There are birds that announce themselves with song, birds that dazzle with color, and birds that move through the world like quiet auditors, taking careful stock of conditions before rendering judgment. The wood stork belongs firmly in the last category. It is not a bird of melody or flamboyance. It is a bird of thresholds—of […]
Birds
Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)
If you spend any amount of time in Florida with your eyes open and your ears unguarded, you will eventually encounter the boat-tailed grackle. You may first notice it as a sound rather than a sight—a metallic skree, a liquid creak, or what can only be described as a rusty gate being opened by a […]
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
If Florida had an official sound of wetlands—something you’d hear before you even saw the water—it would be the voice of the red-winged blackbird. That liquid, emphatic konk-la-ree! pours out of cattails, fence posts, sawgrass, and roadside ditches with such insistence that it feels less like birdsong and more like an announcement. A proclamation. A […]
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)
If you spend enough mornings wandering Florida’s edges—causeways at dawn, mangrove shorelines at low tide, the quiet backwaters of a river just lifting its veil of fog—you will eventually encounter the double-crested cormorant. You may not notice it at first as special. It is not showy like a roseate spoonbill or theatrically elegant like a […]
American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)
These birds are becoming increasingly common in Myakka River State Park, particularly at Deep Hole.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
There are Carolina Wrens all over Sarasota, and if you can’t see them, you can hear them. They are relatively tame, and tend to fly into houses to check things out more than any other bird.
Black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
You’ll often hear whistling ducks in the trees at night, and flying around at certain times a day. Once you become familiar with the whistle, you’ll be able to spot them easily.
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
We don’t see these often around Sarasota, but keep an eye out further south along the barrier islands.
Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
Arguably the prettiest bird around these parts, it shows up late February and heads back south in September. They can be seen in Myakka Park and flying over I75.
American Coot (Fulica americana)
American white ibis (Eudocimus albus)
Greetings, birdwatchers and nature lovers! Today, we’re setting our sights on one of Florida’s most charming and entertaining residents: the American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus). With their graceful movements and quirky behavior, these birds are the comedians of the wetland world, always ready to put on a show. So, grab your binoculars and prepare to […]
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)
These birds are quite common in Sarasota, and can often be seen with non-breeding colors with the head less black and more mottled gray.
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Painted bunting (Passerina ciris)
Felts Preserve is perhaps the only place near Sarasota where you can consistently see these birds in season (winter).
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)
Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)
Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)
This small, ground-dwelling owl, with its bright yellow eyes and expressive eyebrows, has captured the hearts of nature enthusiasts and bird watchers alike. Found in open prairies, pastures, and even suburban areas, the Burrowing Owl is a captivating presence in Florida’s diverse landscapes. Let’s dive into the life, habits, and significance of this delightful owl, […]