Unmistakable: a flamingo-pink wading bird with a spatula-shaped bill. It feeds by sweeping its bill side-to-side through shallow water, straining crustaceans. The pink coloring comes from the shrimp and other crustaceans in its diet — poor water quality and habitat loss can cause color to fade.

The largest heron in North America, standing nearly 4.5 feet tall with a 6-foot wingspan. Blue-gray body, white face, and a black plume over each eye. Hunts by standing motionless in shallow water, then striking with explosive speed.

A slender, active heron with blue-gray upper parts, a white belly stripe, and rusty-purple neck. More energetic than other herons — you will often see it running through shallows, wings half-spread, chasing small fish.

A dazzling white egret with black legs and bright yellow feet — the 'golden slippers.' Once hunted nearly to extinction for its breeding plumes, the Snowy Egret is now a symbol of early conservation success. Active and agile feeder.

A medium-sized heron — slate blue as an adult, entirely white as a juvenile. The transition between juvenile and adult plumage produces a piebald white-and-blue bird, unlike anything else in the region. A deliberate, stealthy hunter.

Tall, all-white, with a yellow-orange bill and black legs. One of the most widespread herons in the world. Breeds in large rookeries and was nearly exterminated in the 1800s for its elegant breeding plumes. The Audubon Society's symbol.

The only stork native to North America. A threatened species, highly dependent on water level cycles in wetlands. Large, white-bodied with a bald gray head and black flight feathers. Nests colonially in cypress and mangroves.

One of the most entertaining wading birds to watch — it feeds by dancing, lurching, and spinning with wings spread in a wild canopy-feeding display. Two color morphs: dark (rufous and blue-gray) and white. Florida has the largest US population.

The 'fish hawk' — a raptor that dives feet-first into water to catch fish. Brown above, white below, with a distinctive dark eye stripe. One of the most fish-dependent raptors on earth, and a flagship species for healthy coastal waters.

America's national symbol is a year-round resident in Southwest Florida. Adults have the iconic white head and tail; juveniles are mottled brown for up to five years. SW Florida has one of the highest densities of nesting Bald Eagles in the lower 48.

A medium-sized hawk with warm rufous barring on the breast and a distinctive black-and-white checkered wing pattern. Loud, screaming call — commonly heard in residential neighborhoods and pine flatwoods.

Enormous white birds — wingspan up to 9 feet — that winter in SW Florida in large flocks. Unlike Brown Pelicans, they do not dive; instead, they cooperatively herd fish into shallow water and scoop them up. Arrive October, depart March.

The only pelican that dives from height to catch fish. Once nearly wiped out by DDT, the Brown Pelican is now a symbol of conservation success. Year-round resident; ungainly on land, spectacular in the air.

A prehistoric-looking seabird with a 7-foot wingspan, forked tail, and hooked bill. Males have an inflatable red throat pouch. Frigatebirds cannot land on water — they soar for hours on thermals and steal food from other seabirds.

A large, elegant tern with an orange bill and shaggy black crest. Dives for fish from height. Nests in dense colonies on sandy islands. One of the most common and vocal terns on SW Florida beaches.

Often called the most beautiful bird in North America. Males are a stunning mosaic of brilliant blue, green, and red. Females are vivid green. Winter visitors to SW Florida, appearing at feeders and brushy edges from November through April.

A large, round-headed owl with deep brown and white barring and dark brown eyes. Famously vocal — the 'Who cooks for you, who cooks for you-all' call rings through swamps and wooded neighborhoods, especially at dusk and dawn.

Tall gray birds with a distinctive red forehead patch. They mate for life and are commonly seen in pairs or family groups in open grasslands and suburban areas. Their bugling calls carry for miles.

The gentle giant of Florida's waterways. Manatees are large, slow-moving marine mammals that graze on submerged aquatic vegetation. They seek warm water — canals connected to the bay are common refuges, especially near warm-water discharge areas in winter.

Sleek, chocolate-brown, and playful — river otters are more common in SW Florida canals than most residents realize. They fish actively and can be seen sliding along canal banks or swimming with effortless speed.

The most familiar marine mammal of SW Florida's coastal waters. Dolphins occasionally follow tidal flows into canal systems connected to the coast, particularly in pursuit of mullet and other schooling fish.

Florida's most iconic reptile, and a common resident of virtually every freshwater and brackish canal in Southwest Florida. Alligators are apex predators that regulate prey populations and create "gator holes" — critical water refuges during the dry season.

One of Florida's most impressive and rarely seen reptiles. The American Crocodile favors brackish and saltwater environments — making coastal and tidal canals prime habitat. Distinguished from alligators by a longer, tapered snout and visible lower teeth when the mouth is closed.

