Bird enthusiasts should make a visit to the Florida Everglades a high priority, as there is an incredible variety of species to choose from within this varied expanse. You’ll find birds that are endangered, migratory, and very unusual, each with their own song and language that separates them from other species. These five are just a handful of the many amazing birds you’re likely to come across on an ordinary visit, so get out your binoculars and camera and visit the Florida Everglades for a closer look!
1. Wood Stork
This large wading bird is classified as an endangered species, and is the only bird in the stork family that breeds in North America. The adults stand at over 3-feet tall, and they are known for their gorgeous black-tipped wings and pink feet.
2. Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow
Though considered endangered due to the loss of their natural habitat, you can still find the largest populations in the Everglades. At only 5-inches long, these tiny songbirds are fast flyers that come in lovely olive-gray and olive-brown colors. You will enjoy listening to their beautiful songs.
3. Snail Kite
This is a bird of prey with a a very finicky appetite. They have become endangered because they prefer to eat only the aquatic apple snail, which has experienced severely decreased populations. These are lovely birds, with the male sporting dark blue-gray colors with red legs and the females have a dark brown white-streaked coloring with yellow or orange legs.
4. Roseate Spoonbill
Widely photographed due to its gorgeous pink coloring, this wading bird stands nearly 3-feet tall and boasts a 52-inch wingspan. You can expect to see them in groups, walking through the water and swinging their bills back and forth in an effort to spoon up tasty tidbits such as small fish, aquatic insects and frogs.
5. Barred Owl
Well-known for its distinctive call, it is better known as a Hoot Owl. It is unusual in the fact that it has large brown eyes surrounded by dark rings where other owls have yellow eyes. It stands over 2-feet tall and has a wingspan of 49-inches.
Related articles: 5 Beautiful Native Birds of Florida, 5 North American Birds of Prey, 5 Extraordinary Flightless Birds
Featured Image from Joshua J. Cotten/Unsplash
