• BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

    Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Swallow-tailed KIte
jmorlan

Swallow-tailed KIte (Elanoides forficatus forficatus)

A pair of these spectacular, graceful kites was gathering nesting material (Spanish Moss) near the refuge headquarters. The range of this species has contracted markedly in the last century. It formerly bred regularly as far north as Minnesota. Currently, the core of its breeding is peninsular Florida with isolated, outlying populations north to South Carolina and west to east Texas. Recent recolonization in some peripheral areas is encouraging. The US breeding population is entirely migratory, wintering in South America.

This is the more northerly nominate race which differs slightly from a smaller race in Mexico south to South America. This photo shows the black lesser coverts contrasting with the gray wings which it shares with the White-tailed Kite. However, recent genetic studies indicate that Swallow-tailed Kite may be more closely related to several Old World species than it is to the somewhat similar White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus).
Location
Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana.
Date taken
11 April 2009
Scientific name
Elanoides forficatus forficatus
Equipment used
Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LZ5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter)
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
This is one awesome image of this perched Kite. One which I've only seen in the air and never perched.
 
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
They're stunning kites, aren't they.

A superb picture you've got of this lovely guy Joe. Excellent work lad.
 

Media information

Category
North America
Added by
jmorlan
Date added
View count
29
Comment count
3

Share this media

Top