Florida’s unique geography and climate means it has a wide variety of environments in which birds can thrive and consequently a fantastic place to bird watch. In this post we will be looking at some of the common but still fascinating birds of Florida.
The Sunshine State
The Floridian Peninsula is connected to the rest of the U.S. by Georgia and Alabama. The vast majority of Florida’s border is coastline and even that is fascinating with shores on the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida. At the very south of the state are the famous Florida Keys but did you know that they comprise of 1,700 tiny islands? Still in south Florida are the Florida Everglades, surely a wonder of the modern world! Even the center and more northern parts are exciting with coastal plains, beaches, rolling hills and a myriad of caves. It is no wonder that it is a haven for not just birds, but also a whole host of other animals.
Birds in Florida
On the eBird rankings, Florida comes in at 6th with 548 reported bird species. Only behemoth birding states like Texas and California beat it and only 11 states even have a count of over 500. In Florida you can see a huge variety of birds from the strange Limpkin to the huge Sandhill Crane, from the tiny Calliope Hummingbird to the mighty Yellow-nosed Albatross. We have chosen some of the most common but interesting Florida birds.
Best White Birds
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
Identification
On the water the American White Pelican looks completely white but it does actually have substantial black wingtips, only visible in flight. Its legs, face and beak are a bright yellowy orange and the bill has an unusual flap of horn-like skin sticking up. This is the bird in breeding plumage and it is a little less exciting when not breeding.
Size
- Length: 50.0-65.0 in (127-165 cm)
- Weight: 158.7-317.5 oz (4500-9000 g)
- Wingspan: 96.1-114.2 in (244-290 cm)
What you might not know
On overcast days, American White Pelicans will fly close to the surface of the water. Only on sunny days when they can catch the thermals will they fly and soar high up.
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Identification
Visually similar to other bright white egret and heron species but the Snowy Egret is covered in gorgeous plumes during the breeding season. Its legs are black and feet and bill are yellow. It is a common bird, found across Florida.
Size
- Length: 22.1-26.0 in (56-66 cm)
- Weight: 13.1 oz (370 g)
- Wingspan: 39.4 in (100 cm)
What you might not know
By the beginning of the 1900s, this little bird’s plumes were the height of fashion – usually atop glamorous hats. The feathers were so prized and expensive, they were valued at twice the price of gold! Legislation had to be passed to stop them being slaughtered into extinction.
Best Black Birds
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)
Identification
Think huge cormorant and you can’t go wrong. But actually, looking a bit closer and the Anhinga (or Darter) is not much like a cormorant. In the skies, their much longer necks are a giveaway. On the ground they are much bigger than a cormorant. Males are jet black with silvery streaks which are more prominent in breeding. Females are a duller black with a brown upper body. It is my favorite Florida bird.
Size
- Length: 29.5-37.4 in (75-95 cm)
- Weight: 46.7-47.6 oz (1325-1350 g)
- Wingspan: 42.9 in (109 cm)
What you might not know
The Anhinga is found across the world and know across the world as the snake bird. When fishing in water, it can often be seen with just its head and neck above the water, looking just like a snake.
Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)
Identification
The Boat-tailed Grackle is so named because of the way it holds its huge tail in the shape of a V, like the keel of a boat. The male has an iridescent shine so great that it looks blue in the sunlight. Females are duller brown overall.
Size
- Length: 10.2-14.6 in (26-37 cm)
- Weight: 3.3-8.4 oz (93-239 g)
- Wingspan: 15.3-19.7 in (39-50 cm)
What you may not know
The Boat-tailed Grackle is, appropriately enough, a coastal bird found on the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf of Mexico. It is one of Florida’s most common birds and this is the only place that it is found inland.
Best Blue Bird
Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)
Identification
While this is not the most common bird in Florida, it has to be on our list. In appropriate habitat it can be found looking for food on the ground. The best place to see it is in Central Florida. It’s similarity to the Blue Jay is evident but it lacks the crest. This bird is endemic to Florida, it cannot be seen anywhere else in the United States. A true bird of Florida!
