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Bird Watching in Sabal Springs

  • August 2026
  • TAREN GROM AND SUE MATTSON

ADULT AND JUVENILE BALD EAGLES SPOTTED ALONG SABAL SPRINGS’ SHORES.

If you enjoy casually observing birds for enjoyment, otherwise known as bird watching, or pursuing the more active endeavor of finding, identifying, and learning about birds aka “birding”—and there is a difference among enthusiasts — Florida has a bounty of offerings. Here in Sabal Springs, we have a large variety of avian visitors.

As previously noted in an earlier edition of the Breeze, Florida is one of the best places in North America for birding because of its location on major migration routes and its wide variety of habitats. Florida is home to more than 300 native bird species, which can be seen throughout the year or seasonally. And that number increases by a couple of hundred when naturally occurring rare visitors alight across the state. There are about 17 non-native bird species that have come to call Florida home as self-sustaining wild populations, including Monk Parakeets and Nanday Parakeets. The Florida Scrub-Jay is the only bird that is truly endemic to Florida—meaning it naturally occurs nowhere else in the world.

Florida is considered one of the top three birding states in the United States due its diverse and numerous habitats, including the Everglades, coastal beaches, mangroves, Pine flatwoods, Cypress swamps, hardwood hammocks, and freshwater lakes and rivers.

During a walk or drive around Sabal Springs, you are likely to encounter Wood Storks, Limpkins, Snail Kits, Painted Buntings, and dozens of species of herons, egrets, ducks, and other shorebirds. If you live along the big lake or one of the dozens of ponds, you no doubt are in bird heaven with sightings of the Roseate Spoonbills and Bald Eagles.

Bald Eagles are reported to be one of Florida’s greatest conservation success stories. While we all know they are the national bird of the United States, Florida has one of the largest breeding populations in the lower 48 states, with about 1,500 to 2,000 nesting pairs, and thousands more individual Eagles in habitation during the year. Unlike their northern cousins that migrate south in the winter, not unsurprisingly most Florida Bald Eagles live in the state all year long. They begin nesting early, typically October through May, with eggs most often laid from late November through January. During nesting season, you can follow our local Eagle celebrities on the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam.

If you are interested in learning more about our community’s bounty of feathered friends and other wildlife, check out the Sabal Springs Nature Lovers Facebook page…lots of great photography and videos being posted by our neighbors.

The Breeze would like to thank Sue Mattson for sharing her love of birding with us—please enjoy her photos. And we encourage you to send us your bird pictures or pictures of other wildlife to be featured in a future edition of the Breeze: [email protected].

The Anhinga, sometimes called the snakebird or water turkey, is a large aquatic bird found in warm freshwater habitats. Unlike ducks, its feathers are not fully waterproof, so it is often seen perched with its wings spread open to dry. The Anhinga is an excellent diver that swims underwater to spear fish with its sharp bill.
Unlike their older counterparts, young bald eagles are mostly dark brown; they don’t develop the famous white head and tail until they are about 4½–5 years old. Baby bald eagles have a challenging first year — many do not survive to adulthood due to accidents, food shortages, severe weather, or predators. But those that do can live 20 to 30 years in the wild, and sometimes even longer.
Adult female Bald Eagles are about 25–30% larger than males and both sexes have the same coloring, making them difficult to tell apart without seeing them together.
The Common Gallinule is a colorful wetland bird commonly found throughout Florida distinguished by its bright red bill with a yellow tip, red frontal shield, white stripe along each side, and long greenish-yellow legs with very long toes. Their oversized toes spread out their weight, allowing them, among other things, to walk across floating vegetation like lily pads.
The Limpkin is a distinctive wading bird best known for its haunting, echoing calls and its love of apple snails. Their long, slightly curved bill is perfectly adapted for removing their favorite food from their shells.
The Roseate Spoonbill is one of Florida’s most colorful and recognizable wading birds. Its bright pink feathers and unique spoon-shaped bill make it easy to identify. Their pink color comes from carotenoid pigments in their diet, especially from shrimp and other small crustaceans — similar to flamingos.
While the Sandhill Crane is one of Florida’s most beloved birds, as a Sabal Springs golfer, you may not feel the same way. And they are going to be around a long time — typically they live 20 to 30 years in the wild. They are among the oldest living bird species, with fossil ancestors dating back more than 2 million years. These tall birds are famous for their loud, rolling calls — “kar-r-r-ooo” — (as seen and heard in the video on the cover) that can carry for more than a mile across open wetlands, and elaborate courtship dances.
Only in the Sunshine State — the Florida Scrub-Jay. Unlike the louder, more colorful Blue Jay, the Florida Scrub-Jay has a softer appearance and a gentler voice. Fun fact, they bury thousands of acorns each year and remember many of their hiding places, helping regenerate oak scrub habitat.

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