From the

Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds

Alfred A. Knopf, 1996 Edition

ACCIPITRIDAE

Haliaeetus leucocephalus (hal-ih-ay-EE-tus lew-koh-SEFF-ah-lus) Other Names: American eagle, black eagle, fishing eagle, white-headed eagle Length: 34-43 in. Wing Span: 6 to 7 1/2 ft. Weight: Male 8-9 lbs. Female 10-14 lbs. Age: 10 years plus in wild, 35-45 in captivity Flight Speed: 35-45 mph Food: fish, ducks, moorhens, small animals, snakes, carrion Color: Brownish-black, head and tail turns white at 4-5 years Eggs: in Florida Nov-Jan, 1-3, usually 2 Egg color: bluish-white Incubation time: 35 days Incubation by: both parents, the weaker young frequently starves or is killed by the stronger nest mate. Fledge: First flight 70-84 days Number of Broods: one Nest: 7-8 ft. across, can be 12 ft. deep, in trees, ledges from 10-150 feet high; fallen nests can be rebuilt in as little a five days (editor). Range: Northern Alaska to Newfoundland south to Baja California and Florida, also Siberia

Observations: Listed as a Threatened species by USFWS and FFWCC. Although a recommendation for delisting the eagle was made by President Clinton in July of 1999, the USFWS is still in the process of evaluating and responding to comments. The bald eagle is an unusual species in that, once it is delisted, it will still be protected by legislation specific to eagles; the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MGTA) and other Federal laws. USFWS is preparing clarification of the protections afforded to eagles under these existing laws. This is needed to reduce the possibility of the public unintentionally or unknowingly violating the BGEPA or the MGTA after the eagle is delisted from the Endangered Species Act.

ARDEIDAE

Bubulcus ibis (BUE-bul-kus EYE-bis) Other Names: Cattle heron, buff-backed heron Length: 19-21 inches Wingspan: 36-38 inches Weight: about 12 oz. Age: N/A Voice: Some croaking notes in nesting season; usually quiet Flight speed:  N/A Food: follows cattle and eats insects frightened from grass as cattle walk and graze; grasshoppers, crickets, frogs, spiders, toads; differs from other herons by feeding on insects and vertebrates in fields and pastures away from water Color: An all-white heron; yellow or orange-colored bill; eyes and legs yellow; in breeding season, spring to late summer, orange-buff plumes on crown and nape and white to golden plumes on lower foreneck and mantle; legs coral pink Mating: N/S Nest: Usually with other herons in various habitats; mangroves, willows, live oaks and red cedars; nest built by female of twigs and branches gathered by male; 10-18 inches across; 5-12 feet above ground Number of Broods: N/A Eggs: April and May; 3-5 per clutch Egg color: light blue Incubation time: 22-24 days; only species of heron able to breed in first year Incubation by: N/A Fledge: Young can fly after about 40 days Habitat: Dry or moist open fields Range: Established on every continent

Observations: Apparently flew across Atlantic from Africa to South America; first seen in Florida in 1941; population is exploding.

Ardea herodias (ARE-dee-ah her-ODE-ih-as) Other Names: blue crane, Length: 42-52 in. long Wingspan: to seven feet Weight: 5-8 lbs.; males average slightly larger Flight Speed: timed from 18-35 mph; identified in flight by large size, broad wingspread and head folded back on shoulders Age: one banded wild bird was recovered after 21 yrs. Voice: low-pitched croaks; usually silent but in flight may utter honking notes Food: stands motionless in shallow water waiting to strike small fish with pointed bill which are swallowed whole; also frogs, snakes, crabs dragonflies, etc. Color: appears gray-blue except for white feathers around head and neck of adults, cinnamon on neck; legs black Nest: flimsy platforms of sticks and mosses, but older nests may be bulky 3-4 feet across; in tops of trees, also in low shrubs; frequently in colonies Eggs: in Florida, Nov-Apr; usually 4; parents roll eggs with bill about every two hours Egg Color: pale, blue-green Incubation time: 25-29 days; by both sexes Immature: nestlings fed with parents regurgitated food Fledge: may sustain flight 60 days after hatching Range: Alaska and Canada to Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, nw. S. America

Observations: Best known and most widespread of all N. American herons; the great white heron of S.Florida, largest of all white herons, is believed by many authorities to be a white color phase of the great blue heron, with which the great blue interbreeds freely.

