BioDiT Citrus: Exhibit 10: Vertebrate Diversity

The order Anseriformes contains birds commonly thought of as waterfowl, including geese, swans, and ducks.  These birds are well-adapted to living on aquatic surfaces, and most have webbed feet that allow for effective paddling.  Members of this group are frequent visitors to the campus retention pond, with different species visible at different times of year, so long as there is water.  

Mallard

Diets of the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) include aquatic plants, seeds, snails, worms, and insects. During the breeding season, female mallards usually eat more animals than plants.

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 1/29/24

Mottled Duck

Mottled ducks (Anas fulvigula) are non-migratory and live around the Gulf Coast. Florida Fish and Wildlife is concerned that crossbreeding of mottled ducks and mallards may be the cause of a decline in the mottled duck population.

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 2/19/24

Black-Bellied Whistling Duck

Black-bellied whistling ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) mate for life. Both males and females have important roles in nesting, and if one of the parents does not return to the nest during incubation, the remaining parent may abandon the nest.

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 8/19/23

The land fowl of the order Galliformes spend much of their time on the ground where they feed.  They escape predators more frequently by running than by flying.  This group includes familiar barnyard birds like chickens and turkeys along with popular game birds like quail, partridges, and pheasants. 

Wild Turkey

The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is widespread throughout North America. They flock in groups and tend to their young, although males do not provide any nurturing or care to the young. Here we see two females (smaller in stature with sleeker bodies than males) and a young downy. They brood with the young in tall trees at night.

Photographed by Eric Justice, 6/22/23

Wild Turkey

This male wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is commonly referred to as a Tom.  Males are large, with bald heads and large red skin down the head and neck called caruncles.  Toms typically mate with several females in a flock. They exaggerate their posture and fluff out their feathers and fan their tail feathers while strutting around to attract mates.

Photographed by John Grady, 1/9/24

Wild Turkey

The male wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) will assemble a harem of females and will typically breed with several females in a flock.  Although they are capable of flight, their preferred method of getting around is walking in flocks. During wintertime, flocks can grow to 200 birds. At least one large flock lives in the woods behind campus and can often be seen foraging in the large field next to the student parking lot.

Photographed by Perie Shah, 4/1/23

Members of order Passeriformes are referred to commonly as perching birds. This is by far the largest and most diverse order of birds. Though possessing bodies that are smaller that many other bird orders, the passerines are engage in some of the most complex vocalizations observed in all birds. These songbirds typically incorporate vocalization into their courtship behaviors. 

Northern Cardinal

The male northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a conspicuous songbird.  Its bright red body with its black face and red bill makes it easy to spot.  And boy do these birds vocalize!  The northern cardinal is one of the birds you are most likely to hear singing while you are on campus.  Females are duller in color, though they still have a distinctive crest with red accents.   

Photographed by Nicholas Santana, 3/8/23

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

The habitat prefference of the Yellow-rumped warbler (Setophaga coronate) changes based on season. In the winter months, yellow-rumped warblers tend to live in more open areas where they can find plenty of insects and berries. In the breeding months, they prefer areas with cone-bearing trees.

Photographed by Katelyn Tillis, 2/3/23

Pine Warbler

Pine warblers (Setophaga pinus) build their nests high in pine trees. To make these nests, they use silk, feathers, and a variety of plant materials. Pine warblers can lay 3-5 eggs at a time. Around 20 days will pass from when an egg is laid to when the hatched chick leaves the nest.

Photographed by Katrina Mitchell, 1/11/24

This pine warbler (Setophaga pinus) appears to be searching for a quick meal. These birds feed on seeds, insects, and berries that they find foraging on the branches and trunks of trees or hunting on the ground.

Photographed by Katrina Mitchell, 1/11/24

Gray Catbird

The grey catbird (Dumetwlla carolinensis) gets its common name from its mew-like call.  When it comes to vocalizations, males sing much louder and more frequently. Catbirds are excellent mimics and can recreate the sounds of frogs and other birds.

Photographed by Katrina Mitchell, 1/11/24

Northern Mockingbird

Before breeding season starts, male northern mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) establish their territory by communicating with other males through a boundary dance. If one male crosses into another male's territory, they may fight until one flies away.

