TRASH BIRDS

A Preliminary Checklist
he term exotic refers to The AOU Check-list (AOU 1998) and the ABA Checklist (ABA

2002) concentrate on those few species considered established

and thereby countable on lists; neither checklist attempts to
include all the exotic birds that have been reported in North
America. The sixth edition (2002) of the ABA Checklist contains
18 exoticsjust 2% of the 921 species included. In Florida,
however, attention is paid to exotics, partly because it is important to document any impacts on native species or ecosystems,
on animal husbandry or commercial agriculture, or on human
health. Some exoticsespecially feral hogs (Sus scrofa) and several species of plantsare causing severe environmental damage in the state. Impacts from exotic birds appear to be much
more benign, but more study is needed. As Robertson and
Woolfenden (1992) pointed out, ... it seems the exotic avifaunal element is in Florida to stay, and we need to know much
more about it. Smith and Smith (1993) added, If birders really
care about birds and the environment, then they should care
about the identity and impact of exotics, too.
Owre (1973) described the manner in which exotic birds
arrived in Florida and the wholesale habitat alteration that has
enabled them to survive (and in a few cases, to thrive) in the
state. His list of exotics (Owre 1973) contained 26 species,
including two (Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and Whitewinged Dove) that also occur naturally. Nearly 20 years later,
Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) compiled the first list that
attempted to include all exotic birds reported to be at liberty in the state. Their
list totaled 146 species, broken down into 11 species they considered to be established, 16 considered probably unestablished, and 119 considered non-established. Stevenson and Anderson (1994) added several species that post-dated or
were overlooked by Robertson and Woolfenden (1992), and they considered 20
exotics to be established in the state. James (1997) summarized Floridas exotic
avifauna based on the preceding publications and updated information on the
importation of cage birds.
For the past 12 years, I have maintained a list of Floridas exotic birdsa list
that now exceeds 200 species (see pp. 366367). This list includes several species

any plant or animal that

occurs in an area to which
it is not native, as a result
of accidental or deliberate release by humans.
Several exotic bird
species, such as Ringnecked Pheasant,
Rock Pigeon, European Starling, and
House Sparrow, are
familiar to ABA birders.
But these four barely scratch the
surface of the exotic avifauna that
has occurred in North America.

Bill Pranty
Avian Ecology Lab
Archbold Biological Station
123 Main Drive
Venus FL 33960
billpranty@hotmail.com

362

BIRDING AUGUST 2004

When discovered in Miami in the

late 1940s, Spot-breasted Orioles (native to Mexico and Central America) were misidentified
as Lichtensteins [Altamira] Orioles. Perhaps surprisingly, Spotbreasted Orioles have never been
studied formally in Florida, and
little is known about their habits.
The population expanded rapidly
in numbers and range through
the 1950s and 1960s, with stragglers occurring north to Cocoa
Beach (Cruickshank 1980, Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Beginning in the mid-1970s, the
population declined drastically
from unknown causes and has
never recovered (Pranty 2002).
Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Florida;
January 2004. James A. Neiger.

W W W. A M E R I C A N B I R D I N G . O R G

363

FLORIDA EXOTICS

(e.g., West Indian Whistling-Duck, several Table 1. New exotics reported in Florida, 19932003. Taxonomy and nomenclature follow AOU
raptors, Inca Dove, Great Kiskadee, Cuban (1998) and supplements through 2003, or Clements (2000). Latin names are provided in Table 2.
Grassquit, and Red-legged Honeycreeper)
that may represent natural vagrants rather Year
Number of Species
Species
than escapees. However, they are included
4
Coscoroba Swan, White Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill,
here because their provenance is unknown 1993
Black-headed Parrot
and they can or do occur in captivity in
Florida. Between January 1993 and December
7
Common Shelduck, Woolly-necked Stork,
2003, 41 new exotics were reported to be at 1994
Schalows Turaco, Wreathed Hornbill,
liberty in Florida (Table 1), an average of
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Common Raven,
nearly four species per year. With literally
Orange Bishop
hundreds of bird species kept in captivity
(Long 1981, ISIS 2003), it seems likely that 1995
2
Bar-headed Goose, Ringed Kingfisher
new species will continue to escape or be
released into Florida. The cessation of impor- 1996
1
Purple Swamphen
tation of huge numbers of wild-caught parrots
0

