Backyard Guide to Central Florida Birds

Central Florida Birds: Birding in Your Backyard

Florida is a haven for bird lovers, with over 500 species of birds that can be found throughout the state. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, Florida is a great place to observe and enjoy a wide variety of birds in their natural habitats. Our Marion Oaks community in Ocala, Florida is situated on green pastured lands with rolling hills and ancient oak trees. This makes it the perfect home for tons of resident songbirds. Indeed, birdwatching in Ocala is perfection! In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most common backyard birds in Florida, as well as tips for attracting these Florida birds to your yard.

Top 5 Most Common Central Florida Birds in your Backyard

Northern Cardinal

One of the most recognizable backyard birds in Florida is the Northern Cardinal. This bright red bird is easily identified by its striking color, long tail, and distinctive crest. Known as redbirds, these Florida birds naturally inhabit woodlands, dense thickets, and swampy areas. However, this chirpy songbird is a year-round resident of Florida and is a common sight in backyard bird feeders and birdbaths. To attract cardinals, be sure to provide a variety of food options, including sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and cracked corn.

 American Goldfinch

Another common backyard bird in Florida is the American Goldfinch. While this vibrant yellow bird can be spotted year-round, they are mainly seen during the winter. November through April, this is one of the Florida backyard birds you will regularly spot at the bird feeder. When it comes to Florida birds, goldfinches are among the strictest vegetarians, eating an entirely vegetable diet and avoiding insects. To attract these visitors to your yard, plant native thistles, milkweed, and other composite plants. They also will gladly enjoy seeds from a feeder or the ground. Goldfinches are attracted to a variety of seeds, but have a particular taste for nyjer and sunflower seeds. 

Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is another common backyard bird in Florida. This striking bird is easily identified by its blue and white plumage and large size. Like the Northern Cardinal, Blue Jays are songbirds and are considered noisy neighbors. These Florida birds are omnivores, which means that they will eat a wide variety of food, including nuts, seeds, and insects. To attract blue jays to your lawn or garden, opt for tray feeders or hopper feeders. These birds also delight in drinking from bird baths.

Tufted Titmouse

Another vocal resident of the state is the Tufted Titmouse. This small gray bird is commonly spotted in Florida backyards and is easily recognized by its echoing voice and gray plumage. These Florida birds can be spotted throughout the year, but are especially common during the winter. They are high energy and are chirpy with a playful demeanor. Tufted Titmice are omnivores and will eat a wide variety of food, but have a strong preference for sunflower seeds.

Eastern Bluebird

Lastly, the Eastern Bluebird is a another beautiful member on our list of Florida birds. These birds can often be seen perching on powerlines and fences or in meadows and golf courses.  Likewise, they can also be observed in your backyard in Florida throughout the year. This bird is easily identified by its blue plumage and distinctive rusty-red breast. Eastern Bluebirds are insectivores, which means that they feed primarily on insects. To attract bluebirds to your yard, be sure to provide a birdhouse and plenty of insects, such as mealworms and crickets. Putting up a nest box can help to attract a nesting pair of these birds, as well as having perching spots in your backyard.

Tips for Attracting Backyard Birds in Florida

Provide a Well-Stocked Bird Feeder

One of the most important things you can do to attract backyard birds to your backyard is to provide a clean and well-stocked bird feeder. Make sure to clean your feeder regularly and to refill it with fresh food. There are a variety of styles and types of bird feeders, such as suet feeders, log feeders and sugar water feeders. Do some research on which types of birds you’d like to attract, and plan based on their preferences.

Offer an Array of Food Options

Birds have different preferences when it comes to food, so be sure to offer a variety of food options to attract a wide variety of birds to your yard. Some common food options include sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. Remember, some birds are pickier than others, such as the Eastern Bluebird who prefers insects or the American Goldfinch, which is a fan of sunflower seeds.

Provide a Clean Birdbath

While you can plant native plants for food or provide birdseed, birds need water to drink and bathe. So, be sure to provide a birdbath in your garden to maximize your birdwatching opportunities. There are many options for birdbaths, including concrete, stone, and metal bird baths. It is important to remember that a birdbath should have 2-3 inches of water at the deepest part. Also, keeping the bath clean for the birds will help to ensure it is safe and free of mosquito larvae. Make sure to maintain your birdbath regularly and to refill it often.

 Find your Florida Home and Birdwatch All Year

If you’re looking for pristine nature and extraordinary birdwatching opportunities, we have new construction single family homes for sale in FL. Our homes for sale in Marion Oaks and Glen Aire are in the North Central region of Florida and provide opportunities to explore all Florida has to offer. Likewise, our homes for sale in Citrus Springs and Timber Pines are also in Central Florida and offer similar recreation and natural beauty. Visit us today to see the beautiful rolling hills, giant oaks, and Florida birds of the area!