Photographed by Katelyn Tillis, 3/24/23

American Robin

The American robin (Turdus migratorius) may be a popular sign of spring, but it can also carry the West Nile virus and survive infection longer than other birds. Vaccination studies have been conducted that have reduced the viral load, but currently no vaccines are approved for birds.

Photographed by Katelyn Tillis, 2/3/23

American Crow

The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a brilliant bird! It can remember faces for over ten years and communicate with other crows about threats and food sources. It’s a social bird and it’s common for young crows to remain with their parents for several years.

Photographed by Katelyn Tillis, 2/10/23

All members of order Piciformes are arboreal birds that build nests in tree cavities.  This group includes the honeyguides of Africa and Asia as well as toucans from Central and South America, but the most familiar North American members are the woodpeckers.

Downy Woodpecker

The downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is the smallest species of woodpecker in North America.  Adult females lack the red patch on the back of the head that is characteristic of male downy woodpeckers.

Photographed by Katelyn Tillis, 2/3/23

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Decaying trees are important to the survival of red-bellied woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus) because they utilize trees as a source of both food and shelter. When a male finds a potential nesting site, he begins the excavation.  If the female approves of the site, she will finish hollowing the hole.

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 3/8/23

Commonly called raptors, the diurnal (daytime) birds-of-prey of order Acciptriformes are all carnivorous.  This group includes predators with acute vision (hawks and eagles) and scavengers with an acute sense of smell (vultures and condors).  It should be noted that this order does not include nocturnal birds-of-prey (owls), nor does it include falcons (which are more closely related to parrots!)

Red-Tailed Hawk

The red-tailed hawk (Buteo lineatus) is the second largest member of its genus in North America.  While these formidable predators often hunt from perches using their acute eyesight to target prey, they are also opportunistic scavengers, as is the case with this hawk that has found a dead crow on campus.

Photographed by John Grady, 7/4/23

Red-Shouldered Hawk

Red-shouldered hawks are forest hunters.  They favor more open forests -- like those dominated by long-leaf pines -- that have open spaces integrated into a high canopy.  They'll also next in suburban areas that provide similar conditions.  Proximity to the forests of the Withlacoochee Wildlife Management area makes the Citrus Campus an ideal location, and mated pairs of red-shoulders (like the one above) are not uncommon during their nesting season.

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 11/15/22

Bald Eagle

In the 1900s, habitat loss, pollution, and hunting led to the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) being listed as an endangered species. Efforts such as the Bald Eagle Protection Act and banning the pesticide DDT have helped the eagle’s populations to bounce back.

Photographed by Eric Justice, 9/29/23

Members of order Columbiformes have some of the oldest and most closely integrated relationships with humans.  The pigeons and doves feed mainly on plant seeds or fruits, and they live in close proximity to humans around the world.  It should be noted that the terms pigeon and dove are used inconsistently and are not associated with patterns of relatedness among these birds.

Feral Pigeon

Feral pigeons (Columba livia) are considered pests due to the number of diseases they carry that can be transmitted to humans and livestock. Predators of feral pigeons include falcons, hawks, raccoons, and owls.

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 1/1/22

Mourning Dove

Seeds are a large part of the mourning dove's (Zenaida macroura) diet. They sometimes consume sand and dirt to aid in the digestion process. When a predator approaches a mourning dove's nest, it will pretend to be injured to lure the predator away.

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 8/19/21

The order Gruiformes contains the tall, majestic cranes as well as smaller  crane-like birds that include coots, limpkins, and rails (like the moorhen).  These birds are mainly terrestrial though they will use their long legs to spend a good bit of time feeding in shallow aquatic habitats.  

Florida Sandhill Crane

The sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) gets its name for the Sandhills near the Platte River in Nebraska -- a major stopover for migrating cranes.  These cranes are hardly exclusive to the central US, though.  In fact, the Florida population is considered a distinct subspecies which lives in the Sunshine State year-round!

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 9/28/21

Florida Sandhill Crane

These large birds carry themselves with a noble stature!  From their slate gray bodies to the red patches atop their heads, these birds stand out in their environment.  It is for this reason that the sandhill crane was adopted as the mascot for BioDiT Citrus.

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 9/6/17

Florida Sandhill Crane

Meet Duke and Dutchess -- the Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus's resident sandhill cranes!  Cranes mate for life, and pairs can stay together upwards of two decades.  While definitely a regal pair, the names actually refer to the fact that between their feces and the fact that they are not really afraid of people, they are considered "royal pains in the ass" by some people.  But don't tell them that!

