#floridaaudubon

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

Like many large wading birds, once the little blue heron reaches full adulthood it will have very few predators. In the wild, little blue herons have been observed fleeing from Harris hawks!

(Little blue heron, non-breeding)

Orlando Expedition Week - Day 6, Post 2

[eternal-pupil]

Saw this guy when I got home, though it's in a #woodpecker hole don't think it is one, anyone know please comment.@audubonsociety #audubon #audubonsociety #birdwatching #stpetersburg #picoftheday #bird #birds #eternalpupil #walking #surprise #nature #naturephotography #smile #beautiful #gulfportflorida #gulfport #florida #walk #feathers #mindbodyspirit #mind #body #spirit #audubonflorida #birding #floridaaudubon (at Gulfport, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxtI6y8nzxo/?igshid=oppk0yrkjo0a

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

Glossy ibis feed by lowering their bill into water, mud, and soil and using it to feel for prey items and often flock with other wading birds like egret and herons.

(Glossy ibis)

Orlando Expedition Week - Day 2, Post 4

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

The sex of alligator young are determined by temperature during egg incubation, this is known as temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). At up to 30 degrees C leads primarily to female alligators while temperatures at 33 degrees C leads mainly to females.

(American alligator)

Orlando Expedition “Week” - Day 10, Post 3

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

The Chinese and American alligator diverged genetically roughly 33 million years ago. Scientists theorize the American species passed from Asia over the Bering land bridge into North America and ultimately to its current Southern distribution.

(American alligator)

Orlando Expedition “Week” - Day 14, Post 4

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

Ducks are a form taxon, meaning that not all members of the group are descended from a common ancestor, but demonstrate similar traits.

(ID unknown, help appreciated!)

Orlando Expedition “Week” - Day 10, Post 4

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

Black swallowtails mating habits involve a lek hierarchy system (females choose mates amongst competing males) based on display sites in mating territories. This system does not favor larger males as males that emerge from metamorphosis earlier (and thus are likely smaller) have a greater likelihood of finding ideal mating territory.

(Black swallowtail)

Orlando Expedition “Week” - Day 9, Post 2

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

Anhinga stalk their prey underwater, typically by hiding amongst aquatic plants. They capture the fish by stabbing it with their sharp beak, using both jaws for large fish and only the lower for small fish.

(Anhinga)

Orlando Expedition “Week” - Day 8, Post 4

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

Great blue heron’s diet skews toward fish, but they are keen opportunists and can feed on amphibians, water snakes of various sizes, invertebrates, small mammals, and even smaller wading birds.

(Great blue heron)

Orlando Expedition “Week” - Day 8, Post 1

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

When osprey catch fish they shift the prey in their claws to make it more aerodynamic and reduce drag (and thus energy use).

(Osprey)

Orlando Expedition Week - Day 7, Post 5

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

Yellow-rumped warbler typically forage at mid-height on trees and will flit out to capture insects, their primary diet. When migrating their diet incorporates more berries.

(Yellow-rumped warbler, immature plumage)

Orlando Expedition Week - Day 7, Post 2

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

Double-crested cormorants, much like owls, will regurgitate pellets of indigestible parts of their prey, particularly bones.

(Double-crested)

Orlando Expedition Week - Day 7, Post 1

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

Bird flight exists at the intersection of low body weight, high muscle energy/efficiency (and the metabolic capacity to power those muscles), and unique body structure (wing shape) to take advantage of lift.

(Glossy ibis)

Orlando Expedition Week - Day 6, Post 4

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

Similar to cormorants, anhinga lack the water proof oils many birds have to keep their feathers dry. This allows the anhinga to dive deeper underwater, but also requires them to dry their wings after a dive in order to fly.

(Anhinga)

Orlando Expedition Week - Day 6, Post 3

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

Common gallinule mated pairs share parental duties for their eggs. Females will lay twice a year. One clutch will typically be 8 eggs early in the year and another of between 5 and 8. Gallinule are also notable in that their nests might be reused by different females.

(Common gallinule)

Orlando Expedition Week- Day 6, Post 1

[aneighborhoodnaturalist]

Cormorants lack waterproofing oils that many other water birds have. While this means they can dive more quickly (as they don’t have to battle the buoyant oil), it also means that they have to dry out in order to fly again. You will often see them holding out their wings while perched as they prepare for a new flight.

(Double-crested cormorant)

Orlando Expedition Week - Day 5, Post 2