Palm Beach Island is a small, luxury destination on the eastern coast of Florida, United States. This island is not only for its pristine beaches but also for its diverse wildlife.
Many species of birds are found on Palm Beach Island, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise. The island is home to many beautiful and unique bird species, from the smallest hummingbirds to the towering ospreys.
This article will explore the different birds on Palm Beach Island, their habitats and behaviors, and the best places to spot them. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or a curious traveler, this guide will give you a great introduction to the stunning birdlife on Palm Beach Island.
24 Common Birds Found Near Palm Beach Island
Palm Beach Island is a popular destination for birdwatchers who want to enjoy Florida’s diverse and colorful birdlife.
The island hosts a variety of habitats, from sandy beaches and mangroves to golf courses and gardens, that attract many different species of birds. Some of these birds are native to the region, while others are migratory or introduced.
Here are 24 common birds that you can find near Palm Beach Island, along with some interesting facts about them.
1. Bald Eagle
The majestic Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America and recognized as the national symbol of the United States.
With its distinctive white head, brown body, and striking yellow beak, this sea eagle has two known subspecies that form a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle.
It inhabits much of Canada, Alaska, all states in the US, contiguous area, and Northern Mexico near large bodies of water where they feed mainly on fish.
These birds have an impressive wingspan ranging from 1.8 to 2 meters depending on their size, making them one of nature’s most magnificent creatures.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Haliaeetus |
| Species | H. leucocephalus |
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2. Red-winged blackbird
The red-winged blackbird is a beautiful bird found in most of North America and Central America.
Its distinct features include a glossy black body, white shoulder patches, and bright red wing coverts year round.
It prefers wetland habitats such as marshes, ponds, lakeshores, and agricultural fields. During breeding season, they inhabit grassy areas near water, then move south for the winter months.
For food, they mainly eat insects but also consume wild fruit or grains.
They are very social birds, often seen in large flocks during migration when their unmistakable “conk-la-ree” call can be heard echoing across the sky.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Icteridae |
| Genus | Agelaius |
| Species | A. phoeniceus |
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3. Osprey
The Osprey is a majestic bird of prey with an incredibly wide habitat range. It has distinctive brown upperparts, greyish head, and underparts, making it easily identifiable in the skies above many regions worldwide.
With a wingspan of up to 180cm (71in) and a body length reaching 60cm (24in), this large raptor specializes in hunting for fish, soaring high over rivers and coasts, and searching for its next meal.
Despite living near water sources, they can also be found inhabiting mountainsides or even woodlands, proving their incredible adaptability. It is an impressive species that truly deserves admiration.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Pandionidae |
| Genus | Pandion |
| Species | P. haliaetus |
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4. Green Heron
The Green Heron (Butorides virescens) is a small heron throughout North and Central America.
Its scientific name comes from the Middle English ‘butor’, meaning bittern, combined with the Latin term for its distinctive greenish color – ‘virescens’.
For many years, it was considered part of the same species as the Striated Heron (Butorides striata), commonly referred to as “green-backed herons.”
The nominate subspecies inhabits wetlands across much of this range, where they can be spotted stalking about in shallow water, looking for fish or frogs on which to feed.
They are fascinating wading birds that have even been known to use tools such as sticks or baited lines when fishing.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Butorides |
| Species | B. virescens |
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5. American White Ibis
The American white ibis is a medium-sized bird with white plumage and long legs. It has a bright red-orange downward curved bill and black wing tips, usually only visible in flight.
This species of ibis can be found from Virginia south through most of the coastal New World tropics.
They have been known to inhabit marshes, swamps, ponds, and lakeshores, and mangrove forests near water sources where they feed on crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, among other aquatic animals like insects or snails.
The American white ibis plays an important role in its ecosystem by helping to control insect populations, which helps maintain balance within these environments.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Threskiornithidae |
| Genus | Eudocimus |
| Species | E. albus |
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6. Reddish Egret
The Reddish Egret is a medium-sized heron that breeds in Central America, The Bahamas, the Caribbean, Texas, and Mexico.
It prefers mud flats as its habitat due to its unique foraging behavior, which differs from other herons.
In the past, it was hunted widely for its feathers used to make fashionable hats, but thankfully, this practice has now been stopped.
They have white or grey plumage with pink legs, and Bill gives them their name.
