American Swallow-tailed Kite

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Ranked #837 in Animals, #20,686 overall

A Beautiful Flier

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 wetlands and marshes of the Southern United States. The Swallow-tailed Kite is listed as a bird of prey, but its prey is predominantly insects, butterflies, and lizards. Although the Swallow-tailed Kite is not listed as endangered, it is a rare sight. I have lived in the south for year, and am an avid bird watcher, but I've only seen a Swallow-tailed Kite once.

Swallow-tailed Kite 

Elanoides forficatus by smdantas

Elanoides forficatus

_2004631 copy by kimjonesphotography

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_2004632 copy by kimjonesphotography

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_2004649 copy by kimjonesphotography

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IMG_2265_edited-1 by tiswango

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Swallow-tailed Kite by dobak

Swallow-tailed Kite

automatically generated by Flickr

Description 

The American Swallow-tailed Kite is a beautiful bird. It is 20 to 25 inches in length and has a wingspan of over 4 feet. Its flight feathers, tail feet, and bill are black while its head, chest and belly are white. As the name implies, its long tail is deeply forked. The immature Swallow-tailed Kites are similar to the adults, but their plumage is duller and their tail less forked.

Range and Habitat 

The American Swallow-tailed Kite spends the summers on the southeastern shores of the United States. They have been spotted as far west as Louisiana and occasionally around the Great Lakes, but are mainly found along the coast of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. They are a migratory bird wintering in South America.

During the breeding season they inhabit wooded swamps, marshes, and hardwood forests. They build their nests at the top of the tallest trees.

Tracking Desire: A Journey After Swallow-tailed Kites 

Tracking Desire: A Journey After Swallow-Tailed Kites

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It is not uncommon for the first chick hatched to kill the younger chicks. This phenomenon is called siblicide.

Mating and Nesting Habits 

Swallow-tailed Kites build their nests at least 60 to 100 feet off the ground and will occasionally go as high as 200 feet. It's usually placed on top of a tall, slender tree in open or thinly wooded areas. In denser areas they will place the nest along the edge of a trail or opening so the birds can approach the nest with ease. Kites may build their nests close to other kites but will avoid other raptors.

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 

The Swallow-tailed Kite feeds primarily on insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and dragonflies, but will occasionally scoop up a small snake or lizard. Their prey is gleaned from the tree tops as the kite flies over a canopy of trees or while making low sweeps over a grassy field. The Swallow-tailed Kite will continue to fly as it consumes its prey, and then scan the treetops for another tasty tidbit. Water is scooped up in its beak and swallowed at it skims the surface of lakes and streams.

Flight 

The Swallow-tailed Kite is a graceful flier. Its forked tail is often spread, but can open and close giving the bird more maneuverability. During the breeding season, its graceful maneuvers may evolve into aerial gymnastics. It is an awe-inspiring sight.

Recognizing Birds in Flight 

Nature's Flyers: Birds, Insects, and the Biomechanics of Flight

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Avian Flight (Oxford Ornithology Series)

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On Feathered Wings: Birds in Flight

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Voice 

The Swallow-tailed Kite is mostly silent but will give a high-pitched alarm if the need arises. A 'eee' or 'kee' is repeated several times followed by a hissing whistle.

More American Swallow-tailed Kites 

Elanoides forficatus by smdantas

Elanoides forficatus

_2004775 copy by kimjonesphotography

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_2004753 copy by kimjonesphotography

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_2004631 copy by kimjonesphotography

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_2004632 copy by kimjonesphotography

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_2004649 copy by kimjonesphotography

_2004649 copy

automatically generated by Flickr

Conservation Status 

The Swallow-tailed Kite is not on the United States list of endangered or threatened species, but has been listed as endangered by the state of South Carolina.

Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars 

Perfect for watching Swallow-tailed Kites and other Birds of Prey

Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars


Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars

The Nikon Monarch Binoculars

The waterproof, fog-free Nikon binoculars are perfect for outdoor use. Bright, beautifully defined images are delivered by superior quality, multilayer coated lense.O-ring seals and nitrogen gas provide added resistance to the effects of changes in climate, while the durable design and rubber armoring ensure reliable performance and a comfortable grip, even during prolonged use. Worry-free viewing of the great outdoors.

Peterson's Field Guide to Birds 

Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (Peterson Field Guide Series)

Amazon Price: $16.38 (as of 11/27/2009)Buy Now

An absolute must have for anyone with an interest in watching the birds.

What interesting birds have you seen? 

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About the Author 

Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 3,952 lenses, favorited 444, and has created 198 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "The Mallard Duck". See all my lenses

The Raptor Almanac 

The Raptor Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Vultures

Amazon Price: (as of 11/27/2009)Buy Now

Amazon.com Review
Few people, writes Scott Weidensaul, are apathetic toward raptors. Once you've seen a hawk or a falcon or an eagle in action, you're likely to take an interest in how these great birds of prey make their homes in the world. The Weidensaul's encyclopedic guidebook to the world's principal raptor species, well illustrated with photographs, maps, and charts and full of detailed information, is an ideal companion.

Resources used to construct this page. 

Dunn, J.L. & Alderfer, J., Editors. 2006. National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition. National Geographic Society.

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

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