BIRDS

Pelicans seem to remind us of the story of the ugly duckling who grew up to become a graceful swan. To see these birds perched makes one wonder how they can even hold up their heads with their gigantic bill. Often they will rest their bill on their chest and sometimes yawn enormously turning their throat inside out. In flight the pelican is transformed to an efficient and graceful creature. Often flocks fly high up in V formation, sometimes dipping down to scim just inches above the water's surface without touching the water. Diving for a fish is a most powerful display. They plunge bill first, twisting their body 180 degrees in order to scoop up the water with hopefully a fish in it.

The Florida Keys is home to many native and migratory birds. The year round resident birds includes herons, egrets, pelicans, cormorants, osprey, gulls, terns. The rare and colorful roseate spoonbill is a bird watchers dream come true. Many bird watchers have thrilled to see the elusive mangrove cuckoo, palm warbler, skimmers, reddish egret, etc. and have added these to their bird list. Migratory birds include various species of hawks, warblers, etc.

Sunset is the very best time for viewing birds coming to roost in the mangrove islands. The graceful Magnificent Frigate Birds court here during the Fall. The black male inflates his bright red throat pouch to the size of a large delicious apple and bows repeatedly to the demure black and white female.

More bird photos can be seen in our Photo Gallery!

The fierce looking osprey has luckily been saved from extinction by the ban on pesticides using DDT. Years ago this chemical would be absorbed by fish and ended up in the bloodstream of fish-eating birds like the osprey, pelican, bald eagle, etc. Although the DDT did not harm its host, egg shells were too thin to support the weight of the mother. The eggs cracked and therefore no new offspring were produced to maintain the population. The osprey, pelicans and bald eagles have made a successful comeback.