Posted by John Boyd on June 28, 2003 at 14:51:19:
Nancy Freedman and I saw 2 adult Tricolored Munias on Loop Rd this morning. I didn't note the exact location, but they were roughly one mile west of the westermost trash can/box (this makes sense if you know Loop Rd). They were feeding in the grass on the side of the road and we watched them for some time.
They are gorgeous birds...black hood, chestnut back, white flanks, black belly. Wish I had had my camera with me.
Their exact status is uncertain. They could be escaped/released birds. However, they could have come here under their own power. There is a well-established population in Cuba (apparently deriving from birds introduced in Puerto Rico which has spread in the Caribbean). In the last two years they have been seen at Eco Pond and the Dry Tortugas, including a bird that was possibly a juvenile Tricolored Munia (it might have been the related Chestnut Munia...adult Tricolored have white flanks instead of chestnut, but the juveniles are virtually indistinguishable).
A male Hummingbird (probably Ruby-throated, but not well-seen) was at Sweetwater Slough along with the expected Parulas, Titmice, Gnatcatchers, RE Vireos, etc. (no Prothonotary). We also found our first Titmouse of the day inside of Dade County along the Big Cypress portion of US-41.