Florida supports one of the richest and most distinctive communities of birds of prey in North America, ranging from widespread species such as Turkey Vulture and Red-shouldered Hawk to wetland specialists like Snail Kite and Osprey, as well as regional specialties including Swallow-tailed Kite, Crested Caracara, and Burrowing Owl. The state’s extensive marshes, swamps, prairies, forests, lakes, and coastlines provide habitat for raptors adapted to a wide variety of ecological niches, from fish-eating and scavenging to aerial hunting and woodland ambush. Seasonal movements further shape this community, with wintering species such as Northern Harrier and migrant American Kestrels adding to the diversity. This guide highlights the most characteristic and regularly encountered birds of prey in Florida, focusing on identification, distribution, and seasonal patterns across the state’s varied landscapes.
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
- Identification: Large dark vulture with long, broad wings, a relatively long tail, a featherless red head in adults, and silvery underwings that contrast with darker wing coverts.
- Where found: Widespread throughout Florida in open and semi-open habitats, including forests, pine woods, pastures, highways, coastal areas, and the Florida Keys.
- How to spot: Look for birds soaring with wings held in a shallow “V,” rocking from side to side with few wingbeats as they glide over the landscape in search of carrion.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); common across Florida, with large winter concentrations as migrants join the resident population.
The Turkey Vulture is the most frequently observed large bird of prey in Florida and the state’s most widespread scavenger, playing an important ecological role by removing animal carcasses from the landscape. Adults measure 64 to 81 centimeters (25.2 to 31.9 inches) in length and have a wingspan of 150 to 200 centimeters (59.1 to 78.7 inches). The species has long, broad wings, a relatively small head, and a long tail that gives it a slender, buoyant appearance in flight. Adults appear dark brown to blackish overall, with silvery flight feathers that contrast with the darker wing coverts below. The featherless head is red in adults, and the pale hooked beak stands out at close range.
In the field, the Turkey Vulture is most readily identified by its distinctive soaring flight. It glides for long periods on thermals with its wings held in a shallow “V,” often rocking from side to side and rarely giving more than a few wingbeats. Birds frequently fly low over open country while searching for carrion and use both their sharp eyesight and highly developed sense of smell to locate food. The species feeds primarily on the carcasses of mammals but also scavenges birds, reptiles, fish, and other dead animals when available. Turkey Vultures are usually silent away from the nest, although they may produce hisses or low grunts at carcasses or roost sites. Some of the largest Turkey Vulture roosts recorded anywhere occur in Florida, including major concentrations around Lake Okeechobee.
The Turkey Vulture occurs throughout Florida and is a permanent year-round resident, including in the Florida Keys. It occupies a wide variety of habitats, ranging from open pine woods and forests to pastures, highways, coastal areas, and developed landscapes where carrion is readily available. Nesting sites are typically hidden in dense saw palmetto stands, hollow logs, abandoned buildings, caves, or other sheltered locations rather than in exposed stick nests. During autumn, large numbers of migrants from northern populations move through the state, and winter concentrations become especially impressive as resident and migrant birds gather together. The species remains common across the state and adapts well to human-altered landscapes, although poisoning, lead exposure, habitat change, and direct persecution continue to pose localized threats.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
- Identification: Medium-sized hawk with broad, rounded wings, a relatively long, strongly banded tail, and rich reddish barring on the underparts; adults show pale translucent crescents in the wings during flight.
- Where found: Widespread across Florida in wooded habitats, especially cypress swamps, river bottomlands, and other forested wetlands, but also hunts in more open areas with scattered trees.
- How to spot: Watch for a vocal hawk soaring over woodland territories while giving repeated “kee-yar” calls, or perched low as it scans for prey before dropping to the ground.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); common and numerous in Florida, though loss and fragmentation of wooded habitats remain ongoing concerns.
The Red-shouldered Hawk is the state’s most widespread and numerous hawk and one of the most important woodland predators, helping regulate populations of amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and other small vertebrates. The species measures 43 to 61 centimeters (16.9 to 24.0 inches) in length and has a wingspan of 94 to 111 centimeters (37.0 to 43.7 inches). It has broad, rounded wings and a relatively long tail marked with bold dark-and-light bands. Adults show rich reddish barring across the underparts, rusty tones on the shoulders and wing coverts, and pale translucent crescents near the wingtips that are especially noticeable in flight.
