CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW, BREWER PARK-MILLER DRIVE ROOST,SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA,12/19/2020

  We can ID these parrots (we counted 5 of them) as Chestnut-fronted Macaws as follows:

• Large size (15.6" - 19"), where about half the length is the long tail
• Mostly green in color
• Patches of red and blue on wings
• Yellow eye surrounded by bare face
• Bluish crown with darker forehead (this is the chestnut front in the right light)

   The Chestnut-fronted Macaw is found over a large part of Northern South America from Panama south into Amazonian Brazil and central Bolivia.  A feral population has been established in Florida.
   The Chestnut-fronted Macaw is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 996.

 

JUVENILE YELLOW- BELLIED SAPSUCKER, BREWER PARK-MILLER DRIVE ROOST,SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA, 12/19/2020

 

FERAL MUSCOVY DUCK, BREWER PARK-MILLER DRIVE ROOST, SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA, 12/19/2020

 

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, BREWER PARK-MILLER DRVE ROOST, SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA, 12/19/2020

 

FERAL INDIAN PEAFOWL, OVERSEAS HIGHWAY (U.S. ROUTE 1) & CORAL ROAD,ISLAMORADA, PLANTATION KEY,FLORIDA, 12/19/2020

   We came across this large group of Indian Peafowl by pure luck.  While driving on the Overseas Highway (U.S. Route 1) in the Keys we pulled over to the side of the road to change drivers.  And there they were: a flock of 14 Indian Peafowl.  In doing research on this bird I found that a recent American Birding Association rule change now allows Indian Peafowl to be countable in Florida, Los Angeles area and Hawaii, where they have established feral populations.  According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission the presence of feral Indian Peafowl was first recorded in Orange County in the 1950's, and now they have been seen in a least 20 counties.
   This flock has male (Peacock), female (Peahen) and immature (Peachick) Indian Peafowls.  The first three photos show a Peacock or male Indian Peafowl.  It is unmistakable with its extremely large size, bright colors, long broad tail and small head.  The fourth photo shows two Peahens or female Indian Peafowls.  The fifth photo shows a Peahen in the middle with two  male Peachicks or immature male Indian Peafowls.

   The Indian Peafowl is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 995.

 

CUBAN PEWEE, BLUE HOLE,KEY DEER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE,BIG PINE KEY,MONROE COUNTY,FLORIDA, 12/19/2020

   Not a great photo, but can still ID it as a Cuban Pewee, as you can just about make out the white crescent behind its eye.  Was close to the same location, as it was, when we saw and photographed it on 12/17.  That was a much better photo.

 

TRIKEDELIC LOLLIPOP II, BLUE HOLE,KEY DEER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE,BIG PINE KEY,MONROE COUNTY,FLORIDA, 12/19/2020

   At the Blue Hole we met this fascinating guy with his fascinating bike.