Feb. 14, 2016 - Florida Birds

One of the nice things about coming to Florida in the winter is that I see some birds I don’t usually see back home in Minnesota. This tiny bird is a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. It is only 4½ inches long and that includes a long tail. We had a couple of them flitting around in the trees at the house we are renting.

GnatcatcherBluegrayBigSeaThePlantaionGeorgeIsland20160108

The Eastern Towhee is a common bird here in Florida. It is secretive, preferring to stay hidden in the brush. I hear it more often than I see it. Towhees are found in Minnesota but they are rare in the northeast where we have our home. This is a photo of a male; the female has brown feathers instead of black. Towhees are 7 to 8 inches long. I also took this photo at the house we are renting.

TowheeEasternmaleBigBlueSeaThePlantationGeorgeIsland20160116

This cute little (4½ inch) bird is a Brown-headed Nuthatch. It’s found year-round in the southeastern states. Open pine forests are its preferred habitat. Small groups of them often forage in the tree tops. My first clue that they are present is usually when I hear their call which sounds like a rubber squeaky toy.

NuthatchBrownheadedcallingThePlantationGeorgeIsland20160129compositefixeye

I think this is a really cute picture of a Brown-headed Nuthatch. I photographed these Nuthatches here on St. George Island.

NuthatchBrownheadedcallingThePlantationGeorgeIsland20160129

The Tufted Titmouse is found year-round in the eastern United States. However, it’s uncommon in Minnesota. Its range is gradually moving north so we may see more of them in the future. This is a very active species, constantly on the move just like a Chickadee. In fact, it’s a relative of the Chickadee family. However, at 6½ inches long, it’s about an inch longer than a Chickadee. This photo was taken at Bald Point State Park.

TitmouseTuftedsingingBaldPointStatePark20160130

Red-cockaded Woodpeckers were once considered common in the open pine forests of the south. Much of that habitat is gone, however, and now they are on the endangered species list. This photo was taken in the Apalachicola National Forest. Notice the yellow and black leg bands on the bird on the right. The bird on the left has at least one silver band but it is very difficult to see. At 8 ½ inches long, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker is about halfway between the size of a Downy Woodpecker and a Hairy Woodpecker.

WoodpeckerRedcockadedApalachicolaNationalForest20160206