Posted by Paul Bithorn on February 21, 2004 at 16:38:50:
In Reply to: ALERT: Another Dang Honeycreeper! posted by Jeff Weber on February 21, 2004 at 13:58:38:
Stop the presses!!!!! Co-leader of the walk, Dick Cunningham, is writing a book on the birds of Everglades National Park, relying on almost 50 years of experience with the National Park service with E.N.P. being his first tour of duty during its infancy in the early 1950's.How ironic that he was on hand and made thr id for this Park first. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
Red-legged Honeycreepers appear to like National and State Parks in South Florida. I spent an hour and a half but couldn't relocate this jewel of a
bird. Don't fret. I saw Bird #1.
Bird #1: Boca Chita Key - Biscayne National Park
Bird #2: Garden Key - Dry Tortugas National Park
Bird #3: Bill Baggs State Park - Cape Florida - Key Biscayne
Bird #4: Royal Palm -Gumbo Limbo Trail - Everglades National Park
Either this "escaped cagebird" gets around or we are about to see a range expansion of this beautiful species. All we need is a female. Life is good........................knowing a new species may be added to the fauna of South Florida - a la Cattle Egret and Shiny Cowbird!