Jekyll Island is one of the prime locations in Georgia for bird spotting. Because the island is on the Atlantic Flyway (one of 18 sites along the Colonial Coast Birding Trail), it has been visited by a variety of migratory feathered fliers, such as snowbirds, to a better climate.
The best times to spot birds in Jekyll are the spring and fall. A particularly fun time is in October, during the Jekyll Island Bird and Nature Festival.
What kind of birds can you see on Jekyll Island? There are several notable species that visit the island or make it their home. This list, while not exhaustive, offers tips for recognizing some of the island’s winged visitors.
Wading birds:
- Wood Storks – These large wading birds (part of the stork family) are mostly white, with brown heads and black faces. When these birds are in flight, look for a black band on the trailing edge of their wings. Their long, downward-curving bills are yellow.
- Sandhill Cranes – The Florida subspecies of this crane occasionally drops off on Jekyll Island. Sand ridges are long-legged birds that are generally gray, with white cheeks and a rufous bare forehead. These cranes are sometimes confused with the blue heron. However, Sandhill cranes fly with their necks outstretched; Herons fly with their necks curved into an “S” shape.
- Blue Heron – Another large wader, herons have slate-colored plumage, reddish-brown thighs, and white heads adorned with a pair of distinct black plumes that run from behind the eyes to the back of their heads.
- Egret – There are several different species of egret, but most are white with gray legs and orange bills.
beach birds
- Gulls – Several dozen species visit or live on Jekyll Island. Their sizes range from medium to large. For the most part, they have white and gray plumage with black markings on their heads and wings. Seagulls love to hang out on the beach, and sometimes the rare seagulls show up.
- Pipe Plover – This is an endangered species of bird. Piping plovers are sandy in color, and about the size of sparrows. Adults have yellow-orange legs, with black visor-like bands across their foreheads running from eye to eye. They also have black rings around their necks.
Other birds:
- Ospreys – Hawk-like birds of prey, ospreys grow about 2′ long. They are brown on the upper part of their bodies, and their head and bottom are grey. Osprey’s wings are black, and they wear black “masks”.
- Bald Eagles – These majestic birds (our national symbol) have been spotted around the bridge, along Jekyll Creek and on Raccoon Key. They are large, with black bodies, white heads and necks, and strong, curved beaks of a yellowish-orange colour.
- songbirds – includes the yellow grouse; basics; Tangers. Grosbeak. Mockingbirds and much more.
There are too many types to mention in a short article. Your best bet for properly identifying birds on Jekyll Island is to bring along a good field guide, eg Peterson’s Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America.
You will also need a high-quality binoculars or spotting scope. A good digital camera is a must, as well as a journal to jot down the birds you spot.
Bird identification is easy on Jekyll Island, and you’ll always have plenty of winged subjects to practice with. But don’t be cocky – you can’t call yourself a real bird until you learn to identify the bird by its song.
However, being able to name the birds you are looking at brings a whole new dimension to birdwatching. It will leave you with an amazing sense of satisfaction and accomplishment for years to come.