ExploreBirds

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.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

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.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAccipitriformesFamilyAccipitridaeGenusElanus
White-tailed Kite
feathered trait badgeaerial trait badgegrassland trait badgeambush_predator trait badge
White-tailed Kite

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

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!

Special abilities

Ability

Hover Hunter

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.

Ability

Silent Glider

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

Ability

Super Sight

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

Measurements & details

Length
35-43 cm
Wingspan
88-102 cm
Weight
0.25-0.38 kg
Lifespan
5-10 years
Top Speed
55 km/h
Clutch Size
3-5
Incubation
30-32 days

Diet & Feeding

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

Primary Foods

  • mice
  • voles
  • gophers
  • shrews
  • grasshoppers

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to touch or catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is White-tailed Kite?

35-43 cm

What is White-tailed Kite's wingspan?

88-102 cm

How much does White-tailed Kite weigh?

0.25-0.38 kg

How long does White-tailed Kite live?

5-10 years

How fast can White-tailed Kite move?

55 km/h

What does White-tailed Kite eat?

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

Where is White-tailed Kite usually found?

Grasslands

How does White-tailed Kite hunt?

Ambush

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Where to spot

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