Birds

Florida Birding FAQ

Answers to your burning birding questions.

Is there an Audubon Chapter near me in Florida?
You bet there is! Visit our chapter locator to find the closest chapter to you. Each chapter’s web page will tell you more about planned seminars and field trips.

How do I find out what kind of bird I’m seeing?
Birders use books called field guides to identify the birds they’re seeing. You can find one in your local library or bookstore.

Online, find species accounts, range maps and bird songs at Audubon's Guide to North American Birds!

Still can’t figure it out? Snap a photo and take it with you to an Audubon meeting near you—our members are a wealth of knowledge about birds and birding. Or post it on our Facebook Page!

Where can I learn more about birdwatching?
Whether you're a beginner looking for your first pair of binoculars or an experienced birder in search of identification tips, find everything Birding at Audubon!

I just saw someone harming a wild bird. Whom should I call?
For all wildlife violations in Florida, call the state’s toll-free Wildlife Alert Hotline: (888) 404-3922.

A baby bird fell out of its nest - should I help it? 
Most of the time, parent birds will still care for their young even if they've fallen from their nest. Depending on the age and size of the bird, it is usually best to leave it alone. Check out this article about when it is, and is not, OK to intervene. 

Are there flamingos in Florida (other than the plastic kind)?
At the time of the arrival of Europeans to Florida, there was a breeding population of Flamingos in southern Florida - this would have been the northernmost extent of their Caribbean range. Since that time, their range has diminished. Occasional sightings of flamingos in the southern reaches of Everglades National Park have been considered birds that are vagrants from the Yucatan population. Flamingos seen elsewhere in the state could be escaped birds from captive wildfowl collections, but there may actually be breeding birds in the state. If you see a bright pink bird in Florida, it could be a Flamingo, but it’s still more likely to be a Roseate Spoonbill. To tell the difference: look for the Roseate Spoonbill’s spatula-shaped bill!

I think I just saw a parrot fly by my window! Was I dreaming?
It’s entirely possible that you did indeed see a parrot. While escaped parrots and parakeets from the caged bird trade don’t survive northern winters, here in Florida escaped birds can survive and establish colonies, especially in central and south Florida. Two parakeet species -  Monk Parakeet and Nanday Parakeet – breed actively in Florida and are now officially naturalized. All other parrots in Florida are considered exotic, meaning they don’t naturally occur here. While they may be beautiful to see, some compete with our native species for food and nesting locations and can introduce exotic diseases to our Florida birds. It is illegal in Florida to release exotic animals into the wild. 

Is there a question you'd like to see answered? Ask our experts by emailing flconservation@audubon.org

How you can help, right now