Florida Birds of Prey: Complete ID Guide With Photos of Raptors and Migrants (2024)

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If you’re curious about Florida birds of prey, you’ll find a diverse array of majestic hunters. Encounter the iconic Bald Eagle, known for its white head and fish diet.

The vocal Red-shouldered Hawk thrives in forests and wetlands, while the Red-tailed Hawk prefers open woodlands.

The Burrowing Owl nests in underground shelters, and the Crested Caracara, an opportunistic forager, showcases bold behaviors.

Migratory raptors like the nimble Swallow-tailed Kite and the speedy Peregrine Falcon also grace Florida’s skies.

Discovering more reveals the state’s rich raptor population and their vital ecological roles—each species has a captivating story.

Florida’s Resident Raptors

You can spot some incredible resident raptors in Florida, like the Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Red-tailed Hawk, all year round. These birds, along with the Burrowing Owl and Crested Caracara, are permanent inhabitants of the Florida landscape, making them reliable subjects for observation and study .

Bald Eagle

Bald eagles thrive in habitats near water, essential for hunting fish, their primary diet . They construct massive nests, often located in live pine trees . Conservation efforts have bolstered their populations . Recognizable by their striking white heads, these Florida raptors symbolize power and freedom . Visiting Florida offers a unique glimpse into their majestic lives .

Red-shouldered Hawk

The Red-shouldered Hawk makes its home in the forests and wetlands of Florida. Known for its vocal nature, it prefers nesting in dense woodlands. This hawk’s diet includes small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, reflecting its adaptability. Conservation concerns remain low, with stable population trends observed, ensuring its presence as a top raptor in Florida’s ecosystems .

Red-tailed Hawk

Continuing our exploration of Florida’s resident raptors, the Red-tailed Hawk is known for its vast habitat spanning open woodlands and cliffside nesting. Primarily, its diet includes small birds, demonstrating skilled hunting on golf courses and highways . While rare, it occasionally faces nest challenges due to habitat destruction .

Burrowing Owl

Next up, meet the Burrowing Owl. These raptors thrive in Florida’s grasslands, hunting small animals. They nest in burrows, often digging their own, and sometimes lining the entrance with cow manure . Conservation efforts include habitat protection and creating artificial nest burrows . Despite these measures, they face threats from habitat loss and predators .

Crested Caracara

The Burrowing Owl’s charm connects us to the bold Crested Caracara. Found throughout Florida, these unique raptors exhibit fascinating behaviors:

1. Habitat: Preferring open areas like wetlands and prairies.
2. Diet: Opportunistic omnivores, eating small mammals and carrion.
3. Behavior: Ground foragers known for bold interactions.
4. Mating: Monogamous pairs with intricate nesting routines.

Migratory Raptors in Florida

When you explore Florida, you’ll notice several migratory raptors such as the Swallow-tailed Kite, Merlin Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, American Kestrel, and Turkey Vulture. These raptors travel vast distances to winter in warmer climates or take advantage of the abundant food sources during their migrations.

Swallow-tailed Kite

Spot Swallow-tailed Kites in Florida’s skies from early spring to fall. These striking raptors migrate from South America for the breeding season. They thrive in forested habitats and are skilled inflycatching. Their diet consists primarily of insects, small vertebrates, and occasional fruit. Conservation status remains of low concern, though habitat preservation is essential .

Merlin Falcon

The Merlin falcon, a migratory raptor, favors open woodlands and coastal areas in Florida . Known for its swift, surprise attacks on small songbirds, it’s a powerful, agile flyer (Source). Their nests are simple scrapes, often on the ground . Conservation efforts are essential due to pesticide impacts on prey populations.

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcons are the Usain Bolts of the bird world, reaching diving speeds over 200 mph while hunting prey . They migrate through Florida in winter, showcasing their incredible aerial prowess as they dive from heights exceeding one kilometer . These efficient hunters primarily target small to medium-sized birds during their remarkable high-speed pursuits .

American Kestrel

The American Kestrel, a migratory raptor in Florida, thrives in various habitats. They favor:

1. Nesting sites: Natural cavities in trees with suitable hunting grounds .
2. Hunting techniques: Flying low over fields, targeting prey like voles and grasshoppers .
3. Diet: Insects, small mammals, and occasional birds .
4. Conservation: Nest boxes and habitat preservation aid their populations .

Turkey Vulture

Shifting from the American Kestrel, let’s delve into the Turkey Vulture, a migratory raptor in Florida. With a vast habitat range, they prosper in open country and forests. Their diet is primarily carrion, contributing to ecosystem sanitation. Conservation efforts confront obstacles from habitat loss. Adaptations encompass strong stomach acids to digest decomposing matter, showcasing nature’s remarkable innovation .

Non-Releasable Raptors

At the facility, you’ll find over 50 non-releasable raptors that act as ambassadors for their species, each with a unique story. These birds can’t be released back into the wild due to various injuries or conditions but play a vital role in education and conservation efforts (Source).

Over 50 Raptors at the Facility

Over 50 raptors at the facility call it home year-round, earning their keep as raptor ambassadors. Each has a unique story, adding to their charm and educational value. Florida raptors, from mighty bald eagles to cunning red-tailed hawks, find sanctuary here. These non-releasable raptors enrich our understanding of their species through their compelling narratives .

Ambassadors for Their Species

The non-releasable raptors at the facility become ambassadors for their species, highlighting the role of ambassadors in conservation efforts. Their unique stories serve as powerful education initiatives, promoting public outreach and awareness. By showcasing species diversity, they underline the importance of protecting habitats and wildlife, helping you understand and support broader conservation goals .

Adoptable Raptors

To adopt a raptor, visit the Adopt-A-Raptor page, where you’ll find detailed information about the resident birds, including the Bald Eagle and Red-shouldered Hawk. This page helps you support their care and learn more about these incredible creatures .

Visit the Adopt-A-Raptor Page

By visiting the Adopt-A-Raptor page, you can explore the raptor adoption process and discover the various adoptable raptor species, including their unique care requirements. Adoption helps cover the cost of caring for these majestic birds and offers numerous benefits, such as supporting conservation efforts and receiving special updates on your adopted raptor’s progress .

Learn About Resident Birds

Learn about Florida’s resident raptors like the Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Burrowing Owl. These species represent the diverse raptor population and face threats from habitat loss and climate change. Conservation efforts aim to protect these birds, providing critical insights into how diverse species adapt to changing environments. Adopting a raptor supports their conservation.

Vultures in Florida

In Florida, you’re likely to encounter two main vultures: the Black Vulture and the Turkey Vulture. These birds play essential roles by cleaning up carrion, which helps maintain ecosystem health.

Turkey Vultures are migratory, often soaring in wide circles using thermals to conserve energy while searching for food . They’re less likely to fly over open water, making them absent in areas like the Florida Keys .

Black Vultures, too, are important scavengers, though they prefer more terrestrial environments. Both species exhibit unique adaptations, such as keen eyesight and a highly acidic digestive system for consuming carrion safely .

Vulture conservation efforts make sure these birds thrive, critical for ecological balance .

Hawks in Florida

In Florida, you can identify the Sharp-shinned Hawk by its small size and quick, darting flight. Meanwhile, Cooper’s Hawk, known for its agile hunting skills, and the Broad-winged Hawk, with its seasonal migration through the state, add to the diversity of hawks you’ll encounter .

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a small, agile raptor thriving in Florida’s forests and forest edges. You’re likely to spot this bird preying on songbirds, showcasing its deft flight skills and quick, sharp turns. It primarily inhabits areas densely populated with trees, offering cover and vantage points. Recognize it by its long tail and short, rounded wings (Source).

Cooper’s Hawk

To identify the Cooper’s Hawk, look for its narrow black and white bands on flight feathers, reddish shoulders, and chest . This species demonstrates impressive hunting skills, often targeting larger prey . They nest in tall trees and exhibit strong territorial behaviors during breeding season , making them a fascinating raptor to observe in Florida .

Broad-winged Hawk

When exploring the Broad-winged Hawk in Florida, note their:

• Habitat Preference: Dense woodland cover .
• Nesting Behavior: Compact nests, small hawks.
• Prey Selection: Small mammals, insects, amphibians.
• Conservation Status: Not currently endangered.
• Wingspan: Approximately 32-40 inches.

Their concise and strategic nesting aligns with their survival instincts, ensuring year-round mastery in their domain.

Harriers in Florida

Harriers in Florida include the Northern Harrier, a raptor known for its distinctive hunting style and wide-open habitat preferences. Northern Harriers thrive in grasslands, marshes, and fields, where they build nests concealed on the ground . These birds primarily feed on mammals, leveraging their keen eyesight and low flight patterns to catch prey .

Northern Harrier biology reveals their adaptation to diverse environments ranging from Arctic tundra to prairie grasslands. However, threats like habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and urbanization pose significant challenges to their conservation .

Understanding the Northern Harrier’s habitat, diet, and conservation needs is essential for preserving this unique raptor’s presence in Florida.

Kites in Florida

In Florida, you’ll find three notable species of kites: the White-tailed Kite, Mississippi Kite, and Snail Kite. These raptors are recognized for their unique appearances and behaviors, making them a fascinating subject for bird enthusiasts .

White-tailed Kite

The White-tailed Kite, known for its striking black-and-white plumage, chiefly inhabits open grasslands and savannas. Its diet largely consists of small mammals, making it a key predator in its ecosystem . These kites are known for communal roosting during nonbreeding seasons and migrate back to South America for breeding, highlighting their adaptability .

Mississippi Kite

Following the White-tailed Kite, let’s explore the Mississippi Kite. These raptors prefer mature bottomland forests with mixed hardwood trees for nesting in central plains and southwest areas . They primarily feed on insects and catch them mid-air. Mississippi Kites nest in trees, adding greenery throughout the season .

Snail Kite

When you’re exploring the Everglades, look out for the snail kite. This raptor is specialized, reliant on the wetland ecosystem.

• Diet: Feeds almost exclusively on apple snails.
• Habitat: Primarily in the Everglades and nearby wetlands.
• Conservation Status: Endangered due to habitat loss and declining snail populations .

Eagles in Florida

Florida boasts both Bald Eagles and Ospreys, demonstrating the success of eagle conservation. The Bald Eagle population in Florida has thrived, ranking third in the nation due to ample nesting sites and efforts to reduce eagle threats. Ospreys, though less common, are also noteworthy. Understanding their migration patterns is crucial for their protection.

Eagle Species	Population Status	Nesting Sites	Migration Patterns
Bald Eagle	Flourishing	Abundant	Partial Migrants
Osprey	Stable	Found Statewide	Resident and Migrant

Raising awareness of these majestic birds and supporting the ongoing conservation work guarantees their continued presence in Florida’s skies.

Falcons in Florida

In Florida, falcons are an exciting group of raptors with a diverse range of appearances and habits. The Merlin is a small falcon, characterized by its powerful build and broad, stocky body, slightly larger than an American Kestrel .

Known for their impressive migrations, Merlins from the north often reach as far as South America, while those in the Pacific Northwest (race suckleyi) follow different patterns .

Regarding habitat, Merlins typically reside in open woodlands, grasslands, and coastal areas. Their diet primarily includes small birds, insects, and occasionally small mammals and reptiles .

Learning to identify these fascinating falcons enriches your understanding of Florida’s dynamic and diverse birdlife .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)