Florida’s coastline and wetlands provide an excellent home for a variety of shorebirds. These birds, known for their long legs and specialized bills, are commonly seen along beaches, mudflats, and marshes throughout the state. Shorebirds in Florida attract birdwatchers year-round due to their diversity and unique behaviors.
Shorebirds in Florida include many species that migrate through the area as well as those that nest locally. From sandpipers to plovers, each species has distinct markings and habits that make identification both challenging and rewarding. Watching these birds forage along the water’s edge is a fascinating experience.
This guide covers 18 shorebirds in Florida with detailed pictures and identification tips. Learning to recognize these shorebirds will enhance outdoor adventures and deepen appreciation for Florida’s rich birdlife.
Common Shorebirds Found in Florida
Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
The Willet is a large shorebird characterized by its sturdy grayish body and distinctive black-and-white wing pattern, which becomes very noticeable when the bird takes flight. Measuring about 14 to 15 inches in length with a wingspan up to 29 inches, Willets have long legs suited for wading through shallow waters. Their plumage is generally muted gray and brown, providing excellent camouflage in coastal habitats like salt marshes and sandy beaches.
In Florida, Willets are commonly spotted along the Atlantic coast, especially in tidal flats, salt marshes, and coastal lagoons. They are fairly easy to identify by their loud, piercing call which sounds like a sharp “pill-will-willet.” When in flight, the contrasting black and white wing pattern is striking, often used to signal or defend territory. Willets are typically solitary or found in small groups while foraging.
Willets mainly feed on small aquatic animals such as crabs, insects, mollusks, and small fish. They forage by walking steadily along the shoreline, probing the mud and sand with their moderately long bills. During migration and winter, Willets gather in coastal wetlands but breed inland near freshwater marshes and ponds. In Florida, they are mostly seen during their migration periods along the coast.
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)
The Semipalmated Plover is a small, stocky shorebird about 6 to 7 inches long, with a short bill and a distinctive single dark breast band across its white chest. Its legs are yellowish, and it has a rounded head with a noticeable white forehead and dark patches around the eyes, giving it a bold facial pattern. The name “semipalmated” refers to the partial webbing between their toes, aiding in movement on soft substrates.
In Florida, these plovers are common during migration and winter along sandy beaches, mudflats, and estuaries. They are often seen running quickly in short bursts as they search for food, using a stop-start technique. Their behavior includes bobbing their heads and flashing their white wing patches when in flight, which helps birdwatchers identify them from similar species.
Semipalmated Plovers mainly feed on small invertebrates such as marine worms, crustaceans, and insects found in the sand or mud. They use their short bills to pick prey from the surface or just below it. These birds are highly adaptable and frequent both coastal and inland mudflats during migration. Florida serves as an important stopover and wintering area for this species.
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)
The American Oystercatcher is easily recognizable by its striking black-and-white plumage and a long, bright orange-red bill, which it uses skillfully to pry open shellfish. It is a large, robust shorebird measuring around 17 inches in length with a wingspan close to 30 inches. Its striking coloration makes it one of the most conspicuous shorebirds along Florida’s coastlines.
In Florida, American Oystercatchers inhabit isolated beaches, salt marsh edges, and barrier islands where they nest in shallow scrapes on sandy or shell-strewn ground. They are territorial birds, often defending nesting sites aggressively from intruders. Their loud, high-pitched whistles and calls are commonly heard as they communicate with mates or signal danger.
The diet of the American Oystercatcher consists mainly of bivalve mollusks such as oysters, clams, and mussels. Their strong bills allow them to hammer or pry open shells to reach the soft flesh inside. Besides shellfish, they may also eat crabs and other small invertebrates. Due to habitat threats, this species is considered a conservation priority in Florida and South Carolina.
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Sanderlings are small, pale sandpipers about 7 to 8 inches long, widely known for their characteristic “wave-chasing” behavior on sandy beaches. They are mostly white and gray, which provides camouflage against the sand. Their wings have a subtle pattern of black and gray, visible during flight, and their black legs and short, straight bills are adapted for fast movement along shorelines.
In Florida, Sanderlings are commonly found in large flocks during migration and winter, particularly on open beaches along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. They are often seen running rapidly back and forth with the incoming and outgoing tide, probing the wet sand with their bills for food. Their social behavior includes flocking tightly, which helps protect them from predators.
Sanderlings primarily feed on tiny invertebrates such as crustaceans, marine worms, and insects buried just below the sand’s surface. They use quick, repeated pecks to catch prey as waves retreat. Florida’s beaches and tidal flats offer an ideal habitat for these birds, especially during the colder months when they gather in large numbers.
Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus)
The Short-billed Dowitcher is a medium-sized shorebird measuring around 11 to 12 inches long, notable for its long, straight bill which it uses in a rapid, sewing-machine-like motion to probe mudflats and marshes. Its plumage is mottled brown and gray, with a streaked chest and belly during breeding season, while winter plumage tends to be duller. The bird’s eyes are dark and its legs greenish to gray.
In Florida, Short-billed Dowitchers are most commonly seen during migration seasons on estuarine mudflats, tidal marshes, and shallow wetlands. They are often found in flocks with other shorebirds, feeding in shallow water or soft mud. Their probing feeding style and the characteristic quick bobbing of the head help with identification.
This species primarily eats aquatic invertebrates, such as insect larvae, small crustaceans, and mollusks found beneath the surface of mud or sand. The long bill is highly sensitive, allowing them to detect prey by touch. Florida’s extensive coastal wetlands provide important stopover habitats where these birds rest and feed during their long migratory journeys.
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
The Ruddy Turnstone is a compact and striking shorebird, measuring about 8 to 9 inches in length. Its plumage is a bold mix of black, white, and chestnut colors, creating a patchy, mottled pattern that stands out on coastal shores. Its short, sturdy legs and slightly upturned bill are perfect adaptations for its feeding behavior. This bird’s stocky build and unique coloration make it relatively easy to identify compared to other small shorebirds.
In Florida, Ruddy Turnstones are commonly seen along rocky or sandy beaches, particularly during migration seasons in spring and fall. They are often found in coastal areas with abundant shells, pebbles, and seaweed. One of their distinctive behaviors is flipping over stones and debris to uncover hidden invertebrates, hence their name “turnstone.” They are generally quite active and social, often feeding in small groups.
The diet of Ruddy Turnstones includes insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and other small invertebrates hidden beneath beach debris. Their foraging technique involves using their bill to flip over objects and probe the sand for food. Florida’s varied coastline, with both sandy shores and rocky outcrops, provides excellent feeding grounds during their migratory stopovers.
Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
The Black-bellied Plover is one of the largest plovers, measuring about 11 inches long, and is easily recognized by its dramatic breeding plumage. In breeding season, it displays a black face, chest, and belly contrasted by a silvery-gray back and white neck. Outside of breeding, the bird’s plumage is more subdued, mainly mottled gray and white, but its large size and distinctive bold black and white wing stripes visible in flight make identification straightforward.
In Florida, Black-bellied Plovers are common migrants and winter visitors, frequenting open coastal habitats such as tidal flats, beaches, and estuaries. They often stand alone or in small groups while foraging. Their behavior includes slow, deliberate walking and probing the surface with their strong bills. These birds are relatively shy but can be spotted in open areas where they blend well with the environment.
Black-bellied Plovers feed primarily on marine invertebrates, including crabs, worms, and mollusks found in mud or sand. Their large size allows them to cover extensive feeding areas, and they can often be seen probing deeply with their bills. Florida’s tidal flats and sandy shores provide critical habitat during migration and wintering periods.
Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa)
The Marbled Godwit is a tall and slender shorebird, measuring around 17 inches in length. It features a distinctive slightly upturned bill that is pink at the base and dark toward the tip, perfectly suited for probing into mud and sand. Its plumage is warm brown with darker mottling, giving it a marbled appearance that provides excellent camouflage in estuarine environments. The bird’s long legs allow it to wade through deeper waters compared to many shorebirds.
In Florida, the Marbled Godwit is an occasional visitor, most commonly observed during migration in coastal estuaries and large mudflats. They tend to prefer quieter, less disturbed habitats where they can forage effectively. This species is less common than other shorebirds but can be identified by its size, bill shape, and distinctive plumage pattern.
Marbled Godwits feed primarily on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small mollusks which they detect by probing with their long bill in soft mud or sand. Their feeding style involves slow, deliberate movements and frequent probing. Florida’s estuarine mudflats offer suitable foraging grounds during the migration seasons.
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
The Piping Plover is a small, pale shorebird, about 6 to 7 inches in length, with a short, stout bill and a single dark neck band. It has a sandy-colored back and white underside that helps it blend seamlessly into its beach environment. This species is notable for its delicate appearance and subtle markings, which make it distinct among small shorebirds.
In Florida, Piping Plovers are rare and considered threatened. They nest in limited numbers on protected sandy beaches, where conservation efforts help safeguard their fragile habitats from disturbance. During migration, they can sometimes be spotted along coastal shores and tidal flats. Their behavior includes cautious foraging and alertness to potential threats.
