a string of disastrous fires made the villagers realize the firefighting equipment was inadequate. Each year the Virginia herd is rounded up for the Pony Penning and Auction. The Pony Penning began as a way for livestock owners to claim and harness their loose herds. By the 1700s it became an annual event. Pony Penning is held in July during the Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman's Carnival.