Where are white-tailed kites found?

What was the original name of the white tailed kite?

General Description. The White-tailed Kite was formerly known as the Black-shouldered Kite, until the species was split, with the North American birds taking the new moniker.

What habitat do white tailed kites live in?

Habitat White-tailed Kites are found in open grasslands with scattered trees for nesting and perching. They are often found along tree-lined river valleys with adjacent open areas, but are not usually found in forests or in clearcuts within forests.

What do white tailed kites eat?

While hunting, kites often hover over open fields. Small mammals, especially voles, make up the majority of the White-tailed Kite’s diet. White-tailed Kites form a monogamous pair in December, and the pair stays together year round.

Are there white tailed kites in California?

White-tailed kite hovering. White-tailed kite roosting. The white-tailed kite was rendered almost extinct in California in the 1930s and 1940s due to shooting and egg-collecting, but they are now common again. Their distribution is patchy, however.

What is the genus and species name for a kite?

It is now one of four species in the genus Elanus which was introduced in 1809 by the French zoologist Jules-César Savigny. The word Elanus is from Ancient Greek elanos for a “kite”.

What is a white tailed kite called?

White-tailed kite. The white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus) is a small raptor found in western North America and parts of South America.

When did the white tailed kite become extinct?

The white-tailed kite was rendered almost extinct in California in the 1930s and 1940s due to shooting and egg-collecting, but they are now common again. Their distribution is patchy, however.

How do white tailed kites stay stationary?

They can hold a stationary position in midair by facing into the wind and fluttering their wings, a behavior so characteristic of these birds it’s called kiting. White-tailed Kites maintain territories, though they tend to tolerate nearby kites and are not as strongly territorial as other raptors.

Where do white tailed kites live?

White-tailed Kites are common in savannas, open woodlands, marshes, desert grasslands, partially cleared lands, and cultivated fields. They tend to avoid heavily grazed areas.

What is the shape of the white-tailed kite?

The coloration of the white-tailed kite is gull-like, but its shape and flight is falcon-like, with a rounded tail.

What do white-tailed kites eat?

The White-tailed Kite eats mainly small mammals, but it also eats birds, lizards, and insects on rare occasions.

What is a white-tailed kite?

The White-tailed Kite was formerly known as the Black-shouldered Kite, until the species was split, with the North American birds taking the new moniker. The White-tailed Kite is a distinctive bird, especially when hovering over open fields. The kite’s upperparts are mostly gray, with bold black shoulders.

How many white tailed kites in California?

In 1971, the birds were counted in 45 cities in California, and the highest recorded number of White-tailed Kites occurred in Sacramento with 140 and Benicia with 106, but an average of 15 birds per city. In 1997, the White-tailed Kites were counted in 73 cities, and the average was found to be 20 birds per city.

Where do white tailed kites come from?

A closely related and very similar species, the Black-shouldered Kite, occurs across Europe, Africa, and Asia. The oldest recorded White-tailed Kite was at least 6 years old when it was found in California.

What are the different species of kites in the world?

Species. 1 Subfamily Elaninae. 1.1 Genus Elanus. 1.2 Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus. 1.3 Black-shouldered kite, Elanus axillaris. 1.4 White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus. 1.5 Letter-winged kite, Elanus scriptus.

What is the scientific name of animals and birds?

List of Scientific Names of Animals and Birds. Classification of animals and birds name is also known as ‘binomial nomenclature’. In 1973 Carl Linnaeus, classified species into two names, one is genus and other is a specific name. Like Homo sapiens, which stands for humans. In this homo is genus and sapiens is a specific name.

What is the scientific name for a black-winged kite?

Genus Elanus Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus Black-shouldered kite, Elanus axillaris White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus Letter-winged kite, Elanus scriptus 1 Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus 2 Black-shouldered kite, Elanus axillaris 3 White-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus 4 Letter-winged kite, Elanus scriptus

What does a kite look like in flight?

Strong direct flight with deep wing beats, often high above water. Swallow-tailed Kite: The largest of North America kites, has black upperparts which contrast with white head and underparts. In flight it shows long pointed wings with black flight feathers and white wing linings.

Do white tailed kites migrate?

While White-tailed Kites have no known regular migration, they do wander widely, especially when prey is scarce. During the early 20th Century, the White-tailed Kite had a very restricted range and was threatened with extinction.

Why did the red kite become extinct?

This resulted in the species becoming extinct in several countries following a marked long-term decrease in range and numbers. In the UK the red kite was a valued scavenger during the Middle Ages that helped keep streets clean and was protected by a royal decree; killing a kite attracted capital punishment.

How do white tailed kites make their nests?

White-tailed Kites form a monogamous pair in December, and the pair stays together year round. Nest building starts in January. They nest in the top of a tree, usually 20-50 feet off the ground. Both members of the pair help build the nest, which is made of twigs and lined with grass, weeds, or leaves.

Where do white-tailed kites live?

White-tailed Kites have a tiny range in the U.S., but they occur throughout the Americas, breeding as far south as Chile and Argentina. A closely related and very similar species, the Black-shouldered Kite, occurs across Europe, Africa, and Asia. The oldest recorded White-tailed Kite was at least 6 years old when it was found in California.