from the tropics due to the Wild Bird Conser- 1997

vation Act of 1992 may have stemmed the
4
Great White Pelican, Abdims Stork, Black Bulbul,
flow of new psittacids into the state (James 1998
Village Weaver
1997), although most of these species are still

found in aviculture. Today, only one-third of

1999
5
Golden Pheasant, Black Crowned-Crane,
Floridas exotics are psittacids; the majority of
Dusky Lory, African Gray Hornbill, Tricolored Munia
the others include waterfowl, gamebirds, and
finchesspecies that, for the most part, 2000
5
Philippine Duck, Sacred Ibis, Malabar Parakeet,
remain legal to import (although intentional
Sun/Jandaya Parakeet, Knysna Turaco
release of exotics generally is a violation of
state law).
2001
6
Pink-backed Pelican, Red-breasted Parakeet,
Red-throated Parakeet, Red-and-green Macaw,
Except for the Scarlet Ibis, which is treated
House Crow, Bronze Mannikin
as a native vagrant on the ABA and Florida
lists, only those species represented entirely by
2
Trumpeter Swan, Rosy-crested Pochard,
exotic populations or individuals are discussed 2002
Lady Amhersts x Golden Pheasant
in this article. Several other species represented

by both native and exotic populations are not

2003
5
Gray Partridge, Scaly-headed Parrot,
discussed. In addition to the Black-bellied
White-necked Raven, Superb Starling,
Whistling-Duck and White-winged Dove menRed-legged Honeycreeper
tioned above, species excluded from consider-
ation here include Canada Goose, Mallard,
White-cheeked Pintail, Northern Bobwhite, Greater Flamingo,
any of the following factors: 1) Few observers have extensive
Snowy Owl, Florida Scrub-Jay, and Yellow-faced Grassquit. In
experience with confusing groups such as Aratinga parasome ways, the populations of Whooping Cranes that are being
keets, Euplectes bishops, or Lonchura munias, mannikins,
reintroduced into Florida could be considered exotics. Also
and silverbills; 2) Standard North American field guides freexcluded from discussion are tentative identifications (e.g.,
quently are insufficient for conclusive identification because
Tamaulipas Crow) and apparent misidentifications (e.g.,
many potential species are excludedfor instance, illustratEurasian Jackdaw, Altamira Oriole).
ing the Orange Bishop but not the very similar Red Bishop;
At least 97 exotic birds in Florida have been documented
3) Some birds may be artificial (i.e., avicultural) color
by archived photographic or specimen evidence, which repmorphs (e.g., blue Rose-ringed Parakeets or white Java Sparresents slightly less than half of all species reported outside
rows) that are not illustrated in any book; and 4) Some birds
of captivity in the state. Of the unverifiable species, some
may be captive- or wild-bred hybrids (e.g., Pranty and Voren
doubtless were misidentified; very few of Floridas exotic
2003; see figure, p. 369). In Table 2, the English names of
birds have been described formally in the U.S. ornithological
species that can be verified by archived photographic or
or birding literature. The identification of exotics often is
specimen evidence are identified with a dagger (). Species
uncertain, and in some cases it may not be possible due to
that reportedly have bred in Florida outside of captivity are

364

BIRDING AUGUST 2004

identified with an asterisk (*);

