Date: 1/5/25 4:56 am From: Galveston Ornithological Society <galornsoc...> Subject: RE: [NFLbirds] the stuff of science
You are quite correct about the other three rare birds, but migratory species get lost far more than typically sedentary species like caracaras (five species in the Western Hemisphere). For instance, for some truly nonmigratory species, how often do we see species of tits in Florida, other than the two that reside here? Or why aren’t Carolina Wrens ever seen out West? Or why don’t we get species ending in “woodpecker” that do not normally live in the East? This doesn’t mean it's impossible, but “proof” of their occurrence requires a lot more than tiny images that do not clearly define any species.
But the real issue here is, “Do these two images support the occurrence of a caracara that day?” I want to know what it is about them that says “caracara?” And the answer, “Because I can’t think of what else it could be” is a non-starter.
Jim
From: <nflbirds...> <nflbirds...> On Behalf Of Nicholas Petryk
Sent: Sunday, January 5, 2025 6:20 AM
To: Galveston Ornithological Society <galornsoc...>
Cc: Nfl Birds <nflbirds...>
Subject: Re: [NFLbirds] the stuff of science
It’s definitely possible it could be a Caracara! Back in 2017, there was a well documented Crested Caracara in Camilla, GA! It hung out in an agricultural area for a good bit before it moved on. Birds tend to do crazy things haha, there is currently a Ruff and a Purple Sandpiper down in Brevard County! And don’t forget about the Gray Gull that was in Santa Rosa Beach recently. All of these sightings are more rare than a Caracara in North Florida, just my two cents!
Best,
Nicholas Horton
On Jan 4, 2025, at 21:23, Galveston Ornithological Society <galornsoc...> <mailto:<galornsoc...> > wrote:
Earlier I indicated that I doubted the identification by some over the photos shared by Bendy, who is a responsible enough birder to have gotten her best photos of this bird in question. Believe me, after watching my dad frustrated over decades of rare birds with no real evidence, the enthusiasm for cameras these days is heartening.
The bird is obviously a larger raptor type, vulture, hawk, eagle or whatever. Curiously, part of my inability to affix an ID rests with the two photos appearing quite different, such as one with white on wings and neck (?), and if it is, in fact, holding its wings dihedral, that would immediately eliminate the monohedral caracara. [Or maybe it was flapping.]
That’s why my first glance was reminiscent of a Golden Eagle, likelihood roughly the same as a caracara in Leon County. If an all-knowing Archangel was holding a gun to my head, asking for my best identification, “GOEA” would have been my attempt. Bald Eagles have monohedral wings, TV should be considered (although I doubt that ID), and the dark venter obviously eliminates an Osprey.
I mentioned caracara often expanding their range as an olive branch, but the fact is, I am unaware of any records in the Tallahassee area (remember, I have lived in Texas for thirty years). I am happy to stand corrected. But one image shows no white on the wingTIPS or tail (!) and a caracara should show white on the head. This species has nested occasionally in my yard* – admittedly hard to see well – and never have I seen an angle that depicted a bird like either photo. *palm tree
Maybe others can see things about this bird I cannot, and I try hard to avoid dogmatism with problematic photos (A+ for effort). One need only consider the fall election and FSU’s season: We humans can be damn sure and damn wrong as well. That’s why I felt we should use this bird as a learning tool and not to pad some list (not a reference to Bendy). The minute bias gets thrown into an equation, any hint of science is lost. That’s why competitive bird listing scares me.
So, once again, kudos to Bendy for having the courage to report a nonmigratory bird hardly ever (or never) seen in this part of the State. But if what we accept as records are as difficult as this bird, the future data base is polluted with spurious claims and anything goes. And if you disagree with me, blame my dad who handled more than his share of dogmatic, illogical records with no photos and often angry people who took it personally. The truth was paramount to him, and in the 43 years we coexisted, I never – not one time – knew him to lie. Now the Lyrebird is a common migrant of all seasons, about to fly all the way to the White House. Again.
To be sure, nobody in this discussion is being less than honest, in my view. But let’s be careful what we publish in the books for our chirren and grandchirren.
