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 Florida’s
abundant bird life provides numerous opportunities for bird watching,
such as the Great Florida Birding
trail and wildlife
viewing sites. If you're just starting “birding”, the guide Birdwatching
Basics is available online. Florida has at least 480
verifiable species and the Commission offers a
certificate
program to record your observations. Additionally learning the songs
of Florida’s birds can provide additional enjoyment. As you become
more interested in birds Rare
Bird Alerts provide opportunities for finding unique birds.
Maintaining a bird feeder is a great way to learn about birds and their
behavior. Plus the birds will appreciate it! The Wild
Bird Center has information as does the National
Bird Feeding Society. Cornell University also offers a nice overview
of bird feeding. You may want to build a birdhouse, such as for the
barn owl, or eastern
blue bird, or wood
duck.
Sandhill cranes should not be fed. After
a few months of feeding, the cranes may damage cars, pool enclosures,
flower beds, golf courses, and even pets. Please enjoy these elegant birds
from a distance. Brown
pelicans should also never be fed. Many pelicans die by eating cleaned
fish carcasses when protruding bones become wedged in their throats. The
nutritional value of fish carcasses is low. Repeated feeding may also
condition pelicans to chase items thrown into the water, such as fishing
lures, which can cause serious injuries.
If you find a baby bird it is usually best to leave it alone. Often the
animal is not orphaned, and the parent may be out getting food, or watching
the baby. Never pick up baby birds and remove them from the nest,
or their natural environment! Additional information on orphaned
animals is available from the Wildlife Resources Handbook. The FWC
regional offices have a list of wildlife rehabilitators for orphaned
or injured wildlife. If you find a dead bird, please
report
the bird. Your reports may assist in tracking the causes of bird mortality,
including the spread of the West
Nile Virus tracked by the Florida Department
of Health.
If you are a property owner, birds may rarely damage property.
Vultures
may occasionally tear screens or roofs and woodpeckers
may damage siding. Check the other pages on this web site for information
or you contact the nearest FWC regional office for assistance.
All of Florida’s native birds are protected under the Federal
Migratory Bird Treaty Act and are also protected under state law,
and may not be trapped or killed without federal permit. Endangered
and threatened species are additionally protected.
More information
Wings over Florida
Bird Certification Program
Great Florida Birding Trail
Florida Ornithological Society
Important Bird Areas
in Florida
Birdzilla
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