Swallow-tailed Kite
Charadriusvociferus
Photographed in the wild, Marco Island, FL Mar 2013
The name refers to the similarity to the forked-tails of
some swallows. Swallow-tailed Kites are found in the southeast United States
and southward through Central America and tropical South America. Their range
in the United States decreased probably from persecution, changes in land use,
and cutting of large river-bottom trees.
This Kite captures flying insects or plucks insects and
lizards from the tops of trees.
Swallow-tailed Kites are among the
most adept and acrobatic fliers of all raptors. In some areas of this kite’s
range, 2 eggs are laid, but the first chick to hatch will usually kill the
younger chick. This is referred to as obligate silicide.
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