Piping Plovers feed mainly on small invertebrates like marine worms, crustaceans, and insects which they pick from the surface of sand or shallow water. Their small, quick pecks and run-stop feeding pattern are typical. Florida’s coastal management programs focus on protecting nesting sites to ensure the survival of this vulnerable species.
Red Knot (Calidris canutus)
The Red Knot is a medium-sized sandpiper, approximately 9 inches long, renowned for its remarkable long-distance migration. During spring migration, it displays reddish-orange underparts that fade to grayish tones in winter plumage. Its compact body, short legs, and straight black bill make it easily distinguishable among sandpipers.
In Florida, Red Knots are regular migrants and winter visitors along coastal beaches, especially where horseshoe crab eggs are abundant. They often gather in large flocks during stopovers to feed and rest. Their migration is one of the longest of any bird, traveling between Arctic breeding grounds and South American wintering sites, with Florida serving as a critical refueling stop.
The Red Knot’s diet in Florida mainly consists of horseshoe crab eggs, which provide essential energy during migration. They also eat other small invertebrates found on sandy beaches and mudflats. The availability of food during stopovers is vital for their survival, making Florida’s coastal habitats crucial for their migration success.
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
The Least Sandpiper is the smallest species among sandpipers, measuring just about 5 to 6 inches in length. It is easily identified by its small size, short bill, and distinctive yellow legs which contrast with its brownish, mottled upperparts. The plumage is generally streaked brown on the back with a pale belly, providing camouflage among mud and vegetation in coastal wetlands.
In Florida, Least Sandpipers are commonly found in mudflats, tidal marshes, and the edges of coastal lagoons, where they forage actively. They often move quickly over soft mud or sand, picking small prey from the surface or probing shallowly. Their small size allows them to exploit microhabitats inaccessible to larger shorebirds, often seen in mixed flocks with other small shorebirds.
This species feeds mainly on tiny invertebrates such as insect larvae, small crustaceans, and worms. Using their slender bills, they pick or probe in mud and shallow water. Florida’s extensive coastal wetlands and salt marshes provide ideal feeding and resting grounds for the Least Sandpiper during migration and winter months.
Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata)
Wilson’s Snipe is a medium-sized shorebird notable for its long, straight bill and cryptic, mottled brown plumage which blends perfectly into wetland vegetation. It measures about 10 to 12 inches in length and has distinctive stripes on its head and back that help with identification. This species prefers freshwater wetlands, marshes, and moist meadows along the Florida coast.
In Florida, Wilson’s Snipes inhabit freshwater marshes, wet meadows, and edges of ponds or swamps, often hidden among dense vegetation. When flushed from cover, they produce a distinctive drumming or winnowing sound caused by vibrations of their tail feathers during flight, a behavior commonly observed during the breeding season. They tend to be solitary or in small groups while feeding.
Wilson’s Snipes use their long bills to probe deeply into soft mud in search of worms, insect larvae, and small aquatic invertebrates. Their feeding involves slow, deliberate probing motions while walking in shallow water or muddy soil. Florida’s wetlands provide critical habitat for them, especially during migration and winter when they are more widespread.
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)
The Greater Yellowlegs is a tall, elegant shorebird approximately 14 to 15 inches long, with bright yellow legs and a long, slightly upturned bill. Its plumage consists of grayish-brown upperparts with streaked underparts, which provide camouflage in wetland environments. This species is distinguished by its long legs and loud, piercing call often heard in flight.
In Florida, Greater Yellowlegs are commonly found in coastal mudflats, marshes, and shallow ponds. They move slowly and deliberately while foraging, often standing still for long periods before quickly striking at prey with their long bills. They are usually solitary or seen in small groups and are quite vocal, especially when disturbed or in flight.
Their diet mainly consists of aquatic insects, small crustaceans, fish, and other invertebrates found in shallow water or mud. Greater Yellowlegs use their long bills to probe or seize prey on or just below the surface. Florida’s diverse wetlands and estuaries provide ideal habitats for this species during migration and winter.
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
The Lesser Yellowlegs closely resembles the Greater Yellowlegs but is smaller, measuring about 10 inches in length. It also has bright yellow legs but a straighter, slimmer bill and more delicate build. The plumage is similar with gray-brown upperparts and streaked underparts, but the Lesser Yellowlegs is typically more slender and faster moving.
In Florida, Lesser Yellowlegs are abundant in coastal mudflats, marshes, ponds, and flooded fields. They often feed in flocks and are highly active, walking quickly through shallow water or mud while probing for food. Their behavior is more energetic and rapid compared to the slower, more deliberate Greater Yellowlegs.