Casmerodius albus (kas-mer-ODE-ih-us AL-bus) Other Names: American egret, great white egret Length: 37-41 in. Wingspan: about 55 in. Weight: 32-40 oz. Age; one banded bird recovered after 22 yrs. Voice: loud, low-pitched croak Food: fish, frogs, snakes, rats, insects grasshoppers, etc. Color: all white at all seasons (no color phases), yellow bill; beginning in January both sexes have splendid cape of white plumes growing from the back Flight: timed at 17-32 mph Nest: flimsy platform of sticks and stems usually 20-40 feet above ground; will nest singly on in colonies Eggs: in FL, Jan-June; usually 3-4 Egg Color: pale, blue-green Incubation time: 23-24 days Fledge: first flight about 42 days after hatching Range: Canada and US

Observations: tall and slim-necked; proportionately longer and broader wings than most other white herons; flight is buoyant.

Florida caerulea (FLAR-ih-dah see-RULE-ee-ah) Other Names: little blue crane Length: 25-29 in. Wingspan: about 41 in. Weight: to about 14 oz. Age: one banded in wild found after 7 yrs. Voice: usually silent but occasionally utters low clucking or croaking sounds; quarreling sounds resemble screams of parrots Food: slow, methodical manner of feeding; seldom feeds in salt water; fish, frogs, snakes insects and spiders; can live solely on grasshoppers and insects of grasslands Color: head and neck purple-maroon; rest of plumage slate gray; dark gray bill with outer third black; eyes yellow; legs and feet dark Immature: unique among herons in being snow white in immature plumage with tinge of blue in primaries; blue bill tipped with black; legs dull green; starts molting during first February into blue of adult Flight: strong and graceful; wing strokes quicker than larger herons Nest: flimsy platform of sticks a few feet above ground or water up to 10-15 feet in trees; usually with other herons Eggs: in FL, Dec to June, usually in April; 4-5 Egg Color: pale, blue-green Incubation time: 22-24 days, by both parents Fledge: may fly about 30 days old Range: nests in summer from central OK to central AL north along coast to ME; south through West Indies to Central Argentina and Peru

Observations: FFWCC species of special concern.

Dichromanassa rufescens (die-crow-man-AS-ah roof-ESS-enz) Other Names: plume bird Length: 27-32 in. Wingspan: about 46 in. Weight: may be over one lb. Age: one banded bird found after 12 yrs. Voice: generally silent but utters guttural croaks and low clucking sounds Food: has characteristic manner of dashing or lurching when feeding; rakes bottom of shallow water to stir up prey; small fish, frogs, tadpoles Color: two color phases; more common dark phase has head and neck deep red-brown; white phase resembles great egret; both phases have stout, flesh-colored bill with black tip Flight: one timed at 20 mph Immature: Nest: platform of sticks 15 feet in trees; also elaborate nest of grass when on ground; in colonies with other herons Eggs: in FL, Dec-May, usually 3-4 Egg Color: pale, blue-green Incubation time: N/A Fledge: N/A Range: nests in Baja CA and gulf coast, Guatemala and Cuba; winters in s. FL, n. Venezuela

Observations: exterminated in FL by plume hunters in early 20^th century; loose feathered appearance; when feathers are fluffed, head and neck appear shaggy; uncommon to rare; USFWS candidate for listing, FFWCC species of special concern.

Egretta thula (ee-GRET-ah THOO-lah) Other Names: little snowy, lesser egret Length: 22-26 in. Wingspan: 38-45 in. Weight: up to about 13 oz. Age: one in captivity aged at 16 yrs. Voice: very noisy at start of breeding season in nesting colonies Food: stirs bottom of shallows with one foot and catches small fish, shrimps, crayfishes, etc.; also grasshoppers and aquatic insects Color: all white with black bill, black legs and bright yellow feet; spotless white plumage in breeding season, adorned with waving nuptial plumes Flight: wing strokes quicker than larger great egret Nest: in willows and bulrushes or as high as 30 feet in trees; highly social nester often in large colonies Eggs: in Florida, Jan-July, usually 3-4 Egg Color: pale, blue-green Incubation time: by both sexes, approx 18 days Fledge: leave nest about 22 days after hatching Range: northern CA, Maine, baja CA, Gulf coast and Florida to S. America and West Indies

Observations: considered by many the daintiest and most exquisite of all marsh birds; extremely active, moves about with great show of energy; slaughtered in great numbers by plume hunters in early 20^th century; FFWCC species of special concern.

