BIRDS IN THE LAKE OKEECHOBEE REGION

By Paul N. Gray, Ph.D., Audubon of Florida
Florida is a birding hotspot in North America and Glades County has some of Florida's most sought after birds. With 533 known native bird species, and more than 150 exotic bird species documented (and seemingly more each day), Florida contains phenomenal bird diversity (from "A Birders Guide to Florida" 1996, by Bill Pranty, published by American Birding Association, Colorado Springs, CO). The peninsula of Florida has a subtropical climate which allows us many birds not found further north (e.g., Limpkins). During winter, Florida has more species of migrant/wintering birds present than we have breeding species--perhaps the only state in the nation with this ratio. We have relict birds that have developed into unique species (the Florida Scrub Jay is now considered a distinct species) and subspecies (e.g., Audubon's Crested Caracara).

Glades County's bird diversity is supported by the vast wetlands of Lake Okeechobee on the east, the braided riverine ecosystem of Fisheating Creek (hosting the largest Swallow-tailed Kite migratory concentration in North America), large tracts of native prairies, scrub, and pine flatwoods, and agricultural lands that can host a great variety of bird life.

Below are lists and descriptions of some of our "specialty birds," as well as more common birds found throughout the County.

"Specialty" birds found in Glades County include:

Anhinga--these are everywhere

Brown and White Pelicans--fairly common on Lake Okeechobee

Wading birds--watch for Least Bitterns (summer), American Bitterns (winter); Black and Yellow-crowned Night-herons; Green, Tricolor, Little Blue, and Great Blue Herons; Snowy, Great and Cattle Egrets; Glossy and White Ibis; Wood storks; and Roseate Spoonbills.

Florida's Mottled Duck-common, on small ponds and wetlands along the road.

Fulvous Whistling-Duck--mostly on Lake Okeechobee marshes or rice fields.

Swallow-tailed Kite-- breeder and 1000+ in Fisheating Creek during late summer.

White-tailed Kite--uncommon breeder.

Snail Kite--especially on Okeechobee marshes.

Short-tailed Hawk--breeds locally (esp. Fisheating Creek), winters sporadically.

Audubon's Crested Caracaras-locally common on fence posts, electric poles, and elevated vantage points. Caracaras feed on road kills-so watch the road sides, especially in the morning.

Purple Gallinule--common on Lake Okeechobee and vegetated marshes.

Limpkin--fairly common on Lake Okeechobee and marshes/rivers throughout.

Florida Sandhill Crane-visible almost anywhere standing in open grassy fields and wetlands.

Whooping Crane--releases were made further north but have been ranging further south--it's a matter of time.

Black-necked Stilt--common on open wetlands during summer.

Black Skimmer-- more than 1000 winter on north end of Lake Okeechobee.

Laughing Gull--common around Okeechobee.

Least Tern--uncommon but regular around Lake Okeechobee.

Barn Owl--fairly common for an owl.

Florida Burrowing Owl-on open grasslands and around airports, golf courses.

Western Kingbird and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher--winter tourists on power lines.

Florida Scrub Jay--Florida's only unique bird species, found in scrub patches.

Fish Crow--around Lake Okeechobee.

Painted and Indigo Buntings--can be abundant at winter bird feeders.

Eastern Towhees--watch for white-eyed towhees.

Bachman's Sparrow--beautiful songs in flatwoods areas.

Florida Grasshopper Sparrow-no longer known from Glades County (locally common at the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park in Okeechobee County), one of Florida’s most endangered birds.

Boat-tailed Grackle--big, noisy, beautiful, hard to miss.

Some other common birds: Besides birds discussed above, notable year-round residents include: Double-crested Cormorants; Wood Ducks; Mourning, White-winged, Ground, and Eurasian Collared Doves; Osprey; Bald Eagle; Red-shouldered Hawk; Screech, Barred, and Great-horned Owls; Bobwhites, Turkeys, Pileated, Red-headed, Red-bellied, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers; Carolina Wren; White-eyed Vireo; Common Yellow-throat; Eastern Meadowlark; and a variety of blackbirds. During winter, you will see many Palm Warblers, Eastern Phoebes, Savannah Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Northern Harriers, Sharp-shinned and Coopers Hawks, Kestrels, Peregrine Falcons, Bobolinks, Gray Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, and American Robins.

Wintering warblers-Whenever you are near trees or brushy areas (usually dominated by Wax Myrtle bushes) during winter, listen for the characteristic “chip” of Myrtle Warblers. They winter here and invariably will be traveling with Black and White Warblers and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, variously accompanied by White-eyed Vireos, Blue-headed Vireos, Carolina Wrens, Prairie Warblers, Northern Parulas, Pine Warblers, Yellow-throated Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, and almost any of the eastern warblers.

Tree Swallows-These winter in south Florida in enormous flocks (sometimes more than a mile wide!). You need not watch for them-you can’t miss a flock this size.

Loggerhead Shrikes and Mockingbirds-these are common on the fences and power lines along the highway

Black and Turkey Vultures-you likely will be in sight of one of these at every moment during the day, practice telling them apart.

Common Crow-the crows you see on inland areas are almost all Common, in contrast, the crows you see by Lake Okeechobee are almost all Fish Crows

Rails: Soras (winter) and King Rails (summer) are fairly common, Yellow Rails are in the region but you have to be very lucky (or skillful)

Shorebirds: When mudflats abound, so do shorebirds. 30 species possible?

The following list is compiled from personal experience and is very incomplete, particularly for migratory groups such as shorebirds, warblers, sparrows, swallows, and so on. If anyone has edits or improvements, please contact Paul Gray at Audubon@Okeechobee.com.