Red-shouldered Hawks are often detected by their loud, repeated “kee-yar” calls, which frequently carry across swamps, river corridors, and wooded neighborhoods. Pairs are particularly conspicuous during the breeding season when they circle above territories, calling persistently and performing undulating display flights. The species usually hunts by still-hunting from a low perch, watching for prey before dropping quickly to the ground, although it also uses low, coursing flights through woodland openings and adjacent open habitats. Its diet in Florida consists largely of easily captured prey, including frogs, toads, snakes, rodents, and small birds. In flight, it typically soars with broad wings held flat, and its long, banded tail contributes to a distinctive silhouette over forested landscapes.
The Red-shouldered Hawk occurs throughout Florida and nests in a wide variety of woodland habitats. It is particularly associated with cypress swamps, river bottomlands, and other forested wetlands, but it also uses pine flatwoods, mixed woodlands, and open areas with scattered trees where hunting perches are available. Most Florida birds are year-round residents, but numbers increase in fall as migrants arrive from more northern parts of the species’ range. The hawk is common across both the Panhandle and peninsula, including much of south Florida and the Florida Keys. It remains one of the state’s most abundant raptors and was recorded across the vast majority of surveyed breeding atlas blocks. Its continued success reflects its adaptability and broad habitat use, although ongoing development and fragmentation of wooded habitats may reduce suitable nesting and hunting areas in parts of the state.
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
- Identification: Large raptor with long, narrow wings, brown upperparts, mostly white underparts, a white head with a dark eye stripe, and dark wrist patches visible in flight.
- Where found: Widespread across Florida along coasts, bays, estuaries, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, marshes, and other fish-bearing waters.
- How to spot: Look for its steady flight over water, often with bowed wings, hovering briefly before plunging feet-first to catch fish.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); common and increasing in Florida following a strong recovery from historic pesticide-related declines.
The Osprey is one of Florida’s most recognizable birds of prey and the state’s foremost fish-eating raptor, occupying nearly every major aquatic habitat from inland lakes to coastal estuaries. Adults measure 54 to 58 centimeters (21.3 to 22.8 inches) in length and have a wingspan of 150 to 180 centimeters (59.1 to 70.9 inches). The species has long, relatively narrow wings, a slim body, long legs, and a small head, giving it a distinctive angular appearance in flight. Adults are dark brown above and mostly white below, with a white head marked by a bold dark eye stripe. The underwings are largely white with contrasting dark wrist patches, and the breast is usually white, sometimes showing variable brown speckling.
In the field, Ospreys are most often identified by flight style and fishing behavior. Individuals fly with steady wingbeats and frequently hold their wings in a slightly bowed shape, creating a distinctive M-shaped silhouette. Birds often circle over water or hover briefly before plunging feet-first to seize fish near the surface. Fish make up nearly all of the diet, although other prey is occasionally taken. Ospreys are especially conspicuous during the breeding season, when they perch on exposed snags, poles, channel markers, and other elevated structures while giving a series of clear, whistling calls. Their highly specialized fishing behavior and close association with water make them among the easiest Florida raptors to identify.
The Osprey is a widespread breeding bird throughout Florida. It occurs along both coasts, around Florida Bay, throughout the central lakes region, and across inland rivers, reservoirs, marshes, swamps, and impoundments. Suitable habitat combines open water with abundant fish and elevated nesting sites, including dead trees, broken-topped live trees, mangrove islands, channel markers, power poles, radio towers, bridges, and specially constructed nesting platforms. Many Ospreys in peninsular Florida south of the 29th parallel are year-round residents, making them unusual among eastern North American populations, while additional migrants pass through or winter in the state. Osprey populations in Florida have increased substantially since the ban on DDT, and the species has expanded into many inland areas while readily adapting to human-made nesting structures. It is now common across much of the state, although shoreline development, nest entanglement hazards, and localized environmental contamination remain ongoing concerns.
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
- Identification: Medium-sized black vulture with broad wings, a very short tail, a bare gray-black head, and distinctive white patches on the outer wings visible in flight.
- Where found: Occurs across most of Florida in open country, forests, farmland, roadsides, and developed areas, but rare in the Florida Keys.
- How to spot: Watch for compact vultures soaring with flat wings and a short tail or flying with alternating strong wingbeats and short glides, often in groups.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); common and increasing, though threats include collisions, poisoning, lead exposure, and loss of nesting sites.
