Bird Board
Smooth-billed Ani at Big Cypress National Preserve
Posted by David True
almost 8 years ago
5 Comments
On the wire about a 1/2 mile to 1/4 mile from the intersection of Wagon Wheel Road and Birdon Road. What we thought was a grackle became evident that it was an ani when we drove past it slowly on the road. We immediately stopped the car and started taking pictures of the bird out of the windows. Large bill and long, floppy tail let us know that it was an ani. Through our optics we couldn't find any grooves on the bill. The photos don't show any grooves. The pictures also show a strong angle on the lower bill. The bird was flushed about a minute later when a speeding car drove past us. We didn't refind the bird although I suspect that it is still in the brush along the road and canal.
Comments
thank you
Lower Wagon Wheel Road is approximately 4 miles north of Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) on Highway 29 in Collier County. Lower Wagon Wheel (also call county road 837) starts east of the highway. It is a gravel road that is well maintained.
Directions to this location, along with a link to a Google map that can provide turn-by-turn directions, can be found on the BirdBoard's Rare Bird Update.
Briefly looked for the Ani on the way home today around 3 PM with no luck.
Monday, 1/16. Looked twice in the morning for the Ani with no luck. Stayed for awhile the 2nd time both sitting in the car and walking the road.
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