Bird · GBIF taxon 2480415
Snail Kite
Rostrhamus sociabilisSnail Kites glide low over open marshes on broad wings and use a deeply curved, slender bill to extract freshwater snails. They perch conspicuously while feeding and build nests in emergent wetland vegetation.
Marsh RaptorSnail SpecialistLow Glider
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Apple snails
- Other freshwater snails
Predators
- Great horned owls
- Alligators
- Raccoons
ThreatsAltered wetland hydrology, loss of nesting vegetation, pollution, food shortages, and disturbance
HabitatsFreshwater marshes, vegetated lake margins, flooded grasslands, and slow wetlands
Life spanOften about 10 to 15 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAccipitridae
- SpeciesRostrhamus sociabilis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Remain far from marsh nests and never flush a perched or feeding kite.
Responsible observation
- Bill: Look for a narrow hook adapted to reaching inside snail shells.
- Feeding: Watch a perch for discarded empty shells below the bird.
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