For the winter months, we change from snow and chilly to sunshine and palm timber. The locals name us Canadian Snowbirds, as we settle into our rental condominium in Naples, Florida. We’re positioned within the sub-tropical portion of Florida, which gives me plenty of completely different birds to get pleasure from.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Within the morning, I get up to the tough cooing of the Eurasian Collared-Dove, which turned established in Florida within the Eighties. Sadly, they bully and harass the mild, native Mourning Doves. Additionally, I hear the unusual whistles and squeaks of the Boat-tailed Grackle. There’s a Northern Mockingbird (pictured above) outdoors our bed room window, which has a extra tuneful and different repertoire. It perches on a light-weight stand, which exhibits the whitewash from generations of mockers.
Mourning Dove
Then, there may be the garden decoration crowd. Just about each day, we’ve got a big flock of White Ibis feeding on the property. They use their lengthy payments to probe for worms and bugs. Additionally, we’ve got Muscovy Geese. These massive, ugly, ungainly birds waddle across the property. They and the Mallards get evicted from the pool by the upkeep man.
Muscovy Duck and White Ibis
One in every of our extra uncommon guests is a Nice Egret, which has deserted the close by pond. (In our space, you’re by no means removed from water.) This chicken prowls all of the native gardens, peering within the bushes. It’s on the lookout for anoles, that are a small lizard. This chicken should have discovered that the anoles are easy-to-catch prey. Additionally, there may be much less searching competitors from different waders. Often, a Inexperienced Heron will present up on the pond, attempting to find small fish.
Inexperienced Heron
Patrolling the skies are Bald Eagles and Osprey. Often, I see each the sunshine and darkish morphs of the Quick-Tailed Hawk. Black and Turkey Vultures soar on the thermals overhead.
Pink-bellied Woodpeckers are interested in the palm tree outdoors our condominium window. Migrating Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Yellow-rumped Warblers disguise within the fronds of the palms. Northern Cardinals dart via the yard. They’re already singing their courtship songs.
All this motion makes me keen to go to my favorite native birding spots. I’ll share tales about these locations in a few of my upcoming winter posts from Florida.
Notice: All footage are by the Kinrys household.
