Date: 1/5/25 5:25 am From: <dotrobbins...> <dotrobbins...> Subject: Re: [NFLbirds] the stuff of science
Let's not forget the records a few years ago of the Caracara in Franklin county, found by Melissa Forehand and seen by a few (not me alas, tho I tried). I think that may be the occurrence Bendy was referring to. Caracaras may be sedentary--until they're not. There are many records, documented in ebird, of them showing up in various states north of us. They have demonstrated a tendency for far flung vagrancy, when the spirit and conditions take them. Dotty RobbinsHigh Springs
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Galveston Ornithological Society" <galornsoc...>
To: "'Nfl Birds'" <nflbirds...>
Subject: [NFLbirds] the stuff of science
Date: Sat, 4 Jan 2025 20:23:33 -0600
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.
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