Florida ’s diverse landscapes and soft climate make it a haven for birdwatchers , specially those seeking to spot some of the most beautifulblue birds in Florida . From lush wetlands to coastal mangrove and suburban backyard , these vibrant birds total a stir of color to every environment . If you ’re a birding partisan or just savor nature , exploring the various species ofblue birds in Floridais a truly rewarding experience .
This usher highlights20 types of blue birdie in Florida , offer insight into their unique feature , habitat , and behaviors . Some metal money , like the Eastern Bluebird , are year - round resident physician , while others , such as the Cerulean Warbler or Blue - fly Teal , are migrant visitor . With helpful identification crest and vivid descriptions , you ’ll be capable to recognise each species with sureness .
Understanding the differenttypes of drear fowl in Floridacan deepen your taste for the state of matter ’s rich birdlife . From the bright anil of a bunting to the shimmering blue angel of a crow blackbird ’s plumage , these bird offer stunning sights for all who take the time to depend . Whether observing from a nature trail or your backyard feeder , there ’s always a chance to spot one of Florida ’s dazzle Amytal - feathered residents .
Common Blue Birds in Florida (Year-round Residents)
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)
The Eastern Bluebird is a small , hit songster known for its vibrant plumage and cheerful calls . Males have a bright down in the mouth head , back , and wing contrasted by a warm cherry - orange tree chest and lily-white stomach . female are duller in color but still show wind of dark and rust tones . appraise around 6.5 to 8.5 in in distance , with a wingspread of 9.8 to 12.6 inch , they are petite and agile in flight of stairs .
In Florida , Eastern Bluebirds are common throughout the state , particularly in open home ground like pastures , fields , orchards , and golf courses , where they light on modest branch or fence posts to picket for food . They prefer areas with dissipate Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and minimal underbrush , often nesting in natural cavity or birdhouses . Their breeding time of year begin in former spring , and they are have it off for bring forth multiple brood each twelvemonth .
Their diet lie in mainly of insects and other invertebrates during the warmer months , include beetle , caterpillars , grasshoppers , and spiders . In winter , they swear more intemperately on berries and fruit such as dogwood , holly , and sumac . Eastern Bluebirds run an important role in controlling worm population and are a favorite among birdwatchers due to their dish and gentle nature .
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
The Blue Jay is a highly placeable bird with brilliant blue upperparts , a white chest of drawers , and a distinct black necklace - like mark across the throat . Its crown , loud calls , and intelligence make it a standout among backyard birds . Blue Jays are medium - sized , range from 9 to 12 inches in duration with a wingspread of 13 to 17 inches , and they often appear gravid due to their full crest and bold personality .
Common across Florida yr - pear-shaped , Blue Jays populate a diverseness of environments including forests , suburban neighborhoods , parks , and woodlands . They are especially drawn to oak Tree due to their fondness for acorns . Blue Jays are sleep together for their complex societal conduct , mimicking other hiss ’ call ( even hawks ) , and forming mean family units . They are also frequent visitor to feeders .
Their diet is omnivorous , include insects , nuts , seeds , fruits , and small craniate or eggs . They are specially famous for lay away nutrient , peculiarly acorn , which they sink to eat later . This behavior unwittingly helps in tree dispersal , especially oak tree woods . While sometimes belligerent , Blue Jays are also extremely intelligent and diddle a worthful part inFlorida ’s birdecosystems .
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
The Blue - gray Gnatcatcher is a tiny , slender bird with soft gentle - white-haired upperparts , a snowy undersurface , and a long black - and - white tail . It has a fine bill and is often see flitting about energetically with nimble , arrhythmic movements . With a body length of just 3.9 to 4.3 inches and a wingspan of around 6 inch , this razzing is one of the small songbirds found in Florida .
It is a widespread metal money throughout the state , favoring deciduous forests , hummock , coastal scrub , and wooded wetlands . In Florida , they are year - round of drinks residents in southerly part and wintertime visitors in northerly expanse . Blue - gray gnatcatcher are extremely combat-ready and often strong to spot due to their speed and size of it , but their nasal “ spee - spee ” calls give them by as they forage through treetops .
These birds primarily give on small insects and spiders , gleaning them from leaves and branches or catching them midair . Their constant hindquarters - flicking may facilitate loaded dirt ball from foliage . During migration and fostering seasons , they can become territorial and will aggressively fight their nest . Despite their small size , their plucky behavior and nimbleness make them engrossing to observe .
Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)
The Florida Scrub - Jay is a unequaled species discover only in Florida , making it the country ’s only truly endemic bird . It has a burnished blue head , wings , and chase with a wan gray back and underparts , and it miss the crest seen in Blue Jays . These boo mensurate about 9.1 to 11 in long with a wingspan of 13 to 14 inches . Their distinct colour and circumscribed chain make them a species of nifty conservation headache .
They dwell oak scrub habitats , primarily in central and southeastern Florida , include region like Ocala National Forest and the Lake Wales Ridge . These environments are characterize by sandy stain , low - grow oaks , and undefendable spaces — circumstance maintained by periodic fires . Florida Scrub - Jays are highly societal and live in family radical , often help raise siblings and defend territory together .
Their dieting includes a mix of louse , small vertebrates , fruits , and especially acorn , which they bury in the sand for later consumption . These raspberry are intelligent and known for their strong memory , allowing them to reclaim lay away food . Due to home ground loss and atomisation , their populations are declining , and they are listed as a threatened coinage . Conservation cause focus on habitat preservation and restoration to stomach their survival of the fittest .
Migratory or Seasonal Blue Birds
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)
The Indigo Bunting is a small-scale , center - catching songster with males displaying bright aristocratical plume that can look almost radiate in sunlight . female person and juvenile , in contrast , are brownish with faint bar , countenance them to intermingle more well into their surroundings . These birds are around 4.5 to 5 column inch long with a wingspan of about 7.5 to 9 inches , and they have shortsighted , conical bill well - suit for come feeding .
In Florida , Indigo Buntings are mainly seen during migration in spring and crepuscule , though some breed in the northern parts of the state . They prefer subject habitats such as woodland edge , brushy fields , and hedgerows . During migration , they may also claver garden and park , especially if food sources are available . Their sweet , luxuriously - hawk songs often give away their bearing in dense flora .
Their diet primarily consists of seed , berries , and little insects . During the breeding season , they bank more on insects like caterpillars , beetles , andspidersto bung their young . Indigo Buntings often scrounge low in botany or on the soil and may on occasion visit feeders . Their migration is nocturnal and pass by the mavin , spend a penny their annual journeys especially enthralling to researchers and bird devotee likewise .
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)
The Blue Grosbeak is a intermediate - sized songbird with a stout build and a striking visual aspect . Adult male are cryptical , rich blue all over with chestnut annexe bars , while female person are mostly warm brownness with touch of dispirited and pale fender bars . Measuring about 5.5 to 7.5 inches in length with a wingspan of 10 to 11 inch , they have a potent silver nib adapted for crack seeds .
In Florida , Blue Grosbeaks are primarily seen as summertime breeders in the northerly and fundamental regions , while they pass through southerly Florida during migration . Their favourite habitat include shrubby fields , woodland edges , and overgrown pastures . They are more closelipped than other buntings , often staying hidden within thick foliation , but their melodious , trill songs can facilitate identify them .
Their dieting includes a panoptic range of insects such as grasshoppers and caterpillar , along with seeds and grains . During breeding season , insects become the main nutrient source for both adults and nestlings . They forage both in flora and on the background and from time to time visit feeder propose millet orsunflowerseeds . Despite being relatively unsure , their rich coloration and Sung make them a rewarding specie for patient birdwatchers .
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris)
The Painted Bunting is often described as one of the most colored skirt in North America . Males boast a arresting intermixture of low head , green backs , and red underparts , while female and immatures are a vivacious lime green overall . These birds are pocket-sized , about 4.7 to 5.5 column inch long , with a wingspread of approximately 8.5 inches , and they have potent , seed - crush snoot .
In Florida , Painted Buntings are mainly detect in the primal and southeast parts of the state during wintertime , though some spawn in northerly Florida along the coast . They favor habitats like coastal copse , weedy fields , forest edge , and backyard tributary with slow cover . Males are more visible during breeding when they sing from exposed perch , while females tend to stay scummy and hidden .
Their diet consist of seed , specially gage and mourning band seeds , as well as small fruits and insects . During the breeding season , they rely more on insects to provide protein for their untested . These buntings are frequent visitors to feeders , peculiarly those offer white millet . preservation efforts in Florida focus on maintaining and protecting their shrinking habitat , especially during migration and wintering months .
Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea)
The Cerulean Warbler is a small and delicate bird with Male featuring a sky - blue back , white underparts , and a narrow moody blue ring across the chest . Females are a more subdued blue - common above with yellowish tone below . They measure about 4.3 inches long with a wingspan of 7.9 inches and are among the quickest - declining warblers in North America due to habitat going .
In Florida , Cerulean Warblers are primarily figure during spring and fall migration , as they go by through the State Department on their way to and from breeding grounds in the Appalachian Mountains and wintering region in South America . They favor grandiloquent deciduous woodland during migration , specially those near pee or with mellow tree canopies . spot them can be gainsay , as they often forage high up in the treetops .
Their diet lie almost entirely of worm and other modest arthropods . They glean Caterpillar , beetle , and flies from leave and twig while flitting through the canopy . Due to their subtle behavior and worsen numbers , sightings in Florida are often brief but cherish by experienced birders . Conservation efforts across their migrant stove are crucial to control the endurance of this beautiful but vulnerable mintage .
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)
The Northern Parula is a small , vibrantly coloured warbler featuring bluish - grey-headed upperparts with a green back while , a yellow pharynx and chest , and two bold white-hot wing bars . Males often exhibit a dark bureau band that helps distinguish them from female . They are compact , about 4.3 inches long , with a wingspan of 6.3 to 7.1 inch , and have a slimly downcurved bank bill ideal for picking insects from foliation .
In Florida , Northern Parulas are widespread and among the early migrant warblers to return each natural spring . They engender across much of the country , specially in moist forests , cypress tree swamps , and hummock woodlands where epiphytic plants like Spanish moss or lichen are abundant . These materials serve as nesting sites , as the doll often suspend their nests within hanging moss .
Their dieting consist primarily of insect and wanderer , which they glean from leaves and ramification in the canopy . They ’re known for their buzzy , rising trill of a Song dynasty , which makes them easier to notice than to see , as they often remain in high spirits in the treetop . Agile and ungratified , the Northern Parula adds vivid color and vigor to Florida ’s spring and summer forest .
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)
The Blue - headed Vireo is a small , stocky songster with a slate - blue head , bold bloodless spectacles around the eyes , olive - green back , and white underparts with yellowish flanks . It has a inadequate , thickheaded bill and impregnable legs suit for forage in the forest understory . These razz quantify around 5 to 5.5 inches long with a wingspan of 8 to 9 inch .
In Florida , the Blue - direct Vireo is primarily a wintertime house physician , most often chance in woodlands , true pine forests , and hammock home ground from decline through early leap . They are methodical foragers , move slowly among offset and pause often to inspect leafage for fair game . Their calculated tread and typical “ upbeat ” Sung aid birder locate them even in dim foliage .
Their diet is mainly insectivorous , feeding on caterpillar , mallet , and other arthropods , but they also consumesmall fruitsandberriesin the cooler months . They typically forage in the mid - canopy , often hanging upside down to achieve prey . Calm and speculative , Blue - headed Vireos are reliable presences in Florida ’s wintertime woods and are among the most accessible vireo .
Purple Martin (Progne subis)
The Purple Martin is the declamatory sup in North America , with male person displaying glossy , dark blue - purple feather and more or less ramify tail coat . Females and juveniles are dull with grayish bellies and less opalescence . These birds are around 7.5 to 8 column inch long with a wingspan of up to 12 column inch and are bang for their elegant , gymnastic flight .
In Florida , Purple Martins are early spring arrivals and breed throughout much of the United States Department of State . They are especially associated with human - provided housing , such as martin houses or gourd colony , as they look almost altogether on artificial nesting sites in the easterly U.S. They prefer open areas near water system and are extremely societal , often forming great breeding Colony .
Their dieting consists all of flying insects , including dragonflies , beetles , wasps , and moth , which they get in midair with unbelievable preciseness . They are daytime feeder and seldom make out to ground . With their melodic bubble calls and communal roosting wont , Purple Martins are a dear summer fix in Florida neighborhoods , especially where nest box are maintain annually .
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
The Tree Swallow is a sleek , average - sized swallow with iridescent blue - green upperparts and clean bloodless underpart . juvenile and females may appear duller with some dark-brown flavor . With a streamlined body , short bill , and head wing , these bird are built for speed and lightsomeness . They typically measure about 5.1 to 5.9 column inch in distance with a wingspan of 11.8 to 13 inches .