The Black Vulture is another common large raptor in Florida and a highly social obligate scavenger that helps remove animal carcasses from a wide variety of habitats. Adults measure 60 to 68 centimeters (23.6 to 26.8 inches) in length and have a wingspan of 137 to 150 centimeters (53.9 to 59.1 inches). The species has broad wings, a very short, squarish tail, and a relatively small head, creating a compact silhouette that contrasts with the longer-tailed Turkey Vulture. Adults are entirely black, with a bare gray-black head and a strongly hooked beak. In flight, the undersides of the outer primaries show bold whitish patches that stand out against the otherwise dark wings.
Black Vultures are typically identified by their compact build and purposeful flight style. Individuals often soar high on thermals but use more frequent wingbeats than Turkey Vultures, alternating strong flaps with short glides while holding wings nearly flat. The species locates food primarily by sight and by watching other scavengers, frequently following Turkey Vultures to carcasses. It feeds mainly on carrion found along roadsides, open countryside, and at landfills, although it occasionally takes live prey such as young mammals and birds. Black Vultures are highly social and commonly gather in groups at feeding sites and communal roosts, where they may displace other scavengers.
The Black Vulture is a permanent resident across most of Florida but is rare in the Florida Keys. It nests on the ground in secluded locations, including wooded habitats, saw palmetto thickets in open pinewoods, caves, rock crevices, and abandoned buildings. Although breeding sites are often hidden, the species regularly forages in open landscapes where carcasses are easy to locate. Florida supports some of the densest Black Vulture populations in North America, and the species is common throughout much of the state. It adapts well to human-altered environments, but collisions, poisoning, lead exposure, and the loss of suitable nesting and roosting sites remain localized threats.
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
- Identification: Very large eagle with a heavy body, broad wings, and a massive hooked beak; adults show a striking white head and tail that contrast with the dark brown body and wings.
- Where found: Widespread across Florida near lakes, rivers, wetlands, marshes, reservoirs, and coastal waters, with the highest nesting densities in central and southern parts of the state.
- How to spot: Look for slow, powerful wingbeats, long periods of soaring with wings held flat, and large birds perched in tall trees or near open water.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations have recovered strongly in Florida, though habitat loss, collisions, pollution, and lead exposure remain ongoing concerns.
The Bald Eagle is Florida’s largest and most iconic bird of prey and the state’s dominant aquatic predator and scavenger. The species measures 71 to 96 centimeters (28.0 to 37.8 inches) in length and has a wingspan of 168 to 244 centimeters (66.1 to 96 inches). It has a heavy body, broad wings, a large head, and a massive hooked beak that create a commanding silhouette both in flight and at rest. Adult birds are unmistakable, with a dark brown body and wings contrasting sharply with a white head and tail. The beak, cere, legs, feet, and eyes are bright yellow. Immature birds are mostly dark brown with varying amounts of white mottling and gradually acquire the adult pattern as they mature.
Bald Eagles are usually identified by their great size and powerful flight. They fly with slow, deliberate wingbeats and frequently soar or glide on broad wings held flat. Birds often perch in prominent locations overlooking water and may soar high while searching for prey or fly low over shorelines and wetlands. They are opportunistic hunters and scavengers that feed primarily on fish but also take waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion when available. Bald Eagles are well known for stealing prey from other birds, particularly Ospreys, and they may dominate vultures and other scavengers at feeding sites. Their vocalizations are high-pitched and include a variety of chattering and gull-like calls, especially near nests.
The Bald Eagle is widespread across Florida, where many breeding birds are year-round residents, while others migrate north after the breeding season and are replaced by wintering birds from more northern populations. The species is closely associated with large bodies of water and typically nests in tall pines or cypress trees near lakes, rivers, marshes, reservoirs, and coastal habitats. In southern Florida, mangroves may also be used for nesting, and some pairs occupy suburban landscapes where suitable nest trees remain. Florida supports the densest Bald Eagle population of any state outside Alaska, with particularly high nesting concentrations in the St. Johns River basin, the central Florida lake systems, the Lake Okeechobee region, the Gulf Coast, and coastal portions of Everglades National Park. The species represents one of Florida’s greatest conservation successes, recovering from severe historical declines caused largely by DDT and persecution. Although populations are now stable and increasing, continued shoreline development, habitat loss, collisions, pollution, and lead exposure remain important threats.
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
- Identification: Large, stout-bodied hawk with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail; many adults show a reddish tail and dark markings along the leading edge of the underwing.
- Where found: Occurs across most of Florida in mixed forest, farmland, woodland edges, open country, and residential areas, but uncommon near the southern tip of the peninsula and in the Florida Keys.
