1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens)

The Green Heron (Butorides virescens) is a small, secretive wader, cloaked in an iridescent greenish-black cap and a rich chestnut neck. Its wings are a tapestry of grey-black that transitions into hues of green or blue. The adult's plumage is complemented by grey underparts and short yellow legs, while its bill is a dark, pointed instrument of precision. Females are generally smaller and exhibit less vibrant plumage, especially during the breeding season. Juveniles present a more muted appearance with streaked brown and white head sides, neck, and underparts, and their legs and bill bear a greenish-yellow tinge.

Adult length: Approximately 44 cm (17 inches)

Wingspan: 25.2–26.8 inches (64–68 cm)

Weight: Around 8.5 oz (240 g)

Distinguishing features include a glossy greenish-black cap, a chestnut neck with a white line down the front, and short yellow legs.

 

The Green Heron favors small wetlands nestled within low-lying areas, where it can be most often observed during the twilight hours of dusk and dawn.

This heron is native to North and Central America, with migratory populations moving between breeding and wintering grounds. It is a rare vagrant to western Europe and may occasionally stray as far as Hawaii from the Pacific coast of North America.

The Green Heron is a solitary feeder, often seen standing motionless on the shore or perched on branches, patiently awaiting its prey. It is known for its remarkable use of tools, such as dropping bait onto the water's surface to lure fish—a testament to its ingenuity.

The call of the Green Heron is a sharp and sudden "kyow," with a series of softer "kuk" calls. During courtship, males emit a variety of sounds including "raah-rahh," "whoom-whoom-whoom," and "aroo-aaroo" to attract a mate.

These herons are seasonally monogamous, with pairs forming in the breeding range after males perform elaborate courtship displays. They nest in forest and swamp patches, constructing platforms of sticks, often in shrubs or trees. Clutches typically consist of 2–6 pale green eggs, incubated by both parents.

The Green Heron can be confused with its sister species, the Striated Heron (Butorides striata), with which it was once considered conspecific under the name "green-backed heron."

The diet of the Green Heron is varied, including small fish, frogs, aquatic arthropods, and any invertebrate or vertebrate prey within its grasp. It is an opportunistic feeder, also consuming leeches, earthworms, dragonflies, damselflies, waterbugs, grasshoppers, spiders, crayfish, prawns, mice, other rodents, lizards, tadpoles, and snakes.

The Green Heron is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that, at present, it does not face any immediate threat of population decline that would warrant a higher risk category.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor)

The tricolored heron (Egretta tricolor), formerly known as the Louisiana heron, is a small species of heron native to coastal parts of the Americas. The species is more solitary than other species of heron in the Americas and eats a diet consisting mostly of small fish.

Habitat, breeding, and distribution

Tricolored herons breed in swamps and other coastal habitats and nests in colonies, often with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. In each clutch, three to seven eggs are typically laid. The tricolored heron is the second most coastal heron in the United States.

The species' range follows the northeastern United States, south along the coast, through the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, to northern South America as far south as Brazil. In the Pacific region, it ranges from Peru to California, but it is only a nonbreeding visitor to the far north.

It was likely the most numerous heron in North America until the cattle egret arrived to the continent in the 1950s. While the species' population appears to be on the decline, it remains quite common. The bird is listed as "Threatened" by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

This species measures from 56 to 76 cm (22 to 30 in) long and has a typical wingspan of 96 cm (38 in). The slightly larger male heron weighs 415 g (14.6 oz) on average, while the female averages 334 g (11.8 oz). It is a medium-large, long-legged, long-necked heron with a long, pointed, yellowish or greyish bill with a black tip. Its legs and feet are dark. The plumage of the triclolored heron changes dramatically from its juvenile form to its adult form.

Adults have a blue-grey head, neck, back, and upper wings, with a white line along the neck. The belly is white. In breeding plumage, they have long, blue, filamentous plumes on their heads and necks, and buff ones on their backs.

The tricolored heron is more solitary when foraging than other North American herons. When it forages for its prey, it is typically belly-deep in water, alone or at the edge of a mixed flock. Kent (1986) found that the diets of tricolored herons in Florida consisted of 99.7% fish and prawns. While other members of Egretta may also eat crabs and opportunistically forage for terrestrial arthropods, the tricolored heron has been consistently observed to be almost exclusively piscivorous, primarily feeding on members of Poeciliidae.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - BLACK NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus)

The Black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) is an American shorebird that lives in wetlands and coastlines. It is often treated as a subspecies of the Black-winged stilt, however, the American Ornithological Society (AOS) has always considered it a species in its own right.

