The American golden plover,  Pluvialis dominica,  nests and breeds in the tundras of Alaska and Canada. These small birds make a nonstop trans-Atlantic flight to their wintering grounds in southern South America such as Argentina and Uruguay.  Peak migration occurs between late July to late August. However, we caught these guys in mid-November!  Juveniles tend to linger in eastern North America until early December, so these photos are most likely juveniles! 

During the summer of 2024, we had a group of American oystercatchers, Haematopus palliatus, nest right near two of our cameras. The bottom photo here shows two adults with a baby! This species is only found in marine habitats due to their diet of bivalve mollusks (clams, mussels, and of course oysters). Due to this, the biggest threats to American oystercatchers are habitat loss and destruction by humans in these coastal areas. Sea level rise is also a threat. Therefore, Florida has listed the American oystercatcher as  State-Designated Threatened. 

The black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola,  is one of the most wide-ranging shorebirds! They breed in the Arctic of North America and Eurasia AND winters in tropical climates. They are also one of the fastest and most powerful shorebird fliers. These birds forage during the day and at night thanks to their large eyes that are adapted for nocturnal foraging. 

Yes, the black skimmer, Pynchops niger, does have eyes although their coloring makes it look otherwise. Watching these birds forage is absolutely mesmerizing; they fly low over the water with their bill open and the bottom bill skimming the surface, and once the bill touches a fish, the top bill clamps down to catch it! They are found to forage during the day but can forage at night as well. Our cameras have not captured them foraging at night, but we have caught them flying past our cameras (as seen in the bottom photo to the right). Black skimmers like to nest in large flocks and even nest here at Fort De Soto! It is important however to not approach their nests as this is a State-Designated Threatened species. 

The black vulture, Coragyps atratus, eats carcasses. It may seem gross to us, but they play a very important ecological role by reducing the spread of disease to humans and livestock as well as limiting the population of other scavengers such as rats. Additionally, black vultures breed for life. 

Out of 8 pelican species worldwide, the brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, is one of two species that catch prey by diving head-first into the water. They are also the only pelican that is truly marine, although you may find them hanging around pilings and fishing piers. 

The brown pelican almost vanished from North American between the 1950s to 1970s due to a pesticide. Unlike DDT, this pesticide, endrin, would kill pelicans directly. Thanks to conservation efforts to restore their populations, they are now the face of successful wildlife-conservation efforts!

According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2020, the Chuck-will's willow, Antrostomus carolinensis, has been listed as near threatened and its population is decreasing. Not much is known about these small, nocturnal birds. They are frequently struck by vehicles at night since they dust-bathe and roost on roads. Degradation of habitat may also be a threat. Another species, the Whip-poor-will, is also impacted by degradation of habitat leading them to expand their range and overlap with Chuck-will's-widows. The two species have similar diets, foraging sites, and nesting sites which may cause competition between them. 

We have only ever caught one of these birds on camera. If you are camping at night here at Fort De Soto, you may be able to hear their song: chuk, wee-O, wee-O.

The Clapper Rail, Rallus crepitans, was given its name due to its loud, characteristic call: kek-kek-kek.

The Fish Crow, Corvus ossifragus, ...

The Great Egret, Ardea alba, ... 

The Great Horned Owl,  Bubo virginianus, ...

Great Horned Owls are North America's most common owl species. They don't actually have horns, instead it is tufts of feathers that can stick up. They hunt for their food by flying with their silent  wings.

Make sure to listen and you might hear their hoot!

Have you ever been walking past a tree or bush and thought you heard a kitten meowing? It might have actually been this bird! The gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, ...

The Laughing Gull, Leucophaeus atricilla, ...

Native to North and South America, Laughing gulls are recognizable by their black head and funny sounding call. Being an omnivore, shellfish, fish, and human garbage all make up parts of their diet.

Seen mainly at the Dog Beach, next time you are at Fort De Soto, check it out!

The Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea, ...

state threatened

The Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, ...

The Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, ...

The Reddish Egret, Egretta rufescens, ...

state threatened

The Snowy Egret, Egretta thula, ...

The Willet, Tringa semipalmata, ...