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Systematic list - part 16: Corvids & Hirundines

 

Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata (42)

Generally commoner in the more northerly parts of the region visited with none at all seen at any locations close to or south of the Alligator Alley (Interstate 75).

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Blue Jays, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, 26th April

 

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Blue Jays, Jupiter Ridge (left) and Wakodahatchee (right), 27th April

 

American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos (45)

This species seemed to be the commoner, if not the only, crow in the Everglades but none were identified far from the Everglades region (and even if some others were overlooked they were at least less common elsewhere).

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American Crows, Tamiami Trail Loop Road, 14th April (left) and Nine Mile Pond, Everglades, 18th April (right)

 

Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus (15)

Many crows were left unidentified but most away from the Everglades that were calling proved to be Fish Crows. These consisted of 1 Tamiami Trail (Miccosukee) 14th, 10 Ding Darling 16th, 1 Sanibel Causeway 16th, 1 Chokolosee / Everglade City 17th, 1 Green Cay 25th and 1 somewhere between Loxahatchee and Jupiter Ridge 26th.

 

Purple Martin Progne subis (15)

1 over Tamiami Trail (Loop Road) 14th, 2 Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden 22nd, 15 around nest boxes Green Cay 25th and 3 Tall Cypress 25th. Very few were adult males - just 2-3 at Green Cay.

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Purple Martins, Green Cay, 25th April

 

Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor (3)

3 Coral Springs 25th - I expected this species to be much commoner.

 

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis (2)

2 Washington Loop Road 14th.

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Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Washington Loop Road, 14th April

 

Bank Swallow (Sand Martin) Riparia riparia (3)

1 Dry Tortugas (Garden Key) 20th & 21st and 1 Sugarloaf 23rd.

 

Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (4)

1 from the MV Playmate between Key West and Dry Tortugas 20th, up to 3 Dry Tortugas (Garden Key) 20th-22nd.

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Cliff Swallow, Garden Key, Dry Tortugas, 20th April

 

Cave Swallow Petrochelidon fulva (3)

At least 3 Cutler Ridge 17th. These birds belong to one of the Caribbean races (fulva group).

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Cave Swallows, Cutler Ridge, 17th April

 

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica (80)

Apart from 20 Everglades (Amphitheater) 24th only very small numbers seen away from the keys (7 at 3 sites). A few more in the Keys but still scarcer than I expected. At least 8 from the MV Playmate between Key West and Dry Tortugas 20th and the largest number (c. 30) was at Dry Tortugas (Garden Key) 20th & 21st. A few authorities have recently elevated American Barn Swallow Hirundo erythrogaster to full species status, distinct from the Eurasian taxon.

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Barn Swallow, Garden Key, Dry Tortugas, 20th April

 

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