Black-necked stilts have long pink legs and a long thin black bill. They are white below and have black wings and backs. The tail is white with some grey banding. A continuous area of black extends from the back along the hind neck to the head. There, it forms a cap covering the entire head from the top to just below eye level, with the exception of the areas surrounding the bill and a small white spot above the eye. Males have a greenish gloss to the back and wings, particularly in the breeding season. This is less pronounced or absent in females, which have a brown tinge to these areas instead. Otherwise, the sexes look alike. Downy young are light olive brown with lengthwise rows of black speckles (larger on the back) on the upperparts - essentially where adults are black - and dull white elsewhere, with some dark barring on the flanks.

Black-necked stilts occur from the coastal areas of California through much of the interior western United States and along the Gulf of Mexico as far east as Florida, then south through Central America and the Caribbean to Brazil, Peru, and the Galápagos Islands, with an isolated population, the Hawaiian stilt, in Hawaii. The northernmost populations, particularly those from inland, are migratory and spend winters from the extreme south of the United States to southern Mexico, rarely as far south as Costa Rica; on the Baja California peninsula, they are only found regularly in winter. Black-necked stilts are found in estuarine, lacustrine, salt ponds, lakeshores, alkali flats, flooded fields, and emergent wetland habitats; they usually occur in lowlands but in Central America, they can also be found in mountainous areas.

Black-necked stilts are crepuscular birds. They forage by probing and gleaning primarily in mudflats and lakeshores, but also in very shallow waters near shores. Outside of the breeding season, they are gregarious; they feed and roost in groups and migrate in large flocks. They often roost and rest in alkali flats, lake shores, and islands surrounded by shallow water. Black-necked stilts have a very interesting behavior. Since these birds live in areas with hot climates, they have to cool off the nest. To do that, parents will carry water in their ventral feathers to the nest and can make many trips a day. Fall migration of the northern birds takes place from July to September, and they return to the breeding grounds between March and May. Usually, the entire population breeding at any one site arrives, mates, incubates eggs for about a month, and protects and broods the young until they are capable of sustained flight; this population then leaves again migrating in flocks of about 15 individuals sometimes juveniles congregating in small groups and other times siblings with family groups.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus)

The double-crested cormorant, Nannopterum auritum, is a robust waterbird with a long neck and a stout, hooked bill. Its plumage is predominantly black, with some individuals displaying a greyish back and coverts. During the breeding season, adults develop distinctive nuptial crests above their eyes, which can be white, black, or a combination thereof. The species is named for these crests, and it also features a patch of orange-yellow facial skin. The double-crested cormorant measures 70–90 cm in length, with a wingspan of 114–123 cm, and weighs between 1.2 and 2.5 kg.

Adults in breeding plumage are mostly black with possible white crests and orange facial skin. Non-breeding adults lack the crests and have more yellowish facial skin. Juveniles are grey or brown with lighter underparts. The double-crested cormorant can be distinguished from the great cormorant by its more extensive yellow throat and bill, and from the neotropic cormorant by its range and size.

This species is found in a variety of aquatic environments, including rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. It is adaptable and can be seen perching with wings outstretched to dry its feathers after diving.

The double-crested cormorant is widely distributed across North America, from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska to Florida and Mexico. It is a migratory bird, with some populations moving southward in winter to ice-free coastal areas.

The double-crested cormorant is an adept swimmer and diver, using its feet for propulsion to catch prey. It is often observed standing with wings spread to dry its non-waterproof feathers. In flight, it has a characteristic posture with its bill tilted slightly upward.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)

The turkey vulture, known scientifically as Cathartes aura, is a bird of prey that is the most widespread of the New World vultures. It is a large bird, with a wingspan of 160–183 cm (63–72 in), a length of 62–81 cm (24–32 in), and weight ranging from 0.8 to 2.41 kg (1.8 to 5.3 lb). The adult turkey vulture is recognized by its bald red head, dark plumage, and a relatively short, hooked, ivory-colored beak. The underwing coverts are silvery-gray, providing a contrast against the darker wing linings.

When observing the turkey vulture in flight, look for its distinctive silhouette with wings held in a shallow V-shape. The bird often rocks or tips from side to side, allowing the silvery-gray flight feathers to catch the light. The small, red head is proportionally small compared to its body, and the beak is short and hooked. The legs and feet are pinkish in color, often stained white due to urohidrosis, a cooling behavior where the bird defecates on its own legs.

