As many regard this US state to be the safe habitat for many birds, there exists only a handful of green birds in Florida.
Around 22 species can be identified that either have found a permanent home in the state, or visit here during migration to claim their winter home.
Whichever is the case, you’ll be able to locate any of these species at different times of the year if you’re equipped with a sharp pair of eyes.
I’ve broken down the pattern of these birds as well as their reason for finding comfort in Florida, so that you make sure not to violate those while observing in peace.
Contents
Green Birds In Florida: A Brief Discussion
This section of the article has divided the 22 birds under major categories who share characteristics. It’s because they belong to the same family and show similar traits while being the identifiable green birds in Florida.
Parakeet
Parakeet is a wide variety of parrots consisting of around 115 species in this category. A lot of these birds in green can be traced in parts of Florida at different times of the year.
Red-Masked Parakeet
Source: @joseandre_wildlife
- Scientific Name: Psittacara erythrogenys
- Size: 33 cm (13 in)
- Locality: The USA, Peru and Ecuador
- Status: Near Threatened
- Breeding Season: January to March
Among the conures, Red-Masked Parakeets are known to be the best mimicker or speaker of this group. This species has been a very popular pet bird for a long time due to the vibrant colors and talking abilities. But the worst part is, these are nearing threatening status because of rapid capture and loss of their natural habitats.
Recognition
As the name suggests, you’ll have to keep an eye out for the red mask on top of a punchy green body. White beak and yellow eyes stand out from the red patch. You might even find a small red portion of feather on full-grown birds.
Habitat Zones
Although these birds are native to some of the South American countries, large quantities of import makes them available in the Florida region of the USA. California is also a concentrated zone for such birds, apart from the escaped caged birds in parts of Spain.
Monk Parakeet
Source: @katarzynasidorczuk17
- Scientific Name: Myiopsitta monachus
- Size: 29 cm (11 in)
- Locality: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, a few States in the USA and parts of Europe
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: April to July
With three subspecies, this quaker parrot belongs to the true species of all parrot-kind. These parrots live around cliffs where they plant their nest using sticks. Monk Parakeets are also among favorites as pets and some claim that these birds prefer the comfort of confinement over struggling in wilderness.
Recognition
The defining characteristic of a Monk Parakeet is the gray breast portion surrounded by bright green feathers. Its beak is a pale orange which separates it from most other parakeets. On the wings, you’ll find navy blue and black gradients of suave tones that call for easy identification.
Habitat Zones
Monk Parakeets mostly live in the warmer to subtropical areas around South America, parts of Europe and the USA. Around the state of Florida, the invasive species of this bird are more common and easy to locate.
Rose-Ringed Parakeet
Source: @ghoomakadh
- Scientific Name: Psittacula krameri
- Size: 40 cm (16 in)
- Locality: Indian Subcontinent, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and the UK
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: December and January
The name Rose-Ringed Parakeet has been derived from the red, round patch this species wears around its neck. Not all the parakeets are known for adapting to other habitats than their natural ones, but the Rose-Ring species seems to have found a mechanism to survive and breed comfortably.
Recognition
Apart from the red ring on the neck, the short and red beak gives it away as a Rose-Ring Parakeet. There exists a discrepancy of green shades because the wings are a tad bit darker than the abdomen as well as the head. Tiny red eyes mark it as a very unique species in this category.
Habitat Zones
Originally these birds roamed freely in the wilderness of the Indian subcontinent. Due to their rarity in other continents and a rising value as pet birds, they’ve been exported to the West, including the USA. In some parts of Florida, this species was able to find a comfort zone, thus giving you the opportunity of running into one during your bird-watch.
Nanday Parakeet
Source: @cassc87
- Scientific Name: Aratinga nenday
- Size: 27–30 cm (11–12 in)
- Locality: South America and parts of the USA
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: November
The neotropical Nanday Parakeet is native to South America, but the importation of caged birds made it available in the USA as well. This species can be kept as companion birds due to their unique talent for mimicking perfectly and the ability to learn & perform tricks on command.
Recognition
Identifying this species is quite easy due to the unmatched color it hosts at the top part of the body. Unlike most parakeets, this bird has a black or dark gray face with a similar toned beak. The rest of the body is a vibrant green like most of its other family members.
Habitat Zones
Despite not being native to the USA, the massive import and releasing of caged birds witnessed them survive in the new environment. Areas like Florida, LA, Texas etc. have graciously welcomed these birds in their wilderness to form self-sustaining populations.
