Calling all Bird Enthusiasts—Have You Seen a Banded Spoonbill?

Audubon’s Everglades Science Middle crew has known as on hen fanatics throughout the state to seek for Roseate Spoonbills and report banded birds.

Employees on the middle conduct weekly surveys of Roseate Spoonbill colonies in Florida Bay throughout nesting season to get nesting and normal inhabitants information. Two of the colonies have been monitored for 30 years. In 2003, Audubon scientists started making use of leg bands to chicks in nests in Florida Bay and in Tampa Bay on the Richard T. Paul Alafia Financial institution Fowl Sanctuary. In 2013, employees additionally started banding birds hatching from nests at St. Augustine Alligator Farm. In whole, Audubon has banded about 3,000 Roseate Spoonbills, that are thought of an indicator species for Everglades ecosystem well being. Banding spoonbill chicks has led to a higher understanding of dispersal charges and behavioral constructions after nesting season within the Florida Bay is over.

Every band resight earns the spotter a particular sticker and contributes to essential inhabitants information for this iconic Florida species.

“Understanding spoonbills’ habits offers us clues to modifications in water high quality and amount within the Everglades,” stated Audubon Florida’s Director of Everglades Coverage Kelly Cox. “Spoonbills may present warning indicators for upcoming modifications or shifts to an ecosystem, together with rising seas,” she added.

We acquired 30 reviews inside the first few weeks of the marketing campaign! Have you ever seen one? Tell us at: audubon.org/florida/spoonbills. 

Anybody who submits a report in 2025 will obtain a restricted version sticker.

Be aware: Give birds their area when attempting to learn a hen band. Use binoculars or an extended zoom lens to keep away from spooking or flushing the birds.

Excerpt from State of the Everglades Report/Spring 2025 edition