Hobbies And Interests
Land Birds
Birds seen year-round include blackbirds, bluebirds, bobwhites, cardinals, sandhill cranes, crows, cuckoos, doves and pigeons. Great crested flycatchers will also be seen, as well as gnatcatchers, grackles, jays, mockingbirds and parrots. The shrike is common, as are sparrows, starlings and barn swallows. Brown thrashers, thrushes, titmice and white-eyed vireos are also observed all during the year. The wild turkey is commonly seen after being hunted almost to extinction. The yellow-throated and pine warblers are easily spotted, and many species of woodpecker may also be observed.
Birds of Prey
These large birds include the crested caracara, various species of snail kites, five types of owl, hawks, and vultures. Bald eagles winter in Florida along with falcons and two types of kite: the swallow-tailed and the Mississippi.
Florida's Waterbirds
Surrounded almost completely by water, Florida hosts hundreds of aquatic birds. Anhingas, cormorants and egrets are common. Flamingos were brought to the state from Caribbean islands, though small colonies live in the Everglades. The magnificent frigatebird is seen in the very southern parts of the state, soaring on summer air currents. The common gallinule is easily spotted, as are gulls and many types of heron. The glossy ibis is seen on central Florida's wet prairies, though the scarlet ibis is rare. Ospreys and pelicans are ubiquitous, and sanderlings are those fast-moving little birds seen along every beach. The roseate spoonbill is not seen everywhere in Florida, but can be observed in large numbers on the west coast near Sanibel Island, and on the east coast by Merritt Island. Storks and terns are also common in the state.
Migratory Birds
Shorebirds are the first southbound birds to migrate in winter, followed by songbirds in late summer. In late September, migrating species of waterbirds and raptors pass through Florida. Birds flying north in February and March include waterbirds, tree swallows and robins. Most of the songbirds leave in spring.
Bird Watching
Land birds are seen in all parts of the state. Florida's many large inlets, bays and legally-protected environments make it easy to observe both native and migrating waterbirds. The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, Fort DeSoto Park and the coastal areas north of the Sunshine Skyway bridge are excellent places for observing waterfowl on the west coast. Further south, Sanibel Island and the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary provide many viewing opportunities. At Florida's southern tip, the Keys, the Dry Tortugas and Everglades National Park all offer chances to see large concentrations of birds, especially in winter and summer. On the east coast, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a well-known place for observing all types of birds.