The American Swallow-tailed Kite
Watching the American Swallow-tailed Kite soar through the sky is an impressive sight to see. It puts on an aerial ballet as it swoops and twists over the treetops in search of insects.
Description
Swallow-tailed Kite
Range and Habitat
During the breeding season they inhabit wooded swamps, marshes, and hardwood forests. They build their nests at the top of the tallest trees.
The Swallow-tailed Kite
American Swallow-tailed Kite and other Birds of Prey
It is not uncommon for the first chick hatched to kill the younger chicks. This phenomenon is called siblicide.
Mating and Nesting Habits
The building of the nest is a joint effort with both the male and female activity participating. The nest is large, 15 to 20 inches across and close to a foot deep. It is built from twigs and stems, and lined with strands of lichen and moss. They will continue to add moss during incubation.
The clutch consists of 1 to 3 eggs, and are incubated for 28 to 31 days. The young fledge between 5 ½ to 7 weeks after hatching.
Swallow-tailed Kites often search for nests of smaller birds. Rather than rob the nest, they steal the whole thing, eating the eggs and the hatchlings as they fly along.
Diet
Flight
Recognizing Birds in Flight
Voice
More American Swallow-tailed Kites
Conservation Status
Birds at Risk
South Carolina Birder
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What interesting birds have you seen?
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OhMe
I didn't realize they were endangered in SC. Very informative lens. 5* Posted August 08, 2008 |
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bbug
Very informative lens, these are beautiful birds Posted April 15, 2008 |
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GypsyPirate
This was very informative. It's not a bird I am that familiar with seeing, as I am up near the Great Lakes, but I'll watch for it now when I visit friends in Georgia. I'm curious, with a diet of mostly insects, the American Kite is a raptor? Is it related to the African Kite? Posted April 03, 2008 |
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adez7
Very nice lens, very nice indeed! :) Posted March 29, 2008 |
Resources used to construct this page.
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition.> Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
Carolina Raptor Center
Western North Carolina Nature Center
University of Minnesota Raptor Center




