Epps (2002), field observations pubnote, however, that few breeding
lished in Florida Field Naturalist, sightobservations are verifiable.
ings by reliable observers posted to any
of the several internet birding lists that
Eleven species are considered by
serve the state, or personal communicathe Florida Ornithological Society
tion with selected birders or ornitholoRecords Committee to be established in the state (Bowman 2000)
gists. From these data, I have estimated
and are so indicated in Table 2.
rough numbers of (presumed) breeding
Species that formerly bred, i.e., There have been several reports of White-faced Whistlingpairs for each species, factoring in the
extirpated species, are likewise Duck (native from Costa Rica south to South America) in the
likelihood that non-breeding individusouthern half of the Florida peninsula since the first sighting in
indicated in Table 2; some of these 1991. These are presumed to represent escapees, but White-faced als constitute perhaps 2550% of all
species were represented by just a Whistling-Ducks have reached Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and individuals. Estimates are as follows: 1
single breeding attempt, whereas Barbados; all are old records (AOU 1998, Raffaele et al. 1998) and pair (used for one species, House
others bred in numbers for several likely represent natural vagrants. An unbanded individual, accom- Crow), <25 pairs, 2599 pairs, 100999
years. The reasons for extirpation panying a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck in March 2003, may have pairs, and 1,000+ pairs. Population
been a vagrant; its occurrence corresponded with an irruption of
sizes of Swan Goose and Greylag Goose
vary; in some instances founding Fulvous and Black-bellied Whistling-Ducksand perhaps one
populations of many species ap- West Indian Whistling-Duckthroughout the southeastern U.S. have not been estimated.
The photographs presented here repparently were too small to survive (and beyond) during spring 2003 (Brinkley 2003). Lakeland, Florida;
resent some of the dozens of images
mortality or recapture, whereas in Spring 1998. Linda Cooper.
that I have taken, or that I have received
other cases species evidently could
not tolerate Floridas environment. Exotic gamebirds in parfrom others, or that I have plucked from the internet over
ticular seem unable to survive in the Southeast (see Sibley
the years. These photographs illustrate the menagerie of
2000), perhaps due to unsuitable climate, soil, or vegetaexotic birds that have been seen in Florida. Even so, there
tional communities. I have provided population data for the
is a somewhat unavoidable bias in favor of waterfowl,
37 exotics that are known or presumed to be breeding in
which are often selected for their ornamental quality and
Florida at the present time. These data are necessarily
that are easy to photograph. Regrettably, many other species
coarse, because so little is known about the breeding status
could not be shown here because the photographers could
of most species. Most population data were obtained from
not be located.
recent Christmas Bird Counts (see Pranty 2002). Other data
were taken from Pranty and Garrett (2003) and Pranty and
During spring 2003, Red-legged Honeycreepers
(native from Mexico south to Brazil) were discovered in Floridasingles at Biscayne National Park
in March and Dry Tortugas National Park in April.
Two more honeycreeper records surfaced later
singles at Cape Florida State Park in January 2004
and Everglades National Park the following month.
Considering that Red-legged Honeycreeper had
never been observed in the ABA Area previously,
these four observationsall of males in alternate
plumagewere extraordinary. Unfortunately, Redlegged Honeycreepers are kept by aviculturists in
Florida, which casts doubt on the provenance of
these non-captive individuals. One Miami aviculturist reportedly imports 200300 honeycreepers every
three months (fide L. Manfredi, personal communication). Some Mexican populations are migratory
(Howell and Webb 1995), while the Cuban population may have been introduced (AOU 1998, Raffaele
et al. 1998). Although cagebirds in Florida have
never been known to fly to offshore islands after
they escape, the Florida Ornithological Society
Records Committee rejected the records as representing natural vagrants (R. Bowman, personal
communication). The ABA Checklist Committee has
yet to vote on the issue. Boca Chita Key, Biscayne
National Park, Florida; 27 March 2003. Larry Manfredi.
W W W. A M E R I C A N B I R D I N G . O R G

365

FLORIDA EXOTICS
Table 2. List of Floridas 210 exotic birds (209 species and one hybrid). Several of these species may represent native stragglers. Taxonomy and nomenclature follow
AOU (1998) and supplements through 2003, or Clements (2000). Species indicated by a dagger () have been verified by archived photographic or specimen evidence.
Species indicated by an asterisk (*) reportedly have bred in Florida outside of captivity; abundance estimates are provided for these species (see text for further details).

Spotted Nothura (Nothura maculosa).

