Flying creatures: Florida (2013)

Florida april/may 2013

On 15th april 2013 we (my parents Iwe and Pia de Bruin, my brother Bert de Bruin and I) went to Florida for a three week birding trip. All went well, and it was rather succesfull. Monday the 15th was spent travelling from Amsterdam to Miami. My brother came over from Norway.

From tuesday (16th of april) on we rented a car. A Ford (something) and drove around following an itinerary made by my father.

Pia and Iwe de Bruin, 16th april 2013

Bert de Bruin, with a Snowy Egret (to the right ;)). 18th april 2013

The total of the trip turned out to be 3450 miles. We drove from Miami tot the pan handle and back.

We saw some 200 species, of which 1 endemic to Florida (Florida Scrub Jay). We saw two rarities, of which we actually found one ourselves: Black-faced Grassquit. The other being Western Spindalis.
Before, at home, we had a list of target species. Species we wanted to see especially (mostly because we hadn't seen them anywhere in the world before). Some species we allready had seen (even in the Netherlands).

We could photograph quite a lot of the species we saw. Most of them quite well indeed. Both Bert and I took several hundred pictures a day, of which we 'threw away' most, during the day or after dinner. Actually, most of the time, birds don't pose for their pictures, even though we had some very close encounters (as you can see of the picture of Bert with a Snowy Egret opposite). Sometimes it was necesarry to zoom out, or take some steps back, to take the pictures).
As it was sunny most of the time (we had some very bad thunderstorms in the last few days near Miami though) it was possible to photograph at high speeds. During the hours the sun was high up, the light was (of course) hard, making taking good pictures harder.

We stayed the nights in motels. We birded (mostly) from sun rise untill about 5, 6 o'clock. With the rental (car) we used a navigation system, which turned out to be very handy indeed. A good tip for future or present travelers in Florida, is to get a Sun Pass, or other 'automatic' toll paying 'card'. Lots of roads in the Miami are (and some other areas) are toll roads.

Iwe, Pia and Bert de Bruin, 5th may 2013

Below is a list of birds, and misceleous other animals, we observed and photographed during the trip. The order families, the naming in English and scientific names, is that of IOC WORLD BIRD LIST (3.3) (clickable link to download the list). The order of the individual species might be different from that list.
Where applicable the menioned taxa are identified on subspecific level. These have been identified on distributions, mentioned in the above mentioned checklist.

More pictures (some repeated) are shown (in higher resolutions and sizes) at my website. An itineray of our trip is here.

New World Quail Odontophoridae

Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus floridanus

We sae some, but heard some more.

Pheasant and allies Phasianidae

Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo osceola

We saw quite a few, mainly in the southern parts of the state.

Ducks, Geese and Swans Anatidae

Black-bellied Whistling Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis autumnalis

We saw them on two occasions.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck (with Mottled Duck), 27rh april 2013

Wood Duck Aix sponsa

We had initially quite some problems spotting this one. But we encountered several eventually.

Mallard Anas plathyrhynchos plathyrhynchos

We saw one or two. And some that showed some kind of Mottled Duck hybrid features.

Mottled Duck Anas fulvigula fulvigula

We saw them on several occasions.

Mottled Duck, 27th april 2013

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata

We saw a small group.

Blue-winged Teal Anas discors

We saw this species on several occasions. Two of them were walking around in the inner garden of the fort on the Dry Tortuga's.

Blue-winged Teal, 17th april 2103

Blue-winged Teal, 27th april 2013

Redhead Aythya americana

We saw this species on one occasion. There were several of this wintering species present.

Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis

We saw them on two or three occasions. There were quite some numbers around of this wintering species.

Lesser Scaup, 28th april 2013

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator

We saw them on two or three occasions.

Loons Gaviidae

Great Northern Loon Gavia immer

We saw several.

Common Loon, 22nd april 2013

Grebes Podicipedidae

Eared Grebe Podiceps auritus cornutus

We saw some, but never photographable.

Pied-billed Grebe Podylimbus podiceps podiceps

We saw several.

Pied-billed Grebe, 29th april 2013

Storks Ciconiiadae

Wood Stork Mycteria americana

Ibisses, Spoonbills Threskiornithidae

American White Ibis Eudocimus albus

Common.

White Ibis, 5th may 2013

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Encounterd on a regular basis.

Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja

Rather common in, and close to, the Everglades.

Herons, Bitterns Ardeidae

American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus

Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis exilis

Least Bittern, 27th april 2013

Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli

We saw fewer than we espected.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron Nyctonasse violacea violacea/bancrofti

We saw one.

Green Heron Butorides virescens virescens

Rather elusive, though we saw them on a regular basis.

