Birds have evolved into such unique diversity in every ecological niche. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are the only woodpeckers that drill shallow holes through the cambium layer or inner bark of trees, tapping the plant tissues (xylem and phloem), which conduct water, nutrients, and sap that oozes out of the holes.

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How exciting to spot a Ruby-throated Hummingbird flying into the tree, then find its tiny nest in the making on a branch overhanging the water. Then return week after week to see the full nesting/developmental process. Alice Horst captured it all! 

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Common Nighthawks are not hawks and do not hunt at night but at dusk and dawn.

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Characteristic of icterids, male Bobolinks sing a long, bubbly song while sitting on a stalk or during their undulating flight across the fields. 

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Such elegance, this male Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)!

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Blue Cypress Lake: an Osprey Paradise Osprey Pandion haliaetus by Bill Loftus, Ph.D. On a calm, sunny morning in April, a small boat captained by Jim Shea leaves the dock […]

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A Mouthful to Cache Florida Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma coerulescens by Juanita N. Baker, Ph.D. Did you know that our Florida Scrub-Jay is so very smart? In the fall when oaks produce […]

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From most populous to threatened Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Order CICONIIFORMES – Family ARDEIDAE by Juanita N. Baker, Ph.D. Even on a cold and wet PIAS field trip to Orlando […]

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Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus by Juanita N. Baker, Ph.D. Although it evolved much earlier, fossils of this Red-headed Woodpecker indicate that this beauty was living in Florida 1.6-2.0 million years […]

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Brazilian Pepper Thrives, but fewer of our Native Birds do by Juanita N. Baker, Ph.D. Brazilian pepper is spreading across Florida after being imported into Florida for its beauty.  Beauty […]

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