Featured Species

Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge has over 18,000 acres of marsh, offshore grass beds, hardwood hammocks, and pine flatwood forests. The marshes provide habitat for shorebirds and waterfowl, serve as critical spawning and nursery habitat for fresh and saltwater fish, and help protect local communities against storm surge. Upland habitat on the refuge provides a stopover for neotropical songbirds and habitat for the federally threatened red-cockaded woodpecker.

Two red cockaded woodpeckers face each other on a tree limb with pine needles and blue sky visible in the background

22 cm. Rather small black-and-white woodpecker with longish bill. Above black barred white. Below white with black spots on flanks. Black crown, nape and moustachial stripe border white cheeks and side of neck. Male has small red mark on the side of nape. Juvenile browner with variable extent of...

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A large reptile basking in the sun on a log over still water surrounded by green vegetation

The American alligator is a large, semi-aquatic, armored reptile that is related to crocodiles. Their body alone ranges from 6 - 14 feet long. Almost black in color, the it has prominent eyes and nostrils with coarse scales over the entire body. It has a large, long head with visible upper teeth...

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Bald eagle up close with wing raised

A large raptor, the bald eagle has a wingspread of about seven feet. Adults have a dark brown body and wings, white head and tail, and a yellow beak. Juveniles are mostly brown with white mottling on the body, tail, and undersides of wings. Adult plumage usually is obtained by the sixth year. In...

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