White-faced Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna viduata).
West Indian Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna arborea).
* Mute Swan (Cygnus olor). <25 pairs.
* Black Swan (Cygnus atratus). <25 pairs.
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator).
Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus).
Coscoroba Swan (Coscoroba coscoroba).
* Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides). Population size unknown.
Bean Goose (Anser fabalis). Extirpated.
* Greylag Goose (Anser anser). Population size unknown.
Bar-headed Goose (Anser indica).
Orinoco Goose (Neochen jubata).
* Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegypticus). <25 pairs.
* Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea). Extirpated.
Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna).
* Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata). 1,000+ pairs; established.
Cotton Pygmy-goose (Nettapus coromandelianus).
Ringed Teal (Callonetta leucophrys).
* Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata). Extirpated.
Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhynchos).
Philippine Duck (Anas luzonica).
Hottentot Teal (Anas hottentota).
Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina).
Rosy-billed Pochard (Netta peposaca).
Chukar (Alectoris chukar).
* Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus). Extirpated.
Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix).
* Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus). 100999 pairs; apparently established
at Key West, where there is a feral population of 2,000 individuals
(see <www.keywestchickens.com> for more information).
* Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). Extirpated.
Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus).
Golden x Lady Amhersts Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus x amherstiae).
* Common Peafowl (Pavo cristatus). 100999 pairs; perhaps established locally.
Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris).
Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus).
Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata).
Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus).
Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens).
Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus).
* Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber). Apparently extirpated; there are recent
reports of Scarlet-type Ibises nesting in Florida, but details are lacking.
Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia).
Abdims Stork (Ciconia abdimii).
Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus).
White Stork (Ciconia ciconia).
Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus).
King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa).
Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis).
Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus).
Griffon-type Old World vulture(Gyps sp.); identification uncertain.
Crane Hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens).
Common Black-Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus).
* Great Black-Hawk (Buteogallus urubitinga). Extirpated?

366

Harriss Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus).

Gray Crowned-Crane (Balearica regulorum).
Black Crowned-Crane (Balearica pavonina).
* Sarus Crane (Grus antigone). Extirpated.
* Gray-necked Wood-Rail (Aramides cajanea). Extirpated.
* Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio). 2599 pairs (perhaps more).
Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis).
* Rock Pigeon (Columba livia). Established; 1,000+ pairs (presumably
tens of thousands of pairs).
* Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto). Established;
1,000+ pairs (presumably tens of thousands of pairs).
* Ringed Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia risoria). Extirpated?
Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis).
Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata).
* Inca Dove (Columbina inca). Extirpated.
Galah (Eolophus roseicapillus).
Tanimbar Cockatoo (Cacatua goffini).
* Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita). Extirpated.
Salmon-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis).
White Cockatoo (Cacatua alba).
Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus).
* Red Lory (Eos bornea). Extirpated.
Dusky Lory (Pseudeos fuscata).
Ornate Lorikeet (Trichoglossus ornatus).
* Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus). Extirpated.
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus).
Chattering Lory (Lorius garrulus).
Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus).
* Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus). Established; 2599 pairs
(formerly several thousand pairs).
Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus).
Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria).
* Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri). 2599 pairs.
Plum-headed Parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala).
Blossom-headed Parakeet (Psittacula roseata).
Malabar Parakeet (Psittacula columboides).
Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri).
Peach-faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis).
Fischers Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri).
Yellow-collared Lovebird (Agapornis personatus).
* Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus). Established; probably
1,000+ pairs (perhaps several thousand pairs).
* Black-hooded Parakeet (Nandayus nenday). 100999 pairs.
* Blue-crowned Parakeet (Aratinga acuticaudata). 2599 pairs.
* Green Parakeet (Aratinga holochlora). <25 pairs.
Red-throated Parakeet (Aratinga rubritorquis).
Scarlet-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga wagleri).
Crimson-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga finschi).
* Red-masked Parakeet (Aratinga erythrogenys). 2599 pairs.
* White-eyed Parakeet (Aratinga leucophthalmus). <25 pairs.
* Mitred Parakeet (Aratinga mitrata). 2599 pairs.
Hispaniolan Parakeet (Aratinga chloroptera).
Sun Parakeet (Aratinga solstitialis) or Jandaya Parakeet (Aratinga jandaya);
identification uncertain.
* Dusky-headed Parakeet (Aratinga weddellii). <25 pairs.

BIRDING AUGUST 2004

* Orange-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga canicularis). Extirpated.

