(change photo) |
m (changed photo to recommended 550px and other minor changes) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
;Rostrhamus sociabilis | ;Rostrhamus sociabilis | ||
| − | [[Image:Snail_Kite.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Snail_Kite.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Pantanal1<br />A male photographed in the Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil.]] |
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| + | Easily identified by bill in most of its range. The [[Slender-billed Kite]] (local near water in forested areas of South America) has a similar bill and resemble the male Snail Kite in plumage, but is shorter-winged and -tailed, has no white rump, crissum or tail-base and yellow eyes. Juv. Slender-billed Kite with three narrow white tail-bands (incl. tip) unlike any plumage of Snail Kite. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| Line 9: | Line 10: | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Freshwater marshes and swamps, lagoons, rivers and mangroves. | + | Freshwater marshes and swamps, lagoons, rivers and mangroves. Lowlands. |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | As suggested by its name, feeds almost entirely on snails (e.g. ''Pomacea'' snails.). | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Four subspecies are recognised: nominate race from Nicaragua to Argentina, major in eastern Mexico and Guatemala, levis in Cuba and plumbeus in Florida. | + | Four subspecies are recognised: nominate race from Nicaragua to Argentina, ''major'' in eastern Mexico and Guatemala, ''levis'' in Cuba and ''plumbeus'' in Florida. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/search.php?searchid=4023 View more images of Snail Kite in the gallery] | *[http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/search.php?searchid=4023 View more images of Snail Kite in the gallery] | ||
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
Revision as of 23:56, 13 May 2007
- Rostrhamus sociabilis
Description
Identification
Easily identified by bill in most of its range. The Slender-billed Kite (local near water in forested areas of South America) has a similar bill and resemble the male Snail Kite in plumage, but is shorter-winged and -tailed, has no white rump, crissum or tail-base and yellow eyes. Juv. Slender-billed Kite with three narrow white tail-bands (incl. tip) unlike any plumage of Snail Kite.
Distribution
North, Central and South America. In North America breeds only the Everglades of southern Florida. Further south breeds in Cuba and the Isle of Pines and from Veracuz and Oaxaca to Chiapas and Quintana Roo in Mexico to Nicaragua, but rare in Panama. In South America breeds south to western Ecuador in the west and throughout the east as far south as Uruguay and northern Argentina. Rare in Trinidad. Resident.
Habitat
Freshwater marshes and swamps, lagoons, rivers and mangroves. Lowlands.
Behaviour
As suggested by its name, feeds almost entirely on snails (e.g. Pomacea snails.).
Taxonomy
Four subspecies are recognised: nominate race from Nicaragua to Argentina, major in eastern Mexico and Guatemala, levis in Cuba and plumbeus in Florida.
