What birds will you see in your backyards in Florida? This article will help you identify the most common backyard birds in Florida.
Which backyard birds of Florida can you spot on your birdfeeders and what kind of birds should you look for on the ground? What kind of birdseed should you be using? All these questions will be answered.
This article will help you to identify common backyard birds in Florida for all seasons. We will explain what to look for by color, shape, and size. We will also include a picture so you can refer to this guide when you can’t identify a bird in your backyard.
Depending on the time of year it is, there are over 550 bird species in Florida. The most-seen birds in Florida are Carolina Chickadees, Boated-tailed Grackle, American Robins, American Goldfinch, Carolina Wren, Northern Mockingbirds, Mourning Doves, Northern Cardinals, Eurasian Collared-Dove, and Eastern Towhee.
The official state bird of Florida is the Mockingbird. In 1927, the legislature voted on making this loved songbird the state bird that you will see in Florida year-round.
For more birdwatching in Florida see our articles on Woodpeckers in Florida and Ducks in Florida.
Table of Contents
1. Northern Mockingbird
Scientific Name:Mimus polyglottos Size:10 inches
Description And Field Marks
Mockingbird bodies are grayish brown with white wing bars, (2 on each wing). Their breasts are slightly paler (may look whiteish) than their bodies. Mockingbirds have small heads, long legs, and long thin bills.
Nesting
The male builds several nests in trees and shrubs usually 3 to 10 feet but could go higher. The female will choose which nest she will lay her eggs in.
Northern Mockingbirds lay 2 to 6 eggs which are pale blue or white in color with spots of red or brown. The incubation period is around 2 weeks and the young will remain in the nest for about 2 weeks.
They have between 2 to 3 broods a mating season and the male will continue to feed the young from the first brood when the female will lay eggs for the second brood, which she will choose enough nest for.
Diet
Northern Mockingbirds will eat insects during the summertime and will switch to fruit and berries during the fall and winter.
Habitat
Mockingbirds are very common in Florida. They can be found all over the state. Common places to see them are along your fence, in trees, on scrubs, and on utility lines.
Song And Call
2. Northern cardinals
Scientific Name:Cardinalis cardinalisSize:8.3-9.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
A male cardinal is bright red in color and the female is a brownish color with red on its wings. The male’s crest is also longer than the female’s. They both have a thick finch bill with black around their faces.
The Northern Cardinal is a songbird and males sing from high perches to attract mates. They are very territorial and will defend their territory from other Cardinals
Nesting
These birds like dense, thick foliage like pines, junipers, and shrubs to build their nests in. They average about 3 eggs each spring and the eggs are white but could have a hint of blue, green, or brown to them. The eggs can also have colored speckling of gray, brown, or red. They are incubated for around 11 to 13 days. Both parents will feed their young for a few months until they are able to survive on their own.
Diet
The Northern Cardinal is a seed eater, eating seeds from the ground or off plants. They also eat insects, fruits, and berries when available.
Cardinals are frequent users of feeders and are attracted by wild bird seed mix, black-oil sunflower seeds, and safflower seeds.
Habitat
The Northern Cardinal is one of the most common and popular backyard birds in the eastern half of the United States. The Northern Cardinal is found in Florida year-round.
Bird Note
It is often said that when a “cardinal appears a loved one is near”, so the cardinal brings peace of mind to many.
Song And Call
3. blue jays
Scientific Name:Cyanocitta cristataSize:9.8-11.8 inches
Description And Field Marks
Blue jays are easily identified by their blue feathers, white cheeks, and large crest on top of their head. They are large birds with a wingspan of about 20 inches.
They are loud and noisy, but other birds trust them to notify them of danger. Jays are one of the species that will mob hawks and owls and pin them down in trees, alerting all the birds in the area that a predator is nearby.
Blue jays are brilliant birds and have a wide range of vocalizations. They are known to mimic other birds, animals, and even humans. Blue jays will also use their intelligence to solve problems.
Nesting
Blue Jays build their nest 10 to 25 feet above the ground, mostly in trees by any V branches. However, once I had a blue jay build their nest near the light next to my front door. That was crazy as we couldn’t use our front door during that time because they would dive down at us if we went near the door.
The nest is a cup-like structure made of grass, twigs, and mud. Although both the male and female gather material for the nest, the female does most of the building while the male does most of the gathering.
There are usually 2 to 7 eggs that are light brown in color with darker brown spots on them. The incubation period is 17-18 days and the young remain in the nest from 17 to 21 days.
The nesting season is from March to July. Although the Blue Jay can have 2 broods each season, they usually only have one.
Diet
Blue jay’s diet consists of nuts, fruits, and insects. They will also eat bird seed from backyard feeders and they have been known to steal food from other birds
Jays love whole peanuts. Toss a handful on your lawn or patio and watch what happens. They fly away with their peanuts and leave the feeders alone for a while.
Habitat
Blue Jays are quite common birds in Florida. They can be found in suburban areas, parks, and forests. They can be found year-round in the northeast but they tend to migrate south for the winter months.
Bird Note
Jays have been known to mimic a Red-tailed Hawk call to keep small birds away from a food source, screeching to clear the birds off the bush with the tasty berries and then swooping down into the bush to feed after the competition’s been chased off.
