Our First New Life Bird of 2014, The Eurasian Wigeon

         An eventful ending to 2013 came when Cedar Waxwings showed up in our backyard on December 31st, giving us an even 200 species for the year.  The first bird seen in 2014 by Joan was a stunning male Painted Bunting, while Dan's first bird seen was a sweet Carolina Wren.

        Our first outing of the year came on January 2nd.  Acting on a tip (a "rare bird" alert), we drove south to Cape Coral in Lee County and found a male Eurasian Wigeon.  He was swimming in a pond with other ducks, exactly where he was reported to be.  It sure would be neat if that happened more often.  He is our first new "life bird" of 2014.  Click on this link to see a short video of him swimming with the other ducks -----> http://youtu.be/nWglBqGxD9A  

        The Eurasian Wigeon is a medium-sized duck from Europe and Asia, hence the name.  They are rare visitors to the United States.  When they appear in the U.S., it is usually along either coastline, however, individual birds have appeared in nearly every state.  Eurasian Wigeons are around 19 inches in length, weigh about 1.5 pounds and have a wingspan of close to 30 inches.  Males have a reddish-brown head with a buffy forehead.  Their bill (male and female) is pale bluish-gray with a small dark tip.  He has a pale gray back and flanks, a white hip patch and a pinkish breast.  The female has a warm-brown to grayish-brown head, breast and flanks, with a reddish-brown back.  Juveniles are similar to adult females, but duller.

        This year is off to a great start.  Enjoy these photos of our newest feathered friend and our 215th life bird, the Eurasian Wigeon.....tweet.....tweet!!

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

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

Tricolored Heron

        Today's featured feather friend is the Tricolored Heron.  Most of the "birders" we know simply refer to it as the "Tri".  It was formerly known as the Louisiana Heron and is a year round Florida resident.  It is also found in coastal areas of the eastern United States and Mexico, throughout the Caribbean and Central America, and in parts of northern South America.

        The Tri is a beautifully colored, medium-sized, slender, long-necked, long-legged and long-billed Heron.  It measures about 26 inches in length, weighs just under a pound and has a wingspan of around 38 inches.  Males and females are similar in appearance.  Adults have a slate blue head, neck, back and wings with reddish tones on the neck and back.  The breast and belly are snowy white with white streaking on the throat and neck.  In breeding plumage it's yellow bill turns cobalt blue, it grows purplish plumes on it's back and white plumes on the back of it's crown.  Juveniles are similar to adults, but with brownish necks.

        While hunting in shallow water, the Tri often runs with wings spread, head held low to the water, ready to stab with it's dagger-like bill.  This foraging technique (dancing) is very entertaining.  On a recent visit to Fort Desoto County Park we took several videos.  Watch the dance of the Tricolored Heron by clicking here ------> http://youtu.be/BUS9DZueMZ4  and enjoy some of our favorite photos of the gorgeous Tricolored Heron.....tweet.....tweet!!

Tricolored Heron (Adult)
(Taken 11/9/13, Sports Complex, Englewood FL)

 

Tricolored Heron (Adult)
(Taken 12/26/13, Ft. Desoto Park, St. Petersburg FL)

 

Tricolored Heron (Juvenile)
(Taken 9/8/13, Sports Complex, Englewood FL)

 

Foraging in shallow water
(Taken 11/9/13, Sports Complex, Englewood FL)



Ready to strike.....
(Taken 12/26/13, Fort Desoto Park, St. Petersburg FL)

.....Gotcha !!
(Taken 12/26/13, Ft. Desoto Park, St. Petersburg FL)

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

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

   

 

            

White-Winged Dove

        Today's featured feathered friend is the White-Winged Dove.  In the United States it is most common in Arizona, but has expanded it's range to include the southeastern states.  It is also native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

        These birds have a distinctive broad white streak at the edge of their folded wings, hence the name, "White-Winged Dove".  They are brownish overall with a dark line on the cheek, a reddish-orange eye surrounded by blue skin.  Males and females are similar in appearance.  Juveniles are similar to adults but are grayish with a dark eye.  They are about 12 inches in length, weigh around 7 ounces and have a wingspan of 20 inches.  Enjoy these photos of the White-Winged Dove, taken in our backyard.....tweet.....tweet!!

Taken 12/16/13

 

Taken 11/15/11

 http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/white-winged_dove/id

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-winged_Dove

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