- How to spot: Watch for a broad-winged hawk perched on power poles, fence posts, snags, or isolated trees, or soaring in wide circles while giving its familiar hoarse scream.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are considered secure, and the species remains an uncommon to common breeding hawk across most of Florida.
The Red-tailed Hawk is the state’s largest breeding hawk and one of the most frequently encountered open-country predators, using elevated perches to hunt across a wide range of landscapes. It measures 45 to 65 centimeters (17.7 to 25.6 inches) in length and has a wingspan of 114 to 133 centimeters (44.9 to 52.4 inches). The species has a stout body, broad, rounded wings, and a short, wide tail that create the classic buteo silhouette. Plumage is highly variable, but many adults show a reddish upper tail that is especially noticeable in flight. Light-morph birds are generally brown above and paler below, often with darker streaking across the belly and dark markings along the leading edge of the underwing, while juveniles lack the characteristic red tail.
In the field, Red-tailed Hawks are often found by their behavior as much as by their markings. They commonly perch in prominent locations, including solitary trees, snags, utility poles, and fence posts, where they watch for prey before dropping onto it. Their flight is deliberate, with slow wingbeats and frequent soaring on thermals, and they often circle high above open country while giving a loud, hoarse scream. The species is an opportunistic predator whose diet in Florida is dominated by small mammals such as mice, rats, squirrels, and rabbits, although birds and reptiles are also taken when available.
The Red-tailed Hawk is a widely distributed species across most of Florida and is a familiar sight throughout much of the state. It is most common in landscapes that combine open foraging areas with nearby woodlands, including mixed forest and farmland, woodland-grassland mosaics, wooded uplands, residential areas, and scattered tree islands. In Florida, the species also nests in cypress tree islands, Australian pine shelter-belts, and occasionally on power poles. It is uncommon near the southern tip of the peninsula and rare in the Florida Keys. The Red-tailed Hawk remains an uncommon to common resident across most of the state and adapts well to human-altered landscapes where suitable nesting sites and abundant prey remain available.
Cooper’s Hawk
Astur cooperii
- Identification: Medium-sized woodland hawk with short, rounded wings, a long, rounded tail, blue-gray upperparts and rufous barring below in adults, and brown upperparts with streaked whitish underparts in juveniles.
- Where found: Occurs mainly in northern parts of Florida, where it occupies forests, woodlots, and wooded residential areas with nearby clearings.
- How to spot: Watch for a fast, agile hawk flying with a flap-flap-glide pattern or darting low through trees in pursuit of birds; listen for repeated sharp “cak-cak-cak” calls near nesting areas.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations have recovered strongly, although the species remains uncommon and local in Florida.
The Cooper’s Hawk is an agile woodland predator that specializes in hunting birds and is one of Florida’s fastest and most maneuverable raptors. It measures 37 to 45 centimeters (14.6 to 17.7 inches) in length and has a wingspan of 62 to 90 centimeters (24.4 to 35.4 inches). The species has the classic accipiter shape, with short, rounded wings and a long, rounded tail that allows rapid turns through dense vegetation. Adults are blue-gray above with warm rufous barring across the underparts and a dark, banded tail, while juveniles are brown above with crisp brown streaking on whitish underparts.
Field identification often depends as much on behavior as on plumage. Cooper’s Hawks typically fly with several rapid wingbeats followed by a short glide, creating the familiar flap-flap-glide pattern of woodland accipiters. When hunting, they use trees, shrubs, and other cover to approach unseen before accelerating in a sudden burst after prey. Their diet in Florida consists mainly of birds, including doves, jays, cardinals, mockingbirds, quail, and other small to medium-sized species, although small mammals are also taken. The species is highly maneuverable in flight and is well adapted for chasing prey through forests and along woodland edges. Around nesting territories, adults often give repeated sharp “cak-cak-cak” alarm calls.
In Florida, the Cooper’s Hawk is an uncommon and rather sparsely distributed breeding species across the northern two-thirds of the state, reaching south to Highlands County. It nests primarily in deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests with relatively closed canopies that are broken by clearings or other open areas used for hunting. Pairs place their stick nests in trees, often near woodland edges where prey is abundant. The species is secretive and can be difficult to detect during the breeding season despite its presence in suitable habitat. Although it has adapted well to wooded residential landscapes elsewhere in North America, it remains local and uncommon in Florida, where the availability of suitable forest habitat influences its distribution.
Barred Owl
Strix varia
- Identification: Large gray-brown owl with a rounded head, dark eyes, a well-defined facial disc, and brown-and-white barred and streaked plumage.
