If Not By Sea, Then By Land: Part II

I cannot help but wonder what species of bird may have sat on the shoulder of a pirate centuries ago.

The White-winged Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami at Coral Gables in May 2012.

A tour of the Miami area in late May 2012 with Vince McGrath, Tom Obrock, and Dr. Jose Padilla was unexpectedly planned, but greatly appreciated after an abnormal weather event cancelled an anticipated pelagic trip into the Atlantic from Ponce Inlet. The second leg of this journey began at Homestead where accommodations for all were luckily found the night before. Several stops were made throughout the day at venues that can be expected to offer exotic species of bird free roaming in the Miami area. Tom noted in his blog that he had previously failed to see some species of bird observed on this latest trip. I had initially thought that a chick seen following a pair of Egyptian Geese at the West Kendall Baptist Hospital was egyptian, but have concluded it was Domestic Muscovy after a review of images I had taken. An American Crow was very shortly earlier observed consuming what might have been the seventh member of this family of muscovy. Some birds I would normally associate with observations in a pet shop were seemingly everywhere on this day. In all, over the two days with Vince's expert guidance in the lead, and with Tom's instincts, I was able to visually observe 18 species of bird I had not seen in five years of birding with 17 of them photographed. A long overdue return drive through Big Cypress National Preserve was made with a Least Bittern the highlight for me. Tom offers a report with additional detail.


The banded House Sparrow above was photographed at the University of Miami at Coral Gables in May 2012.


The White-winged Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami at Coral Gables in May 2012.


The Hill Myna above was photographed at the University of Miami at Coral Gables in May 2012.


The Spot-breasted Oriole above was photographed at the University of Miami at Coral Gables in May 2012.


The Chestnut-fronted Macaw above was photographed at the University of Miami at Coral Gables in May 2012.


The lizard above was photographed at the University of Miami at Coral Gables in May 2012.


The Green Heron above was photographed at the University of Miami at Coral Gables in May 2012.


The White-winged Parakeet above was photographed at the University of Miami at Coral Gables in May 2012.


The Pekin Duck above was photographed at the West Kendall Baptist Hospital in May 2012.


The European Starling above was photographed at the West Kendall Baptist Hospital in May 2012.


The American Crow with prey above was photographed at the West Kendall Baptist Hospital in May 2012.


The Mitred Parakeet above was photographed at the West Kendall Baptist Hospital in May 2012.


The Cockatiel above was photographed at the West Kendall Baptist Hospital in May 2012.


The Egyptian Goose above was photographed at the West Kendall Baptist Hospital in May 2012.


The Domestic Muscovy duckling above was photographed at the West Kendall Baptist Hospital in May 2012.


The Domestic Muscovy duckling above was photographed at the West Kendall Baptist Hospital in May 2012.


The Domestic Muscovy above was photographed at the West Kendall Baptist Hospital in May 2012.


The Domestic Muscovy above was photographed at the West Kendall Baptist Hospital in May 2012.


The Swan Goose above was photographed at the West Kendall Baptist Hospital in May 2012.


The Least Bittern above was photographed at Big Cypress National Preserve in May 2012.


The scrub habitat above was photographed at Big Cypress National Preserve in May 2012.

Please see If Not By Sea, Then By Land: Part I.