| Swallow-tailed kite | |
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Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Elanoides Vieillot, 1818 |
| Species: | E. forficatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Elanoides forficatus | |
| Subspecies | |
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| Distribution: Year-round Breeding Migration | |
| Synonyms | |
Elanus forficatus(Linnaeus, 1758) | |
Theswallow-tailed kite (Elanoides forficatus) is apernineraptor which breeds from thesoutheastern United States to easternPeru and northernArgentina. It is the only species in the genusElanoides. Most North and Central American breederswinter in South America where the species isresident year round.
The swallow-tailed kite was first described as the "swallow-tail hawk" and "accipiter cauda furcata" (forked-tail hawk) by the English naturalistMark Catesby in 1731.[2] It was given thebinomial scientific nameFalco forficatus byCarl Linnaeus in the10th edition ofSystema Naturae, published in 1758;[3] he changed this toFalco furcatus in the 12th edition of 1766.[4] The latter spelling was used widely during the 18th and 19th centuries, but the original spelling has precedence. ThegenusElanoides was introduced by the French ornithologistLouis Pierre Vieillot in 1818.[5][6] The name is fromAncient Greekelanos for "kite" and-oides for "resembling".[7]
The species is 50 to 68 cm (20 to 27 in) in length, with a wingspan of approximately 1.12–1.36 m (3.7–4.5 ft). Male and female individuals appear similar. The body weight is 310–600 g (11–21 oz).[8][9] The body is a contrasting deep black and white. The flight feathers, tail, feet,bill are all black. Another characteristic is the elongated, forked tail at 27.5–37 cm (10.8–14.6 in) long, hence the nameswallow-tailed. The wings are also relatively elongated, as the wing chord measures 39–45 cm (15–18 in). Thetarsus is fairly short for the size of the bird at 3.3 cm (1.3 in).[10] The body is a contrasting deep black and white. The upper side of the wings is black along with the, tail, feet, and bill. The underside of the wings is partly black and partly white.
Young swallow-tailed kites are duller in color than the adults, and the tail is not as deeply forked. Sometimes a high-pitchedchirp is emitted, though the birds mostly remain silent.
The swallow-tailed kite is largely associated with large tracts ofwetland forests which accommodates the birds nesting habits.Loblolly pines (Pinus taeda) are the most prevalent choice for building nests butbald cypress (Taxodium distichum) are also used when the pines are unavailable. The major requirement of these nesting sites are food availability and tree height. Nesting locations are often found in trees as high as 100 ft (30 m). Historic ranges in the United States covered the majority of theSouthern states and much of theMidwest (inKentucky,Indiana,Ohio,Illinois,Missouri,Iowa,Kansas,Nebraska, and as far north asWisconsin andMinnesota).[11] Aside from the US, it resides in many areas throughoutCentral andSouth America. Habitat degradation and changes in wetlandhydrology have caused the range to shrink in the US to just coastal regions of the southeastern and southwestern US, roughly an 80% decline inpopulation.
Swallow-tailed kites are considered migratoryraptors and during thespring months often move from areas in Central and South America to breed. Roughly 3% of the world's population breed in the United States.[12] Traveling thousands of miles these birds move towards the most suitable nesting habitat found within coastal wetlands between the Americas.Satellite-telemetry has allowed researchers to track movements of individual birds over the years and has yielded data that demonstrates somemigration journeys longer than 10,000 mi (16,000 km). Land located within migration routes is thought to be another concern for the kites, asdeforestation and habitat degradation in Central and South Americas can have adverse affects as the birds move to breed.The birds are considered one of the most graceful fliers seen in America and often spend the majority of their lives scouring high tree tops forlizards, small mammals, andinsects. Themorphology of the swallow-tailed kite'swing and tail structure allows the bird to glide effortlessly for long distances.[13][14][12]
The swallow-tailed kite feeds on smallreptiles, such as snakes and lizards.[15] It may also feed on smallamphibians such as frogs; largeinsects, such as grasshoppers, crickets, termites, ants, wasps, dragonflies, beetles, and caterpillars; smallbirds and theireggs and nestlings; and smallmammals includingbats.[16][17] It has also been known to prey onfish.[18] It has been observed to regularly consume fruit in Central America.[19] It drinks by skimming the surface and collecting water in its beak. The bird usually does not break flight during feeding.[8]
Mating occurs from March to May, with the female laying two to foureggs. They are white or bluish white, spotted with brown.[20]Incubation lasts 28 days, and 36 to 42 days tofledge. Often thought to formmonogamous pairs, the birds are thought to spend some time apart and meet up during migrations to nesting locations. These nesting locations are often found in the highest trees in wetland areas.[8] On occasion, pairs will return to the same nesting locations of the previous years and refurbish old nests. Generally,nests take about four days to complete.[8]
Swallow-tailed kites are not listed asendangered or threatened by the federal government in theUnited States as of 2024[update].[11][21] They are listed as endangered by the state ofSouth Carolina[22] and as threatened by the state ofTexas.[23] They are listed as "rare" by the state ofGeorgia.[21]
The Center for Birds of Prey in Charleston, South Carolina has an ongoing effort to track sightings within the state. Anonymous reports can be made atSwallow-tailed Kite Sighting Form or by telephone. They will also send you the summary of the years reported sightings if you leave them your contact information.
Destruction of habitats is chiefly responsible for the decline in numbers. A key conservation area is theLower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge inFlorida. As of 2016, populations have seemed to stabilize and even show increasing trends.[citation needed] Successful habitat restoration and management has allowed these birds to reestablish nesting populations in areas of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.[citation needed]
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