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Message
re: Swallow Tailed Kite
Posted on 7/30/22 at 8:41 am to ShermanTxTiger
Posted on 7/30/22 at 8:41 am to ShermanTxTiger
ARCI Blog
I was working in sw Florida a few years ago and got to see and learn plenty about STKIs. Even got to catch a couple with ARCI.
They are gearing up to migrate to their wintering grounds (Brazil) right now. The Eastern birds move en mass to South Carolina in July to feed heavily on a local food source - I don't remember what it is. Then, late July, they travel enmass through sw Florida, across the gulf to western Cuba, eventually making it to the tip of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.
The western birds, coastal TX and La, either fly straight across or follow the coast.
They eat large flying insects, dragon flies, and canopy dwelling herps - tree frogs and anoles. They also eat on the wing. If you see one hunting then flying in circles, grab your binocs and you can probably watch them feed.
I was working in sw Florida a few years ago and got to see and learn plenty about STKIs. Even got to catch a couple with ARCI.
They are gearing up to migrate to their wintering grounds (Brazil) right now. The Eastern birds move en mass to South Carolina in July to feed heavily on a local food source - I don't remember what it is. Then, late July, they travel enmass through sw Florida, across the gulf to western Cuba, eventually making it to the tip of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.
The western birds, coastal TX and La, either fly straight across or follow the coast.
They eat large flying insects, dragon flies, and canopy dwelling herps - tree frogs and anoles. They also eat on the wing. If you see one hunting then flying in circles, grab your binocs and you can probably watch them feed.
1
Posted on 7/30/22 at 8:51 am to consumptive_use
The process we used to catch them is pretty cool as well. Great horned owls are kite nest predators. The kites react very aggressively when one is around.
You either find a nest or find an open feeding location, such as a pond/dragonflies, near a nest. Put up a 20 ft high net and tether an ambassador owl in front of it. The kites come in, dive bomb the owl, and get caught in the net.
When I did it, the kites were coming in as soon as the owl came out of the kennel - while we were still holding it and standing around. Once we tethered the owl and got into the blind, it took about 90 seconds to get one in the net.
You either find a nest or find an open feeding location, such as a pond/dragonflies, near a nest. Put up a 20 ft high net and tether an ambassador owl in front of it. The kites come in, dive bomb the owl, and get caught in the net.
When I did it, the kites were coming in as soon as the owl came out of the kennel - while we were still holding it and standing around. Once we tethered the owl and got into the blind, it took about 90 seconds to get one in the net.
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