Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatusOrder: FALCONIFORMES Family: Kites, Eagles and Hawks (Accipitridae)

Codes: Common Name: STKI Scientific Name: ELAFOR ITIS Taxonomic No.: 175289

Head

Topo Map: Hawk-like Head

Bill Shape: Hooked
Eye Color: Large variations in observations including dark brown, orange or red irises, No explanation has been suggested for these color differences.
Head Pattern: Plain
Crown Color: White
Forehead Color: White
Nape Color: White
Throat Color: White
Cere color: No Data

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Body

Topo Map: Hawk-like Body

Length Range: 48-64 cm (19-25 in)
Weight: 442 g (15.6 oz)
Size: Size 4. Large (16 - 32 in)
Color: White, Black
Underparts: White
Upperparts: Black
Back Pattern: Solid
Belly Pattern: Solid
Breast Pattern: Solid

Flight

Topo Map: Hawk-like Flight

Flight Pattern: Soars on thermals and updrafts., Buoyant flight with deep slow wing beats and glides.
Wingspan Range: 114-127 cm (45-50 in)
Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings
Tail Shape: Forked Tail
Tail Pattern: Solid
Upper Tail: Black
Under Tail: Black
Leg Color: Gray

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Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.

Swallow-tailed Kite

Swallow-tailed Kite: The largest of North America kites, has black upperparts which contrast with white head and underparts. In flight it shows long pointed wings with black flight feathers and white wing linings. Has a 15-16 inch-long black tail with deep fork. The neck, breast and belly are white.

● Song: "ee-ee-ee", "pee-pee-pee", "klee-klee-klee", "peat, peat, peat"

● Foraging & Feeding: Swallow-tailed Kite: This bird feeds on insects such as bees, dragonflies, crickets, cicadas, and beetles. Also consumes small snakes, lizards, frogs, and small birds, which are often taken from the treetops. All prey are captured with feet while in flight by gleaning from surface of vegetation, reaching within or underneath foliage, or snatching flying insects with barely perceptible strikes of the feet. Adults eat food while flying.

● Breeding & nesting: Swallow-tailed Kite: Two to three white eggs with brown and lavender markings, often concentrated at the large end, are laid in a nest of sticks, twigs, moss, and pine needles. Nest is built by both sexes and placed in the treetop, 60-130 feet above ground, concealed by thick foliage. Nest is lined with leaves and lichen. Incubation ranges from 24 to 28 days and is carried out by both sexes. These birds have one brood per year.

● Similar species: Swallow-tailed Kite: Mississippi Kite is similar but has a slightly notched black tail and gray underparts and head.

Flight Pattern

Soars on thermals and updrafts., Buoyant flight with deep slow wing beats and glides.

● Range & Habitat: Swallow-tailed Kite: Breeds mainly on or near coasts from Texas east to Florida, and north to South Carolina; local farther inland in Gulf states. Winters in American tropics. Also breeds in tropics. Inhabits swamps, marshes, river bottoms, and glades in open forests.

^BreedingMonogamous

^Population

^MigrationMigratory

^Weight15.6 Ounces

Hawk-like Head

Hawk-like Body

Hawk-like Flight

4 and 6 letter alpha codes

The four letter common name alpha code is is derived from the first two letters of the common first name and the first two letters of common last name. The six letter species name alpha code is derived from the first three letters of the scientific name (genus) and the first three letters of the scientific name (species). See (1) below for the rules used to create the codes..

Four-letter (for English common names) and six-letter (for scientific names) species alpha codes were developed by Pyle and DeSante (2003, North American Bird-Bander 28:64-79) to reflect A.O.U. taxonomy and nomenclature (A.O.U. 1998) as modified by Supplements 42 (Auk 117:847-858, 2000) and 43 (Auk 119:897-906, 2002). The list has been updated by Pyle and DeSante to reflect changes reported by the A.O.U from 2003 through 2006.

Field Guide to Birds of North America