Turkey vultures inhabit a variety of open and semi-open areas, including subtropical forests, shrublands, pastures, and deserts. They are often found in areas that juxtapose with woodlands, which are important for nesting and roosting.

The turkey vulture's range extends from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. It is a permanent resident in the southern United States, with northern populations migrating as far south as South America.

Turkey vultures are gregarious and roost in large community groups. They are known for their soaring flight, utilizing thermals to stay aloft with minimal flapping. On the ground, they have an ungainly, hopping walk and require significant effort to take flight. They are also known for their horaltic pose, where they spread their wings to dry, warm their body, or bake off bacteria.

Lacking a syrinx, the turkey vulture's vocalizations are limited to grunts or low hisses.

Breeding season varies with latitude, starting in March in the southern United States and extending into August in northerly latitudes. Turkey vultures nest in protected locations such as cliffs, caves, or hollow trees, laying one to three cream-colored eggs with brown or lavender spots. Both parents incubate and care for the altricial chicks by regurgitating food.

The black vulture is similar in appearance but can be distinguished by its shorter tail and wings, which make it appear smaller in flight.

Diet and Feeding

Turkey vultures feed almost exclusively on carrion, preferring recently dead animals and avoiding putrefied remains. They have a keen sense of smell and can detect the gases produced by decaying animals, which aids in locating food.

The turkey vulture is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Populations appear stable, and it has not reached the threshold for inclusion as a threatened species.

10-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - SLATY SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (Libellula incesta)

Libellula incesta, the slaty skimmer, is a dragonfly of the skimmer family, native to eastern United States and southern Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. Adults are 5.28 cm (2.08 in) long. Mature males are dark blue with black heads. Females and juveniles have brown abdomens with a darker stripe down their backs. Adults fly from June to August. Larvae are habitat specialists, found in the benthos of permanent lakes. 

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - ROYAL TERN (Thalasseus maximus)

The royal tern (Thalasseus maximus) is a tern in the family Laridae. The species is endemic to the Americas, though strays have been identified in Europe.

This is a large tern, second only to the Caspian tern but is unlikely to be confused with the carrot-billed giant, which has extensive dark under-wing patches.

The royal tern has an orange-red bill, pale grey upperparts, and white underparts. Its legs are black. In winter, the black cap becomes patchy. Juvenile royal terns are similar to non-breeding adults. Differences include juveniles having black splotched wings and a yellower bill. An adult royal tern has an average wingspan of 130 cm (51 in), for both sexes, but their wingspan can range from 125–135 cm (49–53 in). The royal tern's length ranges from 45–50 cm (18–20 in) and their weight is anywhere from 350–450 g (12–16 oz).

The calls of the royal tern are usually short, clear shrills. Some of the shrills sound like kree or tsirr; the royal tern also has a more plover-like whistle that is longer, rolling, and more melodious.

In parts of its range, the royal tern could be confused with the elegant tern, but the elegant tern has a longer, more curved, bill and shows more white on the forehead in winter.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - NORTHERN CARDINAL (MALE) (Cardinalis cardinalis)

The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), known colloquially as the redbird, common cardinal, red cardinal, or just cardinal, is a bird in the genus Cardinalis. It can be found in southeastern Canada, through the eastern United States from Maine to Minnesota to Texas, New Mexico, southern Arizona, southern California, and south through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. It is also an introduced species in a few locations such as Bermuda and Hawaii. Its habitat includes woodlands, gardens, shrublands, and wetlands.

The northern cardinal is a mid-sized perching songbird with a body length of 21–23 cm (8.3–9.1 in) and a crest on the top of the head. The species expresses sexual dimorphism: Females are a reddish olive color, and have a gray mask around the beak, while males are a vibrant red color, and have a black mask on the face, as well as a larger crest.

The northern cardinal is mainly granivorous, but also feeds on insects and fruit. The male behaves territorially, marking out his territory with song. During courtship, the male feeds seed to the female beak-to-beak. A clutch of three to four eggs is laid, and two to four clutches are produced each year. It was once prized as a pet, but its sale was banned in the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918

 

30-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA,COSTA RICA - TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)

The Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus, is a robust member of the tyrant flycatcher family. This avian species is characterized by its pale gray head adorned with a darker eye mask and an orange crown stripe. It boasts a heavy gray bill, a grayish-green back, and brown wings and forked tail. The underparts are a vibrant yellow, transitioning from a pale gray throat to an olive breast. Both sexes share a similar plumage, while juveniles can be distinguished by pale buff edges on their wing coverts.