Song And Call
4. red-winged blackbirds
Scientific Name:Agelaius phoeniceusSize:6.7-9.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
The male red-winged blackbird is a large blackbird with white underparts and red wings. It has an orange-red patch on its shoulder and long pointed wings. But not all Red-winged Blackbirds have red wings. Some may have yellow or orange epaulets on their wings.
The female red-winged blackbird is striped and brown-streaked in color.
Red-winged blackbirds are usually active during the day, but they may be seen at night near lights.
Nesting
A red-winged blackbird’s nest is usually in a marsh or near water, but they have also been found on flat roofs and even in chimneys.
Their nest is made of twigs, grasses, and hair. They are lined with finer grasses, rootlets, or horsehair. The female lays 4 to 6 eggs that are a pale blue-green color. They also have black, brown, and purple speckles all over them. They are incubated by both parents for about 12 days. The young leave the nest after 14 days.
Diet
They are known to eat insects and seeds, including corn, wheat, and other grains. They also eat berries from shrubs and trees like elderberry, mulberry, wild grape, or honeysuckle.
Habitat
The red-winged blackbird is seen in Florida all year round and is very common in many of our backyards.
Bird Note
You’ve heard the expression “Birds of a feather flock together”? Always check flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds for Common Grackles, European Starlings, and Brown-headed Cowbirds. These birds are often found together in large flocks.
Song And Call
Red-winged blackbirds can often be heard singing from a perch high in a tree or on power lines.
They have a loud, clear whistle that sounds like “fee-bee” and they also make a variety of cackling and chattering noises.
5. ruby-throated hummingbirds
Scientific Name: Archilochus colibris Size: 3.8 inches
Description And Field Marks
Tiny, brightly-colored bird with a huge bill. Males are bright green with a ruby-red throat and a black facial stripe; the female is bright green above with a white throat. Fast fliers that appear like large bees while in flight.
The hummingbird is one of the few birds that can fly at night because it has excellent eyesight. It uses its long bill to catch insects to eat.
It can fly up to 35 miles per hour. These tiny birds can fly up, down, sideways, and even backward.
Nesting
The Hummingbird’s nest is very tiny, about 2 inches wide and 1 inch deep. It is made in trees about 40 feet high on branches out of thistle, spider silk, and pine resin. It takes the female a little over a week to make.
The female usually lays 2 tiny white eggs. The incubation period is 12-14 days and the young remain in the nest between 18 and 22 days.
Diet
Hummingbirds love bright flowers, and they have Hummingbird bushes that will attract them to your backyard. They will come to special Hummingbird feeders with nectar which is white sugar and water. They sell the nectar in stores, but you can also make it yourself.
Please don’t buy the red colored one as it can be harmful to the birds.
Habitat
Everyone loves to see hummingbirds in their backyards. The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the most common species in Florida. It is easy to identify because of its iridescent red throat and the fact that it can hover like a helicopter while feeding,
Call And Wingbeat
6. American robins
Scientific Name:Turdus migratoriusSize:7.9-11.0 inches
Description And Field Marks
The American Robins has a gray-brown back and wings, with white underparts. It also has a short tail and a pointed bill for catching insects in flight or on the ground. Males have a red patch on their breasts and a black head, throat, and upper chest. Females are duller looking than males with less contrast in colors.
They prefer an open country with scattered trees and shrubs. It is found in a variety of habitats, including farmland, grasslands, parks, yards, and gardens.
Nesting
The American Robin makes its nest in a tree or shrub, usually near water. The female Robin lays four to six eggs and both parents take turns sitting on them. The eggs are solid bright blue in color. The eggs hatch in about two weeks and the chicks leave the nest after another week or so.
Diet
They eat worms and insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and crickets. It also eats fruit and berries in the summer. They don’t do feeders, but love to find bugs and worms in the grass all around your yard.
Habitat
The American Robin is found in eastern North America, from the Maritime Provinces of Canada to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It is also found throughout the United States and southern parts of Canada, including most of Alaska.
The American Robin can be seen year-round in Florida.
Song And Call
They are very early-morning singers. Listen for their call
7. eastern bluebird
Scientific Name: Sialia sialisSize: 6.3-8.3 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Eastern Bluebird is a small size bird that belongs to a family of North American songbirds known as the Turdidae. The Eastern Bluebird is mostly found in farmlands, orchids, gardens, and open woods.
The male bluebird is mostly blue with a rusty color throat and chest. The female is much duller with a grayish head and back and bluish wings and tails. Its breast is light orange-brown and its dirty white belly.
Nesting
Nests are made by the Eastern Bluebird in the holes of trees, like pine and dead trees. The Eastern Bluebird lays three to five eggs at a time and incubates them for around 12 days. The chicks become mature in 12 to 15 days
Diet
It will definitely visit the feeders, the Eastern Bluebird eats small fruits, berries, seeds, and worms. Worms and insects are the major food items for the grown-up Eastern Bluebird.
Habitat
Eastern bluebirds are mostly found in the northern part of the United States. They are also found in Canada and Mexico. They can be seen year-round in Florida.
Song And Call
The Eastern Bluebird produces a beautiful melody with its vocals.
8. red-bellied woodpecker
Scientific Name:Melanerpes carolinusSize:9.4 inches
Description And Field Marks
Red-bellied Woodpeckers can be identified by their red belly (hence the name) and black and white stripes down their back. Male Red-bellied Woodpeckers also have a red cap, but females only have napes of red.
