Iconic bird of Florida Everglades

Common Birds of Florida Everglades

The Everglades is the USA's greatest subtropical wetland โ€” a "river of grass" that hosts the highest concentrations of wading birds and raptors in North America during the dry season.

360+
Total species
0
Endemics
24
Threatened
Novโ€“Apr
Best months
๐Ÿฆ
1. Roseate SpoonbillLeast Concern
Platalea ajaja

The pink-flushed adult spoonbill is the Everglades' most photogenic bird โ€” at Eco Pond and the Anhinga Trail, they feed in close proximity to the boardwalk.

๐Ÿ“ Florida Bay, Eco Pond, Anhinga Trail๐Ÿ—“ Decโ€“Apr
๐Ÿฆ
2. Snail KiteVulnerable
Rostrhamus sociabilis

The USA's most specialized raptor โ€” its entire diet consists of a single prey item, the Florida Apple Snail, extracted with a unique hooked bill.

๐Ÿ“ Water Conservation Areas, Lake Okeechobee๐Ÿ—“ Decโ€“Apr
๐Ÿฆ
3. Wood StorkThreatened
Mycteria americana

The only stork that breeds in the USA โ€” vast nesting colonies at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary are spectacular, with hundreds of pairs nesting in ancient bald cypresses.

๐Ÿ“ Corkscrew Swamp, Everglades throughout๐Ÿ—“ Janโ€“Apr
๐Ÿฆ
4. AnhingaLeast Concern
Anhinga anhinga

Dives underwater to spear fish with its dagger bill, then spreads its wings to dry in the sun โ€” the Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm gives stunning close views year-round.

๐Ÿ“ Anhinga Trail (Royal Palm), statewide๐Ÿ—“ Novโ€“Apr
๐Ÿฆ
5. LimpkinLeast Concern
Aramus guarauna

Wails with a haunting, prehistoric cry at night over Everglades marshes โ€” specializes in extracting apple snails using a slightly twisted bill tip.

๐Ÿ“ Freshwater wetlands throughout๐Ÿ—“ Year-round
๐Ÿฆ
6. Purple GallinuleLeast Concern
Porphyrio martinicus

One of the most iridescent birds in North America โ€” vivid purple and green plumage with a red-and-yellow bill, it walks across lily pads on enormous yellow feet.

๐Ÿ“ Freshwater marshes with lily pads๐Ÿ—“ Marโ€“Aug
๐Ÿฆ
7. Swallow-tailed KiteLeast Concern
Elanoides forficatus

The most elegant raptor in North America โ€” its deeply forked tail and fluid soaring flight make it unmistakable as it hunts lizards and insects over cypress swamps.

๐Ÿ“ Big Cypress, Corkscrew, throughout๐Ÿ—“ Marโ€“Jul
๐Ÿฆ
8. Great White HeronLeast Concern
Ardea herodias occidentalis

A massive all-white form of the Great Blue Heron found only in southern Florida โ€” stands 1.3 m tall and wades boldly in Florida Bay flats hunting large fish.

๐Ÿ“ Florida Bay, mangrove coast๐Ÿ—“ Decโ€“Apr

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