Tampa Bay's wading birds, shorebirds, and migratory species are protected under federal and Florida law, with city tree and habitat rules supporting nesting trees, rookeries, and waterfront mangrove buffers.
Hillsborough River and Tampa Bay shorelines host significant rookeries for great blue herons, ibis, roseate spoonbills, and other species protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Florida Administrative Code 68A-27. Active nests cannot be disturbed, removed, or destroyed without state permit. Tampa's tree code (Ch. 14) reinforces protection of nesting trees during breeding season. Mangrove trimming along the bay must comply with Florida's Mangrove Trimming Act. Construction near rookeries may require seasonal work windows. Property owners discovering nests should contact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before any tree work or shoreline alteration.
Disturbing or destroying protected nests can trigger federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act fines up to $15,000 per violation, Florida wildlife citations, and municipal stop-work orders on adjacent construction projects.
Tampa, FL
Florida Statute 379.412 and FWC rules prohibit the intentional feeding of wild alligators, crocodiles, bears, foxes, raccoons, sandhill cranes, and several o...
Tampa, FL
Tampa designates grand trees as receiving the highest level of protection under its tree ordinance. Grand trees are typically hardwoods 24 inches DBH or grea...
See how Tampa's bird protection rules stack up against other locations.
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