All listed birds have been documented on buffer and aquatic preserve lands in the time periods shown after the species. Resident means breeding or non-breeding birds have been recorded all times of the year; special notes follow some species to indicate the best time period for observation. Bird Checklist PDF
Family GAVIIDAE: Loons
_ Red throated Loon. Gavia stellata. Oct-Mar
_ Common Loon. Gavia immer. Oct‑Apr
Family PODICIPEDIDAE: Grebes
_ Pied billed Grebe. Podilymbus podiceps. Resident
_ Horned Grebe. Podiceps auritus. Oct-Jun
_ Red necked Grebe. Podiceps grisegena. Dec-Jan
_ Eared Grebe. Podiceps nigricollis. Dec-Jan
Family SULIDAE: Boobies and Gannets
_ Masked (Blue‑faced) Booby. Sula dactylatra. Jul-Aug
_ Brown Booby. Sula leucogaster. Jul
_ Northern Gannet. Morus bassanus. Aug‑May. Dec and Apr are the best months to observe this species.
Family PELECANIDAE: Pelicans
_ American White Pelican. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. Sep‑Jan; Mar-Jul
_ Brown Pelican. Pelecanus occidentalis. Resident.
Family PHALACROCORACIDAE: Cormorants
_ Double crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus. Sep‑May
Family ANHINGIDAE: Darters
_ Anhinga. Anhinga anhinga. Resident. Apr‑Dec
Family FREGATIDAE: Frigatebirds
_ Magnificent Frigatebird. Fregata magnificens. Mar‑Nov After a strong southerly storm.
Family ARDEIDAE: Bitterns, Herons, and Egrets
_ American Bittern. Botaurus lentiginosus. Sep‑Jul; Jan-Mar
_ Least Bittern. Ixobrychus exilis. Mar‑Dec
_ Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias. Resident.
_ Great White Heron. Sep-Oct
_ American Egret Casmerodius albus Resident
_ Great Egret. Ardea alba. Resident
_ Snowy Egret. Egretta thula. Resident
_ Little Blue Heron. Egretta caerulea. Resident
_ Tricolored (Louisiana) Heron. Egretta tricolor. Resident
_ Reddish Egret. Egretta rufescens. Resident. Oct-May
_ Cattle Egret. Bubulcus ibis. Resident. Jan-Apr are the best months to observe this species.
_ Green Heron. Butorides virescens. Resident. Mar-Oct are the best months to observe this species.
_ Black crowned Night Heron. Nycticorax nycticorax. Resident
_ Yellow crowned Night Heron. Nyctanassa violacea. Resident. Apr‑Oct are the best months to observe this species.
Family THRESKIORNITHIDAE: Ibises and Spoonbills
_ White Ibis. Eudocimus albus. Resident
_ Glossy Ibis. Plegadis falcinellus. Mar-Oct
Family CICONIIDAE: Storks
_ Wood Stork. Mycteria americana. Resident. May-Oct are the best months to observe this species.
Family CATHARTIDAE: New World Vultures
_ Black Vulture. Coragyps atratus. Resident
_ Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura. Resident
Family ANATIDAE: Waterfowl
_ Wood Duck. Aix sponsa. Resident
_ Gadwall. Anas strepera. Oct‑Mar
_ American Wigeon. Anas americana. Sep‑Apr
_ American Black Duck. Anas rubripes. Oct‑Apr
_ Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos. Nov‑Apr
_ Blue winged Teal. Anas discors. Year-round. Sep is the best month to observe this species.
_ Northern Shoveler. Anas clypeata. Aug ‑May
_ Northern Pintail. Anas acuta. Oct‑Mar; Jul-Aug
_ Green winged Teal. Anas crecca. Sep‑Mar
_ Canvasback. Aythya valisineria. Oct-Feb
_ Redhead. Aythya americana. Oct‑Apr
_ Fulvus Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor Spring
_ Ring necked Duck. Aythya collaris. Oct‑May
_ Lesser Scaup. Aythya affinis. Oct-Jun.
