Exotic Birds of Miami and Where to Find Them
I was out for an adventure on a city bike in Coconut Grove with my girlfriend and we stumbled across a White Peacock. Standard Indian Peacocks (blue and green) are very common in Miami. If you venture anywhere south of the city or to Crandon Park, you'll see dozens of them. This peacock was completely white and I couldn't believe my eyes. He even put on a show for us and had his feathers open for about 15 minutes while he posed for pictures.
Now, Miami is known for nightlife, beaches, and great weather. What the average person might not know is that it's also home to a wide selection of exotic birds. Typically, you'll need to venture away from the city or the beach to find them, but I've come across parakeets in Brickell and Miami Beach quite a few times! These birds are not native to Miami. They were brought here from South America by humans but have since established consistent breeding patterns and are flourishing.
Here is a list of the exotic birds of Miami and where you can find them. It's important to note that exotic does not always mean rare.
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1. Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)
Where to find it: All over Miami, prevalent in Coral Gables
2. Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
Where to find it: All over Miami and at the beaches
Yes, a pigeon can be considered exotic
3. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Where to find it: All over Miami
Originally found in Miami in 1982, this bird has colonized North America faster than any other species of bird.
4. Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)
Where to find it: Matheson Hammock Park and Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden
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5. Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)
Where to find it: Miami Beach and areas south of the city
6. White-winged Parakeet (Brotogeris versicolurus)
Where to find it: Little Havana
7. Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)
Where to find it: Central Miami
8. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Where to find it: Miami Beach
9. Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Where to find it: Contrary to it's name, it's not a common bird. It's population is rapidly declining but might be seen at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden.
10. Spot-breasted Oriole (Icterus pectoralis)
Where to find it: Considered rare, it's tough to find but has been seen around Miami Springs
11. House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)
Where to find it: Northeast Miami
12. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Where to find it: A very common bird found everywhere, but still considered exotic
13. Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus)
Where to find it: Near lakes, ponds, or grassy areas
14. Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)
Where to find it: Considered rare, they can be seen at Matheson Hammock Park and Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden. Venture out of Miami to Everglades National Park to see more!
15. Nanday Parakeet (Aratinga nenday)
Where to find it: Prevalent from Miami to Palm Beach
16. Mitred Parakeet (Psittacara mitratus)
Where to find it: Dadeland and South Miami
17. Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)
Where to find it: Vizcaya Gardens and Matheson Hammock Park
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18. Tricolored Munia (Lonchura malacca)
Where to find it: Lucky Hammock
19. Chestnut-fronted Macaw (Ara severus)
Where to find it: Matheson Hammock Park & Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden
20. Lilac-crowned Amazon (Amazona finschi)
Where to find it: Matheson Hammock Park & Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden
21. White Peacock (Pavo cristatus)
Where to find it: Coconut Grove