Adults measure approximately 22 cm in length, weigh around 39 g, and have a wingspan ranging from 38 to 41 cm. Observers should look for the distinctive orange crown stripe and the bird's habit of perching openly, often high in trees.

The Tropical Kingbird favors semi-open areas with an abundance of trees and shrubs. It thrives in gardens, along roadsides, and in other areas where it can find a prominent perch to survey its domain.

This species has a broad range, breeding from southern Arizona and the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas through Central and South America to central Argentina and eastern Peru. It is also found on Trinidad and Tobago. Birds from the extreme northern and southern parts of their breeding range migrate to warmer areas after the breeding season.

The Tropical Kingbird is known for its acrobatic flights to catch insects mid-air, a behavior known as hawking. It may also hover to glean food from vegetation. These birds are fiercely territorial, defending their space against intruders of all sizes, from frigatebirds to hawks.

The call of the Tropical Kingbird is a high-pitched, twittering trill, described as "tree-e-e-e-e-e-e." Males sing a more complex version of this call at dawn.

Pairs of Tropical Kingbirds are monogamous and often remain together throughout the year. They nest high in trees, sometimes near water, constructing a bulky nest of vines, rootlets, and twigs. The female incubates a clutch of two to four eggs for about 16 days, with the young fledging after another 18 to 19 days.

Their diet consists mainly of insects such as beetles, bees, wasps, and dragonflies. They also consume berries and fruits from various plant species, including common guava and gumbo-limbo.

The IUCN lists the Tropical Kingbird as Least Concern, with a population trend that is increasing. Estimates suggest a global breeding population of around 200 million, and the species is considered to have a low conservation concern.

30-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA,COSTA RICA - BALTIMORE ORIOLE (MALE) (Icterus galbula)

The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a small icterid blackbird, a migratory breeding bird common in eastern North America. The male's vibrant orange and black plumage is reminiscent of the coat-of-arms of the 17th-century Lord Baltimore, hence the name. This medium-sized passerine typically measures 17–22 cm in length with a wingspan of 23–32 cm. Adults are characterized by white bars on the wings, with males boasting a more pronounced orange hue on the underparts, shoulder patch, and rump, while females and juveniles display a more subdued yellow-brown and dull orange-yellow coloration.

Males are distinguished by their black head and back with bright orange to yellow-orange underparts and a solid black tail. Females and juveniles are less boldly colored, with a mix of brown and orange hues. All adults have distinctive white wing bars, which are useful for identification from a distance or in flight.

Baltimore orioles favor open woodland, forest edges, and partially wooded wetlands. They are also found in orchards, farmland, urban parks, and suburban areas with woodlots. During winter, they inhabit flowering canopy trees, often over shade coffee plantations.

The Baltimore oriole breeds from the Canadian Prairies and eastern Montana eastward through southern Canada and the eastern United States, migrating to winter in Central America and northern South America. They are rare vagrants to Western Europe.

Outside of mating season, Baltimore orioles are solitary. They are monogamous, though extra-pair copulation is not uncommon. Males establish territories in the spring and perform various displays to attract females. After mating, the female weaves a remarkable hanging nest where she lays her eggs.

The male's song is a series of sweet whistles, while calls include a nasal "veeer" and a low chatter. Females also sing, especially when defending their nests. Both sexes emit specific warning calls during confrontations.

Baltimore orioles are generally monogamous and solitary outside the breeding season. The female constructs a hanging, pouch-like nest at the end of a branch, where she lays 3-7 eggs. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after about two weeks.

The Baltimore oriole may be confused with the Bullock's oriole, but the latter has a more western distribution. Other similar species include the Scott's and Audubon's orioles, which differ in their coloration and range.

Orioles primarily feed on insects, berries, and nectar. They are adept at foraging in trees and shrubs and are known to sip at hummingbird feeders. They play an important ecological role by consuming pests such as the forest tent caterpillar moth.

The Baltimore oriole is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, its population has experienced a decline due to factors such as habitat loss and Dutch elm disease, which has reduced nesting sites.

31-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL (Sciurus carolinensis)

The Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a tree squirrel native to eastern North America; there it is the most prodigious and ecologically essential natural forest regenerator. Widely introduced to certain places around the world, the Eastern gray squirrel in Europe, in particular, is regarded as an invasive species.

