Florida
Birding Across Florida's Wetlands & Coastal Landscapes
Florida’s birding is defined by water, from vast inland wetlands to mangrove coastlines and tropical hardwood hammocks. The state’s mix of marshes, estuaries, beaches, and subtropical forests supports an exceptional range of species, including the endemic Florida Scrub‑Jay, Roseate Spoonbill, Limpkin, Snail Kite, and an impressive diversity of wading birds and shorebirds. Seasonal movement brings winter concentrations of waterfowl and raptors, spring migration along both coasts, and year‑round opportunities to explore rich wetland ecosystems.
At this time, our Florida departures are offered as private custom tours only. Stay connected for future updates - join our mailing list to receive news on upcoming offerings and inspiration for your next birding adventure.
Custom Group Tours Available Only
Sample Itinerary:
Florida's Signature Birding Loop (7-8 days)
Miami → Everglades NP → Big Cypress → Florida Keys → (optional Dry Tortugas) → Gulf Coast → Central Florida Wetlands → Space Coast (Merritt Island) → Orlando departure.
Visiting the Everglades, Big Cypress, the Florida Keys, the Gulf Coast, Central Florida wetlands, and the Space Coast to experience the full range of Florida’s specialty birds and subtropical habitats. Most birders add a broad mix of waders, shorebirds, raptors, and regional specialties on this route, with optional access to the world‑class seabird colonies of Dry Tortugas National Park. The Keys provide tropical species and migration potential, while the Space Coast delivers classic wetland birding and Florida Scrub‑Jay.
Target species: Snail Kite, Short-tailed Hawk, Florida Scrub-Jay, Mangrove Cuckoo, Black-whiskered Vireo, White-crowned Pigeon, Limpkin, Purple Gallinule, Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork, Crested Caracara, Smooth-billed Ani (rare), Swallow-tailed Kite (seasonal), Magnificent Frigatebird, Antillean Nighthawk (seasonal, Keys), Sooty Tern / Brown Noddy / Masked Booby (Dry Tortugas only), American Flamingo, and a possibility of Caribbean vagrants such as Key West Quail-Dove, Cuban Pewee, Bahama Mockingbird, and La Sagra's Flycatcher among others. In addition, numerous exotics occur in Florida including, Nanday Parakeet, Common Myna, White-winged Parakeet, Gray-headed Swamphen, Spot-breasted Oriole, and Red-whiskered Bulbul.
Other wildlife: American Crocodile, American Alligator, Manatee, Bottlenose Dolphin, Florida Bay Sharks and Rays, River Otter, Florida Panther, Florida Black Bear, Bobcat, Armadillo, Key Deer, Sea Turtles, Bats, Green Iguanas, Free roaming chickens/roosters.
Best time overall: Dry Season (late Nov-Apr)
Best for migration & Dry Tortugas: Late April-May