An introduced species from Central and South America now firmly established throughout SW Florida's canal systems. Adults can reach 5 feet in length and are powerful swimmers. Highly visible on canal banks and seawalls when they bask in large numbers.

A thick-bodied, non-venomous snake commonly found in and around freshwater canals. Often mistaken for the venomous Cottonmouth — they share similar habitat but the Water Snake's pupil is round (Cottonmouth's is elliptical).

An introduced species from Cuba now found throughout SW Florida. Males have a bright orange-red throat fan (dewlap) they extend during territorial displays. The most commonly seen lizard in the region, active on walls, fences, and canal banks.

The "snakebird" — a large waterbird that swims underwater to spear fish with its long, sharp bill. Unlike ducks, Anhingas lack waterproof feathers, so they must dry their wings in the sun after diving.

A sleek, black diving bird commonly seen on canal markers, docks, and seawalls with wings spread to dry. Dives to depths of 25 feet to pursue fish. Often confused with Anhingas, but Cormorants have a hooked bill and orange-yellow throat.

A compact, secretive heron with a rich chestnut neck, dark green back, and orange-yellow legs. The Green Heron hunts from low perches along canal banks, dropping lures onto the water surface to attract fish — one of the few tool-using birds in North America.

The dominant and most ecologically important seagrass of SW Florida's coastal bays. Wide, flat, ribbon-like blades up to 12 inches long. Forms dense meadows in water depths of 1–10 feet.

Cylindrical, spaghetti-like blades that grow mixed among Turtle Grass and in shallower, disturbed areas. More tolerant of low light than Turtle Grass. A preferred food of manatees.

The smallest and most blade-like of SW Florida's common seagrasses, with narrow, flat leaves only a few inches long. A pioneer species — often the first to colonize bare sediment.

The only sea turtle that grazes on seagrass as an adult. Adults can reach 300–400 pounds. Named for the green color of their body fat, caused by their seagrass diet. Nest on Gulf beaches from May through October.

The most commonly nesting sea turtle in Florida. Large, brown, and powerful — named for its massive head and strong jaws. Florida hosts the largest Loggerhead nesting population in the Atlantic.

The rarest sea turtle in the world and the smallest. Olive-green adults weigh only 70–100 pounds. Occasionally found in SW Florida waters, particularly juveniles foraging in seagrass beds. Critically endangered.

The most familiar marine mammal of SW Florida's coastal waters. Resident pods live year-round in nearshore bays. "Strand feeding" — deliberately beaching themselves temporarily to catch fish — is a behavior unique to Southeast US dolphins.

One of the most economically important crustaceans in North America. Blue Crabs use seagrass beds as juvenile nursery habitat — the dense blades provide refuge from predators.

A large, iconic marine snail with a spiraling shell and orange-pink interior. Once abundant throughout SW Florida's coastal waters, the Queen Conch has been heavily depleted by collection and fishing pressure.

One of evolution's most extraordinary survivors — horseshoe crabs have remained essentially unchanged for 450 million years. Their bright blue blood contains a compound critical for testing the safety of every injectable drug and vaccine.

The defining inshore fish of SW Florida. Snook are aggressive, acrobatic, and notoriously difficult to catch. Identified by the distinctive black lateral line running the length of the body.

One or more distinctive eyespot(s) near the tail are the signature marking of the Redfish. Copper-colored body, powerful build. Notably tolerant of low-salinity water.

The third member of the coveted "Inshore Slam." Spotted Seatrout are identified by their distinctive black spots on the upper body and tail, and two prominent canine teeth.

The most iconic big-game fish of Southwest Florida's nearshore waters. Tarpon can exceed 200 pounds and 8 feet in length, with large, mirror-bright scales and spectacular aerial jumps when hooked.

Named for their distinctly sheep-like incisor teeth, which they use to crush barnacles, oysters, and crustaceans off hard structure. Black and white vertical stripes on a deep, compressed body.

A flatfish that lies camouflaged on the bottom, ambushing prey. Both eyes migrate to the same side of the head as the fish matures — one of nature's more startling adaptations.

The largest grouper species in the Atlantic — capable of reaching 800 pounds and 8 feet in length. Fully protected in US waters since 1990. Their comeback is one of the most visible conservation success stories in SW Florida.

A large, powerful, and highly prized sport fish that follows rays, sharks, and sea turtles while hunting. Identified by a broad, dark stripe along the lateral line and a flat head.

The most commonly encountered shark in SW Florida nearshore and inshore waters. Distinctive black tips on all fins. Blacktips migrate to SW Florida in late winter and spring in massive schools visible from the air.

The ultimate flats fishing quarry — widely considered the most difficult fish to consistently catch on the fly or light tackle. Silver, disk-shaped body with an orange belly patch.