American Kestrel

        Today's featured feathered friend is the American Kestrel.  It is the most abundant member of the Falcon family and the smallest raptor in North America. 

        The American Kestrel is a strikingly beautiful bird.  The female has a reddish-brown crown, back, wings and tail.  She is white below with fine brown streaking.  The male has a blue-gray crown and wings with a reddish-brown back and tail.  He is white below with black spots.  Both sexes have two dark vertical stripes on a white face.  Unlike most raptor species, males and females are approximately the same length (9-10 inches) and have the same wingspan (22-23 inches).  Like most raptors the female is larger than the male, roughly 20% larger (heavier).

        During the winter months we see American Kestrels everywhere we go.  We just can't seem to get the outstanding photos that we want.  We spot them perched on a fencepost or a wire, but the moment the car begins to slow....they are gone.  They tease us by moving a short distance ahead, only to fly off as we approach again, and on and on it goes.

       Click on the links below for more information.  Enjoy our best photos (we're still working hard to get better ones) of the elusive American Kestrel.....tweet.....tweet!!

American Kestrel (Male)
(Taken 12/1/13, Englewood FL)

 

American Kestrel (Female)
(12/17/12, Laurel FL)

 

American Kestrel (Male)
(Taken 2/21/13, Punta Gorda FL)

 

American Kestrel (Female)
(Taken 3/2/13, south of Clewiston FL)

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/id

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Kestrel

Fall Migration brings lots of Warblers

        As fall migration comes to an end, we add another Warbler species to our life list, the Black-Throated Green Warbler.  On a tip, we drove north to Leffis Key (Anna Maria Island) and found both the male and female there, our 208th Florida bird.

        During migration we spotted many other Warblers.  The Prairie, Yellow, Palm, and Yellow-Rumped Warblers, and the Ovenbird, were all visitors to our backyard.  We found the Yellow-Throated, Black-and-White and Pine Warblers, the Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart and the Northern Parula on birding trips.

        We searched but "dipped" (missed out) on a chance to add many other Warblers to our life list.  The Cerulean, Tennessee, Orange-Crowned, Nashville, Chestnut-Sided, Blackburnian, Magnolia, Worm-Eating, Canada and Kentucky Warblers were all reported in Southwest Florida this fall.  The Yellow-Breasted Chat, the Northern Waterthrush and the Louisiana Waterthrush were also spotted nearby.

        We're already looking forward to the 2014 spring migration and another opportunity to see these small, colorful, beautiful little birds.  Enjoy some of our favorite Warbler photos from the 2013 fall migration.....tweet.....tweet!!    

 

Black-Throated Green Warbler (Female)

 

Black-Throated Green Warbler (Male)

 

American Redstart (Male)

 

Ovenbird   (In our backyard)

 

Black-and-White Warbler (Male)

 

Yellow-Throated Warbler (Male)

Prairie Warbler (Male)

Northern Parula (Male)

 

Red-Shouldered Hawk

        Today's featured feathered friend is the Red-Shouldered Hawk.  This medium-sized raptor can be found year round across most of the eastern United States.  Identifying hawks can be difficult, but the Red-Shouldered's distinctive loud call helps nail down its I.D. 

        They have brownish heads, reddish chests and pale bellies with reddish bars.  Their tails are marked with narrow white bars.  The red "shoulders" are visible when they are perched.  The upper parts are dark with pale spots and they have long yellow legs.  Males are 17 inches in length, weigh about 1.2 pounds and have a wingspan of around 37 inches.  Like most other raptor species, females are larger than males.  Females can be several inches longer, weighs about 1.5 pounds and have wider wingspans.

        They prey mostly on small mammals, lizards, snakes and amphibians. They occasionally eat birds, sometimes from feeders.  We have witnessed several hawk attacks in our backyard and sadly, lost a few Mourning Doves.  To help protect the smaller birds, we have moved the feeders and most of the baths to the edge of the yard, where shrubs and small trees offer them shelter.  When Florida Scrub-Jays are present, one of them acts as a "sentinel" (one that keeps guard).  If the sentinel spots a hawk it gives a warning call and all the birds head for cover.

     Click on the links below for more information and enjoy these photos of the Red-Shouldered Hawk.....tweet....tweet!!


Perched and calling
(Taken 12/24/11, Englewood Sports Complex, Englewood FL)

 

A birds eye view of The Celery Fields
(Taken 9/5/13, The Celery Fields, Sarasota FL)

 

A field mouse for lunch.
(Taken 6/12/13, The Celery Fields, Sarasota FL)

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/red-shouldered_hawk/id

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-shouldered_Hawk

 

           

Florida Burrowing Owl

        Today's featured feathered friend is the Florida Burrowing Owl.  They are listed as a species of special concern in Florida.  It is estimated that the Florida Burrowing Owl population is around 3,000 birds.

        Burrowing Owls are the only North American Owl that nest underground, hence the name.  They sometimes nest colonially with just a few feet separating each burrow.  They can be seen year-round, day or night, in central and south Florida. They prefer open prairie, but are also found in agricultural, recreational and residential areas.

