Audubon Center for Birds of Prey is home to over 50 non-releasable raptors. Each is an ambassador for their species and has a unique story of why they are here. Most of Florida’s raptors are found in our state year round, however there are always exceptions (Kites, Merlin Falcons and Peregrine Falcons migrate through Florida). To learn more, below are some of the most common raptors found throughout in Florida.

To learn more about some of our resident birds please visit our Adopt-A-Raptor page.

Bald Eagle

Latin:  Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Red-shouldered Hawk

Latin:  Buteo lineatus

Red-tailed Hawk

Latin:  Buteo jamaicensis

Swallow-tailed Kite

Latin:  Elanoides forficatus

Barn Owl

Latin:  Tyto alba

Barred Owl

Latin:  Strix varia

Great Horned Owl

Latin:  Bubo virginianus

Eastern Screech-Owl

Latin:  Megascops asio

Burrowing Owl

Latin:  Athene cunicularia

Crested Caracara

Latin:  Caracara cheriway

Osprey

Latin:  Pandion haliaetus

American Kestrel

Latin:  Falco sparverius

Peregrine Falcon

Latin:  Falco peregrinus

Merlin

Latin:  Falco columbarius

Turkey Vulture

Latin:  Cathartes aura

Black Vulture

Latin:  Coragyps atratus

Mississippi Kite

Latin:  Ictinia mississippiensis

Cooper's Hawk

Latin:  Accipiter cooperii

Short-tailed Hawk

Latin:  Buteo brachyurus

Snail Kite

Latin:  Rostrhamus sociabilis