Bird · GBIF taxon 2480367
White-tailed Kite
Elanus leucurusAlso known as American White-Tailed Kite, Black-Shouldered Kite
White-tailed kites excel at windhovering, hanging motionless high above coastal grasslands and open savannas on fluttering wingtips while scanning the ground below. Once prey is pinpointed, the raptor parachutes gently downward with raised wings and outstretched talons for a silent, lethal strike. Outside the breeding season, scattered hunting pairs assemble into communal winter roosts at sunset, packing into protected groves of willows or eucalyptus.
RaptorHovering HunterDiurnal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- California Vole
- Western Harvest Mouse
- House Mouse
Predators
- Great Horned Owl
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Coyote
ThreatsHabitat loss from urban development, intensive agriculture, and rodenticide toxicity
HabitatsOpen grasslands, agricultural fields, savannas, marshes, and oak woodlands
Life span6–12 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAccipitridae
- SpeciesElanus leucurus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for gleaming white underparts, long pointed wings with black shoulder patches, and a square white tail.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a buffer of at least 100 meters from known nest trees to prevent nest abandonment.
Responsible observation
- Hovering Scan: Look for a stark white bird hanging completely motionless against the wind over pastures.
- Roost Watching: Check isolated stands of trees near wetlands at dusk during winter to locate communal roosts.
- Scope Observation: Use a spotting scope to appreciate their striking ruby-red eyes without causing disturbance.
Competitor (c) nigel, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Prey (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · cc-by
Competitor (c) Jonathan Eisen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jonathan Eisen · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Derek Keats, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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