Limpkin ( Aramus guarauna ) Spotted at Orlando Wetlands

Limpkin ( Aramus guarauna ) Spotted at Orlando Wetlands, a photo by Sheri Fresonke Harper on Flickr.

This Limpkin ( Aramus guarauna ) posed for us at Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, Florida. He might be a bit hard to identify since he's found with the rails and storks rather than the herons in your guidebook. His beak is what makes him standout differently from juvenile herons, as does the coloring/patterning of his back.

Two Male Redhead (Aythya americana) and Identifying Ducks

Two Male Redhead (Aythya americana), a photo by Sheri Fresonke Harper on Flickr.

Learning your ducks is one of the easiest way to start learning to identify birds in the wild. The reason is ducks are large, don't move away really fast at least not always, and each species is quite distinct. Also, identifying ducks can be easy because they are often found throughout the US during winter when most other birds head south. We spotted them at the Orlando Wetlands in Christmas, Florida. Note their bright yellow eye stands out clearly. The only bird like it is a Golden Eye.