White-Winged Parakeet
Source: @desdecollores
- Scientific Name: Brotogeris versicolurus
- Size: 22 cm (8.5 in)
- Locality: Amazon river basin and parts of the USA
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: April to mid-May
White-Winged Parakeets belong to the calmer species among all parakeets. They can create a close bond with their owner and even roam around perched up on the shoulder comfortably. Although these birds aren’t known for their talking abilities, they can whistle beautifully and show signs of smartness at times.
Recognition
In hindsight, it might be a little difficult for you to identify the bird because the white-wing name can deceive you. Once the bird is in flight, you’ll notice the white patches made visible to the naked eye. Otherwise, paying close attention to the yellow accent on the edge of the wings should give it away.
Habitat Zones
In a similar fashion to the Nanday Parakeet, White-Winged species has also grown in number in the USA due to the massive release of caged birds. They’ve formed a natural habitat around places like Florida and California, but their original home lies in the Amazon river basin.
Blue-Crowned Parakeet
Source: @de_nombre_juan
- Scientific Name: Thectocercus acuticaudatus
- Size: 37 cm (14.5 in)
- Locality: Parts of South America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: March to July
Blue-Crowned Parakeets are some of the most energetic, intelligent and engaging birds among the parakeets. While in captivity, maintaining these birds is relatively easier, but it’s a job for the serious bird enthusiasts to keep them company and entertained.
Recognition
The name itself gives away a lot about this variant of parakeets. A beautiful shade of deep blue hood renders this bird very unique from the rest. With a pale beak and sharp tail, identifying shouldn’t be a big challenge for bird watchers.
Habitat Zones
In the category of green birds in Florida, the story of Blue-Crowned Parakeets might be the most heart-warming. Because they initially resided in the Amazonian territory, at the lesser humid spots. But a massive rate of escape from confinement sees them settle nicely in parts of California and Florida.
Mitred Parakeet
Source: @yachtbroker.stevebuckley
- Scientific Name: Psittacara mitratus
- Size: 31 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in)
- Locality: Peru, Uruguay, Bolivia, Argentina, California, Hawaii and Florida
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Late November to early December
There exists three subspecies with a few unique traits for the Mitred Parakeets. By forming a flock of around 2,000 birds, this species has a tendency to move outside their habitat zone when the food resources are scarce. In parts of Florida, these birds live on different fruits and a wide species of plants.
Recognition
When it comes to recognizing this species, you must pay attention to their forehead and neck. Red patches are dispersed all across the head region and a purple-like forehead is paired up with the rest. Yellow beak and the scattered reds can let you identify the bird quite effortlessly.
Habitat Zones
These birds prefer living inside forested zones of South America and three states of the USA as well. They’re found in huge quantities in California and Florida, with smaller colonies in Hawaii. All of the USA birds found their way into nature from escaping captivity.
Yellow-Chevroned Parakeet
Source: @sussumuey
- Scientific Name: Brotogeris chiriri
- Size: 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in)
- Locality: Tropical parts of South America, Florida and California
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: April and May
This breed of parakeets share uncanny resemblances with the White-Eyed Parakeet, except for the accent on their wings. In terms of survival and breeding, they’re actually doing better than the White-Eyed species and are increasing in number successfully over the years.
Recognition
Green bodies, white eyes with a large black pair of pupils make them look intriguing. The yellow accents at the wing edges are visible while perched as well as in full flight. A pale beak with a washed out root allows you to recognize them out in the wild.
Habitat Zones
These birds are mostly tropical and can be found on the river basin of Amazon, especially toward the south. In Florida and California, a huge number of caged birds had been released in the past that led them to form a habitat zone in these particular localities.
White-Eyed Parakeet
Source: @home_and_travel_encounters
- Scientific Name: Psittacara leucophthalmus
- Size: 32 to 35 cm (13 to 14 in)
- Locality: South America and Florida
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: March or April (NH), November to December (SH)
The non-migratory White-Eyed Parakeets live in colonies of around 100 birds and are widely available in almost every part of South America. These birds tend to make a lot of noise resembling high screeches, so they’ll make sure you hear them if you’re in a neighboring area.
Recognition
Since the distinguishing features of these species often resemble other parakeets, you’ll need a sharp pair of eyes to look into their eyes. White eyes are the most authentic feature you must remember to look for. Otherwise, red beak and red-yellow accented wing edges are visible on a green body.