Peach-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga aurea).
* Brown-throated Parakeet (Aratinga pertinax). Extirpated.
Gray Parrot (Psittacus erithacus).
* Rueppells Parrot (Poicephalus rueppellii). Extirpated.
* Senegal Parrot (Poicephalus senegalus). Extirpated.
Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus).
* Chestnut-fronted Macaw (Ara severa). 2599 pairs.
Golden-collared Macaw (Propyrrhura auricollis).
Red-shouldered Macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis).
Military Macaw (Ara militaris).
Red-and-green Macaw (Ara chloroptera).
Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao).
* Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna). <25 pairs.
Maroon-fronted Parrot (Rhyncopsitta terrisi).
Burrowing Parrot (Cyanoliseus patagonus).
Maroon-bellied Parakeet (Pyrrhura frontalis).
* Green-cheeked Parakeet (Pyrrhura molinae). Extirpated.
Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis).
Tui Parakeet (Brotogeris sanctithomae).
* White-winged Parakeet (Brotogeris versicolurus). Established;
2599 pairs (formerly several hundred pairs).
* Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (Brotogeris chiriri). 2599 pairs
(perhaps 100 or more pairs).
Black-headed Parrot (Pionites melanocephala).
Scaly-headed Parrot (Pionus maximiliani).
White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis).
* White-fronted Parrot (Amazona albifrons). <25 pairs.
Red-spectacled Parrot (Amazona pretrei).
* Hispaniolan Parrot (Amazona ventralis). Extirpated.
* Red-crowned Parrot (Amazona viridigenalis). 2599 pairs
(perhaps 100 or more pairs).
Lilac-crowned Parrot (Amazona finschi).
* Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autumnalis). Extirpated.
Festive Parrot (Amazona festiva).
Yellow-shouldered Parrot (Amazona barbadensis).
Mealy Parrot (Amazona farinosa).
* Blue-fronted Parrot (Amazona aestiva). <25 pairs.
* Yellow-headed Parrot (Amazona oratrix). Extirpated?
* Yellow-crowned Parrot (Amazona ochrocephala). Extirpated?
* Yellow-naped Parrot (Amazona auropalliata). <25 pairs.
* Orange-winged Parrot (Amazona amazonica). 2599 pairs.
Schalows Turaco (Tauraco schalowi).
Knysna Turaco (Tauraco corythaix).
Violet Turaco (Musophaga violacea).
Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata).
Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle torquata).
African Gray Hornbill (Tockus nasutus).
Wreathed Hornbill (Aceros undulatus).
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill (Ceratogymna brevis).
Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus).
Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus).
Citron-throated Toucan (Ramphastos citrolaemus).
Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco).
Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus).
Banded Pitta (Pitta guajana).
Asian Fairy-bluebird (Irena puella).
Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas).
Azure Jay (Cyanocorax caeruleus).

W W W. A M E R I C A N B I R D I N G . O R G

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia).

* House Crow (Corvus splendens). 1 pair.
White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis).
Common Raven (Corvus corax).
* Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus). Established;
presumably 2599 pairs, but no recent data.
Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes madagascariensis).
Red-legged Thrush (Turdus plumbeus).
Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos).
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush (Garrulax pectoralis).
Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea).
* European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Established; 1,000+ pairs
(probably tens or hundreds of thousands of pairs).
Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus).
Yellow-faced Myna (Mino dumontii).
* Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis). Presumably 100999 pairs (perhaps more).
* Crested Myna (Acridotheres cristatellus). Extirpated.
* Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus). Extirpated.
* Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa). 2599 pairs.
* Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus). Extirpated.
Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus).
Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra).
* Cuban Grassquit (Tiaris canorus). Extirpated.
Greater Antillean Bullfinch (Loxigilla violacea).
Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola).
* Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata). Extirpated.
* Red-capped Cardinal (Paroaria gularis). Extirpated.
Troupial (Icterus icterus).
* Spot-breasted Oriole (Icterus pectoralis). Established but apparently
declining; presumably 2599 pairs at the present time, but this
species has never been studied in Florida.
Montezuma Oropendola (Gymnostinops montezuma).
* House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus). Established; 100999 pairs.
European Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris).
European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis).
Yellow-fronted Canary (Serinus mozambicus).
* House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Established; 1,000+ pairs
(probably tens of thousands of pairs).
Sudan Golden Sparrow (Passer luteus).
African Masked-Weaver (Ploceus velatus).
Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus).
Orange Bishop (Euplectes franciscanus).
Red Bishop (Euplectes orix).
Yellow-crowned Bishop (Euplectes afer).
Red-collared Widowbird (Euplectes ardens).
Red-cheeked Cordonbleu (Uraeginthus bengalus).
Orange-cheeked Waxbill (Estrilda melpoda).
Red Avadavat (Amandava amandava).
Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia subflava).
Madagascar Munia (Lonchura nana).
African Silverbill (Lonchura cantans) or White-throated Munia (Lonchura
malabarica); note that Lonchura taxonomy and identification are uncertain.
Bronze Mannikin (Lonchura cucullata).
* Nutmeg Mannikin (Lonchura punctulata). Extirpated?
Tricolored Munia (Lonchura malacca).
* Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla). Extirpated?
White-headed Munia (Lonchura maja).
* Java Sparrow (Padda oryzivora). Extirpated.
Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura).

