Birding interactive

Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) - This long-legged wading bird is almost completely restricted to Florida, though it is sometimes found in the Okefenokee Swamp of southern Georgia. Their distribution is controlled by their diet, which consists of the large apple snail and freshwater mussels. The only member of its family, it is most closely related to rails and cranes.

The limpkin’s bill is slightly de-curved like that of the ibis, but the limpkin’s bill is thicker and they have mottled brown feathers. Both sexes and juveniles are similar in appearance.

This bird, while shy and elusive, has probably inspired many nightmares with its banshee-like wail that will shatter the nighttime quietude of a lake or marsh. Visitors can reliably find limpkin in some very public places of Osceola County. Good spots to look for this quirky bird include Kissimmee’s Lakefront Park, the bridge crossing of Neptune Road over Lake Toho, or the shoreline just beyond the moss draped oak canopy that arches above East Lake Fish Camp.

Audubon's Crested Caracara ( Polyborus plancus audubonii) - Falcons are known for their aerial prowess, but this stocky member of the family of falcons has strong legs and spends much of its time walking on the ground. Almost 2 feet long and having a wingspan of around 4 feet, it has a black crest and a bald face with orange-red skin. This skin will change to bright yellow if the bird feels threatened.

Caracara’s prefers to scavenge rather than hunt, but will live up to their raptor heritage and take a lizard or snake if the opportunity exists. Their preference for scavenging draws them to the expansive cattle pastures of central Florida. Osceola County is the northern extent of this bird's breeding range, but they are fairly common in the southern part of the county.

A short drive west on Hwy 60 out of Yeehaw Junction will often allow the birder a good view of one or more Caracaras. If you want to stay closer to town, drive down Harbor Road on the west side of Lake Tohopekaliga or take Kissimmee Park Road to Cherokee Road on the east side of the lake. A pair of caracara have territories in each of these areas.

Quaker Parrot (Myiopsitta monachus) - This small parrot is also known as the Quaker parakeet or the Monk parakeet. Native to southern Brazil and neighboring countries, individuals have escaped or been released from the pet trade since the 1960’s. While populations have established in several areas of the country, the largest population can be found in Florida. Their head, neck and back are green, while their face, throat and breast are light gray. Yellow feathers around the vent sometimes create a flash of color as they fly by in flocks of 15 – 20 birds.

Often heard before being seen, Quaker parrots are noisy and gregarious. Being quite vocal, they have a wide vocabulary, using many different screeches and squawks in their nearly continuous chatter. They are the only parrot that does not nest in holes or cavities, preferring to build communal nests that can be several feet across and weigh hundreds of pounds. These structures serve as the flock’s gathering and resting place all year long, acting more like an apartment complex than a temporary nest site.

Watch and listen for them around Kissimmee’s Lakefront Park, which is only a short stroll from our Historic Downtown. A flock of Quaker parrots has brought a touch of the tropics to the park for years.

Osceola Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo osceola) - The Osceola turkey was named for the famous Seminole chief, and is a sub-species restricted to peninsular Florida. Distinguishing characters are the black barring of the outer primaries and brown or tan color that tips the large fan feathers. West of the Mississippi, this outer band is white or cream.

Slightly smaller and longer legged, the Osceola turkey is also reputed to be the most wily of the turkeys. This makes it a favorite quarry for hunters from across the country.
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Flocks of this country bird can be found right up to the edges of our urban areas. Ask the locals; they can tell you where to look close to town. If you want to see them in their native habitat, try hiking the miles of trails provided at Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area or the Lake Lizzie Preserve. Both of these conservation lands display Florida’s natural habitats and will provide a wonderful outdoor experience that is only heightened by the many species of birds and wildlife that can be seen.

Everglades Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus) - This member of the raptor family (hawks and their kin, not the kind made famous by Jurassic Park) is a danger only to snails. With perhaps the most specific diet of any bird, the snail kite eats only apple snails, a large freshwater snail whose shell can measure almost 2 inches in diameter. Flying slowly over the water as they scan for snails, they pause long enough to dip their feet into the water and snatch a snail before flying to a nearby perch to pry it from its shell and swallow it whole.