_ Surf Scoter. Melanitta perspicillata. Oct-Dec
_ White winged Scoter. Melanitta fusca. Nov-Jan; May
_ Black Scoter. Melanitta nigra. Oct-Dec
_ Long-tailed Duck (Oldsquaw). Clangula hyemalis. Dec-Jan
_ Bufflehead. Bucephala albeola. Nov‑May
_ Common Golden-eye. Bucephala clangula. Nov‑Mar
_ Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus. Nov-Mar
_ Red breasted Merganser. Mergus serrator. Nov‑Apr
_ Ruddy Duck. Oxyura jamaicensis. Oct‑Jun
Family ACCIPITRIDAE: Kites, Eagles, Hawks and Allies
_ Osprey. Pandion haliaetus. Resident
_ Swallow tailed Kite. Elanoides forficatus. Feb-Jun on the Chipola River.
_ Mississippi Kite. Ictinia mississippiensis. Apr-Sep on the Chipola River.
_ Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus. Resident
_ Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus. Aug-May. Most frequently seen in Mar‑Apr and Sep‑Oct.
_ Sharp shinned Hawk. Accipiter striatus. Aug-Apr. Most frequently seen Sep‑Oct in migration at St Joseph State Park.
_ Cooper’s Hawk. Accipiter cooperii. Resident
_ Red shouldered Hawk. Buteo lineatus. Resident
_ Broad winged Hawk. Buteo platypterus. Mar‑Oct
_ Swainson’s Hawk. Buteo swainsoni. Oct. Most frequently seen Oct in migration at St Joseph State Park.
_ Red‑tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis. Resident
_ Golden Eagle. Aquila chrysaetos. Apr-Jun; Oct-Dec
Family FALCONIDAE: Caracaras and Falcons
_ American Kestrel. Falco sparverius. Resident
_ Merlin. Falco columbarius. Sep- Apr. Most frequently seen Sep‑Oct in migration at St Joseph State Park.
_ Peregrine Falcon. Falco peregrinus. Sep‑Apr. Most frequently seen Sep‑Oct in migration at St Joseph State Park.
Family PHASIANIDAE: Turkey
_ Wild Turkey. Meleagris gallopavo. Resident. Jul and Feb are the best months to observe this species.
Family ODONTOPHORIDAE: Quail
_ Northern Bobwhite. Colinus virginianus. Resident
Family RALLIDAE: Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
_ Black Rail. Laterallus jamaicensis. Apr-May; Oct-Nov
_ Clapper Rail. Rallus longirostris. Resident
_ King Rail. Rallus elegans. Resident
_ Virginia Rail. Rallus limicola. Sep‑Apr
_ Sora. Porzana carolina. Jul-May. Most frequently seen in Sep‑Nov and Apr.
_ Purple Gallinule. Porphyrio martinica. Resident. Apr‑Nov are the best months to observe this species.
_ Common Moorhen (Gallinule). Gallinula chloropus. Resident
_ American Coot. Fulica americana. Resident
Family GRUIDAE: Cranes
_ Sandhill Crane. Grus canadensis. Sep; Dec-May
Family CHARADRIIDAE: Plovers
_ Black bellied Plover. Pluvialis squatarola. Aug‑Sep; Apr‑May.
_ American (Lesser) Golden-Plover. Pluvialis dominica. Mar-Apr; Sep‑Dec
_ Snowy Plover. Charadrius alexandrinus. Resident
_Wilson’s Plover. Charadrius wilsonia. Resident. Mar‑Sep and Nov are the best months to observe this species
_ Semipalmated Plover. Charadrius semipalmatus. Recorded every month of year. May and Aug are the best months to observe this species
_ Piping Plover. Charadrius melodus. May-July
_ Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus. Resident
Family HAEMATOPODIDAE: Oystercatchers
_American Oystercatcher. Haematopus palliatus. Resident. Jan-Feb and May-Jun and Nov are the best months to observe this species
Family RECURVIROSTRIDAE: Stilts and Avocets
_ Black necked Stilt. Himantopus mexicanus. May- Jun; Sep
_ American Avocet. Recurvirostra americana. Sep-Oct; Dec; Jun-Aug
Family SCOLOPACIDAE: Sandpipers and Allies
_ Greater Yellowlegs. Tringa melanoleuca. Jul‑May
_ Lesser Yellowlegs. Tringa flavipes. Resident. Apr and Jul‑Sep are the best months to observe this species.