          In most species of raptors, including other Owl species, females are visibly larger than males.  However, male and female Burrowing Owls are generally the same size and are similar in appearance.  They have bright yellow eyes, a flattened facial disc, long featherless gray legs with white eyebrows and chins.  Adults have brown heads and wings with white spotting. The chest and abdomen are white with variable brown spotting or barring.  Juveniles are similar to adults but lack most of the white spotting above and brown barring below.  Burrowing Owls are about 9 inches long, weigh around 5 ounces and have a 21 inch wingspan. 

        Enjoy today's photos of these well camouflaged adult Florida Burrowing Owls, taken in Punta Gorda FL, in February 2013.....tweet.....tweet!!

 

 

Hard to spot  <  -----------------------------  >  Easier to spot

TOO Cute!!

 

Up close and personal.

 http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Burrowing_Owl/id

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burrowing_Owl

Anhinga

        Today's featured feathered friend is the Anhinga.  A member of the Darter family, it is commonly referred to as the "Snakebird".  This reference comes from their appearance while in the water.  They dive below the surface to fish and can remain submerged for long periods.  When they surface, only their very long neck is visible above the waterline.  A year-round Florida resident, Anhingas are also found in the other Gulf Coast states as well Georgia and the Carolinas.  They are abundant in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

        The Anhinga is a large water bird.  It measures about 35 inches in length, weighs between 2.5 to three pounds, with a wingspan of around 3.5 feet.  They have small heads with long sharply-pointed yellow bills, long slender necks and yellow webbed feet.  The male is glossy black with white tips on it's tail feathers.  The upper back of the body and wings are streaked with white.  The female is similar except her head, neck and upper chest are light brown.

        Unlike Ducks, Anhingas lack the ability to "waterproof" their feathers.  If it's feathers become waterlogged, the bird is less buoyant and can drown.  It will perch for long periods with it's wings spread, allowing the feathers to dry.  If they attempt to fly with wet wings, they have difficulty getting airborne.  In flight, Anhingas are graceful and are seen soaring on thermals at high elevations.  Enjoy these photos of the Anhinga.....tweet.....tweet!!

 

Anhinga (Male)
(Taken 3/29/13, Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland FL)

 

Anhinga (Female)
(Taken 5/29/13, The Rookery, Venice FL)

 

Anhinga (Female)
(Taken 9/19/12, Casa De Meadows Pond, Englewood FL)

 

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Anhinga/lifehistory

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anhinga

Green Heron

        Today's featured feathered friend is the Green Heron.  Unlike larger herons who hunt and feed in open areas, Green Herons tend to be at the edges, in shallow water or concealed in vegetation.  On many occasions we've walked past a Green Heron only to look back and find one perched motionless in dense mangroves.  They stare intently into the water, waiting patiently for their prey.  They will drop items into the water to attract fish, making them one of the world's few "tool-using" animals.

        Green Herons are small, stocky herons with short legs, large heads and long bills.  They have long, thick necks that are only seen when striking at food.   Usually the neck is retracted giving them a crouched appearance.  Males and females are similar with dark iridescent bluish green crowns and backs.  Their necks and breasts are reddish brown with white streaking.  Their feet are pale yellow, turning bright reddish orange during breeding.  They are 19 inches long with a 27 inch wingspan and weigh about eight ounces.

        Green Herons are year-round Florida residents.  In the summer they can be found anywhere in the U.S., east of the Rocky Mountains.  They are also common along the Pacific Coast and have been known to wander as far as  Hawaii.  Enjoy these photos of the resourceful Green Heron.....tweet.....tweet!! 

 

(Taken 1/2/13, Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt
Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville FL)

 

(Taken 1/14/13, The Rookery, Venice FL)

 

Green Heron ready to strike.
(Taken 1/1/13, The Celery Fields, Sarasota FL)

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/green_heron/id

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Heron

Purple Gallinule

        Today's featured feathered friend is the Purple Gallinule, a member of the Rail family.  Birds in this family have cone shaped bills and very large feet that allow them to walk on floating vegetation without sinking.     

        In bright lighting conditions the Purple Gallinules are stunning.  They have dark purple heads, necks and undersides, with greenish backs and very large yellow feet.  Their bills are red with a yellow tip.  They have light blue "frontal shields" on their foreheads, and bright white feathers under their tails.  Adults are about 13 inches in length, weigh around 9 ounces and have a 22 inch wingspan.  Adult males and females are similar in appearance with the male being slightly larger.  Juveniles are brownish overall with an olive green back.   

        Purple Gallinules can be found in the tropical regions of the Caribbean, Central and South America.  They also inhabit and breed in the swamps and marshes of the southeastern United States.  The south Florida population are year-round residents, but most American birds migrate to South America for the winter.

        On a recent trip to The Celery Fields in Sarasota, we got a nice video of a Purple Gallinule climbing on alligator flags (marsh vegetation), foraging for food.  Check out the video by clicking here ----> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyew1-RTEbA .  Enjoy these photos of the colorful Purple Gallinule.....tweet.....tweet!!

 

(Taken 6/12/13, The Celery Fields, Sarasota FL)

 

Taken 9/5/13, The Celery Fields, Sarasota FL)

 

Purple Gallinule chicks (Taken 9/5/13, The Celery Fields, Sarasota FL)

 

(Taken 9/5/2013, The Celery Fields, Sarasota FL)

 

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Purple_Gallinule/id

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Purple_Gallinule