The snail kite has the dubious honor of being one of the original species listed as endangered by the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1967. We are fortunate that Lake Tohopekaliga, “Toho” to the locals, and Lake Kissimmee support the world’s greatest concentration of these rare birds. Males are a uniform bluish-slate color with bright orange-red legs and face, while females are brown with abundant white mottles. Both sexes have red eyes, a sharply curved beak and a prominent band of white at the base of a long square tail.

For an almost guaranteed sighting of this rare raptor, rent a boat from one of our marinas or fish camps and ply the broad shallow waters of East or West Lake Toho or Lake Kissimmee. The bass fishing is almost as good as the birding opportunities.

Florida Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula) - This Florida specialty is a member of the large and complex "mallard-family" of ducks. As its name suggests, it has a fairly uniform mottled pattern, though the neck and head are lighter in color. The bill of the male is yellow to olive green, while the female’s is muddy brown with black “stains”. While not as dark as the black duck nor as colorful as the common mallard, these Florida natives are unique in their own way.

The Florida mottled duck is a non-migratory species and slowly disappearing, but not because of over-hunting or loss of habitat. The biggest threat they face is hybridization as they freely interbreed with other varieties of mallard that have been released in Florida. Eventually, the true Florida mottled duck may be lost.

Look for them in any of our local lakes or while paddling down the quiet waters of Reedy or Shingle Creeks.

Florida Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis pratensis) – The Florida sandhill crane is a non-migratory sub-species that is restricted to peninsular Florida. Numbering no more than 5,000 individuals, they are still a relatively easy bird to locate in Osceola County. Every resident seems to have a story about these birds, some humorous and others expressing exasperation. Many of our neighborhoods have resident birds that make daily rounds looking for livepage.apple.comhandouts. They can become pests as they poke holes in screens or damage parked cars while attacking their reflection in a window or side mirror. They also evoke smiles as they dance with leaps, bows and a decent imitation of a country 2-step while flapping their wings and tossing sticks or tufts of grass into the air. This dance is sometimes punctuated with their signature bugle or trumpet, a primordial sound that can be heard for miles.
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The sandhill crane has an ancient lineage, having existed relatively unchanged for at least 10 million years, and some estimates exceed 20 million. Their close relatives lived beside T-Rex and Triceratops. Consequently, this ancient species has been whimsically described as a “dancing dinosaur”.

You might see these tall birds with their red foreheads while visiting one of the local parks, lakeshores or even while catching a round of golf. If you desire a more natural setting, try Disney’s Wilderness Preserve.

Southeastern American Kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus) - Like the Florida Sandhill Crane, the Southeastern American Kestrel is a non-migratory sub-species. While present all year, their northern cousins arrive in late September and remain through March. As soon as the snowbirds leave, the locals start breeding. Therefore, you will need to visit between mid-April and mid-September to look for this rare subspecies. Luckily, our April and May weather is warm, dry and perfect for birding.

The most reliable way of finding these small and colorful falcons is from an automobile. Spend a morning drinking in the natural beauty of central Florida as you take 441 from St. Cloud to Holopaw, then south to Kenansville for a bite of lunch at a local restaurant such as the Cracker Trail Cafe. Return to Kissimmee on S.R. 523 (aka Canoe Creek Road). These country roads wind through long flat stretches of pine flatwoods, open pastures and broad marshes, as well as both cypress and bay swamps. Don’t let the beautiful scenery distract your eye from scanning dead pine trees and telephone lines for perching kestrels, or open pastures where they hunt for mice and voles. If you see one - pay close attention to the wings. If they are blue-gray it is a male, and if they are mottled-rufous color it is a female.