It’s big, it’s loud, and it will peck on your siding.
Nesting
Red-bellied Woodpeckers also build nests in dead trees and make the same nest each year. They lay up to 4-5 eggs on top of wood chips inside the nest cavity. The eggs hatch after about 2 weeks, and the young birds leave the nest after about 4-5 weeks
Diet
Red-bellied Woodpeckers devour spiders, insects, and seeds from grasses, fruits, and nuts. They are especially fond of acorns and beech nuts. In fact, they play an important role in dispersing these seeds since they often cache (or store) more food than they can eat in one sitting.
Loves suet, peanut butter, and peanuts.
Habitat
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are found in all Eastern US states, and they don’t migrate. This means that you can see them in your backyard all year round! They tend to stay close to the ground and can often be found in birdfeeders, specifically in wooded areas.
Call And Drumming
9. Carolina chickadees
Scientific Name:Poecile carolinensisSize:3.9-4.7 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Carolina Chickadee is a tiny bird with a short neck, large head, and long and narrow tail. It has a black cap and bib with white cheeks. The rest of its body is a light gray.
Nesting
Carolina Chickadees nest in nest boxes so if you have these in your backyard you can attract a breeding pair. Both the male and female choose the nest location however the female will add a lining of hair and moss.
The Carolina Chickadee only has one brook per season. The female lays 3 to 10 white eggs with small dots. The incubation period is 12 to 15 days and the young remain in the nest for another 16 to 19 days.
A fun fact about these birds is that more than half of all breeding pairs will stay together for several seasons.
Diet
During the summer, the Carolina Chickadee mostly eats small insects and spiders. They can hang upside down on a tree to get insects from the bark.
During the winter in addition to insects, they will eat from your bird feeders. They like sunflower seeds and suet. They also like peanuts.
Habitat
Carolina Chickadees are found in open areas, woods, parks, cities, and suburban areas.
In Florida, you will see the Carolina Chickadee year-round.
Bird Facts
It’s very hard to tell the difference between the Black-Capped Chickadee and the Carolina Chickadee besides that the Black-capped Chickadee lives in the northern states and the Carolina Chickadee are in the southern states.
The Black-capped Chickadees are a little larger with a longer tail and a brighter white line on their cheek and neck. Their bodies can be darker and more white on their wings. Unless they are side by side you probably won’t be able to tell the difference.
Song And Call
10. yellow-rumped warbler
Scientific Name: Setophaga coronataSize:4.7-5.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The males are dark gray, with white on their wings, and yellow on their faces, sides, and rump. The east coast male could have a white throat instead of the yellow one. The females are duller and could be brown instead of gray with less yellow.
Nesting
Females built their nests in pine trees with materials brought to them by the male. She lays 1 to 6 white-speckled eggs. The incubation period is 12 to 13 days with a nesting period of 10 to 14 days.
Diet
The yellow-rumped warblers eat insects during the summer.
Habitat
In Florida, you will see the yellow-rumped warbler in winter during the non-breeding season as the breed in the north. They like open areas, such as parks, woodland pine forests, dunes, and residential areas.
Song And Call
11. Carolina wren
Scientific Name:Thryothorus ludovicianusSize:4.7-5.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
A lot of birds packed into a tiny body. Carolina Wrens are aggressive and loud and have no issue chasing off larger birds from their neighborhood. Small, brown bird with creamy-colored breasts, distinctive white eye stripe, white wing bars, and a cocked-up tail.
Nesting
The Carolina Wren will nest in any pockets they can find about 3 to 6 feet above the ground. They look for nest pockets on your property such as an old flower pot, stumps, pales, propane covers, etc.
Both the male and female build the nest out of leaves, twigs, grasses, straw, paper, or whatever they can find. They also built several nests and then chooses the one they want. They cover 3 sides of the nest with only an entrance to get in and out.
The Carolina Wren has 1 to 3 broods a mating season and lays 3 to 7 eggs each time.
The eggs can be one of several colors (white, cream, pink) but all have small brown spots on them. The incubation period is about two weeks and the young remain in the nest for an additional two weeks.
Diet
The Carolina wren mostly eats insects and spiders. On occasion, they will eat some plant material and seeds.
Habitat
The Carolina Wren can be found in bushes and trees. It can also be found on the ground.
The Carolina Wren is a common bird and can be seen year-round in Florida.
Song And Call
Carolina Wrens have a lot to say. If you hear something that sounds like a finger running down a comb, that’s a Carolina Wren. The easiest call to learn is the “Tea Kettle, Tea Kettle, Tea Kettle” call.
12. European starling
Scientific Name: Sturnus vulgarisSize: 7.9-9.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
The European Starling is the size of a Robin and from a distance looks all black. However, they have a purplish-green iridescent color to them when you see them up close. Their yellow bill stands out and they have short tails.
You often see them in large flocks with blackbirds and grackles.
Nesting
Starlings will take other birds’ nests and use them as long as they are high off the ground, usually in trees, on streetlights, buildings, or nest boxes. The male will find these nests and will add twigs, pine needles, grasses, and feathers. Females will add greens to the nest before laying 3 to 6 eggs.
Both the male and female will incubate the eggs for a period of around 12 days. The egg color is bluish to greenish white. The young will stay in the nest for about 3 weeks.