_ Solitary Sandpiper. Tringa solitaria. Jul-May
_ Willet. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus. Resident
_ Spotted Sandpiper. Actitus macularia. Jul‑May
_ Upland Sandpiper. Bartramia longicauda. Aug‑Sep; Feb‑May
_ Whimbrel. Numenius phaeopus. Jun‑Mar
_ Hudsonian Godwit. Limosa haemastica. Sep-Oct; May
_ Marbled Godwit. Limosa fedoa. Aug‑ Jun
_ Ruddy Turnstone. Arenaria interpres. Common transient and fairly common winter resident with a few remaining in the summer.
_ Red Knot. Calidris canutus. Apr‑May; Sep‑Oct
_ Sanderling. Calidris alba. Common transient and winter resident, and rare (non‑breeding) summer visitor.
_ Semipalmated Sandpiper. Calidris pusilla. Fairly common spring, rare fall transient. Spring peeps are more likely this species than the Western Sandpiper. May is the best month to observe this species.
_ Western Sandpiper. Calidris mauri. Fairly common falland rare spring transient; uncommon winter visitor. Fall peeps are much more likely this species than
_ Least Sandpiper. Calidris minutilla. Jul‑May
_ White rumped Sandpiper. Calidris fuscicollis. May‑Jun .
_ Baird’s Sandpiper. Calidris bairdii. May
_ Pectoral Sandpiper. Calidris melanotos. Jul‑Oct; Mar‑Apr
_ Purple Sandpiper. Calidris maritima. Jan
_ Dunlin. Calidris alpina. Sep-Jun
_ Stilt Sandpiper. Micropalama himantopus. Aug‑Oct; Apr‑May
_ Buff breasted Sandpiper. Tryngites subruficollis.Mar; Sep
_ Ruff. Philomachus pugnax. Mar-Apr
_ Short billed Dowitcher. Limnodromus griseus. Fairly common transient and uncommon winter resident, occasional non‑breeders in summer.
_ Long billed Dowitcher. Limnodromus scolopaceus. Jan; May; Aug
_ Wilson’s(Common) Snipe. Gallinago delicata. Aug-Apr
_ American Woodcock. Scolopax minor. Resident. Apr-Mar are the best months to observe this species.
_ Wilson’s Phalarope. Phalaropus tricolor. May; Aug-Sep
Family LARIDAE: Gulls and Terns
_ Parasitic Jaeger. Stercorarius parasiticus. May-Jul; Sep; Dec
_ Laughing Gull. Larus atricilla. Resident
_ Bonaparte’s Gull. Larus philadelphia. Nov‑May; Aug-Sep
_ Ring billed Gull. Larus delawarensis. Resident
_ American Herring Gull. Larus smithsonianus. Resident
_ Iceland Gull. Larus glaucoides. Jan
_ Great (Greater) Black‑backed Gull. Larus marinus. Feb-Mar
_ Black legged Kittiwake. Rissa tridactyla. Dec-Jan
_ Gull billed Tern. Sterna nilotica. Mar‑Oct. Fairly common in Gulf County, especially at Indian Pass.
_ Caspian Tern. Sterna caspia. Resident. Fairly common in Gulf County, especially at Indian Pass.
_ Royal Tern. Sterna maxima. Resident
_ Sandwich Tern. Sterna sandvicensis. Resident
_ Common Tern. Sterna hirundo. Apr‑Nov
_ Forster’s Tern. Sterna forsteri. Resident
_ Least Tern. Sterna antillarum. Mar-Sep
_ Bridled Tern. Sterna anaethetus. Apr; Jun
_ Sooty Tern. Sterna fuscata. Jun; Aug
_ Black Tern. Chlidonias niger. Apr-Sep
_ Brown Noddy. Anous stolidus. May; Aug
_ Black Skimmer. Rynchops niger. Resident.
