Feathered Friends

Coastal Florida is a paradise for bird enthusiasts both serious and casual. Large wading birds frequent our yards all year round, and colorful songbirds visit us in winter. The following are a few of our favorite winged residents.

Snowy Egret

Slightly larger than the cattle egret, the snowy egret is characterized by bright yellow feet and a black bill. This bird was once hunted extensively for its beautiful long, white breeding plumage, but populations have rebounded significantly.

Bald Eagle

When it comes to bald eagle populations, Florida takes a back seat only to Alaska. It is not at all uncommon to spot a bald eagle soaring over Indian River County. Though at first glance it is possible to mistake an osprey for a bald eagle, just keep a sharp eye out for the eagle’s pure-white head and hooked yellow bill.

Little Blue Heron

This methodical wading predator is larger than a cattle egret but much smaller than a great blue heron. Its feathers include slate blue, maroon and purplish hues.

White Ibis

The ubiquitous white ibis is seen in and near shallow water, often in yards, and usually in groups. Its long, curved, reddish-orange bill and similarly colored legs make it unmistakable. Its feathers are all white except for black wingtips that are visible only when the bird is in flight. Juveniles have patchy brown feathers, which serve as camouflage until the bird matures.

Great Egret

There’s no mistaking the tall, graceful egret — a type of heron — with its long, slender neck, perfectly white feathers, black legs and straight yellow bill. The great egret exceeds 3 feet in height and possesses a wingspan of more than 4 feet. It is often spotted in or near shallow water, stalking fish slowly and intently. It also eats frogs and other small critters.

Cattle Egret

Though smaller than the great egret, the cattle egret is likewise all white, except for some buff-colored plumage during breeding season. Just under 2 feet in height, the cattle egret is seen in open fields and yards. Its name derives from its practice of hanging out around (or even on) grazing cattle, eating the insects they stir up.

Great Blue Heron

Even taller than the great egret, and possessing a 6-foot wingspan, the great blue heron is an attention getter. But if you’re trying to photograph one, be sure to have a zoom lens, because if you get too close, this bird will fly off with an irritated squawk. Its hunting behavior is similar to that of its relative the great egret.

Osprey

This raptor, seen frequently in our area, feeds almost exclusively on fish, which it snatches from the water after a 30to 100-foot dive and then carries off in its talons. Osprey nests are large and often built atop poles and dead trees, making them easy to spot.

Pelican

While brown pelicans can be spotted fishing or perching on docks at any time of year, the larger white pelican, whose wingspan can exceed 9 feet, is literally a snowbird, residing here in the winter. Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge offers a bird’s-eye view of the Pelican Island rookery in the Indian River Lagoon.

Cormorant and Anhinga

These are the birds often seen with their wings outstretched, seemingly in an act of flamboyant sunbathing. In fact, these water birds possess less preen oil than other birds, so they frequently have occasion to dry their wings. Due to this shared behavior, it is easy to get these two birds mixed up. Perhaps the most noticeable distinguishing feature is that the cormorant’s bill is curved at the end, while the anhinga’s is straight.

Sandhill Crane

There’s nothing like a sandhill crane. For one thing, it is 4 feet tall, with a wingspan exceeding 6 feet. Then there’s its red forehead and its tendency to stroll terrifyingly close to hightraffic areas and cross streets on foot, a perplexing habit for a bird. Finally, the sandhill crane’s rattling trumpet-like call is difficult to describe, but once heard, it is not soon forgotten.

Roseate Spoonbill

Without a doubt, this bright pink bird is a favorite of many residents and visitors alike. Its vibrant color comes from the crustaceans that make up most of its diet. The bill, with its wide, flat tip, almost calls to mind that of a platypus. Larger than a white ibis, the spoonbill can be seen foraging in shallow waters.

Pileated Woodpecker

With its impressive size, brilliant red crest and boisterous vocalizations, the pileated woodpecker is not easily overlooked. At 16 to 19 inches long, it is the largest woodpecker in North America and one of the largest in the world. While two similar but larger North American species are believed extinct, the pileated woodpecker is adaptable and enjoys a wide range. In the Southeastern United States, pileated woodpeckers are common year-round.