Tropical Audubon Society

South Florida’s Voice of Conservation

Eighteen birders joined Paul Bithorn and me for today's Miami Exotics van tour. We were able to find nineteen introduced species during our whirlwind tour, including eight parrot species. Muscovy Ducks, Eurasian Collared-Doves and European Starlings were at various locations and don't require further mention. Our stops and birds of note included:
Pine Woods Park - one Red-whiskered Bulbul, a small flock of Scaly-breasted Munias, a couple of Painted Buntings
Near Chapman Park on Old Cutler Road - two Indian Peafowl
Gables Estates - several Blue-and-yellow Macaws seen flying away from the residence of Daria and Rich Fienstein
Matheson Hammock Park - one dark morph Short-tailed Hawk overhead
Tropical Park - several groups of Egyptian Geese
AD Barnes Park - a quick and unproductive drive-through
Shorty's BBQ in Kendall - just Rock Pigeons and House Sparrows
Baptist Hospital - a good-sized flock of Mitred Parakeets
Dolphin Mall - a couple of Gray-headed Swamphens
Virginia Gardens - Monk Parakeet
Miami Springs - a parrot flock that included several Crimson-fronted, one Green and one Red-masked Parakeet, plus one blue morph Rose-ringed Parakeet
Ocean Bank - a quick stop; unproductive
Central Shopping Plaza - four Common Myna, many Rock Pigeons
South Miami - several Indian Peafowl
Miller Parrot Roost - two Chestnut-fronted Macaws
A residence in Coral Gables - spectacular views of 7-10 Blue-and-Yellow Macaws just before dusk and the conclusion of our tour