Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
that resemble pteranodons flap over it all, and underneath rolls that gentle giant, the
manatee.
Birds
Nearly 500 avian species have been documented in Florida, including some of the world's
most magnificent migratory water birds: ibis, egrets, great blue herons, white pelicans and
whooping cranes. This makes Florida the ultimate birder's paradise.
Nearly 350 species spend time in the Everglades, the prime birding spot in Florida. In
fact, much of the initial attention to conservation that first popped up here was related to
the illegal poaching of the Everglades' wading birds; the beautiful beasts were being killed
so their plumage could decorate fashionable women's hats in the early 20th century.
Songbirds and raptors fill Florida skies, too. The state has over 1000 mated pairs of bald
eagles, the most in the southern US, and peregrine falcons, who can dive up to 150mph,
migrate through in spring and fall.
The Everglades aren't the only place to bird-watch around here. Completed in 2006, the
Great Florida Birding Trail
(
http://floridabirdingtrail.com
)
runs 2000 miles across the
entire state and includes nearly 500 bird-watching sites, including many South Florida
stops outside the Glades. Other good spots for birding in the region:
We'd be remiss not to mention the
Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center
in the
Upper Keys, where injured birds are nursed back to health by a lovely team of volunteers.
Guests are welcome to walk the paths that meander past the hurt bird life.