Diet
European Starlings eat mostly insects but will also eat fruits. In addition, they will eat seeds, nectar, garbage, and livestock feed.
Habitat
They live where humans are, in towns and cities, and roost in trees and on buildings, also you will see them on wires. They like open fields and lawns and are not far from a water source.
Bird Notes
A fun fact about the European Starling is that all North American birds descended from 100 birds that in 1890 were intentionally released into Central Park in New York City. Today they have a population in North America of over 2 million.
Song And Call
The European starling is a highly sociable bird. It lives in flocks of up to 100 birds, and its calls include whistling and chattering noises.
13. tufted titmouse
Scientific Name:Baeolophus bicolorSize:5.5-6.3 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Tufted Titmouse is a small bird, but a large titmouse. This species is larger than chickadees, about the size of a junco or House Finch. They are stocky birds with dark eyes and crests. Gray on top and white below; some even have a peachy color on their sides.
The Tufted Titmouse is a common and favorite bird for many people in their backyards. They are active all year, but more so in winter when they flock with chickadees and other small birds.
Nesting
The Tufted Titmouse is a cavity nester, which means it will nest in an abandoned woodpecker hole or another hollow.
They will make their nest in a hole in a tree or building. The female Tufted Titmouse lays 4-6 white eggs and incubates them for 11-12 days.
Diet
Tufted Titmouse diet consists of insects, seeds, and berries, and will feed on the ground or in trees. They are often found with Chickadees and love feeders, suet, and shelled peanuts.
Habitat
The Tufted Titmouse is found in the eastern and southeastern United States and is expanding its range northward.
Song And Call
14. downy woodpecker
Scientific Name:Dryobates pubescensSize:5.5-6.7 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Downy Woodpecker is bigger than a junco or House Finch but smaller than a Red-winged Blackbird. It has a black-and-white striped head and black wings with white spots and a solid white back and white underparts. The Downy Woodpecker has a black tail with white outer tail feathers with black bars or spots. The male has a small red spot on the back of his head.
Nesting
Look for their nest in dead trees or live trees with dead areas. They carve out an area large enough for the eggs and the bird. They line the nest only with wood chips. The nest can take weeks to make and is done by both the male and female.
A Downy woodpecker only has one brood each year with 3 to 8 eggs which are white in color. The incubation period is around 12 days with both the male and female taking turns. The young will stay in the nest for around 30 days.
Diet
Mostly Downy Woodpeckers eat insects. The male tends to eat from the ground while the female likes to find insects from branches and in trees. They will also eat seeds, weeds, and fruit.
The Downy Woodpecker will visit your backyard feeders for suet and nuts.
Habitat
The Downy Woodpecker is a common bird found throughout Florida in places where there are trees. You will see them in residential areas, cities, farmland, and wooded areas.
Call And Drumming
15. Baltimore Orioles
Scientific Name: Icterus galbulaSize: 6.7-7.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Baltimore oriole is a common backyard bird. Look carefully for it as it spends most of its time high in the treetops and is often hard to see.
The Baltimore oriole is a medium-sized bird. It has black plumage, orange body feathers, and bright yellow underparts. The male oriole has a large patch of orange on the back of its neck and two black spots on each side of its head.
The female oriole has a black patch on the back of her neck and one spot on each side of her head. The female is duller than the male and sometimes has a brownish tinge to the black feathers.
Nesting
The female builds in nests usually in elm trees, maples, and cottonwoods. The nest changes like a sock from a branch and is woven with slender fibers. The male protects the nest.
The female will lay between 3 and 7 pale grayish eggs. The incubation period is 11 to 14 days and the young will remain in the nest for an additional 11 to 14 days.
Diet
The Baltimore Oriole eats insects and worms. They are also common visitors to feeders, where they will eat fruit and suet, grape jelly, and nectar.
Habitat
In Florida, you will see Baltimore Orioles during the non-breeding season beginning in September through April.
Song And Call
16. house sparrow
Scientific Name:Passer domesticusSize:5.9-6.7 inches
Description And Field Marks
The House Sparrow differs from another American Sparrow as they are not related. They have a rounder head and are chunkier, with a bigger chest, short tails, and thicker bills.
Like most other female birds, she is duller than the male, brown with dirty gray and brown underparts with striped backs in brown, black, and buff.
Male House Sparrows are chunky with a round head, stout bill, and full breasts. Colors include gray crowns, dark brown necks, white cheeks, black bibs, and gray crowns.
Nesting
House sparrows nest in cavities and use various materials to build their nests. They are not known for being picky about where they nest, so if you have a birdhouse or an old nest box in your yard, it might attract house sparrows. House sparrows nest in cavities in trees or buildings.
The female lays 3-8 eggs. The incubation period is 10-14 days and the young stay in the nest for 10 to 14 days.
Diet
They eat seeds, grains, and insects. Sparrows will definitely be at your feeder eating birdseed, sunflower seeds, millet, and milo.
Habitat
The House Sparrow lives where people live. You will find them in cities and towns, in backyards and parks.
Song And Call
17. blue-gray gnatcatcher
Scientific Name:Polioptila caeruleaSize:3.9 to 4.3 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher is about the size of a sparrow with a long tail, thin bill, and long legs. This songbird is pale blue/gray in color with white underparts and a black tail.
