American Kestrel

In April and May, the Dry Tortugas are an oasis for exhausted migratory landbirds crossing the Gulf of Mexico.  In February, we found only three landbird species: a few Palm Warblers, an Eurasian Collared-Dove, and this American Kestrel.

This relatively tame kestrel perched and fed Fort Jefferson's in the central courtyard.  Curiously, for such a common bird across most of North America, until this day I have had difficulty approaching one for a photograph. Kestrels feed on arthropods and small vertebrates, usually taking them on the ground.  Twice, this bird plummeted to the ground but I could not see what it captured.  Potential prey did not seem to be abundant.