Cape Florida: Western Spindalis


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Posted by Robin Diaz on 12:32:31 12/12/06

Today I found an adult male (black-backed) Western Spindalis in Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP. It is associating with a small mixed flock and is very visible as it moves around.

Directions: After entering the park, continue south on the main road to Area B. Turn left (east) at the sign and park at the northernmost end, then walk east. Picnic shelter #B11 will be to the right and restrooms will be farther on, to the left. Boardwalk #4 will be straight ahead. The bird worked this area both east and west of the wooden fence.

The bird vocalizes with a high, thin "see" while foraging and uses a strong "tsee" when flying. This second vocalization is comparable in strength to nearby Orange-crowned Warblers, but flatter and less metallic. I observed it eating fruit on wild sage bushes. It's easy to pick out when flying around the area, since it's larger than the gnatcatchers, warblers and Blue-headed Vireo it hangs with. An Eastern Phoebe seems to have "issues" with the spindalis and they squabble often.

This area is birdy with Red-shouldered Hawk, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Prairie, Palm, Orange-crowned (2) and Myrtle Warblers, Eastern Phoebe, Common Ground-Doves, Northern Mockingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Blue-headed Vireo.



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