These birds feed mainly on fish, which they catch by quickly darting in shallow water or running rapidly through shallows, stirring up prey to snatch them easily with their bills.
Their long wings enable them to fly quickly when hunting and during migration season, when many travel southwards towards warmer climates.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Egretta |
| Species | E. rufescens |
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7. Little Blue Heron
The Little Blue Heron is a small, darkly-colored heron with two-toned bill. Juveniles are completely white, similar to the Snowy Egret. In breeding season, adults develop unique coloration on their heads and legs.
The bird has an expansive habitat range that covers much of the Americas, from North America down to South America.
They feed mostly in shallow areas like tidal flats or marshes and eat small aquatic animals such as fish, frogs, and crustaceans.
This species can also be found along coastal regions where they gather at night for roosting during winter, when food sources become more scarce due to the migration patterns of its prey animals.
These birds have adapted well over time, allowing them to persist in most habitats throughout their wide range, even despite environmental changes caused by human activities such as pollution or development projects near wetlands ecosystems, which are essential for this species’ survival.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Egretta |
| Species | E. caerulea |
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8. Great Egret
The Great Egret is a large, white bird found in many regions of the world. It has four subspecies reside across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and southern Europe.
This species usually lives near bodies of water such as lakes and marshes. They are also spreading into more northern areas of Europe due to climate change.
These birds have long yellow legs with an impressive wingspan, allowing them to soar majestically through the sky, hunting for fish or amphibians in shallow waters below.
Their feathers have been used historically by Native Americans as part of traditional garments or ceremonies. Still, this practice should be avoided today so these amazing creatures can thrive without harm from humans.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | A. alba |
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9. Glossy Ibis
The Glossy Ibis is a water bird that belongs to the family Threskiornithidae. It has a unique bill in the shape of a sickle, which gave it its scientific name – Plegadis falcinellus.
It can be found widely across Europe, Asia, and Africa, with scattered nesting sites in warm regions.
Its feathers are black-brown on top and chestnut brown from below; its wings have a glossy greenish-purple sheen from afar.
They mainly feed on small insects like grasshoppers, spiders, earthworms, and crustaceans or amphibians caught while wading through shallow waters.
During breeding season, they also consume plant material such as rice grains or corn kernels provided by humans near habitat areas where they nest.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Threskiornithidae |
| Genus | Plegadis |
| Species | P. falcinellus |
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10. Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron is a majestic wading bird found in many parts of North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and even as far away as the Galapagos Islands.
It has an impressive wingspan which can reach up to six feet wide. Its feathers are mainly bluish-gray with brownish streaks on its neck and chest, while its head displays white plumes.
The adult herons can also be identified by their yellow bill and legs.
They live near bodies of water such as lakes, marshes, or rivers, feeding on fish using a spear-like motion with their sharp bills.
An all-white population exists only in south Florida and the Florida Keys making it quite unique.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | A. herodias |
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11. Black Skimmer
The Black Skimmer is a seabird that belongs to the skimmer genus Rynchops and Laridae family.
It breeds in North and South America, while Northern populations migrate south for winter towards warmer climates such as the Caribbean or Pacific coasts.
The Southern American races have adapted to annual floods by migrating shorter during this time.
These birds are easily identified by their unique long red bill with an upper mandible longer than its lower mandible.
They feed mainly on small fish caught at night when they skim across shallow water using their beak like a knife cutting through waves of water.
Their dark grey back contrasts against white belly feathers creating beautiful patterns in flight, aiding them in catching prey easier due to its camoflauge effect above and below waters surface.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Rynchops |
| Species | R. niger |
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12. Sandhill Crane
Sandhill Cranes are a large crane species native to North America and northeastern Siberia. They are known for their distinctive calls, long legs, and long necks.
These birds typically inhabit wetland areas like the Platte River in Nebraska’s Sandhills on the Great Plains.
In Central Florida, they often gather at the edges of bodies of water such as lakes or rivers.
During the breeding season, sandhill cranes can be seen performing elaborate courtship dances that involve bowing and jumping in unison with their partner.
Their diet consists mainly of plant material, including grains, roots, tubers, and aquatic plants, which they obtain by pecking or digging into mudflats using their bill or feet.
With an average lifespan of 10-20 years, these majestic creatures greatly add to any wetland habitat.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Gruidae |
| Genus | Antigone |
| Species | A. canadensis |
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13. Black-Crowned Night Heron
The Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is a medium-sized bird found in various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North and South America.
