Swallow-tailed kite

The swallow-tailed kite is a striking bird of prey that breeds from the southeastern United States down to eastern Peru and northern Argentina. It is the sole species in its genus, Elanoides. First described in 1731 by Mark Catesby, this bird was initially named the "swallow-tail hawk" with the Latin designation "Accipiter cauda furcata." Over time, its scientific name has evolved to Elanoides forficatus.

What sets the swallow-tailed kite apart are its sharp black and white plumage, its long, forked tail, and its slender wings. Unfortunately, habitat loss and alterations to wetland areas have caused a decline in their U.S. population, prompting various conservation and habitat restoration efforts.

These birds have a varied diet, preying on small reptiles, insects, small birds, and mammals. Interestingly, they have also been observed eating fruit in Central America. When it comes to drinking, they do so elegantly by skimming the surface of the water.

The mating season for the swallow-tailed kite spans from March to May. Females lay between 2 to 4 eggs, which they incubate for approximately 28 days. After hatching, the young birds fledge in 36 to 42 days. These kites are believed to form monogamous pairs and often return to the same nesting locations each year.

In the U.S., the swallow-tailed kite is not listed as a federal endangered or threatened species, but it is considered endangered in South Carolina, threatened in Texas, and rare in Georgia. Conservation efforts focus on restoring and managing habitats, with notable successes in areas like the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. The Center for Birds of Prey in Charleston, SC, monitors swallow-tailed kite sightings and has observed that their populations are either stable or increasing in recent years.