Birder’s Paradise: Top 3 Snowbirds to Look for while kayaking in Shell Key Preserve

While many Florida locals use the term “snowbird” synonymously with Northern visitors who spend about half their year in the state, the term also applies to birds who do the same! Here in Tampa Bay, we have a multitude of bird species that overwinter here, either to take a rest during their long migration to their summer breeding grounds, or to escape the harsher winter climates of their summer habitats. For many avid birders, this is a fantastic opportunity to catch a glimpse of some rarer species, or have a chance at sighting some of these birds sporting their winter plumage! Read on to find out which birds are our favorite winter visitors in Shell Key, and where to look for them on your next clear kayak tour!

Marbled Godwit

Chances are you’ve seen this bird hanging out on a Florida beach in the winter, running back and forth between the rack line and the waves along with other shorebirds. These sandy brown birds often get mistaken for sandpipers, but are actually the largest species of godwit! Usually, these birds are found in the Great Plains and Southern Canada, with smaller populations as far north as Alaska. During the winter, they migrate to the southern states, with some even going down to South and Central America to escape the harsh winters.

To find these plucky birds, be on the lookout when arriving at Shell Key or while paddling around the wetland grasses at the edge of the Preserve. These birds use their long beaks to probe the sand, looking for small crustaceans and mollusks to snack on. You’ll most commonly find them standing in a mixed flock of shorebirds nearest to the waterline.

Roseate Spoonbill

Commonly mistaken for flamingos, Roseate Spoonbills are the iconic pink birds that have a rounded bill (giving them the name Spoonbill). While Roseate Spoonbills do appear year-round in Florida, they’re included in this list since their numbers increase during the winter here in Shell Key, as this species undertakes short-distance migrations to warmer coastal waters after breeding. Spoonbills are also considered an indicator species for Florida: their presence in an ecosystem indicates that the area is thriving and healthy, as these birds are very sensitive to changes in their habitats. Roseate Spoonbills get their beautiful pink color much like flamingos do- from eating shrimp!

If you want to snap a picture of these striking birds while out on your kayak tour of Shell Key Preserve, make sure to look above you! While they can be found wading in shallow waters near the beaches and the mud flats looking for food, Roseate Spoonbills will also roost up in the mangrove islands we paddle past! If you’re lucky, you might even see a Spoonbill or two hanging out right above the entrance to the mangrove tunnel too!

American White Pelican

American White Pelicans are the last on our list to keep an eye out for this winter- but that doesn’t mean they’re any less interesting to see! While Brown Pelicans are found here year-round, their much larger cousins migrate to Florida from the interior of Canada & the Northwestern United States. During the breeding season, these pelicans sport yellow feathers that grow on their crown and chest. The skin around their eyes, legs and feet turn a vivid red-orange and the birds grow a semi-circle “horn” near the end of the bill. These changes disappear by the fall molt, so when they visit us in Shell Key Preserve, they’re back to being primarily white, with their skin being a light yellow on their legs, feet, and around their eyes.

To find them on your Shell Key Preserve kayak tour, make sure to look on the sandbars! These pelicans love to congregate in large groups in shallow waters, with some flocks growing into the hundreds! If you can, try getting a picture of one of these magnificent birds in flight; they have the 2nd largest wingspan of all North American birds (after the California Condor)!

If you’re interested in spotting these majestic birds and more, come join us on a kayak adventure through Shell Key Preserve! Our guides would love to help you snap photos to remember your adventure, as well as share their knowledge and passion about any wildlife you may see!