Is there a law against feeding birds in Florida?

Feeding birds is a common practice for many people who enjoy watching birds come to their yards or parks. However, some states and municipalities have laws restricting or prohibiting the feeding of birds. This article examines whether there are any laws in Florida that restrict or prohibit feeding birds.

Florida State Laws on Feeding Birds

There are no statewide laws in Florida that specifically prohibit feeding birds or restrict what types of food can be used. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which regulates hunting and fishing laws in the state, does not have any regulations related to bird feeding. So at the state level, it is legal to feed birds in Florida.

However, that doesn’t mean there are no restrictions whatsoever. Some specific municipalities or counties in Florida have enacted local ordinances that restrict feeding birds. Additionally, there are some state laws related to wildlife harassment and endangered species that could potentially apply to bird feeding in certain circumstances. We’ll take a closer look at these next.

Local Laws Regulating Bird Feeding in Florida

While bird feeding is legal at the state level, some individual cities and counties in Florida have passed local ordinances restricting or regulating the practice to varying degrees. Here are a few examples:

• The city of Lakeland, FL prohibits feeding birds on public property such as parks.
• In Lee County, FL an ordinance prohibits feeding birds anything other than cracked corn.
• The city of Orlando requires residents to register if they want to feed birds on their property.
• Miami-Dade County Code states that bird feeders must be at least 5 feet off the ground and not accessible to rodents.

So whether any local laws apply will depend on the specific municipality or county where you live or want to feed birds in Florida. Some major cities and counties have no restrictions, while others regulate things like the type of food used or require registration. It’s a good idea to check your local city or county ordinances before setting up bird feeders or feeding birds in public spaces.

Florida Laws on Wildlife Harassment

In addition to local ordinances, there are some relevant state laws around wildlife harassment that could potentially impact bird feeding:

• Florida Statute 379.105 makes it illegal to intentionally harass, disturb, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect any wild animal.
• Harassment is defined as repeated acts over a period of time that significantly disrupt normal behavior patterns.
• This includes nesting, feeding, or migrating behaviors.

So intentionally feeding birds in a way that significantly disrupts their natural feeding and foraging behaviors could potentially be considered harassment and violate this law.

However, most typical backyard bird feeding would not rise to the level of intentionally interfering with normal behavioral patterns. This law is mainly aimed at prohibiting more extreme harassment. But it’s something to keep in mind if intentionally feeding huge amounts that alter normal activity.

Laws Protecting Endangered Species

Florida also has laws protecting endangered and threatened species. There are over 40 bird species protected under these state laws, including:

• Florida Scrub-Jay
• Snail Kite
• Bald Eagle
• Roseate Spoonbill
• Least Tern
• Piping Plover

Under Rule 68A-27 of Florida law, it is illegal to feed or entice protected wildlife into areas where they could be harmed. This includes intentionally feeding endangered birds in places where they could become accustomed to humans and lose their natural foraging skills and fear of people.

So if certain protected bird species started regularly visiting a bird feeder, continuing to offer food and entice them could potentially violate the state’s endangered species rules.

Best Practices When Feeding Birds in Florida

Based on Florida’s laws, here are some best practices for bird feeding:

• Check your local city and county ordinances for any restrictions before putting up feeders.
• Avoid feeding birds in public parks where it may be prohibited.
• Do not intentionally feed birds in a way that disrupts their natural foraging behaviors.
• Be cautious about rare or endangered species visiting feeders, and avoid enticing them.
• Keep feeders clean and avoid causing overcrowding at feeders.
• Use bird feeders that keep seed dry and don’t allow access to rodents.

Following these tips will help ensure bird feeding is done legally and safely in Florida. As long as feeding is done responsibly with awareness of local laws, there are no statewide prohibitions. But be sure to check your specific area’s regulations before setting up feeders.

Conclusion

In summary, there is no blanket law in Florida prohibiting or restricting bird feeding statewide. At the state level, it is legal to feed birds in your yard or at parks where it is allowed. However, many local county and city ordinances regulate feeding to varying degrees, so check your local laws. Additionally, general wildlife harassment and endangered species protection laws could apply if feeding irresponsibly. Following best practices like avoiding disruption of normal activity, keeping feeders clean, and not enticing rare birds will help ensure bird feeding is compliant with state and local laws. Always check area regulations before feeding birds in Florida.