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发帖数: 14557 | 1 http://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/news/2013-01-02/Top_News/Two
Two Southwest Florida birds you’re likely to encounter
Ibis once hunted for its meat
This unmistakable bird is found abundantly throughout Southwest Florida. Its
long de-curved beak and its legs turn bright red when the white ibis is in
breeding plumage. The distinctive black tips at the end of each wing when in
flight make it an easy bird to identify. The juvenile is a mottled brown,
similar in coloration to an adult limpkin. On the mainland, you can
sometimes find a similar species, the glossy ibis, which is the same size
and shape but a dark blue-brown color similar to an oil slick. The immature
glossy looks virtually identical to the immature white ibis.
The ibis was a particular favorite with early Florida homesteaders,
producing an edible breast slightly larger than that of a popular game bird,
the ruffed grouse — hence the nickname Chokoloskee chicken. Ibis were
hunted throughout Florida well into the 1950s. Even today it is an easy bird
to approach and still is hunted illegally in certain areas.
The white ibis feeds on fish, frogs, crabs, insects and small reptiles. It
mates for life and generally nests in large colonies with other wading birds
. It is preyed upon by alligators and eagles, and its nesting sites are
raided by raccoons and bobcats. Its predominant threat statewide is habitat
destruction.
In 2012, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission removed the
white ibis from its standing as a species of special concern. The reason
behind the change is that good management practices have increased the
regional populations of the white ibis to a point where their populations
are now sustainable. The snowy egret, black bear and brown pelican have also
been removed from this list, while other species, such as the redish egret,
burrowing owl and roseate spoonbill have been upgraded to “threatened,”
meaning their populations continue to decline statewide.) ¦
White ibis feeding by Sarah Lopez
Egret coveted for its fine feathers
The nickname “little plume bird” best identifies this delicate bird. The
snowy egret, along with its taller cousin, the great egret, was the
principal target of the late 19th- and early 20th-century plume hunters.
This was the most sought after of all the Florida birds because of its soft,
lacy, breeding finery. It was killed in such tremendous numbers that it was
driven nearly to extinction.
The snowy and the three herons and egrets also in this section make up a
quartet of similarly sized birds that are at certain times pure white,
making it a challenge for the amateur birder to tell one from the other. As
long as the snowy’s feet are visible, however, with their bright yellow “
slippers,” it is simple to identify. Other identifying characteristics are
the long slender black bill, yellow lores (area between eye and beak), and
equally yellow eyes.
Snowy egret by Dick Fortune
The snowy egret feeds on crustaceans, large insects and fish. It has a
peculiar feeding habit that is very entertaining to observe. It puts one of
its bright yellow feet forward in the water and vibrates it rapidly in the
soft bottom, scaring up fish and small crustaceans. Then it quickly runs
them down and feeds on them.
The snowy egret nests in mixed colonies with other herons. This smaller
egret is preyed upon by alligators, eagles, hawks, and bobcats. Its primary
threat is habitat destruction, which is why the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission currently lists it as a species of special concern.
¦
— This article is an excerpt from “The Living Gulf Coast – A Nature Guide
to Southwest Florida,” which is available in bookstores, area gift shops
and online. | a***a
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