An Osprey hovers high above the marsh in very strong winds looking for a fish to dive on and catch. The first effort comes up empty, but Ospreys don't miss often and a meal is caught next. Also called Fish Eagles, Fish Hawks or Sea Eagles the Osprey lives entirely on fish. The "bent wing" profile is a sure sign you are looking at an Osprey at a distance!
Graceful Swallow Tailed Kite appears hovering and hunting over the Florida Backyard - called "the most beautiful bird of prey" and “the coolest bird on the planet” it is unmistakable in flight. Exciting to see this bird hunting over the Backyard - a much rare sighting than an eagle - this is an amazing bird and brings to four the species of Hawks documented in the Backyard this winter. Early march they are beginning to arrive to mate in Florida - I can only dream they would choose to mate and nest in the tall pine scrub/wetlands behind the Backyard.
Our most beautiful bird of prey, striking in its shape, its pattern, and its extraordinarily graceful flight. Hanging motionless in the air, swooping and gliding, rolling upside down and then zooming high in the air with scarcely a motion of its wings, the Swallow-tailed Kite is a joy to watch. At one time it was common in summer over much of the southeast, but today it is found mostly in Florida and a few other areas of the deep south.
Little Blue Heron's extreme concentration and quick strike pays off with a tasty shrimp meal. Up close slow motion shows how they cock their neck and use it like a spring to strike at prey amazingly fast. Much smaller than the Great Blue Heron - hence its name - the Little Blue Heron is a species of special concern in Florida.
Description: Medium-sized heron, with purplish to maroon-brown head and neck; small white patch on throat and upper neck; and slate-blue body. Bill is black towards tip, especially during breeding season, with the other exposed areas on the head appearing dark gray to cobalt blue. Legs are grayish to green, becoming black in breeding season. Immature birds are mostly white with pale slate gray tips on primary wing feathers. Legs of young birds are yellowish green.
Habitat: Feeds in shallow freshwater, brackish, and saltwater habitats. Largest nesting colonies occur in coastal areas, but prefers foraging in freshwater lakes, marshes, swamps, and streams. Nests in a variety of woody vegetation types, including cypress, willow, maple, black mangrove, and cabbage palm. Usually breeds in mixed-species colonies in flooded vegetation or on islands.
Seasonal Occurrence: Mostly resident throughout year, but numbers in north Florida in winter are lower than numbers during spring, summer, and fall; becoming less abundant in Florida Keys.
Florida Distribution: Most recent population estimate is approximately 17,000 birds distributed among 240+ breeding colonies. Colonies are found nearly statewide, except rare in western panhandle and southern Florida Keys.
Range-wide Distribution: Breeds from Kansas, Missouri, and Tennessee to coastal Maine and south to Peru and central Brazil; range extends west to southern California and Sonora; winter range includes these areas and north to coastal Virginia; may wander to Canada after breeding season.
Conservation Status: Because the little blue heron lacks the showy
plumes found on many other herons and egrets, this species did not suffer as much during the plume-hunting trade a century ago. Primary threats are alteration of natural hydroperiods in wetlands used for foraging and exposure to pesticides and heavy metal contamination. Population trends are downward, and breeding colonies have become smaller and more numerous. Illegal killings may occur since this species regularly forages at commercial fish farms and hatcheries. Long-term studies are needed on the
possible adverse effects of cattle egrets, environmental contamination, and other threats. Protection and Management: Protect breeding and foraging habitats through establishment of preserves and regulation of wetlands. Restore and maintain natural hydroperiods in degraded wetland areas. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Department of
Environmental Protection have developed setback distances around wading bird colonies of 330 ft. (100 m) to prevent human disturbance.
Sounds of a Ruffed Grouse Hen calling. This Hen with chicks was spotted along the roadside in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina at the extreme southern end of its North American range. The video shot at great distance is shaky, but the fascinating array of alarm, distress and distraction calls are very good - crank up the volume. One who is not familiar with Ruffed Grouse would not guess these were bird calls from the same bird. Varying between the sound of a small dog barking, a cat meowing or an injured small animal such as a rabbit the Hen runs into the deep forest cover to protect her chicks who instinctively hunker down in the tall grass and will not move until she returns. All the while distracting any predator away from the chicks with her unusual vocalizations.