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FLORIDA EXOTICS

Black Swans (native to Australia) have been released into many areas of the world to
provide scenic beauty. Others have escaped from captivity. In Florida, small breeding
populations have been present around Lakeland and Orlando since the 1980s, and
escapees have been seen in recent years at Jacksonville and St. Petersburg. Lake Eola,
Orlando, Florida; 28 April 2001. Bill Pranty.

This Philippine Duck (endemic to the Philippine Islands) was found in a suburban area southwest of Fort Lauderdale, a site now known for its Purple
Swamphens. Several other exotic waterfowl species, such as Egyptian Goose,
have been seen in the area, along with vagrant Masked Ducksapparently not
kept in captivityand Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks that could represent either
native individuals or escaped captives. Confusion over the provenance of species
in the ABA Area may be most obvious in waterfowl species in which some individuals may stray naturally to the New World while others escape from
aviculture. Pembroke Pines, Florida; Spring 2000. Kevin Schnitzius.

The Muscovy Duck (native to Middle America from Mexico to Brazil) is one of 11 countable exotics on the official Florida bird list. Muscovy Ducks are among the most widespread of exotics
in Florida, occurring in nearly all urban areas. To benefit hunters, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission released wild-caught Muscovy Ducks from Venezuela into the state during
19671971, but these apparently did not survive. However, feral stock has been released into residential areas throughout Florida, and Muscovy Ducks are now ubiquitous in the state. The
population presumably numbers in the tens of thousands of individuals, but the species wasnt included on CBCs until 2002. During the 20022003 season 2,741 Muscovy Ducks were found
on 36 Florida CBCs. Most individuals in the state bear little resemblance to wild birds that occur primarily south of the ABA Area. Muscovy Ducks hybridize with feral Mallards in Florida, but the
offspring are sterile (Donkin 1989). This Muscovy hen and brood of 14 just-hatched ducklings were at a suburb of Tampa. Brandon, Florida; 19 May 2000. Bill Pranty.

368

BIRDING AUGUST 2004

Below: These two Sacred Ibises (native to Africa) are proof that any species kept in zoos or other
facilities may be seen outside of captivity. These individuals represent the first published record of
Sacred Ibis in Florida, but there have been subsequent observations of multiple birds south of
Miami. Given the abundance of wading bird colonies in southeastern Florida, it would not be surprising if Sacred Ibis nesting reports start to surface over the next several years. The videotape from
which this image was taken probably documents the first time that Sacred Ibis and Sandhill Crane
have been observed together! West Palm Beach, Florida; 13 August 2000. Peter Merritt.