Hydranassa tricolor (high-drah-NASS-ah TRI-col-or) Other Names: Louisiana heron, scoggin Length: 24-26 in. Wingspan: 36 in. Weight: to about 11 oz. Age: one banded bird recaptured after 17 yrs. Voice: harsh croaks, deep groans Food: stands belly-deep in water stalking small fish or runs through shallows with wings partly raised; lizards, tadpoles water bugs, beetles Color: dark heron with slate-colored head, neck and back; front of long neck striped red-brown and white; belly and flanks white; back and wings blue-gray; long plumes in breeding season Immature: lack plumes Eggs: in FL, March to June, 3-4 Egg Color: pale, green-blue Incubation time: 21 days Fledge: N/A Range: Baja CA and Gulf and Atlantic coasts of US; coasts of Mexico and Central and South America

Observations: long neck and bill give it a slimmer appearance than most other herons; FFWCC species of special concern.

CICONIIDAE

Mycteria americana (mick-TEE-rih-ah ah-mer-ih-CANE-ah)  Other Names:   American wood stork, flinthead, gannet, ironhead; wrongly called wood ibis;  Length: 35-45 in. Wingspan: about 3 1/2 feet Weight: Males weigh 10 lb. or more; females less Age: One in captivity lived 6+ yrs. members of stork family are normally long lived Voice: Storks do not have muscles in the syrinx (voice box) so almost voiceless except for low grunts and hisses; however, the young are noisy Flight speed: N/A; flies with neck extended as do cranes Food: Walks about in shallow ponds and marshes groping with open bill swallowing any living thing bill touches; "rough" fishes, frogs, tadpoles, snakes, young alligators Color: Clear to white body; rear parts of outstretched wings are black; black, naked skin on head and neck; black, stilt-like legs; pink feet  Mating: An increase in available food will trigger reproductive cycle (as when marshes dry and fish populations become highly concentrated) Nest: Flimsy platform of sticks; built by pair with male carrying materials to female at the nest; in cypress trees 75-80 feet; also in mangroves a few feet above water Eggs: November-April, 3-4 Egg Color: dull white Incubation time: 28-32 days  Incubation by: both parents  Fledge: Young stay in nest 50-55 days after hatching Habitat: On or near the coast Range: Breeds in Florida; wanders to South Carolina and Texas, occasionally farther; also in South America  

Observations: Population has declined drastically due to land development, lumbering and draining and drying of their feeding grounds.  USFWS, Endangered; FFWCC, Endangered.

THRESKIORNITHIDAE

Plegadis falcinellus (PLEA-gah-dis or PLEG-ah-dis fal-sin-EE-lus) Other Names: black curlew Length: smallest member of ibis family; 19-26 in. Wingspan: about 38 in. Weight: to about 28 oz. Age: one reported in Russia at 21 yrs. Voice: nasal grunting or series of guttural notes Food: mostly crayfishes inland and fiddler crabs along the coasts; also snakes, grasshoppers, insects Color: plumage mostly chestnut with metallic gloss appearing black at distance; legs gray or green-black Immature: young eat regurgitated food by putting bill in adults mouth Nest: platform of sticks on ground or cattail marsh or in trees up to 10 feet Eggs: March to May, 3-4 Egg Color: blue-green Incubation time: 21 days Fledge: 42 days after hatching Range: old world bird of Africa; found along Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida west to Great Lakes and Mississippi River; to Panama, Columbia, Bermuda; probably crossed the Atlantic from Africa to northern South America in the 19^th century.

Observations: Range is expanding.

Eudocimus albus (you-DOSS-ih-mus AL-bus) Other Names: Brown curlew, Spanish curlew, white curlew, stone curlew Length: 21 1/2-27 1/2 in. Wingspan: 38 in. Weight: up to two lbs.Age: one in captivity lived 18+ yrs. Voice: low croak, grunt; alarm call, arnk, arnk or hunk, hunk, hunk Food: Crayfish; probes mud for crustaceans; also fishes, frogs, small snakes, slugs, snails, beetles Color: white with black wing tips which are hidden at rest; face, legs and long down-curved bill are pink, legs turn red in breeding season; eyes pale blue Immature has brown upper-parts, head mottled brown on white with brown bill and legs Nest: loosely built of sticks in trees or shrubs 3-15 ft above water Eggs: March to mid-May, 3-4 Egg Color:  green-white with brown Incubation time: about 21-23 days Fledge: Young fly at about 35 days old Habitat: Marshy sloughs, mud flats, lagoons, swamp forests Range: Coastal from South Carolina to Florida and Texas. South to northern South America

Observations: FFWCC species of special concern.

Photos from www.birdingamerica.com; used with permission.

Return to Bird Island