Family COLUMBIDAE: Pigeons and Doves
_ Rock Dove (Pigeon). Columba livia. Res. Exotic
_ Eurasian Collared‑Dove. Streptopelia decaocto. Res. Exotic
_ White winged Dove. Zenaida asiatica. Mar-May;Oct-Jan
_ Mourning Dove. Zenaida macroura. Resident.
_ Common Ground Dove. Columbina passerina. Resident.
Family CUCULIDAE: Cuckoos and Anis
_ Black billed Cuckoo. Coccyzus erythropthalmus. May, Aug‑Oct
_ Yellow billed Cuckoo. Coccyzus americanus. Apr-Oct
_ Groove billed Ani. Crotophaga sulcirostris. Oct‑Apr
Family TYTONIDAE: Barn Owls
_ Common Barn Owl. Tyto alba. Rare resident
Family STRIGIDAE: Typical Owls
_ Eastern Screech‑Owl. Otus asio. Resident.
_ Great Horned Owl. Bubo virginianus. Resident.
_ Barred Owl. Strix varia. Resident.
_ Short eared Owl. Asio flammeus. Nov; Jan
Family CAPRIMULGIDAE: Nighthawks and Goatsuckers
_ Common Nighthawk. Chordeiles minor. Mar‑Nov
_ Chuck will’s widow. Caprimulgus carolinensis. Mar‑Oct
_ Whip poor will. Caprimulgus vociferus. Aug‑Mar
Family APODIDAE: Swifts
_ Chimney Swift. Chaetura pelagica. Mar‑Nov
Family TROCHILIDAE: Hummingbirds
_ Ruby throated Hummingbird. Archilochus colubris.
Mar Nov. In winter check to be sure its this species , also may be Black‑chinned Hummingbird or Rufous Hummingbird. Females of these species are difficult to separate in field.
_ Black chinned Hummingbird. Archilochus alexandri. Dec-Jan
_ Rufous Hummingbird. Selasphorus rufus. Sep-Apr
Family ALCEDINIDAE: Kingfishers
_ Belted Kingfisher. Ceryle alcyon. Resident. More common in the winter.
Family PICIDAE: Woodpeckers and Allies
_ Red headed Woodpecker. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Resident.
_ Red bellied Woodpecker. Melanerpes carolinus. Resident.
_ Yellow bellied Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus varius. Oct‑Apr
_ Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens. Resident.
_ Hairy Woodpecker. Picoides villosus. Resident.
_ Red cockaded Woodpecker. Picoides borealis. Rare resident
_ Northern (Yellow shafted) Flicker. Colaptes auratus. Resident.
_ Pileated Woodpecker. Dryocopus pileatus. Resident.
Family TYRANNIDAE: Tyrant Flycatchers
_ Eastern Wood Pewee. Contopus virens. Apr Nov
_ Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Empidonax flaviventris. Sep
_ Acadian Flycatcher. Empidonax virescens. Apr Sep
_ Least Flycatcher. Empidonax minimus. Oct-Nov
_ Eastern Phoebe. Sayornis phoebe. Sep-Mar
_ Vermilion Flycatcher. Pyrocephalus rubinus. Oct Mar
_ Great Crested Flycatcher. Myiarchus crinitus. Mar Oct
_ Western Kingbird. Tyrannus verticalis. Apr‑May; Oct Jan
_ Eastern Kingbird. Tyrannus tyrannus. Mar‑Nov
_ Gray Kingbird. Tyrannus dominicensis. Apr‑Sep
_ Scissor tailed Flycatcher. Tyrannus forficatus. Aug-Dec; Apr
Family LANIIDAE: Shrikes
_ Loggerhead Shrike. Lanius ludovicianus. Resident.
