What is your favorite bird species?
I have 2 favorites here in Florida, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker for being rare, unique in their behaviors, and very charismatic. The second is the Florida subspecies of the Crested Caracara. They’re also rare and unique, but also very shy. It’s a challenge to get a photo of one.
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
What is your name, and where do you live?
Rebecca Anthony, Florida, USA
What are the main regions or locations you cover as a bird guide?
The entire state of Florida, including the Dry Tortugas. We’ve also led overnight tours in Europe, Canada, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Thailand, South Africa, Costa Rica, and some of the Caribbean islands.
How long have you been a bird guide?
I started our company, Archaeopteryx Birding and Nature Tours, in 2018, but have participated in local festivals and bird hikes before the start of the company.
Florida Scrub Jay
How did you get into bird guiding?
My dad used to take me out to the wildlife refuge as a kid and we’ve always had bird feeders in the yard. The job that turned me into a birder was a seasonal job in Scranton, PA when I helped extract migratory songbirds from mist nets so they could be banded. The colors and diversity of warblers were amazing to see up close.
What are the aspects of being a bird guide that you like best? Which aspects do you dislike most?
I love meeting people with the same passion from all over the world and hearing about the birds in the areas where they live. I also love finding rare and uncommon species and getting a great photo of the birds if I can. I would say that I dislike rainy, cold days when the birds are scarce and there aren’t many around.
What are the top 5-10 birds in your region that you think are the most interesting for visiting birders?
Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Snail Kite, Nanday Parakeet, Wilson’s Plover, Snowy Plover, Florida Scrub-Jay, Bald Eagle, Roseate Spoonbill, and Painted Bunting.
Painted Bunting
Can you outline at least one typical birdwatching trip in your area? Please briefly describe the locations, the key birds, and the approximate duration of such a trip
One example of a birding trip that can be done on a full-day tour from the Orlando area is a driving loop around Lake County. We’d begin with the Ocala National Forest where we’d encounter Wild Turkey, Sandhill Crane, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and seasonally the Bachman’s Sparrow. Then drive north to Juniper Prairie for the Florida Scrub-Jay. After a break for lunch, we’ll visit Lake Harris for Purple Gallinules and Limpkin. Our last stop would be the Emeralda Marsh public boat ramp. The Snail Kites have used this area in the past along with Northern Harriers, Black-necked Stilt, various waterfowl, and wading birds.
Purple Gallinule
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in your area?
I recommend anything from January to April. Summer is good because you will see fledglings, but many people cannot withstand the Florida summer heat. As a photographer, I recommend at least a 400mm lens. The birds here are not so shy and they can usually be photographed at close distances. A spotting scope is not needed here, just a pair of binoculars. We will have up close and personal encounters with birds. I recommend shoes that can get wet if we are looking for plovers. There are many tide pools on the beaches and sometimes it’s just easier to walk through them.
If any reader of 10,000 Birds is interested in birding with you, how can they best contact
you?
Whatsapp at +1 609 553 0757, or my email address archaeopteryxtours@gmail.com which is checked daily.
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