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What Birds Are Native to Florida
It’s impossible to identify how many different bird species are in North America, even the state of Florida, including the United States and. So what birds are native to Florida? According to Wikipedia, the state of Florida is home to at least 525 different bird species.
Florida is a state having many species of wild birds. Some of these bird species live throughout the year in Florida. In this article, we’ll be going to look at the most and what birds are native to Florida.
According to one source, there are 2,059 species throughout North America, whereas another earlier source asserts only 914. So, I’m not confident how much I believe these figures, but they provide us with a ballpark estimate of the number of unique varieties.
Many diverse types of wild birds call Florida home; in this post, we’ll look at some of the state’s most identifiable and well-known birds. Several of these species are year-round inhabitants in Florida, while others are seasonal and only visit quickly.
Florida provides a home to other more amazing birds ever known, thanks to its unique geographical position and ideal tropical environment. We’ve compiled a Florida bird species list with the most beautiful birds found in Florida.
Top 20 Florida bird species list
1. TUFTED TITMOUSE
Within their area, these little birds may be seen at many feeders and in backyards. They have a little mohawk, similar to Cardinals, that helps you distinguish them from other birds. Titmice have a black patch immediately above their beaks and are silver-gray upon top and paler on the bottom.
The Tufted Titmouse may be seen all year in Florida, except for the southern part of the state, south of Miami, and they’re less common.
2. CAROLINA CHICKADEE
Chickadees are small birds with a distinctive “black crown” and black bib. Their underbodies appear puffy and pale, and their cheeks are pure white. Their wings, as well as backs, are blackish-grey, and the underbodies are pure white.
Carolina Chickadees may be found across the panhandle and into Central Florida, and are not to be mistaken with their near-identical relatives, Black-capped Chickadees, which inhabit farther north. In Southern Florida, Carolina Chickadees are also not nearly as frequent. However, they enjoy bird feeders, and you may observe them dashing back and forth between one feeder to another to cover and return for more.
3. THE BLUE JAY
The Blue Jay is another possibly the best bird species throughout North America, and this makes it to our Florida bird species list. They have a prominent blue crest at the top of their heads with predominantly blue feathers on atop with white feathers on the bottom.
They also wear a black ring that resembles a necklace around their necks. Their wings resemble barred white, blue, with black having white, blue, & black stripes. The Blue Jays are also another year-round visitor of the Sunshine State. You may see them in backyards as well as at bird feeders in large numbers.
4. EASTERN BLUEBIRD
Bluebirds have royal blue on top, both with fiery reddish-orange bellies, as their name suggests. As a result, they are one of the most sought-after residents of birdhouses throughout the United States, resulting in a growing bluebird house business.
They’re prevalent in backyards but not much at bird feeders. Keep putting up a birdhouse to see if you can attract a mating couple; I could do it with this Amazon birdhouse. Aside from parts of south Florida where they’d be less frequent, you may see eastern Bluebirds across much of Florida all year.
5. FLORIDA SCRUB-JAY
Blue Jays & California Scrub-jays are closely related to Florida Scrub-jays, predominantly blue and white birds. They are omnivorous, like other Jays, and eat on insects, tiny invertebrates, and small vertebrates.
Despite having a relatively limited distribution in Central Florida, this Florida Scrub-jay is the sole bird unique to the state. I felt obligated to add them to our list as a result of this. If you’re fortunate enough to reside in some of those areas, you’ll notice that this species is present all year.
6. AMERICAN ROBIN
Robins are often observed in backyards bouncing about the grass hunting for worms or other insects to eat. They may come to bird feeders on occasion, although they do not usually consume seeds. You can quickly identify them by their bright red bellies, round tummies, and yellow beaks.
You may see robins all around Florida in the winter, but during the summer, they migrate north.
7. MOURNING DOVE
Doves about the proportion of a robin are abundant in backyards and may frequently see them sitting on telephone lines or in pairs on trees. However, they are more often spotted roaming about on the ground. Bereavement Doves are predominantly grey, with black dots on the top and a delicate peachy tint underneath.
Mourning Doves may be found across Florida at any time of year.
8. EUROPEAN STARLING
In the 1890s, 100 starlings were released in New York, and they’ve now taken over the nation. They will attack other birds’ nests, kill the young, and take over feeders, preventing other birds from eating the food people put out.
They have golden beaks and feet and are primarily black with white spots on their backs & wings. Starlings may even be a purple or green iridescent tint, which may be extremely attractive in the proper light. Unfortunately, this invasive species may be found year-round in each of the lower 48 states, including Florida.
9. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH
Goldfinches are one of our favorite birds to watch at feeders, particularly in the summer and spring once they have their beautiful yellow feathers. They are primarily yellow, or “gold,” with black-tipped wings as well as a black cap on top.
They molt throughout the winter, losing their bright colors and replacing them with drab brownish or olive hues. The black over their wings and sharp finch-like beaks make them easily identifiable at any time of year. In Florida, goldfinches get a non-breeding range, so seek them throughout the winter.
