White-tailed Kite

White-tailed Kite, adult in flight; Channel Is., CA, November.

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A medium-sized raptor of open grasslands and savannahs, the White-tailed Kite is readily identified by its bright plumage and its habit of hovering while hunting for small mammals.

Description

Medium-sized hawk. Long, narrow, pointed wings. Long white tail. Gray back and wings. White face and underside. Black spot on inner portion of wings. Eyes red.

• Size: 32-38 cm (13-15 in)
• Weight: 300-360 g (10.59-12.71 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look similar; female with slightly darker back.

Sound

Call a whistled yelp.

Conservation Status

Populations decreased to very low numbers by early 1900s, but increased after 1940. Some local decreases occurring currently.

Other Names

Élanion à queue blanche (French)
Milano coliblanco, Milano maromero (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• During the nonbreeding season, the White-tailed Kite roosts communally, with more than 100 individuals counted at some roosts.

• Although some populations fluctuate regularly in size, it is unknown whether the White-tailed Kite is migratory, nomadic, or both.

Sources used to construct this page:

Dunk, J. R. 1995. White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus). In The Birds of North America, No. 178 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists? Union, Washington, D.C.