Habitat Zones
Apart from South America, you’ll be able to find a large number of this species in the southern parts of Florida. Their introduction in this locality has been made possible solely because of the escaped and released caged birds in the area.
Hummingbird
These native American birds comprise over 300 species, most of which are small in size and live off nectar. Florida is host to 3 of these green species due to the comforting weather.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Source: @mz13hummingbirds
- Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris
- Size: 7 to 9 cm (2.8 to 3.5 in)
- Locality: Parts of the USA, Canada and Central America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: March to July
The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is the most populated species of the hummingbird kind in North America. Around 34-36 million birds have laid foundation as the habitation zone, although the decline has been steep for the past few decades due to massive deforestation.+
Recognition
This alluring colored species flaunts a wide, red patch at the neck, thus the name. With a yellow sprinkled black head, white underparts and brown wings, once in flight you’ll be able to see the deep purple undertail portion. The beak isn’t as long as other hummingbirds for this species, but it still manages to get the work done neatly.
Habitat Zones
These birds reside mostly around the eastern portions of the USA and Canada. The breeding area expands as far up to central America, making it the widest breeding hummingbird in the locality. However, during winter, they are seen migrating to Florida, Mexico and Caribbean Islands in search of food and shelter.
Buff-Bellied Hummingbird
Source: @photos.by.munchkin
- Scientific Name: Amazilia yucatanensis
- Size: 10 to 11 cm (3.9 to 4.3 in)
- Locality: Parts of South-eastern USA
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: April to August
The Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds are the cousins of Cuban Emeralds as they belong to the classy emerald group of the Trochilinae family. These birds are known nectar collectors from flowers, plants and shrubs by perching in mid-air with a great help from their superfast wings.
Recognition
This species is a treat to the eyes when they’re looked upon. Vibrant green and emerald back feathers, purple underbelly and faded red tails classify it among the most beautiful birds on earth. A blue neck and faded red bill completes the description to make recognition easier.
Habitat Zones
In the central to coastal USA and Mexico, these birds are found in abundance. From dense forests to man-made gardens, they fly in to collect their necessary nutritions. This species can be observed during summer in Florida, but their winter-time movements are still unknown.
Cuban Emerald
Source: @nature.anthony.lujan
- Scientific Name: Riccordia ricordii
- Size: 10.5 to 11.5 cm (4.1 to 4.5 in)
- Locality: Cuba and Bahamas
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: April to July
Cuban Emerald is a species of hummingbirds that once considered the extinct species of Brace’s emerald as its subspecies. With an attractive color and high pitched vocalization, bird experts are yet to learn their true number spreaded across the world.
Recognition
Male Cuban Emeralds have an all-encompassing emerald green body but the female bird tends to show a white abdomen. The green and emerald shades are overlapped in gradients which get darker around the back and at the tail. Behind the thin, long beak, a small white patch tends to be the defining factor for this species.
Habitat Zones
As widely found in Cuba and Bahamas, these birds aren’t migratory in the general sense. But there have been many cases where the Cuban Emerald was spotted in Florida, but the state has declared it as vagrant and not native yet.
Warbler
Warblers are small songbirds who live mostly on insects. You can find 3 of its species living in Florida in certain scenarios.
Wilson’s Warbler
Source: @barefootboy64
- Scientific Name: Cardellina pusilla
- Size: 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in)
- Locality: Coastal California and Canada
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Spring
Famous ornithologist Alexander Wilson was the first to identify the bird and assign a species name which was updated years later by experts. There exists three subspecies of this bird, all of whom share resemblances when it comes to their physique and feather color.
Recognition
These small passerines have a green gradient from the head to the tail. The top part of their head is draped in yellow which transitions into a lighter shade of green until it changes into a dark tone gradually. Darker wings, black hat and pale red face remain as their distinguishing features.
Habitat Zones
Most condensed locality for the Wilson’s Warblers are around humid areas in California, beside the coast or a stream. They prefer to nest in open areas at the side of woodlands. A lot of this species make an appearance between West Palm Beach and the Everglades in Florida in search of food.
Swainson’s Warbler
Source: @jgraham08
- Scientific Name: Limnothlypis swainsonii
- Size: 12.5 to 16 cm (4.9 to 6.3 in)
- Locality: South-eastern United States
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Late March to late April
This tiny, green bird in Florida is named after revered ornithologist William Swainson – the Swainson’s Warbler. Despite the small size, they’re considered quite sizable when you place them alongside the New World Warblers.