It has black crowns on its head with white feathers underneath. Its wings are greyish brown, while its underparts are mostly white.
This species can be seen foraging near shallow water or along coastlines during dusk or dawn as it hunts small fish, amphibians, and crustaceans.
They also feed on insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, which they find in meadows close to freshwater bodies like lakes or ponds, where they breed during springtime, making nests using twigs lined with reeds and leaves near these waterside habitats.
In Australasia, this species hybridizes with the nankeen night heron that inhabits those areas instead; however, both populations remain distinct despite their overlapping range regions.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Nycticorax |
| Species | N. nycticorax |
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14. Black-Bellied Whistling Duck
The Black-bellied whistling duck is a unique bird species in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. This small waterfowl has black plumage on its belly, giving it its name.
Its call is also distinctive as it makes high-pitched whistles to communicate with other members of its flock.
It prefers wetland habitats such as marshes, ponds, and lakes, where they feed on seeds and aquatic plants like wild rice or pondweed.
During breeding season, these birds form monogamous pairs and nest in trees near bodies of water.
They are migratory birds, but some may remain year-round depending upon local climate conditions, making them relatively common sights in certain areas during winter when most other ducks have migrated further south for warmer weather.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Dendrocygna |
| Species | D. autumnalis |
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15. Roseate Spoonbill
The Roseate Spoonbill is a beautiful and majestic bird in North and South America.
It belongs to the ibis family, Threskiornithidae, and its vibrant pink color comes from canthaxanthin pigment derived from their diet of crustaceans like shrimp.
Sadly, plume hunting almost drove this species close to extinction during the 18th and 19th centuries, but fortunately, it’s coming back due to conservation efforts made by dedicated wildlife organizations.
Its large spoon-like bill helps them filter out food sources such as small fish or frogs from shallow water areas while they wade through mudflats with their long legs looking for something tasty.
With its unique appearance, graceful wingspan, and impressive flight capabilities, the Roseate Spoonbill is an incredibly photogenic animal that will captivate the attention of any viewer lucky enough to witness it in all its glory.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Threskiornithidae |
| Genus | Platalea |
| Species | P. ajaja |
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16. Wood Stork
The Wood Stork is a large wading bird found in subtropical and tropical habitats throughout the Americas, including the Caribbean. Its distinctive white head and neck feathers stand out from other storks.
The wood stork has an impressive wingspan of up to 6 feet wide, making it one of the largest birds in North America.
Although usually seen near water sources such as swamps or wetlands looking for food like fish, crabs, frogs, and even small reptiles, they can sometimes be spotted far away from their natural habitat during migration season.
This species is also one of few breeds annually in North America, with nests typically built on platforms made by humans or animals near water bodies or ponds.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Ciconiiformes |
| Family | Ciconiidae |
| Genus | Mycteria |
| Species | M. americana |
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17. Snowy Egret
The Snowy Egret is a small white heron native to North America. Its scientific name, Egretta thula, comes from Provençal French for the little egret and an incorrect reference to the Black-necked Swan by Chilean naturalist Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782.
This beautiful bird has black legs, yellow feet, and a long plume of feathers on its head that often appears as if it’s wearing a crown.
It feeds primarily on insects and aquatic life like fish or frogs, making it well adapted for wetland habitats such as marshes or swamps and coastal areas close to shorelines.
Their graceful movements make them truly delightful creatures to observe while exploring nature.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Egretta |
| Species | E. thula |
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18. Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
The Yellow-crowned night heron is a beautiful and unique bird species native to the Americas. It has distinctive yellow crowns on its head, making it easy to identify among other herons.
These birds are also larger than most other types of herons, reaching up to 70 cm in length and 850 g in weight.
They usually feed on small fish or crustaceans while wading through shallow waters with their long legs.
The yellow-crowned night heron can be found near marshes or lakes during the breeding season when they build nests made from twigs high above the ground for protection against predators like raccoons and foxes.
This majestic bird is an important part of wetland ecosystems as it helps balance populations of smaller aquatic animals by preying upon them.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Nyctanassa |
| Species | N. violacea |
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19. Laughing Gull
The Laughing Gull is a medium-sized bird with gray wings, a black head, and white underparts. It has bright red legs and bill, making it easily distinguishable from other gulls.
The name comes from its unique laughing call, which can be heard in coastal areas throughout the Americas where they breed. They are opportunistic omnivores that feed on fish, carrion, insects, or even garbage when available.