Green Heron, 5th may 2013

Western Cattle Egret Bubulis ibis

Rather common.

Cattle Egret, 28th april 2013

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodia occidentalis

Common in marshes and other fresh water environments. Sometimes at the beach too.

Great Blue Heron, 24th april 2013

'Wurdemanns Heron' Ardea herodias 'forma wurderamannii'

Not a 'real' species, but a white morph of Great Blue Heron. We saw six (or so) different individuals.

Wurdemann's Heron, 26th april 2013

Great Egret Egretta alba egretta

Common, mainly in freshwater environments.

Great Egret, 18th april 2013

Great Egret, 21st april 2013

Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens rufescens

Rather common, and approachable, in fresh water environments.

Reddish Egret, 18th april 2013

Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor ruficollis

Rather common.

Tricolored Heron, 28th april 2013

Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea

Rather common and approachable.

Little Blue Heron, 19th april 2013

Little Blue Heron, 20th april 2013

Snowy Egret Egretta thula thula

Common, mainly in fresh water environments.

Pelicans Pelecanidae

American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

A wintering species, of which we saw quite a lot.

America White Pelican, 18th april 2013

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis

Common near beaches, sea.

Brown Pelican, 18th april 2013

Brown Pelican, 21st april 2013, with Bert (on the right)

Frigatebirds Fregatidae

Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens

We saw quite a lot, mainly in the Miami area, and on the Keys (and Dry Tortuga's).

Magnificent Frigatebird, 4th may 2013

Gannets, Boobies Sulidae

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus

Masked Booby Sula dactylatra dactylatra

We saw some, on a sand bank at the Dry Tortuga's. One was seen (not by me though) from the island we visited.
The captain of our vessel was nice enough to 'drive' close to the sand bank (at the request of Iwe, for whom the species was a new one for the world), on our way back to mainland Key West.

Cormorants, Shags Phalacrocoracidae

Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus floridanus

We saw quite a lot of Double-crested Cormorants, mainly close to the coastal areas.

Double-crested Cormorant, 24th april 2013

Anhingas, Darters Anhingidae

Anhinga Anhinga anhinga leucogaster

Common at fresh water environments.

Anhinga, 27th april 2013

Anhinga, 16rh april 2013

New World Vultures Cathartidae

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura septentrionalis

Hardly a day went by that we didn't see them.

Turkey Vulture, 16th april 2013

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus

Common.

Ospreys Pandionidae

Osprey Pandion haliaetus carolinensis

Rather common and widespread.

Osprey, 16th april 2013

Osprey, 18th april 2013

Kites, Hawks and Eagles Accipitridae

Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus

We saw a lot of them.

Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii

Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius

We saw them on two occasions.

Bald Eagle Haliaetues leucocephalus leucocephalus

Quite commonly encountered.

Mississippi Kite Ictinia mississippiensis

Saw several of them in the Pan Handle.

Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus lineatus/alleni

Red-shouldered Hawk, 26th april 2013

Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus platypterus

We saw one.

Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis umbrinus

We saw a few.

Caracaras, Falcons Falconidae

Northern Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway

Encountered on a few occasions.

Northern Crested Caracara, 20th april 2013

American Kestrel Falco sparverius paulus

We saw this species twice.

Merlin Falco columbarius ssp

We saw this species twice.

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus anatum

We saw one on the dry tortugas, while waiting to get of the boat. Subspecies unknown.

Rails, Crakes and Coot Rallidae

Clapper Rail Rallus longirostris saturatus/scottii

Heard only, mainly identified by environment (coastal marshes).

King Rail Rallus elegans elegans

Heard only, mainly identified by environment (fresh water marshes inland)

Sora Porzana carolina

Saw them on quite a few occasions.

Sora, 22nd april 2013

Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus

Encountered on several occasions. Not uncommon.

Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata cachinnans

Rather common.

American Common Moorhen, 27th april 2013

American Coot Fulica americana americana

Rather common

American Coot, 27th april 2013

Cranes Gruidae

Sandhill Crane Grus candensis pratensis

We saw them on quite a few occasions. Most of them were not very shy.

Sandhill Crane, 19th april 2013

Limpkin Aramidae

Limpkin Aramis guarauna pictus

We saw one of them.

