Wildlife in Miami Neighborhoods

Watch an episode of Dexter of CSi and you’d be forgiven for thinking Miami is all high-rises and concrete, but with the news that Bald Eagles nesting in west Pembroke Pines last week, I thought I’d cover some of the other wildlife that can be found in Miami’s neighborhoods.

Manatee

These large, slow moving creatures typically inhabit warm, shallow, coastal estuarine waters which Miami has in abundance. Manatee were a common sight in Miami, but sadly their numbers have dwindled. Biscayne Bay is still littered with ‘Manatee Protection’ signs and although the boats usually scare the adults away, Oleta River park (North Miami Beach) is a known spotting location. I have seen wild Manatee in Biscayne National Park just south of the city in the Homestead neighborhood and also near Venetian Causeway in Wynwood.

Raptors

Miami’s high rises create swirling updrafts which large birds such as Turkey Vultures, Kites and numerous Hawk special use to stay in flight with minimal effort. In neighborhoods such as Downtown, Wynwood and Upper East Side flocks of these large birds can be seen every day.

Pelican, Cormorant & Heron

The neighborhoods bordering the bays are home to many fishing birds, but among the pelican, cormorants and blue herons, it’s the large Brown Pelican that are most conspicuous.

Virginia Key is a popular hang out for pelican where the birds often to be found cruising along the road and fishing around the Rickenbacker Causeway.

Parrots & Songbirds

Parrots and parakeets (such as the scaly-headed parrot, white-winged parakeet, the mitered parakeet, the red-masked parakeet and blue-crowned parakeets) can been seen in small flocks in many areas of Miami, but Biscayne Gardens in North Miami is a great area to see a selection of parakeets and migrant songbirds in one area.

Iguana

Although considered as feral by much of the community, Green and Mexican Spiny-tailed Iguanas are all over the region. Many were originally escaped family pets that, once let loose (or escaped) have thrived all over the city. They can often be seen basking alongside the road in the Venetian Islands, in Fairchild Park (Coral Gables) or in the coastal areas in Virginia Key. Do be aware though that they can give a nasty bite if cornered.

Possum & Raccoon

Although considered ‘nuisance wildlife’, if you’re new to the US then you’ve probably never seen a possum or Raccoon. Bill Baggs Wildlife Park (Key Biscayne) is a location where I’ve seen Raccoon as they enjoy foraging along the waterline. Possum on the other hand prowl many neighborhoods, try Miami Beach where the human nightlife often discard tasty treats.

Dolphin

If you’re extra lucky, dophin can be spotted in Miami, either in Oleata Park (North Miami Beach) or South Biscayne Bay (a good look-out is The Rusty Pelican restaurant) or from a kayak off the Coconut Grove coast.

Shark

Big game fishing is popular in Miami, although I prefer to look at wildlife rather than stick hooks in them, it’s worth mentioning that a 14 foot Tiger Shark was caught off Biscayne Bay.