Question: Are any birds species found in Collier County unable to walk on the ground?
Answer: Yes. Four species of birds have never been documented walking on the ground.
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds do not walk on the ground, although they can shuffle along a perch.
- Chimney Swifts do not walk on the ground, but they can climb vertical walls in roosts or nest sites.
- Swallow-tailed Kites have never been observed walking on the ground.
- Belted Kingfishers do not walk on the ground, although they do shuffle in to and out of their nesting burrows.
Swallow-tailed Kite, near right; Belted Kingfisher, far right top; Ruby-throated Hummingbird, far right bottom.
Source: Birds of North America