New Invaders from the South?

Over the last few decades, Louisiana has had its share of avian invaders. House Finches from the east, Eurasian Collared Doves from the southeast, even Tree Swallows from the north have arrived and set up shop here. However, the biggest source of new arrivals has been from the south and west. Many birds that were once uncommon or rare in the state, such as White-winged and Inca Doves, are now common. Swainson's Hawks have been documented as breeders and are no longer a surprising summer sight in SW Louisiana. Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and Cave Swallows have colonized the state as nesters, and Northern Caracara numbers have possibly been augmented by wanderers from Texas. Migrants and winterers such as Yellow-green Vireo and White-tailed Hawk have seen recent upticks as well.

Another bird that's shown an upsurge is Great Kiskadee. Although the first Louisiana record for this species dates back many decades and there has been a steady flow of records since, the past winter and this current spring have given cause to wonder if Great Kiskadees might not have gained at least a minor foothold in the state. One calling bird was found by James Beck on the northern edge of the marsh south of Klondike this past winter. Another was located by Michael Seymour at the White Lake Preserve. Wildlife personnel there informed him that two have been present during the past winter, raising the possibility of breeding. In April, a kiskadee was reported by Jacob Saucier and James Maley near Creole. Then, earlier this month near the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Vermillion Parish, Donna Dittmann and Steve Cardiff found two Kiskadees attending a nest. Although this wasn't the first reported nesting attempt for the species in the state, it was the first involving a pair of birds. Prior attempts have all been made by single birds.

How successful the current attempt will be remains to be seen. Whether this attempt is their first, and whether other records in the area stem from local offspring or vagrants is a mystery, but Great Kiskadee would be a welcome addition to the regular birdlife of SW Louisiana.