Wildlife to Watch for While Sailing in Key West

We share our paradise home with a variety of birds, butterflies, and land animals – some of which are unique to our corner of the world! We previously covered the marine life you’ll see while kayaking and snorkeling, so here we’ll explore the wildlife species you’re likely to spot while sailing in Key West with us and cruising around the island!

Key West Bird Specie

Key West is a haven for birdwatchers! Here you’ll spot both native and migratory species – these are some of the most notable. 

Magnificent Frigatebird 

• Very large with long, narrow wings; long, forked tail, long hooked bill
• Males are black with a distinctive red throat, sometimes inflated in display
• Females have a white chest; juveniles have a white head
• Eats fish and squid, often stolen from other birds
• Seen year-round, often soaring above coastal areas

Brown Pelican 

• Adults are gray-brown with yellow heads and white necks
• Juveniles are gray-brown with pale belly and breast
• Eats fish
• Seen year-round; higher visibility in spring and summer breeding season

Roseate Spoonbill

• Large wading bird with striking pink plumage and a long spatula-shaped bill
• Immature birds are paler and lack; adults feature bald, pale-greenish heads
• Eats small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects
• Native, year-round residents that live in mangroves and tidal flats

Cuban Yellow Warbler

• Small yellow songbird with subtle reddish-brown streaking on the head
• Males are brighter and more vividly colored than females
• Eats insects, spiders, and occasionally fruits
• Native subspecies found exclusively in the Florida Keys
• Present year-round, especially in mangroves and tropical hardwood hammocks

White-Crowned Pigeon

• Dark gray plumage; slight iridescent green or purple sheen on the neck
• Distinctive white crown on adults
• Primarily eats fruit, especially poisonwood, fig, and pigeon plum
• Commonly seen from spring to early fall 

Great Egret

• White heron with a yellow bill and long black legs
• Develop long, lacy plumes on their back during breeding season (Feb/March – July/Aug) 
• Eats fish, frogs, small mammals, and insects
• Native; found year-round in wetlands, mangroves, and near shallow waters

Osprey

• Raptor with brown upperparts and white underparts
• Distinctive dark stripe across its yellow eyes
• Eats almost exclusively fish
• Native and year-round; especially near coastal waters

Honorable Mention: Key West Gypsy Chickens

Key West is home to a significant population of feral chickens! Often referred to as “gypsy chickens” by locals, these birds are descendants of domestic chickens brought to the island by early settlers in the 1820s and later by Cuban immigrants in the 1860s. Initially kept for food and cockfighting, many were released or escaped over time, leading to a thriving feral population. 

The chickens have become an integral part of Key West’s culture and are commonly seen roaming streets, parks, and even entering restaurants. While they add to the island’s charm, their presence has also raised concerns. Issues like property damage, noise from crowing roosters, and potential health risks from droppings have been noted. 

In response, the city has implemented measures like banning the feeding of chickens on public property to help control their numbers and mitigate associated problems. The Key West Wildlife Center is an integral partner in providing “chicken services” for injured, sick, and orphaned gypsy chickens.

Butterflies

Key West supports a wide array of butterflies, many of which can be seen at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. Common species include:

Miami Blue Butterfly 

• Tiny butterfly (wingspan of 1”); blue-gray wings, orange and black underside markings 
• Eats balloonvine, gray nickerbean, and blackbead found on Florida’s beaches
• Critically endangered; native to Florida, specifically the Florida Keys
• Active year-round; populations are extremely limited

Zebra Longwing

• Long black wings adorned with bold yellow stripes
• Feeds on lantana and passionflower, as well as pollen (rare among butterflies) 
• Native; Florida’s state butterfly
• Active year-round in Key West, especially in gardens and wooded areas

Gulf Fritillary

• Bright orange wings with black topside markings, white underside spots
• Eat nectar from lantana and verbena
• Native, commonly found in Key West
• Active year-round, particularly abundant in summer and fall