Above: Strangely, four species of exotic

storks have been reported in Florida
outside of captivity. One of these species
is Abdims Stork (native to Africa). In
late 1998 and early 1999, three apparently different individualsof which at
least one was bandedwere observed
in widely separated spots in southwestern Florida. Although one Abdims Stork
purportedly had been present on Sanibel
Island for more than a year, none was
reported after April 1999. Local escapees
such as these typically persist for several
months to a year or more, and then disappear. Sanibel Island, Florida; 20 January
1999. Max Parker.
Right: The Scarlet Ibis (native to
Trinidad and northern South America)
is considered a native species by the AOU (1998), ABA (2002), and FOSRC (Bowman 2000), but the provenance of all records in the ABA Area is suspect. Because at least a majority of the Scarlet Ibises reported in
Florida are escapees or hybrids with White Ibis, I have placed the species on the exotic list. The nearest wild
Scarlet Ibises occur on Trinidad, over 1,900 kilometers south of Florida, and these show little or no incidence of vagrancy. All reports of Scarlet Ibis from Cuba have occurred since the 1950s (Raffaele et al. 1998)
and these may represent dispersed escapees from Florida. In 1961, 22 Scarlet Ibis eggs from Trinidad were
placed in White Ibis nests at Miami. Seventeen Scarlet Ibises fledged from these nests, and the birds subsequently hybridized with White Ibises. Hybrids are varying shades of pink, orange, or red, compared to the
deep scarlet of Scarlet Ibises. Pure Scarlet Ibises have escaped from captivity; virtually every animal
exhibit in Florida contains this species. The scarletlike ibis shown herea female in breeding condition;
note the throat pouchis a rich reddish-orange color and probably is a hybrid, although Stevenson and
Anderson (1994) caution that the plumage coloration of escaped Scarlet Ibises may become diluted from
dietary changes. Fort Myers, Florida; 18 June 1998. Ken Tracey.
Far Right: Aviculturists seem to derive great pleasure from crossing species. This unusual pheasant, a male
Golden Pheasant (native to China) x Lady Amhersts Pheasant (native to China and Tibet) hybrid, was
found in a Miami yard in January 2002. The bird resembles a Lady Amhersts Pheasant but has the red
underparts of a Golden Pheasant. The yellow sides to the breast are not found on either species, being red
in Golden Pheasant and white in Lady Amhersts Pheasant. Naturalized populations of both species occur
and hybridize in the U.K. The following website includes more information and photographs of pure and
hybrid pheasants that might be observed in the wild in Florida: <www.gbwf.org/pheasants/hybrid.html>.
Miami, Florida; January 2002. Liliam Regalado.

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Far Right: The Purple Swamphen (native to much of the Old World) is one of the few exotics in Florida that has been studied to some degree. Purple Swamphens were discovered along the
eastern edge of the Everglades at Pembroke Pines around December 1996. During the 1990s, a few swamphens apparently escaped from one or two local aviculturists. By February 1999 they
numbered at least 135 individuals, and breeding has been observed nearly year-round since then. Dispersal from the introduction site has been rapid: Purple Swamphens seem to occupy more
than two million acres of southern Florida wetlands, including Big Cypress Swamp, Lake Okeechobee, and the Everglades. Purple Swamphens are considered primarily vegetarians, but further
study of feeding habits in Florida is needed. Pranty et al. (2000) and Pranty (2001) provide additional information about the Florida population. Most swamphens in the state appear to be of
the subspecies P. p. poliocephalus, a gray-headed race native to the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia (Pranty et al. 2000, Kratter et al. 2002). However, a few individuals, such as the one
in this photograph, appear to have bluish heads and may represent a separate subspecies; but note that lighting and viewing angle affect head color to some degree. One of the aviculturists
who owned swamphens had a gray-headed male and a blue-headed female that produced numerous young. If any of these potential intergrade swamphens joined the population, that could
explain the apparent plumage differences noted. Pembroke Pines, Florida; Spring 2002. Dart Humeston.
Right: Seventy-seven of the worlds 352
species of psittacids have been reported
outside of captivity in Florida, and all
but the extinct Carolina Parakeet are
exotics. Most psittacids have never bred
in the state, and only three species currently are considered to be established
in the state (Bowman 2000). Redrumped Parrots (native to southeastern Australia) have two subspecies.
This individual, apparently of the
nominate subspecies, is the only
Florida observation. Tampa, Florida;
May 1986. Betty Wargo.

