Hillsborough River

Ecosystem Overview

The Hillsborough River ecosystem supports 19 documented wildlife species across 19 taxonomic genera. Located in Hillsborough County, Florida, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 4 frequently observed species and 3 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Hillsborough County nearby has 81% more documented species, Hillsborough River offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 8 Hillsborough County County natural areas, placing it in the 50th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 8 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common6 species

Occasional6 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 8 locations

50th percentile for diversity

vs. Hillsborough County

-81% 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 19 total documented species.

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Very Common4 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Very Common4 obs.

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Very Common3 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Very Common3 obs.

Mycteria americana

Wood Stork

Very Common2 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common2 obs.

Neoscona domiciliorum

Red-Femured Spotted Orbweaver

Common1 obs.

Aramus guarauna

Limpkin

Common1 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Common1 obs.

Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Heron

Common1 obs.

Nyctanassa violacea

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

Common1 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Occasional1 obs.

Anhinga anhinga

Anhinga

Occasional1 obs.

Pistia stratiotes

Water lettuce

Occasional1 obs.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Occasional1 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Occasional1 obs.

Podocarpus macrophyllus

Japanese yew

Occasional1 obs.

Nuphar advena

Spatterdock

Rare1 obs.

Leiothlypis celata

Orange-crowned Warbler

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-32%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Hillsborough County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Hillsborough County

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-81% vs. current

Lake Flynn

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+138% vs. current

Ulele Spring

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+217% vs. current

Water

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+1800% vs. current

Temple Terrace

Importance: 0.35

38 species

-50% vs. current

Greater Northdale

Importance: 0.29

28 species

-32% vs. current

Greater Carrollwood

Importance: 0.28

16 species

+19% 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 Hillsborough 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

Species Count

-32%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Hillsborough County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Hillsborough County

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-81% vs. current

Lake Flynn

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+138% vs. current

Ulele Spring

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+217% vs. current

Water

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+1800% vs. current

Temple Terrace

Importance: 0.35

38 species

-50% vs. current

Greater Northdale

Importance: 0.29

28 species

-32% vs. current

Greater Carrollwood

Importance: 0.28

16 species

+19% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 8 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common4 species

Common6 species

Occasional6 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 8 locations

50th percentile for diversity

vs. Hillsborough County

-81% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 19 total documented species.

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Very Common4 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Very Common4 obs.

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Very Common3 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Very Common3 obs.

Mycteria americana

Wood Stork

Very Common2 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common2 obs.

Neoscona domiciliorum

Red-Femured Spotted Orbweaver

Common1 obs.

Aramus guarauna

Limpkin

Common1 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Common1 obs.

Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Heron

Common1 obs.

Nyctanassa violacea

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

Common1 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Occasional1 obs.

Anhinga anhinga

Anhinga

Occasional1 obs.

Pistia stratiotes

Water lettuce

Occasional1 obs.

Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrel

Occasional1 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Occasional1 obs.

Podocarpus macrophyllus

Japanese yew

Occasional1 obs.

Nuphar advena

Spatterdock

Rare1 obs.

Leiothlypis celata

Orange-crowned Warbler

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 19 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.