Nesting
Both sexes will choose the nest site and build the nest together usually in broadleaf trees. They will build several nests in a breeding season and have between 1 and 2 broods.
There are 3 to 5 eggs for each brood. The eggs are pale blue with some red/brown spots. The incubation period is 11 to 15 days and the nesting period is 10 to 15 days.
Diet
The Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher eats insects such as plant and tree bugs, spiders, beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers. They do not eat seeds or fruits and are not feeder birds.
Habitat
In Florida, you can see the BlueGray Gnatcatcher year-round except for the southern tip of Florida where you will only see them during the non-breeding season.
Song And Call
18. mourning dove
Scientific Name:Zenaida mactouraSize:9.1-13.4 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Mourning Dove is a medium-sized bird from the dove family. It has a rusty brown color and a few black spots above the wings. They can reach up to 12 inches in body length while their wingspan can be up to 18 inches.
Nesting
The pair of Mourning Doves is monogamous and they usually mate for life. They use old nests of other birds or build their own nest on top of a post, tree branch, or even on the ground.
Mourning Doves lay two white eggs and incubate them for 13 days. The male also feeds her during this time. The young will leave the nest after 15-16 days.
Diet
Mourning Doves eat seeds and grains that are found in the backyard. They also eat insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles.
Mourning Doves are one of the vacuums of the bird world, so they don’t eat from feeders but from what falls on the ground when other birds use your feeder.
Habitat
The Mourning Dove is frequent in most parts of the United States.
Song And Call
19. American Goldfinch
Scientific Name:Spinus tristisSize:4.3-5.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
The American Goldfinch is a small, sparrow-sized bird with a short, notched tail.
In Spring and Summer, the male has a bright yellow body, black wings with wing bars, and a heavy, finch-like bill, while the female is less boldly colored. In winter both males and females become dull green-gray and look like female House Finches.
Goldfinches are very social birds and often travel in flocks. They fly in a rolling up-and-down pattern, and their song is high-pitched and mellifluous.
Nesting
Nesting later than most birds in this area (late June), the American Goldfinch hides its nests in thick brushes and shrubs making them very hard to see. The nests look like cup-like structures made of grasses, seeds, and soft materials on top of the twigs in the brushes.
The female lays 2 to 7 eggs which take 12 to 14 days to hatch. The young are fed by the male and stay in the nest for 11 to 17 days. Depending on how late the pair mates, they can mate again having two broods in a season.
Diet
They love Nyjer and sunflower seeds year-round, but will also eat a finch seed blend. Finch feeders have very small openings and can be either rigid feeders or disposable nylon socks.
Habitat
They are year-round residents and are found in most areas of North America. However, those that breed in Canada and the Midwest migrate to the southern US States for winter.
American Goldfinches are spotted in Florida during the non-breeding season from September to April.
Bird Note
In winter, check your finch feeder for Pine Siskins, which look like sparrows with yellowish accents.
Song And Call
20. American crow
Scientific Name: Corvus brachyrhynchosSize: 15.8-20.9 inches
Description And Field Marks
The American Crow is not a crow at all. It is actually a raven, but it has been called the “American Crow” for many years. This all-black bird has shiny feathers. The bill is also black with a hook on the end. The male is slightly more glossy than the female.
The American crow is smaller than the fish crow.
Nesting
The American Crow doesn’t breed until it’s between 2 and 4 years old. The “family” stays together for years, so some of the “kids” will help raise the next year’s brood.
Their nests are in large trees mostly evergreens. Both the male and female will make the nest out of large twigs lined with pine needles. The nest is big around 15 inches across and 7 to 10 inches deep.
They usually lay 3 to 9 eggs which are bluish-green in color with gray and brown blotches at either end.
The incubation period is 16 to 18 days, and the young remain in the nest anywhere from 20 to 40 days.
Diet
The American Crow will eat just about anything including seeds, nuts, worms, and small animals such as mice. They will also steal and eat eggs from other birds like robins, sparrows, loons, jays, and eiders. They will even eat garbage from the dumps.
Habitat
The American Crow can be seen throughout the United States but differ in size by region. In Florida, the American Crow is smaller but has large feet. And the Northwestern Crow, once thought to be a different species are smaller with a deeper voice.
It is common to see them on lawns, open fields, woodlands, parking lots, and in towns as well as in cities.
Bird Notes
The American Crow is an aggressive bird that will chase many large birds like eagles and hawks. Many times you will see them in flocks of up to 1000 birds.
Song And Call
21. common grackle
Scientific Name:Quiscalus quisculaSize:11.0-15.4 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Common Grackle is part of the blackbird family and all blackbirds have iridescent feathers (usually dark blue or purple).
Grackles are often mistaken for crows, but they are much smaller in size and can be distinguished by their long tails and shiny black feathers. They have yellow eyes and their size is larger than a robin.
They are often found in large flocks during the summer months.
Nesting
They nest in colonies and build their nests in trees and bushes that are at least 3 feet off the ground. The female picks the spot of the nest and mostly builds them too but the male will help her.
They usually lay 1 to 7 eggs that can be pearl gray, light blue, or dark brown in color however they usually have brown spots. The incubation period is 11 to 15 days and the young will stay in the nest for 10 to 17 days. The common grown has 1 to 2 broods each year.
