Key West is a lot of things to many people, but to our special bird friends, it’s home or home away from home for the migrating ones!
The Florida Keys is home to many bird varieties, even more, stop by during the migrating season. This makes the Keys one of the top destinations for year-round bird watching!
Winter Birds in Key West
In the winter months, the raptors; Hawks and Vultures, can be seen circling is large groups, or kettles, as they are called. This is the time of year when the chickens are running for cover! Eagles can be seen at Fort Zachary Taylor. Osprey are fish-eating birds, nesting in the high trees or platforms near water.
Spring Birds in Key West
In March and April, we see the migrating birds, who are coming back from the Caribbean and points south. These birds are heading back up to the north for the summer.
Just like people, they are getting away from the heat and potential hurricanes! Great White Herons, Ruby-throat hummingbirds, Cuban Yellow Warblers, will make this annual journey north along with a good number of pelicans.
Where to See Bird Migration in Key West
A wonderful spot to see this migration take place is at Fort Jefferson at the Dry Tortugas. It’s just a short 70-mile ferry ride off Key West. Spring is the optimal time to see the nearly 300 species of birds have been spotted there. The sky will be filled with the chatter of thousands of birds! It is quite a sight to behold.
So, if your looking for something fun to do this spring, take a trip to the Tortugas, Pigeon Key, Curry Hammock State Park in Marathon, Bahia Honda Park, and others.
Plan Your Key West Vacation to go Birdwatching
If birdwatching is a favorite past time or you're interested in seeing a variety of wildlife in the Florida Keys, plan your stay on Key West. Our Key West vacation rentals provide easy access to beaches, wildlife preserves, and sanctuaries throughout the Keys.