Migrate over to the St. Augustine
Alligator Farm Zoological Park
Spoonies and Herons and Egrets, oh my!
Photographers visiting the
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Zoological Park are astounded by
the vast number of photographic
opportunities provided by the hundreds
of nesting wading birds. As a member
of the Great Florida Birding Trail, this
accredited zoo has been selected for
its excellent bird watching and bird
education opportunities.
In the mid 1970’s the Alligator Farm
expanded its Native Swamp exhibit and
inadvertently developed an outstanding
natural bird rookery. A winding boardwalk allows for the rare opportunity to
view wild nesting birds at extremely close distances, at times literally within
arm’s reach. Since the swamp was expanded, it has grown to become one
of the most accessible natural bird rookeries in Florida.
The two-acre exhibit is home not only to American alligators, American
crocodiles and native turtles, but many different species of wading birds.
Twelve species frequent the swamp, with eight of those nesting and
producing young. Great egrets, Roseate spoonbills, and the endangered
Wood stork are the first to arrive, followed by Snowy egrets, Tri-colored and
Little Blue herons, and lastly, the Cattle egrets. Green herons choose nesting
spots deep within the trees in the Land of Crocodiles. The nesting season
begins in late February and lasts through July. During the peak season
in May, birds can be photographed in all stages of nesting: displaying,
incubating, and the raisin