- Rostrhamus sociabilis
Also known as Everglade Kite
Description
L. 43 cm Weight 375g. Male *Slaty-black body *White tail base *Narrow buff or white terminal band on tail *Long, thin hook on bill
- Ceres and feet are orange or red *Red eyes
Female Browner with buff-streaked underparts
Immatures Similar to female, but legs brownish and eye brown.
Similar Species 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.
Immature Slender-billed Kite has darker brownish eyes, but 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.
Taxonomy
Four subspecies are recognised: nominate race from Nicaragua to Argentina, major in eastern Mexico and Guatemala, levis in Cuba and plumbeus in Florida. Race levis commonly included in plumbeus.
Habitat
Freshwater marshes and swamps, lagoons, rivers and mangroves. Lowlands.
Behaviour
Diet As suggested by its name, feeds almost entirely on snails (e.g. Pomacea snails.). Flies low and slowly over marshes in search of its food. Voice A short, guttural cackle.
