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Posted by Paddy Cunningham on 15:26:57 03/05/14
In Reply to: Ringed Teal at Dump Marsh-South Dade posted by Paddy Cunningham
FOSRC 2012-913 White-cheeked Pintail, Anas bahamensis. Two of these pintails, an apparent pair that was closely associated, were discovered on 3 October 2012 on a marshy lagoon in a landfill facility at 23707 SW 97th Avenue, near Cutler, Miami-Dade County. They remained in the area until 5 October after which they were not seen again. The birds were described as initially skittish, unbanded, and in fresh plumage. Five Ringed Teal (Callonetta leucophrys), an exotic South American species, also were at this site. Yet the presence of the two pintails also fits a pattern of occurrence in Florida in which nearly all reports are coastal or sub-coastal localities along the Atlantic Ocean opposite potential sources in the Bahamas or near Cuban populations (Keys) (B. Pranty in litt.; Stevenson and Anderson 1994). This pattern conforms to one predicted under the hypothesis of irregular natural vagrancy from the sources indicated. Under a hypothesis of escapes from presumed widespread captive sources in urban centers around Florida, one would predict a more general pattern of occurrence across the state, especially in urban ponds. Those voting in favor of a wild origin weighed this pattern and the report of the observer. Two dissenting views noted the presence from time to time of exotic ducks in the same marsh, including the Ringed Teal present when the pintails were there.
UNRESOLVED (5 accept, 2 not accept)
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