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularis) – This small owl may have been gotten its scientific name from Athena the Greek goddess of wisdom, but the local crackers called them “howdy birds” because of their peculiar head bobbing that reminds one of a friendly greeting. These owls are unusual in that they prefer life underground rather than in trees, both nesting and sleeping in burrows and only occasionally perching on branches. Males rarely assist with brooding of the eggs, but they will spend long hours guarding their mate while standing on a mound of dirt outside the burrow entrance.

Preferring open areas to forests, these birds have become associated with cattle ranches and fields, but sometimes show up at golf courses, airports, ball fields or parks with large open spaces. If you want to see them in their native habitat, try TLWMA. The park rangers will direct you to an area that is populated with burrows. If you want to see fledglings, the best time is from early May to early July. The young birds will often allow for a fairly close approach as they watch you with an almost comical intensity before scurrying back to the dark haven of their parent’s burrow.

Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens) - This Florida endemic is becoming increasingly rare, but can still be reliably observed at the Disney Wilderness Preserve. The education center provides information on this friendly bird, and volunteer staff are available to give directions for finding them. They respond well to an imitation of their raspy call, so spend a few minutes practicing with the Preserve staff before hiking down the trail to the scrubby oaks where they are found. A few calls may be all that’s needed to get them to come closer for good viewing. Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area also has a resident clan. Ask park rangers for assistance in locating them.

At almost a foot long, these jays are easy to identify with their crestless head and blue and gray plumage. The blue jay, in comparison, has a distinct crest and both black and white markings on the head, wings and tail.

Scrub jays live in a dry sandy habitat the locals call “scrub”. Scrub is characterized by short twisted oaks and scattered pine that are interspersed with clumps of saw palmetto and open patches of bare sand. The jays are able to flourish in this harsh environment by living in families called “clans” that may include young from previous years. Older brothers and sisters can stay for several years to help their parents and ensure the survival of their younger siblings.

Whooping Crane (Grus americana) – One of the rarest of North American species and the tallest, a small experimental population was released at Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area (TLWMA) in 1993. Since then, the flock has grown to more than 70 birds. In 2000, the first pair of wild born whooping crane chicks were hatched. It was a milestone celebrated by naturalists across the country. A migratory population is now being established, with new birds following an ultra light airplane each spring from Wisconsin to Osceola County.

To find this majestic bird, take S.R. 523 (aka Canoe Creek Road) to Joe Overstreet Road and follow it to the boat ramp. When you arrive, ask the locals where to look. They are used to birders coming there for the opportunity to see this rarest of birds. Don’t forget to bring your camera, because these large white birds are not shy about giving photo opportunities. Another option is to continue a little farther south to TLWMA. Park rangers can provide suggestions on finding cranes amongst the 62,000 acres of land within the TLWMA that includes vast expanses of Kissimmee prairie, a broad-flat system of wet and dry prairie habitats dominated by grasses. It is a habitat that has become as rare as the cranes that make it their home.

Southeastern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus) – The bald eagle, the symbol of our nation, has recently been removed from the endangered species list. It is a success story that bodes well for other imperiled species. These large raptors are common around Lake Toho and Lake Kissimmee, and the greatest concentration of nesting eagles anywhere in the lower 48 states can be found at TLWMA.

From November thru March, a nesting pair is easily visible only 200 feet from Kings Hwy. near downtown Kissimmee. They have fledged one or two chicks each year for the past 3 years, and are certainly the most photographed eagles in the county. Their nest is wedged into the fork of the dead skeleton of an oak tree, an unusual choice for a species that typically chooses to build their Volkswagen sized nest in the crown of a tall pine.

Photo by Ed Sackett

Photo by Ed Sackett

Photo by Ed Sackett

Photo by Ed Sackett

Photo by Ed Sackett

Photo by Greg Stephens

Photo by Greg Stephens

Photo by Greg Stephens

Photo by Greg Stephens

Photo by Greg Stephens

Photo by Greg Stephens

Photo by Meaghan Manning