Swallow-tailed Kite
Elanoides forficatus
Swallow-tailed Kites almost never touch the ground; they even drink by skimming the surface of a pond and eat their prey while flying.
- Scientific name
- Elanoides forficatus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Accipitriformes › Accipitridae › Elanoides
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Bottomland hardwood forests, cypress swamps, and pine flatwoods near freshwater.
- Diet
- Large flying insects like dragonflies, as well as small lizards, snakes, frogs, and nestling birds.
- Range
- Southeastern United States, Central America, South America
- Size
- Wingspan of 1.1 to 1.3 meters; weight of 370 to 600 grams.
- Lifespan
- 6-10 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Loss of wetland habitat, drainage of swamps, and pesticide accumulation affecting insect prey.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and shy. These birds spend most of their time high in the air. Observe with binoculars to avoid disturbing nesting sites in tall canopies. If you find an injured bird or grounded chick, do not handle it directly; contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately.
The swallow-tailed kite ( Elanoides forficatus ) is a pernine raptor which breeds from the southeastern United States to eastern Peru and northern Argentina. It is the only species in the genus Elanoides . Most North and Central American breeders winter in South America where the species is resident year round. It was formerly named Falco forficatus .
Photo: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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