Size
- Length: 9.1-11.0 in (23-28 cm)
- Weight: 2.3-3.3 oz (66-92 g)
- Wingspan: 13.0-14.2 in (33-36 cm)
What you might not know
The Florida Scrub-Jay is really community minded. They don’t migrate or even move very far away from their territory. Once chicks are hatched, the male and adults or juveniles from previous broods stay to help. They even work as a group when feeding, with one bird being on duty to watch out for predators.
Best of the Common Birds
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)
Identification
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a common summer resident of Florida as it breeds here, leaving for the wintertime on migration. However, it is not often seen as its secretive nature means it hides away in thick undergrowth as seen in the Audubon photo above. It has a brown back and buff belly. The tail is long and thin and the bill typically decurved as other cuckoos.
Size
- Length: 10.2-11.8 in (26-30 cm)
- Weight: 1.9-2.3 oz (55-65 g)
- Wingspan: 15.0-16.9 in (38-43 cm)
What you might not know
Yellow-billed Cuckoos do not generally lay their eggs in other birds’ nests. They pair up and build a nest themselves, and lay up to 4 eggs. However, each egg is laid several days after the one before. This means that the oldest chick may be about to fledge when the youngest is just hatching.
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)
Identification
The female House Finch (image on the right) is a plain bird, almost looking like a House Sparrow. The male has slightly darker streaks and a variable amount of pink and red on the head, face and breast.
Size
- Length: 5.1-5.5 in (13-14 cm)
- Weight: 0.6-0.9 oz (16-27 g)
- Wingspan: 7.9-9.8 in (20-25 cm)
Range
The House Finch is a common all year round visitor and can be seen in a variety of environments and is one of the most regular backyard birds, loving bird baths and bird feeders. However, it is classed as feral in Florida (hence the orange coloring) as all birds in this population descend from released birds in the north east.
What you might not know
The color of the male House Finch is dictated by the food it eats. At times it may be yellow or orange.
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Identification
The Mourning Dove is a mid-brown color with dark spots on the back. This Arizona bird frequents the ground underneath backyard feeders.
Size
- Length: 9.1-13.4 in (23-34 cm)
- Weight: 3.4-6.0 oz (96-170 g)
- Wingspan: 17.7 in (45 cm)
Range
The Mourning Dove is one of the most common birds in Florida and can be seen year round.
What you might not know
The Mourning Dove thrives in desert and dry areas as it is able to drink brackish water.
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
Identification
The Northern Mockingbird is always a favorite of locals as it is a common backyard visitor to bird feeders. While looking rather plain with pale underparts and darker gray above, it does have rather impressive white bars on the wing seen in flight.
Size
- Length: 8.3-10.2 in (21-26 cm)
- Weight: 1.6-2.0 oz (45-58 g)
- Wingspan: 12.2-13.8 in (31-35 cm)
Range
The Northern Mockingbird is a common bird in Florida and due to its adaptable nature, it can be found in varying environments including urban areas.
What you might not know
Northern Mockingbirds have been appreciated for their singing prowess for generations and there was a time when the best singers were caged and sold for huge sums. It has to be more entertaining to watch their antics on platform feeders and sing from the trees!
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Identification
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most common raptor in the United States and is a very attractive raptor with variable plumage with browns and creams. The short tail is red on the top and is diagnostic.
Size
- Male
- Length: 17.7-22.1 in (45-56 cm)
- Weight: 24.3-45.9 oz (690-1300 g)
- Wingspan: 44.9-52.4 in (114-133 cm)
- Female
- Length: 19.7-25.6 in (50-65 cm)
- Weight: 31.8-51.5 oz (900-1460 g)
- Wingspan: 44.9-52.4 in (114-133 cm)
Range
The Red-tailed Hawk is commonly found in open areas either soaring while searching for prey or sitting on fence posts or utility poles. It is a Florida resident and present all year round.
What you might not know
Red-tailed Hawks are smart and co-operative. They will work in pairs to outsmart their prey by splitting up and waiting a either end of its means of escape.
