Backyard Birds in Florida (25 Species) - Bird Feeder Hub (2024)

Florida’s diverse ecosystems make it a haven for a wide array of wild bird species. In this article we spotlight some of the most recognizable and well-known birds found across the state. From year-round residents to seasonal visitors, we’ve curated a list of 25 backyard birds that epitomize part of Florida’s wildlife diversity. While our selection is just a glimpse of the state’s birds, it does show some of the most distinctive and familiar faces in Florida’s backyards.

How many species are there in Florida?

Determining the total number of bird species in Florida presents a challenge, as counts vary across North America. According to Wikipedia, Florida boasts at least 539 recorded bird species. Estimates suggest that North America is home to between 800 and 1,100 species. Our focus here is to introduce you to some of Florida’s most notable avian inhabitants.

Backyard birds in Florida – 25 different species

In addition to exploring these 25 backyard birds, we will provide tips on how to attract them to your yard and share some of Florida’s prime birdwatching locales. Let’s immerse ourselves in the world of Florida’s backyard birds.

1. Northern Cardinal

Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis
Length: 8.3-9.1 in
Weight: 1.5-1.7 oz
Wingspan: 9.8-12.2 in

Northern Cardinals are among the most recognizable and common backyard birds in North America. Males have bright red feathers and a black mask, females have duller colors and are more pale brown with some reddish coloring. Both males and females are easily recognized by their “mohawks” and reddish orange beaks.

Northern Cardinals are found throughout the entire state of Florida all year long, since cardinals do not migrate.

Cardinals will visit most seed feeders, offer them mixed seed blends and black sunflower seeds.

2. Tufted Titmouse

Scientific name: Baeolophus bicolor
Length: 5.5-6.3 in
Weight: 0.6-0.9 oz
Wingspan: 7.9-10.2 in

These little birds are very common at feeders and in backyards within their range. Like Cardinals, they have a small mohawk that helps you tell them apart from other birds. Titmice are silver-gray on top and lighter on bottom, with a black patch just above their beaks.

The Tufted Titmouse is found throughout Florida year-round except the southern tip, south of Miami, where they are not as common.

Titmice will visit most seed feeders, offer them mixed seed blends and black sunflower seeds.

3. Carolina Chickadee

Scientific name: Poecile carolinensis
Length: 3.9-4.7 in
Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz
Wingspan: 5.9-7.9 in

Chickadees are tiny little birds that are very easy to recognize because of their “black cap” and black bib. Their cheeks are solid white, their wings and backs are blackish gray, and their underbodies are puffy and whitish.

Carolina Chickadees, not to be confused with their near identical cousins Black-capped Chickadees which live further north, are found throughout the panhandle and down into Central Florida. Carolina Chickadees are not near as common in Southern Florida. They frequent bird feeders and are often seen darting back and forth from a feeder to cover and back again for more. Chickadees are always among the first birds I see visiting a new feeder in my yard.

Chickadees will visit most seed feeders, offer them mixed seed blends and black sunflower seeds.

4. Blue Jay

Scientific name: Cyanocitta cristata
Length: 9.8-11.8 in
Weight: 2.5-3.5 oz
Wingspan: 13.4-16.9 in

Another very well-known bird species in North America and the U.S. is the Blue Jay. They have a large blue crest on top of their heads with mostly blue feathers on top and white feathers on bottom. They also have a black ring around their necks that looks like a necklace. Their wings are barred white, blue, and black.

Blue Jays are another year-round resident to the entire state of Florida. They are very common in backyards and at feeders.

Blue Jays like platform feeders, peanut feeders, and feeders with large perches. Offer them black sunflower seeds, mixed seeds, and peanuts.

5. Eastern Bluebird

Scientific name: Sialia sialis
Length: 6.3-8.3 in
Weight: 1.0-1.1 oz
Wingspan: 9.8-12.6 in

True to their name, bluebirds are royal blue on top with rusty reddish-orange bellies. They are just about the most sought after tenants of birdhouses in the U.S. making the bluebird house industry pretty booming. They are very common in backyards, though not so much at feeders. Put up a birdhouse and try your luck in attracting a mating pair, I was able to with this birdhouse on Amazon.

Eastern Bluebirds are found throughout most of Florida all year, aside from areas of South Florida where they may be less common.

Bluebirds don’t typically eat seeds, but can be enticed to visit feeders with mealworms on a tray feeder or in a dish.

6. Florida Scrub-jay

Scientific name: Aphelocoma coerulescens
Length: 9.1-11.0 in
Weight: 2.3-3.3 oz
Wingspan: 13.0-14.2 in

Florida Scrub-jays are mostly blue and white birds that are closely related to Blue Jays and California Scrub-jays. Like other Jays, they are omnivorous and do feed on insects, small invertebrates, as well as small vertebrates. Along with these, the Florida scrub-jays feeds mainly on acorns.

Even though the Florida Scrub-jay has a very spotty range in Central Florida, they are the only bird that is exclusive to the state of Florida. In light of that I felt compelled to include them on this list. If you’re lucky enough to live in one of these pockets where this species can be found, they do stick around all year long.

The Florida Scrub-jay is a threatened species, so feeding them is considered harassment and therefore illegal.

7. American Robin

Scientific name: Turdus migratorius
Length: 7.9-11.0 in
Weight: 2.7-3.0 oz
Wingspan: 12.2-15.8 in

Highly common in backyards, Robins are mostly seen hopping around the grass looking for worms and other invertebrates to eat. While they will occasionally visit bird feeders, they do not typically eat seeds. Their bright red, round bellies, and yellow beaks make them easy to identify.

Robins have a winter range throughout the state of Florida, and fly back north in the warmer months.

American Robins do not often visit bird feeders, so attract them with meal worms, native fruit-bearing plants, or a bird bath.

8. Mourning Dove

Scientific name: Zenaida macroura
Length: 9.1-13.4 in
Weight: 3.0-6.0 oz
Wingspan: 17.7 in

About the size of a robin, doves are very common in backyards and will often sit perched on telephone wires or in groups in trees. I sometimes see them on my tray feeder, but more often than not they are seen walking around on the ground. Mourning Doves are mostly gray with black spots on top and a pale peachy color below.

Mourning Doves are found all year throughout the whole state of Florida.

Doves will often visit seed feeders, but prefer scouring the ground for seeds that have fallen. Try a ground feeder with a mixed seed blend, or simply scatter some seeds on the ground.

9. European Starling

Scientific name: Sturnus vulgaris
Length: 7.9-9.1 in
Weight: 2.1-3.4 oz
Wingspan: 12.2-15.8 in

100 starlings were set loose in New York in the 1890s and they have since taken over the country. They destroy other birds’ nests, kill their young, and will overtake feeders not allowing other birds to get any of the food that you put out. They are mostly all dark with white specks on their backs and wings, and have yellow beaks and feet. Starlings can also be a purple and green iridescent color and in the right light can actually be quite pretty.

Unfortunately this invasive species is found in every one of the lower 48 states year-round, Florida included.

European Starlings will eat almost anything. They are an invasive species so we suggest you do not attempt to attract them, they’ll show up anyway.

10. American Goldfinch

Scientific name: Spinus tristis
Length: 4.3-5.1 in
Weight: 0.4-0.7 oz
Wingspan: 7.5-8.7 in

Goldfinches are among my favorite birds to see at feeders, especially when they have their bright yellow feathers in the Spring and Summer. During this period they are mostly yellow, or “gold”, with black-tipped wings and black cap on top of their heads. In the winter they will molt and lose these flashy colors and have more dull brownish or olive colors. You can always recognize them any time of year by the black on their wings, and their finch-like beaks.

Goldfinches have a non-breeding range in Florida, so look for them in the winter time.

Goldfinches prefer thistle feeders, they may also eat sunflower chips but a thistle feeder is your best chance to attract them.

11. Carolina Wren

Scientific name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
Length: 4.7-5.5 in
Weight: 0.6-0.8 oz
Wingspan: 11.4 in

These little birds are mostly reddish-brown on top and a lighter orangish color on bottom. I always identify Carolina Wrens by their size and the white stripe they have on the sides of their head, just above their eyes. Wrens will commonly take up residence in bluebird houses. They usually aren’t the tenants we were hoping for, but we’re happy to have them nonetheless.

Carolina Wrens are found throughout Florida and all of the Southeastern United States all year long.

Carolina Wrens are quite common in backyards and are often seen visiting suet feeders, like the picture above of one we saw in our yard.

12. House Sparrow

Scientific name: Passer domesticus
Length: 5.9-6.7 in
Weight: 0.9-1.1 oz
Wingspan: 7.5-9.8 in

Generally looked at as pests, House Sparrows are the only other species of wild birds in the U.S. besides starlings that you can legally trap and humanely kill. Like starlings, they were introduced in New York in the 1800s and have since spread across our country like wildfire. They are mostly brown in color, with some black and brown streaking on their wings and buffy chest. They are overall aggressive towards other birds, especially around nests.

House Sparrows are found throughout Florida, along with all of the other 48 lower states.

Like the European Starling, House Sparrows are invasive and pose a threat to native species. They will eat almost anything and bully native birds.

13. Red-winged Blackbird

Scientific name: Agelaius phoeniceus
Length: 6.7-9.1 in
Weight: 1.1-2.7 oz
Wingspan: 12.2-15.8 in

These are among the most abundant birds in all of North America. Male Red-winged Blackbirds are unmistakable because of their red wings. The females of this species however, look quite different and are mostly brown with some yellow highlights. They are known as a polygynous species, meaning males will have up to 15 different females that they are mating with.

Red-winged Blackbirds are found throughout Florida all year.

Red-winged Blackbirds visit most types of feeders and will eat seed as well as suet.

14. American Crow

Scientific name: Corvus brachyrhynchos
Length: 15.8-20.9 in
Weight: 11.2-21.9 oz
Wingspan: 33.5-39.4 in

American Crows are solid black in color, and quite large in size. They are also know for being highly intelligent problem solvers, like their cousin the Raven. Crows will roost higher up in the tree tops in large groups where they can get a birds eye view of everything below. If an owl or a hawk shows up, the roost will call out and let everyone known that there is danger nearby.

Crows are found throughout the entire state of Florida all year long.

American Crows are omnivorous and generally do not visit bird feeders, they are much too large.

15. Song Sparrow

Scientific name: Melospiza melodia
Length: 4.7-6.7 in
Weight: 0.4-1.9 oz
Wingspan: 7.1-9.4 in

These sparrows are mostly brown on the back and wings, with heavy brown streaks on a white breast. Song Sparrows are very common throughout most of North America and their plumage can vary a bit from region to region. The male of the species uses his song to attract females as well as to defend his territory.

Song Sparrows are found in most of Florida, but only in the non-breeding season in winter.

Song Sparrows will sometimes visit bird feeders and snack on mixed seeds and sunflower seeds.

16. Red-bellied Woodpecker

Scientific name: Melanerpes carolinus
Length: 9.4 in
Weight: 2.0-3.2 oz
Wingspan: 13.0-16.5 in

These medium-sized woodpeckers are fairly common at feeders and in backyards in general. Though they are described as “red-bellied” you may first notice the bright red streak along the back of their heads. They have a plain white break with an area of pinkish red lower down in their “belly” area which is often not visible. Their wings are what really makes them easy to identify though, with the white and black barring.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers live in the entire state of Florida all year long.

Attract Red-bellied Woodpeckers with a suet feeder, though they will also sometimes eat at seed feeders.

17. Downy Woodpecker

Scientific name: Picoides pubescens
Length: 5.5-6.7 in
Weight: 0.7-1.0 oz
Wingspan: 9.8-11.8 in

Downy’s are very common backyard birds that love to visit bird feeders. They are the smallest woodpeckers in North America and are always one of the first species I see at a new bird feeder. They are easily identifiable by their all white underbodies, black wings with white spots, black and white striped heads, and the red spot on the back of their heads (in males, females have no red). Though they do closely resemble another bird on this list, the Hairy Woodpecker, Downy’s are smaller.

Downy Woodpeckers are found all year throughout the whole state of Florida.

Downy Woodpeckers are very common at most types of bird feeders. Offer them mixed seed, black sunflower seed, and suet.

18. Common Grackle

Scientific name: Quiscalus quiscula
Length: 11.0-13.4 in
Weight: 2.6-5.0 oz
Wingspan: 14.2-18.1 in

Though they fall into the bully bird category like the starling does, Grackles are also quite pretty in the right light with their iridescent feathers. Overall they appear mostly black in color and will roost with other types of blackbirds, sometimes in massive flocks numbering in the millions of birds. They are easy to identify by their solid coloring and yellow ringed eye.

Grackles are found throughout the state of Florida all year.

Grackles are foragers and will eat just about anything, they are often thought of as pests.

19. Hairy Woodpecker

Scientific name: Leuconotopicus villosus
Length: 7.1-10.2 in
Weight: 1.4-3.4 oz
Wingspan: 13.0-16.1 in

There’s not much to differentiate Hairy Woodpeckers from Downy Woodpeckers, aside from the Hairy’s larger size and a few other key features. They both have very similar markings and are almost always found in the same places of the country as each other. I have found though that the Hairy Woodpecker does not visit bird feeder near as often as Downy’s do.

Hairy Woodpeckers are found throughout the state of Florida all year.

While not as common as Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers will visit suet and seed feeders.

20. Northern Mockingbird

Scientific name: Mimus polyglottos
Length: 8.3-10.2 in
Weight: 1.6-2.0 oz
Wingspan: 12.2-13.8 in

Mockingbirds get their name from their ability to mimic the songs of other species of birds. It’s estimated that a male mockingbird can learn up to 200 different songs in its lifetime. These medium sized backyard birds are mostly gray and white in color and can also be recognized by their rather long tail feathers. They are often seen living in tall bushes and can often be quite aggressive of intruding birds.

Northern Mockingbirds are found throughout the state of Florida year-round.

Northern Mockingbirds are very common in backyards, but don’t really visit bird feeders. Entice them to your yard with some of the other tips below such as fruit bearing bushes or a bird bath.

21. Baltimore Oriole (winter range)

Scientific name: Icterus galbula
Length: 6.7-7.5 in
Weight: 1.1-1.4 oz
Wingspan: 9.1-11.8 in

Orioles are fruit eating birds and like dark colored berries and fruits. If your backyard has native fruit-bearing trees and plants you have a good chance of attracting Baltimore Orioles. Males have a dark hood on their entire head, black backs with white stripes on their wings, and they are totally orange on their breasts and underbodies. They also have an orange rump and some orange tail feathers. Females coloring is a much more muted yellowish-orange.

Baltimore Orioles are migratory birds and many spend their winters in Florida. So if you are hoping to see some in your backyard, this is the best time of year to put out your oriole feeders and attract them.

Orioles love sweet things, put out an oriole feeder and offer them jelly and orange halves to attract them when they’re in town.

22. Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Scientific name: Archilochus colubris
Length: 2.8-3.5 in
Weight: 0.1-0.2 oz
Wingspan: 3.1-4.3 in

Though only common in the eastern half of the United States, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the most abundant species of hummingbirds in the country. They are also the only breeding species of hummingbird found in the Eastern U.S. They get their name because males have a bright ruby-red throat. Ruby-throated Hummers are emerald-green on their backs, wings, and heads with white under-parts. Females lack the red throat feathers.

There are a few of wandering species of Hummingbirds in Florida, but Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are generally the main hummingbirds found in Florida. They are found throughout the state from Spring to Fall.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are very common in backyards if you put out nectar feeders, in most cases this should be done in April or May.

You may like: Facts, Myths, and FAQ about hummingbirds

23. Eastern Towhee

Scientific name: Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Length: 6.8-8.2 in
Weight: 1.1-1.8 oz
Wingspan: 7.9-11.0 in

The Eastern Towhee is a lovely species of backyard bird that is always a treat to see. They have dark heads, white bellies, and rufous sides. Rufous is another name for reddish-brown or rust colored. This past spring we were lucky enough to have a mating pair of Eastern Towhees in our yard and we got some good pictures and videos of the babies hopping around and learning how to find food with the parents. Very cool!

Eastern Towhees live throughout Florida all year.

Eastern Towhees do not eat directly from bird feeders very often in my experience, but I regularly see them hopping around the ground beneath my feeders. So bird feeders may attract towhees in that sense.

24. Painted Bunting

Scientific name: Passerina ciris
Length: 4.7-5.1 in
Weight: 0.5-0.7 oz
Wingspan: 8-9 in

Ah, the Painted Bunting. Probably the most colorful bird in North America as well as one of our favorite backyard birds in Florida. Sadly, the box next to Painted Bunting on my life list remains unchecked. The males of this species have blue heads, green backs, red rumps, red bellies, and patches of yellow mixed in make them look like they have all the colors of the rainbow. While still beautiful, the females are nowhere near as brilliantly colored as the males.

Painted Buntings are most commonly seen in the winter in Southern Florida, but do have a migration range in the rest of the state.

You can attract Painted Buntings simply by putting out bird seed, but it’s not a guarantee these elusive birds will show up. They tend to feed on insects more in the breeding season.

25. Northern Flicker

Scientific name: Colaptes auratus
Length: 11.0-12.2 in
Weight: 3.9-5.6 oz
Wingspan: 16.5-20.1 in

These medium to large sized woodpeckers are quite common in backyards throughout the United States, though not extremely common at feeders. Flickers feed mainly on insects and are slightly less common at feeders as the other woodpecker species on this list, but if you know where to look you will still spot them in your backyard. Identify them by their black spots on their bellies, solid black bib, red patch on the back of their necks, and barred black and gray wings.

Northern Flickers are commonly seen all year in backyards throughout Florida.

Northern Flickers occasionally visit a suet feeder, but more often than not they find their own food. They will however visit a bird bath if you have one out.

Bird watching in Florida

Florida is a wonderful state for birding if you want to go take your hobby outside of your own backyard. The Florida Audubon Society has 40 local chapters and is always having meetups, workshops, field trips, and birding tours, should you want to get a little more involved.

If you are a Florida resident and would like to add some new species to your life list, then take a look at this list I’ve compiled some popular birding locations in Florida.

Florida birding locations

Learn more about these locations here.

• Everglades National Park
• Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas
• Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
• Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
• Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
• Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
• Ocala National Forest
• Fort DeSoto County Park
• Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area
• St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Florida birding trails

Here are some other birding trails in Florida to check out.

• The Great Florida Birding Trail
• Gainesville-Hawthorne State Park Trail
• General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
• Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail
• East Central Regional Rail Trail
• Palatka-to-St. Augustine State Trail