Grackles are also known as “possum hawks” because they sometimes prey on the eggs of ground-nesting birds like quail, grouse, and pheasants.
Diet
Grackles are omnivores and eat insects, fruits, seeds, and grains. They can often be seen at backyard bird feeders where they dine on sunflower seeds and cracked corn.
Grackles are very intelligent birds that sometimes use their beaks to turn over rocks in search of insects. You will also find them find at farm fields where they will eat the seeds from corn and rice.
Habitat
Grackles can be found throughout the United States in parks, yards, open fields, and woodlands. They are very adaptable birds that have learned to thrive in cities where they often find food and water.
Song And Call
Grackles can also be heard making a wide range of calls that include whistles and rattling sounds.
22. Eurasian collared dove
Scientific Name: Streptopelia decaocto Size: 11.4-11.8 inches
Description and Field Marks
Bigger and heavier than the mourning dove, the Eurasian collared dove has plump bodies and long tails that are squared off at the tip. Their size is between a robin and a crow.
The Eurasian collared dove is brownish to gray in color with white on its tail. They have a black narrow patch around the nape of the neck. When you see them flying their wingtips are darker than the rest of the wings.
Nesting
Males pick the nest sites and gather the materials while females build the nest about 10 feet off the ground. It’s a simple platform-style nest and will use this nest for many broods (from 3 to 6) during the breeding season. In warm areas such as Florida, the doves will nest year-round.
Each brood has 1 to 2 white eggs with an incubation period of 14 to 19 days and a nesting period of 17 days.
Diet
The Eurasian Collared Dove mostly eats seeds and grains such as millet, wheat, corn, and sunflowers. They will eat seeds from your birdfeeders.
Habitat
They live in urban and suburban areas where they can access birdfeeders. They prefer warmer climates and you can see them in Florida year-round.
Song and call
23. gray catbird
Scientific Name:Dumetella carolinensisSize:8.3-9.4 inches
Description And Field Marks
In the songbird family, the Gray Catbird is mostly gray but has some cinnamon brown under its tail and some black on its cap and tail.
Nesting
Female catbirds build their nest in shrubs, vines, and bushes usually around 4 feet off the ground. Nests are made of twigs, branches, and grass-like materials.
Catbirds can have 2 to 3 broods per mating season with 1 to 6 eggs each. Incubation lasts 12 to 15 days and the young remain with their parents for around 10 days.
Diet
They mostly eat insects, caterpillars, and moths but will also eat fruit and berries. They can become backyard pests if you grow fruit in your yard.
Habitat
Gray catbirds don’t like to fly in open areas so you will most likely see them in small vines, bushes, and trees. You will see them in your backyards so look in the branches of your bushes both in summer and winter.
Song And Call
The Gray Catbird songs all day long and will mimic other birds.
24. song sparrow
Scientific Name:Melospiza melodiaSize:4.7-6.7 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Song Sparrow is a medium size bulky sparrow. Their mostly brown body has streaks of white/light gray throughout. It has a long rounded tail and broad wings.
It’s larger than a chipping sparrow but smaller than a dark-eyed junco.
Nesting
The Song Sparrow nest is made of grass and twigs. They are also lined with hair, feathers, and wool. The nest is usually found in a bush or tree near water. They are not afraid of humans so can nest close to your home on lights or poles and in flower beds.
The Song Sparrows lays one to six eggs. The eggs are either, blue, blue-green, or gray-green with some brown spots on them. The incubation period is 12 to 15 days and the young spend another 9 to 12 days in the nest.
The Song Sparrow can have anywhere between 1 to 7 broods per year.
Diet
It eats insects, seeds, and berries. They will come to your feeders for any kind of seeds or suet.
Habitat
Song Sparrows are very common in Florida. They can be found all over the state.
Sog and call
25. Palm Warbler
Scientific Name: Setophaga palmarum Size: 4.7-5.5 inches
Description and Field marks
This small songbird is larger than most warblers however is the size of a sparrow and smaller than a dark-eyed junco. Their tails and legs are larger than most warblers and they fuller looking bellies.
Palm Warblers are brownish-olive in color with yellow under their throats and yellow tails. Their bellies are yellow and during the breeding season, they have a rusty cap and some rust color on their bellies. Both males and females are similar in color.
nesting
Palm Warblers breed in boreal forests in Canada. Their nests are built on the ground near shrubs. They lay 4 to 5 white eggs with brown and lavender speckles. The pair will stay separately during the breeding season and then will join in flocks.
diet
The Palm Warbler eats insects including beetles, caterpillars, and flies. During the winter months will also head seeds and berries buy from the ground not from a birdfeeder.
To see them in your backyard plant some native plants. They like being on the ground, unlike most warblers.
habitat
Although a very popular bird in Florida, the Palm Warbler is seen during the winter months mostly October to April during the non-breeding season. They fly north during the summer to breed. The best places to find them are in scattered trees and shrubs, by fences and weedy fields.
During the non-breeding season, they flock together with sparrows, ruby-crowned kinglets, pine warblers, and yellow-rumped warblers.
Bird Notes
Although the same species of bird, the Palm Warblers in the east will have yellow bellies as the ones in the west will have white bellies.
song and call
26. Eastern Phoebe
Scientific Name:Sayornis phoebeSize:5.5 to 6.7 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Eastern Phoebe is another songbird with a plump body and large head, It has a dark head with a grayish-brown body. It has a white breasts.
