Assorted Birds of Florida

Barred Owl - Strix varia

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Although a nocturnal hunter, this owl can often be seen during the day roosting on tree branches. A large bird, the Barred Owl measures 21 inches long with a 3 foot wingspan.

They have round heads with no ear tufts, are brownish-gray in color with brown and white bars across their chest and dark brown eyes. The Barred Owl feeds on small mammals, snakes, lizards, birds and insects. Primary habitat is the woodlands around marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes.

Barn Owl - Tyto alba pratincola

The Barn Owl is found throughout Florida and feeds primarily on rodents in open areas such as pastures, fields and prairies. Barn owls breed from January through June, occasionally laying eggs twice in one year. They build no real nest, laying eggs in tree cavities or in barns and abandoned buildings and may reuse a site from season to season. Females are slightly larger than males at about 16 inches long and a little over one pound in weight.

Great Horned Owl - Bubo virginianus

The Great Horned Owl is native throughout Florida and is the largest of Florida's owls. Body length is up to 25 inches and a wing span to five feet. Great Horned owls prey on a wide variety of animals from fish and snakes to small mammals and birds, taking animals that may be twice or three times their own body weight. The Great Horned Owl is the only large owl in Florida that has "ear tufts".

Crested Caracara - Polyborus plancus

The Crested Caracara is a member of the falcon family and although it may take advantage of opportune small prey on the ground it feeds primarily on carrion. Crested Caracara build large stick nests in trees or on the ground. Considered a threatened species in Florida the Crested Caracara inhabits open woodlands and prairies around Lake Okeechobee.

Red- shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus

This hawk is 17 to 24 inches long with a wingspan to 44 inches and prefers bottomland and mature forests near water. The Florida race of Red- shouldered hawk is generally paler in head and breast coloration than the northern and western varieties. Diet consists of small mammals, birds, large insects, & snakes, which it dives on from a high perch.

Florida Sandhill Crane - Grus canadensis pratensis

A large bird with a length of just over 3 feet and a wingspan of 6 feet, predominately grey, more often stained rusty brown from preening with a muddy bill, red forecrown, white cheeks, relatively short black, straight bill and long, black legs.

Sandhill Crane habitat - Freshwater marshes, pastures, open woodland, frequent visitor to golf courses. Feeds on seeds, tubers, insects, snakes, frogs and the occasional small mammal.

Wood Stork - Mycteria americana

Size - 35 inches long with a wingspan of 66 +/- inches.

Adults head and neck lack feathers showing the black skin underneath. Long, thick, slightly curved bill. The Wood Stork is considered an indicator species, it has evolved to rely on very specific conditions.

A healthy population indicates that the habitat it is associated with is also considered healthy. Since it requires approximately 400 pounds of food to support itself and its hatchlings the Wood storks times its breeding to coincide with the dry season when the receding waters of freshwater marshes force its prey fish into concentrated areas.

Feeling around with its long beak in shallow waters the Wood stork snaps up fish and other small aquatic animals.

Florida Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavo osceola

One of six sub-species of turkey native to North America, the Osceola race is indigenous to the Florida peninsula. Slightly smaller and with darker colors than the Eastern race, adult Toms (males) weigh 16-18 pounds. Preferring open woodlands, turkey eat mostly grains, seeds and acorns, with insects rounding out their diet.

Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres

A short stocky shorebird that gets its name from its characteristic turning of stones and other debris in its search for small crustaceans that form a major part of its diet. Size is 6 - 8 inches, a wingspan of about 20 inches and short orange legs. Wintering along the the coast of Florida, the Ruddy Turnstone is often seen in small groups of birds.

Assorted Birds of Florida

Barred Owl - Strix varia

Click pictures for full sized images

Although a nocturnal hunter, this owl can often be seen during the day roosting on tree branches. A large bird, the Barred Owl measures 21 inches long with a 3 foot wingspan.

They have round heads with no ear tufts, are brownish-gray in color with brown and white bars across their chest and dark brown eyes. The Barred Owl feeds on small mammals, snakes, lizards, birds and insects. Primary habitat is the woodlands around marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes.

Barn Owl - Tyto alba pratincola

Great Horned Owl - Bubo virginianus

Crested Caracara - Polyborus plancus

Red- shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus