Welcome

THE FLORIDA BIRDING TRAIL

Your Adventure Awaits

Home to more than 500 species of birds, Florida is a paradise for bird and wildlife watching. Its diverse ecosystems range from wetlands and coastal shores to pine forests and grasslands.
Sanderling

Upcoming Events

Flyer advertising the North Central Florida Outdoor Expo

North Central Florida Outdoor Expo

Saturday, August 16, 2025
Outdoor enthusiasts, families, and industry professionals come together to celebrate and explore outdoor activities.
View Event
Fulvous Whistling-Duck

North Shore Birding Festival

December 11-15, 2025
Participate in field trips on the Lake Apopka North Shore property and other Central Florida sites.
View Event
Black Skimmer

Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival

January 21-26, 2026
Add to your life list, take amazing photos, see different Florida habitats, and meet other birders and naturalists from around the country!
View Event
View All events
News

Kite Tales

Southeastern American Kestrel

Ocala’s Urban Kestrels

The Southeastern American Kestrel lives primarily in Florida and parts of neighboring states. It is a state-threatened subspecies of the American Kestrel, North America’s smallest falcon. Kite Tales spoke with Simon Fitzwilliam, Avian Field Biologist at FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), to learn more about these tiny raptors and the work being done to monitor them.
Sanderling

Sandpipers of Florida

Sandpipers are a familiar sight on Florida’s beaches where these small, quick shorebirds are often seen probing the wet sand left by receding waves. But what exactly is a sandpiper, and which species might you see along Florida’s shores? Let’s take a closer look.
Vermillion Flycacher by Andy Wraithmell

Rarities: What are they and what should you do if you find one?

In the birding world “rarities” are birds that are rare or unusual to spot, and few things delight birders more than finding one.

A Beginner’s Guide to Birding


Birding is a wonderful hobby that anyone can enjoy. Whether you’re watching birds from your window or exploring new places, every bird you see adds to your experience and knowledge. So grab your binoculars, head outside, and start your birding adventure today!

Wings Over Florida

Wings Over Florida is a free bird and butterfly listing program that rewards individuals for their viewing achievements.  Certificates are awarded to those who reach milestones in their Florida Life List which is the total number of species observed in Florida.  We also award Big Year certificates, which highlight the number of bird or butterfly species observed in a single calendar year. Apply for a certificate to learn more about certificate eligibility.

Wings over florida
Wings Over Florida certificate
get the

Gear

Support The Trail
Florida Birding Trail Gear

Made Possible By

The Trail is a program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, supported in part by the Florida Department of Transportation and the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The Trail is possible thanks to dozens of federal, state, and local government agencies, non-governmental organizations and private landowners.

Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida logo
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission logo