Above: The Black-hooded Parakeet (native to central South America) may be the
next exotic added to the official Florida bird list. Since the first observation of one in
1969, Black-hooded Parakeets have greatly increased their range and numbers in the
state. Their population exceeds 850 individuals, most of which occur along the central
Gulf coast, especially in the St. Petersburg area (Pranty and Lovell 2004). Smaller populations are found at Fort Lauderdale and St. Augustine. Black-hooded Parakeets are
easily identified by their dark hoods, bluish breast patch, and red thighs. St. Petersburg, Florida; 30 March 2003. Lee F. Snyder.
Left: During 19591962, several Southern Lapwings (native to South America) were
observed in the southern half of the Florida peninsula, and two of these were collected
(Stevenson and Anderson 1994). All are presumed to have been escapees. There were
no subsequent Florida reports until two individuals were found in northern Florida in
early 2003. The Southern Lapwing complex may comprise two species, separated into
the cayennensis group to the north and the chilensis group to the south; meanwhile,
the cayennensis group consists of two subspecies, cayennensis and lampronotus (A.
Jaramillo, personal communication). The more northerly cayennensis is expanding its
range northward into Central America and may eventually reach the ABA Area. However, the bird shown here is of the lampronotus subspecies, which, along with the
yellow band on this bird, suggests that it is an escapee. Columbia County, Florida;
21 April 2003. Lloyd Morrison.

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BIRDING AUGUST 2004

Far Right: Corvids such as these House Crows (native to India) are not usually thought of as exotics, but several species are kept as pets or are displayed in zoos and other exhibits.
These two individuals were discovered near Sarasota toward the end of 2001. They bred in 2003, when a nest with three nestlings was photographed in May. House Crows have
spread from India and have colonized much of the Old World, in part by riding
ships. These individuals (with a native Fish Crow, rear) appear to represent the first
record for the New World. Nokomis, Florida; 15 November 2002. Owen Comora.
Right: Of all the non-countable exotics in Florida, the Common Myna (native from
Iran to southeast Asia) seemingly is the most numerous and wide-ranging. Mynas
were first found in the state at
Miami in 1983 and now range
fairly continuously from West
Palm Beach to Key West, with
scattered outposts at Clewiston, Sanford, and perhaps
elsewhere. Probably the only
impediment to the Common
Mynas being added to the
official Florida bird list as an
established exotic is that no
birder or ornithologist has yet
been willing to study the birds
in their primary habitats
parking lots and signs outside
shopping malls and fast-food
restaurants in urban and suburban areas. Kendall, Florida; 31
May 2003. John Boyd III.

Above: In contrast to the rapid increase of the Common Myna population in Florida, the Hill
Myna (native to India, Indochina, China, and Pacific islands) has decreased in range and numbers in the state. Discovered in Florida at West Palm Beach in 1968, Hill Mynas ranged south to
Homestead. Currently, they are limited to the Miami area; the cause of the range contraction is
not known. Perhaps reflecting insufficient coverage in North American field guides, Common
and Hill Mynas are frequently misidentified in Florida. Both species have yellow or orangish softparts, including bare skin around the eyes, and white wing patches that are conspicuous in
flight. Otherwise, Hill Mynas are entirely black, whereas Common Mynas have brown bodies
with blackish heads and primaries. The two species differ markedly in behavior. Common Mynas
frequently forage on the ground, and they nest in artificial cavities and inside lettering on buildings. On the other hand, Hill Mynas are arboreal and nest primarily in natural cavities. Pinecrest,
Florida; March 2002. Larry Manfredi.
Right: Troupials (native to South America) are believed to have been introduced into the
West Indies long ago. These orioles now occur on Puerto Rico, where they are locally common; they also occur less commonly on some of the Lesser Antilles (Raffaele et al. 1998).
The individual shown here represents the only verifiable record in Florida. Sanibel Island,
Florida; Spring 1997. Doug Suitor.
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A population of Java Sparrows (native to islands of Oceania) was found

at Coral Gables around 1960 and numbered up to 150 individuals in
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(Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Java Sparrows no longer can be imported
into the U.S. (James 1997), although they are found in aviculture. Escapees,
including white avicultural morphs, are frequently reported in Florida, but
they do not persist. This individual was one of two that built a nest in the
gutter of a house, but both birds disappeared within three weeks. Cocoa
Beach, Florida; November 2000. Craig Chamberlin.

Bishops and widowbirds are small finches that are native to Africa. Common in aviculture, several species have formed naturalized populations in
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(native to Africa) has been photographically documented. This male
Orange Bishop was one of six birds that frequented a yard near Sarasota
for three months before they all disappeared. In a closely related species,
the Red Bishop, males in alternate plumage have black chins and throats.
South Venice, Florida; late 1999. Charles Sample.

372

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BIRDING AUGUST 2004