Is the American Kestrel native to Florida? Is the Southeastern American Kestrel an endangered species?
Is the American Kestrel native to Florida?
Yes, the Southeastern American Kestrel is native to Florida.
Are they an endangered species?
In the State of Florida, they are listed as imperiled (State-designated Threatened).
- Native to Florida
- State-designated threatened protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as a State-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.
- Non-migratory subspecies
- Life expectancy in the wild, only averaging 15 months
According to Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC):
The Southeastern American kestrel has a low life expectancy in the wild, only averaging 15 months. The survival rate of its first year of life can be as low as 30%, while the rate increases to 50% after the first year. Increased predation and collisions with motor vehicles are some of the reasons for the low survival rates for the subspecies. Unlike the kestrels that breed in the rest of North America, the Southeastern American kestrel is a non-migratory subspecies. It lives year-round in Florida and is fairly sedentary, with short dispersal distances.
Rare Upland Bird Sightings (myfwc.com)
The above information was pulled from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website at American Kestrel | FWC (myfwc.com). Florida map by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Cover photo by Tina Nord on Pexels.com