- Where found: Widespread across most of Florida in moist woodlands, cypress swamps, river corridors, prairie hammocks, bayheads, and mixed forests with nearby water.
- How to spot: Listen for its familiar “Who cooks for you?” call, often heard from dusk through the night and sometimes during the day, or look for a broad, rounded owl perched quietly in dense woods.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations appear stable, and the species remains common across suitable habitats in Florida.
The Barred Owl is Florida’s best-known owl and one of the state’s most important nocturnal predators, hunting a remarkably wide variety of prey in wooded habitats. The species measures 43 to 50 centimeters (16.9 to 19.7 inches) in length and has a broad body, a rounded head without ear tufts, dark brown eyes, and a well-developed facial disc. Its plumage is patterned in gray-brown and buff, with horizontal barring across the upper breast that changes to bold vertical streaking on the belly and sides. The overall appearance is softly mottled, providing excellent camouflage among tree trunks and shaded woodland interiors.
Barred Owls are usually detected by their voices rather than by sight. Their best-known call, often described as “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?,” carries through forests, swamps, and river bottoms and is frequently heard from dusk until dawn. Unlike many other Florida owls, they also vocalize regularly during the daytime. The species hunts mainly at dusk and during the night, moving silently through the forest or waiting on elevated perches before dropping onto prey. Its diet is exceptionally varied and includes small mammals, frogs, snakes, lizards, birds, fish, crayfish, crabs, and large insects, and it may even forage in shallow water or hunt around open fields and small settlements.
The Barred Owl is a widespread, year-round resident species in Florida and occurs nearly statewide wherever suitable woodland habitat remains. It is especially associated with moist forests, cypress swamps, prairie hammocks, bayheads, and wooded corridors along rivers, streams, and creeks, typically where a nearby water source is available. The species also uses mixed woodlands in suburban areas and nests in tree cavities or abandoned hawk and squirrel nests. It is absent from the Everglades, the heavily agricultural landscapes south of Lake Okeechobee, and the Lower Keys, where appropriate breeding habitat is limited. The Barred Owl remains common across suitable habitats in Florida, and its adaptability to a variety of wooded wetlands and forests has helped it persist across much of the state.
Northern Harrier
Circus hudsonius
- Identification: Slender hawk with long wings, a long tail, an owl-like facial disk, and a conspicuous white rump patch; adult males are gray and white with black wingtips; females and immatures are brown with buffy or streaked underparts.
- Where found: Occurs across most of Florida in open habitats, especially marshes, prairies, grasslands, pastures, and wet meadows, primarily during the winter months.
- How to spot: Watch for a low-flying hawk coursing back and forth over open country with wings held in a strong “V” and a bright white rump patch visible from a distance.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); abundant as a winter visitor in Florida, but shows long-term global population declines linked to habitat loss and wetland degradation.
The Northern Harrier is the state’s characteristic low-flying marsh hawk and a specialized predator of open landscapes, using both sight and hearing to locate prey hidden in vegetation. This species measures 46 to 50 centimeters (18.1 to 19.7 inches) in length and has a wingspan of 102 to 118 centimeters (40.2 to 46.5 inches). It has a slim body, long, fairly broad wings, a long tail, and long slender legs that give it a light, buoyant appearance in flight. Adult males are gray above and mostly white below with black wingtips, while females and immatures are brown with buffy or streaked underparts. All ages show a conspicuous white rump patch, and the pronounced facial disk gives the bird an owl-like appearance.
In the field, Northern Harriers are usually identified by their distinctive hunting behavior. Individuals fly low over marshes, grasslands, and fields with slow wingbeats and buoyant glides, holding their wings in a strong dihedral or “V” and weaving back and forth just above the vegetation. The species relies on both vision and hearing to detect prey, using its facial disk to help locate animals hidden below. Small mammals form the bulk of the diet, but birds, reptiles, and frogs are also taken. Harriers may occasionally hover briefly before dropping onto prey, and during migration they are often encountered singly crossing open country.
In Florida, the Northern Harrier is an abundant winter visitor that occurs across most of the state in suitable open habitats. Marshes, wet prairies, grasslands, improved pastures, and other broad expanses of low vegetation provide important hunting areas during the non-breeding season. Small numbers may remain into summer, particularly in parts of south-central Florida and the Big Bend region, but breeding has never been clearly confirmed in recent decades and appears to be, at most, very rare and irregular. The species remains one of the most frequently encountered winter raptors in Florida’s open landscapes, although the long-term loss of wetlands and grasslands across North America continues to affect overall populations.
