What’s Up With South Florida?: The Birds
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by Carey McKearnan
- Birds flocking on Sunset Drive in Miami /Trina Sargalski
“What’s Up with South Florida?” is our regular segment where we invite listeners to tell us what they find confusing or unusual about South Florida. We took a poll so you could decide what we should investigate. You flocked to the birds. So what’s up with all of those birds congregating at South Florida intersections each evening? Carey McKearnan finds out.
Does something make you wonder “What’s Up With South Florida?” Leave us a comment or submit your questions to our Facebook group and your question may be answered in a future Under the Sun episode. You can also leave us a message at 305-995-2408.
Tags: audio, birds, Carey McKearnan, Miami, nature, What's Up With South Florida?
This is a great topic. I was discussing this very question with my neighbor last night. Can’t wait to hear the answer!
I’d assumed that the bizarre bird population is due to the effects of a large, disruptive urban environment (Miami) on certain adaptable species, some of which are very invasive (starlings).
These birds are absolutely amazing. I think it is a great subject. Same for your other topics – Nice work.
Sophia, according to John Ogden, my experienced ornithologist who kindly provided some answers, your instincts are strong.
The starlings and grackles in the piece are both highly adaptive species who adjust well to urban settings. Ogden conjectured that these birds may actually “flock up” in well lit locations such as shopping centers and busy intersections because the strong lighting serves them well against night time predators, such as owls and hawks.
Let me know if you found the story answered some of your questions…
Carey, Thanks for the info. It does make sense when you listen to John Ogden. They seem to often be where the wires intersect at a light poll. They have it all planned out. But why they all, or most of them, face the same way and are so evenly distributed is mysterious. The way they take off all together – make a circle and land again – I’d bet in each their same spot as before. Like when I was a student – even without assigned seats everyone always sat in the same desk everyday. Love it – social graces….
Thanks to Under the Sun for posting my artwork on the subject!
Great sound, and narration, for a radio piece.
More Carey McKearnan, please.
She may be completely irration, but she’s adorable.
I meant “irrational”
Just came across this today…in south Texas when a cold front is coming the birds get on the lines like this; seeing how this was in January of 2009 (?)….quite possible.