Florida was originally nearly all wetlands. Over the years miles of wetlands were drained for buildings and people. Today there are many canals and lakes in neighborhoods where you can often see wildlife drawn to the water. These photos were taken by a canal not far from my neighborhood.
Muscovy ducks are unusual Florida residents. They hiss instead of quack, they fly clumsily, and they somehow flourish in Florida’s urban environment. Native to Central and South America, they have lived in Florida for many years and can be found near lakes and canals statewide. These birds were illegally released primarily by private individuals for ornamental purposes or as pets. Muscovy ducks can be extremely prolific and local populations can increase dramatically in a short time. As a result, controversies frequently arise between residents who enjoy the birds and residents who consider them a nuisance.
The Florida sandhill crane (G. c. pratensis), numbering 4,000 to 5,000, is a non-migratory year-round breeding resident. They are joined every winter by 25,000 migrating cranes.
I hope you enjoyed a few of the local birds in central Florida.
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I worry about those little chicks with all the boa’s around in Florida.
Have a wonderful Sunday Carol.
Cruisin Paul
the boas are in the Everglades and so far hundreds have been caught and destroyed. There is a reward for bringing them in and professional hunters are now working. Keep your fingers crossed. I have never seen them in neighborhoods. Birds of prey pick off a few chicks each year, but they have to eat too.
I love this post! The duck with her babies is marvelous and oh, those sandhills! Beautiful, Carol.
not your Harry but I appreciate your kind words – Happy Sunday!
…that lineup of ducks is amazing.
I enjoyed learning about some of the wildlife near you Carol, thank you.
We have herons, Canadian geese, coots, mallards and swans on our canal.
I’ve also spotted an American Mink.
Have a great week!
we have herons, storks, egrets, and mallards but no swans. I’d love to see swans – they are so graceful and beautiful.
I had no idea that Florida used to be all wetlands. How interesting.
The ducklings are very cute. x
There are some muscovy ducks in one of the mitigation ponds near our Florida home; I kind of figured they were “invasive species” because they weren’t listed in any of my bird books for Florida, but I still like seeing them. Didn’t know they hissed. Guess either I am hard of hearing or I didn’t get close enough (or both). Hopefully see all my favorite Florida species this season once again!
I’ve never really heard them hiss either but they don’t really quack.
I’ve new seen a Muscovy duck. Momma duck certainly has a bounty of chicks to care for.
The cranes are so tall and beautiful. I saw them once in the Yukon–fabulous!
Have a lovely week, Carol.
Carol – it’s always interesting what happens when non-natives are released into a new environment. Usually not a happy ending! We have sandhill cranes here throughout the summer – they recently left for their migration! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!
Hi Carol, They are doing the same in my neighborhood. Tearing down wooded areas and the wildlife has nowhere to go. I have seen a fox and my neighbors have reported sightings of all sorts of animals. But it’s because they have nowhere to go. I don’t understand why they couldn’t use some of the empty buildings and remodel them instead of what they are doing. It’s sad to me. But your pictures are really pretty. The one duck looks like he has two beaks. 🙂 Very interesting. Thanks for sharing at #aclwcc. Pinned and tweeted.
it happens everywhere – the animals have no place to go and people complain – thanks for sharing
We see those ducks by the mall here but I’ve never seen so many ducklings! They are cute…the young ones! lol Enjoy your week! We are having those pop up showers every day.
I don’t think I have ever seen so many ducklings in one line before.
We have muscovy ducks here in England and see them a lot at the pond regularly x #mysundayphoto
What a good post I do like ducks but they can drive you quackers …couldn’t resist that 🦆
Have a quacktastic week 👍
Interesting birds, Carol. Those Muscovy Ducks are certainly unusual looking. There are parts of the west where sandhill cranes land in large numbers during migration and Colorado has a few spots where they do that. I’d love to see them fly in someday.
I absolutely enjoyed the birds in your neck of the woods, Carol. And I learned so much from my visit today.
Happy Tuesday!
Such wonderful photos, Carol! The muscovy duck and the chicks are adorable!
-Soma
Thank you for sharing a couple of the birds that live near you.
Thanks for the info as I am looking to move part-time to Orlando, Florida! My only concern is the creatures that live in the lakes and rivers that may eat me!
yeah gators are a problem for sure
I was not aware of the muscovy duck issue in Florida; I actually have never seen one there. I’ll have to pay more attention. I was familiar with them as domestic birds kept by some in the countryside when I lived in rural Arkansas years ago – they make excellent “watchdogs”. Couldn’t believe all the ducklings that Mom had, though. I have seen the sandhill cranes. When I visited Tampa (where I lived many years ago and have a couple of cousins there) I remember the anhingas along Bayshore Blvd. Now, I find out they may actually be cormorants and I will have to check my pictures. Well, that’s part of the fun of bird ID.
It’s nice to see and learn about some birds from your world. 🙂
You’ve got some very interesting birds there! I can’t believe how many ducklings the muscovy duck has.
We are back in our cottage by our canal over here in this corner of Florida! But all I have seen on it so far is “snowbirds”. (Sorry — I like your bird life better, even if I am one of the dreaded winter visitors!)
no, no, no you are NOT a dreaded visitor at all! glad you’re back