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
- Identification: Small, slender falcon with long pointed wings, a relatively long tail, warm rufous upperparts, pale underparts, and bold black facial markings; males have slate-blue wings; females are heavily barred rufous above.
- Where found: Occurs in open habitats across Florida, including pine savannas, sandhills, pine flatwoods, farmland, pastures, and suburban landscapes with scattered perches and nesting cavities.
- How to spot: Look for birds perched on utility wires, poles, fence posts, or isolated trees, or hovering over open ground while searching for prey and giving repeated “killy” calls.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); the resident southeastern subspecies has declined and is listed as Threatened in the state.
The American Kestrel is the smallest bird of prey in Florida and a colorful predator of open country that hunts insects, lizards, and small vertebrates from exposed perches. It measures 22 to 31 centimeters (8.7 to 12.2 inches) in length and has a wingspan of 51 to 61 centimeters (20.1 to 24.0 inches). The species has long, pointed wings, a relatively long tail, large dark eyes, and a compact hooked beak that create the classic falcon silhouette. Adults are strongly sexually dimorphic: males have slate-blue wings and a mostly unbarred rufous tail, while females are predominantly rufous above with heavy black barring across the wings and tail. Both sexes show two bold black facial marks that stand out against the pale face.
In the field, the American Kestrels are most often seen perched conspicuously on utility wires, poles, fence posts, snags, or isolated trees overlooking open ground. Individuals commonly hunt by watching from these elevated perches before dropping onto prey, although they also hover into the wind with rapid wing adjustments while keeping head steady. Large insects make up much of the diet in Florida, but lizards and other small vertebrates become especially important during the nesting season. The species also captures prey on the wing and often announces its presence with a rapid, repeated “killy” call that carries across open landscapes.
In Florida, two subspecies of American Kestrel occur. The northern subspecies winters throughout the state between September and April, while the smaller southeastern American Kestrel is a year-round resident. The resident population is associated mainly with open woodlands, longleaf pine savannas, sandhills, pine flatwoods, farmland, pastures, and even suburban golf courses and residential areas where suitable hunting habitat and nesting cavities remain available. Kestrels depend on cavities created by woodpeckers and readily use nest boxes where natural sites are scarce. The resident southeastern subspecies is now found primarily along the central sandy ridges from Suwannee County south to Highlands County and has undergone a substantial decline because of habitat loss, the removal of nesting snags, and the conversion of open pine habitats and sandhills to agriculture and development.
Swallow-tailed Kite
Elanoides forficatus
- Identification: Medium-sized, slender raptor with long pointed wings, a deeply forked tail, and striking black-and-white plumage.
- Where found: Occurs across Florida in swamps, floodplain forests, river corridors, hardwood hammocks, bayheads, sloughs, mangroves, and other wooded wetlands.
- How to spot: Look for graceful soaring with very few wingbeats, constant tail adjustments, and low, acrobatic flights over treetops while hunting.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); Florida supports most of the North American population, but habitat loss remains the species’ principal threat.
The Swallow-tailed Kite is one of Florida’s most spectacular birds of prey and an elegant aerial hunter that captures much of its food while on the wing. The species measures 50 to 64 centimeters (19.7 to 25.2 inches) in length and has a wingspan of 112 to 130 centimeters (44.1 to 51.2 inches). It has a slim body, long pointed wings, and a remarkably long, deeply forked tail that gives it exceptional agility in flight. Adults show a striking contrast between bright white underparts and glossy black upperparts, wings, and tail, while the dark plumage often has a subtle bluish sheen.
Swallow-tailed Kites are most easily recognized by their graceful and highly acrobatic flight. Birds spend much of the day soaring, gliding, and coursing above forests and wetlands with very few wingbeats while constantly adjusting their deeply forked tails. The species captures most of its prey in flight, taking large insects as well as frogs, anoles, snakes, nestling birds, and other small vertebrates. Adults frequently eat while flying and may forage in small groups. During the breeding season they become especially conspicuous around nesting areas, where clear whistled calls and birds carrying food or nest material often reveal their presence.
Florida supports the largest breeding population of Swallow-tailed Kites in North America, and the species occurs across many of the state’s major wetland systems. It is closely associated with swamp and floodplain forests, river and lake margins, hardwood hammocks, bayheads, sloughs, mangroves, and mixed stands of pines and hardwoods that provide both nesting and foraging habitat. Important breeding areas include the Big Cypress and Corkscrew Swamp regions, the Fisheating Creek drainage, the St. Johns River basin, the Green Swamp, and the Big Bend region. Swallow-tailed Kites arrive from South America in late February and March and gather in large communal roosts during late summer before migrating south again. Although populations have remained relatively stable in recent decades, Florida holds most of the North American population, making the protection of lowland forests and wetland habitats especially important for the species’ future.
Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia
- Identification: Small, long-legged ground-dwelling owl with a rounded head, bright yellow eyes, white eyebrows and throat, brown upperparts spotted with buff, and barred buff-white underparts.
- Where found: Occurs in open habitats across peninsular Florida, including native prairies, pastures, golf courses, airports, agricultural fields, vacant lots, and other areas with short vegetation.
- How to spot: Look for a small upright owl standing near its burrow during the day or at dusk, often on a dirt mound or low perch, and watch for low, buoyant flights close to the ground.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); the Florida population is listed as Threatened by the state, with habitat loss remaining the principal concern.
The Burrowing Owl is one of the most unusual birds of prey you can see in Florida, a specialized ground-dwelling predator that nests and hunts in open landscapes. It measures 19 to 25 centimeters (7.5 to 9.8 inches) in length and has a lean body, long lightly feathered legs, a rounded head without ear tufts, and bright yellow eyes beneath bold white eyebrows. Its warm brown upperparts are spotted with buffy white, while the underparts are buff-white with brown barring that helps the bird blend into dry grass and sandy soil. Unlike most North American owls, the Florida subspecies commonly excavates its own nesting burrows.
Burrowing Owls are often active during the day as well as at dawn, dusk, and night. They are frequently seen standing upright beside their burrows or on nearby fence posts, road berms, and other low vantage points. When alarmed, they make quick, jerky movements and fly low over the ground with shallow wingbeats and short glides. In Florida, they feed heavily on large insects such as mole crickets, June beetles, and dung beetles, while also taking lizards, frogs, small mammals, birds, and other small vertebrates. They readily exploit disturbed landscapes and may even feed on road-killed animals or birds killed by window collisions.
The Burrowing Owl occurs year-round in Florida and has a patchy distribution across much of the peninsula, extending from Madison and Duval counties south to the Middle Keys. It inhabits open native prairies and a wide range of human-modified habitats, including pastures, airports, golf courses, agricultural fields, and vacant lots, particularly where vegetation remains short and suitable burrow sites are available. The center of the Florida population lies in the prairies of Osceola, DeSoto, and Okeechobee counties, although the species has expanded into many developed landscapes during the past century. It is absent from the extensive wetlands of the Everglades and Big Cypress and from large parts of the Panhandle and northeastern Atlantic Coast. Although the Burrowing Owl adapts well to some human-made habitats, continued development, habitat loss, flooding of burrows, vehicle strikes, and disturbance by people and domestic animals remain important challenges for the Florida population.
Crested Caracara
Caracara plancus
- Identification: Medium-sized, long-legged raptor with a black cap, white neck and cheeks, bright orange facial skin, a long tail, and bold white patches in the wings and tail visible in flight.
- Where found: Occurs in south-central Florida in open grasslands, native prairies, improved pastures, freshwater marshes, and ranchlands with scattered trees.
- How to spot: Look for a tall raptor walking on the ground, patrolling roadsides for carrion, or flying low with flat wings and steady wingbeats, often near vultures.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); the Florida population is listed as Threatened because of habitat loss and increasing development pressure.
The Crested Caracara is a highly distinctive falcon species and an opportunistic predator and scavenger that spends much of its time on the ground. It measures 49 to 64 centimeters (19.3 to 25.2 inches) in length and has a wingspan of 120 to 130 centimeters (47.2 to 51.2 inches). Unlike typical falcons, it has long legs, relatively flat feet, and only slightly curved claws adapted for terrestrial foraging. The long tail extends beyond the wingtips when perched, and in flight the broad wings are held flat while the neck is extended. Adults are strikingly patterned with a black cap, white neck and cheeks, bright orange facial skin, and contrasting black-and-white plumage.
Crested Caracaras are often seen walking deliberately across open ground or standing beside roads while searching for food. They feed on both carrion and live prey, taking insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, and readily scavenge roadkill and animal carcasses. In Florida, caracaras often arrive at carcasses before vultures become active and may aggressively displace both Black and Turkey Vultures while feeding. Their flight is steady and direct, with shallow wingbeats and little soaring, and vocalizations consist mainly of rattles, cackles, and clattering calls given near nests or when agitated.
