Birds

Over 310 species of birds have been observed at Canaveral National Seashore. Help protect birds and other wildlife by properly disposing of fishing line and other litter, and by not feeding them.

 

A Wilson's Plover chick is camouflaged on the exposed beach. At the top is a photo of the adult plover.

NPSphoto/Neil Fulsom

Total Wilson's Plover 2021 Shorebird Beach Nest Counts:

Playalinda = 20
Apollo = 49

Wilson's Plovers, Charadrius wilsonia, nests are exposed on the beach to foot traffic and predators. Park rangers monitor the nests and record data on nesting success. The nests numbers are growing which is a good sign for one of the smallest shorebirds. Nests numbers have grown compared to lasts years count of 34 nests. C w. wilsonia is one of four species of wilson's plover.

 

A scrub jay is burying/hiding this nut to eat in the sand at a later date.

NPSphoto/Welch

The Florida Scrub Jay is the only bird that is endemic to Florida and are listed as Threatened on the Endangered Species list since 1987. When visiting the Playalinda Beach District keep a look out for these low flying birds around the park entrance area. They are corvids related to crows which is why they are so intelligent. Being coorperative breeders their offspring will stick around for a year or two to help raise the next generation of scrub jay. Through out Canaveral National Seashore and our neighboring Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge their are approximately 300 scrub jay.

 

This bald eagle was caught taking a nap!

NPS photo/Welch

The Bald Eagle is a resident of the seashore and is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. They can be found throughout the year in the seashore. However most of them will migrate north during the months of April - August. They have been known to steal fish from the Osprey and other birds.