Florida

Grey-headed Swamphen - Boyton Beach, FL The Grey-headed swamphen is a rather chunky member of the rail/gallinule family that originates from south east Asia. There were several that were claimed to be escapees in the everglades and have been very successful in the area of South East Florida. Too successful in relation to the local population of birds that live within the same range. Invasive species are the largest reason for the decline of some species today. These threats are usually due to competition for nesting habitat or food and sometimes the spread of disease as is the case of Hawaiian birds. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Grey-headed Swamphen - Boynton Beach, FL
Tricolored Heron - Boynton Beach, FL Looking proud after a good preening, this Tri-colored heron was having a rest on the rail of the boardwalk at Green Cay in Boyton Beach. The bird was not bothered by the walkers and the walkers all seem to be nonchalant about the bird on the rail. I, of course was having a great morning with all the birds so relaxed. The name of this bird has changed from since I got my first bird book that I remember from my childhood. I remember also thinking I cant wait to get to Louisiana to seem them. This however is not the only place to see them as you can see here on this map. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Tri-colored Heron - Boyton Beach, FL
Anhinga - Boynton Beach, FL A beautiful morning at the amazing Green Cay Nature Center gave me an wonderful shot of this pointy-billed bird.. He was sunning himself after a dip in the swamp water in and around the boardwalk. The open mouth and gular fluttering is to cool down as it was starting to get a little warm and not a display of aggression. He must have made this a perch on several occasions as he was not concerned with my presence at all. Anhingas are a member of the cormorant family which has been recently separated from the Pelican family. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Anhinga Profile - Boynton Beach, FL
Anhinga - Boynton Beach, FL This very unique bird is commonly referred to as a snake bird because it typically swims with its body submerged and only its
Anhinga - Boynton Beach, FL
Glossy Ibis - Boynton Beach, FL Glossy Ibis are waders with a long curved bill so they can probe the soft mud looking for critters that live there. They hunt by feeling movement with that long down curved bill and are quick snatch up anything that moves. Mostly this includes insects and their larvae, worms, snails and mussels, crabs and crayfish. Every so often fish, amphibians, lizards and snakes are on the menu as well. I have just recently found out that the ibises have been recently found to be more closely related to pelicans than storks. The magic of DNA. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Glossy Ibis - Boynton Beach, FL
Purple Gallinule - Boynton Beach, FL Purple in the swamps of South West USA is not a common thing to see, but this handsome bird with the candy corn beak is one of those that sticks out as memorable. This parent was feeding several young in the tall grass just off the boardwalk. One of the other notable things about this bird is the giant feet. The long toes allow it to spread the weight of the bird over a larger area allowing it to walk on the reeds and aquatic vegetation. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Purple Gallinule - Boynton Beach, FL
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks - Boynton Beach, FL This pair of very conspicuous Whistling ducks surveyed the marsh for some time as people trotted past them. They were very noisy on the landing and just about the same on the take off. They didn't actually hit the water while they were here. Two of the unique things about these ducks are the sharp toenails and upright posture for grasping branches. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks - Boynton Beach, FL
Green Heron - Ft. Lauderdale, FL Obviously the bird is used to people being close as he was walking around within several dozen people in the center of Hillsboro Inlet Park. In the dry season this lawn is high and dry but this small heron was checking for goodies along the edge of a new pond from the spring rains. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Green Heron - Ft.Lauderdale, FL
Burrowing Owl - Sunrise, FL One of my favorite birds is a regular at the Markham Park Airfield. This most unlikely place for an endangered bird works well for a host of feathered residents. The owls are protected from intrusion from humans given the danger of being hit by one of these hobby planes. The owls don't seem to mind the noise, in fact, they breed here in several locations on the air field. I talked with one of the caretakers of the park mowing the lawn and he said they love to follow the lawn mower which kicks up the insects snacks. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Burrowing Owl - Sunrise, FL
Purple Gallinule Chick - Boynton Beach, FL With the feet on this little fella, you would think he was from something out of the Pink Floyd, The Wall. I would say this Purple Gallinule will have to grow into his feet, but that never really happens. Adults have the long spindly toes as well, which help them stay aloft on the reeds and grasses in the margins of the swamp. The black feathering keeps them camouflaged in the shadows until they get their wonderfully iridescent purple and green coloration. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Purple Gallinule Chick - Boynton Beach, FL
Limpkin - Sunrise, FL This species eluded me on three tropical trips and I finally was able to get a look from some distance in Belize. This bird was much more accommodating while walking around the pond in Markham Park. He was working the high water shoreline in search of Snails. The birds are somewhere between a rail and a crane but have had ornithologist moving them from family to family and most put them in the crane family based on the fossil records and skeletal build of these birds. These birds are found only in the deep southeast where they almost exclusively consume freshwater snails. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Limpkin - Sunrise, FL
Boat-tailed Grackle - Boynton Beach, FL Eventhough these blackbirds are a common sight, I really love the sheen when the blue and purple are reflecting light the right way. I also marvel at their tails and wonder why are they shaped like that. Do they fly better? Do the females find it attractive? Grackles are somewhat difficult to separate sometimes from each other. The three species found in the North America are the Great-tailed, Boat-tailed and Common grackles. This one is identified by the size in between the other two with a deeply keeled tail and a dark eye. Also, only found in the south east of the States. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Boat-tailed Grackle - Boynton Beach, FL
Burrowing Owl - Sunrise, FL One of my favorite birds is a regular at the Markham Park Airfield. This most unlikely place for an endangered bird works well for a host of birds. The owls are protected from any intrusion from humans given the danger of being hit by one of these hobby planes and the owls don't seem to mind the noise. In fact, they breed here in several locations on the air field. I talked with one of the caretakers of the park mowing the lawn and he said they love to follow the lawn mower which kicks up the insects behind. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Burrowing Owl - Sunrise, FL
Blue Jay - Sunrise, FL On the way through Markam Park in Surise, i ran into a family of Blue Jays bouncing through the trees. The young were flapping their wings and begging from the lower branches. The adults were searching through the trees nooks and crannys for something to keep the kids happy. This one adult made it down close to and looked to be interested in what I was doing. With no food to hand over, the bird moved on to the next copse of trees. One thing that I have noted is most that Jays around the world have the tell tale stripping. on the flight and tales feathers. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Blue Jay - Sunrise, FL
Loggerhead Shrike - Sunrise, FL One of the first spots that I visited while in South Florida was Markham park. As soon as I got out of the car, a flash of white dove out of the tree and landed in the dewy grass to capture and flying bug. It turns out, there were very hungry mouths to feed. This very serious predator hunts for insects, reptiles, anphibians and some small rodents. After securing its prey, they find a very thorny bush to hang the food on. The Loggerhead name is in reference to its large head in relation to its body. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Loggerhead Shrike - Sunrise, FL
White-winged Dove - Sunrise, FL White-winged doves are relatively new to Florida with records stating that they have been most likely breeding there in the last 10 years. They are typically found in Central America up to the southwestern states. When in flight they show the crescent shaped white wing pattern. This photo was taken in Markham Park in Florida. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
White-winged Dove - Sunrise, FL
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Yellow-throated Warbler - Long Key, FL