Favorite Florida Birds

Favorite Waterbirds in South Florida  
                                                                                



The Double-crested Cormorant is a familiar Florida bird.



We believe they spread their wings to let them dry but they might also be warming their wings.

Notice that the tail is very short.

We rarely see the double crest. We have seen them only once. We were at Everglades National Park and were lucky to be there during breeding season. 

In the picture on the right, you can see the double crests clearly. They look like feathery ears.

They usually swim on the surface and then dive for fish.

In this photo, you see a close-up view of a double-crested cormorant who has caught a catfish and, for some reason has brought it to shore to eat it. It took several minutes for the cormorant to position the catfish properly for eating - with the bird's head pointed up so the fish will go down more easily.







The Anhinga (or snake-bird) is often confused with the cormorants. Both perch on a branch to spread their wings. Both swim underwater to catch fish.

The Anhinga, however, spears their fish. They are also frequently seen swimming with only their head and neck above water.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The Anhinga has a longer and thinner neck and long pointed bill. It can also be identified by it's


The two birds to the left are females. They are easily identified by their pale, light brown neck and chest.

In the lower picture you can see that the female has caught a small fish. Their necks are too narrow to swallow large fish. 


                                                                       



Below are two pictures of  male Anhingas. It would be easy to think this was a different species from the birds above, but he has the same long narrow neck and long pointed bill.  During the breeding season, his wings show these distinctive black and white patterns.








On the left is a close-up of the male Anhinga.








This lovely scene near the Everglades shows a Great Blue Heron in a scenic wetland area.

In spite of the name, the bird is actually gray - those some refer to it as "blue-gray." Blue Herons are majestic birds about four feet tall and with have a wingspread of six feet.


It always comes as a surprise to me that the Osprey I often hear in the morning has a sharp but sweet call as he brags about the fish he just caught.

The Great Blue Heron, has a loud and raucous squawk.

They generally stand in shallow water, motionless, and then move suddenly to catch their fish. They will throw the fish up in the air and catch it several times until the head is down for easiest swallowing.