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Started By
Message
A swallow-tailed kite hunts in my neighborhood (with pics)
Posted on 7/11/20 at 10:41 am
Posted on 7/11/20 at 10:41 am
Swallow-tailed kite
quote:
Description
Raptor with long, pointed wings and a long and deeply forked tail. White head, neck, underwing linings, and under parts; black upper parts, flight feathers, and tail. Juveniles similar to adults but white of head and body has slight buffy cast. Largest of the North American kites—adults range from 20 to 24 inches in length, with a wingspan of more than 4.25 feet.
Range and Habitat
Found in areas with tall trees that can be used for nesting and open areas to catch prey. Prefers lowland areas particularly in the coastal plain along river systems. Nesting kites like pines adjacent to swampland. Northern subspecies is found from South Carolina to Florida and west to Louisiana; southern subspecies is found from southeastern Mexico to northern South America. Winters in South America.
Behavior
Primarily eats insects but also small vertebrates like frogs and nestling birds, especially during breeding season. Catches and eats most prey while in flight. Build nests of twigs lined with Spanish moss up to nearly 20 inches across near the tops of large trees along rivers or forest openings. Lays 2 or 3 eggs which are shades of white with brown and reddish brown markings. Males and females incubate the eggs for about 28 days. Young fledge (develop feathers for flight) at 5 to 6 weeks.
Population Status
Ranked as S1S2B (breeding population is imperiled) in Louisiana. Threats to population include harassment by humans, low-flying aircraft, and habitat loss from agricultural and urban development, logging, and flood control.
This post was edited on 7/11/20 at 10:55 am
Posted on 7/11/20 at 10:45 am to Misnomer
They have been expanding their habitat the past 10 years. I see them from time to time at my house, but one afternoon in late spring I had 7 over the house, it was an incredible site. I find that they soar very quickly and normally when you see them they don't stay in view very long.
Posted on 7/11/20 at 10:47 am to Misnomer
Awesome! We have one that flies around our house sometimes. They are really fun to watch!
Posted on 7/11/20 at 10:48 am to Misnomer
Can confirm that’s not the only thing that swallows at your house
Posted on 7/11/20 at 10:48 am to FieldEngineer
That is the most beautiful bird in flight. I’ve seen them before but never one as big as this one. We were riding bikes and luckily I had my phone.
Posted on 7/11/20 at 10:52 am to Misnomer
Where is your neighborhood? We have Mississippi Kites in our neighborhood in east Baton Rouge
Posted on 7/11/20 at 10:57 am to Misnomer
Hey mis.
I was just outside watching one fly around the area. It was snacking on something while flying. They like to get their meals to go.
I was just outside watching one fly around the area. It was snacking on something while flying. They like to get their meals to go.
Posted on 7/11/20 at 10:58 am to Misnomer
It’s amazing how advanced government technology has gotten.
Posted on 7/11/20 at 10:59 am to Kcrad
He was hunting while we were watching him. They like to stay on the move- I read they even drink while in flight. We have a lot of very tall trees and they like to be 100 ft up if they perch.
Posted on 7/11/20 at 11:00 am to Misnomer
You in mandeville?
Saw one yesterday.
Saw one yesterday.
Posted on 7/11/20 at 11:01 am to Misnomer
They've my favorite bird, just wonderful to watch when you get lucky enough. Several years ago we made the drive to a field in east central Georgia where they show up in the fall when beetles come out of the ground. There were close to 100 Swallow-tailed Kites (and maybe 20 Mississippi Kites too) swooping in over the fields catching Green June Beetles. It was awesome. A couple of photos I took. In the first a Kite has grabbed a beetle, in the second one the kite missed it's first pass but was ultimately successful, the beetle is at the bottom, left, and the Kite is looking at it:
Posted on 7/11/20 at 11:02 am to Misnomer
Above average quality pics and gif
Upvote
Upvote
Posted on 7/11/20 at 11:03 am to Tigris
quote:
A couple of photos I took
Those are spectacular!
Posted on 7/11/20 at 11:04 am to Misnomer
quote:
He was hunting while we were watching him. They like to stay on the move- I read they even drink while in flight. We have a lot of very tall trees and they like to be 100 ft up if they perch.
Some older pic I took at the house
Posted on 7/11/20 at 11:04 am to Misnomer
The one I saw grabbed something from the top of a tall pine.
Then it would take a bite while gliding. They much prefer to glide than actively flap their wings. Interesting birds.
Great pictures.
Then it would take a bite while gliding. They much prefer to glide than actively flap their wings. Interesting birds.
Great pictures.
This post was edited on 7/11/20 at 11:09 am
Posted on 7/11/20 at 11:04 am to Misnomer
That’s awesome! Saw one yesterday on the Northshore.
Posted on 7/11/20 at 11:04 am to Misnomer
A Red Tailed Hawk got a kitten belonging to my baby girl, and two squirrels.
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