The Eastern gray squirrel is a squirrel of medium size, and both males and females are of the same size and color. Its fur is mainly black or gray, the gray color being grizzled and often banded with gray and black guard hairs, tinged white, with the underside being white. Its tail is quite bushy and sometimes reddish in color and is used for maintaining balance while it leaps between branches. The overall fur color may change with different seasons, with the grayish fur being tawnier during summer, and the tail whiter.

Eastern gray squirrels are native to the eastern and mid-western parts of America, and to the south of the eastern parts of Canada. They range from Manitoba to New Brunswick, and south to Florida and East Texas. They inhabit large areas of mature, dense woodland ecosystems. These forests usually contain large mast-producing trees such as oaks and hickories, providing ample food sources. Close to human settlements, Eastern gray squirrels are found in parks and backyards of houses within urban environments and in the farmlands of rural environments.

Eastern gray squirrels are aggressive, alert, and inquisitive rodents, very fast when moving and jumping amongst the treetops. These squirrels are scatter-hoarder; they hoard huge quantities of food for the future and can make several thousand caches per season. They are more active in the daytime than at night, particularly at dawn and during the afternoon. Males and females may share the same nest during the breeding season, which they build in the forks of trees, and during cold winters, squirrels may also share these dreys to stay warm. The dens are usually lined with moss plants, thistledown, dried grass, and feathers. Females nest alone during pregnancy, and lactating females are particularly aggressive and left alone by other squirrels. These squirrels do not hibernate. To communicate with each other they use both vocalizations and posturing. They have a quite varied repertoire of vocalizations, including a squeak similar to that of a mouse, a low-pitched noise, a chatter, and a raspy "mehr mehr mehr". Other methods of communication include tail-flicking and other gestures, including facial expressions. Squirrels also make an affectionate coo-purring sound that biologists call the "muk-muk" sound. This is used as a contact sound between a mother and her kits and in adulthood, by the male when he courts the female during mating season.

Eastern gray squirrels eat mostly the nuts, buds, and flowers of at least 24 types of oak trees, 10 species of hickory, beech, walnut tree species, pecans, and truffles. Corn, wheat, and other crops are eaten, particularly in the winter. In the summer insects are eaten and are probably particularly important for young squirrels.

Eastern gray squirrels have a polygynndrous (promiscuous) mating system. Males compete among themselves for the ability to mate with female eastern grey squirrels. Females may mate with more than one male as well. Breeding occurs in December-February and May-June and is slightly delayed in more northern latitudes. After a gestation period of 40-44 days, the female bears her litter of 1 to 9 (average 2 or 3) in a den or leafy nest. They are cared for in the nest by their mother until they reach independence. The young are weaned around 10 weeks, though some may wean up to 6 weeks later in the wild. They begin to leave the nest after 12 weeks, with autumn-born young often wintering with their mother. Most females begin their reproductive life at 1.25 years but can bear young as early as 5.5 months. Males usually are able to breed at 11 months.

31-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos)

The Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is a medium-sized mimid with a remarkable ability to mimic a vast array of sounds. It has a slender build, with long legs and tail, and exhibits a gray to brown plumage on its upper parts, contrasting with a paler belly. Notably, its tail and wings bear white patches that flash conspicuously during flight.

Adult Northern Mockingbirds have a light green-yellow or yellow iris, though orange has been observed. The bill is black, with a brownish base. Juveniles can be identified by their streaked backs and spotted chests, with a gray or greenish iris. Males are slightly larger than females, with a wingspan ranging from 31 to 38 cm and a body mass between 40 and 58 grams.

This species thrives in open areas with sparse vegetation, such as parks, gardens, desert scrub, and chaparral. It avoids densely forested regions and prefers habitats with short grass for foraging.

The Northern Mockingbird is found across southeastern Canada, the United States, northern Mexico, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and the Greater Antilles. It is a year-round resident in most of its range, but northern populations may migrate southward during harsh weather.

The Northern Mockingbird is known for its intelligence, with studies showing its ability to recognize individual humans, especially those perceived as threats. It demonstrates strong site fidelity, often returning to successful breeding spots. In urban environments, it adapts well, showing higher survival rates and a tendency to reuse successful nesting sites.

The Northern Mockingbird's repertoire is extensive, with males singing to attract mates and establish territory. Females also sing, though less frequently. The species mimics a variety of sounds, including other bird species and artificial noises. Calls include the nest relief call, hew call, chat or chatburst, and the begging call, each serving different communicative purposes.

Mockingbirds are monogamous, with both sexes participating in nest building, which is usually situated 3 to 10 feet above ground. The female lays 3 to 5 light blue or greenish eggs, speckled with dots. Both parents feed the chicks, and the family aggressively defends the nest against intruders.

