ExplorarAves

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

The White-tailed Kite is a beautiful bird with striking white feathers and a long tail. It loves to soar high in the sky and can be seen hovering over fields looking for food.

Hábitat: Grasslands

Aspecto

The White-tailed Kite is a sleek, medium-sized raptor with striking white undersides and a pale grey back. It features distinctive bright red eyes and black patches on its shoulder and wingtips. Its long, pointed wings and pure white tail are notable, giving it its name.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloChordataClaseAvesOrdenAccipitriformesFamiliaAccipitridaeGéneroElanus

White-tailed Kite

Categoría

Aves

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Female kites often build their nests high in tall trees using sticks and twigs.

Kites are one of the few raptors that often hunt by hovering motionless in the air.

Their sharp talons act like grappling hooks, helping them snatch prey with ease!

They can twist their tail like a rudder to steer precisely while hunting!

Habilidades especiales

White-tailed Kites can hover almost perfectly still in the air because of specialized wing and tail structure that helps them spot prey from above.

White-tailed Kites have special feather adaptations that help them fly almost silently, allowing them to surprise unsuspecting prey.

White-tailed Kites possess exceptional vision that helps them spot tiny rodents moving in tall grass from high in the sky.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 35-43 cm
Envergadura: 88-102 cm
Peso: 0.25-0.38 kg
Esperanza de vida: 5-10 años
Top Speed: 55 km/h
Tamaño de la puesta: 3-5
Incubación: 30-32 días

Dieta y alimentación

These skilled hunters primarily eat small mammals like voles and mice.

Alimentos principales

mice
voles
gophers
shrews
grasshoppers

Método de búsqueda

Ambush

Conexiones ecológicas

hunts

California Vole

Microtus californicus

A key part of their diet in grassland habitats.

eaten by

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Large raptors sometimes prey on adult kites or nestlings.

shelters

Valley Oak

Quercus lobata

Often nests high in large trees like native oak species.

Rasgos

Con plumas

Describe a los animales, principalmente aves, que poseen una cubierta de plumas.

Aéreo

Las criaturas aéreas pasan una parte importante de su vida en el aire, utilizando el vuelo para diversas actividades como la caza, la migración o la anidación.

Pastizal

Los hábitats de pastizales son biomas terrestres dominados por pastos y plantas herbáceas, que sustentan a una variedad de animales de pastoreo.

Depredador de emboscada

Un depredador de emboscada caza esperando pacientemente y ocultándose, para luego lanzar un ataque repentino cuando una presa desprevenida se pone a su alcance.