Limpkin, 29th april 2013

Oystercatchers Haematopodidae

American Oystercatcher Haeamotopus palliatus palliatus

Stilts, Avocets Recurvirostridae

Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus mexicanus

Black-necked Stilt, 26th april 2013

American Avocet Recurvirostra americana

Plovers Charadriidae

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola squatarola

Encounterd at beaches (mainly)

Grey Plover, 18th april 2013

Semipalmated Plover Charadiurs semipalmata

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus vociferus

Piping Plover Charadrius melodus melodus

Piping Plover, 17th april 2013, with Least Sandpiper and Semipalmated Plover

Snowy Plover Charadrius nivosus nivosus

Snowy Plover, 24th april 2013

Sandpipers, Snipes Scolopacidae

Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata

Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus ssp

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes

Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria solitaria

Willet Tringa semipalmata semipalmata

Willet, 18th april 2013

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius

Spotted Sandpiper, 5th may 2013

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres ssp

Ruddy Turnstone, 4th may 2013

Red Knot Calidris canutus ssp

Sanderling Calidris alba ssp

Sanderling 17ht april 2013

Sanderling, 24th april 2013

Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla

Semipalmated Sandpiper, 4th may 2013

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla

Least Sandpiper (far right and front), 17th april 2013, with Semipalmated Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper, 5th may 2013

White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis

White-rumped Sandpiper, 4th may 2013

Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii

Dunlin Calidris Calidris alpina ssp

Gulls, Terns and Skimmers Laridae

Brown Noddy Anous stolidus stolidus

Brown Noddy, 4th april 2013

Black Skimmer Rhynchops niger niger

Bonaparte's Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia

Bonaparte's Gull, 28th april 2013

Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla atricilla (?)/megalopterus


Laughing Gull, 22nd april 2013	g

Laughing Gull, 24th april 2013

Laughing Gull, 5th may 2013

Laughing Gull, 5th may 2013

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull, 16th april 2013

Ring-billed Gull, 17 april 2013

Ring-billed Gull, 18th april 2013

Greater Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Greater Black-backed Gull, 28th april 2013

American Herring Gull Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull, 28th april 2013

Smithsonian Gull, 4th may 2013

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus ssp

Lesser Black-backed Gull, 18th april 2013

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica aranea

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia

Caspian Tern, 16th april 2013

Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus maximus

Royal Tern, 17h april 2013

Royal Tern, 17th april 2013

Cabot's Tern Thalasseus acuflavidus acuflavidus

Cabot's Tern, 24th april 2013

Cabot's Tern, 24th april 2013

Least Tern Sterna antillarum antillarum

Least Tern, 30th april 2013Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus fuscatus

Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii dougallii

Common Tern Sterna hirundo hirundo

Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri

Pigeons, Doves Columbidae

White-crowned Pigeon Patagioenas leucocephala

Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura carolinensis

Mourning Dove, 18th april 2013

Mourning Dove, 5th may 2013

White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica asiatica

Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina passerina

Common Ground Dove, 17th april 2013

Cuckoos Cuculidae

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus

Owls Strigidae

Eastern Screech-Owl Megascop asio ssp

Eastern Screech-Owl, 29th april 2013

Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus virginianus

Northern Barred Owl Strix varia georgica

Northern Barred Owl, 26th april 2013

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus ssp

Nightjars Caprimulgidae

Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor chapmani

Antillean Nighthawk Chordeiles gundlachi vicinus

Antillean Nighhawk, 3rd may 2013

Antillean Nighthawk, 3rd may 2013

Chuck-will's-widow Antrostomus carolinensis

Swifts Apodidae

Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica

Hummingbirds Trochilidae

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris

Kingfishers Alcedinidae

Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon

Woodpeckers Picidae

Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus

Reb-bellied Woodpecker, 29th april 2013

Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens pubescens

Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus villosus

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis

Red-cockaded Woodpecker, 23rd april 2013

Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus auratus

Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus pileatus

Tyrant Flycatchers Tyrannidae

Eastern Wood Pewee Cantopus virens

Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens

Acadian Flycatcher, 23d april 2013

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus

Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus

Eastern Kingbird, 16th april 2013

Grey Kingbird Tyrnnnus dominicensis

Gray Kingbird, 3rd may 2013

Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus

Great Crested Flycatcher, 16th april 2013

Shrikes Laniidae

Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus miamensis

Loggerhead Shrike, 29th april 2013

Vireos, Greenlets Vireonidae

White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus maynardi

Thick-billed Vireo Vireo crassirostris ssp

Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons

Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus olivaceus

Black-whiskered Vireo Vireo altiloguus barbatulus

Crows Corvidae

Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata bromia

Blue Jay, 19th april 2013

Florida Scrub-Jay Apheolocoma coerulescens

Florida Scrub Jay, 28th april 2013

Florida Scrub-Jay, 28th april 2013

American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos pascuus

Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus

Waxwings Bombycillidae

Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedorum

Cedar Waxwing, 26th april 2013

Tits Paridae

Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis carolinensis

Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor

Swallows Hirundinidae

Bank Swallow Riparia riparia riparia

Bank Swallow, 4th may 2013

Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor

Purple Martin Progne subis subis

Purple Martin, 25th april 2013

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis serripennis

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica erythrogaster

American Barn Swallow, 22nd april 2013

American Barn Swallow, 4th may 2013

American Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota pyrrhonota (?)