In Florida, the Crested Caracara is largely restricted to the south-central peninsula, where its distribution closely follows the state’s historic prairie systems. It is most strongly associated with native prairies, improved cattle pastures, freshwater marshes, and the grasslands of the Kissimmee River basin, where scattered live oaks, cabbage palms, and cypress trees provide nesting sites. The core range extends through areas west and north of Lake Okeechobee and includes important populations in Osceola, Okeechobee, Highlands, Glades, Hendry, Polk, De Soto, and surrounding counties. The species is non-migratory and forms long-term pair bonds with strong attachment to established territories. Although its Florida range has remained relatively stable, ongoing habitat conversion, urban expansion, road mortality, and the loss of open prairie and pasture landscapes continue to threaten the state’s isolated population.
Snail Kite
Rostrhamus sociabilis
- Identification: Medium-sized raptor with broad paddle-shaped wings, a long square-tipped tail, long legs, and a slender, strongly hooked beak adapted for extracting snails.
- Where found: Occurs year-round in freshwater marshes, shallow lakes, wet prairies, and other flooded wetlands across peninsular Florida.
- How to spot: Look for birds flying slowly over open wetlands or perched near the water’s edge, often dropping to seize snails and holding their wings in a shallow downward curve during flight.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); the isolated Florida population is listed as Endangered because of wetland loss and habitat degradation.
The Snail Kite is one of Florida’s most specialized birds of prey and a highly adapted wetland hunter that feeds almost entirely on apple snails. Adults measure 36 to 40 centimeters (14.2 to 15.7 inches) in length and have a wingspan of 109 to 116 centimeters (42.9 to 45.7 inches). The species has broad, slightly cupped wings, a long square-tipped tail, long slender legs, and a narrow, strongly curved beak uniquely adapted for extracting aquatic snails from their shells. Adult males are slate gray with darker wings and a black tail marked by a conspicuous white base, while females are dark brown above and paler below with variable brown streaking. Pinkish-red facial skin around the beak is most noticeable in males, and the eye color ranges from brown to reddish or orangish-brown.
In the field, Snail Kites are best recognized by their slow, deliberate flight over wetlands. They hunt by flying low above open water or by watching from exposed perches before dropping to seize prey with their long talons. The species feeds almost entirely on apple snails and uses its specialized beak to remove them from their shells. In Florida, it now feeds on both native and invasive apple snails. Snail Kites often forage, roost, and soar in loose groups, and they may nest in loose colonies. Their vocalizations include repeated cackling calls, drawn-out bleating notes, and softer calls associated with courtship and nesting.
The Snail Kite is a non-migratory but highly nomadic resident of peninsular Florida, moving among wetlands as water levels and food supplies change. It inhabits shallow freshwater marshes, grassy lake margins, wet prairies, sloughs, and other flooded habitats where apple snails are abundant and accessible. Important areas for the species include the St. Johns River headwaters, the Kissimmee River valley, Lake Okeechobee, Payne’s Prairie Preserve, and the wetlands of the Everglades, including Water Conservation Areas, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Everglades National Park, and Big Cypress National Preserve. Its breeding distribution shifts with rainfall and prey availability, and recent decades have seen recolonization of parts of its former range. The Florida population remains vulnerable to wetland drainage, habitat degradation, altered water regimes, invasive vegetation, and human disturbance, making the protection and restoration of freshwater wetlands essential for the species’ future.
Where and When to See Birds of Prey in Florida
Florida offers some of the best raptor watching in North America because its wetlands, forests, prairies, and coastlines support a remarkable variety of birds of prey throughout the year. Freshwater marshes and lakes are the best places to look for specialists such as Snail Kites, Ospreys, and Bald Eagles, while open prairies and ranchlands hold Crested Caracaras, American Kestrels, Burrowing Owls, and wintering Northern Harriers. Forests, swamps, and wooded river corridors are home to Barred Owls, Red-shouldered Hawks, and Cooper’s Hawks, and Turkey and Black Vultures can be seen soaring over almost any landscape.
Many of Florida’s raptors are permanent residents, but the seasons still shape what birders can expect. Winter brings large numbers of Northern Harriers and migrant American Kestrels, while spring and summer are excellent for Swallow-tailed Kites and breeding wetland species. Visiting a variety of habitats throughout the year is the best way to experience the full diversity of Florida’s remarkable birds of prey.
For a broader perspective, explore our guide to the types of birds of prey, and visit the Birds of Florida and Birds of the United States pages for additional regional and national bird guides.
