Swallow-tailed Kite

Swallow-tailed Kite

Taxobox
name = Swallow-tailed Kite
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1


image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Falconiformes
familia = Accipitridae
genus = "Elanoides"
species = "E. forficatus"
binomial = "Elanoides forficatus"
binomial_authority = (Linnaeus, 1758)
subdivision_ranks = Synonyms
subdivision =
* "Elanus forficatus"
* "Falco forficatus"

The Swallow-tailed Kite ("Elanoides forficatus") is an elanid kite which breeds from the southeastern United States to eastern Peru and northern Argentina. Most North and Central American breeders winter in South America where the species is resident year round. It was formerly named "Falco forficatus".

Physical description

The species is 55 to 65 cm in length, with a wingspan of approximately 1.3 m. Male and female individuals appear similar. The body is a contrasting deep black and white. The flight feathers, tail, feet, bill are all black. Another characteristic is the forked tail, hence the name "swallow-tailed".

Young Swallow-tailed Kites are duller in color than the adults, and the tail is not as deeply forked.

Habitat and behavior

Swallow-tailed Kites inhabit mostly woodland and forested wetlands near nesting locations. Nests are built in trees, usually near water. Both male and female participate in building the nest.

Sometime a high-pitched chirp is emitted; though the birds mostly remain silent.

Feeding, drinking, mating

The Swallow-tailed Kite feeds on small reptiles and insects, and drinks by skimming the surface and collecting water in its bill.

Mating occurs from March to May, with the female laying 2 to 4 eggs. Incubation lasts 28 days, and 36 to 42 days to fledge.

Conservation in the United States

Swallow-tailed Kites are not listed as endangered or threatened by the federal government in the United States. They are listed as endangered by the state of South Carolina and as threatened by the state of Texas. They are listed as "rare" by the state of Georgia. Destruction of habitats is chiefly responsible for the decline in numbers. A key conservation area is the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge in Florida.

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
* Stiles and Skutch, "A guide to the birds of Costa Rica" ISBN 0-8014-9600-4

External links

* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=584 American Swallow-tailed Kite videos] on the Internet Bird Collection
* [http://www.amazilia.net/images/Birds/Hawks/SwallowtailedKite.htm 5 pictures of Swallow-tailed Kites]
* [http://www.bird-stamps.org/cspecies/3001600.htm Stamps] (for Grenadines of Guyana, Guyana, Nicaragua) with RangeMap–("vagrant" in eastern USA, except southeast)
* [http://vireo.acnatsci.org/search.html?Form=Search&SEARCHBY=Common&KEYWORDS=swallow-tailed+kite&showwhat=images&AGE=All&SEX=All&ACT=All&Search=Search&VIEW=All&ORIENTATION=All&RESULTS=24 Swallow-tailed Kite photo gallery] VIREO
* [http://www.cayaya-birding.com/slideshow/elafor.htm Photo-(Soaring) & article]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Swallow-tailed kite — Swallow tailed Swal low tailed , a. 1. Having a tail like that of a swallow; hence, like a swallow s tail in form; having narrow and tapering or pointed skirts; as, a swallow tailed coat. [1913 Webster] 2. (Carp.) United by dovetailing;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • swallow-tailed kite — noun graceful North American black and white kite • Syn: ↑swallow tailed hawk, ↑Elanoides forficatus • Hypernyms: ↑kite • Member Holonyms: ↑Elanoides, ↑genus Elanoides * * * …   Useful english dictionary

  • swallow-tailed kite — Fork tailed Fork tailed , a. (Zo[ o]l.) Having the outer tail feathers longer than the median ones; swallow tailed; said of many birds. [1913 Webster] {Fork tailed flycatcher} (Zo[ o]l.), a tropical American flycatcher ({Milvulus tyrannus}).… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • swallow-tailed kite — an American kite, Elanoides forficatus, having black upper parts, white head and underparts, and a long, deeply forked tail. [1870 75] * * * …   Universalium

  • African Swallow-tailed Kite — Taxobox name = African Swallow tailed Kite status = LC | status system = IUCN3.1 regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Aves ordo = Falconiformes familia = Accipitridae genus = Chelictinia species = C. riocourii binomial = Chelictinia… …   Wikipedia

  • African swallow-tailed kite — afrikiniai kregždiniai pesliai statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Chelictinia angl. African swallow tailed kite vok. Schwalbenschwanzaar, m rus. африканский дымчатый коршун, m pranc. élanion naucler, m ryšiai: platesnis… …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • African swallow-tailed kite — afrikinis kregždinis peslys statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Chelictinia riocourii; Elanus riocourii angl. African swallow tailed kite vok. Schwalbenschwanzaar, m rus. африканский дымчатый коршун, m pranc. élanion naucler …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • American swallow-tailed kite — amerikiniai kregždiniai pesliai statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Elanoides angl. American swallow tailed kite vok. Schwalbenweih, m rus. вилохвостый коршун, m; ласточковый коршун, m pranc. milan à queue fourchue, m ryšiai …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • American swallow-tailed kite — amerikinis kregždinis peslys statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Elanoides forficatus angl. American swallow tailed kite vok. Schwalbenweih, m rus. вилохвостый коршун, m; ласточковый коршун, m pranc. milan à queue fourchue, m …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • Swallow-tailed — Swal low tailed , a. 1. Having a tail like that of a swallow; hence, like a swallow s tail in form; having narrow and tapering or pointed skirts; as, a swallow tailed coat. [1913 Webster] 2. (Carp.) United by dovetailing; dovetailed. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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