Family VIREONIDAE: Vireos
_ White eyed Vireo. Vireo griseus. Resident.
_ Yellow throated Vireo. Vireo flavifrons. Mar Oct; Dec
_ Blue-headed (Solitary) Vireo. Vireo solitarius. Oct Apr
_ Philadelphia Vireo. Vireo philadelphicus. Oct
_ Red eyed Vireo. Vireo olivaceus. Mar Oct
_ Black whiskered Vireo. Vireo altiloquus. Apr
Family CORVIDAE: Jays and Crows
_ Blue Jay. Cyanocitta cristata. Resident.
_ American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos. Resident.
_ Fish Crow. Corvus ossifragus. Resident.
Family ALAUDIDAE: Larks
_ Horned Lark. Eremophila alpestris. Dec
Family HIRUNDINIDAE: Swallows
_ Purple Martin. Progne subis. Feb Nov. Peak abundance in Mar and Jul-Aug.
_ Tree Swallow. Tachycineta bicolor. Aug May. Peak abundance in Apr and Sep.
_ Northern Rough winged Swallow.Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Resident.
_ Bank Swallow. Riparia riparia. Apr-May; Aug‑Sep
_ Cliff Swallow. Petrochelidon pyrrhonota. Aug‑Oct
_ Barn Swallow. Hirundo rustica. Resident. Peak abundance Apr‑May and Aug‑Sep.
Family PARIDAE: Titmice and Chickadees
_ Carolina Chickadee. Poecile carolinensis. Resident
_ Tufted Titmouse. Baeolophus bicolor. Resident
Family SITTIDAE: Nuthatches
_ Red breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis. Oct‑May
_ White breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis. Resident. More common in north Bay County.
_ Brown headed Nuthatch. Sitta pusilla. Resident
Family CERTHIIDAE: Creepers
_ Brown Creeper. Certhia americana. Oct Feb
Family TROGLODYTIDAE: Wrens
_ Carolina Wren. Thryothorus ludovicianus. Resident
_ Bewick’s Wren. Thryomanes bewickii. Nov Feb
_ House Wren. Troglodytes aedon. Sep Apr
_ Winter Wren. Troglodytes troglodytes. Oct Mar
_ Sedge (Short billed Marsh) Wren. Cistothorus platensis. Sep May
_ Marsh (Long billed Marsh) Wren. Cistothorus palustris. Resident
Family REGULIDAE: Kinglets.
_ Golden crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa. Oct Apr
_ Ruby crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula. Sep Apr
Family SYLVIIDAE: Gnatcatchers.
_ Blue gray Gnatcatcher. Polioptila caerulea. Resident
Family TURDIDAE: Thrushes
_ Eastern Bluebird. Sialia sialis. Resident
_ Veery. Catharus fuscescens. Aug-Oct; Apr May
_ Gray cheeked Thrush. Catharus minimus. Aug Oct; Apr
_ Swainson’s Thrush. Catharus ustulatus. Sep-Dec; Mar May
_ Hermit Thrush. Catharus guttatus. Oct Apr
_ Wood Thrush. Hylocichla mustelina. Mar Oct
_ American Robin. Turdus migratorius. Oct-Jun. Most abundant Nov Dec and Feb Mar. Arrive in large numbers with winter cold fronts.
_ Varied Thrush. Ixoreus naevius. Dec
Family MIMIDAE: Mockingbirds, Thrashers, and Allies
_ Gray Catbird. Dumetella carolinensis. Aug Jun
_ Northern Mockingbird. Mimus polyglottos. Resident
_ Brown Thrasher. Toxostoma rufum. Resident
Family STURNIDAE: Starlings
_ Common (European) Starling. Sturnus vulgaris. Res.Exo.
Family MOTACILLIDAE: Pipits
_ American (Water) Pipit. Anthus rubescens. Oct Mar
_ Sprague’s Pipit. Anthus spragueii. Dec Mar
Family BOMBYCILLIDAE: Waxwings
_ Cedar Waxwing. Bombycilla cedrorum. Oct May. Most frequently seen in Feb-Apr.
