Polk County

Ecosystem Overview

The Polk County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 89 taxonomic genera. Located in Polk County, Florida, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Winter Haven, Polk County hosts 669% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 18 Polk County County natural areas, placing it in the 94th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 18 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 18 locations

94th percentile for diversity

vs. Winter Haven

+669% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Eastern Towhee

Very Common492 obs.

Sturnella magna

eastern meadowlark

Very Common302 obs.

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbird

Very Common240 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Very Common229 obs.

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Carolina Wren

Very Common204 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common200 obs.

Geothlypis trichas

Common Yellowthroat (Arizela Group)

Common177 obs.

Myiarchus crinitus

Great-Crested Flycatcher

Common166 obs.

Colinus virginianus

Northern Bobwhite

Common149 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Common149 obs.

No image

Peucaea aestivalis

Bachman's Sparrow

Common124 obs.

Vireo griseus

White-eyed Vireo

Occasional123 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Occasional99 obs.

Sialia sialis

Eastern Bluebird

Occasional83 obs.

Buteo lineatus

Red-Shouldered/Broad-Winged Hawk

Occasional66 obs.

Columbina passerina

common ground-dove

Occasional62 obs.

Baeolophus bicolor

tufted titmouse

Occasional54 obs.

Setophaga pinus

Pine Warbler

Rare48 obs.

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Rare48 obs.

Chordeiles minor

common nighthawk

Rare45 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Polk County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+567%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Polk County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Winter Haven

Importance: 0.40

13 species

+669% vs. current

Bartow

Importance: 0.38

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Lake Wales

Importance: 0.37

31 species

+223% vs. current

Lake Ariana

Importance: 0.35

21 species

+376% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

15 species

+567% vs. current

Lake Pierce

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+669% vs. current

Lake Mirror

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Lake Hollingsworth

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+1329% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Polk County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+567%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Polk County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Winter Haven

Importance: 0.40

13 species

+669% vs. current

Bartow

Importance: 0.38

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Lake Wales

Importance: 0.37

31 species

+223% vs. current

Lake Ariana

Importance: 0.35

21 species

+376% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

15 species

+567% vs. current

Lake Pierce

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+669% vs. current

Lake Mirror

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Lake Hollingsworth

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+1329% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 18 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 18 locations

94th percentile for diversity

vs. Winter Haven

+669% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Eastern Towhee

Very Common492 obs.

Sturnella magna

eastern meadowlark

Very Common302 obs.

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbird

Very Common240 obs.

Melanerpes carolinus

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Very Common229 obs.

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Carolina Wren

Very Common204 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common200 obs.

Geothlypis trichas

Common Yellowthroat (Arizela Group)

Common177 obs.

Myiarchus crinitus

Great-Crested Flycatcher

Common166 obs.

Colinus virginianus

Northern Bobwhite

Common149 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Common149 obs.

No image

Peucaea aestivalis

Bachman's Sparrow

Common124 obs.

Vireo griseus

White-eyed Vireo

Occasional123 obs.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

American Crow

Occasional99 obs.

Sialia sialis

Eastern Bluebird

Occasional83 obs.

Buteo lineatus

Red-Shouldered/Broad-Winged Hawk

Occasional66 obs.

Columbina passerina

common ground-dove

Occasional62 obs.

Baeolophus bicolor

tufted titmouse

Occasional54 obs.

Setophaga pinus

Pine Warbler

Rare48 obs.

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Rare48 obs.

Chordeiles minor

common nighthawk

Rare45 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.