10. CAROLINA WREN
These tiny birds are primarily reddish-brown on the top, while the bottom is a lighter orangish tint. Carolina Wrens are easily identified by their large size and a white stripe on the sides of the heads, just right over their eyes. Wrens often use bluebird houses as a home.
They aren’t always the renters we had hoped for, but we are grateful to have them. Throughout the year, you may see Carolina Wrens in Florida and the Southeastern United States.
11. NORTHERN CARDINAL
Northern Cardinals are one of North America’s most well-known and often seen backyard birds.
Females have duller hues and are more light brown with several reddish coloring, while males have vivid red feathers with a black mask.
The “mohawks” and bright orange beaks among both females and males make them immediately identifiable.
You may find northern Cardinals throughout the state of Florida throughout the year since they do not migrate.
12. Snail Kite
The Snail Kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis, is among the most morphologically distinctive raptors on the planet. It is due to the existence of a highly adapted and powerful bill that allows it to prey on snails, namely Apple snails Pomacea.
Because of its overall black plumage, People frequently mistake this bird with Slender Bill Kite in terms of look. However, the occurrence of white spots within the plumage of the former is a notable contrast between the two.
The Snail Kite is a foraging bird that likes to be in wooded areas.
13. Limpkin
Limpkin is a strange bird that lives in Florida’s damp marshes. With its large beak, you may observe it feasting upon Apple snails Pomacea in these settings.
This bird has a heron-like size, brown plumage with white patches, and a heron-like look. Because little research is done on this Florida bird’s nesting habits, we know just a little about it.
14. White-Crowned Pigeon
The White-Crowned Pigeon, the following species on our Florida birds list, is only found in the southernmost section of the state and the United States’ Keys.
Despite its timid nature, you may find this bird in moist swamps and marshes. You may observe it in high trees and even power lines. According to scientists, this bird is one of the quickest in terms of flying speed.
Although no clear quantitative evidence is present, we believe that such a Florida bird can outrun motorboats.
15. Short-Tailed Hawk
This Short-tailed Hawk is a widely dispersed species in Florida. You may find it in evergreen forests or foothill woods.
You may see these Florida birds flying while hunting because of their target, usually smaller birds.
The mixture of light/dark feathers that varies in a sympatric way; is one of this bird’s most identifying characteristics.
And, contrary to its name, the bird has a long tail that is almost the same length as its body.
Another of the least researched birds in the United States is this Florida species.
16. Gray Kingbird
Gray Kingbirds migrate to Florida out from the Caribbean during the first few weeks of April. You may also find these birds in Georgia and Mississippi, in addition to Florida.
The Gray Kingbird has a 9-inch total length and a somewhat forked tail feather. It has a pale grey upper body (thus the name) as well as a black mask over its eyes. When it is young, its underside is yellow, but as it grows older, it becomes completely white.
17. Purple Gallinule
The Purple Gallinule, which is approximately the size of a chicken, is a vividly colorful bird with blue-green feathers, a red beak capped with a brilliant yellow tint, and long yellow legs. Please look at this Florida bird, which is also included in the most colorful birds ever found.
You may also see this bird in Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, & Georgia, and Florida, in which it is widely dispersed.
It prefers to reside in moist areas with an abundance of flora, such as marshes and swamps. Despite its inability to fly, this purple gallinule excels at wading through water and can walk on lily pads by evenly distributing its weight.
18. Bald Eagle
The bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, is the only eagle species known to be native to North America.
Its white head & tail and brown body make this bird easily identifiable even from a distance. The beak and feet of the bald eagle are yellow.
This bird is notable because of its ability to fly with its wings lying flat during the flight instead of flapping its wings. Little birds and fish (occasionally huge ones), rodents, & carrion are the main food sources for the Bald Eagle.
19. Killdeer
The Killdeer is named for the killdeer sound that they make. Killdeers were known as “Chattering Plovers” or “Noisy Plovers” in the 1800s because they often irritated town residents.
The Killdeer has excellent swimming abilities. Despite its reputation as a shorebird, you may see this Killdeer in open areas such as parking lots, residential gardens, and sporting fields.
You may distinguish this bird by the brown color of its top feathers and the white color of its underbelly feathers.
20. Mangrove Cuckoo
You can find Mangrove Cuckoo in the mangrove swamps around Florida only as its name defines. It is positively limited and hard to see because of its mysterious preferences and leaving nature.
Mangrove cuckoos are additionally found on beachfront all over Florida. Outside Florida, the species happens all through the Caribbean and from the shorelines of Mexico through Central Florida to Brazil.
Mangrove Cuckoos usually live in coastal mangroves and aren’t kept in zoos or aquariums as part of an exhibit. Mangrove Cuckoos may be seen in their natural habitats by people who go to Florida’s wildlife parks and nature reserves. So, it’s a treat to see them out in the open.
Conclusion
Florida is a habitat for some of the most striking birds ever known, thanks to its unique geographical position and ideal tropical environment. And if you are one of those birdwatching enthusiasts, knowing what birds are native to Florida can be a huge plus. And with this article, we hope that you know what birds are native to Florida
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