Florida's Migratory Birds - The Patina Journal
- Geoffrey C. Smith
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
Friend,
My favorite time to be on the water is when the sun first peeks over the horizon, and the silver-white light begins to dance across the trees and ripple over the surface of the water. Morning has a magic of its own, and it's at this hour that Florida's "real snowbirds" reveal themselves.
Florida is a crossroads for countless migratory birds, and each season brings its own cast of winged travelers. Come with me on this early morning adventure, alongside my wife and photographer friend Mark Smith, as we explore some of the most captivating of these visitors.
Swallowtail Kites
Our first stop is a secret lake where hundreds of Swallow-Tailed Kites gather before their long journey south. These striking raptors are unmistakable in flight, with their scissor-like tails cutting across the blue sky. Watching them soar, swoop for food, skim the water, and then rise high above the trees is an experience unlike any other. This staging behavior is their final preparation before embarking on their migration to South America.
Here in Florida, we don't mark seasons with falling leaves or snow - but with the rhythm of bird migration. The return of the Swallow-Tailed Kites signals the start of summer and, inevitably, hurricane season. To see them roosting together in such numbers is a breathtaking sight I invite you to share through this short video:
American White Pelican
Next, let's turn our attention to the American White Pelican. With gleaming white plumage contrasted by jet-black wingtips, these birds are both elegant and commanding in flight. They migrate from the western regions of Canada and the northwestern United States to spend their winters across the Gulf Coast, Southern California, and Florida. Watching them feed and gather in large groups is nothing short of spectacular.
Bald Eagle
Florida also provides winter refuge for the Bald Eagle. Though many are year-round residents, others journey south once the northern lakes and rivers freeze over, searching for open water and food.
The eagle pictured here is a juvenile - still considered an immature bird at three years old. Only around their fourth of fifth year do they develop the iconic white head and tail feathers that define their adult plumage. Seeing both resident and migratory eagles in our skies is always a stirring reminder of strength and resilience.
Sandhill Cranes
Perhaps no bird captures the heart of Floridians more than the Sandhill Crane. Tall, elegant, and unhurried, they move with a presence that commands attention whether on the ground or in flight. Mated pairs stay bonded for life, raising their young together for nearly a full year before the juveniles strike out on their own.
Florida is home to three resident subspecies that never leave, while three others migrate here each winter after breeding in northern regions. Their trumpet-like calls are often the soundtrack of our mornings.
Flamingos and Beyond
Even the legendary Flamingo makes its way here. Long thought to be non-migratory, many of the birds we see in Florida arrive from Cuba and the Caribbean. Today, they are recognized as part of Florida's native migratory species, bringing with them an unmistakable splash of pink to our wetlands and coastlines.
Sculpture Spotlight
The inspiration I draw from Florida's birdlife often finds its way into bronze. A few years ago, I shared that I was at work on a monumental, life-and-a-half-sized Bald Eagle for Legacy Park at the Tradition Development Project.
Today, I'm proud to say that Tree of American Dreams has since been completed and installed. Rising on four symbolic pillars - Family, Faith, Community, and Country - the sculpture now serves as a centerpiece for the community and a tribute to the Sansone Family's enduring legacy. It stands as a reminder of both national pride and the role art plays in honoring our shared values.
"Art is important. It was man's first form of lasting communication. I am compelled to tell the story of the wild, to connect people to nature and the environment through Art."
-Geoffrey C. Smith
