Did a bird catch your eye because it was bobbing its tail? This behavior lets you quickly narrow the ID possibilities down to two species. Since breeding season has not yet begun, there won’t be any singing to help with ID. So, the biggest differences between them are size and behavior.
This very common Palm Warbler is about 5 1/2” long. It moves constantly from branch-to-branch snagging insects, all the while pumping its tail. It is a winter visitor that stays with us from October through April.
This Eastern Phoebe is larger at 6 1/2” long. It sits more erect than the Palm Warbler and is much less active. It has a regular tail pump, but not in constant motion. It finds a perch and launches into the air or onto the ground for its meals. It is also a winter visitor that we can see from October through March.
HAPPY BIRDING!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
• Wednesday, November 12, 8 a.m. Field Trip with Sharon Wilcox, Myakka River State Park, 13208 State Rd. 72, Sarasota.
• Thursday, November 20, 6:30 p.m. Refreshments, 7 p.m. Program, “Exploring Antarctica” by Rick and Debbie Read, at the Regional Realtors Education Center, 3320 Loveland Blvd, Port Charlotte.
• Every Saturday, at 8:30 a.m., Nature Walk at Audubon Pennington Park, 1153 Alton Rd., Port Charlotte.
You do not have to be a member of PRAS to join us. Participation is free, and registration is not needed. Visit the website at http://www.peaceriveraudubonsociety.org for all the details, or you can contact fellow BSM resident Rick Read, at 574-870-2695 for information or car-pooling.
