February 28, 2019

Location: Sebastian, Riverwalk

I'm a male Boat-tailed Grackle
Snakes, rats and gators are my predators.
I have a harem, but if I want to get down,
I have to first fight off all my competitors.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Boat Tailed Grackle

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 27, 2019

Location: Sebastian, Riverwalk

I am a Female Boat-tailed Grackle
I'll eat anything including other birds eggs.
I'll eat out of dumpsters and in city parks
Picking at picnicker's dregs.

Sources: Cornell All About Birds - Boat Tailed Grackle

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 26, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

A Tricolored Heron (t.r) and a Snowy Egret
Can mate but the result will barren.
The young will be multicolored, and have yellow feet,
And might be mistaken for a Reef Heron.

(Note: I photographed the bird mentioned in the article below back in 2013, and all these years I thought it was the Reef Heron, which it was identified as at the time. I just saw this article and realized that my life list is a lie.)

Sources: Heron Hybrid

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 25, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

At the top there is a Great Egret
At the bottom there is a Snowy.
The  Snowy Egret is slender and lithe,
The Great Egret is a tad more doughy.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Compare Great Egret and Snowy Egret

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 24, 2019

Location: Titusville, Blackpoint Wildlife Drive
Text.

I am known as a Snowy Egret
I look like a delicate flower.
But don't be surprised, prim looks aside,
My loud, screechy call might make you cower.

Sources: Audubon Guide to North American Birds - Snowy Egret

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 23, 2019

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian Preserve State Park

I am known as a Great Egret
I'll be in full breeding plumage soon.
Notice my lores are starting to turn green,
And my plumes will soon make the girls swoon.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Great Egret

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 22, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

I'm known as a Brown Pelican
I have a seven to eight foot wing span.
I eat up to four pounds of fish every day
With this beak, you're not surprised that I can!

Sources: American Bird Conservancy - Brown Pelican

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 21, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

We are known as Royal Terns
You can find us by the shore
We're not as popular in California
Cause there aren't many Sardines there anymore.

Sources: Audubon Guide to North American Birds

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 20, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

I'm known as a Forster's Tern
I look like I have a black eye.
I look like an upside down checkmark with wings
When I'm preparing to take a dive.

Sources: Wikipedia Commons, Forster's Tern in Flight

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 19, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

I am known as a Caspian Tern
Invade my colony, and I'll make you bleed.
But Bald Eagles, hey that's another thing -
When I see one I immediately flee.

Sources: Cornell All About Birds - Caspian Tern

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 18, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

I am known as a Royal tern
I wear a black cap - but only when breeding.
I dive into the sea to catch me some fish -
But only when I am feeding.

Sources: Cornell All About Birds - Royal Tern

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 17, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

On the left, there is is a Ring-billed Gull.
On the right, there is a Laughing.
The Ring-bill gull is a larger bird,
Other than size, the differences can be baffling.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Compare Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 16, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

I'm known as a Ring-billed Gull
I like to feast at garbage dumps
Where landfills change to closed incinerators,
Our numbers begin to slump.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Ring-billed Gull

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 15, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

I'm known as a Laughing Gull
I nearly went extinct because of the feather trade
Then my numbers started increasing,
Today you can find me in salt marshes, oceans and bays.

Sources: Audubon Guide to North American Birds - Laughing Gull

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 14, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

I'm known as a Bonaparte's Gull
I look less like a gull than a tern.
My population is stable -
I'm a species of least concern.

Sources: Audubon Guide to North American Birds - Bonaparte's Gull

Endangered Species Categories and Criteria

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Special Bonus Valentines Day Post

Location: Palm Coast, Spray Fields

We are a pair of Red-shoulderd Hawks
Getting down and dirty
What a great way to start Valentines day -
It's only 7:30!

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 13, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

I'm known as a Black Skimmer
Sometimes I flop on the beach
With my tummy and chin resting on the sand
Don't wake me up, I beseech!

Sources: The Black Skimmer: A Scissor-beaked Night Hunter 

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 12, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

I am a Black Skimmer
In case you aren't aware -
I have multiple special talents,
Including picking my armpit in midair.

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 11, 2019

Location: Sebastian Inlet

I'm known as a Black Skimmer
I am a tactile feeder.
I skim the water surface looking for food
And I'm known to be a small fish eater.

Sources: Cornell Lab  All About Birds - Black Skimmer

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 10, 2019

Location: Titusville, Blackpoint Wildlife Drive

I'm known as a Black Skimmer
The top of my bill's shorter than the bottom.
It's orange and black, but don't be taken aback,
The way that I eat is quite awesome.

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 9, 2019

Location: Titusville, Blackpoint Wildlife Drive

We are two Roseate Spoonbills
We nearly went extinct because of plumage hunters.
Today the poultry industry
Provides feathers for decorations and dusters.

Sources: The ethics of wearing feathers: it's not just live-plucking that's a problem

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 8, 2019

Location: Location

We are known as American Coot
We are common throughout the US.
You might confuse us with a Common Gallinule,
But their beak is more colorful, ours is less.

Sources: Audubon Guide to North American Birds - American Coot

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 7, 2019

Location: Titusville, Blackpoint Wildlife Drive

We are a flock of White Ibis
Startled into the air, probably by a predator.
When in flight, we use a small muscle
At the base of our tail, called the Levator.

Sources: Cornell Lab - All About Bird Anatomy

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 6, 2019

Location: Titusville, Blackpoint Wildlife Drive

I am a male Blue-wing Teal
When I want to impress girls, I submerge my head.
I raise up my tail and stick my feet in the air,
I look ducky - well, that's what she said.

Sources: Audubon Guide to North American Birds - Blue Wing Teal

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 5, 2019

Location: Titusville, Blackpoint Wildlife Drive

I am a male Northern Shoveler
I strain food with my spatulate bill.
I swim slowly while skimming the surface.
And filter food till I get my fill.

Sources: Audubon Guide to North American Birds - Northern Shoveler

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 4, 2019

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a Pine Warbler
From here, you can't see the bars on my wings
But my voice is the same, and I'm in a pine tree,
And you can still see my broken eye ring.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Pine Warbler

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 3, 2019

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I'm known as a Pine Warbler
Scientifically: Setophaga pinus
I like to hang out near the top of tall pines,
So you can call me "your highness".

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Pine Warbler

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 2, 2019

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am another Brown-headed Nuthatch
I'm social and a cooperative breeder.
There's a chance that I'll come and visit you
If you put up a suet feeder.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Brown-headed Nuthatch

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 1, 2019

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I'm a Brown-headed Nuthatch
I have two very strong feet.
Unlike Woodpeckers I don't use my tail
For balance when climbing on trees.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Brown-headed Nuthatch

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson