Bird watching in the Florida Keys is a rich and rewarding experience for seasoned birders and casual wildlife enthusiasts alike. Thanks to its tropical climate, diverse ecosystems, and location along the Atlantic Flyway, the Keys are home to hundreds of bird species—both migratory and resident.

Whether you're visiting during spring migration or exploring year-round habitats, the Keys offer birders a unique chance to observe rare and colorful species in one of the most beautiful settings in North America.

Why the Keys Are a Birdwatcher’s Dream

The Florida Keys stretch across a chain of islands, creating an ideal stopover for migratory birds traveling between North and South America. The mix of coastal wetlands, hardwood hammocks, mangroves, and open waters creates a mosaic of habitats for both land and sea birds.

Spring and fall migration seasons (March–May and September–November) are peak times for spotting a wide range of species, but the birding opportunities never truly stop. Even in the heat of summer or the chill of winter, the Keys are home to pelicans, herons, egrets, and more.

Birds You Can Spot in the Keys

Here are just a few feathered friends you might encounter:

• Roseate Spoonbill: Striking pink feathers and a spoon-shaped bill make this one unforgettable.
• Magnificent Frigatebird: Known for its forked tail and red throat pouch (in males), often seen soaring high.
• White-Crowned Pigeon: A rare sighting, often found in the hardwood hammocks.
• Great Egret and Blue Heron: Common, graceful wading birds seen in the shallows.
• Osprey and Bald Eagle: Powerful raptors that nest throughout the region.

Bring your binoculars and camera—this is prime territory for both.

Best Bird-Watching Locations in the Florida Keys

• Curry Hammock State Park (Marathon): A haven for shorebirds and migratory species.
• Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park: Over 84 species have been recorded here, including the white-crowned pigeon.
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (Key Largo): Paddle the mangroves and spot everything from pelicans to ibis along the way.
• National Key Deer Refuge (Big Pine Key): Home to woodland songbirds and other upland species.

Whether you’re walking a trail, paddling a mangrove tunnel, or enjoying a boat tour, you’re never far from a bird sighting in the Keys.

Bird Watching on Tour with Captain Sterling

Captain Sterling’s Everglades Tours are ideal for bird lovers. Glide through the mangroves on our eco-boat tour and spot birds nesting, feeding, and flying across the open sky. Our local guides know the best locations and migratory patterns to help you spot rare species and get the perfect photo.

Many guests join our tours for manatees and gators—but leave raving about the birds. It's one of the hidden gems of our excursions.

Specified Link:
https://www.captainsterling.com/eco-tours

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