Last updated: April 15, 2021
Thing to Do
Birding Along the Anhinga Trail
NPS Photo/ R DiPietro
The Anhinga Trail offers some of the best close-range birding opportunities in the park. During the winter months of December – March, Purple Gallinules can be see hopping across the lily pads. In the summer, but sometimes as early as March, Swallow-tailed Kites can be seen soaring overhead. Wading birds like herons, egrets and ibis are present throughout the year but are in highest numbers during the winter dry season. Anhingas nest in multiple locations along the trail, and can be seen swimming both above and below the water’s surface with double-crested cormorants.
Note: Be mindful of Black Vultures at this location, especially in winter and during morning hours. These birds have developed a habit of damaging soft material on vehicles, including weather stripping and windshield wiper blades. A limited number of tarps with bungee cords are onsite to help protect vehicles while exploring the Royal Palm area.
Note: Be mindful of Black Vultures at this location, especially in winter and during morning hours. These birds have developed a habit of damaging soft material on vehicles, including weather stripping and windshield wiper blades. A limited number of tarps with bungee cords are onsite to help protect vehicles while exploring the Royal Palm area.
Details
Duration
1-2 Hours
Depending on how much wildlife you see and how many stops you make, walking the Anhinga Trail can take between 45 minutes to two hours.
Activity
Birdwatching
While you are at Royal Palm you can also walk the Gumbo Limbo Trail to explore the plant life that makes the tropical hardwood hammock habitat. Tropical Hardwood Hammocks often host migrating songbirds like warblers, vireos and thrushes, and are also home to colorful Liguus tree snails, whose shells come in an endless variety of colors and patterns.
Age(s)
No Age Limit
Pets Allowed
No
Pets (excluding service animals) are not allowed along the Anhinga Trail
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
Anhinga Trail
Anhinga Trail is located at the Royal Palm visitor area, two miles west of the entrance station near Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. Make the first left turn after the entrance gate and take the turnoff all the way to the end.
Note: Be mindful of Black Vultures at this location, especially in winter and during morning hours. These birds have developed a habit of damaging soft material on vehicles, including weather stripping and windshield wiper blades. A limited number of tarps with bungee cords are onsite to help protect vehicles while exploring the Royal Palm area.
Note: Be mindful of Black Vultures at this location, especially in winter and during morning hours. These birds have developed a habit of damaging soft material on vehicles, including weather stripping and windshield wiper blades. A limited number of tarps with bungee cords are onsite to help protect vehicles while exploring the Royal Palm area.
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Spring- The height of the dry season brings both higher numbers of wading birds like herons and egrets, and migrating birds flying north to breed. Short-tailed Hawks, Swallow-tailed Kites and other birds of prey can be seen circling overhead, and the trees can host many colorful songbirds including warblers, vireos, and flycatchers.
Summer- As the water level rises, bird life becomes harder to see as animals spread out in search of food. Breeding birds that can be found in the park include Swallow-tailed Kite, Black-whiskered Vireo, White-crowned Pigeon and Mangrove Cuckoo. You will more likely hear these birds than see them, but listening first can often lead to good views of the bird in question.
Fall- The height of the wet season means minimal bird activity on the ground, but if you look to the sky, you may see many different birds of prey migrating south for the winter.
Winter- The dry season is the breeding season for most large birds in the park. On the Anhinga Trail, many of the namesake Anhingas build their nests in pond apples trees, readily visible from the trail. Other birds regularly seen here during the winter include Double-crested Cormorants, Great Blue, Tricolored and Green Herons, and the vividly colorful Purple Gallinule.
Summer- As the water level rises, bird life becomes harder to see as animals spread out in search of food. Breeding birds that can be found in the park include Swallow-tailed Kite, Black-whiskered Vireo, White-crowned Pigeon and Mangrove Cuckoo. You will more likely hear these birds than see them, but listening first can often lead to good views of the bird in question.
Fall- The height of the wet season means minimal bird activity on the ground, but if you look to the sky, you may see many different birds of prey migrating south for the winter.
Winter- The dry season is the breeding season for most large birds in the park. On the Anhinga Trail, many of the namesake Anhingas build their nests in pond apples trees, readily visible from the trail. Other birds regularly seen here during the winter include Double-crested Cormorants, Great Blue, Tricolored and Green Herons, and the vividly colorful Purple Gallinule.
Time of Day
Any Time
The Anhinga Trail is open 24 hours and can be accessed at any time.
Early morning is best for songbirds, and occasionally an American Bittern or Least Bittern can also be found among the reeds.
Wading birds like herons and egrets can be seen throughout the day, as can Anhingas, cormorants, birds of prey and Purple Gallinules.
Evening and nighttime offer the opportunity to look for hard-to-find bird life, including Black-crowned Night-Herons, rails, owls, and nightjars including Chuck-Will's-Widow and Eastern Whip-poor-will.
Early morning is best for songbirds, and occasionally an American Bittern or Least Bittern can also be found among the reeds.
Wading birds like herons and egrets can be seen throughout the day, as can Anhingas, cormorants, birds of prey and Purple Gallinules.
Evening and nighttime offer the opportunity to look for hard-to-find bird life, including Black-crowned Night-Herons, rails, owls, and nightjars including Chuck-Will's-Widow and Eastern Whip-poor-will.
Accessibility Information
The Anhinga Trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Pets are not allowed on the Anhinga Trail with the exception of service animals.
Pets are not allowed on the Anhinga Trail with the exception of service animals.