A gleaming white-and-gray raptor that hovers stationary in mid-air ("kiting") to spot small mammals below. Recolonized California from near-extinction in the early 1900s.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The white-tailed kite is a small raptor found in western North America and parts of South America. It replaces the related Old World black-winged kite in its native range.
Source: Wikipedia — White-tailed kite Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Pale gray-and-white raptor with long pointed wings, a black shoulder patch, a white tail, and ruby-red eyes. Hovers frequently with the body angled up.
Similar species. Northern Harrier has a white rump (not white tail) and a different flight; the black shoulders, white tail, and hovering mark the White-tailed Kite.
Voice. A whistled, descending 'keep-keep' and a longer grating note near the nest.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects depending on species.
Behavior. A buoyant raptor of open grasslands and marshes that hovers ('kites') on raised wings while hunting voles, then drops with wings held high; roosts communally in winter.
§ Range
Western and southern US
§ Habitat
Open grasslands, savannas, agricultural fields
§ Threats
Habitat loss to development, vehicle strikes, secondary rodenticide poisoning.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the white-tailed kite is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Skip rodenticides. Support grassland and savanna conservation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — White-tailed kite
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Elanus leucurus
- IUCN Red List — search for Elanus leucurus
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Elanus leucurus
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
