The Unique and Unusual Among Sanibel Bird Habits

Birders flock to Sanibel for the diverse array of birds that can be seen on our Island.

Sanibel Island is home to a significant variety of birds, including the Roseate Spoonbill and several nesting pairs of Bald Eagles. Birds can be seen on the beaches, the causeway islands, and the reserves, including J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Common sights include pelicans, herons,egrets, , and Anhingas,  as well as the more common birds like terns,sandpipers, and seagulls.

And though seasoned bird watchers are most certainly aware of the nuances of our bird life, many of us who just enjoy looking at them do not know the endearing and unique aspects of their behavior.

For example, the heron who is flapping his wings about in the water and extending them at his side is not just showing off his plumage.  He has a much more special use for those wings, and a very necessary one.  The wings cast a shadow on the water where he is grazing and enable him to see his prey beneath the water's surface.  Just watch how carefully he steps through the water taking care not to chase the fish away before he can sight them and catch them!

And those Great Egrets who make such a display of their feathers during their courting are not looking for a one night stand.  Far from it.  That elaborate ritual (and stunning as well) means a great deal in the future of all egret off spring.  Like many birds,  Great Egrets mate for life.  When searching for a mate, males will try to impress females with long plumes held up over their back. Once mating has occurred, females will lay anywhere from 1 to 6 eggs. Both parents will take turns incubating the eggs until they hatch. Baby Great Egrets will leave the nests 2 or 3 weeks after they hatch if they can survive that long. Young egrets are very aggressive to one another and it is not uncommon for stronger siblings to kill the weaker ones. The young ones that do make it though usually live around 15 years in the wild (the record is 27 years).

And speaking of longevity, when you see a Royal Tern, you should consider that the Royal Tern could well be your age or older.  OK, maybe not quite as long lived as Parrot species, but studies on Royal Terns have demonstrated that they can live at least 29 years!  Not yet impressed?  Well consider this:  Royal Terns not only do not show their age, they do not have diminished capacity either.  Imagine yourself living to 90 and not looking a day over 20 with all the stamina and flexibility of a post teen!

It is well worth reading up on our birds before you get here.

Not only will you be able to recognize them, but you will better understand and appreciate their behavior and capabilities!