The Northern Mockingbird can be confused with its closest living relative, the Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus), but can be distinguished by its larger size and more extensive white wing patches.

An omnivore, the Northern Mockingbird consumes insects, fruits, seeds, and occasionally small crustaceans and lizards. It adapts its diet seasonally, favoring animal prey during breeding and fruits in fall and winter.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Northern Mockingbird as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival.

31-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - GREEN PEAFOWL (Pavo muticus)

The Green peafowl (Pavo muticus) is a peafowl species native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Due to their natural beauty, these birds are still sometimes targeted by the pet trade, feather collectors, and even by hunters for meat. They are a much-desired bird for private and home aviculturists, despite their rather high-maintenance care requirements.

The sexes of Green peafowl are quite similar in appearance, especially in the wild. Both males and females have long upper-tail coverts (which cover the tail itself, underneath). In the male, this extends up to 2 m (6.6 ft) and is decorated with eyespots; in the female, the coverts are green and much shorter, just covering the tail. Outside of the breeding season, however, the male's train is moulted; distinguishing the sexes during this period can be difficult unless they are observed quite up close. The neck and breast feathers (of both sexes) are highly iridescent green and resemble dragon scales. In the male, the scapular, median, and greater wing coverts are blue; the lesser coverts are green and form a triangle of scaly shoulder feathers (when the wing is closed). The secondaries are black and, in some subspecies, the tertials are brown and/or barred with a faint pattern. 

The female has blue lesser coverts and lacks the triangle at the wing-shoulder. Females also have neck scales fringed with copper, as well as more barring on the back, the primaries and alula. Both sexes have shafted crests, are long-legged, heavy-winged, and long-tailed in silhouette. The crest of the female has slightly wider plumes, while those of the male are thinner but taller. The facial skin is double-striped with a whitish-blue; beside the ear is a yellow-orange crescent. The dark triangle below the eye (towards the eyebrow) is bluish-green in the male, and brown in the female. Seen from a distance, they are generally dark-coloured birds with pale vermillion- or buff-coloured primaries, which are quite visible in their peculiar flight; this action has been described as a true "flapping" flight, lacking the gliding that one associates with many birds.

Green peafowl were widely distributed in Southeast Asia in the past but are now only patchily distributed in China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thailand, and Viet Nam. These birds are found in a wide range of habitats, including primary and secondary forests, both tropical and subtropical, as well as evergreen and deciduous. They may also be found amongst bamboo, on grasslands, savannas, scrub, and farmland edges. In Vietnam, their preferred habitat is dry, deciduous forest close to the water, and away from human disturbance.

Green peafowl are forest birds that usually spend time on or near the ground in tall grasses and sedges. At night family units roost in trees at a height of 10-15 m (33-49 ft). During the day they can be found in small groups spending their time foraging on the ground, drinking, preening, and resting in the shade. They look for their food by scratching around in leaf litter either early in the morning or at dusk. Green peafowl are generally silent. The males usually call from their roost sites every morning and at dawn and dusk and have a loud call of 'ki-wao'. The females' call is a loud 'aow-aa' ” repeated at short intervals; males, however, may also make a similar call.

Green peafowl are omnivores. Their diet consists mainly of fruits, seeds, invertebrates, reptiles, frogs, and rodents. They can even hunt venomous snakes.

Green peafowl are believed to be polygynous; this means that one male can mate with more than one female. However, males are solitary and do not display in leks; they are highly territorial and form harems with no pair bonds. In captivity, these birds have been observed to be strongly monogamous (one male to one female). Breeding occurs between April and June and during this time males perform courtship displays to attract the female. When the pair is formed, the birds will nest on the ground in a very protected site laying 3 to 6 eggs. Incubation usually lasts during 26-28 days by the female alone. Chicks are precocial; they are hatched with their eyes open and are able to leave the nest very soon after hatching. The young can fly 2 weeks after hatching but usually remain in the family group until the next breeding season.

31-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - AMERICAN HOUSE SPARROW (FEMALE) (Passer domesticus)

The House Sparrow was introduced into Brooklyn, New York, in 1851. By 1900 it had spread to the Rocky Mountains. Two more introductions in the early 1870s, in San Francisco and Salt Lake City, aided the bird’s spread throughout the West. House Sparrows are now common across all of North America except Alaska and far northern Canada.

