Identification
Learn Bird ID
Build your birding skills using shape, behavior, habitat, field marks, and sound to identify the birds you encounter.
Learn the 4 Keys to Bird IDBird Resources
Explore South Florida birds, sharpen your identification skills, find places to go birding, and take part in community science.
Whether you are just learning to identify birds or have been birding for years, these resources can help you explore South Florida’s birdlife, contribute observations, find birding destinations, and connect with conservation.
Start Here
Identify a Bird
Use field marks, behavior, habitat, and sound to figure out what you are seeing.
Try Merlin Bird ID →Find a Birding Spot
Discover local birding sites, habitats, accessibility notes, seasonal highlights, maps, and planning information across Broward County.
Explore Birding in Broward →Report a Sighting
Record what you see and contribute observations that support bird science and conservation.
Submit to eBird →Found an Injured or Orphaned Bird?
Wildlife emergencies require trained rehabilitators. If you find an injured, sick, or orphaned bird or other wild animal in South Florida, contact an authorized wildlife rehabilitation provider for guidance before attempting to handle the animal.
Wildlife Emergency Information →
Get Outside
Birding Trips with Birding Beyond
SFAS partners with Birding Beyond to connect people with birds, wildlife, and natural habitats through guided birding and conservation-focused travel experiences.
Explore Birding Trips →Birding in Broward County
SFAS Home Base
Birding at Sunny Lake
Sunny Lake Bird Sanctuary gives SFAS a home for bird walks, environmental education, community science, native habitat projects, and future birding programs in Davie.
Explore Sunny Lake Bird Sanctuary →Explore the Region
South Florida Birding Hotspots
Use the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail to discover parks, wetlands, coastal areas, and other birding locations throughout the South Florida region.
Find Birding Hotspots →Learn, Identify & Record Birds
Mobile Tools
Merlin Bird ID
Use Merlin to identify birds by sight or sound and learn more about species you encounter in the field.
Open Merlin Bird ID
Community Science
eBird
Record your sightings, explore bird observations, and contribute data used by birders, researchers, and conservationists around the world.
Visit eBird
Field Guide
Audubon Bird App
Explore an easy-to-use field guide with species information, range data, identification help, and birding resources.
Explore the Audubon AppBirding for Beginners
- Start with common birds. Learning the birds you see every day makes new species easier to recognize.
- Use binoculars if you have them. An 8×42 pair is a common all-purpose choice, but you can start birding with no special equipment.
- Listen as much as you look. Many birds are easier to find by sound than by sight.
- Keep a checklist. Recording what you see helps build identification skills over time.
- Bird slowly. Stop often, watch behavior, and let birds come into view rather than constantly moving.
What Birds Can I See Right Now?
Winter
Look for wintering waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and migratory songbirds that spend the cooler months in South Florida.
Spring Migration
Warblers, vireos, thrushes, and other migrants move through South Florida on their way north.
Summer
Watch for nesting wading birds, shorebirds, resident songbirds, and family groups with recently fledged young.
Fall Migration
Southbound migrants pass through the region, creating another excellent season for birding parks, coasts, and native habitat.
Find Birds & Explore South Florida
Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail
Explore a statewide network of outstanding locations for birds, wildlife, and nature.
Explore the trail →Broward Bird Checklist
Keep track of species and learn which birds you may encounter in Broward County.
Download the checklist →Bird Cams
Watch birds live and learn about nesting, behavior, and migration from wherever you are.
Watch Bird Cams →Take Part in Bird Conservation
Annual Community Science
Christmas Bird Count
Join one of the world’s longest-running wildlife censuses and help build a long-term record of bird populations.
Learn About the Christmas Bird Count
Habitat at Home
Plants for Birds
Create healthier habitat with native plants that provide food, shelter, nesting opportunities, and support for birds and pollinators.
Explore Plants for Birds
Special Events
Everglades Birding Festival
Connect with birders and explore the extraordinary birdlife and habitats of the Greater Everglades region.
Visit the Festival
Observation + Reporting
Report Banded Birds
If you encounter a banded bird, note the band color, number or code if visible, species, location, date, and any photographs you can safely obtain from a distance.
Report a Florida Banded BirdBird Responsibly
- Keep a respectful distance from birds, nests, roosts, and feeding areas.
- Stay on designated trails and observe posted closures or protected areas.
- Avoid excessive playback, especially around nesting or stressed birds.
- Never handle wild birds unless directed by an authorized wildlife rehabilitator.
- Share sensitive nest or rare-bird locations carefully when disclosure could increase disturbance.
- Leave habitats as you found them and encourage others to do the same.
Family & Youth Birding
Start with a Short Walk
Choose an easy park or neighborhood route and focus on noticing bird sounds, movement, colors, and behavior.
Make It a Challenge
Try finding five different birds, three bird sounds, or one bird using each type of habitat you pass.
Visit Sunny Lake
Sunny Lake is becoming a home for SFAS education, birding, school programs, and community science.
Learn about Sunny Lake →Frequently Asked Questions
What binoculars do I need for birding?
You do not need binoculars to start birding. If you want a pair, many birders like 8×42 binoculars because they offer a useful balance of magnification, brightness, and field of view.
What should I do if I find a baby bird?
Many young birds leave the nest before they can fly well. Unless the bird is visibly injured or in immediate danger, the parents may still be nearby caring for it. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if you are unsure.
How can I identify a bird by sound?
Merlin Bird ID includes sound identification tools. Listen carefully, record only when appropriate, and use the result as a starting point before confirming with appearance, habitat, and behavior.
Where should I go birding in Broward County?
Start with Sunny Lake Bird Sanctuary and use the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail’s South Florida section to discover additional parks, wetlands, coastal sites, and natural areas.
Birding Beyond
Explore guided birding and conservation-focused travel experiences.
Visit Birding Beyond →SFAS Conservation
See how SFAS protects birds, restores habitat, and creates opportunities to get involved.
Explore Conservation Projects →Get Involved
Turn your interest in birds into action through volunteer opportunities and community participation.
Volunteer with SFAS →Turn Birding Into Conservation
Join a bird walk, contribute observations, volunteer with SFAS, or help protect the habitats South Florida birds depend on.