Bird, Travel & Art Photos, Birding Sites, Bird Information

Monday, December 21, 2020

FERAL MALE RED JUNGLEFOWL, FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT KEY WEST, KEY WEST,FLORIDA, 12/18/2020

The American Birding Association, due to a recent rule change, now allows feral Red Junglefowl to be countable for life lists, if they are found in certain areas. These areas include Key West, Florida; Hawaii (all major islands) and Fitzgerald, GA.
The feral male Red Junglefowl is easy to ID: rust and black color, red plume on its head, long tail held upright and a raucous crowing "cock-a-doodle-doo" (which we heard).

The feral Red Junglefowl is a new addition to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 994.

SUNSET ON A WINDY & CLOUDY DAY, KEY WEST,FLORIDA, 10/17/2020

FEMALE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT KEY WEST, KEY WEST,FLORIDA, 12/17/2020

CUBAN PEWEE, BLUE HOLE,KEY DEER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE,BIG PINE KEY,MONROE COUNTY,FLORIDA, 12/17/202

The Cuban Pewee had been reported on ebird as being at the Blue Hole since at least December 15. So we decided to try and find it, as it would be a life bird. We really lucked out. By following the location given on some of the ebird sightings we were able to see and photograph the Cuban Pewee fairly quickly.
We can ID this flycatcher as a Cuban Pewee as follows:

Distinct white crescent-shaped marking directly behind the eye. This is one of its field markings that distinguishes it from other similar flycatchers, such as the Eastern Wood-Pewee.
Relatively long, broad, bicolored bill with a yellowish lower mandible.
Gray to buff underparts.
Short primary projection.
Small size
Two weak whitish wingbars. You can just make these out in the photos.

The Cuban Pewee is found in Cuba and the Northern Bahamas. It is a rare visitor to southeastern Florida.
The Cuban Pewee is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 993.