Dry Tortugas National Park

Florida · Southeast

ChallengingOfficial Site

Habitat

CoastalTropical

Best Seasons

Spring

Difficulty

Challenging

Best Months

April-May

Entrance Fee

$15 per person (ferry ticket separate)

Hours

Daylight hours; accessible by ferry or seaplane only

About This Location

Dry Tortugas is a remote island park 70 miles west of Key West, famous for spectacular spring fallouts of Neotropical migrants. Fort Jefferson on Garden Key serves as a migrant trap, and the Sooty Tern colony on Bush Key is the only one in the continental US.

Location

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Notable Species

Sooty Tern Brown Noddy Magnificent Frigatebird Black-whiskered Vireo Bobolink

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Snail Kite

Rostrhamus sociabilis

3/4/2026Ice Station Arendell1 observed

Great-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

3/4/20265415 W Tyson Ave, Tampa US-FL 27.88710, -82.541324 observed

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

3/4/2026christ fellowship stuart1 observed

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

3/4/2026311 NW Primitive Glen, Lake City US-FL 30.20217, -82.678271 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/4/2026Belle Glade Marina & Torry Island1 observed

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

3/4/2026Belle Glade Marina & Torry Island1 observed

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

3/4/2026John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area (Palm Beach County)1 observed

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

3/4/2026John C. and Mariana Jones/Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area (Palm Beach County)1 observed

Florida Scrub-Jay

Aphelocoma coerulescens

3/4/2026Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey US-FL 27.17753, -82.463689 observed

Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga magnolia

3/4/2026World Golf Village1 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/4/2026Paul Rardin Park1 observed

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

3/4/2026Paul Rardin Park1 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/4/2026Paul Rardin Park1 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/4/2026Paul Rardin Park1 observed

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

3/4/2026Paul Rardin Park2 observed

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

3/4/2026Paul Rardin Park2 observed

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

3/4/202633430, Belle Glade US-FL 26.43582, -80.798951 observed

Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

3/4/2026Lakes Park1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/4/2026SGI Patton Bridge East1 observed

Boat-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus major

3/4/202616757–16773 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola US-FL 30.28452, -87.503932 observed

Recent Observations

Brown Pelican

Causeway Islands Park

3/4/2026

40 birds

Crested Caracara

30546–30566 Okeechobee Rd, Fort Pierce US-FL 27.35086, -80.63537

3/4/2026

1 birds

Loggerhead Shrike

740 W Gulf Beach Dr, Eastpoint US-FL 29.65629, -84.87976

3/4/2026

2 birds

Western Cattle-Egret

SW 167th Ave. (Agricultural Fields)

3/4/2026

6 birds

Swallow-tailed Kite

23239 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, Florida, US (27.365, -80.609)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Double-crested Cormorant

23239 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, Florida, US (27.365, -80.609)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Limpkin

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

1 birds

White Ibis

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

4 birds

Fish Crow

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

4 birds

Osprey

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mallard

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

2 birds

Common Gallinule

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

3 birds

Anhinga

Sassagoula River

3/4/2026

2 birds

Boat-tailed Grackle

Sand Point Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Turkey Vulture

Everglades NP--Flamingo Campground

3/4/2026

9 birds

Black Vulture

Everglades NP--Flamingo Campground

3/4/2026

3 birds

Red-shouldered Hawk

Everglades NP--Flamingo Campground

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Mockingbird

Little Duck Key--Veterans Memorial Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

Everglades NP--Flamingo Campground

3/4/2026

4 birds

Rock Pigeon

17301 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, Florida, US (27.371, -80.502)

3/4/2026

45 birds

Birding Tips

1
Book the ferry or seaplane well in advance
2
April fallouts after cold fronts produce incredible warbler variety

Amenities

Restrooms

Campground

Nearby Attractions

Fort Jefferson

More in Florida

Everglades National Park

Vast subtropical wilderness with incredible wading bird concentrations and tropical species.

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Sanibel Island mangrove refuge with spectacular wading bird viewing from Wildlife Drive.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Space Coast refuge with massive winter waterfowl concentrations and diverse habitats.

Birding Guides

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Top Spring Migration Hotspots Across America

10 min read

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Dry Tortugas National Park for birding?▼

The best months to visit Dry Tortugas National Park for birding are April-May. The best seasons are Spring.

What birds can I see at Dry Tortugas National Park?▼

Notable species at Dry Tortugas National Park include Sooty Tern, Brown Noddy, Magnificent Frigatebird, Black-whiskered Vireo, Bobolink. The area supports coastal, tropical habitats.

How difficult is birding at Dry Tortugas National Park?▼

Birding at Dry Tortugas National Park is rated as Challenging. The terrain can be challenging and may require good physical fitness and preparation.

Is there an entrance fee at Dry Tortugas National Park?▼

The entrance fee at Dry Tortugas National Park is $15 per person (ferry ticket separate). Hours: Daylight hours; accessible by ferry or seaplane only.

What amenities are available at Dry Tortugas National Park?▼

Dry Tortugas National Park offers the following amenities: Restrooms, Campground.