Swallow-tailed Kite

Swallow-tailed Kite

(Elanoides forficatus)

Milano tijereta, Elanio tijereta, Gavilán cola de tijera, Elanio tijereto, Gavilán tijereto.

Identification: Large, slim kite with long pointed wings and long, deeply-forked tail. Solid black upperparts (iridescent shoulders), flight and tail feathers, and pure white underside and head. Juveniles are similar to adults but with shorter tail.

Migratory behavior: Soars extensively (especially while using thermals) with brief periods of soft and deep flaps. Migrates in small groups and often mixed with other raptors.

Remarks: Two subspecies in the region: the migratory Northern Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides f. forficatus) breeds in the southeast of the United States and migrates to South America. The Southern Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides f. yetapa) breeds from Southern Mexico to Northern Argentina. The only difference between these subspecies is the color of the iridescent shoulders, green for forficatus and purplish for yetapa.