Key West is a paradise for bird enthusiasts at the southernmost tip of the continental U.S.. Its varied ecosystems, including mangroves and beaches, host over 400 bird species year-round. You can find the best places to stay in the Florida Keys with 1800 Atlantic. We offer a selection of Key West condo rentals for every taste! Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just curious, the birds of the Florida Keys will captivate you.
Prime Spots To Watch the Birds of the Florida Keys
Located at the island’s western edge, this park is a hotspot for migratory songbirds during spring and fall. Birders can spot species like over 35 wood-warbler species. Here are just a few of the birds of the Florida Keys you might spot:
Home to the Key West Wildlife Center, Indigenous Park offers native tree habitats attracting songbirds, raptors, and wading birds. Across Atlantic Boulevard, the White Street Pier provides excellent views of coastal and pelagic species. Since 2009, the Key West Wildlife Center has worked with the City of Key West to provide care and adoption services for the island’s feral chickens. They rehabilitate 1400 wild birds of the Florida Keys each year!
Explore the only frost-free botanical garden in the continental U.S., offering a rare subtropical environment where native plants thrive year-round. This 15.2-acre sanctuary is home to endangered and threatened species, rare birds, and one of the last freshwater pond systems in the Keys. A key stopover for migratory neotropical birds from South America, the garden also features a vibrant butterfly habitat, lush tropical foliage, and educational self-guided tours.
Over 200 birds have been spotted at this Florida Keys gem, such as:
Established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, the Key West National Wildlife Refuge is one of the oldest in the U.S., originally created to protect colonial nesting birds from the devastation of plume hunting. Today, this remote refuge, accessible only by boat, remains a sanctuary for hundreds of avian species. It’s an ideal spot for birdwatchers to observe both migratory and resident birds of the Florida Keys in their natural environments.
The Marquesas Keys and nearby islands feature diverse habitats, from hardwood hammocks to sandy beaches and mangrove forests, supporting species such as ospreys, egrets, herons, and pelicans.
Book your stay with 1800 Atlantic to catch a glimpse of these magnificent birds as deep as you can journey into the Florida Keys!
