We are blessed here in Northeast Florida with an abundance of wildlife associated with the St. Johns River, and they are not all fish, shrimp and crabs either. We also have well over 200 species of birds that can be found in the area. The number varies depending on the season, and over half are found along the river and its associated wetlands.
Some birds are majestic like the American bald eagle, which was just recently named our official national bird. To the surprise of many, the eagle, despite being our national symbol, appearing on the Great Seal and countless other places, had never been recognized officially as our national bird. That changed on Christmas Eve 2024 when President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan legislation into law.
Bald eagles nest along the St. Johns River and can be seen flying in search of fish to catch for their next meal. Other predators include the osprey or fish hawk, whose nests are frequently found on navigation markers or power line towers. Plus, we have several other species of hawks that can be seen in the area.
While the bald eagles and ospreys were once threatened/endangered, they have been delisted from the Endangered Species Act due to their recovery. Both are still protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Predatory birds like eagles and hawks were especially sensitive to pesticides like DDT in the 1960s. They consumed the chemicals in their prey, and while it didn’t kill them, it did weaken the shells of their eggs. The result was the eggs didn’t hatch, and thus the overall population declined to dangerously low levels.
One local species that does remain listed as federally designed threatened is the wood stork. The wood stork is the only species of true stork that breeds in the U.S. They nest in mixed cypress and hardwood swamps, and mangroves, and can often be seen nesting in large colonies with hundreds of birds. It has been the destruction of these wetland habitats that has caused their population to decline.
Two other species of wading birds found locally and that are not considered threatened or endangered are the great blue heron and the American or great egret. The great blue heron is usually larger, has a blue-gray appearance and a heavier bill. The American egret is smaller, totally white with a thinner, sharply pointed bill. A key identifier is that American egrets usually have dark legs, while great blue herons have lighter-colored legs. To add to the confusion, the great blue can have a white phase too.
A couple of other river-linked species that can be confusing are the anhinga and cormorants. Both are dark-colored water birds that dive for fish in Florida, but they have several differences that can help you tell them apart. Anhinga have a long, pointed beak used for spearing prey, while cormorants have a hooked bill adapted for grabbing prey. Both have long necks with the anhinga being longer.
Anhinga, also known as snake birds, swim with only their head and neck above the water, while cormorants, or water turkeys, swim with their back, head and neck above the water. Both can be seen with their wings spread to allow them to dry with the anhinga showing white markings on their backs, while cormorants are completely black.
And that is only a quick sampling of the possible bird species you can see. There are still pelicans, roseate spoonbills, gulls, ducks, and ibis, just to name a few. So go out and enjoy what Northeast Florida has to offer.
