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Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

The Swallow-tailed Kite is a beautiful bird with long, forked tails and striking black and white feathers. They glide gracefully in the sky and are often seen soaring high above forests and wetlands.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Swallow-tailed Kite has a striking white head and body, with contrasting glossy black flight feathers and a deeply forked tail. Its underwings are also white, making it stand out from other raptors.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAccipitriformesFamilyAccipitridaeGenusElanoides
Swallow-tailed Kite
Photo: Andy Morffew from Itchen Abbas, Hampshire, UKCC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗
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Swallow-tailed Kite

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

9

Interesting facts

During migration, hundreds of Swallow-tailed Kites can roost together.

Swallow-tailed Kites perform amazing aerial dances during courtship.

These birds decorate their nests with fresh green leaves every day.

They often build their nests over 100 feet high in the tallest trees!

Special abilities

Ability

Acrobatic Air-Hunter

Swallow-tailed Kites can snatch insects, small animals, and even drink water from surfaces while flying, thanks to their agile flight.

Ability

Precision Pilot

Swallow-tailed Kites have a long, deeply forked tail that helps them steer with incredible precision, even in strong winds.

Ability

Mid-Air Meal Maker

Swallow-tailed Kites can eat their prey completely in flight, using their talons to hold food and their beak to tear pieces.

Measurements & details

Length
50-68 cm
Wingspan
112-136 cm
Weight
0.31-0.6 kg
Lifespan
10-15 years
Speed
60 km/h
Clutch Size
1-3
Incubation
28-31 days
Migration Distance
7000 km

Diet & Feeding

These agile hunters primarily snatch insects, tree frogs, and small reptiles directly from the air or branches.

Primary Foods

  • dragonflies
  • cicadas
  • tree frogs
  • small snakes
  • lizards
  • wasps

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

Eaten by

Green Tree Frog

Hyla cinerea

A common prey item snatched from vegetation.

Eaten by

Carolina Anole

Anolis carolinensis

These lizards are often caught from treetops.

Eats

Wandering Glider

Pantala flavescens

A frequently hunted dragonfly for mid-air meals.

Shelter

Loblolly Pine

Pinus taeda

Tall pine trees are favored for building their nests.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and do not disturb their nests.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Swallow-tailed Kite?

Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Swallow-tailed Kite?

50-68 cm

What is Swallow-tailed Kite's wingspan?

112-136 cm

How much does Swallow-tailed Kite weigh?

0.31-0.6 kg

How long does Swallow-tailed Kite live?

10-15 years

How fast can Swallow-tailed Kite move?

60 km/h

What does Swallow-tailed Kite eat?

These agile hunters primarily snatch insects, tree frogs, and small reptiles directly from the air or branches.

Where is Swallow-tailed Kite usually found?

Wetlands

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