Nesting
Females built the nests usually 15 feet above the ground on roofs, streetlamps, under overhangs, or any place protected from the elements.
She lays 2 to 6 white eggs. The incubation period is about 15 days with a nesting period of 15 to 20 days.
Diet
The Eastern Phoebe eats insects but occasionally will eat seeds.
Habitat
The Eastern Phoebe breeds in North America in wooded areas near water. They are found in Florida year-round.
Song And Call
27. Boat-tailed Grackle
Scientific Name:
Description and field marks
The male boat-tailed grackle is much larger than the female and differs in color. The male is grossly black while the females are dark brown and lighter brown below. They have a v-shaped very long tail and birds on the Florida gulf coast have brown eyes while birds along the Atlantic coast have bright yellow eyes.
nesting
Females build the nest a few feet from the ground to keep them from flooding in marsh areas and along waterways.
Unlike other birds, the males will “dual” with other males such, as deer, moose, and elk, and the “winner” will get to mate with the colony of birds in that area. Often, other males will mate with females away from the colony but the dominant male produces most of the young.
The female lays between 1 and 5 eggs with an incubation period of 13 days and a nesting period of 13 days. They could have up to 2 broods a breeding season.
diet
Boat-tailed grackles are scavengers and will eat anything. Their main source of food is turtles, grains, lizards, arthropods, frogs, seeds, and fruits but they will also eat pet food and food from humans.
Boat-tailed grackles will come feed on your backyard feeders especially if they are platform feeders. They like corn, millet, and sunflower seeds. Some people describe them as nuisance birds because they are loud, their droppings messy and they eat fruit and crops from trees and bushes.
habitat
The boat-tailed grackle is found throughout Florida year-round. The only other places where you find these birds are the coastal areas of the southern states. These birds love freshwater marshes, rivers, lakes, ponds, and saltwater. It is said that you will find boat-tailed grackles within 30 miles of water.
These birds don’t travel and commonly spend their lives within 10 miles of their birthplace.
Song and call
28. Common Yellowthroat
Scientific Name:Geothlypis trichas Size:4.3-5.1 inches
Description And Field Marks
The Common Yellowthroat is another small songbird that has a long tail and round belly. The males have a dark mask with a yellow throat while the females are browner on their heads with a yellow throat and they do not have any black on them.
Nesting
The female builds the nest usually on the ground under bushes. She lays 1 to 6 white eggs with gray, brown, or black spots on them. The incubation period is 12 days and the young stay in the nest for 12 days.
Diet
Common Yellowthroats eat insects from the ground and off leaves, bushes, and flowers.
Habitat
You will usually see them in dense forests but during migration, you will see them in your backyards all year round in Florida.
Song And Call
29. Pine Warbler
Scientific Name:Setophaga pinusSize:5.1-5.5 inches
Description And Field Marks
Yellowish birds with olive backs, the Pine Warblers also have a whitish belly with white wing bars on gray wings. They have a shout bill and the adult males are brighter than the females and immatures which can appear gray-brown. They are smaller birds the size of a sparrow.
Nesting
The Pine Warblers build their nests high in pine trees. The female builds the nest but the male will also helps gather materials. They will have 1 to 2 broods each breeding season.
The female lays between 3 and 5 eggs which are whitish, green, or pale blue in color with brown speckles. The incubation period is 10 to 13 days and the nesting period is 10 days.
Diet
The Pine Warbler is the only warbler that eats seeds. It will eat from your bird feeders, especially during winter. During summer it will also eat fruit bushes and vines and insects.
Habitat
Pine Warblers spend most of their time in pine trees so look there to see them.
In Florida, you will see the Pine Warbler year-round in most of the state except the southern tip of both coasts where there are no pine warblers.
Bird Notes
When the “northern” pine warblers join the “southern” birds you can see them in large flocks of up to 100 birds at a time.
Song And Call
30. Eastern Towhee
Scientific Name:Pipilo erythrophthalmusSize:6.8-8.2 inches
Description And Field Marks
The male has a black head, throat and underparts, reddish-brown sides, and a white belly. The Eastern Towhee also has a long tail and white on its wings especially seen when flying. The female looks basically the same except she has brown whereas the male is black.
Nesting
They build their nests on the ground in the fallen leaves. The female builds the nest and lays 2 to 6 eggs. They can have up to 3 broods each breeding season. The incubation period is 12 to 13 days with a nesting period of 10-12 days.
It is not usual that the brown-headed cowbirds will drop their eggs into the eastern Towhee’s nest. The Eastern Towhee will raise the Brown-headed Cowbirds’ young. Sometimes the cowbirds will take out the Towhee’s eggs so they don’t notice that they have too many eggs in the nest.
Diet
The Eastern Towhee eats fruits, seeds, and insects. They will likely visit your feeders but will take the seed which has fallen to the ground. They are very likely to visit your backyard with you a lot of brush and shrubs.
Habitat
These year-round birds in Florida, where you will see them mostly during the breeding season can be seen on the edges of forests, brushy woodlands, and bushing backyards. Their main area where you can see them is dense scrub cover and leafy areas to scratch around in.
Song And Call
They are known for their common called “chewink”.
