Florida Birds - Part 4

For those wondering if I am still covering East Village red-tailed hawks, Christo and Amelia, the answer is Yes! 

After hawk nesting season drew to a close in September, hawk activity dropped off and there's not much to report. I can say that the fledgling who was taken into rehab in September has been released back into the wild, although not in Tompkins Square Park. To return her there at this point in the year would risk her being chased off by her parents, who are likely to be territorial as their next nesting season starts up. Christo and Amelia raised their offspring as best they could, WINORR did everything they could to help her regain her strength, and she is on her own now.

The adult hawks should start courting behavior in January. Until then, I'm going to post more Florida birds.

 

I saw my first Wood Stork on a trip to Florida a few years ago and I was so captivated by it, I hoped to have the opportunity to see more during this last trip. I was expecting to see some hanging out in wetland areas, so imagine my surprise as I came upon twelve in a city park!

I had no idea Wood Storks were so acclimated to the urban setting. This group seemed right at home in the park, not concerned with any of the people resting on the grass. 

This stork was even brazen enough to dig through someone's lunch.

They are obviously being fed by people, which is not a good thing for wildlife. However, everyone in the park on this day was pretty chill about it and let them be.

This stork appears to be a juvenile, based on the light color of its bill and the downy feathers still on its neck and head.

Compare to an adult:

As there was no lake or pond in this park, the storks made use of this fountain by bathing in and drinking from it.

While White Ibises can be found all over the place, including urban areas, I didn't come across very many Glossy Ibises. This one was seen in a nature reserve.

White Ibis:

And a Common Gallinule. These guys were very vocal.

One of the more common ducks in the area is the charming Black-Bellied Whistling Duck. Their calls sound like squeak toys.

I think they're stunning.

As I need a raptor in every post (LOL), here is an immature Northern Harrrier seen, not in the north, but patrolling a field in SW Florida.

More to come...