Marsh Rabbits and Parrots Around St Petersburg Florida

Published on 04/10/23:  Yesterday on social media, I posted a picture of a rabbit from the Shore Acres neighborhood. We see them all the time! Follower Karol A Joe Dryer noted that many of the rabbits we see around here are “marsh rabbits” and swim well. This lead my curious mind (w/ farm background) to do a bit of research.

Marsh Rabbit Swims

Per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, unlike the cottontail, the marsh rabbit is a “strong swimmer and usually found close to water […] fresh and brackish marshes to wet prairies and flooded agricultural fields”. They add that marsh rabbits eat a variety of plants found near wetlands.

Research also confirmed that they’re most active at night, dusk and dawn, which explains why we usually see them when leaving for school or heading to dinner. Notable predators are owls, foxes, bobcats, alligators…and cats.

Marsh Rabbit Reproduction

Apparently, on average, a female marsh rabbit produces six or seven litters of two to four young per litter each year. Busy animals! “The nests are lined with grass and breast fur and are located on the ground in thickets, stumps or logs. By four weeks of age, the young rabbits are weaned and are foraging for themselves.” All from the FWC.

The Green “Parrots” around St Petersburg

This reminded me of a post from last year about the local green “parrots” we frequently see. Treasure Island resident Jonathan Fuss captured them in some great photos, which he allowed me to share. He often posts amazing pictures!

As I learned from that post and follower feedback, they’re actually Nanday Conures, different from Monk and Quaker parakeets. 🦜Our family enjoys them and feel they bring an even more tropical vibe to our area! However I know some followers feel differently, no right or wrong. 😊 They’re certainly loud, that is for sure! Like them or not?

I greatly appreciate Jonathan letting me use his excellent pics!

Parakeets, not Parrots

Evidently a couple similar birds live in the Tampa Bay Area and are confused. Some articles point to Quaker Parrots, formally known as Monk parakeets. And then those with more black coloring on their face are technically Nanday Conure’s. From what I can tell online from BeautyofBirds.com, the Nandays are also often called: Black-headed Parakeet, Black-hooded Conure, Black-hooded Parakeet, Black-masked Parakeet, Nanday Parakeet.

📸 2 and 3 from “Back To Nature Wildlife Refuge”

Disclosure: I’m certainly not a ornithologist. Always enjoy when the professionals chime in with additional information! Cheers!

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