Recognition
You won’t find any recognizable difference between the male and the female in this species. A white-ish green belly with an olive-brown back creates a perfect balance of colors. The wing edges carry a thick black patch and the eyes uphold a white patch under a grayish hat.
Habitat Zones
In the south-eastern parts of the USA, these birds are found mostly in swamplands. They show a migratory nature during winters and venture off to even some unanticipated parts of the country. This migratory nature brings them to reside in Florida in large groups when the season gets cooler.
Green Budgerigar
Source: @catrionajmartin
- Scientific Name: Melopsittacus undulatus
- Size: 18 cm (7 in)
- Locality: Australia and Florida
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: April to September
The ones who study birds, they know that Budgerigars are common parakeets belonging to a specific species. Many even refer to them as lovebirds as they move and live as a couple – a bonding that lasts for a prolonged duration.
Recognition
Although there exists many color variants for Budgerigars, the green ones are more common than their light blue variants. This beautiful species is vibrant green toned at the abdomen. The yellow and black stripes begin at the top of their head and are continued all the way across the back.
Habitat Zones
This species exists widely across Australia and the only other known locality to host these birds is Florida. However, there has been a contest of inhabiting the Florida zone between Green Budgerigar and sparrows which led to their decline in number over the years.
Parrot
Although many people believe parrots live only in tropical areas, that’s a misconception in reality. Because quite a few of these parrots reside in the subtropical Florida in harmony.
Red-Crowned Amazon Parrot
Source: @socalbirbing
- Scientific Name: Amazona viridigenalis
- Size: 28 to 33 cm (11 to 13 in)
- Locality: Mexico, Texas, California and Florida
- Status: Endangered
- Breeding Season: Spring
The description of Red-Crowned Amazon begins on a sad note – it’s currently an endangered species and nearing extinction at a rapid rate. Last known population was speculated 3 decades ago, set between 2,000 to 4,700. The decline in numbers is heavy because of capturing as pets and removal of their natural habitats due to urbanization.
Recognition
This species is majestic from the way they look, with a red crown planted on top of their head. The entire body is feathered with a vibrant green tone with variation of intensity here and there. Some birds show yellow or black accents on the wings, and a pale beak with a dark end stands as signifying identification marks.
Habitat Zones
These non-migratory birds are usually found in the parts of Mexico and Texas because of the environment. However, they’re seen moving toward Florida, California and Hawaii in search of food when their original sources are depleted. At these locations, experts believe Red-Crowned Amazons have participated in breeding naturally.
Red-Lored parrots
Source: @bpj520
- Scientific Name: Amazona autumnalis
- Size: 32 to 35 cm (13 to 14 in)
- Locality: Tropical USA, Mexico and Central America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: February to April
The Red-Lored Amazons are some of the most popular breeds of parrots that are kept as pets. Known for their certain capabilities of residing around human habitats, this species is losing numbers by the day in parts of Mexico and Venezuela due to capture for selling.
Recognition
Due to their lighter color, they’ve been referred to in the past as ‘less green parrots’. Feathers are vibrant green around the belly and neck, with darker green shades on the back, wings and crown. The most signifying aspect is the red patch on the face, right over the beak.
Habitat Zones
Despite their known bondage with human beings, their original habitat zones are around tropical parts of America. California and Florida seem to be their favorites to establish a breeding zone. These talking birds are able to extend their bloodline around their safe zones in Central America, apart from the USA.
Orange-Winged Amazon
Source: @emredikici2
- Scientific Name: Amazona amazonica
- Size: 33 cm (13 in)
- Locality: South America, Florida and parts of England
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: February or March to June or July
The Orange-Winged Amazons show a unique characteristic when it comes to hybridizing. With other parrots of the same family, these birds tend to mate and endorse many of their traits which weren’t present in their original nature. Their colony has stretched to some areas of London and survived due to their adaptive quality.
Recognition
This species shows a matte-green tone on their feathers and this lighter color renders the feather textures apparent to direct observation. The neck is yellow with a darker hat up top. Wings contain shades of orange, blue and black – all of which are visible at full stretch.
Habitat Zones
Hailing from the northern parts of South America, Orange-Winged Amazons have found a safe haven for nesting in North America. You might come across one or two of this species in parks or other green urban settlements in Florida if you’re lucky enough.
Vireo
Out of the 8 genres of Vireos, only one green bird finds its home in the US state of Florida.
