Trumpeters are the largest swans. Larger individuals have a wingspan of eight feet and weigh about 35 pounds. They differ from other swans by not only their size, but also by their loud trumpeting voices and a red border around their bills that looks like lipstick.

Ever since I first laid my hands on a mini series of books based loosely on Marguerite Henry’s 1947 classic Misty of Chincoteague, I had dreamt of going to Virginia - to this magical island that I couldn’t quite pronounce where wild ponies run free. I didn’t know many people who would find the endeavor appealing: roughly a day’s drive from northern New Jersey to Virginia to stand in the cold just to catch a glimpse of an undersized mustang, but I did know at least one person who might.

The only place in the United States where the beautiful and endangered Snail Kite is found is in the southern half of the state of Florida. Snail Kites are abundant in parts of Central and South America but, in the U.S., these birds number less than two thousand and are considered the rarest bird of prey in the nation.

Snail Kites are large hawk-like birds with a long hook-shaped bill and a wingspan of nearly four feet. The males are slate grey in color and the females are dark brown with white streaks. Their long bill allows them to feed on their primary food source, the Apple Snail. The Apple Snail is thought by many to be the only prey of the Snail Kite, but I have also observed them eating baby turtles and in one case, a crawfish. During the last few years, Florida has become home to an ever-increasing number of exotic South American Channeled Apple Snails - much larger and more invasive than the Florida Apple Snail. This seems to be a good thing for the Snail Kites as they have adapted to feeding on the larger, exotic snail which now makes up the majority of their diet.