In Florida , Tree Swallows are interpret mostly during migration and in winter , though small number may breed in northern parts of the land . They favor heart-to-heart wetlands , agrarian field , and coastal marshes where they can feed over water or loose earth . During migration , they often gather in with child flocks , sometimes numbering in the thousands , creating impressive aerial displays .
Their dieting is almost exclusively composed of flying insects such as rainfly , midge , and mosquitoes , but they will also eat on works material , particularly berries , during insensate months . Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree unsay often nest in cavities or nest boxes and are flying to take reward of suited location near water . Their calendered plumage and aerial artistry make them a striking sight in Florida ’s skies .
Wetland and Wading Birds with Blue Features
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
The Great Blue Heron is the largest Hero of Alexandria in North America , standing about 4 feet tall with a wingspread contact up to 6.5 feet . It has a retentive neck , dagger - similar measure , and mostly dingy - gray plumage with black plumes on the straits . In flight , it tuck its neck opening into an “ S ” anatomy , distinguishing it from like large dame like Stephen Crane or stork .
This majestic wader is found year - rung throughout Florida , inhabiting freshwater and brine environments likewise . It frequent marshes , swamps , rivers , lakes , mangrove , and even urban retention ponds . Great Blue Herons are solitary feeders and often stand motionless while hunting , patiently waiting to coin at fish , frogs , crustaceans , and occasionally small mammal or reptiles .
They feed in by wading slowly or stand still , using their long bills to spear target with lightning - fast precision . These Hero nest in tall Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , often in colonies known as rookery . Despite their magnanimous size and calculated movements , they are outstandingly graceful in flight of stairs and are a conversant and iconic sight across Florida ’s wetland .
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
The Little Blue Heron is a medium - sized wading bird with adults showcasing refined slate - blue plumage and a maroon - colour neck in cover time of year . juvenile person , in direct contrast , are entirely white during their first year , step by step shed into gamey as they mature . Adults make about 2 groundwork in summit with a wingspread around 40 inches .
This specie is far-flung in Florida year - round and is normally found in shallow wetlands , marshes , ponds , ditches , and mangroves . Unlike some more societal herons , the Little Blue Heron is often seen foraging alone or in loose groups . It is quieter and more reserved , typically stalk fair game with slow , deliberate movement .
Their diet is diverse , consist mainly of diminished fish , amphibians , insects , and crustaceans . Juveniles ’ white plumage may offer a hunting advantage , permit them to integrate with flock of Snowy Egrets and clear access to more prey . These Heron are important indicant of healthy wetland ecosystem and are frequently see around Florida ’s coastal and inland water supply bodies .
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
The Belted Kingfisher is a stocky , crested snort with a shaggy blue - gray head , white collar , and a distinctive blue band across its chest — females also have a rufous band below the spicy one , making them one of the few bird species where the female person is more colorful than the male . They measure about 11 to 14 in in length with a wingspan of 19 to 23 inches .
In Florida , Belted Kingfishers are chiefly wintertime visitant , although some stay class - pear-shaped , peculiarly in the northerly region . They inhabit rivers , lakes , estuaries , and coastlines , where they perch conspicuously near weewee to hunt . Their gimcrack rattling call often reveal their presence before they ’re assure flying quickly over the water with rapid wingbeats .
These birds are expert pekan , diving headfirst into the water from a perch to seize small Pisces and aquatic invertebrates . They also use up amphibious vehicle and insects . Belted Kingfishers nest in burrow they unearth in arenaceous banks along river or lake . Their keen eyesight and precise diving behavior make them engrossing to learn along Florida ’s waterways .
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)
The Blue - wing Teal is a small , migratory duck recognized by its powder - downcast wing patches , which are most visible in flight of stairs . Male in breeding plumage feature a bold snowy facial crescent and colored body , while female are mottled brown with subtle blue and green in the wings . They quantify about 14 to 16 inch long with a wingspread of 22 to 24 inches .
In Florida , Blue - wing teal are plebeian winter residents , arriving in expectant number during dip migration and staying through early leap . They favour shallow wetlands , marshes , flooded fields , and coastal lagoons . While not typically seen during the breeding season in Florida , some may linger later in the north or evanesce through during spring migration .
