Swallow-tailed Kite!?!?!?!?!? South Carolina, USA (1 Viewer)

[Daddylion]

I was going through my pictures from our South Carolina trip last summer, hoping I'd missed something in regards to bird species. And lo and behold, I found this shot. This bird was with a Mississippi Kite and I (being just started birding) asssumed it to be a Mississippi also. But now I notice the forked tail. It was taken within range of the Swallow-tailed, but in the northern reaches. Sorry for the poor quality.

Thanks for the help! You guys are the best!:t:

 

[AStevenson]

Potentially it could be but I'm struggling to make out that much colour on the photo - it does look greyish, not the black and white contrast you get between wings and body on swallow-tail, but it could be the light that makes it look greyish

I think that the bird is flying away from us (yes/no?), if so it looks to me like the tail is foreshortened and twisted up to the right, which would mean the 'fork' is formed by the bird's legs/feet dangling - in which case I'd say it's a Mississippi.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Daddylion]

Oh, I was under the impression that it was flying towards us... but I see now that you are right. I guess the "fork" could be the leg... lets see what the others think.
Thanks Andrew!

 

[njlarsen]

I am not sure there is enough detail to say unequivocally from this image.

Niels

 

[Microtus]

After some study, I agree with njlarsen.

 

[MLoyko]

I agree with niels and Microtus, but I think Andrew may be right that it is flying away and that the "fork" is cause by the tail and a foot/leg.

 

[Daddylion]

Thank you Niels, Microtus and Matt for the help. Hopefully I will see a Swallow-tailed in Florida later this month.

 

[Microtus]

Hopefully you will...it should make more than make up for all the heat and humidity.

 

[njlarsen]

Hopefully you will...it should make more than make up for all the heat and humidity.

My observation came from a July visit to Florida in 1997; now there you can talk about a hot and humid period ... |8.|

Niels

 

[Daddylion]

My observation came from a July visit to Florida in 1997; now there you can talk about a hot and humid period ... |8.|

Niels

I could not imagine going in July...:girl: May will be bad enough!

 

[MLoyko]

Hopefully you see one Daddylion, I had my eyes glued to the sky back in March when I went and missed out. Good luck to you my friend.

 

[Daddylion]

Thank you MLoyko and good luck on future trips.:t:

 

[Microtus]

My first three were together (!!) near the Lancaster/Berks county border on Memorial Day 1995. Unbelievable; at least two were there for several days if I recall correctly. Driving home across the Susquehanna River just as a severe thunderstorm with heavy rain hit was unbelievable too. When we were in Florida in Feb 2004 we saw two different ones from the interstate.

 

[Daddylion]

Sounds awesome Microtus!