Thanks Clint, I have lived in central Florida for 35 years and have never seen anything like them. They are truly beautiful. Now I can add them to the 20 other species of water birds I have enjoyed watching in my back yard. Thanks again!!!
When I was doing my research in FLorida in the 80's, there were no black-bellies, just fulvous from the KIssimmee Prairie south.....it seems that black-bellies probably escaped during Hurricane Andrew and became established. their presence here in Louisiana is more likely an expansion out of south Texas.