Cliff Swallow, 4th may 2013

Cave Swallow Petrochelidon fulva ssp

Kinglets Regulidae

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula calendula

Wrens Troglodytae

Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris palustris

Marsh Wren, 22nd april 2013

Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus miamensis

Gnatcatchers Polioptilidae

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea caerulea

Nuthatches Sittidae

Brown-headed Nuthatch Sitta pusilla pusilla

Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis

White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis

Mockingbirds, Thrashers Mimidae

Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis

Gray Catbird, 17th april 2013

Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottus polyglottus

Northern Mockingbird, 4th april 2013

Northern Mockingbird, 4th may 2013

Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum rufum

Thrushes Turdidae

Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis

Veery Catharus fuscescens ssp

Veery, 3rd may 2013

Grey-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus ssp

Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus ssp

New World Warblers Parulidae

Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla ssp

Northern Waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis

Northern Waterthrush, 5th may 2013

Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora cyanoptera

Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia

Black-and-white Warbler, 3rd may 2013

Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea

Tennessee Warbler Leiothlypsis peregrina

Kentucky Warbler Geothlypis formosa

Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas ignota

Hooded Warbler Setophaga citrina

American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla

Cape May Warbler Setophaga tigrina

Cape May Warbler, 30th april 2013

Northern Parula Setophaga americana

Magnolia Warbler Setophaga magnolia

Magnolia Warbler, 3rd may 2013

American Yellow Warbler Setophaga aestiva ssp

Cuban Golden Warbler Setophaga petechia gundlachi

Chestnut-sided Warbler Setophaga pensylvanica

Blackpoll Warbler Setophaga striata

Black-throated Blue Warbler Setophaga caerulescens ssp

Black-throated Blue Warbler, 4th may 2013

Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum

Palm Warbler, 3rd may 2013

Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus ssp

Pine Warbler, 24th april 2013

Myrtle Warbler Setophaga coronata

Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica ssp

Yellow-throated Warbler, 23rd april 2013

Prairie Warbler Setophaga discolor ssp (discolor/paludicola)

Prairie Warbler, 30th april 2013

Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens

Unknown Family possibly Parulidae

Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens

We were lucky to encounter a dispalying male.

Oropendolas, Orioles and Blackbirds Icteridae

Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius spurius

Seen on only one occasion.

Orchard Oriole, 24th april 2013

Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula

Seen on two or three occasions.

Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis minimus

Seen on one (planned) occasion.

Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater ater

Seen on several occasions, quite common.

Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus littoralis

Very common

Red-winged Blackbird, 26th april 2013

Red-winged Blackbird, 29th april 2013

Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula quiscula

Very common

Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major ssp (westoni/alabamensis)

Very common

Boat-tailed Grackle, 22nd april 2013

Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna argutula

Seen on several occasions.

Eastern Meadowlark, 20th april 2013

Eatern Meadowlark, 20th april 2013

Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus

Seen on several occasions.

Bobolink, 4th may 2013

Buntings, New World Sparrow and allies Emberizidae

Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana ssp

Seen on two occasions.

Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandvichensis ssp

Seen on several occasions.

Savannah Sparrow, 27th april 2013

Seaside Sparrow Ammodramus maritumus ssp

Heard only, on one occasion

Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla pusilla

Seen (and heard) on one occasion.

Bachmann's Sparrow Peucaea aestivalis aestivalis

Seen and heard on several occasions.

Bachmann's Sparrow, 20th april 2013

Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus alleni

Eastern Towhee, 24rh april 2013

Eastern Towhee, 24th april 2013

Painted Bunting

Tanagers and allies Thraupidae

Western Spindalis Spindalis zena ssp

Werstern Spindalis, 3rd may 2013

Summer Tanager Piranga rubra ssp

Summer Tanager, 19th april 2013

Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea

Scarlet Tanager, 4th may 2013

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus

Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis floridanus

Northern Cardinal, 2nd may 2013

Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea caerulea

Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea

Indigo Bunting, 24th april 2013

Black-faced Grassquit Tiaris bicolor ssp

Probably THE species of the trip. Surely the rarest.We found it ourselves. A rarity in The States (and Florida).

Black-faced Grassquit, 30th april 2013

Grassquits

Miscelaneous other sightings:

Apart form the mentioned species above, we every now and then saw some introduced and/or escapes. Some parrots (mainly in Miami), Muscovy Duck, Canada Goose, Eurasian Ring-necked Dove, House Finch, to name a few.