 Florida
has at least 480 verifiable species of birds. Florida bird habitats
range from isolated islands of the Dry Tortugas to remote interior
swamplands and our increasingly numerous suburban backyards. Florida is
home to both year round birds and birds migrating here to find refuge
from their snowy homeland winters. Over 175 bird species are known to
breed in Florida and almost three hundred birds migrate here in the fall
spring or winter months.
Birds are the most colorful of all the vertebrates. Their coloration
varies widely, not only from species to species but also within the
species itself. Male and Female birds often have different colors of
feathers, as do adults and their young. A bird's coloring may also
change from season to season, adding to the difficulty of indentifying
birds and properly classifying them. Sometimes identifying a bird in
flight, checking the speed of the wing strokes as well as the pattern of
flight, can assist you in recognizing a species of birds.
Bird watching is a great hobby in the state of Florida. Many of the
nature vacation locations we have listed in our index are great spots
for watching birds and other wildlife. Florida also has the Great
Florida Birding Trail, a network of
489 sites throughout Florida
selected for their excellent bird watching or bird education
opportunities. This 2000-mile, self-guided highway trail is designed to
conserve and enhance Florida's bird habitat by promoting bird watching
activities, conservation education and economic opportunity.
All of Florida's native birds are protected under the
Federal Migratory Bird Treaty
Act and are also protected under state law, and may not be trapped
or killed without federal permit.
Endangered and threatened species are additionally protected. There
are many things you can do to promote more birds visiting your back yard
or garden. Maintaining a bird feeder is a great way to learn about birds
and their behavior. Plus the birds will appreciate it!
We have divided our birds into several categories. Simply click on the
name of the bird to get complete information and photos of each species.
Since there is an almost limitless number of Florida birds, we have
selected the top birds in the state. For further information on birds,
you may want to purchase a book from our
Florida Nature Library. Don't miss our "Florida
Birds" slideshow set to music.
Common Florida Birds-
Blackbird| Cardinal| Gray Catbird| Carolina Chickadee|
Brown Headed Cowbird| Mockingbird|
American Robin| Loggerhead Shrike
Cranes- Sandhill Crane | Whooping Crane
Game Birds- Northern Bobwhite | Turkeys
Loons- Common Loon |
Red-Throated Loon
Owls -Burrowing Owl | Barn Owl
| Common Screech Owl | Barred Owl | Great Horned Owl
Raptors-
American Kestrel | American Swallow-tailed Kite |
Crested Caracara | Florida Snail Kite | Peregrine Falcon |
Eagle |
Osprey
|
Red Shouldered Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk | Sharp
Shinned Hawk| Short-Tailed HawkShorebirds-
American Oystercatcher | Black Skimmer | Least
Tern | Black Necked Stilt
Songbirds-
Bachman's Sparrow | Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow | Cerulean Warbler |
Eastern Bluebird | Florida Grasshopper Sparrow | Florida Scrub-Jay |
Painted Bunting | Wood Thrush
Vultures- Black Vultures|
Turkey Vultures
Wading Birds- American
Bittern | Roseate Spoonbill | Wood Stork | White Ibis| Great Blue Heron
Water Birds-
American White Pelican | Anhinga | Brown
Pelican | Limpkin
Waterfowl-
Mallard Duck| American Coot| Muscovy| Wood
Duck| Florida Mottled Duck|
Woodpeckers-
Ivory-billed Woodpecker | Red-cockaded
Woodpecker | Pileated Woodpecker | Red-Bellied Woodpecker| Downy
Woodpecker| Common Flicker
Wrens & Swift- Carolina
Wren| Sedge Wren| House Wren| Chimney Swift |
Florida
Nature: Florida Birds
