How did this bird, “Killdeer,” get such a name? Does it really kill deer? Of course not! Some birds are named for their characteristic call. You may hear this bird amongst a small group on open grassy fields with its readily recognizable, strident call, “Kill-deer” “kill-deah” “dee-eee” “dee-eee,” as they briefly fly to another good…

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Ornithologists and native peoples usually name birds for an outstanding feature. Have you ever wondered why the Red-bellied Woodpecker is called red-bellied when that feature is not obvious? We see Florida’s most common woodpecker as it is climbing a palm tree, telephone pole, or on our backyard feeder eating seeds, nuts or fruits. We usually…

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Aren’t these Black Skimmers graceful gliding over the water in tandem? How did photographer Thelma Eliza Gatuzzo using a Canon 5D Mark III and 100-400 lens catch this fluid pose, wings raised high? Skimmers fish in tidal shallow waters within 6 feet of land where small fish concentrate at low tide. When a fish touches…

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As this Roseate Spoonbill’s landing gear is extended and about to touch down, all its marvelous feather-pattern markings are visible…the intense scarlet upper wing and tail, the body plumage brighter pink, while the upper breast, neck, and back are white, and with yellow shoulder patch. Only slightly visible are the recurved scarlet feathers on the…

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