Miami-Dade County protects native and migratory birds through the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Florida nongame rules, with extra county safeguards for nesting wading birds, burrowing owls, and shoreline rookeries.
Most native birds in Miami-Dade—including herons, egrets, ibis, ospreys, and burrowing owls—are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Florida Statutes Chapter 379. It is unlawful to harass, capture, kill, or destroy active nests without a permit. The county’s Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) coordinates with FWC on shoreline rookery protection, mangrove buffers, and burrowing-owl burrows on vacant lots. Tree-trimming and demolition contractors must survey work sites for active nests during nesting season and pause work if protected nests are found.
Disturbing active nests, harming birds, or removing protected trees with nests can trigger state criminal charges, federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act fines, and county DERM environmental penalties.
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See how Miami-Dade County's bird protection rules stack up against other locations.
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