The House Sparrow takes frequent dust baths. It throws soil and dust over its body feathers, just as if it were bathing with water. In doing so, a sparrow may make a small depression in the ground, and sometimes defends this spot against other sparrows.

The House Sparrow prefers to nest in manmade structures such as eaves or walls of buildings, street lights, and nest boxes instead of in natural nest sites such as holes in trees.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - FLORIDA SCRUB JAY ((Aphelocoma coerulescens)

The Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) is one of the species of scrub jay native to North America. It is the only species of bird endemic to the U.S. state of Florida and one of only 15 species endemic to the continental United States. Because of this, it is keenly sought by birders. It is known to have been present in Florida as a distinct species for at least 2 million years, and is possibly derived from the ancestors of Woodhouse's scrub jay.

It measures 23 to 28 cm (9.1 to 11.0 in) in length, and weighs from 66 to 92 g (2.3 to 3.2 oz), with an average 80.2 g (2.83 oz). The wingspan of the jay is 33–36 cm (13–14 in). It has a strong black bill, blue head and nape without a crest, a whitish forehead and supercilium, blue bib, blue wings, grayish underparts, gray back, long blue tail, black legs and feet.

 

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)

The limpkin (Aramus guarauna), also called carrao, courlan, and crying bird, is a large wading bird related to rails and cranes, and the only extant species in the family Aramidae. It is found mostly in wetlands in warm parts of the Americas, from Florida to northern Argentina, but has been spotted as far north as Wisconsin. It feeds on molluscs, with the diet dominated by apple snails of the genus Pomacea. Its name derives from its seeming limp when it walks.

The limpkin occurs from peninsular Florida (and the Okefenokee Swamp in southern Georgia) and southern Mexico through the Caribbean and Central America to northern Argentina. In South America, it occurs widely east of the Andes; west of them its range extends only to the Equator.

It inhabits freshwater marshes and swamps, often with tall reeds, as well as mangroves. In the Caribbean, it also inhabits dry brushland. In Mexico and northern Central America, it occurs at altitudes up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft). In Florida, the distribution of apple snails is the best predictor of where limpkins can be found.

The limpkin undertakes some localized migrations, although the extent of these is not fully understood. In some parts in the northern part of the range, females (and a few males) leave the breeding areas at the end of summer, returning at the end of winter. In Brazil, birds breeding in some seasonal marshes leave during the dry season and return again with the rains. Birds may also migrate between Florida and Cuba, as several limpkins on the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas have been reported, but these records may also represent vagrants or postbreeding dispersal. One study in Florida using wing tags found limpkins dispersed up to 325 km (202 mi) away from the breeding site. This tendency may explain vagrant limpkins seen in other parts of the United States and at sea near the Bahamas. 

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - WHITE CROWNED PIGEON (Patagioenas leucocephala)

The white-crowned pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala) is a fruit and seed-eating species of bird in the dove and pigeon family Columbidae. It is found primarily in the Caribbean.

John James Audubon painted these pigeons, including the watercolour painting in his work, Birds of America, published in the early 19th century.

It is a resident breeder mainly in the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and Antigua. It breeds in smaller numbers in Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Anguilla and other Caribbean islands. It also breeds along the Caribbean coast of Central America. In the United States, it is found only in the Florida Keys, Everglades, and the southern tip of mainland Florida. They will often spend the winter in the Caribbean islands.

The white-crowned pigeon primarily lives and breeds in nest colonies or individually in low lying, coastal, mangrove forests, and will travel inland to feed on the fruits and seeds of a wide variety of plants. In Florida, the white-crowned pigeon has historically been documented nesting exclusively on remote, tidally inundated mangrove islands in wildlife refuges. Recent observations have confirmed nesting on the southern tip of mainland Florida.

With few exceptions, this species requires isolated offshore mangrove islets with limited disturbance for breeding. These tidally inundated mangrove islands which provide some protection from predators such as raccoons. However, several instances of white-crowned pigeons nesting in heavily-trafficked, urban areas, such as downtown Key West and Miami Florida, have recently been observed. This could be due to habitat loss as a result of hurricanes, and/or increased predation pressure in their historic nesting habitat. 

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - RED SHOULDERED HAWK (Buteo lineatus)

The red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a medium-sized buteo. Its breeding range spans eastern North America and along the coast of California and northern to northeastern-central Mexico. It is a permanent resident throughout most of its range, though northern birds do migrate, mostly to central Mexico. The main conservation threat to the widespread species is deforestation.

