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Migratory Bird Laws in Florida

Florida is important to many species of migrating birds as a last stop for food and fresh water before hitting vast expanses of ocean. Human development, pollution and disturbance of natural feeding and nesting grounds have caused many of these avian species to decline in numbers. Florida is also visited by many Federally listed endangered or threatened species of birds. Migratory birds are protected in Florida under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, though certain species are considered "game" birds and can be hunted during specified hunting seasons.

Protected Species
- Under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it is illegal to harm, harass or possess migratory birds, alive or dead. A number of birds native to Florida are protected under this law. These include scrub-jays, anhingas, anis, avocets, bitterns, blackbirds, bobolinks, boobies, buntings, caracas, catbirds, chuck will's widows, cormorants, cowbirds, cranes, curlews, eagles, egrets, peregrine falcons, flycatchers, finches, frigatebirds, gannets, gnatcatchers, grackles, grebes, ground doves, gulls, hawks, herons, hummingbirds, ibis, kestrals, kingfishers, kites, limpkins, loons, merlins, mockingbirds, nightjars, noddies, ospreys, owls, ovenbirds, oystercatchers, pelicans, petrels, plovers, sandpipers, sparrows, spoonbills, tanagers, terns, vultures, warblers and woodpeckers. In general, any species of songbird, seabird and raptor may never be hunted, likewise the majority of wading birds.
Game Birds
- The Migratory Treaty Act allows exception for certain migratory "game" birds in Florida. This includes all wild species of geese, duck (excluding harlequin) coots, gallinules (excluding purple gallinules,) snipes, rails, woodcock and white-winged or mourning dove. Hunters must be licensed to hunt these birds in Florida and must follow all laws as to season, hunting technique and bag limits.
Endangered Species
- Florida is home to many state or federally listed endangered species, threatened species and species of special concern. The birds are especially protected from harm or harassment. Species listed as endangered in Florida include the wood stork, snail kite, Florida grasshopper sparrow, Cape Sable seaside sparrow, Kirtland's warbler, Bachman's warbler and the ivory-billed woodpecker.

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