Posted by Dan Scheiman on October 31, 2003 at 00:56:30:
I am a birder from Indiana who was in the Miami area earlier this week. Around Miller Dr. (SW 56 St) I saw a flock of about a dozen Red-crowned Parrots, plus two Blue-and-yellow Macaws. Near SW 96th St. I saw a flock of about two dozen Yellow-chevroned Parakeets, and 5 Mitred Parakeets. [My missed target was White-winged]
My question is about the status/countability of certain psittacids in the ABA area. I know that ABA recently added Yellow-chevroned to the list of countable (i.e. established) species. Red-crowned Parrot is also on the list. Do these species maintain self-sustaining breeding populations in South Florida? All these birds actually find enough cavities to nest in??? Are they countable by ABA standards? Does the FL Records Committee consider them established? What do you do when the national and state lists conflict? Count or not?
On a related note, is Muscovy Duck considered established and countable in FL? I've seen many chicks, both this week and in years past. They must be established by now. (I wish Bill Pranty's ABA/Lane guide was updated so I would know these things.)
You've probably discussed these issues numerous times on this listserve. Please reply to me privately if you are all tired of the subject. Thanks for your help.
Dan Scheiman
Lafayette, IN
dms@fnr.purdue.edu