BLUE-HEADED VIREO, NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN NAPLES, FL

   We have identified this bird as a Blue-headed Vireo as follows:

• Bold white "spectacle" that really contrasts with the dark gray head.
• White neck and white underneath with a yellow wash on the flank.
• Two white wing bars.
• Short bill.

   The Blue-headed Vireo is a new species to our Life List, which now stands at 271.

RAT SNAKE, NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN, NAPLES, FL

ROSE GARDEN, NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN, NAPLES, FL

ORCHID GARDEN, NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN, NAPLES, FL

MALE NORTHERN PINTAIL, STA-5, CLEWISTON, FL

   Even though the ducks are somewhat silhouetted, we can ID the duck on the upper left as a  male Northern Pintail because of its long tail and gray body.  The only other long tailed duck, the Long-tailed Duck has an even longer tail.

YELLOWLEGS, STA-5, CLEWISTON, FL

   It is difficult to determine definitively whether these are Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs or a combination of both species.  However, we believe the bird on the left is a Greater Yellowlegs and the two on the right are Lesser Yellowlegs.  This is because the bird on the left is larger than the two on the right.  Greater Yellowlegs are about 3 1/2" longer than Lesser Yellowlegs. 

BREEDING MALE RING-NECKED DUCK AMONG AMERICAN COOTS, STA-5, CLEWISTON, FL

   The Ring-necked Duck is at the lower right.  The other birds around it are American Coots.  We can ID this duck as a Ring-necked Duck as follows:

• Black back and gray flank.
• White "spur" on side below neck.
• White outline at base of bill.
• White ring near end of bill.