During breeding season, these birds form large colonies along the Atlantic coast of North America and parts of northern South America and Caribbean islands.
There are two subspecies: L megalosaurus, found in Canada to Central America, and L atricilla, which inhabits the rest of their range.
These species have become more common inland due to human settlement near coasts, creating ideal habitat for them and making them scavengers around urban areas.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Leucophaeus |
| Species | L. atricilla |
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20. Double-Crested Cormorant
The double-crested cormorant is a majestic bird with an impressive wingspan that spans North America from the Aleutian Islands down to Mexico.
Its black plumage stands out against its bright orange-yellow facial skin and some extended patches of white feathers on each side of its throat.
It measures 28 – 35 inches in length and has webbed feet that enable it to swim gracefully through rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.
These birds are known for their voracious appetite for fish, sometimes diving over 100 ft deep into water looking for food.
Despite this reputation, they feed on crustaceans, amphibians, and insects when available.
Cormorants have been part of many cultures throughout history due to their remarkable ability to fly long distances, making them valued messengers or companions during fishing expeditions at sea.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Nannopterum |
| Species | N. auritum |
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21. Brown Pelican
The majestic brown pelican is a dive-feeding bird that belongs to the pelican family. It is one of the three pelican species in the Americas and is known to dive into water to catch its prey.
This bird can be found from the Atlantic Coast of New Jersey to the mouth of the Amazon River, along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to northern Chile, including the Galapagos Islands.
Its scientific name is Pelecanus occidentalis, and it has a colored brown plumage, its distinct characteristic.
The brown pelican belongs to the largest bird species today, with a wingspan that can stretch up to seven feet long.
This bird helps maintain a balance in the ecosystem by eating smaller fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic prey.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Pelecanidae |
| Genus | Pelecanus |
| Species | P. occidentalis |
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22. Red-Shouldered Hawk
The red-shouldered hawk, also known as Buteo lineatus, is a medium-sized bird of prey found in eastern North America and along the coast of California and northern to northeastern-central Mexico.
While many of these hawks are permanent residents within their range, northern populations migrate, most traveling to central Mexico.
The species faces numerous threats to survival, with deforestation being a primary issue.
Despite their many challenges, these birds are an important part of their ecosystems, primarily feeding on rodents, small mammals, and amphibians.
In addition to their hunting capabilities, these hawks are known for their striking appearance, featuring reddish brown shoulder feathers and bold black and white striped wings.
Overall, the red-shouldered hawk is a fascinating and important bird that plays a vital role in its surroundings.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Buteo |
| Species | B. lineatus |
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23. Tricolored Heron
The Tricolored heron, also known as Egretta tricolor, is a species of heron found in coastal areas of the Americas. Unlike other types of herons, the Tricolored heron is more solitary and primarily feeds on small fish.
These birds usually breed in swamps and coastal habitats and tend to build their nests in colonies along with other herons. They typically build their nests on platforms.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Egretta |
| Species | E. tricolor |
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24. Limpkin
The Limpkin bird can be found in warm parts of the Americas and is related to rails and cranes. It is a wading bird often seen in wetlands. This bird has a unique diet dominated by apple snails from the Pomacea genus, which it feeds on.
Known by other names such as carrao, courlan, and crying bird, it is the only extant species in the Aramidae family.
Its name is derived from its limp-like walk, which gives the impression of a bird with a limp. This bird is a skilled hunter, using its long bill to catch its prey.
Its distinctive call, resembling a moaning sound, is often heard in wetlands. The Limpkin plays an essential role in the ecosystem, helping control the apple snail population, an invasive species that can hurt natural habitats.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Aramidae |
| Genus | Aramus |
| Species | A. guarauna |
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Conclusion
The diverse bird species near Palm Beach Island offer residents and visitors ample opportunities for birdwatching and appreciation of nature’s beauty.
From majestic waterfowl like the Brown Pelican and Great Egret to iconic raptors such as the Osprey and Bald Eagle, the avian population in this area reflects the rich biodiversity of South Florida’s coastal habitats.
Additionally, shorebirds like the American Oystercatcher and Black Skimmer add to the region’s ecological significance.
Whether observed soaring above the ocean or perched along the shoreline, these common birds contribute to the unique charm and ecological vibrancy of Palm Beach Island’s natural landscape.