Posted by Larry Manfredi on May 25, 2003 at 16:32:33:
In Reply to: Cyanerpes cyaneus posted by Jeff on May 25, 2003 at 13:53:13:
: Has anyone sighted the Red-Legged Honeycreeper on the Dry Tortugas recently, or has the bird finally died of starvation? Was this the first ever sighting of a Red-Legged Honeycreeper on the Dry Tortugas?
The Red-legged Honeycreeper was seen for 5 days at the Dry Tortugas. It was very active and singing on the last day that it was seen. It left with good weather on the same day that the White-tipped Dove left.
There were plenty of flowers in bloom during the time that the Red-legged Honeycreeper was seen. This provided ample food for this bird. It looked very strong on the last day that I saw it which was the last day that it was seen. I am sure that it did not starve.
There were three very large storm systems that passed through the Dry Tortugas which brought in many migrants. During the second storm of April the Red-legged Honeycreeper was found.
This was the first time one has ever been seen at the Dry Tortugas and only the second sighting for the U.S. The first as you know, was at Boca Chita Key here off Cutler Ridge.
With the storms and wind direction before the time that both Red-legged Honeycreepers were found, there is no reason why both birds are not of wild origin.
The White-tipped Dove seen this April is the second documented record for Florida. The first one was about 10 years ago, it was also found at the Dry Tortugas. Many migrants leave the Yucatan Peninsula heading for the gulf coast states, weather brings them to the Dry Tortugas. This is the most likely source for the doves and perhaps the Red-legged Honeycreeper. Cuba could be a source for the honeycreeper, but they don't have White-tipped Doves. So perhaps the Yucatan is the source for these birds as we know it is for the many migrants that show up at the Dry Tortugas. Last April a Bananaquit showed up at the Dry Tortugas, this was another first record for there. In Cuba, Bananaquits are rare. However, they are not rare in the Yucatan. So again I would say that the Red-legged Honeycreeper came from the Yucatan rather than Cuba just like the White-tipped Dove.
Larry Manfredi
Homestead, FL.
E-mail: birderlm@bellsouth.net
http://www.southfloridabirding.com