Red-Eyed Vireo
Source: @bryan.cotter.btt
- Scientific Name: Vireo olivaceus
- Size: 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in)
- Locality: Canada, USA, Central America and South America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Mid-April to August
This species of birds is one of the most adored, tine songbirds in all of America. It holds the record for singing the most songs in a single day – up to 20,000! The genus Viero comes from Latin, with the closest interpretation of ‘green migrating bird’ which hints at its nature and color.
Recognition
For the tiny size, it still has a bill that’s quite stout. The color isn’t a parrot-like punch, rather an olive-green shade that’s more toned down. Belly-side is more of a white toward light gray. Small head with black crown and the same colored eye-line makes it easy for watchers to recognize.
Habitat Zones
The Red-Eyed Vireo isn’t the most common green bird in Florida, but in certain parts of the state, enthusiasts have marked their sightings over the years. Since this bird migrates mostly during the night time, tracing them in broad daylight proves to be a challenging task out of their habitat zone.
Heron
Herons are distinguished by their 72 species currently recognized, among which only one green variant is widely found in Florida.
Green Heron
Source: @momweavs
- Scientific Name: Butorides virescens
- Size: 41 to 46 cm (16.1 to 18.1 in)
- Locality: North and Central America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: March to July
Green Herons are very smart birds who can master the use of tools upon observation. There exists 5 subspecies of this bird, but there is debate about the credibility surrounding the Caribbean island variants.
Recognition
Green Herons aren’t the punchy-green type birds, rather they exhibit a darker and shinier tone which seems more sophisticated. The greenish head is matched with the same colored wings, accented with thin white outlines on feathers. A chestnut colored, short neck allows white lines to form that are carried on to the abdomen as well.
Habitat Zones
Green Herons make up a large portion of green birds in Florida as they’re widely available and easy to locate despite their small size. If you plan on observing these birds, dusk or dawn would be the ideal time to locate these nocturnal birds around low areas beside wetlands.
Kinglet
Kinglet carries 6 species in Eurasia and North America, and only one of these in green are traced in parts of Florida.
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
Source: @gisuuuu_
- Scientific Name: Corthylio calendula
- Size: 9 to 11 cm (3.5 to 4.3 in)
- Locality: Canada, Alaska and North-western USA
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: May to August
For such a small bird, this passerine Ruby-Crowned Kinglet is exceptionally loud if you’re fortunate enough to hear it singing! There are three subspecies of this bird, varying in locality and a couple of minor traits. They are migratory birds, thus their widespread existence across North America.
Recognition
These birds are very tiny and due to their private nature, you won’t find it to be an easy task for tracing them. The male and female birds are almost identical, with a pale green belly and dark green back. Wings are reinforced with sharp black and white textures. Only difference between the genders is the male’s red crown, which they tend to hide most of the time.
Habitat Zones
Ruby-Crowned Kinglets migrate during the winter season from their summer homes. Their breeding zones include Canada, Alaska and parts of New England. However, their winter visits to Florida can allow you to locate one or two with patience and keen eyes.
Bunting
Florida is the safe winter home for a lot of Buntings out of their 45 species, but only one green bird of the lot can be identified in nature.
Painted Bunting
Source: @jon5cents
- Scientific Name: Passerina ciris
- Size: 12 to 14 cm (4.7 to 5.5 in)
- Locality: Parts of the USA and Central America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: May to mid-July
Painted Bunting is probably the most joyous and vibrant passerine you could find in all America. Despite such glittering tones, you’d find it very difficult to locate them in the wilderness due to their concealed trait. They are monogamous and live in solidarity most of their lives.
Recognition
Colored with a red belly, blue head and neck and green patched back, it’s hard to misrecognizing this bird if you manage to locate one. The bright plumage remains as the only distinguishing factor between the male and female, but the male bird must be of age for this to exist.
Habitat Zones
Although this species is found across a wide area in the USA and parts of Central America, their only winter habitat resides in Florida. The winter-time breeding takes place in this state, marking it a safe place for them to keep on coming back.
Thoughts
This draws the blinds on the discussion of green birds in Florida. Most of these birds roam freely in the wilderness, while some dare enough to visit human habitats in search of food.
As a Floridan, I believe it’s your duty to let these green and beautiful birds know that they’re safe in your neighborhood.
If you want to help, just put some seeds, fruits and water out on your porch during winter-time, it should aid a lot of migratory birds in need.
Lastly, despite their alluring physicality, maintaining a distance and not holding them captive is the ideal way to proceed, it should maintain Florida as a safe refuge for these birds.
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Audio Credits: xeno-canto, wikimedia