Family PARULIDAE: Wood Warblers
_ Blue winged Warbler. Vermivora pinus. Jul-Oct; Mar Apr
_ Golden winged Warbler. Vermivora chrysoptera. Sep Oct; Apr May
_ Tennessee Warbler. Vermivora peregrina. Sep Nov; Apr May
_ Orange crowned Warbler. Vermivora celata. Oct Apr
_ Nashville Warbler. Vermivora ruficapilla. Sep-Oct; May
_ Northern Parula. Parula americana. Dec-Oct
_ Yellow Warbler. Dendroica petechia. Jul Nov; Apr May
_ Chestnut sided Warbler. Dendroica pensylvanica. Sep Oct; Apr
_ Magnolia Warbler. Dendroica magnolia. Sep-Oct; Apr May
_ Cape May Warbler. Dendroica tigrina. Oct; Apr
_ Black throated Blue Warbler. Dendroica caerulescens. Sep Oct; Apr-May
_ Yellow rumped (Myrtle) Warbler. Dendroica coronata. Sep May
_ Black throated Gray Warbler. Dendroica nigrescens. Dec
_ Black throated Green Warbler. Dendroica virens. Sep Jan; Apr May
_ Blackburnian Warbler. Dendroica fusca. Aug Nov; Mar May
_ Yellow throated Warbler. Dendroica dominica. Resident
_ Pine Warbler. Dendroica pinus. Resident
_ Prairie Warbler. Dendroica discolor. Resident
_ Palm Warbler. Dendroica palmarum. Sep Apr
_ Bay breasted Warbler. Dendroica castanea. Sep Oct; Apr-May
_ Blackpoll Warbler. Dendroica striata. Mar Jun
_ Cerulean Warbler. Dendroica cerulea. Sep; Apr
_ Black and white Warbler. Mniotilta varia. Jul May
_ American Redstart. Setophaga ruticilla. Jun Oct; Apr May
_ Prothonotary Warbler. Protonotaria citrea. Mar Oct
_ Worm eating Warbler. Helmitheros vermivorus. Sep Oct; Mar Apr
_ Swainson’s Warbler. Limnothlypis swainsonii. Apr-Aug
_ Ovenbird. Seiurus aurocapillus. Sep Nov; Apr
_ Northern Waterthrush. Seiurus noveboracensis. Jul-Dec; Apr May
_ Louisiana Waterthrush. Seiurus motacilla. Apr Oct
_ Kentucky Warbler. Oporornis formosus. Mar Oct
_ Mourning Warbler. Oporornis philadelphia. Sep; Mar
_ Common Yellowthroat. Geothlypis trichas. Resident
_ Hooded Warbler. Wilsonia citrina. Mar Nov
_ Wilson’s Warbler. Wilsonia pusilla. Sep Jan
_ Canada Warbler. Wilsonia canadensis. Sep
_ Yellow breasted Chat. Icteria virens. Apr Oct; Jan
Family THRAUPIDAE: Tanagers
_ Summer Tanager. Piranga rubra. Mar Nov. Most frequently noted April and September.
_ Scarlet Tanager. Piranga olivacea. Sep Oct; Mar May
_ Western Tanager. Piranga ludoviciana. Feb Mar; Dec
Family EMBERIZIDAE: New World Sparrows and Allies.
_ Eastern (Rufous‑sided)Towhee. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Resident
_ Bachman’s Sparrow. Aimophila aestivalis. Resident. The best way to observe this elusive sparrow is to play a tape of its call.The bird will respond and come in closer. Finding it in Gulf County is easier because of its habitat requirements.
_ Chipping Sparrow. Spizella passerina. Sep May
_ Clay colored Sparrow. Spizella pallida. Oct
_ Field Sparrow. Spizella pusilla. Resident
_ Vesper Sparrow. Pooecetes gramineus. Oct Apr
_ Lark Sparrow. Chondestes grammacus. Aug Nov; Jan
_ Savannah Spar