Where Is It?
Everglades National Park is an hour drive from Miami and encompasses 1.5 million acres of wetland in south Florida. The main entrance in Homestead is the best starting point for bird-watching.
When to go
Dry season—November to March—is the busy season. Warm winters attract a large variety of wading birds and their predators. During the wet season from April to November, it’s very buggy, and many ranger programs aren’t offered. Check the schedule for ranger programs ahead of time.
Past & Present
In 1934, Congress established the park. It has since been designated as an International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance and a World Heritage Site. At least 1 million people from all over the world visit the Everglades each year.
Birds to See
Expect to see American coots, ospreys, white-crowned pigeons, warblers, red-shouldered hawks, anhingas (pictured), rails, painted buntings, mangrove cuckoos, flamingos, snail kites, wood storks, roseate spoonbills, limpkins, cape sable seaside sparrows, bald eagles, barred owls and more.
Plan a Trip
The park has myriad trails with differing levels of accessibility. Some seasons are better than others for viewing certain species. To find the right trail and time to visit, go to www.nps.gov/ever. Call 305-242-7700 to reach the park by phone.
A Glimpse
Anhingas are common in the park. Sometimes called snake birds, darters or water turkeys, they are water birds from the warmer parts of the Americas.