SMOOTH-BILLED ANI, NEAR ERNEST COE VISITOR'S CENTER, EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, HOMESTEAD, FL

   We can ID this ani as a Smooth-billed Ani rather than a Groove-billed Ani by its smooth bill ( the Groove -billed Ani usually has some grooves on bill) and high culmen  (upper ridge of bird's bill).  You can really see the high culmen in the first photo.

   The Groove-billed Ani is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 511.

NONBREEDING BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

NONBREEDING RING-BILLED GULL, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

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NONBREEDING ADULT & 1ST WINTER LAUGHING GULLS, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

      The first four photos are of nonbreeding adult Laughing Gulls.  The gull in the last photo is a 1st winter Laughing Gull.

WILLETS, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

SNOWY EGRET, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

LITTLE BLUE HERON, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL