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 ago along with saber-tooth tiger, mastodon, giant armadillo, and camel, eons before humans ever wandered into Florida.1 First humans whose traces indicate they were here…

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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 it is, in this photo by John Wolaver of a serene and well-fed resident Northern Mockingbird surrounded by the pepper’s stunning red berries.  Prior to…

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If you live near where the Limpkins feed, you are likely familiar with its loud, raucous calls, often at night, quite startling for Halloween for the unsuspecting trick or treaters.

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Cooper’s Hawk   Accipiter cooperii by Juanita N. Baker, Ph.D. What penetrating eyes we see! This immature Cooper’s Hawk blends in with the Live Oak tree and waits, keeping watch in all directions, for any ready prey. When we built our house amongst these unique twisting oak trees on the St. Sebastian River, we did…

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