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Identification
The American Robin is a large thrush which has a dark back and rusty orange front. The black headed is punctuated by a broken white eye ring.
Size
- Length: 7.9-11.0 in (20-28 cm)
- Weight: 2.7-3.0 oz (77-85 g)
- Wingspan: 12.2-15.8 in (31-40 cm)
Range
The American Robin is resident in Florida and can be seen all year round in a variety of environments. As an adaptable bird, it can find food in woodlands, parks, gardens and even on your front lawn. The Range Map below shows concentrations of population in purple. The darker the purple, the greater the reported sightings.
What you might not know
American Robin pairs can raise up to 3 broods each year. The rates of survival decrease with each clutch but they still produce a good number of birds to support the population.
Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Identification
The Barred Owl is a large cryptic bird with a base of brown feathers. It is heavily barred and mottled with a paler buff color.
Size
- Length: 16.9-19.7 in (43-50 cm)
- Weight: 16.6-37.0 oz (470-1050 g)
- Wingspan: 39.0-43.3 in (99-110 cm)
Range
The Barred Owl is a common and under-reported bird found across Florida. The darker the purple marking, the more sightings have been made. It inhabits woods near water and can be seen during the day at times.
What you might not know
The most dangerous predator to the Barred Owl is the Great Horned Owl. If the latter moves into the former’s neighborhood, the Barred Owl will move away.
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)
Identification
The Eastern Phoebe is a rather plain looking flycatcher with brown plumage above and paler below, sometimes showing a pale yellow wash on the belly. A good identifier is that it wags its tail frequently.
Size
- Length: 5.5-6.7 in (14-17 cm)
- Weight: 0.6-0.7 oz (16-21 g)
- Wingspan: 10.2-11.0 in (26-28 cm)
Range
Seen less so in the winter, the Eastern Phoebe is a common sight in forests, open woodland and parks. The darker the shade in the range map below, represents a higher concentration.
What you might not know
Eastern Phoebes like their own company. When you see one, chances are it will be alone. They don’t associate with other Phoebe species and are not that tolerant even of their mate.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
Identification
One of our favorite backyard birds. This must be the most fabulous small bush bird in Florida. It is a rich brown, ranging from light to dark with a long white eyebrow and decurved bill.
Size
- Length: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
- Weight: 0.6-0.8 oz (18-22 g)
- Wingspan: 11.4 in (29 cm)
Range
The Carolina Wren is a resident of Florida and can be seen in urban and rural environments. If you listen out for its sweet song, you won’t be disappointed.
What you might not know
The Carolina Wren looks for warm places to roost in the winter and may settle in unused nest boxes. So keep putting them out for these little bird during the cold and another tick for your winter checklists.
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Identification
The American Crow is a small and very common member of the Corvid family. It is jet black and usually seen in large groups.
Size
- Length: 15.8-20.9 in (40-53 cm)
- Weight: 11.2-21.9 oz (316-620 g)
- Wingspan: 33.5-39.4 in (85-100 cm)
Range
The American Crow is a very common Florida resident and can be seen in rural, forested and urban areas as can be seen by the darker purple concentration on the Range Map below.
What you might not know
The American Crow gather together in the winter to keep warm at night. These groups can number in the millions of birds.
Conclusion
Florida has a lot of birds that can be commonly found. However, there are also common birds that we overlook and some birds that are common and we don’t even know it. We hope you enjoyed reading about our picks for the best common birds in Florida and encourage you to get out to your local park or forest and look for them.
Related Questions
Which tern is most common in Florida?
The Forster’s Tern is the most commonly seen around the coasts of Florida. It is one of the medium sized terns and is rather elegant in the air. Look for it whenever you are on beaches.
Is the Bald Eagle common in Florida?
Yes, they can be found across the state, all year round. You can see this in the eBird sightings map below.
What are the little white birds running around on the beach?
Probably Sanderlings in non-breeding plumage. They are very elegant little waders and do, in fact, run around on beaches as they look for food on top or just under the surface.
What are the black birds on the water with a white bill?
American Coot are found in Florida. They are common waterbirds and can be seen in many park ponds.
