Discover 7 Birds of Prey that Call Florida Home

Introduction

Florida is the southernmost state on the eastern coast of the United States. The peninsula is known for its beautiful beaches, warm weather year-round, and amusement parks such as Disney World and Universal Studios. Aside from its stunning coastal beaches, Florida is home to several swamps and marshes. These areas house a whole new world of incredible wildlife to explore and learn about. Because of its warm climate and varying geography, Florida is one of the states with the most biologically diverse animal kingdom in the entire country. In addition to land animals, many birds soar through Florida’s clear blue skies. While these birds are beautiful and captivating, they are not always friendly. Keep reading to discover seven birds of prey that call Florida home.

1. Red-Tailed Hawk

One of the most common birds of prey native to Florida is the red-tailed hawk. These fierce predators measure just over two feet in body length and have a wingspan of up to three and a half feet. Named after their rusty-colored tails, red-tailed hawks have dark-colored bodies and black beaks with a yellow spot. They have an average lifespan of 21 years in the wild, living off of a carnivorous diet. To catch prey, these birds will perch on high surfaces near open fields or deserts. These hawks have incredibly strong eyesight that is eight times stronger than a human’s. From 100 feet in the air, they can see small rodents scurrying through fields. When they spot a small animal, red-tail hawks plunge into a steep dive toward the unsuspecting prey and snatch it in their talons. These hawks are monogamous, meaning they mate for life and produce offspring around once per year.

2. Barn Owl

Because barn owls are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night, they are often recognized by their shrill calls. These owls measure about a foot in length and have a wingspan of 44 inches. They weigh around a pound and are identifiable by their dark black eyes surrounded by white faces. Depending on the habitat they need to blend into, the rest of the coloration of a barn owl varies. Common feather colors include grey, gold, and brow. One feature of these birds that makes them such excellent predators is their ears. The shape of their heads allows their ears to hear incredibly well, and locate prey from extremely far distances. Barn owls also have eyes that are two times more sensitive to light than human eyes, allowing them to spot prey at night. While many other birds of prey tear their food apart, bare owls swallow the entire body of the animal whole. These owls typically live for around four years in the wild.

3. Golden Eagle

The golden eagle is one of the longest-living birds on this list, reaching an average age of 33 years in the wild. These incredible predators have wingspans that measure up to seven and a half feet in length, and body lengths of just over three feet. Golden eagles have dark drown feathers with white coloring at the base of their tails. The golden feathers on the back of their head are what gives them their name. Part of what makes golden eagles such incredible hunters is their speed. When diving, these birds can fly as fast as 150 miles per hour! They can be found by the large nests they construct on the side of cliffs or the tops of tall trees. These nests host the eagles’ offspring as they grow, and provide a home base for them in between hunts. As early as age four, golden eagles will begin mating, staying with their partners for the rest of their lives.

4. Peregrine Falcon

The peregrine falcon is the fastest member of the entire animal kingdom, entering dives that can reach speeds of more than 200 miles per hour! These falcons have bodies that range in length from 14 to 19 inches, and three and a half-foot wingspan. Identifiable by their bluish-gray wings, yellow feet, and brown feathers, these birds are common in every continent except for Antarctica. While many other birds of prey target small animals on the ground, peregrine falcons are much different. These hunters have been known to attack other birds and bats mid-flight, snatching them out of the air high above the ground. Over their 17-year lifespan, these falcons travel extreme distances, often covering more than 15,000 miles in a single year.

5. Turkey Vulture

The turkey vulture is the most commonly seen in the entire United States. Also referred to as a buzzard, these massive birds measure two feet in length and have wingspans of over five feet. Turkey vultures have black and brown feathers covering their entire bodies, with dark pink legs. Their white beaks are surrounded by red skin, similar to the skin on a turkey. Because they have such a large wingspan, these birds rarely have to flap their wings. Instead, they rely on thermals coming off of the ground that allow them to soar while using little to no energy. While these birds are carnivorous, they mainly feed on animals that have already been killed. Turkey cultures spend their 16-year lifespan searching for roadkill and animal carcasses and rarely hunt for prey themselves.

6. Osprey

Florida is the perfect environment for ospreys because almost all of their diet consists of fish. These fierce hunters often fly to heights of up to 100 feet before diving toward the surface of the water to catch their prey. Osprey measures about two feet in length and has wingspans of up to six feet. While they look similar to bald eagles, there are several key differences. These birds have white undersides, and a black stripe running down the side of their heads. However, the similarities between ospreys and eagles do not end with their looks. These birds often compete for the same prey and can get into fights midair when hunting for food. Ospreys can live up to 30 years in the wild, migrating to southern states like Florida every winter to mate and produce offspring. One interesting feature of these birds is their reversible toes which allow them to better hold onto prey.

7. American Kestrel

The American kestrel is the smallest bird of prey on this list. Measuring just 10 inches in length with a wingspan of less than two feet, these birds are small yet aggressive. American kestrels can be found near open fields looking for prey to swoop down and pounce on. They can be identified by white cheeks, dark eyes, rust-colored bodies, and gray wings. Both male and female American kestrels have white undersides, but females have much darker crowns than males. Just like turkey vultures, these birds can hover above the ground while hunting. One interesting way American kestrels hunt is by using teeth-like structures on their beaks rather than talons to attack their prey.

Summary of 7 Birds of Prey that Call Florida Home