ABOUT THIS SPECIES
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE – (Species Account Weblog #90)
TAXONOMIC TREE:
- ORDER: Accipitriformes,
- FAMILY: Accipitridae,
- BINOMIAL NAME: Elanoides forficatus
With its hanging black and white plumage, deeply forked tail, and extraordinary aerial grace, the Swallow-tailed Kite is never misidentified because it programs low over the treetops looking for small vertebrates or twists and dives in pursuit of flying bugs. Even at nice distances, hovering Swallow-tailed Kites will be distinguished from Buteo hawks and vultures by their silhouette, barely downcurved wings, and tendency to hold immobile whereas heading upwind. They hardly ever flap their wings however nearly constantly rotate their tail, typically to just about 90 levels, with a view to maintain a heading, flip abruptly, or hint tight circles whereas drifting throughout the sky. (from Birds of the World)
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION
PERSONAL OBSERVATION ANECDOTES
In Costa Rica we noticed a number of teams of Swallow-tailed Kites flying overhead close to Sarapiqui after which later close to Arenal.
PHOTO GALLERY
**A few of these Photograph Gallery photos (all taken by me) have been taken in different close by nations.
RECENT BLOG POSTS
View the 5 most up-to-date Birds & Birding in Costa Rica collection weblog posts beneath.