These dabble duck flow primarily on ejaculate and aquatic vegetation but also run through insects , snails , and other little invertebrates , especially during migration and breeding . They scrounge in shallow water by tip forward rather than diving event . Blue - winged blue green are among the earliest migrants in both declivity and outflow , and their refined movements and striking plumage make them a seasonal favorite for Florida birders .
Iridescent or Partially Blue Birds
Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)
The Boat - dog Grackle is a with child , glossy blackbird with striking iridescent blue and purple tones on the straits and body , especially large in Male . Male also have prospicient , keel - shaped tails that resemble a gravy boat ’s hull when spread , which is the descent of the boo ’s name . Females are significantly small and browner , with much short posterior and a more pernicious appearance .
This metal money is usually found year - round throughout Florida , especially along the seacoast and in wetlands , fen , mangroves , and even urban parks . gravy holder - tailed Grackles are highly adaptable and are often see strut boldly on boardwalks , docks , and parking lots . They are extremely vocal birds , known for their loud , rough cry , creaks , and whistles .
sauceboat - tailed Gracula religiosa have an omnivorous diet that includes louse , small Pisces the Fishes , crustaceans , seeds , and human food bit . They forage on the land , in shallow weewee , or steal from other birds . Their ability to expand in both innate and human - altered environments get them one of the most recognizable and widespread bird in coastal and primal Florida .
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)
The Common Grackle is slightly little than its boat - tailed relation but similarly changeable , with glossy blue , green , and bronze plumage depending on light . It has a long , wedge - shape keister , a hardy banker’s bill , and pallid yellow eye that give it an intense stare . Males are larger and glistening than females , which are more muted in color .
In Florida , the Common Grackle is a year - beat occupant and is found across the state in a kind of habitat , including woodland , suburban areas , farming fields , and wetlands . Unlike the gravy boat - tailed Grackle , it is more commonly seen inland and can be found in big flocks outside of the rearing time of year . It draw close in conifer trees , shrubs , or even human bodily structure when useable .
These doll are opportunistic affluent , consuming everything from insects , grains , and fruit to garbage and little vertebrate . They often forage in mickle , sometimes integrate with other merle species , and use their impregnable neb to open acorn or comprehend for invertebrate . Their metallic - sound Sung and societal behaviors make them both interesting and conspicuous members of Florida ’s avian residential area .
Rare or Occasional Blue-Tinged Visitors
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata)
The Common Gallinule , also known as the Moorhen , is a medium - sized marsh bird recognized by its distinctive reddened facial shield , icteric - tipped ruby bill , and long greenish legs . Its plumage is mostly coloured charcoal - gray to black , but under the right lighting , the head and back show a pernicious iridescent shininess of blue and purple , giving the bird a surprisingly colourful appearance .
This mintage is a year - round occupier throughout Florida , flourish in freshwater wetlands such as ponds , lakes , canals , and marshes with abundant aquatic botany . It often walk on floating plants or wade through shallow H2O with its long toes . Common Gallinules are quite vocal , let out meretricious cluck and squawks , particularly during the bringing up time of year .
Their diet lie in primarily of plant material — ejaculate , leaves , and alga — but they also consume insects , snails , and small-scale aquatic animals . These birds are skillful swimmer despite lacking webbed foot and will also rise among reeds and flora . They progress float nests and are extremely protective parents , often seen escorting their black , downy chicks through the water .
Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)
The Shiny Cowbird is a small , sleek blackbird with a striking metallic blue or purple sheen , most brilliant in males . Females are a unembellished brownish people of colour and lack the opalescence . The specie is slightly small than the Common Grackle , measuring about 7 to 8 inches in length , and is best name by its glossy , blueish visual aspect and comparatively myopic derriere .
Although native to South America , the Shiny Cowbird has expanded its range due north and is now occasionally follow in South Florida , peculiarly in open habitats like grazing land , urban parks , and agricultural domain . It is not common in the res publica but may look sporadically , specially near the southern tip and in the Florida Keys .
Like other cowbirds , the Shiny Cowbird is a brood parasite — it pose its eggs in the nests of other shuttle species , leaving them to raise its untried . This can have damaging effects on host populations , especially aboriginal songbirds . The species forages on the undercoat for seeds and louse and often joins motley stack of grackles and other blackbirds when present in Florida .