31. Florida Scrub-jay
Scientific Name: Aphelocoma coerulescens Size: 9.1 to 11 inches
Description And Field
This beautiful bird is a cousin of the blue jay but is only native to Florida. The Florida Scrub Jay is blue with a pale grayish body and belly and white forehead. It is the size of a robin. It has a long tail and hefty legs
Nesting
Both the male and female are active with nesting as both will collect material and build the nest. They have between 1 and 6 eggs with an incubation period of 16 to 21 days and a nesting period of 12 to 25 days.
Diet
The Florida scrub Jay eats from the ground searching for insects, berries, acorns, and small vertebrates. They open the acorns with their strong bills and when they eat enough they bury the rest in the sand to eat at a later time.
Habitat
The Florida Scrub Jay is only found in Florida in oak scrubs and scrubby flatwoods with sandy soil. They also like open areas with sandy spots.
The number of Florida Scrub Jays is declining and the birds are listed as vulnerable on the IUNC Red List and are federally listed as threatened.
call
32. Northern Flicker
Scientific Name:Colaptes auratus Size:11.0-12.2 inches
Description And Field
The Northern Flicker male and female are similar in color. They both have a rounded head, the bill is curved down and the tail tapers to a long point.
With its gray-brown plumage, Northern Flickers stand out from other woodpeckers in their area. They also have plenty of dark markings on their undersides and brightly colored tail feathers.
Although the same bird their colors differ from the eastern United States (bright yellow wing and tail feathers) and the western US (red wing and tail feathers).
The Northern Flicker is also known as “the woodpecker that doesn’t peck wood.” Instead, it cleans insects from the bark of trees.
Nesting
It nests in holes excavated by other animals, such as squirrels and woodpeckers. It lays 5 to 8 eggs which are all white. They only have one brood per nesting season.
The incubation period is around 2 weeks and the young stay in the nest for about a month.
Diet
Northern Flickers mostly will eat insects that they get from the ground. They will “drum” at the ground as other woodpeckers drum in trees and wood. During the winter months, they will also eat fruits and seeds.
The Northern Flicker is a great backyard bird because it is generally easy to attract and stops in at your suet and peanut feeders, but most likely you’ll see them nesting in old trees.
Habitat
You will see Northern Flickers in city parks and backyards in the suburbs. They will also be in woodlands with open trees, burned forests, swamps, and marshes.
The most common time to see the Northern Flicker is during the spring and summer in Florida but you can see them all year long.
Call And Drumming
The Northern Flicker has a wide range of calls. It has a typical woodpecker-like “drum” and a more musical, gurgling call that is often mistaken for the song of the Red-winged Blackbird.
They make excellent watch birds due to their loud “wicka-wicka-wicka” call that can be heard from quite a distance.
What Are The Best Ways To Attract Backyard Birds?
1. Put Out Bird Feeders
There are many different types of bird feeders available on the market, each designed to attract different types of birds. The most popular bird feeders include tube feeders, hopper feeders, platform feeders, and window feeders.
Tube feeders are long and cylindrical in shape, with small holes near the top where birds can insert their beaks to reach the bird seed inside. Hopper feeders are similar in shape to tube feeders but have a large opening at the top where birds can perch and eat. Platform feeders are flat surfaces with raised edges, upon which birds can land and eat the bird seed placed there. Window feeders are designed to be attached to windows so that birds can eat right up close to your home.
The type of bird food you put inside your birdfeeder will also depend on the type of birds you want to attract. Bird food includes sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. Some tips on how to put out your birdfeeder include using a squirrel-proof design and making sure that the feeder is level so that the seed does not spill out.
2. Add A Water Source
Adding a water source to your backyard is a great way to attract birds. Water is essential for birds, and they will be drawn to any backyard that has a water source. Birdhouses are also a great way to attract birds. Solar fountains are also a good option for attracting birds. These emit a gentle flow of water that will attract birds to your yard.
3. Offer Birdhouses
Building a birdhouse is a great way to attract birds to your yard. There are a few things to consider when building a birdhouse, such as the size and shape of the house, and what type of bird you want to attract.
The most important thing to remember when building a birdhouse is to make sure the entrance hole is the right size for the type of bird you want to attract. If the hole is too small, the bird will not be able to get inside, and if it is too large, predators will be able to get in.
Once you have decided on the size and shape of your birdhouse, you can start construction. It is important that the house is made out of sturdy materials that will withstand weathering and decay. Some good choices for materials include cedar or redwood for the exterior and plywood or pine for the interior.
After your birdhouse is built, you need to decide where to place it. The best location for a birdhouse is in an open area away from trees or other structures that could block access or provide perches for predators. Once you have found the perfect spot for your new house, simply mount it on a pole or post using screws or nails. Make sure that the house is secure so that it does not fall and hurt any birds.
4. Add Native Plants
Native plants are more effective in attracting backyard birds because they provide the birds with the type of food that these birds prefer. By adding native plants to your backyard, you can help promote a healthy ecosystem that supports both bird species and insects. Grow native plants that offer food, shelter, and fruit for the birds. Non-native plants can outcompete native plants and disrupt the ecosystem, so it’s important to select plants that will be beneficial to your backyard birds.
Conclusion
We just covered some of the many backyard birds in Florida. If you want more information on any of these birds or numerous other birds that you can see in Florida, check out theFlorida Audubon Society.
Happy birdwatching!