Photographed by Laruen Yardy, 9/1/23

Florida Sandhill Crane

Not only do sandhill cranes mate for life, but they engage in an elaborate courtship ritual that involves dances and wing displays.  Mated pairs will engage in these behaviors throughout the year.  Check out another photo of Duke and Dutchess at Exhibit 09 in which they are engaged in this amazing behavior.

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 12/8/23

Order Pelecaniformes are water birds that have evolved nostrils that are effectively non-functional...they breathe mainly through their mouths.  As the name suggests, this group includes pelicans, but it also includes shoebills, ibises, and spoonbills.  The largest family within this order, however, contains the herons and egrets that are familiar to many Floridians.

Great Egret

Great egrets (Ardea alba) hunt by standing still in bodies of water and waiting for prey to approach. Once the unlucky fish, frog, or snake gets close enough, the egret strikes using its beak as a spear. They are also known to eat insects, crustaceans, and even small mammals.

Photographed by Mindy Hanson, 11/15/23

Great Blue Heron

Great blue herons (Ardea herodeas) breed in colonies that may have up to 500-nests. If the colony is disturbed too frequently, the herons may abandon their nesting sites leaving behind any eggs or chicks. These birds can have wingspans of around 2-meters, providing an impressive sight when they fly!

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 11/10/23

Little Blue Heron

Many different species of birds have occupied the peak of the breezeway between buildings 2 and 3.  This one is a little blue heron (Egretta caerulea).  While many different species of herons can be observed on campus -- great herons and snowy egrets -- the little blue heron is the one you are most likely to see frequenting our retention pond.

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 3/3/23

Little Blue Heron

Here a little blue has been caught during a campus fly-over.  These wading birds favor freshwater bodies of many different types where they hunt for fish, insects, small crustaceans, and frogs.

Photographed by Perie Shah, 4/1/23

Little

In this photo you can see the real beauty of the little blue heron.  Mature little blues have a dark blue to purplish color.  But this does not mean they are show-offs.  Approach quietly and with patience if you want a picture, as they tend to stay hidden when possible and are skittish when they are hunting if you approach to aggressively.

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 10/13/23

Frogs and toads make up the amphibian order Anura.  There are three ecological categories of frogs and toads -- those that are terrestrial, those that are arboreal (tree-dwelling), and those that are aquatic.  For 2024, Exhibit #10 is focusing on arboreal treefrogs because they tend to be the most visible on campus.  But in this digital carousel you'll also get to see one aquatic and two terrestrial frogs and toads as well! 

American Green Treefrog

The American green treefrog (Hyla cinerea) is one of the most common treefrogs in North America and one of only four species of treefrog native to Citrus County.  While its body color varies, many individuals have the prominent yellow or white stripe seen on the individual here.

Photographed by Joshua Mckinnon, 9/1/23

Pine Woods Treefrog

The pinewoods treefrog (Hyla femoralis), like many treefrog species in Florida, prefers to reproduce in temporary or seasonal wetlands that are free from fish which could eat its eggs or tadpoles.  They frequent pine forests like those that are common throughout Citrus County. 

Photographed by Katrina Mitchell, 9/11/23

Squirrel Treefrog

The squirrel treefrog (Hyla squirella) gets its name from the squirrel-like sound it makes, particularly during rainstorms.  They favor flooded temporary wetlands for breeding, especially those that do not contain fish.  This means our campus retention pond is ideal breeding habitat for this treefrog!

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 8/21/18

Pig Frog

The pig frog (Lithobates grylio) is a large aquatic frog found throughout Florida.  It gets its name because its call sounds like a grunting pig.  This one was photographed crossing the faculty parking area. 

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 12/5/22

Eastern Spadefoot

The eastern spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii) is a type of toad.  Adults can get upwards of 2" long, but they commonly reproduce in huge numbers after a period of heavy rainfall.  It is not uncommon to see hundreds of these little toads emerge all at once on campus after heavy rains in the summer and early fall. 

Photographed by S.C. Schenk, 8/27/22

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad

The eastern narrow-mouthed toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis) that is a bit reclusive.  It lives in leaf litter or buried in loose soils, and its earthy coloration blends well in these habitats.  This one was photographed in the wooded area on the west side of the campus.

Photographed by Joshua Mckinnon, 3/18/24