The Lesser Yellowlegs feeds primarily on small aquatic insects, crustaceans, and other invertebrates, using its straight bill to peck or probe the substrate. Its preference for a variety of wetland habitats makes Florida an important wintering and migration area. Observing the size and bill shape helps distinguish this species from its larger relative.
Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)
Wilson’s Phalarope is a small, slender shorebird measuring about 7 to 8 inches in length. It has a distinctive appearance with a thin neck, long legs, and a relatively long, straight bill. One of its most remarkable behaviors is swimming on open water, often spinning in small circles to create whirlpools that stir up aquatic prey. This unique feeding technique sets it apart from many other shorebirds.
In Florida, Wilson’s Phalaropes are mainly seen during migration periods, especially in shallow freshwater wetlands, ponds, and flooded fields. They tend to gather in small flocks and are more often observed on water than on mudflats or beaches. Their restless spinning and swimming patterns make them quite easy to identify in suitable habitats during their brief stopovers.
Their diet consists mostly of aquatic insects, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates that they capture by filtering water stirred up during their spinning motion. Wilson’s Phalaropes rely heavily on shallow water bodies during migration for feeding and resting. Florida’s freshwater wetlands serve as critical stopover sites where these birds refuel on their long journeys.
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)
The Spotted Sandpiper is a small shorebird, about 7 to 8 inches long, recognized by its brownish back and white underside marked with distinctive black spots during the breeding season. Outside of breeding, these spots fade, but the bird retains its characteristic bobbing behavior and pale face. It has relatively short legs and a straight, slender bill.
In Florida, Spotted Sandpipers are commonly found along the edges of rivers, lakes, ponds, and coastal beaches throughout the year. They are frequently seen walking along muddy or sandy shorelines, often bobbing their tails up and down while foraging. This active and somewhat solitary bird prefers quiet, freshwater or brackish habitats but can also be found on coastal shores.
Their diet mainly includes insects, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates, which they pick from the surface or shallow water. The Spotted Sandpiper’s feeding style involves quick pecking and probing into soft substrates. Florida’s abundance of freshwater bodies and coastal areas makes it an ideal home for this adaptable species.
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
The Whimbrel is a large shorebird, measuring around 18 to 22 inches in length, famous for its long, curved bill that curves downward like a question mark. Its plumage is mottled brown and gray, providing excellent camouflage in coastal environments. This bird’s size and distinctive bill shape make it easy to recognize among other shorebirds.
In Florida, Whimbrels are typically observed on sandy beaches, mudflats, and shallow coastal waters during migration and winter. They favor open coastal habitats where they can forage for marine prey. Whimbrels are strong, long-distance migrants, traveling thousands of miles between Arctic breeding grounds and southern wintering areas, often stopping in Florida as a key staging site.
Their diet consists mainly of crabs, mollusks, small fish, and marine insects, which they extract from sand or mud using their long, curved bills. They use a probing and pecking technique to capture prey buried beneath the surface. Florida’s coastal mudflats and estuaries provide important feeding grounds for Whimbrels during their migration stopovers.
FAQ about Shorebirds in Florida
What are shorebirds?
Shorebirds are birds commonly found along beaches, mudflats, estuaries, and wetlands. They are usually recognized by their long legs, slender bills, and active foraging behavior in shallow water or soft sand.
How many shorebird species live in Florida?
Florida hosts over 40 species of shorebirds throughout the year, including both permanent residents and seasonal migrants. Many of these birds rely on Florida’s coastlines as important stopover or nesting sites.
When is the best time to see shorebirds in Florida?
Shorebirds can be seen year-round in Florida, but the best times are during spring and fall migration, when large numbers of species pass through. Winter also brings many overwintering birds to the state.
Where can I see shorebirds in Florida?
Great places to see shorebirds include Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island, Fort De Soto Park, and the Florida Keys. Beaches, tidal flats, and mangroves offer ideal viewing opportunities.
What do shorebirds eat in Florida?
Shorebirds feed on small invertebrates such as insects, worms, crustaceans, and mollusks. They use their bills to probe into sand or mud to locate prey hidden below the surface.
Are any Florida shorebirds endangered or threatened?
Yes, some species like the snowy plover, red knot, and piping plover are listed as threatened or endangered. Habitat loss, human disturbance, and sea level rise are major challenges to their survival.
How can I help protect shorebirds in Florida?
You can help by respecting posted nesting areas, keeping dogs on leashes at the beach, avoiding disturbing birds while they feed or rest, and supporting local conservation efforts.
