This list of birds of Florida includes species documented in the U.S. state of Florida and accepted by the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee (FOSRC). As of November 2022, there were 539 species included in the official list. Of them, 168 species and eight identifiable subspecies are classed as accidental, 18 have been introduced to North America, four are extinct, and one has been extirpated. More than 100 "verifiable...exotic species [are] found free-flying in the wild" according to the FOSRC. Additional accidental, extirpated and recently extinct species have been added from other sources. Four hypothetical species have been also added from another source.
This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 62nd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.
The following status codes have been used to annotate some species:
(A) Accidental – a species that occurs rarely or accidentally in Florida, and for which the FOSRC requests a full report for verification (I) Introduced – a species that has been introduced to North America by the actions of humans, either directly or indirectly, and has become established in Florida (E) Extinct – a recent bird that no longer exists (e) Extirpated – a species that is no longer in Florida, but exists elsewhere
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils.
Snow goose, Anser caerulescens Ross's goose, Anser rossii Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Graylag goose, Anser anser (A) Brant, Branta bernicla (A) Canada goose, Branta canadensis Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsonii (A) Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (A) Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator (A) Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus (A) Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus (A) West Indian whistling duck, Dendrocygna arborea (A) Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor White-faced whistling duck, Dendrocygna viduata (A) Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna (A) Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca (I) Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata (I) Wood duck, Aix sponsa Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope American wigeon, Mareca americana Eastern spot-billed duck, Anas zonorhyncha (A) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos American black duck, Anas rubripes Mottled duck, Anas fulvigula White-cheeked pintail, Anas bahamensis (A) Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Common teal, A. c. crecca (A) Canvasback, Aythya valisineria Redhead, Aythya americana Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A?) Greater scaup, Aythya marila Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis King eider, Somateria spectabilis (A) Common eider, Somateria mollissima Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus (A) Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi Black scoter, Melanitta americana Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica (A) Labrador duck, Camptorhynchus labradorius (E) Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus Common merganser, Mergus merganser (A) Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator Masked duck, Nomonyx dominicus (A) Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis
New World quail Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits.
Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus
Pheasants, grouse, and allies Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae is the family containing the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial birds, variable in size but generally plump, with broad, relatively short wings. Many are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans.
Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus (A)
Flamingoes Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingoes are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.
American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus (A) Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena (A) Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis (A)
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks, and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Scaly-naped pigeon, Patagioenas squamosa (A) White-crowned pigeon, Patagioenas leucocephala Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (A) European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur (A) Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I) Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (E) Inca dove, Columbina inca (A) Common ground dove, Columbina passerina Ruddy ground dove, Columbina talpacoti (A) Blue-headed quail-dove, Starnoenas cyanocephala (A) Ruddy quail-dove, Geotrygon montana (A) Key West quail-dove, Geotrygon chrysia White-tipped dove, Leptotila verreauxi (A) White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica Eared dove, Zenaida auriculata (A) Zenaida dove, Zenaida aurita (A) Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs.
Greater ani, Crotophaga major (A) Smooth-billed ani, Crotophaga ani Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris Dark-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus melacoryphus (A) Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus Mangrove cuckoo, Coccyzus minor Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus
Nightjars and allies
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves.
Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor Antillean nighthawk, Chordeiles gundlachii Common pauraque, Nyctidromus albicollis (A) Common poorwill, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii (A) Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus
Potoos Order: NyctibiiformesFamily: Nyctibiidae
The potoos (sometimes called poor-me-ones) are large near passerine birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are nocturnal insectivores which lack the bristles around the mouth found in the true nightjars.
Common potoo, Nyctibius griseus (A?)
Swifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae
The swifts are small birds, spending most of their lives flying. They have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have very long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
Black swift, Cypseloides niger (A) White-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris (A) Gray-rumped swift, Chaetura cinereiventris (A) Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica Vaux's swift, Chaetura vauxi (A) White-throated swift, Aeronautes saxatalis (A) Antillean palm-swift, Tachornis phoenicobia (A)
Hummingbirds
Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards.
Bahama woodstar, Calliphlox evelynae (A) Green-breasted mango, Anthracothorax prevostii (A) Black-throated mango, Anthracothorax nigricollis (hypothetical) Rivoli's hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens (A) Blue-throated mountain-gem, Lampornis clemenciae (A) Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris Black-chinned hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (A) Costa's hummingbird, Calypte costae (A) Calliope hummingbird, Selasphorus calliope (A) Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (A) Broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus (A) Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (A) Cuban emerald, Riccordia ricordii (A) White-eared hummingbird, Basilinna leucotis (A) Antillean crested hummingbird, Orthorhyncus cristatus (A) Buff-bellied hummingbird, Amazila yucatanensis
Rails, gallinules, and coots
Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
The Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive, making them difficult to observe. Most have strong legs with long toes, short rounded wings, and are weak fliers.
Gray-cowled wood-rail, Aramides cajaneus (e) Clapper rail, Rallus crepitans King rail, Rallus elegans Virginia rail, Rallus limicola Sora, Porzana carolina Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata American coot, Fulica americana Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus Purple swamphen, Porphyrio poliocephalus (I) Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis (A) Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis
Limpkin Order: GruiformesFamily: Aramidae
The limpkin is an odd bird that looks like a large rail, but is skeletally closer to the cranes. It is found in marshes with some trees or scrub in the Caribbean, South America, and southern Florida.
Limpkin, Aramus guarauna
Cranes
Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae
Cranes are large, tall birds with long legs and long necks. Unlike the similar-looking but un-related herons, cranes fly with necks extended. Most have elaborate and noisy courtship displays or "dances". When in a group, they may also "dance" for no particular reason, jumping up and down in an elegant manner, seemingly just for pleasure or to attract a mate.
Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis Whooping crane, Grus americana (reintroduced)
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.
Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus American avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Oystercatchers Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large, conspicuous, and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus Black oystercatcher, Haematopus bachmani (A)
Lapwings and plovers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are generally found in open country, mostly in habitats near water.
Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (A)