Julia Heliconian

• Bright orange wings; males have more vivid coloration than females
• Feed on nectar from lantana and shepherd’s needle
• Native; found year-round in South Florida and the Keys
• Seen year-round in sunny gardens and open areas

Cloudless Sulphur

• Bright yellow wings; females have brownish markings
• Feed on nectar from hibiscus, morning glories, and bougainvillea
• Native and migratory; year-round populations in South Florida

Honorable Mention: Monarch Butterfly

As you likely already know, the Monarch butterfly has bright orange wings outlined in black with distinctive white spots. Native to North America, Monarchs are both migratory and present year-round in South Florida, including Key West. Some individuals overwinter in the area, while others pass through during migration. The best times to observe their movements are during their migratory peaks in the spring and fall, though they can be seen throughout the year in the Keys.

Land Animals

Though small in size, Key West has diverse land animals, all of which play key roles in the island’s ecosystem. Some, like green iguanas and Cuban treefrogs, are invasive species.

Key Deer

• Small, endangered subspecies of white-tailed deer
• Short legs, reddish-brown coat, white underbelly
• Eats plants, mangroves, fruits, and grasses
• Active year-round, often during early morning or late evening

Marsh Rabbits

• Small, dark brown rabbits with short ears and a grayish-white underbelly
• Lacks the distinctive white tail of most rabbits
• Feed on grasses, sedges, and aquatic plants
• Active year-round, primarily at dusk and dawn

Green Iguanas

• Green body, long tail, spiny crest along the back, dewlap (flap of skin) under the throat
• Colors shift to darker green or orange in males during mating season
• Primarily herbivorous; eats leaves, flowers, and fruits
• Non-native; active year-round

Geckos & Anoles

• Geckos are large, nocturnal lizards, generally smooth-skinned; range from gray to green
• Anoles are diurnal lizards; have a dewlap, often green or brown
• Most Key West geckos and brown anoles are non-native
• Eat ants, flies, and other small insects
• Active year-round

Cuban Treefrog

• Warty skin, green, brown, gray, or white; prominent toe pads for climbing.
• Carnivorous; eats insects, spiders, small lizards, and even other frogs
• Non-native and invasive
• Active year-round, primarily at night in wet or wooded areas

Honorable Mention: Mangrove Crab

Although technically not “land” animals, mangrove crabs are commonly found in the mangrove forests of Key West. These small, flat-bodied crustaceans are excellent climbers and are often seen scaling mangrove roots and tree trunks to forage! They feed on mangrove leaves, algae, detritus, and small insects, and serve as prey for birds and fish. Mangrove crabs are crucial contributors to the mangrove ecosystem.

Native to Key West, mangrove crabs are active year-round but are especially visible during warmer months – if you can spot them! Their dark brown to black coloration and greenish or bluish sheen make them quite well-camouflaged among mangrove roots and trunks.

Are There Snakes in Key West?

This is a fair question, and we’re happy to report that the snakes in Key West are harmless and non-venomous. (The venomous Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake can be found in Florida, but they are not commonly found in the Keys.) The island’s warm, tropical environment supports a variety of snake species, many of which play essential roles in controlling pests and maintaining ecological balance. 

Florida Keys Mole Kingsnake

• Non-venomous and rarely seen
• Feeds on small rodents and insects

Eastern Corn Snake

• Non-venomous constrictor with beautiful orange and red markings
• Often mistaken for venomous species

Southern Ringneck Snake

• Small, non-venomous
• Distinctive yellow ring around its neck

Mangrove Saltmarsh Snake

• Non-venomous water snake found in mangrove habitats
• Typically brown or reddish coloration

Brown Water Snake

• Non-venomous; semi-aquatic
• Often found near water 

Come and spend the day with us! Tell us all about the Key West wildlife species you’ve seen while on the island, and together we’ll spot the stunning marine life you can only experience sailing above and exploring under the crystal clear waters of Key West! Wishing you fair winds and following seas!