Native

Wood Stork

One of the many specialized birds that live in South Florida that has become endangered. The lands that they live in are being taken away by humans and non-native birds that change the habitat they live in. For example, this bird needs a vast area of water to skim across in order to catch food. If an animal that feeds of the same fish and can catch its food with smaller bodies of water then the Wood Stork would not be able to compete. Another element against the Stork is change in the everglades that is created by man by changing the way water and how it is managed by us. For these two reasons is why the numbers decreased from more then 8000 of these birds in the 30’s to 500. 

Non-Native

Sacrid Ibis

One of the most dangerous birds to the Wood Stork and the SpoonBill is the Sacrid Ibis. This bird that was introduced into the Everglades is one of the main adversaries do to the eating habits of this bird. It is know that the Sacrid Ibis will eat small hatchlings of both the Wood Stork and the Spoon Bill. This bird was brought over from Africa and was kept in Zoos across Florida. Do to the bad tropical storms in South Florida, those birds have escaped the zoo and made nesting spots in the Everglades putting the native Wading birds in danger.

 

Non-Native

Canary-winged

 The Canary Winged Parrot is native to South America. Brought over from their natural habitat were sold to retailers. After the birds were sold they were then introduced to the local environment by owners releasing the birds,  and by birds escaping. Some believe that they blown in from other parts of the county through Hurricanes, they found nesting grounds here in South Florida as early as the late 60’s. The bird’s main diet: fruits, seeds, and flowers.

 

Native Bachman’s Sparrow

One of Florida’s native birds that are endangered: The bird is not being drawn out by non-native birds as much as they are with human intervention. They tend to live in large fields, and because of the homes that are being built in the more in land areas, they are loosing their nesting grounds. That will force the bird to live in other areas more open, endangering them from their natural predators and non-natural predators like the Sacred Ibis.

Native Bachman’s Sparrow

Non-Native Birds living in Florida causes a problem with over population. Thier presence becomes unchecked and then many of the Native birds may need to seek new areas to live in. This causes other species like fish to be over hunted by predatorily birds that eat fish, reptiles maybe forced to move to different areas do to lack of fish causing them to hunt in areas closer to humans. Overal his slight imbalance in the Ecosystem may have a great effect on us.