31-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - EASTERN POND HAWK DRAGONFLY (Erythemis simplicicollis)

Erythemis simplicicollis, the eastern pondhawk, also known as the common pondhawk, is a dragonfly of the family Libellulidae, native to the eastern two-thirds of the United States and southern Ontario and Quebec, Canada. It is a dragonfly of ponds and still waters. The species is distinguished in that the female is bright green with a banded abdomen and the mature male has a blue abdomen with a green face and green and blue thorax.

Nymphs of the eastern pondhawk are identifiable by their green eyes. When they leave the water and moult for the final time, the emerging immature adult is dull olive green but over the course of a few hours, the abdomen becomes bright green, there is dark brown banding and the heads take on a metallic green sheen. Over the course of their adult lives the green of the male is gradually transformed into a duller shade of blue and finally a powdery bluish-grey. The wings are distinctively veined and have dark margins near the apices. The length of this dragonfly is 36 to 48 mm (1.4 to 1.9 in).

The eastern pondhawk is native to parts of North America and Central America. Its range includes the provinces of Ontario and Quebec in Canada, much of the eastern United States, the Bahamas, the West Indies, Mexico and Central America as far south as Costa Rica. It is a widespread and abundant species and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".

29-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER, COSTA RICA - BLUE CAPPED MOTMOT (Momotus coeruliceps) (COURTESY MRS VALERIE FISHER)

The Blue-capped Motmot, also known as the Blue-crowned Motmot, is a vibrant near-passerine bird adorned with a distinctive blue crown. This species, scientifically named Momotus coeruliceps, is a member of the Momotidae family and is recognized for its striking appearance.

This bird can be identified by its unique blue crown, which sets it apart from its relatives within the former species complex. It also features a black eyemask that contrasts with its colorful plumage. The Blue-capped Motmot has a body length that ranges from 38 to 43 cm (15 to 17 inches), making it a relatively large bird.

The Blue-capped Motmot inhabits forests and woodlands, where it can often be found perched silently within the dense foliage.

This species is native to the eastern regions of Mexico, where it resides in the lush forested areas.

The Blue-capped Motmot is known for its tendency to sit still, which, coupled with its forest habitat, can make it a challenge to spot despite its size.

The call of the Blue-capped Motmot is a distinctive low, owl-like "ooo-doot," which can be heard echoing through its forest home.

In line with many Coraciiformes, the Blue-capped Motmot nests in tunnels dug into banks. During the breeding season, it lays a clutch of about three or four white eggs.

The diet of the Blue-capped Motmot consists of small prey such as insects and lizards. Additionally, it regularly consumes fruit, making its diet quite diverse.

The Blue-capped Motmot is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.

31-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - FOUR STRIPED LEAFTAIL DRAGONFLY (Phyllogomphoides stigmatus)

Phyllogomphoides stigmatus, the four-striped leaftail, is a species of clubtail in the dragonfly family Gomphidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

The IUCN conservation status of Phyllogomphoides stigmatus is "LC", least concern, with no immediate threat to the species' survival. The population is stable. The IUCN status was reviewed in 2017.

31-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - HALLOWEEN PENNANT DRAGONFLY (Celithemis eponina)

The Halloween pennant (Celithemis eponina) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is native to eastern North America, as well as the West Indies.

The Halloween pennant's wings are entirely orange-yellow in color with dark brown bands, the Halloween inspiration for its common name. Dragonflies of its genus perch at the tips of plants, waving in the breeze like pennants. The young has yellow markings, including a stripe on its back. The adult male and female may develop pale red markings, especially on the face. This species is about 38 to 42 millimetres long. It is orange.

This species occurs in eastern North America. In the southern part of its range of The Bahamas and Cuba, it is in season all year round. In northern latitudes it can be seen from mid-June to mid-August. It ranges as far north as southern Canada and as far west as the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, in New Mexico and Colorado. It lives in wet habitat types such as ponds, marshes and lakes, where it perches on vegetation.

The female lays eggs in the morning on open water with the male still attached at the head. This method is known as exophytic egg laying. Sexual activity normally occurs between 8:00 and 10:30 am. Males rest on vegetation to await the females' arrival. They usually rest upon the leaves of the American Holly Bush which help to stimulate arousal encouraging the males to develop erections.[citation needed] This species is not territorial.

The Halloween pennant enjoys perching on top of taller plants, and if they find the plant adequate, they will most commonly return many times.

The Halloween pennant feeds on other insects. It is able to fly in rain and strong wind. On hot days, it will often shade its thorax using its wings.