Bird · GBIF taxon 2480461
Swallow-tailed Kite
Elanoides forficatusAlso known as American Swallow-tailed Kite, Fork-tailed Kite, Scissor-tailed Hawk
Swallow-tailed Kites perform breathtaking aerial maneuvers, plucking dragonflies, lizards, and tree frogs directly from forest canopies and water surfaces without ever touching the ground. They routinely eat their catches while in flight and construct nests high in tall trees near open wetlands. Before autumn migration, hundreds gather in massive communal roosts across southern Florida before embarking on a long overseas journey to South America.
AcrobaticRaptorMigratory
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Dragonflies
- Green Tree Frogs
- Anoles
Predators
- Great Horned Owl
- Corn Snake
- Raccoon
ThreatsDeforestation, wetland drainage, collision with power lines
HabitatsWetlands, cypress swamps, river bottomlands, pine flatwoods
Life span6–12 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAccipitriformes
- FamilyAccipitridae
- GenusElanoides
- SpeciesElanoides forficatus
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
- Recognizable by striking snow-white plumage, black flight feathers, and a deeply forked scissor tail.
- Support conservation
- Observe nests and communal roosts from at least 100 meters away to prevent disturbing breeding adults.
Responsible observation
- Look to the Canopy: Watch high above swamp borders and forest edges where they forage on thermal updrafts.
- Scan for Roosts: Look for large aggregations in late summer before they migrate south.
- Maintain Distance: Use binoculars or telephoto lenses near active nest trees to avoid causing stress.
Co-occurring Raptor Giles Laurent / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Laura Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Clark · cc-by
Taxonomic Relative (c) cello caruso-turiello, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by cello caruso-turiello · cc-by
Pernine Relative (c) Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová · cc-by
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Mystic Meadows
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