Aves silvestres

Venetia S. Briggs-Gonzalez, Jorge E. Ruano, Justin R. Dalaba, Justin R. Dalaba, yFrank J. Mazzotti
Otros contactos: Eric Suarez yAaron I. Chimelis

Belize is home to over 605 bird species. At least 20 percent are migrants, choosing to overwinter in the lush tropics and contributing to incredible avifaunal diversity. In northern Belize, migrants are seen earlier than in other parts of the country, making this area a true birder's paradise. Along the New River and associated marshes, a multitude of birds can be seen. Here we present some of the most common and some of the rarest long-legged wading bird species you may encounter along the way.

Elise V. Pearlstine yFrank J. Mazzotti
Otros contactos: Venetia S. Briggs-Gonzalez, Eric Suarez, yAaron I. Chimelis

Dan Dawson and Mark Hostetler

Venetia S. Briggs-Gonzalez, Jorge E. Ruano, Justin R. Dalaba, Justin R. Dalaba, yFrank J. Mazzotti
Otros contactos: Eric Suarez yAaron I. Chimelis

Mark E. Hostetler

C. LeAnn White and Martin B. Main

Mark Hostetler, Steve A. Johnson, yMartin B. Main

The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a widely recognized songbird in Florida and across most of the eastern United States. Its vivid red coloration, clear whistled songs, and year-round presence have made it a common species of backyards, forest edges, and city parks across much of Florida. Northern Cardinals add color and voice to even the quietest corners of urban areas. As an iconic backyard bird, they offer many opportunities for bird watching. This fact sheet explores how to identify a cardinal, the cardinal’s distribution, habitat ecology, diet and foraging strategies, communication, territoriality, reproduction, and interactions with humans. Our objective in this publication is to educate the public about this conspicuous bird.

Mark Hostetler, Steve A. Johnson, yMartin B. Main

Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus) are year-round residents across the southeastern United States and frequently found around homes in Florida. Here we explore their fascinating natural history, including habitat preferences, feeding habits, nesting behavior, and unique adaptations, all of which make them a common backyard bird. Our objective in this publication is to educate homeowners about this conspicuous bird, which is common in suburban habitats.

Katherine Allen, LuAnn Duncan, Nelly Nelson, Lisa Hamilton, Judy Corbus, Karen Stauderman, Faith M. Oi, James E. Davis, yShelly A. Johnson

How do I stop birds from making a mess? How do I get them to leave? Although most birdwatching is a good experience, any bird can become a nuisance if they are unwanted, cause damage, or spread disease. Birdfeeders, spilled food, or uncovered trash cans are common attractants for unwanted birds. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the Home Series is intended to provide answers to frequently asked questions, allay fears, and provide practical help to the public. This publication provides information to educate homeowners on appropriate and lawful ways to deal with birds who have become a nuisance.

Ryan Buron, Mark Hostetler, and Michael Andreu

During migration, birds travel from their northern breeding grounds to their southern wintering grounds and vice versa. To understand which urban habitats are valuable for specific migratory species, we compared the diversity of migratory bird species that used urban forest fragments vs residential areas with tree canopy in Gainesville, Florida. Study results summarized in this fact sheet can help inform urban planners, developers, and homeowners about vegetation migratory birds use. Conservation of large, forested areas is important, but fragmented landscapes are not useless, and conserving urban forest fragments and trees in residential areas is also important for bird conservation.

Emma V. Willcox, Mark Hostetler, Martin B. Main, yMaena Voigt

Before placing bird feeders in your backyard, consider the bird species you would like to attract. Different birds are attracted to different bird feeders and foods. The following suggestions are useful guidelines, but it is best to experiment. Try a variety of feeders and foods located in different spots around your yard.

Steve A. Johnson, Mark Hostetler, yMartin B. Main

This publication describes how to differentiate between two species of large woodpeckers, the Pileated Woodpecker and the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. It includes information about both species and advice about how to report observations of large woodpeckers and where to go to read further.

Natalie Pegg yMark Hostetler

Studies report that urban areas may not provide breeding habitat for interior-forest birds, but some residential neighborhoods do have sufficient vegetation to serve as breeding habitat for forest birds and even interior-forest specialists. The authors investigated the occurrence of three interior-forest specialists, pileated woodpeckers, summer tanagers, and northern parulas, during the breeding season in two suburban neighborhoods of Gainesville, Florida, and found that all three species occurred in residential neighborhoods consistently throughout the breeding season and were most often detected in local areas with dense vegetation from the ground to the canopy. Our results suggest that decision-makers can improve the amount of breeding habitat in southeastern cities for these three species by retaining forest fragments, tree canopy, large trees, tree snags, and understory vegetation.

Muhammad Azeem Akhter yMark Hostetler

This fact sheet describes a common wintering bird in Florida called the cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum). Information in this fact sheet is relevant to homeowners, backyard bird enthusiasts, and the general public. Written by Muhammad Azeem Akhter and Mark Hostetler, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, June 2024.

Elizabeth V. Scarlett, Venetia S. Briggs-Gonzalez, Justin R. Dalaba, Jorge E. Ruano, and Frank J. Mazzotti

More than 500 species of birds visit or live in Belize and because of its location, Northern Belize serves as an important stop-over point and attracts a large majority of migratory birds in addition to its year-round residents. This guide showcases the top 10 raptor species (predatory birds) that you are most likely to encounter while in Northern Belize.

Mark Hoyer yMark V. Hoyer
Otros contactos: Elizabeth Moreau

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. Published by Environmental Literacy and Sustainability

Mark Hostetler, Steve A. Johnson, yMartin B. Main

This publication provides information about ospreys (Pandion haliaetus). Further, it discusses an osprey cam that was placed on several nests at the University of Florida campus in Gainesville. This publication is for anyone interested in learning more about ospreys.